cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation ofParaiotonchium muscadomesticae(Nematoda: Tylenchida: Iotonchiidae), a Potential Biological Control Agent of the Housefly (Diptera:Muscidae)☆

Abstract When housefly eggs were exposed toParaiotonchium muscadomesticaeColer and Nguyen from nematode-infected flies, an IC50(concentration resulting in 50% of the hosts becoming infected) of 23.7 gamogenetic nematodes/fly egg was observed, with an IC90of 183.8. Mortality was low except at high nematode concentrations (LC50 = 4901, LC90 = 102,517). Infected adult flies of both sexes lived about half as long as uninfected flies. Examination of nematode age structure in infected flies revealed that mature gamogenetic females produced about 8 parthenogenetic females each regardless of nematode crowding levels. In contrast, production of new gamogenetic nematodes by parthenogenetic females was density-dependent, with average reproductive rates ranging from 1627 progeny/parthenogenetic female at 8 females/host to 330 progeny at 83 females/host. Infected flies contained 12,000–45,000 new gamogenetic nematodes 10–14 days after fly emergence. The percentage of male flies infected with the nematode was equal to the percentage of females infected with the nematode. Gamogenetic nematodes required 24 h after deposition into fly larval rearing medium before they were capable of infecting new host larvae. Nematodes persisted in rearing medium for 3–5 days after deposition; no infections were observed at 7 and 10 days after deposition.
Husserl’s appropriation of the psychological concepts of apperception and attention

In the sixth Logical Investigation, Husserl thematizes the surplus (Uberschus) of the perceptual intention whereby the intending goes beyond the partial givenness of a perceptual object to the object as a whole. This surplus is an apperceptive surplus that transcends the purely perceptual substance (Gehalt) or sensed content (empfundene Inhalt) available to a perceiver at any one time. This surplus can be described on the one hand as a synthetic link to future, possible, active experience; to intend an object is to intend it as it would appear if we were to have an exhaustively synthetic explication of it. This perceptual apperceptive surplus is, on the other hand, distinguished from the surplus that categorial form represents over the perceptual sense data. In this paper I show how the apperceptive surplus can also be understood as a synthetic link to past experience that is passively operative in any present perception. The synthetic link to both past and possible experience is a link to non-actual perceptions. Links to non-actual experience are despite their non-actuality nevertheless genuinely intentional in that they enter into the sense of any actively constituted object understood as a unity of sense. Key to this interpretation is an explanation of how Husserl appropriated the key concepts of attention and apperception from psychologists of his day, such as Stumpf and Wundt.
Joint correction of respiratory motion artifact and partial volume effect in lung/thoracic PET/CT imaging

Purpose: Respiratory motion artifacts and partial volume effects (PVEs) are two degrading factors that affect the accuracy of image quantification in PET/CT imaging. In this article, the authors propose a joint motion and PVE correction approach (JMPC) to improve PET quantification by simultaneously correcting for respiratory motion artifacts and PVE in patients with lung/thoracic cancer. The objective of this article is to describe this approach and evaluate its performance using phantom and patient studies. Methods: The proposed joint correction approach incorporates a model of motion blurring, PVE, and object size/shape. A motion blurring kernel (MBK) is then estimated from the deconvolution of the joint model, while the activity concentration (AC) of the tumor is estimated from the normalization of the derived MBK. To evaluate the performance of this approach, two phantom studies and eight patient studies were performed. In the phantom studies, two motion waveforms—a linear sinusoidal and a circular motion—were used to control the motion of a sphere, while in the patient studies, all participants were instructed to breathe regularly. For the phantom studies, the resultant MBK was compared to the true MBK by measuring a correlation coefficient between the two kernels. The measured sphere AC derived from the proposed method was compared to the true AC as well as the ACs in images exhibiting PVE only and images exhibiting both PVE and motion blurring. For the patient studies, the resultant MBK was compared to the motion extent derived from a 4D-CT study, while the measured tumor AC was compared to the AC in images exhibiting both PVE and motion blurring. Results: For the phantom studies, the estimated MBK approximated the true MBK with an average correlation coefficient of 0.91. The tumor ACs following the joint correction technique were similar to the true AC with an average difference of 2%. Furthermore, the tumor ACs on the PVE only images and images with both motion blur and PVE effects were, on average, 75% and 47.5% (10%) of the true AC, respectively, for the linear (circular) motion phantom study. For the patient studies, the maximum and mean AC/SUV on the PET images following the joint correction are, on average, increased by 125.9% and 371.6%, respectively, when compared to the PET images with both PVE and motion. The motion extents measured from the derived MBK and 4D-CT exhibited an average difference of 1.9 mm. Conclusions: The proposed joint correction approach can improve the accuracy of PET quantification by simultaneously compensating for the respiratory motion artifacts and PVE in lung/thoracic PET/CT imaging.
Germanium junction field effect transistor for cryogenic applications

Abstract The n-channel germanium junction field effect transistor (Ge-JFET) was designed and fabricated for cryogenic applications. Ideal device current and voltage characteristics were obtained at cryogenic temperatures down to the liquid helium temperature (4.2 K). The Ge-JFET exhibits a superior noise performance at the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). From the device current voltage characteristics of n-channel JFETs, it is seen that the transconductance increases monotonically with the lowering of temperature to 4.2 K.
Temperature Requirements for Development of the Obliquebanded Leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Developmental thresholds and thermal-unit requirements for egg hatching, larval and pupal development, and the period before oviposition were determined for the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris). An average of 111.9 degreedays (thermal units) above 10.0°C was required from oviposition to hatching. Development of the total larval stage required 435.6 degree-days. The developmental thresholds for different larval instars were variable, and significantly different from each other. The fourth larval instar had the lowest developmental threshold, 7.1°C. Other thresholds were: first instar, 11.0°C; second and third instars, 9.9°C; fifth instar, 8.8°C; and sixth instar, 11.4°C. Diapausing third-instar threshold was 11.1°C. Pupae required 117.4 thermal units (above 9.5°C) for adult eclosion. Females required a period before oviposition of 35.2 degree-days above 11.9°C. Egg, larva, pupa, and preoviposition period represented, respectively, 16, 62, 17, and 5% of the total thermal development period from egg to egg.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Reaction-Formed Silicon Carbide (RFSC) Ceramics

Abstract The microstructure and mechanical properties of reaction-formed silicon carbide (RFSC) ceramics fabricated by silicon infiltration of porous carbon preforms are discussed. The morphological characterization of the carbon preforms indicates a very narrow pore size distribution. Measurements of the preform density by physical methods and by mercury porosimetry agree very well and indicate that virtually all of the porosity in the preforms is open to infiltrating liquids. The average room temperature flexural strength of the RFSC material with approximately 8 at.% free silicon is 369±28 MPa (53.5±4 ksi). The Weibull strength distribution data give a characteristic strength value of 381 MPa (55 ksi) and a Weibull modulus of 14.3. The residual silicon content is lower and the strengths are superior to those of most commercially available reaction-bonded silicon carbide materials.
Plastic flow of a nanocrystalline/amorphous Al90Fe5Gd5 composite formed by rolling

Abstract Mechanically induced nanocrystallization has attracted much interest and is expected to be an alternative route for synthesizing nanocrystalline/amorphous matrix composites. However, little research has been performed on the mechanical behavior of these composites. Using nanoindentation, we have investigated plastic flow of a nanocrystalline/amorphous Al 90 Fe 5 Gd 5 composite produced by rolling at room temperature. The nanocrystalline/amorphous matrix composite exhibits less-obvious serrations than the as-spun amorphous alloy. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, we observed the microstructure and morphology of indents. It is believed that the predominant deformation mechanism in the nanocrystalline/amorphous composite is the propagation of preexisting shear bands, in contrast to nucleation and propagation in the as-spun alloy.
Laser selective deposition of III–V compounds on GaAs and Si substrates

Abstract GaAs, InGaAs and GaAsP have been selectively deposited on GaAs and Si substrates by laser induced chemical vapor deposition. Direct writing of these compounds has been achieved by scanning an Ar+ laser at variable power densities and speeds. The deposition patterns were both spot-like (diameter 1.5 to 500 μm) and linear in character with corresponding thicknesses in the range of 0.02 to 3 μm. Uniform gaussian thickness profiles were typical for high scanning speeds. Compared to conventional MOCVD growth techniques, approximately a 100-fold increase in the material deposition rate was observed. Futhermore, differences in composition of the ternary compounds were noted. These results indicate that both pyrolytic and photolytic processes seem to contribute to the deposition.
Simulation and analysis of intervention costs due to wind-induced damage on tall buildings

Abstract A numerical algorithm is developed for estimating the life-cycle monetary losses (maintenance and repair costs) due to wind-induced damage on tall buildings. The wind loading on tall buildings is evaluated by combining the effect of buffeting forces and vortex shedding forces. The translation process theory is subsequently used to estimate the peak value of the resultant response, which is a non-Gaussian stochastic process. “Fragility curves”, accounting for random aerodynamic coefficients due to experimental errors, are used to estimate vulnerability and wind-induced damage probability. These curves represent the probability of exceeding a given structural damage state (or performance threshold), conditional on the mean wind speed. The thresholds are based on top-floor resultant acceleration, for occupant comfort, and resultant peak displacements, for structural damage. The results of the fragility analysis and wind speed probability are subsequently used to analyze monetary losses. The cost analysis model is adapted from an existing life-cycle simulation algorithm for earthquake hazards. The pilot study employs a 183 m tall building (CAARC model). Fragility and life-time cost analysis simulate the behavior of a building located in a “mixed” wind climate, typical of Southern Florida in the United States. Effects of various limit state criteria, meteorological environment and measurement accuracy of the structural parameters are discussed.
Acute dystonia associated with paliperidone overdose.

Adverse drug reactions from prescription medications are a significant public health problem. It takes several years to establish the safety of prescription drugs newly approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), because previously unknown or undetected adverse drug reactions only emerge after the drugs are marketed to the general population. In fact, a 2002 study showed 20% of drugs approved by the FDA over the past 25 years were found to subsequently have serious or life-threatening effects that were unknown or undisclosed at the time of approval. 1 Paliperidone, a benzisoxazole derivative, is the major active metabolite of risperidone and is still a relatively new antipsychotic in the United States. It was approved by FDA in December 2006 for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and may be used as monotherapy or as an adjunct to mood stabilizers and/or antidepressants. 2 Paliperidone was well tolerated in the six-week efficacy and tolerability clinical trials performed prior to FDA approval. Adverse reactions that were reported more commonly than with placebo included tachycardia (9%‐22%), hyperkinesia (3%‐11%), hypertonia (1%‐6%), extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) (3%‐10%), and somnolence (4%‐13%). 3,4 Similar adverse reactions were seen in risperidone short-term trials, with the exception of less tachycardia (1%‐5%) and greater extrapyramidal symptoms in doses above 8 mg per day (17%‐20%). 5 Discontinuation due to adverse effects with paliperidone was most commonly related to movement disorder-related adverse effects, tachycardia, and psychosis. Similar to risperidone, dose-related increase in EPS are seen primarily at the 9 and 12 mg per day doses, compared with the 3 and 6 mg daily doses. 3,4 To date, there are no literature reports of paliperidone overdoses, and its safety in overdose has not been established. We report a case of a multi-drug overdose that included paliperidone that resulted in a significant adverse drug reaction. We emphasize the importance of recognizing the potential occurrence of this adverse drug reaction, and the need to monitor for its development in cases of overdose.
High level expression of fms proto-oncogene mRNA is observed in clinically aggressive human endometrial adenocarcinomas

Six micron paraffin sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed endometrial currettings of 21 benign and neoplastic endometrial specimens were assayed for tumor cell-specific oncogene expression by in situ hybridization with probes for six oncogenes, beta-actin, and the E. coli plasmid pBR322. In the benign hyperplasias and invasive adenocarcinomas, multiple oncogenes, including erbB, fms, c-myc, and Ki-ras were expressed at significant levels. For the adenocarcinomas, statistical analysis demonstrated that high levels of expression of fms-complementary mRNA correlated strongly with clinicopathologic features (high FIGO histologic grade, high FIGO clinical stage, deep myometrial penetration) predictive of aggressive clinical behavior and poor outcome. The authors discuss the role which M-CSF receptor (the fms gene product) and locally-produced M-CSF may play in the development of the observed aggressively-malignant phenotypes. They also propose that pre-hysterectomy assay of fms gene expression in endometrial currettings in FIGO Stage I patients might be clinically useful to help identify preoperatively those patients with deep myometrial penetration or other locoregional spread.
Racial Differences in Long-Term Self-Monitoring Practice Among Newly Drug-Treated Diabetes Patients in an HMO

Background One approach to improving outcomes for minority diabetics may be through better self-care. However, minority patients may encounter barriers to better self-care even within settings where variations in quality of care and insurance are minimized.
Single UV or Near IR Triggering Event Leads to Polymer Degradation into Small Molecules

We report two polymers with UV- and NIR-removable end-caps that respond to a single light activated event by complete cleavage of the polymer backbone via a self-immolative mechanism. Two photocleavable protecting groups were used to cap the polymers; o-nitrobenzyl alcohol (ONB) and bromo-coumarin (Bhc). GPC and 1H NMR confirmed complete degradation of the ONB-containing polymer in response to UV. The polymers were formulated into nanoparticles; fluorescence measurements of encapsulated Nile red confirmed release upon photolysis of the end-caps. Contrary to previous work using a similar backbone structure that degrades upon hydrolysis, here, the disassembly process and burst release of the payload are only activated on demand, illustrating the powerful capacity of light to trigger release from polymeric nanoparticles. Our design allows the signal to be amplified in a domino effect to fully degrade the polymer into small molecules. Thus, polymers and nanoparticles can reach maximal degradation without havi...
The International Trade Organization and the Monetary Fund

THE FINAL ACT of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment containing the Charter of the International Trade Organization (ITO Charter, or Havana Charter) was signed at Havana on March 24, 1948. The signing of the Final Act, however, does not imply an obligation to accept the Charter. Many nations are now considering its adoption, but most of them will not take formal action before knowing the final attitude of the United States. Like the Fund, the ITO aims at achieving nondiscriminatory economic intercourse among nations, limited as little as practicable by exchange or trade restrictions. Both institutions are based on the axiom that only nations whose external financial positions are sound will be reliable partners in nondiscriminatory competitive trading. The drafters of the constitutions of both the Fund and the ITO took it for granted that the social task which the economic process is expected to perform will best be served by institutional arrangements that ensure that private businessmen engaging in foreign trade will not be limited in their transactions by either private monopolistic practices or government restrictions. The purpose of the present study is to outline the fields and methods of contemplated cooperation between the Fund and ITO. It has not been thought necessary to avoid repetitions where certain items need to be presented in more than one context.
Computable values can be classical

In programming languages of universal power, the computational integers must be distinguished from the classical integers because of the “divergent” integer. Even the equational theory corresponding to evaluation of integer expressions is distinct from the theory of classical integers, and classical reasoning about computational integers yields inconsistencies. We show that there exist “programming languages”, actually extensions of the polymorphic lambda calculus, that have tremendous computing power and yet whose computational integers, or any other algebraically specified abstract data type, coincide with their classical counterpart. In particular, the equational theory of the programming language is a conservative extension of the theory of the underlying base types as given by algebraic data type specifications.
Application of gradient based image segmentation to SAR imagery

In the current paper, we explore the use of a gradient based region growing method to segment Synthetic Aperture radar (SAR) imagery into disjoint regions and later categorize them into one of several known classes. Segment based features, as opposed to pixel based features, are utilized in the supervised classification stage. The method is tested on SAR images acquired from RADARSAT-2 and AIRSAR sensors. Here, SAR amplitude data and/or features from Pauli, Cloude-Pottier decompositions are used for segmentation and classification. Qualitative and quantitative results show good identification of open-water, terrain and agricultural areas.
Relational Distance and the Acceptance of Mental Health Evaluations: A Social Influence Approach to Deviant Labeling

Research on labeling has been criticized for neglecting individual-level responses to being labeled. The authors examine labeling as social influence, focusing on the “relational distance” between the labeler and the labelee and how this affects the labelee's “avowal,” or acceptance, of mental evaluations. The authors report results showing that participants more strongly accepted mental evaluations from a randomly assigned, less relationally distant evaluator, regardless of either participants' actual depression levels or the content of randomly assigned mental evaluations. The authors discuss the implications of their findings for understanding race differences in reactions to labeling and for integrating labeling arguments with ideas concerning re-integrative shaming.
Defining the probabilities of solar UV event exposures for plant effects research

Studies into the biological effects of acute exposures requires understanding of the probability of an event of a given intensity and duration. The occurrence of high hourly biologically-effective UVB (UVB BE ) exposures were evaluated for the 1997-2001 summer growing seasons (May-August) at five locations between 38° and 41° longitude across the continental United States. In general, the frequency of extreme hourly exposures decreased from west to east. The daily UVB BE exposures resulting from the extreme hourly UVB BE exposures were inversely correlated with TOC for that day. Hourly exposures in the upper 10% of all exposures occurred most frequently during June and July. There was a 30% probability of having a day with 2h of exposure in the upper 5% of UVB BE values across the entire USA. The probability of having two sequential days with 2h of high exposure was approximately 10% most locations. The probability of having six sequential days of 2h extreme exposure was approximately equivalent to two to three days of 4h extreme exposure. Based on this analysis, a reasonable exposure regime for acute UVB effects on plants is the insertion of a 1 kJm -2 h -1 UVB BE exposure for two to four hours into the ambient conditions for three sequential days.
Logical product models for automated scripting of process-level construction animations

Animation can add significant value to Discrete-Event Simulation by helping verify, validate, and accredit simulation analyses. This is particularly true in construction where typical decision makers are experts in their domain but are not generally proficient in simulation itself. Existing methods of animating simulated construction processes in 3D have a significant limitation. They require that spatial information about construction workspaces and geometric details of facility components being erected be both captured into simulation models, even though such information is otherwise irrelevant from the process modeling perspective. This cumbersome, time-consuming, and often impossible activity precludes the widespread use of animation in simulation analyses. This research addressed this limitation and studied the applicability of the CIMsteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) in supporting the automated scripting of process-level construction animations. Member geometry, position, and orientation of steel beams and columns were extracted from structural frames described in the CIS/2 format, and were used to automatically generate animation scripting commands. The generated script was input to a kinematically smart crane inside a 3D virtual world to demonstrate the efficacy of logical product models in supporting the automated visualization of simulated construction processes. The designed algorithms and methods were implemented in a software tool called AutoCIS2 that simulation modelers can use to automatically generate animation scripts describing modeled steel erection operations in smooth, continuous, 3D virtual worlds.
Total alkalinity versus buffer value (capacity) as a sensitivity indicator for fresh waters receiving acid rain

(1983). Total alkalinity versus buffer value (capacity) as a sensitivity indicator for fresh waters receiving acid rain. Journal of Environmental Science and Health . Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering: Vol. 18, No. 5, pp. 701-711.
Free energy periodicity in E.coli

It has been seen that sequences upstream from coding regions tend to possess significant complementarity to the exposed part of the 16S rRNA in E.coli. While upstream binding between the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the mRNA may be a necessary condition for translation, it appears to be insufficient. By computing the free energy binding within the coding sequence, it is suggested that the 16S has a continuing role through elongation of translation as well.
The smallest perturbation of a submatrix which lowers the rank and constrained total least squares problems

Let \[ T = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} A & B \\ C & D \\ \end{array} } \right]\] be a .partitioned rectangular matrix. We exhibit perturbations of D of smallest norm which lower the rank of T. We apply this result to generalize the total least squares problem $Sx = b$ when only a rectangular subset of the data $[S,b]$ is considered uncertain.
SIP: Simple Internet Protocol

Several features of the Simple Internet Protocol (SIP) are described and compared to those offered by the Internet Protocol (IP). The changes required for other protocols in the TCP/IP suite to accommodate SIP are discussed, as are the mechanisms available to allow gradual transition of the Internet from IP to SIP. Future directions for SIP development, a report on current implementation status, and a summary of the specific improvements offered by SIP over IP are presented. >
Instruction generation for hybrid reconfigurable systems

In this work, we present an algorithm for simultaneous template generation and matching. The algorithm profiles the graph and iteratively contracts edges to create the templates. The algorithm is general and can be applied to any type of graph, including directed graphs and hypergraphs. We discuss how to target the algorithm towards the novel problem of instruction generation and selection for a hybrid (re)configurable systems. In particular, we target the Strategically Programmable System, which embeds complex computational units like ALUs, IP blocks, etc. into a configurable fabric. We argue that an essential compilation step for these systems is instruction generation, as it is needed to specify the functionality of the embedded computational units. Additionally, instruction generation can be used to create soft macros -- tightly sequenced pre-specified operations placed in the configurable fabric.
Mechanisms of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and cardiovascular side effects: the plot thickens.

Perspective on Navarro et al., [p. 345][1] Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is a major player in inflammation and cancer. It is one of two COXs that convert arachidonic acid to a common intermediate in the production of prostaglandins and thromboxane. COX-2 is inhibited by nonselective COX inhibitors such as
Is pain suffering? A case study.

In this article, the case study of an elderly woman shows how bodily pain and suffering meld in her narrative, not as the subjective and objective sides of the same event, but as distinct experiences in which both constructs emerge separately or come together based on the meaning she imputes to the event. The case study shows the clear methodological fit of qualitative narrative research with the lived experiences of pain and suffering. The narrator recalled the “tremendous” pain she experienced almost 60 years previously as both suffering and not-suffering, depending on the outcome of the circumstances that surrounded her pain. This case shows how a significant aspect of the aging experience—suffering—is medicalized, yet remains resistant to both categorization and medicine.
Decreased Sympathochromaffin Activity in IDDM

Catecholamines released from the sympathochromaffin system produce metabolic changes similar to those of diabetes mellitus. However, increased sympathochromaffin activity does not appear to be a feature of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), although physiologic catecholamine increments may contribute to short-term metabolic derangements under some conditions. Increased glycemic sensitivity to epinephrine is a feature of IDDM but is the result of the inability to secrete insulin rather than of increased cellular sensitivity to catecholamines. Absolute insulin deficiency results in increased metabolic (glycemic, lipolytic, and ketogenic) sensitivity to catecholamines. More generalized hypersensitivity occurs in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. However, the clinical relevance of these alterations in sensitivity remains to be established. On the other hand, decreased sympathochromaffin activity is common and causes considerable morbidity and some mortality in people with diabetes. In addition to increased sensitivity to catecholamines, decreased sympathochromaffin activity results in the clinical syndromes of postural hypotension, hypoglycemia unawareness, defective glucose counterregulation, or a combination of these. The latter two syndromes cause an increased frequency of severe iatrogenic hypoglycemia, at least during intensive therapy of IDDM. Thus, decreased rather than increased sympathochromaffin activity often complicates IDDM. Clearly, ways to prevent, correct, or compensate for this component of diabetic autonomic neuropathy must be learned before diabetes can be managed effectively and safely in all patients who suffer from the disease until diabetes mellitus is eradicated.
Meat-Related Mutagens and Pancreatic Cancer: Null Results from a Clinic-Based Case–Control Study

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease for which the role of dietary factors remains inconclusive. The study objective was to evaluate risk of pancreatic cancer associated with meat preparation methods and meat-related mutagen consumption using a clinic-based case–control design. Methods: There were 384 cases and 983 controls; subjects provided demographic information and completed a 144-item food frequency questionnaire, which was used to estimate meat mutagen intake using the National Cancer Institute's CHARRED database (Bethesda, MD). Logistic regression was used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for factors including age, sex, cigarette smoking, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus. Results: Overall, the findings were null with respect to meat mutagen intake and pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: The results do not support an association between well-done meat or meat-related mutagen intake and pancreatic cancer and contrast with generally increased risks reported in previous studies. Impact: These data contribute to evidence about pancreatic cancer and potentially carcinogenic compounds in meat. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 00(00); 1–. ©2013 AACR .
Activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger by phorbol ester and osmotic shock is dependent on the degree of neutrophilic maturation.

Activation of neutrophils leading to superoxide production is accompanied by cytoplasmic alkalinization, which results from stimulation of the Na+/H+ exchanger. Since the exchanger undergoes permanent alterations during neutrophilic maturation of HL-60 cells (Costa-Casnellie et al.: journal of Biological Chemistry 263:11851–11855, 1988), we investigated whether its response to external stimuli such as phorbol esters or osmotic shock also was modified during cell maturation. Mature HL-60 cells produce superoxide in response to active phorbol esters, whereas immature HL-60 cells do not. Stimulation of the exchanger by active phorbol esters (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate) was observed in mature neutrophilic HL-60 cells but not in their immature counterparts. Inactive 4-alpha phorbol had no effect in either cell population. Compound H7 inhibited phorbol ester activation by 65%. In mature neutrophilic cells activation of the exchanger by phorbol esters caused two novel changes of its properties: (1) its apparent Km for Na+ transport increased 2-fold; (2) its Vmax increased 2.6-fold. Phorbol esters also caused a shift in pH dependence of activation similar to that induced in other cells. Osmotic shock, a different method known to activate the exchanger of other cells, induced activation in mature neutrophilic cells but not in immature cells. Thus, the response of the exchanger to external stimuli is affected by alterations occurring in association with cell maturation.
Wave motion in relaxation-testing of nonlinear elastic media

Relaxation testing is a fundamental tool for mechanical characterization of viscoelastic materials. Inertial effects are usually neglected when analysing these tests. However, relaxation tests involve sudden stretching of specimens, which causes propagation of waves whose effects may be significant. We study wave motion in a nonlinear elastic model specimen and derive expressions for the conditions under which loading may be considered to be quasi-static. Additionally, we derive expressions for wave properties such as wave speed and the time needed to reach a steady-state wave pattern. These expressions can be used to deduce nonlinear elastic material properties from dynamic experiments.
Using agent-based software for scientific computing in the NetSolve system

Abstract Agent-based computing is increasingly regarded as an elegant and efficient way of providing access to computational resources. Several metacomputing research projects are using intelligent agents to manage a resource space and to map user computation to these resources in an optimal fashion. Such a project is NetSolve, developed at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. NetSolve provides the user with a variety of interfaces that afford direct access to preinstalled, freely available numerical libraries. These libraries are embedded in computational servers. New numerical functionalities can be integrated easily into the servers by a specific framework. The NetSolve agent manages the coherency of the computational servers. It also uses predictions about the network and processor performances to assign user requests to the most suitable servers. This article reviews some of the basic concepts in agent-based design, discusses the NetSolve project and how its agent enhances flexibility and performance, and provides examples of other research efforts. Also discussed are future directions in agent-based computing in general and in NetSolve in particular.
A 0.6-4.2V low-power configurable PLL architecture for 6 GHz-300 MHz applications in a 90 nm CMOS process

This paper presents a configurable feed-forward PLL architecture with supply-independent loop dynamics for low power, multiphase clock-generation in power-sensitive DSP cores using dynamic voltage scaling techniques in a 90 nm CMOS process. A four-stage, current-controlled ring-oscillator based PLL is shown to be able to generate 6 GHz-300 MHz frequencies in a 90 nm CMOS process with a power supply range of 1.2-0.6 V. PLL power consumption is 10 mW@5 GHz and 300 uW@500 MHz. The PLL die area is 0.10 mm/sup 2/.
Deciphering the source and contamination history of peraluminous magmas using δ 18 O of accessory minerals: examples from garnet-bearing plutons of the Sierra Nevada batholith

Peraluminous granitoids provide critical insight as to the amount and kinds of supracrustal material recycled in the central Sierra Nevada batholith, California. Major element concentrations indicate Sierran peraluminous granitoids are high-SiO2 (68.9–76.9) and slightly peraluminous (average molar Al2O3/(CaO + Na2O + K2O)=1.06). Both major and trace element trends mimic those of other high-silica Sierran plutons. Garnet (Grt) in the peraluminous plutons is almandine–spessartine-rich and of magmatic origin. Low grossular contents are consistent with shallow (<4 kbar) depths of garnet crystallization. Metasediments of the Kings Sequence commonly occur as wallrocks associated with the plutons, including biotite schists that are highly peraluminous (A/CNK=2.25) and have high whole rock (WR) δ18O values (9.6–21.8‰, average=14.5±2.9‰, n=26). Ultramafic wallrocks of the Kings–Kaweah ophiolite have lower average δ18O (7.1±1.3‰, n=9). The δ18O(WR) of the Kings Sequence is variable from west to east. Higher δ18O values occur in the west, where quartz in schists is derived from marine chert; values decrease eastward as the proportion of quartz from igneous and metamorphic sources increases. Peraluminous plutons have high δ18O(WR) values (9.5–13‰) consistent with supracrustal enrichment of their sources. However, relatively low initial 87Sr/86Sr values (0.705–0.708) indicate that the supracrustal component in the source of peraluminous magmas was dominantly altered ocean crust and/or greywacke. Also, plutons lack or have very low abundances (<1% of grains) of inherited zircon (Zrc) cores. Average δ18O(Zrc) is 7.9‰ in peraluminous plutons, a higher value than in coeval metaluminous plutons (6–7‰). Diorites associated with peraluminous plutons also have high δ18O(Zrc), 7.4–8.3‰, which is consistent with the diorites being derived from a similar source. Magmatic garnet has variable δ18O (6.6–10.5‰, avg.=7.9‰) due to complex contamination and crystallization histories, evidenced by multiple garnet populations in some rocks. Comparison of δ18O(Zrc) and δ18O(Grt) commonly reveals disequilibrium, which documents evolving magma composition. Minor (5–7%) contamination by high δ18O wallrocks occurred in the middle and upper crust in some cases, although low δ18O wallrock may have been a contaminant in one case. Overall, oxygen isotope analysis of minerals having slow oxygen diffusion and different times of crystallization (e.g., zircon and garnet), together with detailed textural analysis, can be used to monitor assimilation in peraluminous magmas. Moreover, oxygen isotope studies are a valuable way to identify magmatic versus xenocrystic minerals in igneous rocks.
Technical Communique: Optimal evaluation of generalized Euler angles with applications to control

Given two linearly independent matrices in so(3), Z"1 and Z"2, every rotation matrix, X"f@?SO(3), can be written as the product of alternate elements from the one-dimensional subgroups corresponding to Z"1 and Z"2, namely X"f=e^Z^"^1^t^"^1e^Z^"^2^t^"^2e^Z^"^1^t^"^3...e^Z^"^1^t^"^s. The parameters t"i, i=1,...,s are called Generalized Euler Angles. In this paper, the minimum number of factors required for the factorization of X"f@?SO(3), as a function of X"f, is evaluated. An algorithm is given to determine the generalized Euler angles, in the optimal factorization. The results can be applied to the bang-bang control, with minimum number of switches, of some classical and quantum systems.
Comparisons of Regional White Matter Diffusion in Healthy Neonates and Adults Performed with a 3.0-T Head-only MR Imaging Unit

PURPOSE: To evaluate the normal brains of adults and neonates for regional and age-related differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight healthy adults and 20 healthy neonates were examined with a 3.0-T head-only magnetic resonance (MR) imaging unit by using a single-shot diffusion-tensor sequence. Trace ADC maps, FA maps, directional maps of the putative directions of white matter (WM) tracts, and fiber-tracking maps were obtained. Regions of interest—eight in WM and one in gray matter (GM)—were predefined for the ADC and FA measurements. The Student t test was used to compare FA and ADC between adults and neonates, whereas the Tukey multiple-comparison test was used to compare FA and ADC in different brain regions in the adult and neonate groups. RESULTS: A global elevation in ADC (P < .001) in both GM and WM and a reduction in FA (P < .001) in WM were observed in neonates as compared with these values in adults. In addition, significant...
MODELING OF CHEMICAL VAPOR INFILTRATION FOR CERAMIC COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH LAYERED, WOVEN FABRICS

A homogeneous model is developed for the chemical vapor infiltration by one-dimensional diffusion into a system of layered plies consisting of woven tows containing bundles of filaments. The model predictions of the amount of deposition and the porosity of the sample as a function of time are compared with the predictions of a recent nonhomogeneous model with aligned holes formed by the weave. The nonhomogeneous model allows for diffusion through the aligned holes, into the spaces between plies, and into the gaps around filaments; i.e., three diffusion equations apply. Relative to the nonhomogeneous results, the homogeneous model underestimates the amount of deposition, since the absence of holes and spaces allows earlier occlusion of gaps around filaments and restricts the vapor infiltration.
Training engineers to be managers: a transition tension model

Prior research on transitioning from engineer to manager has focused largely on the content or mix of managerial skills required to make the transition. The current research proposes that this transition be viewed as part of a complex process occurring within the context of social exchange theory. A simple conceptual model is proposed which suggests that the transition involves three parties: the engineer-student, the employer-organization, and the university-college offering formal management degree curriculum. Termed a dynamic tension model, the process perspective clarifies the costs, benefits, and expectations for each of these parties; identifies many of the tensions and dysfunctions likely to emerge between the parties; and suggests actions each party should initiate to facilitate a smoother, more effective transition. Overall, the findings indicate that the engineer-students perceive their employers could do substantially more to facilitate the former's transition from engineer to manager. Possible remedial actions are discussed. >
Characterization of a 1/spl times/32 element metal-semiconductor-metal optoelectronic mixer array for FM/cw LADAR

We characterize a 1/spl times/32 element metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (MSM-PD) array utilized for optoelectronic mixing in an incoherent, amplitude-modulated laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system. The MSM-PDs that make up the one-dimensional array internally detect and down-convert light signals that are amplitude modulated at ultrahigh frequency (UHF). Range information is contained in the low-frequency mixing product derived by mixing a reference UHF chirp with a detected, time-delayed UHF chirp. When utilized in the LADAR system, the MSM-PDs eliminate the need for wideband transimpedance amplifiers in the LADAR receiver. This, in turn, reduces both the cost and complexity of the system. The breadboard LADAR architecture and components are described, and fundamental measurements and imagery taken from the LADAR, using these unique MSM-PDs, are also presented.
Population Synthesis and Gamma-Ray Burst Progenitors

Population synthesis studies of binaries are always limited by a myriad of uncertainties from the poorly understood effects of binary mass transfer and common envelope evolution to the many uncertainties that still remain in stellar evolution. But the importance of these uncertainties depends both upon the objects being studied and the questions asked about these objects. Here I review the most critical uncertainties in the population synthesis of gamma-ray burst progenitors. With a better understanding of these uncertainties, binary population synthesis can become a powerful tool in understanding, and constraining, gamma-ray burst models. In turn, as gamma-ray bursts become more important as cosmological probes, binary population synthesis of gamma-ray burst progenitors becomes an important tool in cosmology!
Economic Ideas and the Political Process: Debating Tax Cuts in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1962-1981

While sociologists and political scientists have become interested in the role of ideas in the political process, relatively little work looks at how ideological claims are actually deployed in political discourse. This article examines the economic claims made in two pairs of Congressional debates over tax cuts, one (in 1962 and 1964) generally associated with Keynesian economic theories, and one (in 1978 and 1981) tied to supply-side ideas. While these bills were indeed initiated by groups subscribing to different economic ideologies, subsequent debates look surprisingly similar. The bills were closer in substance than one might expect, and while their proponents came from opposite political camps, in both cases supporters focused more on supply-side than demand-side effects and emphasized tax cuts’ ability to pay for themselves through economic stimulation. The authors propose that politically acceptable economic claims may evolve more slowly than the economic theories that inspire policy entrepreneurs...
Ears and hair: what headsets will people wear?

Many different audio headsets are commercially available. To choose a headset for a short-term use environment, we conducted a pilot study to elicit end-user criteria for headsets. We discovered a number of severe end-user issues with less traditional designs, and concluded that a minor variant of a traditional design is more appropriate for our application than many of the more exotic options that have recently become available.
The genus Scirtothrips in Australia (Insecta, Thysanoptera, Thripidae)

Twenty-one species of leaf-feeding thrips from Australia in the genus Scirtothrips , including eleven newly described species, are here distinguished with an identification key and illustrations. Some of these species are host-specific, but with diverse host associations, including tree ferns, two different genera of cycads, Acacia , Allocasuarina , Brachychiton, Hakea , and Kunzea . Two new speciesgroups, based on S. albomaculatus and S. akakia , are distinguished, both with several species on endemic species of Acacia . In contrast, other species are highly polyphagous, and some of these are crop pests, including S. dorsalis and S. aurantii , the South African citrus thrips that was introduced recently to Queensland. Three species are part of the northern tropical fauna, S. dorsalis , S. dobroskyi , and S. tenor , whereas most of the others are endemic to the arid areas of Australia. The monotypic genus Labiothrips Bhatti & Mound is synonymised with Scirtothrips Shull, and the New Zealand species S. pan Palmer & Mound is removed from the Australian list as a misidentification. The species recognised are: S. akakia sp.n., S. albomaculatus Bianchi, S. astibos , sp.n., S. aurantii Faure, S. australiae Hood (= auricorpus Girault, syn.n .), S. casuarinae Palmer & Mound, S. dobroskyi Moulton, S. dorsalis Hood, S. drepanofortis sp. n., S. eremicus sp.n., S. frondis sp.n., S. helenae Palmer & Mound, S. inermis Priesner, S. kirrhos sp.n., S. litotes sp.n., S. longipennis (Bagnall), S. moneres sp.n., S. pilbara sp.n., S. quadriseta sp.n., S. solus sp.n., and S . tenor (Bhatti & Mound).
Gene expression analysis of glioblastomas identifies the major molecular basis for the prognostic benefit of younger age

Background Glioblastomas are the most common primary brain tumour in adults. While the prognosis for patients is poor, gene expression profiling has detected signatures that can sub-classify GBMs relative to histopathology and clinical variables. One category of GBM defined by a gene expression signature is termed ProNeural (PN), and has substantially longer patient survival relative to other gene expression-based subtypes of GBMs. Age of onset is a major predictor of the length of patient survival where younger patients survive longer than older patients. The reason for this survival advantage has not been clear.