cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen and sulfur from H2S-III. The economics of a quench process

Abstract The capital cost, operating costs, revenues, and payback period of a 100 gm-mole/s solar-thermochemical plant which converts H 2 S to H 2 and S x by quenching the effluent from a solar furnace are presented. Payback times are compared with those of alternatives which use energy from other sources. The process compares favorably with current technology and appears to be economically attractive.
Journey of the iodide transporter NIS: from its molecular identification to its clinical role in cancer

The Na+/I- symporter (NIS) is an intrinsic plasma membrane protein that mediates the active transport of I- in the thyroid, lactating mammary gland, stomach and salivary glands. The presence of NIS in the thyroid is exploited in diagnostic scintigraphic imaging and radioiodide therapy in thyroid cancer. The continued rapid progress in NIS research (aimed at the elucidation of the Na+-dependent I- transport mechanism, the analysis of NIS structure-function relations and the study of the tissue-specific regulation of NIS at all levels), holds potentially far-reaching medical applications beyond thyroid disease, in breast cancer and malignancies in other tissues.
Education research: Neurology training reassessed-The 2011 American Academy of Neurology Resident Survey results

Objective: To assess the strengths and weaknesses of neurology resident education using survey methodology. Methods: A 27-question survey was sent to all neurology residents completing residency training in the United States in 2011. Results: Of eligible respondents, 49.8% of residents returned the survey. Most residents believed previously instituted duty hour restrictions had a positive impact on resident quality of life without impacting patient care. Most residents rated their faculty and clinical didactics favorably. However, many residents reported suboptimal preparation in basic neuroscience and practice management issues. Most residents (71%) noted that the Residency In-service Training Examination (RITE) assisted in self-study. A minority of residents (14%) reported that the RITE scores were used for reasons other than self-study. The vast majority (86%) of residents will enter fellowship training following residency and were satisfied with the fellowship offers they received. Conclusions: Graduating residents had largely favorable neurology training experiences. Several common deficiencies include education in basic neuroscience and clinical practice management. Importantly, prior changes to duty hours did not negatively affect the resident perception of neurology residency training.
The Center for Disability Resources Library

Great strides have been made in the area of new technologies and treatment methods for people with disabilities, both physical and mental. Internet resources that provide information to these patients and their caregivers are important awareness tools. Travel is often a problem, and the ability to access information from home with a computer can greatly improve the quality of life. One such resource available to residents of the state of South Carolina is the Center for Disability Resources Library at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Library. This paper describes the Library and the services made available through its Web site.
The existence of set-indexed Lévy processes

This paper considers the problem of the existence of set-indexed Levy processes having regular sample paths defined over as large a class, A, as possible of subsets of the unit cube in ℝd. Regular sample paths means here the natural generalization of right continuity and left limits, to concepts of outer continuity and inner limits. A general integral condition involving the Levy measure and the entropy exp(H(δ)) of the class A is obtained that is sufficient for the existence of such regular processes. In the particular case where the process is stable of index α, α∈(1, 2), the condition becomes $$\int\limits_0^1 {(H(x)/x)^{1 - 1/\alpha } dx < \infty } $$ .
Direct mailing was a successful recruitment strategy for a lung-cancer screening trial

Abstract Objective To analyze advertising, recruitment methods, and study participant demographics for the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) site at Wake Forest University School of Medicine to define efficient ways to recruit participants for general clinical trials. Study Design and Setting Recruitment method data, demographics, geographic location, and date of enrollment were collected from all 1,112 NLST participants. Marketing data and financial records were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of each recruitment method. Results The total amount spent on advertising was $144,668, with the cost of enrollment per participant averaging $130. For black participants, the recruitment cost per person was $406, whereas for white and other race participants, the cost was $122 ( P Conclusion Direct mailing to a targeted group was the most efficient way to recruit participants. Printed advertising methods, that is, newspaper ads and brochures, were quite effective, whereas television ads were expensive. Appropriate minority recruitment needs sufficient attention and resources to ensure census groups are adequately represented.
Multiple Organ Failure: Is It Disappearing?

The incidence of multiple organ failure (MOF) during the last decade has been reported variously as 2% to 25%, depending on the patient population examined. The mortality rate from this devastating complication ranges from 40% to 80%. Although the incidence has not changed during the last decade, it does not mean that there has been no progress. Tertiary centers are now seeing trauma and nontrauma patients who have more significant underlying disease and injuries. Likewise, a higher percentage of our trauma patients are now referred from outside institutions where there may not be the facilities to administer the complex, rapid resuscitation these patients require. Prevention of MOF remains its best treatment. Rapid, adequate volume resuscitation, adequate nutrition, appropriate antibiotic usage, and aggressive pulmonary management are important for preventing the downward physiologic spiral that leads to MOF and death. Once MOF has occurred, it is not clear that these same measures are as effective in altering outcome.
A rural community's involvement in the design and usability testing of a computer-based informed consent process for the Personalized Medicine Research Project.

Many informed consent studies demonstrate that research subjects poorly retain and understand information in written consent documents. Previous research in multimedia consent is mixed in terms of success for improving participants’ understanding, satisfaction, and retention. This failure may be due to a lack of a community-centered design approach to building the interventions. The goal of this study was to gather information from the community to determine the best way to undertake the consent process. Community perceptions regarding different computer-based consenting approaches were evaluated, and a computer-based consent was developed and tested. A second goal was to evaluate whether participants make truly informed decisions to participate in research. Simulations of an informed consent process were videotaped to document the process. Focus groups were conducted to determine community attitudes towards a computer-based informed consent process. Hybrid focus groups were conducted to determine the most acceptable hardware device. Usability testing was conducted on a computer-based consent prototype using a touch-screen kiosk. Based on feedback, a computer-based consent was developed. Representative study participants were able to easily complete the consent, and all were able to correctly answer the comprehension check questions. Community involvement in developing a computer-based consent proved valuable for a population-based genetic study. These findings may translate to other types of informed consents, such as genetic clinical trials consents. A computer-based consent may serve to better communicate consistent, clear, accurate, and complete information regarding the risks and benefits of study participation. Additional analysis is necessary to measure the level of comprehension of the check-question answers by larger numbers of participants. The next step will involve contacting participants to measure whether understanding of what they consented to is retained over time.
PERFORMANCE DRIVEN LAYOUT FOR THIN-FILM MULTICHIP MODULES

This paper addresses some of the problems encountered in propagating high speed signals on lossy transmission lines on the substrates of thin-film multichip modules. The interconnect lines on thin-film substrate are relatively lossy in the respect that the total resistance of such a line is typically comparable to its characteristic impedance. If such a line were terminated with a load resistor appropriately valued to minimize signal reflections and resonances, the voltage divider formed by the terminating resistance and line resistance causes undesirable attenuation of the output signals. In addition, each terminating resistor dissipates quiescent power on a high density substrate, generating a substantial amount of heat in a small area. Instead of being terminated by resistors, the distributed resistance of the lines are used to critically damp out the signal resonances. With the flexibility of the rubber-band routing and the efficiency of a dynamic data representation based on the constrained Delaunay triangulation, lossy and unterminated transmission lines can be generated to successfully propagate high speed signals. The SURF (Santa-Cruz ULSI Routing Framework) layout system is being developed specifically for thin-film MCM substrate design. The system is performance driven, featuring variable width, variable spacing, evenly distributed spacing, and thermal via insertion. A flexible topological routing model, called rubber-band sketch, together with a dynamic layer representation based on the constrained Delaunay triangulation, is used to control the reflected noise, coupled noise (crosstalk), simultaneous switching noise, and thermal resistance.
Ethical issues surrounding forced, mandated, or coerced treatment.

In my field, bioethics, caution about new drugs and their use is a given. It is one of the obstacles that this drug has to overcome. Bioethics produced the ethical protections that have already been referred to—informed consent, IRB review for new drugs, and the disclosure of conflicts of interest (Lemmens & Waring, 2006). It has been especially concerned with the rights of prisoners because they belong to a population that has been much abused if not neglected in the past and because they are continuously at risk due to lack of advocacy.
Remote chemical sensing with quantum cascade lasers

Research done by the IR sensors team at PNNL is focused on developing advanced spectroscopic methods for detecting signatures of nuclear, chemical, biological and explosives weapons or weapons production. The sensors we develop fall into two categories: remote sensors that can be operated at distances ranging from 150 m to 10 km, and point sensors that are used for in-situ inspection and detection. FY03 has seen an explosion in FM DIAL progress with the net result being solid confirmation that FM DIAL is a technique capable of remote chemical monitoring in a wide variety of venues. For example, FM DIAL was used to detect a small plume of hydrogen sulfide, a candidate CW agent, released in the desert environment of the Hanford 200 Area site. These experiments were conducted over a range of physical conditions including outside temperatures ranging from 70 F to 105 F and turbulence conditions ranging from quiescent to chaotic. We are now rapidly developing the information needed to design prototype FM DIAL systems that are optimized for specific applications that include scenarios such as fixed position stand-off detection and mobile UAV mounted remote monitoring. Just as an example, in FY04 we will use FM DIAL tomore » detect both in-facility and outdoor release of enriched UF6. The rapid progress in FM DIAL research made in FY03 is attributed to several advances. First, final construction of a custom-designed trailer allowed the instrument to be housed in a mobile temperature-controlled environment. This allowed the experiment to be transported to several locations so that data could be collected under a range of physical conditions. This has led to a better understanding of a variety of experimental noise sources. With this knowledge, we have been able to implement several changes in the way the FM DIAL data is collected and processed, with the net result being a drastic improvement in our confidence of analyte concentration measurement and an improvement i n the instrument detection limit. The range of chemicals detectable by FM DIAL has also been extended. Prior to FY03 only water and nitrous oxide (N2O) had been seen. Experiments on extending the tuning range of the quantum cascade laser (QCL) currently used in the experiments demonstrate that many more species are now accessible including H2S, C2F4H2, and CH4. We additionally demonstrated that FM DIAL measurements can be made using short wave infrared (SWIR) telecommunications lasers. While measurements made using these components are noisier because turbulence and particulate matter cause more interference in this spectral region, monitoring in this region enables larger species to be detected simply because these lasers have a greater tuning range. In addition, SWIR monitoring also allows for the detection of second-row hydride species such as HF and HCl, which are important nuclear and CWA proliferation signatures.« less
Instrumental escape behavior with extended training

Four groups of nine Ss were run in a straight alley shock situation for 240 trials, 30 per day. Ss received either 180- or 300-V shock and interval intervals (ITI) of 30 or 120 sec. On Day 1 of training, the 300-V groups first started faster than the 180-V groups, but then showed considerable adaptation, resulting in approximately equal performance at the end of Day 1. Over all 8 days, the 180-V group started significantly faster than the 300-V group when a 30-sec ITI was used, but the converse when a 120-sec ITI was used. Over all 8 days, the 300-V groups continued to increase in performance, while the 180-V groups showed a decline after Day 4.
Inhibition of pyruvate kinase and glucokinase by acetyl CoA and inhibition of glucokinase by phosphoenolpyruvate

Abstract (1) Acetyl CoA exerted a dose-dependent inhibition of rat liver pyruvate kinase and glucokinase activities and also of muscle pyruvate kinase. The inhibitory effects were dependent on the length of preincubation time and there was no marked change in the affinity of the inhibited enzymes to their respective substrates. (2) Acetyl CoA, in the concentration range in which it was inhibitory to the glycolytic enzymes, did not inhibit liver hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase. (3) Phosphoenolpyruvate exerted a progressive inhibition on liver glucokinase which was dependent on the length of preincubation time and it did not change the affinity of this enzyme to glucose. Under the same conditions phosphofructokinase was not inhibited. (4) Acetyl CoA might be able to exert a control on regulation of rate and direction of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism through the following effects. Acetyl CoA might provide a rapid mechanism for (1) activating the gluconeogenic enzyme, pyruvate carboxylase; (2) preventing the recycling of phosphoenolpyruvate by inhibiting the glycolytic enzyme, pyruvate kinase; (3) blocking the initiation of glycolysis by inhibiting the activity of glucokinase.
Thermoelectric Power of Vacancies in Aluminum

The thermoelectric potential difference between a well-annealed aluminum wire and a quenched aluminum wire has been measured as a function of temperature from 4 to 150 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Measurements were made for several quench temperatures and for a distilled ice and water quench followed by rapid insertion into a dry ice and methanol medium. These data were used to determine the effect of vacancies on the thermopower of aluminum. The thermopower is enhanced by vacancies at temperatures below about 70 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and reduced at higher temperatures. It is proposed that the enhancement is due to the change in electron-diffusion thermopower. A calculation of this effect has been made based on the theory of Nielsen and Taylor, and the agreement with the experimental results is striking. The reduction in thermopower above 70 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K is explained by the change is the phonon-drag thermopower due to vacancies. The Rayleigh-scattering parameter was determined from the experimental data and is compared to calculated values using the theories of Klemens and Carruthers.
Of swollen, myopic beetles, giant frogs, and other creatures: Epigonism and its modernist metamorphoses in critical evaluations of Max Reger

Abstract Fostered by a new historical awareness in the early nineteenth century, the epigone emerged as one of modernism's most celebrated emblems. While thriving particularly on modernism's highly ambiguous relationship with tradition, its chameleon‐like adaptability to all spheres of culture and human existence rendered the epigone an ideal carrier employable by any of the most controversial modernist ideologies. As both an illustrious standard‐bearer of the modernists and one of their favorite whipping boys, Max Reger and the reception of his work are to be located at the heart of these controversies. Although critical evaluations of his music reveal a plethora of aesthetic, sociological, and political underpinnings—ranging from modernism's ubiquitous Great Genius imperative to apocalyptic visions of cultural and physical degeneration and the extremes of racist elitism and fascism—the various reception strands may be seen to center around the concept of epigonism and its multifaceted metamorphoses. To ...
Growth, decline, or metamorphosis?

The first day of the Second International Symposium on New Problems of Advanced Societies held from May 3 to 7, 1976, in Hamburg, was devoted to “Basic Political and Social Problems of the 1980’s”. In the following article those problems are traced back to a number of fundamental failures. Their removal requires, in the authors’ view, a thoroughgoing societal transformation. Subsequently we publish a contribution by Professor Bernard Cazes that also represents an excerpt from his report at the Symposium.
Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: the impact of longer interval between chemoradiation and surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a longer interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery on perioperative morbidity and oncologic outcomes. A colorectal cancer database was queried for clinical stage II and III rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by proctectomy between 1997 and 2007. The neoadjuvant regimen consisted of long course external beam radiation and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary cancer, extracolonic malignancy, urgent surgery, or non-validated treatment dates were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups according to the interval between chemoradiation and surgery (<8 and ≥8 weeks). Perioperative complications and oncologic outcomes were compared. One hundred seventy-seven patients were included. Groups were comparable with respect to demographics, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Perioperative complications were not affected by the interval between chemoradiation and surgery. Patients undergoing surgery ≥8 weeks after chemoradiation experienced a significant improvement in pathologic complete response rate (30.8% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.03) and had decreased 3-year local recurrence rate (1.2% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.04). A Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the compounding effect of a complete pathologic response on oncologic outcome. A longer interval correlated with less local recurrence, although statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.07). An interval between chemoradiation and surgery ≥8 weeks is safe and is associated with a higher rate of pathologic complete response and decreased local recurrence.
Hydromagnetic shocks in the solar wind

The Rankine-Hugoniot relations are applied to shock-like discontinuities measured by both magnetic field and plasma instruments on the satellite Explorer 34 between May 30, 1967 and Jan. 11, 1968. Shock normals were either determined from the magnetic field observations, or from the times of occurrence of the discontinuity at Explorers 33, 34 and 35. The Rankine-Hugoniot relations are obeyed to the accuracy of the observations, and the values of shock velocities, density ratios, and Mach numbers indicate that at 1 AU the typical interplanetary shock is not strong, although all the events studied caused geomagnetic impulses.
The influence of social networks on romantic relationships: Through the lens of the social network

Past research indicates that social network support is linked to relationship development and continuation. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining social network influence from the perspective of network members. University students completed a survey about a relationship in their network of which they had a strong reaction, either positive or negative. Participants' social reactions to the targeted relationship were associated with the likelihood that they engaged in behaviors to try to influence the relationship. About two thirds of the participants believed that their behaviors had an influence on the outcome of the relationship, and those who reported more influence attempts also reported that they had a greater effect on the relationship. The findings help paint a picture of social network reactions, perceptions, and influence directed toward relationships, from the perspective of the social network.
Decay kinetics of Kr* levels populated by ArF laser radiation

The Kr 6p[32]2 (or 3P6) level was pumped via a two-photon absorption using a focused ArF laser (193 nm). The time dependent fluorescence from excited Kr levels was observed using a monochromator and photomultiplier tube and transient digitizer. Fluorescence from the pumped level, observed via the 3P6 ← 1s5 transition, has a lifetime of 8±2 ns independent of the Kr pressure (2–30 Torr). Fluorescence from other levels of the Kr(4p56p) manifold was either unobserved or weak. Strong fluorescence was observed from the Kr(4p55p) levels via transitions to the Kr(4p55s) levels, the highest populated levels being 2P6, 2p8 and 2p9. All Kr(4p55p) levels display effective lifetimes much longer than the radiative lifetimes; effective zero pressure lifetimes for Kr 2p3, 2p6 and 2P7 are 72 ± 15, 66 ± 15 and 90 ± 15 ns, respectively. The short lifetime of the Kr(3P6) level is explained by very fast collisional depopulation by photoelectrons produced in three photon ionization of Kr by the ArF laser. The Kr(4p55p) levels are populated indirectly from the Kr(3p6) level and the long lifetimes of the Kr(4p55p) levels represent the lifetime of the intermediate state (or states) which lead to the Kr(4p55p) levels. Strong possibilities for the intermediate states are the Kr(4p54d) levels.
Automated matching software for clinical trials eligibility: measuring efficiency and flexibility.

Abstract Background Clinical trials (CT) serve as the media that translates clinical research into standards of care. Low or slow recruitment leads to delays in delivery of new therapies to the public. Determination of eligibility in all patients is one of the most important factors to assure unbiased results from the clinical trials process and represents the first step in addressing the issue of under representation and equal access to clinical trials. Methods This is a pilot project evaluating the efficiency, flexibility, and generalizibility of an automated clinical trials eligibility screening tool across 5 different clinical trials and clinical trial scenarios. Results There was a substantial total savings during the study period in research staff time spent in evaluating patients for eligibility ranging from 165 h to 1329 h. There was a marked enhancement in efficiency with the automated system for all but one study in the pilot. The ratio of mean staff time required per eligible patient identified ranged from 0.8 to 19.4 for the manual versus the automated process. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that automation offers an opportunity to reduce the burden of the manual processes required for CT eligibility screening and to assure that all patients have an opportunity to be evaluated for participation in clinical trials as appropriate. The automated process greatly reduces the time spent on eligibility screening compared with the traditional manual process by effectively transferring the load of the eligibility assessment process to the computer.
Influence of mental health and substance use problems and criminogenic risk on outcomes in serious juvenile offenders.

Objective To investigate the relations among certain mental health problems (MHPs; affective, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], and substance use disorders), criminogenic risk, and outcomes in a sample of serious adolescent offenders. Method Using data from a longitudinal study of serious adolescent offenders (N = 949; mean age=16 years, SD=1.10 years; 84% male; 78% minority), we evaluated the association of MHPs with three distinct outcomes (rearrest, self-reported antisocial activity, and gainful activity), tested whether having an MHP contributed any unique explanatory power regarding these outcomes over and above criminogenic risk markers, and examined whether MHPs moderated the relationship between risk markers and outcomes. Negative binomial and ordinal regressions were used. Data for the study were derived primarily from youth self-report over a 7-year period, with parent collaterals reporting on ADHD, and official records as the source for rearrest information. Results Of the sample, 57.5% met the criteria for at least one of the assessed MPHs. The presence of a substance use disorder showed consistent associations with the outcomes. After controlling for risk markers and demographic characteristics, MHPs were not associated with most outcomes. The co-occurrence of a substance use disorder and an MHP moderated the relations between several risk markers and outcomes. Conclusions Current juvenile justice policies that focus treatment efforts on both criminogenic and mental health factors (with particular emphasis on treating substance use disorders) appear to be well founded. It is unlikely that focusing solely on treating MHPs in serious offenders will have a distinct impact on later outcomes.
Copper Binding to β-2-Microglobulin and its Pre-Amyloid Oligomers

Beta-2-microglobulin (beta2m) deposits as amyloid fibrils in the musculoskeletal system of patients undergoing long-term dialysis treatment as a result of kidney failure. Previous work has shown that Cu(II) binding causes beta2m to organize into nativelike dimers and tetramers that precede amyloid formation. Cu(II) is then released from higher-order oligomers before mature Cu(II)-free amyloid fibrils are formed. While some of the Cu(II)-induced structural changes that enable beta2m self-assembly are starting to be revealed, the details of how the Cu(II) binding site evolves from the monomer to the dimers and tetramers are not known. Here, we report results from three mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods that provide insight into the changing Cu-beta2m interactions. We find that monomeric beta2m binds Cu(II) via the N-terminal amine, the amide of Gln2, His31, and Asp59. In the dimer and tetramer, Asp59 is no longer bound to Cu(II), but the other residues still comprise a well-defined albeit weaker binding site that is better able to release Cu(II). Consistent with this is the observation that a fraction of the tetrameric species no longer binds Cu(II) at this weakened binding site, which agrees with a previous report that suggested the tetramer as the first Cu(II)-free oligomer. Our results also provide some insight into structural changes caused by Cu(II) binding that facilitate oligomer formation. Specifically, binding by Asp59 in the monomer requires significant movement of this residue, and we propose that this repositioning is important for establishing a pair of dimer-stabilizing salt bridges between this residue and Lys19. We also find evidence that Cu(II) binding in the N-terminal region of the monomer repels Arg3, which likely allows this residue to form a pair of dimer-stabilizing salt bridges with Glu16. Overall, our measurements suggest that the previously proposed conformational switch caused by Cu(II) binding includes not only a cis-trans isomerization at Pro32 but also the repositioning of residues that are critical for the formation of new electrostatic interactions.
Fatigue crack monitoring in engine-grade titanium alloy by dynamic subtraction of surface acoustic wavemodulation

Abstract The initiation and evolution of fatigue cracks in forged titanium alloy samples are monitored ultrasonically during fatigue testing. An in-situ surface wave acoustic method is applied during fatigue with an overlaid small low-frequency periodic loading, resulting in a nonlinear modulation of reflected ultrasonic pulses. The acoustic wave time traces in the sample are collected for a range of applied fatigue and modulation load levels and for a range of spatial propagation positions within each fatigue cycle. These samples are characterised by strong microstructure-induced ultrasonic scattering. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio a post-processing subtraction technique is introduced with the aim of enhancing initiated crack detectability.
Trabecular outflow facility and formation rate of aqueous humor during propofol, nitrous oxide, and halothane anesthesia in rabbits

Propofol decreases intraocular pressure (IOP) and the IOP response to laryngoscopy and intubation, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect have not been reported. The present study examined the effect of propofol on IOP, intraocular fluid formation and outflow facility, and intraocular compliance. Twenty-two white New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized with halothane (0.8%-1.0% inspired concentration) in nitrous oxide (2 L/min) and oxygen (1 L/min). Muscle paralysis was established with pancuronium, and the lungs were mechanically ventilated through a tracheal tube. Twelve rabbits examined under these conditions served as controls. In the treatment group (n = 10), 6 mg/kg propofol followed by 18 mg.kg-1 x h-1 propofol intravenously was added to halothane/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia. In both groups, a series of intraocular infusions was made via a 30-gauge needle in the anterior chamber, and IOP, the rate of aqueous humor formation (Fa), and trabecular outflow facility (Ctr) were determined using conventional analysis. These same measures, as well as intraocular compliance, were determined using a new method of analysis adapted from the manometric technique for determining cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. IOP was 11.3 +/- 1.8 mm Hg (mean +/- SD) in halothane-anesthetized controls and decreased to 9.4 +/- 2.2 mm Hg when propofol was added to halothane anesthesia (P < 0.05). By conventional analysis, Fa was 2.82 +/- 0.94 microL/min and Ctr was 0.121 +/- 0.044 microL.min-1 x mm Hg-1 in controls. After addition of propofol, Fa decreased by 24% to 2.15 +/- 0.62 microL/min (P < 0.05) and Ctr decreased by 18% to 0.099 +/- 0.034 microL.min-1 x mm Hg-1 (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genomic Analysis Highlights the Role of the JAK-STAT Signaling in the Anti-proliferative Effects of Dietary Flavonoid—‘Ashwagandha’ in Prostate Cancer Cells

Phytochemicals are dietary phytoestrogens that may play a role in prostate cancer prevention. Forty percent of Americans use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for disease prevention and therapy. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) contains flavonoids and active ingredients like alkaloids and steroidal lactones which are called ‘Withanolides’. We hypothesize that the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of Ashwagandha might contribute to its overall effectiveness as an anti-carcinogenic agent. The goal of our study was gain insight into the general biological and molecular functions and immunomodulatory processes that are altered as a result of Ashwagandha treatment in prostate cancer cells, and to identify the key signaling mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of these physiological effects using genomic microarray analysis in conjunction with quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Ashwagandha treatment significantly downregulated the gene and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, chemokine IL-8, Hsp70 and STAT-2, while a reciprocal upregulation was observed in gene and protein expression of p38 MAPK, PI3K, caspase 6, Cyclin D and c-myc. Furthermore, Ashwagandha treatment significantly modulated the JAK-STAT pathway which regulates both the apoptosis process as well as the MAP kinase signaling. These studies outline several functionally important classes of genes, which are associated with immune response, signal transduction, cell signaling, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation and provide insight into the molecular signaling mechanisms that are modulated by Ashwagandha, thereby highlighting the use of this bioflavanoid as effective chemopreventive agent relevant to prostate cancer progression.
The Role of Magnetic Reconnection in the Observable Features of Solar Eruptions

There are two competing classes of models for coronal mass ejections (CMEs): those that assume a preexisting magnetic flux rope and those that can make a flux rope during the eruption by magnetic reconnection. The present work is based on the model with a preexisting flux rope. We investigate the evolution of morphological features of the magnetic configuration in a CME according to a catastrophe model of flux rope CMEs developed previously. For the parameters chosen for the present work, roughly half of the total mass and magnetic flux are contained in the initial flux rope, while the remaining plasma and poloidal magnetic flux are brought by magnetic reconnection from the corona into the current sheet and from there into the CME bubble. These features and the corresponding physical processes are identical to those described by the non-flux rope models. Thus, the flux rope and non-flux rope models are less distinct than is generally assumed. The reconnected magnetic flux can account for the rapid expansion of the ejecta, and the plasma flowing out of the current sheet fills the outer shell of the ejecta. We tentatively identify the outer shell, the expanded bubble, and the flux rope with the leading edge, void, and core of the three-component CME structure, respectively. Thus, the final mass, speed, and magnetic energy—the quantities that determine the geoeffectiveness of the CME—are determined not in the initial eruption but during the CME expansion, at heights of a few solar radii. The aspects of this explanation that need improvement are also discussed.
Purification and characterization of non-chloroplastic α-1,4-glucan phosphorylases from leaves of Digitaria eriantha Stent

Summary We have previously identified four major α-glucan Phosphorylase (GP) enzymes in crude leaf extracts from pangolagrass ( Digitaria eriantha Stent.). One co-isolates with the chloroplasts (cGP) while the other three are non-chloroplastic (nGP). In this report we present further characterization and leaf cell-type localization of the non-chloroplastic enzymes. In contrast to observations in maize, all of the pangolagrass GP enzymes were present in both isolated bundle sheath strands and mesophyll cells. Ion exchange column chromatography separated the leaf GPs into three peaks: A, B and C. Peak A was the most active and contained three non-chloroplastic GP (nGP), active bands separable by native Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (NPGE). Peak B GP enzymes migrated identically to peak A enzymes during NPGE. Peak C contained a single chloroplastic GP (cGP). The two major nGPs in the peak A fraction co-purified and migrated as a single band during SDS-PAGE, but they could be separated by IEF-column chromatography. Kinetic properties of these peak A nGP enzymes were similar to those of other plant nGP enzymes, with the exception that the pangolagrass nGP is not inhibited by dinucleotide sugars. The co-localization of the leaf GP enzymes in both bundle sheath and mesophyll cells, and the separation of the non-chloroplastic GPs into two pools (peaks A and B) during ion exchange chromatography are unique characteristics not previously described for plant leaf GPs.
The three-dimensional instability of elliptical vortices in a viscoelastic fluid

Abstract A linear stability analysis is presented for an upper-convected Maxwell fluid undergoing unbounded two-dimensional flows with elliptical streamlines and uniform vorticity. The flows are found to exhibit a Floquet-type instability to a plane-wave disturbance whose wave vector is periodically distorted in time. The elasticity of the fluid is found to exert a destabilizing influence.
Limitations of commercial condensation nucleus counters as absolute aerosol counters

Abstract Two condensation nucleus (CN) counters—an Environment/One Rich 100 (E/One) and a General Electric (GE)—were calibrated with submicron, monodisperse, hydrophilic and hydrophobic aerosols. The counters were factory-equipped with the plastic tubing used for the aerosol sampling system. High losses of charged aerosol particles occurred because large electrostatic charges built up on the inner and outer surfaces of the plastic tubing. Replacing these plastic tubes with metal tubes greatly improved the response of the CN counters. The response of the GE was independent of particle surface properties and exhibited only a slight size dependency for particles smaller than 0.03 μm in dia. For particles smaller than 0.07 μm, the E/One was not as responsive to hydrophobic as to hydrophilic particles. This difference in response became larger as particle size decreased.
Cross-sectional determinants of an executive performance metric index

Purpose – Performance-based executive compensation has been well studied in the academic literature but relatively little attention has been paid to the performance metrics disclosed by corporations in their proxy statements. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – Using these statements from a large sample of US firms from 1996 to 2005, the author constructs an accounting-based-metric index based on the inclusion or exclusion of performance benchmarks from five categories. Findings – The author finds firm rely more heavily on accounting-based evaluation when their stock market valuation is low. Larger firms, firms with a high marginal tax rate, and firms with low earnings per share are more likely to use accounting-based pay, levered firms are not more or less likely. Originality/value – These results are consistent with accounting-based pay being used by firms with fewer intangible assets, smaller unrealized growth options, and more established lines of business.
Effect of environmental complexity on cortical synapses of rats: preliminary results.

Abstract Rats reared in groups in complex environments had significantly longer postsynaptic opaque regions in asymmetric round vesicle synapses in layers 1 and 4 of occipital cortex than did isolated rats. There were no differences in layer 6. The boutons of these synapses showed nonsignificant differences in the same direction as the postsynaptic difference.
Mechanical testing of small, thin samples in a humidity-controlled oven

A new fixture for the mechanical characterization of thin polymer films under controlled temperature and relative humidity conditions is reported. Novel conducting polymers are often synthesized in small quantities and processed into films on the order of 10–100 microns thick. Standard tensile tests do not allow for adequate testing of these small sample sizes. Hence, a modification of the Sentmanat Extensional Rheometer (SER) to perform tensile testing on thin membranes is presented. Since the standard L-shaped pins do not secure thin polymer films at lower temperatures (i.e., below the melting point), screw down clamps were created to allow for mechanical characterization of solid polymer films. The new testing apparatus allows for mechanical characterization with as little as 2 % of the material needed for testing on a traditional tensile tester. In a parallel effort, a humidity delivery system developed for the TA Instruments ARES-G2 rheometer allows for testing at a range of temperatures (30–100 °C) and relative humidity conditions (0–95 % RH). The novel oven was benchmarked with low density polyethylene and Nafion 115Ⓡ. While the new experiment was built for characterization of ion exchange membranes for fuel cells, the oven is capable of characterizing any environmentally sensitive material using all standard rheometer geometries.
Low-loss LTCC cavity filters using system-on-package technology at 60 GHz

In this paper, three-dimensional (3-D) integrated cavity resonators and filters consisting of via walls are demonstrated as a system-on-package compact solution for RF front-end modules at 60 GHz using low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. Slot excitation with a /spl lambda/g/4 open stub has been applied and evaluated in terms of experimental performance and fabrication accuracy and simplicity. The strongly coupled cavity resonator provides an insertion loss 20.6 dB over the passband (/spl sim/0.89 GHz), and a 3-dB bandwidth of approximately 1.5% (/spl sim/0.89 GHz), as well as a simple fabrication of the feeding structure (since it does not require to drill vias to implement the feeding structure). The design has been utilized to develop a 3-D low-loss three-pole bandpass filter for 60-GHz wireless local area network narrow-band (/spl sim/1 GHz) applications. This is the first demonstration entirely authenticated by measurement data for 60-GHz 3-D LTCC cavity filters. This filter exhibits an insertion loss of 2.14 dB at the center frequency of 58.7 GHz, a rejection >16.4 dB over the passband, and a 3-dB bandwidth approximately 1.38% (/spl sim/0.9 GHz).
IREF-an interactive theory-driven knowledge refinement tool

A discussion is given on the integration of a domain-based conceptual model developed for interactive knowledge acquisition with machine-learning techniques, specifically explanation-based learning. The authors present the design of an interactive knowledge refinement tool which is based on an incomplete domain theory. In combination with a generalization component, the tool can actively suggest or confirm modifications to the knowledge base, rather than just accept editing commands passively. Furthermore, the interface presented to users of the tool (the conceptual model) reflects the semantics of the domain. Users are completely shielded from the implementation details of the underlying performance element and its knowledge representation. The work suggests that incorporating a machine-learning component in an interactive knowledge acquisition tool can yield fruitful returns. >
MONETARY POLICY IN CONTINENTAL WESTERN EUROPE, 1944–52*

IN 1944-45 the monetary situations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands were strikingly similar. Each country had financed the war by printing notes, and the rigorous enforcement of price controls had kept price rises to relatively small proportions. Hence, these countries were faced with excess liquidity and repressed inflation. A reduction of the money supply was called for to prevent open inflation and to permit an orderly process of reconstruction. Belgium and Holland reduced excess liquidity through currency reforms, which consisted of the outright cancellation and temporary blocking of the money supply. They were thus spared from open inflation. France and Italy failed to reduce liquidity, and were consequently beset by a price-wage spiral. In Germany inflation was repressed to such an extent that money lost its normal functions and the economy lapsed into a state of barter. Three years elapsed before a currency reform eliminated excess liquidity and restored a credit economy. Only Denmark was able to avoid inflation without reducing the money supply, primarily because its excess liquidity was relatively small. The postwar reconstruction brought new inflationary pressures to all countries. Qualitative credit controls were generally a failure, unless accompanied by price and wage controls, and these were successful in curbing inflation only when supplemented by restrictive monetary or fiscal policies. By the end of 1948 production had reached prewar levels, and inflation had been arrested in all countries. A majority, however, still had deficits in their balance of payments. In countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy, which had relied primarily on monetary policy during the reconstruction, inflation was followed by a recession. No attempts were made to overcome the recession by expansionary monetary policy, because of the fear of renewed inflation and the persistent deficits in the balance of payments; the mere low-
Energy based path planning for a novel cabled robotic system

Cabled robotic systems have been used for a diverse set of applications such as environmental sensing, search and rescue, sports and entertainment and air vehicle simulators. In this paper, we introduce a new cabled robot- Networked Info Mechanical System for Planar actuation (NIMS-PL), with energy profiling capabilities. Accurate energy measurements supported by NIMS-PL enable path planning that optimizes the robotpsilas path subject to an upper bound on energy consumption. We performed extensive empirical validation of the optimized path planning approach in simulation using an environmental sensing application as an example. We also validated the simulation results using NIMS-PL, demonstrating significant improvements in the sensing task when accounting with accurate energy measurements as opposed to Euclidean distance, which is typically used for modeling energy spent in path traversal.
Prediction of seismic wave dispersion and attenuation from ultrasonic velocity measurements

Dispersion and attenuation are important attributes of seismic data that can provide important information about reservoir rock lithology, pore fluid type, and pore structure. Based on Cheng’s pore-aspect-ratio spectrum inversion methodology, we related the closure and deformation of soft pores to the measured pressure-dependent porosity data. With this additional constraint, the inverted pore-aspect-ratio spectrum and concentrations are more realistic. The complex pore structure controls two important intrinsic dispersion and attenuation mechanisms: Biot flow and squirt flow. We modified and extended Tang’s unified velocity dispersion and attenuation model and made it applicable to poroelastic media with a complex pore structure under the undrained condition. The inverted pore-aspect-ratio spectra from pressure-dependent ultrasonic velocity measurements were put into the modified Tang’s model to predict velocity dispersion and attenuation in full frequency range at various differential pressure conditions.