cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CALORIE is a better acronym than CALERIE.

The investigators in the recently published article on the effects of calorie restriction in overweight individuals coined the acronym CALERIE for the Comprehensive Assessment of the Long Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy [1]. But I think that it would be far better to give the study the acronym CALORIE for Comprehensive Assessment of the Long term effects Of Reducing Intake of Energy. After all, the study is all about calories. Acronyms of clinical trials are often very imaginative, intuitive and sometimes even coercive or prophetic [2]. In the latter case, the investigators attempted to draw special attention of the readers to the purpose and/or results of the trials, e.g., ACTION (Anticoagulation Consortium To Improve Outcomes Nationally), HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation), RAPID (Rapid Anticoagulation Preventing Ischemic Damage) and WISH (Women Into Staying Healthy). The readers are advised to refer to Ref. [2] for a complete listing of the acronyms of cardiological trials and their definitions. On the other hand, there are many positive-sounding acronyms of trials in cardiology that turned out to yield negative results, such as ALIVE, ATLAS, CARDINAL, DEFINITE, HALT-MI, IMPROVED, LIMIT AMI, MIRA-
An Organic Acid Based Counter Selection System for Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are valuable organisms for studying the physiology of photosynthesis and carbon fixation, as well as metabolic engineering for the production of fuels and chemicals. This work describes a novel counter selection method for the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 based on organic acid toxicity. The organic acids acrylate, 3-hydroxypropionate, and propionate were shown to be inhibitory towards Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 and other cyanobacteria at low concentrations. Inhibition was overcome by a loss of function mutation in the gene acsA, which is annotated as an acetyl-CoA ligase. Loss of AcsA function was used as a basis for an acrylate counter selection method. DNA fragments of interest were inserted into the acsA locus and strains harboring the insertion were isolated on selective medium containing acrylate. This methodology was also used to introduce DNA fragments into a pseudogene, glpK. Application of this method will allow for more advanced genetics and engineering studies in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 including the construction of markerless gene deletions and insertions. The acrylate counter-selection could be applied to other cyanobacterial species where AcsA activity confers acrylate sensitivity (e.g. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803).
The collocation method based on a generalized inverse multiquadric basis for bound-state problems

Abstract The generalized inverse multiquadric basis function (1 + c 2 || x || 2 ) − β /2 , where c > 0, β > d , and x ∈ ℝ d , is introduced for numerically solving the bound-state Schrodinger equation. Combined with the collocation method, this basis function can yield accurate eigenvalues of highly excited vibrations, as demonstrated by using one- and two-dimensional potentials. In addition, the generalized inverse multiquadric basis function is as flexible and simple as the Gaussian basis. The multiquadric form does not call for semiclassically distributed grid points and specially scaled exponential parameters as required in the latter case to achieve high accuracy.
The regulation of 4 forms of tyrosine aminotransferase in adult and developing rat liver.

Abstract Tyrosine aminotransferase activity in rat liver has been separated into four isozymic forms by means of hydroxylapatite chromatography. A form (Form I) is found to be ubiquitous in tissues other than liver whereas the other three forms (II, III & IV) are present only in liver. The synthesis of form IV appears to be regulated by insulin and form II probably by corticosteroids. In fetal liver only form I is present, forms II and III appearing on the day of birth, and form IV at the time of weaning.
How long can insulin therapy be avoided in the patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus by use of a combination of metformin and a sulfonylurea

Objective: To assess the effective longevity of combination double oral therapy before insulin or triple oral therapy is needed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of our first 100 patients with type 2 diabetes who were successfully transferred from twice-daily mixed NPH and regular insulin to a combination of metformin and a sulfonylurea. Results: Of the 100 study patients, 40 had well-controlled plasma glucose (glycosylated hemoglobin levels <8.0%) with use of metformin and a sulfonylurea. Good glycemic control was achieved with triple oral therapy (a sulfonylurea, metformin, and a thiazolidinedione) in 14 patients and with a sulfonylurea, metformin, and evening-administered mixed NPH and regular insulin in 7. In addition, plasma glucose was effectively controlled with twice-daily mixed NPH and regular insulin in conjunction with metformin or a thiazolidinedione (or both) in 22 patients and with twice-daily mixed NPH and regular insulin alone in 1...
Reconstituting Histories of Filipino Families with Chinese Ancestry: Methodology, Sources, and Relevance

Conducting one’s family history can enrich not only one’s own sense of self but also a nation’s history, especially in a country like the Philippines where oligarchic families have historically had an impact on the nation’s society, economy, and society. Many of these families are Tsinoy (Chinese-Filipino). Only few, however, have undertaken to reconstitute their histories. This essay discusses the various methods, sources, resources, and various frameworks (e.g., transnational, gendered) that one can use in the reconstitution of Tsinoy family histories. It also explains the significance that such family histories have in reframing and broadening our understanding of Philippine history.
Production of Uric Acid in Cerebrospinal Fluid after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Dogs: Investigation of the Possible Role of Xanthine Oxidase in Chronic Vasospasm

Based on accumulating evidence of the role of xanthine oxidase (XO) in generating oxygen free radicals and causing tissue damage during ischemia, we examined the possible role of XO in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). After inducing SAH in dogs by two autologous blood injections 2 days apart, chronic vasospasm of the basilar artery was reliably produced. There was a 3.5-fold elevation in uric acid (UA), the product of XO, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of these animals. Parenteral administration of allopurinol (i.v., 25 mg/kg, every 6 hours), a specific blocker of XO, successfully abolished the elevation in CSF uric acid levels due to SAH. However, angiographic vasospasm measured on Day 7, morphological changes observed by electron microscope, and elevated CSF prostaglandin levels were not altered by the treatment. It can be concluded that the observed activation of the enzyme XO, which is a well-known source of oxygen free radicals in ischemia in various organs, is not playing a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic cerebral vasospasm in this animal.
A leader's guide to internal corporate venturing 2.0

Purpose – The paper aims to address a pervasive leadership problem: why do so many companies have such a difficult time adapting the innovation approaches that work so well in the venture capital (VC) ecosystem to the corporate environment?Design/methodology/approach – The paper looks at why innovation approaches of the VC environment do not work so well in the in the corporate environment.Findings – The paper finds that the root cause lies in the very real differences between established companies and start‐ups that no amount of organizational redesign or process creativity can overcome. Therefore corporations should not attempt to be VCs. Shifting from selecting ideas to “shaping” them is perhaps the largest break from existing standard practice. Most organizations have any number of ideas floating around, some of which keep resurfacing year after year without ever seeming to get any meaningful traction or to be successfully dispatched. The reason is very often that there is a kernel of truth somewhere ...
Tau protein induces bundling of microtubules in vitro: Comparison of different tau isoforms and a tau protein fragment

Expression of tau protein in non-neuronal cells can result in a redistribution of the microtubule cytoskeleton into thick bundles of tau-containing microtubules (Lewis et al.: Nature 342:498-505, 1989; Kanai et al.: J Cell Biol 109:1173-1184, 1989). We reconstituted microtubule bundles using purified tubulin and tau in order to study the assembly of these structures. Taxol-stabilized tubulin polymers were incubated with various concentrations of recombinant human tau and examined by electron microscopy. With increasing concentrations of tau 3 (tau isoform containing three microtubule binding domains) or tau 4 (isoform containing four microtubule binding domains) the microtubules changed orientation from a random distribution to loosely and tightly packed parallel arrays and then to thick cables. In contrast, tau 4L, the tau isoform containing four microtubule binding domains plus a 58-amino acid insert near the N-terminus, showed minimal bundling activity. tau 4-induced bundling could be inhibited by the addition of 0.5 M NaCl or 0.4 mM estramustine phosphate, conditions which are known to inhibit tau binding to microtubules. A tau construct that contained only the microtubule binding domains plus 19 amino acids to the C-terminus was fully capable of bundling microtubules. Phosphorylation of tau 3 with cAMP-dependent protein kinase had no effect on its ability to induce microtubule bundling. These results indicate that tau protein is directly capable of bundling microtubules in vitro, and suggests that different tau isoforms differ in their ability to bundle microtubule filaments.
Integrated review of cytokines in maternal, cord, and newborn blood: part I--associations with preterm birth.

Preterm birth (PTB; spontaneous delivery prior to 37 weeks gestation) affects one out of eight infants born in the United States and is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although the pathogenesis of PTB is multifactorial, a growing body of literature supports the hypothesis that one cause of PTB is inflammation in pregnancy. Investigators have implicated mediators of inflammation, most notably proinflammatory cytokines, as being associated with and perhaps a playing a causal role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and adverse early fetal outcomes. Though researchers have pursued the association of cytokines with preterm labor and subsequent early adverse fetal outcomes as a line of research, there has been little integration of diverse findings across studies. This systematic review appraises the empirical evidence from human studies for the association of levels of cytokines in blood with preterm labor and adverse early fetal outcome to examine the current state of the science ...
Representation and approximation of solutions to semilinear Volterra equations with delay

Abstract In this paper we use a theorem of Crandall and Pazy to provide the product integral representation of the nonlinear evolution operator associated with solutions to the semilinear Volterra equation: x ( ϑ )( t ) = W ( t , τ ) ϑ (0) + ∝ τ t W ( t , s ) F ( s , x s ( ϑ )) ds . Here the kernel W ( t , s ) is a linear evolution operator on a Banach space X ; I is an interval of the form [− r , 0] or (−∞, 0] and F is a nonlinear mapping of R × C ( I , X ) into X . The abstract theory is applied to examples of partial functional differential equations.
Curcumin inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated signaling pathways in cancer cells

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenol natural product of the plant Curcuma longa, is undergoing early clinical trials as a novel anticancer agent. However, the anticancer mechanism of curcumin remains to be elucidated. Here we show that curcumin inhibited growth of rhabdomyosarcoma cells (Rh1 and Rh30) (IC50 = 2–5 μM) and arrested cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle. Curcumin also induced apoptosis and inhibited the basal or type I insulin-like growth factor-induced motility of the cells. At physiological concentrations (˜2.5 μM), curcumin rapidly inhibited phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its downstream effector molecules, p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), in a panel of cell lines (Rh1, Rh30, DU145, MCF-7 and Hela). Curcumin also inhibited phosphorylation of Akt in the cells, but only at high concentrations (>40 μM). The data suggest that curcumin may execute its anticancer activity primarily by blocking mTOR-mediated signaling pathways in the tumor cells. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The complexity of data exchange

Data exchange is the problem of transforming data structured under a source schema into data structured under a target schema in such a way that all constraints of a schema mapping are satisfied. At the heart of data exchange, lies a basic decision problem, called the existence-of-solutions problem: given a source instance, is there a target instance that satisfies the constraints of the schema mapping at hand? Earlier work showed that for schema mappings specified by embedded implicational dependencies, this problem is solvable in polynomial time, assuming that (1) the schema mapping is kept fixed and (2) the constraints of the schema mapping satisfy a certain structural condition, called weak acyclicity.We investigate the effect of these assumptions on the complexity of the existence-of-solutions problem, and show that each one is indispensable in deriving polynomial-time algorithms for this problem. Specifically, using machinery from universal algebra, we show that if the weak acyclicity assumption is relaxed even in a minimal way, then the existence-of-solutions problem becomes undecidable. We also show that if, in addition to the source instance, the schema mapping is part of the input, then the existence-of-solutions problem becomes EXPTIME-complete. Thus, there is a provable exponential gap between the data complexity and the combined complexity of data exchange. Finally, we study restricted classes of schema mappings and develop a comprehensive picture for the combined complexity of the existence-of-solutions problem for these restrictions. In particular, depending on the restriction considered, the combined complexity of this problem turns out to be either EXPTIME-complete or coNP-complete.
CRIME CONTROL VIA FEDERAL DEALER REGULATION

Since 1938, for a small fee, practically any adult without a felony record could obtain a federal firearms license, and thereby as a FFL be entitled to engage in the business of selling firearms and to make interstate firearms purchases.... Language: en
Adaptive delivery of video data over wireless and mobile environments

We present an architecture for the adaptable delivery of video data under variable connection characteristics and into devices of variable capabilities. The main application of the proposed architecture is video delivery in wireless and mobile environments. The architecture is based on the Universal Multimedia Access concept and the MPEG-7 standard. Based on the network and the mobile device, as well as constraints imposed by user preferences and the multimedia content, video is delivered through a careful application of a combination of off-line and on-line reductions to the video stream. We present our architecture and describe an implementation of a system based on the architecture. We present basic performance evaluation results to quantify the merit of our approach. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of the apex node on routing inside a pyramid structure

In this paper, we show that the apex node of a pyramid structure serves as both the only center and the only median vertex of its underlying graph. This fact explains the central role that the apex node often plays in the data communication process within a pyramid structure.
Efficient Working and Shirking in Information Sharing Networks

In many systems, agents interact repeatedly with each other over an exogenously determined network and need to cooperate with each other by producing and sharing valuable knowledge or information with the agents with which they are connected. However, producing and sharing information can be costly for the agents themselves, while providing no direct immediate benefit to them. Hence, there are incentives for individual agents to shirk rather than to work—to free ride on the information production and sharing of other agents rather than to produce information themselves. In this paper, we develop a systematic framework for designing rating systems aimed at promoting efficient production and sharing in these networks, thereby significantly improving the social welfare (i.e., sum utility of agents) of such networks. The schemes proposed operated effectively even in settings where monitoring of agent behavior is subject to significant errors. In many scenarios our schemes achieve maximum social welfare; in others, we prove that optimal schemes necessarily fall short of maximum social welfare due to imperfect monitoring. The distinction between these scenarios arises from the tension between the social value of producing for others and the strategic value of withholding production. In some scenarios, the optimal scheme allows that less-productive agents shirk (not produce); this creates the largest incentives for more-productive agents to work at the socially-desired level. We establish conditions under which recommending “work” to all agents is the optimal strategy and develop low-complexity algorithms to determine the optimal strategy in general settings for arbitrary information sharing networks.
Activation energy of superplastic deformation of a microduplex steel by differential temperature tests

In IN744 steel the activation energy of superplastic deformation Q.187.14/plus or minus/8.27 kJ/mole is representative of deformation in the pseudo-steady state and is comparable with the grain boundary diffusion of Fe, Cr and Ni in Fe-Cr-Ni stainless steels. However, under conditions of unstable microstructures and/or strain sensitive flow, the activation energy may be higher or lower than the value of Q corresponding to the onset of plastic strain depending on the contribution of strain softening and hardening. 16 refs.
Heterologous Gene Expression in a Membrane-Protein-Specific System

We have constructed an expression system for heterologous proteins which uses the molecular machinery responsible for the high level production of bacteriorhodopsin in Halobacterium salinarum. Cloning vectors were assembled that fused sequences of the bacterio-opsin gene (bop) to coding sequences of heterologous genes and generated DNA fragments with cloning sites that permitted transfer of fused genes into H. salinarum expression vectors. Gene fusions include: (i) carboxyl-terminal-tagged bacterio-opsin; (ii) a carboxyl-terminal fusion with the catalytic subunit of the Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamylase; (iii) the human muscarinic receptor, subtype M1; (iv) the human serotonin receptor, type 5HT2c; and (v) the yeast alpha mating factor receptor, Ste2. Characterization of the expression of these fusions revealed that the bop gene coding region contains previously undescribed molecular determinants which are critical for high level expression. For example, introduction of immunogenic and purification tag sequences into the C-terminal coding region significantly decreased bop gene mRNA and protein accumulation. The bacteriorhodopsin-aspartate transcarbamylase fusion protein was expressed at 7 mg per liter of culture, demonstrating that E. coli codon usage bias did not limit the system's potential for high level expression. The work presented describes initial efforts in the development of a novel heterologous protein expression system, which may have unique advantages for producing multiple milligram quantities of membrane-associated proteins.
Uveitis in the southeastern United States

PURPOSE. Previous epidemiologic studies of uveitis have focused on predominantly Caucasian populations, and none have been based in the Southeast. We analyzed the epidemiology of uveitis among a referral population with a high percentage of African Americans in the United States. METHODS. We evaluated demographic data from 385 consecutive patients referred to the Duke Uveitis Clinic. RESULTS. Of the 385 patients, 120 (31%) were African American and 258 (67%) Caucasian; 237 (62%) were female and 148 (38%) male. The most common diagnoses among the 385 patients were idiopathic panuveitis (64 patients [17%]), idiopathic anterior uveitis (47 patients [12%]), pars planitis (46 patients [12%]), sarcoidosis (44 patients [11%]), and toxoplasmosis (39 patients [10%]). These diagnoses were also the most common among the 120 African American patients: 33 patients (28%) had idiopathic panuveitis, 30 (25%) had sarcoidosis, 10 (8%) had idiopathic anterior uveitis, 8 (7%) had toxoplasmosis, and 6 (5%) had pars planitis. ...
Doped Thin-Film Sensors via a Sol−Gel Process for High-Acidity Determination

An optical sensor has been developed for high-acidity ([H+] = 1−11 M) measurements. The sensor is made of thin films of silica sol−gels doped with an acid indicator. Acid- and base-catalyzed methods to make the sol−gel films have been studied, and the properties of the sol−gel sensors prepared by these methods are discussed. The acid-catalyzed method was found to give more robust films and has been optimized to prepare thin films which are mechanically and chemically stable for a period of at least 3 months. The performance of the sensors resulted in a relative standard deviation of less than 2.5%. The response time is short (1 s), and a small hysteresis was observed during reproducibility measurements with 2−10 M HCl solutions.
Response of the neonatal heart to a new inotropic agent, RO2-2985 (X537A).

Extract: The ionophore RO2-2985 did not produce a positive inotropic response in 1-day-old canine isolated ventricle. A gradual increase in inotropic response was seen with age. Isolated atria, however, exhibited a positive inotropic response at birth (50% increased dF/dt), which became progressively greater with age (100% increase in dF/dt at 15 days of age). In the neonatal heart in situ there was a positive inotropic response in 1-day-old puppies (40% increase in left ventricular dF/dt) with progressively greater responses with age (135% increase in left ventricular dF/dt at 11 days of age). There was a positive chronotropic (75–125% increase) response to RO2-2985 at all ages studied. The drug elevated systemic arterial pressure (150% increase in mean arterial pressure) to a similar degree in all ages studied. RO2-2985 depressed total calcium binding by both neonatal and adult isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum approximately 50%. Speculation: Although the exact mechanism of action of RO2-2985 on the heart remains unproven, the temporal association of the increase in ventricular and atrial sympathetic nerve endings with development reported by previous authors and the increase in response to RO2-2985 and tyramine suggest that the drug might act in part by releasing a humoral substance. The discrepancy between in situ and isolated studies tends to support this view. A more complete delineation of all subcellular fractions of the developing heart will be necessary to clarify the differential actions of this and other drugs on the developing heart. RO2-2985 may be of value in the treatment of low cardiac output states in neonates as well as adults, but specific testing in neonates will be necessary.
Interleukin-4 regulates connective tissue growth factor expression in human lung fibroblasts.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) have fibrogenic properties and induce extracellular matrix production in a variety of lung diseases. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a matrix signaling molecule stimulated by TGF-β that in part mediates α1(I) collagen mRNA expression. In these studies, the regulation of CTGF expression by IL-4 in human lung fibroblasts was examined. Following 6 h of stimulation with IL-4, basal CTGF mRNA levels were unchanged as assessed by Northern blot analysis. However, IL-4 attenuated the TGF-β-stimulated induction of CTGF mRNA expression by 50%. This effect was selective because IL-4 did not affect fibronectin or α1(I) collagen mRNA expression induced by TGF-β. Experiments employing the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D suggest that IL-4 did not affect the stability of the CTGF mRNA. Transient transfection assays with 3TP-Lux, a luciferase gene controlled by a TGF-β inducible promoter, and with a CTGF promoter construct indicate that IL-4 interfered with the TGF-β-induced transcriptional activation of the CTGF gene. J. Cell. Biochem. 85: 496–504, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
COMPRESSIBILITY EFFECTS ON OSCILLATING ROTOR BLADES IN HOVERING FLIGHT

Abstract : A theory is developed and used for determining the influence of compressibility on the aerodynamic forces acting on helicopter rotor blades when oscillating in hovering flight. The usual two-dimensional mathematical model of the flow is adopted in which a section of the reference rotor blade and its helical wake is replaced by an airfoil with a straight wake and a system of regularly spaced infinite wakes below, the amount of spacing depending on the downward flow induced by the rotor and the number of blades. (Author)
TEACHING COMPOSITION: A REPORT ON A BIDIALECTAL APPROACH1

Whichever theoretical position one holds regarding the problem of non-standard dialects, it is clear that productive competence of standard formal composition style is a mandatory skill for anyone who wishes to obtain a university degree in this country. An outline is given of a rationale for choosing a bidialectal approach for teaching composition to users of non-standard dialects including a description of the approach, the assumptions, and the class objectives. A description is then given of some of the methods, (e.g., contrastive analysis and the study of dialects and registers) and classroom techniques (e.g., lectures, discussions, exercises) which were used to achieve the objectives. The discussion includes an evaluation of the success of each technique, and concludes with an informal evaluation of the total experimental program.
Establishment of apricot and almond trees using soil mulching with transparent (solarization) and black polyethylene film: effects on Verticillium wilt and tree health.

Apricot (Pruntts armeniaca) and almond (P. dulcis) trees at the first leaf stage were planted in soil infested with Verticittium dahliae and mulched with transparent or black polyethylene film, or not mulched, in the San Joaquin Valley of California, March-August 1990. During the 19-week mulching treatment, summer soil temperatures reached as high as 46,41, and 33 C at 18 cm depth; and 41,37, and 32 C at 30 cm depth under clear film, black film, and no film, respectively. Trees mulched from the time of planting with transparent polyethylene (solarization) did not survive or grow as well as those mulched with black film or not mulched. Incidence of foliar symptoms due to Verticillium wilt was reduced by 86-100% in both apricot and almond trees by black, as well as transparent film mulch the following season. Incidence of vascular discoloration symptoms of trunks and primary scaffolds due to Verticillium wilt was similarly reduced by both mulches. Mulching with black polyethylene film gave better overall results than solarization with transparent film. The intermediate soil temperatures produced did not chronically harm trees, as judged by tree survival and annual growth of trunk diameter, yet the prolonged period of soil heating provided control of Verticillium wilt equivalent to that of solarization with transparent polyethylene. These studies provided further evidence that in-season mulching can be used to conserve water during establishment of neW orchards or replant trees in warm, arid climates.
Radiology update 2013--things are looking up after 7 lean years!

711 More broad-based changes in provider payments as well as newer models of care delivery will cause us to adapt. Some of these changes may, in fact, attempt to reduce the differential in compensation between primary care and subspecialty physician services. However, we are in a large boat here with many other similarly concerned specialties. In our favor, we have responded to reimbursement reforms by becoming much more efficient and more adept at managing change. The future of the specialty is quite strong. Continued innovation and collaboration with clinical colleagues have made us indispensable. Our capacity to positively impact patients’ lives is ever more obvious and increasing. Howard P. Forman Section Editor for Health Care Policy and Quality, Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Public Health howard.forman@yale.edu
Sol-gel nanocomposites as metamaterials: preparation and optical measurements

Nanocomposites made of Ag nanowires imbedded in a sol-gel host have been morphologically and optically investigated. Sonication during solidification significantly improved nanowire dispersal. The data from the nanocomposites were compared to the data from pure sol-gels in order to determine the effects of the nanowires. Reflectometry data at 1064 nm show that the presence of ∼5% nanowires (by volume) results in a decrease from 1.17 to ≈ 1.1 in the real part of the index of refraction accompanied by an increase in the imaginary part. Transmission loss in the pure sol-gel is mainly due to scattering from inhomogeneities, and the inclusion of nanowires (or the process of doing so) appears to result in a significant reduction of the scattering loss.
Measurements of Ho and H+ Ion Yields during H- Acceleration in a 50-MeV Linac

Unlike proton linacs where the only particles that can be transported are protons, an H- linac can produce Ho and protons by stripping off one or both electrons of H- ions during acceleration. We have measured yields of these ions as a function of linac tank pressures.
Distributions in Energy and Angle of Electrons Ejected from Molecular Nitrogen by 0.3- to 1.7-MeV Protons

Cross sections, differential in ejection energy and angle, for electron emission from nitrogen following proton impact were measured for protons with energies from 0.3 to 1.7 MeV. Electrons were detected at emission angles from 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 130\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} with energies from a few eV to approximately 4000 eV. Cross sections differential in energy were obtained from the doubly differential cross sections by integration with respect to the emission angle. These results were compared with cross sections calculated from binary-encounter theory. Agreement between the calculated and measured cross sections was within experimental uncertainties (25%) throughout most of the energy range of the ejected electrons. $K$-shell ionization cross sections for nitrogen were also estimated from the intensity of the $K$ Auger electrons emitted following proton impact.
Nano boundary layers over stretching surfaces

Abstract In this paper, we present similarity solutions for the nano boundary layer flows with Navier boundary condition. We consider viscous flows over a two-dimensional stretching surface and an axisymmetric stretching surface. The resulting nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved analytically by the Homotopy Analysis Method. Numerical solutions are obtained by using a boundary value problem solver, and are shown to agree well with the analytical solutions. The effects of the slip parameter K and the suction parameter s on the fluid velocity and on the tangential stress are investigated and discussed. As expected, we find that for such fluid flows at nano scales, the shear stress at the wall decreases (in an absolute sense) with an increase in the slip parameter K .
ORDER OF SOLUTIONS IN AMBIGUOUS ANAGRAMS AS A FUNCTION OF WORD FREQUENCY OF THE SOLUTION WORDS.

Sixty-nine Ss attempted to solve 15 “ambiguous” anagrams each containing three or more possible solution words. The results showed that order of solution within anagrams was a function of the word frequency of the solution words.
The Mark on the Spade

Freud suggested in his essay “The Mystical Writing Pad” the beginning of the geological ethnography in which the person might be split into coexisting archeological layers. But Freud short shrifted the method and his choices for excavation. What would happen if a garden were psychoanalyzed? The grub and praying mantis, the piece of blue glass in the humus, the encroaching Bermuda grass, the sharpness of the spade, the lingering traces of the previous owners, and economies would all have to be accounted for in what Braudel described as a “set of sets.” The result would be a stratified, geological history of the marks left behind in literal scars, in lilacs, and in the emotional tones vibrating in the pattern of cuts and cutting devices—but all related like a set of living boxes nestled inside one another.
Influence of Cyclodextrins on Ester Hydrolysis

The hydrolysis of various ethyl esters of aminobenzoic acids, acetylsalicylic acid, and atropine in alkaline solution was shown to be either accelerated or decelerated in the presence of α and β-cyclodextrin. It is also shown that the stereochemistry of binding and the degree of ionization of cyclodextrin are primarily responsible for these catalytic and inhibitory effects observed.
Technology, endowments, and the factor content of bilateral trade ☆

We derive testable restrictions relating the factor content of bilateral trade to bilateral differences in technology and endowments. This departs from the Heckscher–Ohlin–Vanek theorem which compares the factor content of net trade with factor abundance. We test the theoretical restrictions using a unique dataset that covers 41 developed and developing countries with disparate endowments and technology. We find evidence supporting the predictions. In addition: (1) The factor content predictions perform best for country pairs with larger endowment differences, and (2) for trade between capital-abundant countries, Ricardian international technology differences matter more than Heckscher–Ohlin factor endowment differences.
Bond cleavage reactions in substituted thiophenes by a rhodium complex

Abstract The reactions of (C 5 Me 5 )Rh(PMe 3 )(Ph)H with 2-methoxythiophene, 3-methoxythiophene, 2-cyanothiophene, 3-cyanothiophene, 2-trimethylsilylthiophene, ethylenesulfide, trimethylenesulfide, and several polymethylthiophenes have been investigated. These thiophene derivatives give C–S and in one case C–H insertion products. Ethylene sulfide and trimethylene sulfide undergo ring opening or desulfurization.
Influenza Virus-Specific Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Activity in Fischer 344 Rat Lungs as a Method to Assess Pulmonary Immunocompetence: Effect of Phosgene Inhalation

AbstractThe use of viral and bacterial infectivity models has been valuable in the detection of toxicity following low-level inhalation exposures to environmental pollutants. These studies have traditionally been performed in the mouse model system where mortality was commonly reported as the end point of toxicity offering little information as to precise immunotoxicological mechanisms. This study utilized a rat influenza virus infectivity model to determine alterations in an important host antiviral immunologi-cal response following an acute 4.0-h exposure to 1.0 ppm phosgene. The effect on the specific antiviral immune response of the pulmonary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) was determined as the measure of immunotoxicity. A significant suppression in the CTL response was detected 10 days postinfection, a time during which peak activity is normally detected in control rats. No alterations were detected in pulmonary cell populations at this time. CTL activity is an important antiviral immunological defense...
Big data from small data: data-sharing in the 'long tail' of neuroscience

The launch of the US BRAIN and European Human Brain Projects coincides with growing international efforts toward transparency and increased access to publicly funded research in the neurosciences. The need for data-sharing standards and neuroinformatics infrastructure is more pressing than ever. However, 'big science' efforts are not the only drivers of data-sharing needs, as neuroscientists across the full spectrum of research grapple with the overwhelming volume of data being generated daily and a scientific environment that is increasingly focused on collaboration. In this commentary, we consider the issue of sharing of the richly diverse and heterogeneous small data sets produced by individual neuroscientists, so-called long-tail data. We consider the utility of these data, the diversity of repositories and options available for sharing such data, and emerging best practices. We provide use cases in which aggregating and mining diverse long-tail data convert numerous small data sources into big data for improved knowledge about neuroscience-related disorders.
Rivers: Building bacterial bridges

The classical view of fluvial sediment transport considers only physical interactions between the river flow and riverbed particles. Experiments and theory suggest that microbial biofilms reduce sediment mobility by binding many grains together.
Verification Decidability of Presburger Array Programs

Abstract : A program annotated with inductive assertions is said to be verification decidable if all of the verification conditions generated from the program and assertions are formulas in a decidable theory. The Presburger array theory, is defined, containing two logical sorts: integer and array-of-integer. Addition, subtraction, and comparisons are permitted for integers. Array contents and assign functions, and, since the elements of the arrays are integers, array accesses may be nested. The first result is that the validity of unquantified formulas in Presburger array theory is decidable, yet quantified formulas in general are undecidable.
Diagnosis and Initiation of Treatment in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common cause of parkinsonism, yet the diagnosis and management can be a challenge. The United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria and dopamine transporter/single-photon emission computed tomography (DaT-SPECT) are diagnostic aids that can improve diagnostic accuracy. Even though PD is a progressive disease, for years, physicians and patients have delayed treatment until functional disability occurs. However, studies of monoamine oxidase-type B (MAO-B) inhibitors, dopamine agonists, and levodopa, all of which can be used as initial therapy, have demonstrated that PD patients receiving treatment do better than those who do not receive treatment, and some studies have shown that those receiving treatment earlier do better long term. Therefore, the management strategy for PD has moved toward earlier initiation of treatment. Although treatment for each patient should be individualized and based on their specific symptoms, severity, and lifestyle, in general MAO-B inhibitors may be used initially to treat mild symptoms, adding a dopamine agonist in younger patients or levodopa in older patients, as symptoms become more severe.
Perifosine, an oral bioactive novel alkylphospholipid, inhibits Akt and induces in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity in human multiple myeloma cells

Perifosine is a synthetic novel alkylphospholipid, a new class of antitumor agents which targets cell membranes and inhibits Akt activation. Here we show that baseline phosphorylation of Akt in multiple myeloma (MM) cells is completely inhibited by perifosine [octadecyl-(1,1-dimethyl-piperidinio-4-yl)-phosphate] in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, without inhibiting phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 phosphorylation. Perifosine induces significant cytotoxicity in both MM cell lines and patient MM cells resistant to conventional therapeutic agents. Perifosine does not induce cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Neither exogenous interleukin-6 (IL-6) nor insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) overcomes Perifosine-induced cytotoxicity. Importantly, Perifosine induces apoptosis even of MM cells adherent to bone marrow stromal cells. Perifosine triggers c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, followed by caspase-8/9 and poly (ADP)-ribose polymerase cleavage. Inhibition of JNK abrogates perifosine-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that JNK plays an essential role in perifosine-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, phosphorylation of extracellular signal–related kinase (ERK) is increased by perifosine; conversely, MEK inhibitor synergistically enhances Perifosine-induced cytotoxicity in MM cells. Furthermore, perifosine augments dexamethasone, doxorubicin, melphalan, and bortezomib-induced MM cell cytotoxicity. Finally, perifosine demonstrates significant antitumor activity in a human plasmacytoma mouse model, associated with down-regulation of Akt phosphorylation in tumor cells. Taken together, our data provide the rationale for clinical trials of perifosine to improve patient outcome in MM.
Two semi-active approaches for vibration isolation: piezoelectric friction damper and magnetorheological damper

Two different approaches to perform vibration isolation control on a single-degree-of-freedom system using semiactive dampers are investigated. In the first approach, the friction damper consists of an actuator, which is based on a piezoelectric stack with a mechanical amplifying mechanism that provides symmetric forces within the isolator. The advantages of such an actuator are its high bandwidth, displacement response and its ability to operate in vacuum environments such as in space. The damper is constrained to move using an air bearing that produces a virtually ideal single-degree-of-freedom spring-mass system. Within this work, the actuating ability of the friction-based actuator is characterized. The relationship between the force generated by the actuator and the applied voltage was found to be linear. In the second approach, a magnetorheological (MR) fluid damper is designed and fabricated. This damper is ideal for use in a semi-active control system where the damping characteristics can be adjusted by varying the amount of current applied to the damper.
Hepatitis B or C virus serology as a prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

It is not clear whether chronic hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV) infection is a prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed this study to determine if chronic HBV or HCV infection had any impact on postresection survival or affected patterns of failure. The records of 77 patients undergoing surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma between January 1990 and December 1998 were reviewed. Forty-four patients (57%) had HCV infection, 18 patients (23%) had HBV infection, and 15 patients (20%) had negative serology. There were no differences in age, sex, or tumor size among the groups, and all patients had margin-negative resections. There was a significantly higher incidence of satellitosis and vascular invasion in patients with HCV infection (32 % and 41 %, respectively; P <0.05 vs. other groups). With a median follow-up of 30 months, a significantly decreased local disease-free survival (LDFS) was seen in HBV-positive (5-year LDFS 26%) or HCV-positive (S-year LDFS 38%) patients compared to those with negative serology (S-year LDFS 79%; P <0.05). There was also a trend toward a decreased overall survival in patients with positive hepatitis serology compared to patients with negative serology (37% vs. 79%; P = 0.12). Uuivariate analysis revealed that only satellitosis was related to local recurrence and overall survival. Patients with positive serology for hepatitis B or C undergoing resection for hepatocellular carcinoma have a trend toward worse overall prognosis and a significantly decreased LDFS when compared to patients with negative serology.
Occupational exposure and mortality among workers at three titanium dioxide plants

Background A cohort of 3,607 workers employed in three DuPont titanium dioxide production facilities was followed from 1935 through 2006. Methods Combined and plant-specific cohort mortality was compared with the overall US population and other DuPont employees. The relationships between selected causes of death and annual cumulative exposures to titanium dioxide and chloride were investigated using Poisson regression methods to examine trends with increasing exposure. Results Among the 833 deaths, no causes of deaths were statistically significantly elevated either overall or plant-specific when compared to the US population. Compared to DuPont workers, statistically significantly elevated SMRs for all causes, all cancers, and lung cancers were found driven by the workers at the oldest plant. Comparing increasing exposure groups to the lowest group, disease risk did not increase with exposure. Conclusions There was no indication of a positive association between occupational exposure and death from all causes, all cancers, lung cancers, non-malignant respiratory disease, or all heart disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:282–291, 2013. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three-Dimensional Integral Boundary Layer Formulation for General Configurations

A three-dimensional integral boundary layer formulation IBL3 is developed to enable rapid viscous analyses of 3D aerodynamic flows via strongly-coupled viscous/inviscid solution methods. It employs four equations which allow representation of separated flow and crossover profiles, with two additional equations included to model Reynolds stress transport and thus capture turbulence lag effects. In laminar regions the stress-transport equations revert to a form which represents unstable-wave envelope growth, thus making transition prediction an inherent part of the overall formulation. All six equations have a proper rotation-invariant form which allows solution on arbitrary surface meshes via a finite-element method constructed in a local cartesian basis for each residual stencil. This eliminates the traditional 3D boundary layer curvilinear surface coordinates, and thus sidesteps their inconvenient requirements on geometry smoothness. The presentation includes the derivation of the integral equations, the formulation of the finite-element solution scheme, and computation of test cases to demonstrate the correctness and accuracy of the overall method. Also presented is the methodology for strong coupling of the integral boundary layer formulation to a number of inviscid-flow solvers.
Deficient Fas ligand expression by synovial lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective. To examine the expression and function of CD95 (Fas) and its ligand in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. We used flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction methods to assess lymphocyte expression of CD95 and its ligand. We also examined whether lymphocytes could undergo Fas-mediated apoptosis with anti-CD95 monoclonal antibody (MAb) or human Fas ligand-expressing fibroblasts, and if synovial fluid contained a soluble factor(s) that could inhibit such interactions. Finally, we determined whether anti-CD3 MAb could induce synovial T cells to express the Fas ligand in vitro. Results. Nearly all RA synovial fluid or synovial tissue lymphocytes expressed CD95 and could be induced to undergo apoptosis by CD95 crosslinking. We did not detect a soluble inhibitor in RA synovial fluid that could account for the survival of CD95+ synovial cells in vivo. Instead, we detected little or no expression of Fas ligand by RA synovial lymphocytes. However, we could induce such cells to express Fas ligand with anti-CD3 MAb or phorbol ester and ionomycin in vitro. Conclusion. There is ineffective clearance of activated cells in the RA joint due to deficient expression of the Fas ligand.