cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionophore-catalyzed cation transport between phospholipid inverted micelles manifest in DNMR

Studies of hyperfine shifts of lipid 31P resonances due to hydrated phospholipid inverted micelles in benzene are presented. Systems with distinct resonances from micelles containing no paramagnetic ions, and from micelles containing a single praseodymium(III) or a single europium(III) ion (and three nitrate counterions) have been generated. The addition of an ionophoric antibiotic from Streptomyces lasaliensis, lasalocid-A (X537A). causes both resonances to broaden and. with further additions, coalesce and eventually resharpen as a single line. Dilution of only the ionophore reverses these spectral changes. This is interpreted as a manifestation of dynamic NMR (DNMR. exchange broadening): i.e., that the ionophore catalyzes the equilibrium exchange of metal ions from micelle to micelle to the point where it becomes fast on the NMR time scale. This exchange is inhibited by protons or other competitive metal ions. We have simulated the spectra with a total lineshape analysis program and have thus extracted the average preexchange lifetimes for various concentrations of the antibiotic. We find a reasonably good first-order dependence on lasalocid-A concentration in each of several different experiments. This is in contrast to the higher order concentration dependences often observed by others using different techniques employing bilayer membranes. We favor a diffusional carrier mechanism involving surface aggregates of lasalocid-A for our process. This leads to the implication that a higher order concentration dependence found for a bilayer system arises from a different mechanism. The ionophore valinomycin does not catalyze rapid exchange in our system.
Heat and mass transfer at a general three- dimensional stagnation point.

Simultaneous effects of heat and mass transfer on properties of stagnation point flows analyzed over full range of velocity gradients
Culture, Pedagogy and Teacher Change in an Urban High School: How Would You Like Tour Eggs Done?

Abstract The use of culture is often applied to the change process. To address the problematic issues associated with using culture as a construct the metaphor of an egg is applied to individual change. This study examines the personal culture of an experienced male teacher of physical education and the change process he endured while implementing a sport education curriculum model to a class of grade nine students in an urban American high school. The teacher found that implementing a new pedagogy that challenged his existing practices forced him to confront his personal beliefs and underlying assumptions about physical education. A seven stage typology is presented that represents the change process that occurred within the culture of this physical education setting.
On the robustness of router-based denial-of-service (DoS) defense systems

This paper focuses on "router-based" defense mechanisms, and whether they can provide effective solutions to network Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks. Router-based defenses operate either on traffic aggregates or on individual flows, and have been shown, either alone or in combination with other schemes, e.g., traceback, to be reasonably effective against certain types of basic attacks. Those attacks are, however, relatively brute-force, and usually accompanied by either significant increases in congestion, and/or traffic patterns that are easily identified. It is, therefore, unclear if router-based solutions are viable in the presence of more diverse or sophisticated attacks. As a result, even if incorporating defense mechanisms in the routers themselves has obvious advantages, such schemes have not seen wide deployments. Our ultimate goal is to determine whether it is possible to build router-based defense mechanisms that are effective against a wide range of attacks. This paper describes a first phase of this effort aimed at identifying weaknesses in existing systems. In particular, the paper demonstrates that aggregate defense systems can be readily circumvented, even by a single attacker, through minor modifications of its flooding patterns. Flow-based defenses fare slightly better, but can still be easily fooled by a small number of attackers generating transient flooding patterns. The findings of the paper provide insight into possible approaches for designing better and more robust router-based defense systems.
Jackson and Schuler (1985) Revisited: A Meta-Analysis of the Relationships Between Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict, and Job Performance

We conducted a meta-analysis of correlations between role ambiguity and job performance and role conflict and job performance. Previous meta-analyses of these role constructs and performance relationships (e.g., Jackson & Schuler, 1985) were limited by small sample sizes and sparse reporting of reliability estimates in primary studies. The present study used a comprehensive database with a larger sample size and a distribution of interrater reliabilities to extend the previous findings. We also tested moderator hypotheses proposed but not conducted by Jackson and Schuler. Results revealed a negative relationship (r52.21) between role ambiguity and job performance with moderating influences due to job type and rating source. A negligible relationship (r52.07) was observed for role conflict and job performance, a finding consistent across job types and rating sources. Conclusions were that role ambiguity ought not to be dismissed as an unimportant variable in the job performance domain.
A method of calculating gain and phase margins from pole-zero diagrams

Gain margin and phase margin are important quantities in the description of the performance of feedback systems since they are an accurate measure of relative stability. Their usefulness lies in the fact that they are easily calculated and that their variation with changes in system parameters is easily determined.
Clinical trial of a formal group fatigue program in multiple sclerosis

Fatigue: Take Control is a novel program to teach fatigue management to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) following recommendations in the Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis guideline. Fatigue: Take Control includes six 2-hour group sessions with DVD viewing, discussion and homework and accompanying participant and leader workbooks. While many people have participated in Fatigue: Take Control programs, its efficacy has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine whether participation in Fatigue: Take Control reduces fatigue and increases self-efficacy in people with MS. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a group who immediately participated in the program (FTC) or a wait-list group (WL). The primary outcome was the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and secondary outcomes were the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSE) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The MFIS was administered on 10 occasions. Other measures were administered on four occasions. A mixed model te...
Shear faulting and localized heating in ice: The influence of confinement

Abstract Systematic experiments on laboratory-grown polycrystalline granular ice and columnar S2 ice loaded triaxially at −10 °C at a strain rate e ˙ 11 = 2.2 × 10 - 2 s - 1 under increasing levels of confinement have established two distinct modes of brittle-like shear faulting. One mode, termed Coulombic (C) or frictional faulting, develops under lower degrees of confinement and is characterized by macroscopic faults, comprising a narrow band of microcracks, oriented ∼30° from the direction of maximum shortening; and by pressure hardening, grain-size-dependent strength, localized heat production and the creation of fault gouge. The second mode of faulting, termed plastic (P) or non-frictional faulting, develops under higher degrees of confinement and is characterized by macroscopic faults, comprising a fine band of recrystallized grains, oriented ∼ 45° to the direction of maximum shortening; and by pressure and grain-size-independent strength and localized heat production. The transition from C-faulting to P-faulting corresponds to the level of confinement required to suppress frictional sliding.
Comprehension, selective imitation, and the CIP hypothesis☆

Abstract The role of comprehension training in the selective imitation of indirect-direct object sentences was assessed for six preschool children. A modeling condition resulted in normal usage of indirect-direct object sentences for five of six subjects, but reversed usage was not obtained when modeling was reversed. Subsequent receptive comprehension training on normal and reversed forms of indirect-direct object sentences resulted in generalization to the productive mode. These results were related to an hypothesis about language acquisition in which selective imitation is a function of comprehension.
Elements of effective corporate planning

Abstract This paper focuses on several specific areas in corporate planning which heretofore have received limited attention in the literature. These areas include perception of a need for planning, analysis of planning from a process viewpoint with particular emphasis on organizational structure, and elements of effective planning. Data on which conclusions are based were developed through structured in-depth interviews with key planning executives of 14 large corporations in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area. The study determined that the most prevalent event associated with perception of a need for more formalized planning was a change in top management. The emphasis on planning usually arose from three sets of factors—organizational, external, and performance. The typical planning process involves establishing corporate goals and objectives, setting environmental premises, collecting information and forecasting, establishing divisional goals and objectives, developing divisional plans, and revising objectives and plans if objectives are not met. The major participants in the planning process are top management, the corporate planning department, divisional general management, divisional staff groups, and intermediary planning groups. The study identified necessary conditions for effective planning which included planning knowledge and skills, planning climate, psychological commitment, and effective group behavior. The study also includes a discussion of planning weaknesses, current trends, and recommendations.
Poly(β-amino ester)s Promote Cellular Uptake of Heparin and Cancer Cell Death

Heparin/heparan sulfate-like glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) are involved in diverse cellular processes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The biological effect of HSGAGs depends on disaccharide content and physiological location within the ECM. HSGAGs are also brought into cells during membrane transcytosis and growth factor signaling while protein bound. We sought to probe the impact of free HSGAGs within the cell by using heparin as a model HSGAG. A library of poly(beta-amino ester)s, which internalize DNA, was examined for the capacity of its members to internalize heparin. Fourteen polymers enabled heparin internalization. The most efficacious polymer reduced murine melanoma cell growth by 73%. No glycosaminoglycan was as efficacious as highly sulfated, full-length heparin. Internalized heparin likely interferes with transcription factor function and subsequently induces apoptotic cell death. Therefore, internalized heparin is a novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis of cancer cells.
Voices from a Distant Land: Fragments of a Twelfth-Century Nuns' Letter Collection

Late in the nineteenth century, while working in the archives of the Benedictine monastery of Admont, the monk-librarian Jakob Wichner discovered four parchment leaves wrapped around the nuns' wine service register for the year 1431. He recognized that these fragments, though badly damaged and stained with wine, contained a collection of twelfth-century Latin letters linked in some way to Admont's female community.1 He concluded that what he had discovered was probably the remains of a formulary, a collection of model letters designed for imitation, once belonging to the nuns. Wichner transcribed and printed two of the letters in the appendix to his article "Das ehemalige Nonnenkloster O.S.B. zu Admont," which appeared in 1881.2 Wichner's discovery was more important than he realized. On a recent visit to the monastery, I had the opportunity to examine the letter fragments and noticed immediately the opening lines of several letters beyond the two that he transcribed. Preserved on these unimpressive-looking parchment leaves are copies of nineteen complete and partial Latin letters written by Admont's nuns-an extraordinary collection that contains both routine correspondence related to patronage and remarkably powerful letters that detail the exigencies of individuals. In these fragments echo women's voices speaking of their intersecting spiritual, economic, and personal concerns, voices offering us a rare glimpse both of the lives of Admont's twelfth-century nuns and of their continuing interaction with the world outside the cloister.
Reassessing U.S. Coral Reefs

Although we agree with J. M. Pandolfi et al. 's (“Are U.S. coral reefs on the slippery slope to slime?”, Policy Forum, 18 Mar., p. [1725][1]) vision of reversing coral reef declines where they exist ([1][2]), they have stretched the facts beyond reason in making their case. Certainly not all U.S
Problem Solving: A Panoramic Approach

Problem solving is appropriately considered a basic skill in the teaching of any mathematics course. Begle (1979) concurs with this philosophical position when he states that one of the primary justifications for teaching mathematics in the schools is its usefulness in solving many kinds of real world problems. This central role for problem solving is also recognized by the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics ( 1976) in their position paper on basic skills and by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics .bY their selection of problem solving in mathematics as the theme for the 1980 yearbook (Krulik, in press). Given the importance universally ascribed to problem solving, it is appropriate for each of us to examine our past strategies for teaching problem solving with a focus on improving them and to actively pursue new strategies and ideas that show promise for increasing student achievement in this area. Too frequently our approaches to problem solving have been artificially narrow and restricted. Our selection of problems, for instance, has often been limited to verbal problems where the solution process involves only choosing an operation and then performing the computation on the only two numbers mentioned in the problem. Clearly many real world problems involve much more than this type of activity. Many times it is necessary, for example, to ignore irrelevant data, to collect new data, or even to more precisely formulate the problem to be solved. Our restricted conception of problem solving has not been confined to problem selection, but has also involved the compartmentalization of problem solving skills into something separate and distinct from the other goals and objectives we seek to teach. In this essay, a means of implementing a broader approach to problem solving is described and recommended. Implementation of these ideas has the potential to increase student problem solving ability while promoting a fuller appreciation of the value of problem solving in a broad spectrum of circumstances.
Effects of Environment on Tunneling Spectroscopy of Gold Films

A scanning tunneling microscope with a tunneling-current dynamic range of four orders of magnitude has been used in tunneling-spectroscopy studies of Au surfaces in moderate vacuum and in various gases at atmospheric pressure. Rapid scans of z-motion transducer voltage (Vz) were measured as a function of tunneling current (It) under computer control. Driftcorrected plots of log(It) versus Vz were essentially linear. The mean barrier potential was determined from the slope of these plots and the measured displacement-versus-Vzcalibration curve. Barrier potentials so determined are compared for different environmental conditions of the Au surface.
Factors affecting osteoarthritis patients' self-reported goal-directed drug information-seeking behaviors after exposure to direct-to-consumer advertising from physicians and the internet.

AbstractObjective: The objective of this study was to investigate appraisal of means (ie, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and affect) in predicting patients' goal-directed behaviors of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA)–prompted drug-information search from physicians and the internet. Methods: One thousand patients were randomly selected from a nationwide sample frame of 3000 osteoarthritis patients. A self-administered survey assessed exposure to DTCA, drug-information search as goal, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, affect, and osteoarthritis pain. After 6 weeks, another survey measured the behavior of drug-information search for respondents to the first survey. Study subjects were those who were exposed to DTCA in the previous month, and who set drug-information search as their goal. For each information source, a multiple regression analysis was conducted in which drug-information search was the dependent variable, and self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, affect, and osteoarthritis pain were th...
Ethics in everyday pediatrics.

In pediatric practice, ethical implications are frequently considered with end-of-life care, research, and genomic screening. Less often recognized, however, are the substantial ethical concerns that regularly arise within general pediatric practice. In this brief commentary, we wish to draw attention to the ethical questions underlying common clinical situations and provide some framework to guide our deliberations. NON-EVIDENCED-BASED CARE Although primary care pediatricians have suggested that only 20% of their practice can be supported by data, 1 a subsequent study reported a more reassuring 50%. 2 Still that leaves the glass, at best, only half-full. Is prescribing unproven therapies unethical? A key aspect of medical ethics is that care must be beneficent; it must be good for patients. In addition to our traditional approaches that lack an evidence base, more and more practitioners are offering similarly unsupported recommendations for complementary and alternative medicines. Unproven therapies may misdirect efforts that the provider or parents might otherwise make. All therapies are associated with some expenditure of resources. Given limited resources, those spent on 1 therapy mean resources not available for another. Wasted resources endanger opportunities for helpful remedies for the individual patient, as well as for others. Furthermore, offering therapies absent supporting evidence falsely raises hopes and potentially deceives both parent and child. These surely violate the ethical principle of nonmaleficence.
Application of Grain Boundary Engineering in Lead-free "Green Steel"

The development of a non-leaded free-machining steel has used atom probe tomography to measure the concentration of tin atoms at the ferrite grain boundaries. Comparing to lead-containing 12L14 and 1215 steels, 12T14 has proven to be equal or superior in terms of machinability. Atom probe analysis has revealed that grain boundary segregation of tin is responsible for the improved machinability performance.
Effects of range management on the lower Rio Grande watershed

Abstract The SPUR-91 model was used to simulate the effect of alternate stock densities on properties of the lower Rio Grande watershed. The output data was then used as input data into an income maximizing model to measure economic effects of alternate management on two representative ranches in Texas and Mexico. Each ranch had a management choice defined over four stocking densities combined with two alternate deer leasing systems. Deer lease income was inversely related to cattle density. Each management choice had a different outcome on firm revenue, and runoff and sediment mean and standard deviations. The economic model recorded the watershed data related to the management choice that maximized ranch incomes under nine scenarios. SPUR-91 results showed greatest runoff under heavy stocking (7.9 cm year −1 ) and least under light stocking (7.1 cm year −1 ). Sediments and soil evaporation showed similar correlations. Plant transpiration had an inverse correlation, and deep percolation was non-existent. Nine scenarios were generated with the economic model: (1) no deer leasing, (2–5) alternate deer lease prices, (6) a base, present condition, (7–8) imposed runoff limits with and without deer leasing, and (9) imposed runoff increases.
Alteration of vesicular stomatitis virus L and NS proteins by uv irradiation: implications for the mechanism of host cell shut-off

Abstract When purified, [ 35 S]methionine-labeled vesicular stornatitis virus (VSV) was exposed to ultraviolet light, an irradiation-induced change in the viral proteins was detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. With dose of uv irradiation in the same range as that required to inactivate VSV leader RNA, a loss occurred in the bands corresponding to the L and NS proteins concomitant with the appearance of several new bands of radioactivity throughout the gel. This alteration of viral proteins correlated with the loss of ability of the virus to inhibit host macromolecular synthesis. In light of these results, the role that has been ascribed to the VSV leader RNA in VSV-mediated host shut-off needs to be reevaluated.
Laminaria augmentation of intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2α for the induction of mid-trimester abortion

Abstract From interpretation of 24-hour dose-response curves, it is improbable that mid-trimester abortion rates greater than about 80% can be accomplished with any one dose schedule of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). To determine whether augmentation of intra-amniotic PGF2α with laminaria would improve the abortion rate, the results of a group of 22 gravidas treated with intra-amniotic PGF2α were compared to those of a group of 21 subjects treated with laminaria and an identical dose schedule of PGF2α. Patients with laminaria not only had a shorter mean abortion time (14.6 hours), but 95% aborted within 24 hours and all patients aborted within 24.5 hours of the initial PGF2α injection. Patients without laminaria had a longer mean abortion time (18.9 hours); only 68% aborted within 24 hours and one failed to abort within the 48-hour trial period. No significant differences in the frequency or severity of complications between the two groups were observed. Uterine contractility over the initial 6 hours of the induction was similar in the two groups. Therefore, augmenting the intra-amniotic PGF2α method with laminaria appears practicable.
Quantitative characterization of image clutter: problem, progress, and promises

In this paper we present an overview of research studies aimed at deriving quantitative measured for image clutter. Image clutter is identified as a perceptual effect and therefore quantitative measures for clutter should be derived on the basis of models for perception. Previous studies in the field have produced limited success since they concentrated on the signal level interpretation in clutter characterization. In this study, we promote examination of the clutter problem at a higher level, where preattentive cues form the basis for their definition. Specifically, we derive clutter measures based upon preattentive texture features. Results of an extensive experimental study highlight the limitations of signal level clutter measures and the utility of texture based measures.
Thermodynamic properties of titanium

This work reviews and discusses the data and information on the thermodynamic properties of titanium available through May 1984. These properties include heat capacity, enthalpy, enthalpy of transition and melting, vapor pressure, and enthalpy of vaporization. The recommended values for heat capacity cover the temperature range from 1 to 3800 K. The recommended values for enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs energy function, and vapor pressure cover the temperature range from 298.15 to 3800 K.
Influence of resource quality on the reproductive fitness of flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Reproductive fitness of the flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), was much lower on leaves of a cotton variety resistant to spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, than on leaves of a spider mite-susceptible variety. The addition of mite eggs or pollen to cotton leaves significantly improved several fitness traits of flower thrips. Pollen was nutritionally better than mite eggs. The addition of pollen lowered the time from egg to adult, increased fecundity, and improved longevity over that which occurred on leaf tissue alone. The effect of pollen was more pronounced on resistant than on susceptible leaves. Pollen raised the intrinsic rate of increase ( r ) by 0.063 on susceptible leaves and by 0.202 on resistant leaves. When pollen is available, flower thrips can completely overcome the negative effects of resistant leaves.
Collagen synthesis by the hepatocyte: studies in primary cultures of parenchymal cells from adult rat liver

Abstract Based on the finding that prolyl hydroxylase, a key enzyme in collagen biosynthesis, is a constituent of the hepatic parenchymal cell, we have suggested that the hepatocyte may synthesize collagen (Exp. Cell Res. 123 : 269-279, 1979). We now report that, consistent with this idea, collagen formation has been detected in primary nonproliferating cultures of isolated rat hepatocytes prepared from either normal liver or regenerated liver four days after partial hepatectomy. The characteristics of the radiolabeled collagen formed in two-day old cultures incubated for 24 hours in the presence of either [ 3 H]-proline or [ 35 S]-cystine were its resistance to pepsin and its susceptibility to degradation by highly purified, protease-free bacterial collagenase. The presence of fibroblasts in the hepatocyte cultures was excluded as an explanation for these results because we detected no type I collagen, a universal product of the cultured fibroblast. The initial low rates of synthesis of collagen relative to total cellular protein (0.1-0.4 percent) increased dramatically upon continued incubation of the cells reaching 0.31 and 0.81 percent, in nine-day old cultures of normal or regenerated hepatocytes, respectively. This change was accompanied by the synthesis of an additional 100,000 molecular weight from of collagen, possibly type I or A, B. Morphologically, the hepatocytes progressively flattened and overlapped adjacent cells with time in culture. However, their identity as hepatocytes was, confirmed by the fact that synthesis of fibrinogen, a liver-specific function, was- maintained above initial levels throughout the experiment. We conclude that synthesis of collagen is a constitutive function of the hepatocyte. This function is linked to hepatocyte replication, is subject to phenotypic change in culture, and may be important in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Demonstrating improved application performance using dynamic monitoring and task mapping

This work demonstrates the integration of monitoring, analysis, and feedback to perform application-to-resource mapping that adapts to both static architecture features and dynamic resource state. In particular, we present a framework for mapping MPI tasks to compute resources based on run-time analysis of system-wide network data, architecture-specific routing algorithms, and application communication patterns. We address several challenges. Within each node, we collect local utilization data. We consolidate that information to form a global view of system performance, accounting for system-wide factors including competing applications. We provide an interface for applications to query the global information. Then we exploit the system information to change the mapping of tasks to nodes so that system bottlenecks are avoided. We demonstrate the benefit of this monitoring and feedback by remapping MPI tasks based on route-length, bandwidth, and credit-stalls metrics for a parallel sparse matrix-vector multiplication kernel. In the best case, remapping based on dynamic network information in a congested environment recovered 48.9% of the time lost to congestion, reducing matrix-vector multiplication time by 7.8%. Our experiments focus on the Cray XE/XK platform, but the integration concepts are generally applicable to any platform for which applicable metrics and route knowledge can be obtained.
Surgery as a teachable moment for smoking cessation.

Background A "teachable moment" is an event that motivates spontaneous behavior change. Some evidence suggests that major surgery for a smoking-related illness can serve as a teachable moment for smoking cessation. This study tested the hypotheses that surgery increases the likelihood of smoking cessation and that cessation is more likely after major surgical procedures compared with outpatient surgery. Methods Secondary analyses were performed of longitudinal biennial survey data (1992-2004) from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study of U.S. adults older than 50 yr, determining the relationship between the incidence of smoking cessation and the occurrence of surgery. Results Five thousand four hundred ninety-eight individuals reported current smoking at enrollment, and 2,444 of them (44.5%) quit smoking during the period of examination. The incidence of quitting in smokers undergoing major surgery was 20.6/100 person-years of follow-up and 10.2/100 person-years in those undergoing outpatient surgery. In a multivariate negative binomial regression model, the incidence rate ratio of quitting associated with major surgery was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.67-2.44) and that of those associated with outpatient surgery was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.09-1.50). Estimates derived from national surgical utilization data show that approximately 8% of all quit events in the United States annually can be attributed to the surgical procedures analyzed. Conclusions Undergoing surgery is associated with an increased likelihood of smoking cessation in the older U.S. population. Cessation is more likely in association with major procedures compared with outpatient surgery. These data support the concept that surgery is a teachable moment for smoking cessation.
Free surface and surface tension effects on submerged bodies

The Oseen problem for the steady motion of an object beneath a free surface with surface tension under the action of gravity is formulated. The Green's tensor for the problem is used to convert the boundary value problem to a coupled pair of integral equations for the stresses which the fluid exerts on the object. For the special case of a flat plate, these integral equations are analyzed asymptotically for small velocities and deep immersion. This yields a Fredholm equation of the second kind with Cauchy kernel, which hasa well-known solution. The results indicate the effect of surface tension on the stress singularities at the edges of the plate, and modification of the lift and drag due to the free surface.
X-ray photoemission from mercury in vapor and condensed phases

The $4f$ ionization potentials for mercury in the vapor phase have been measured relative to the vacuum level; those for mercury condensed on gold, silver, and copper have been measured relative to the Fermi level. Correction for the work function of the solids, determined in a separate experiment, gives the ionization potentials of the condensed mercury relative to the vacuum. The vapor-phase ionization potentials are greater than those for condensed phases by 3.3 eV for ${f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ electrons and 3.0 eV for ${f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ electrons; these differences are nearly independent of the substrate. This shift is attributed to extra-atomic relaxation energies. Two models, a localized electron (exciton) model and an equivalent-cores thermochemical model, predict relaxation energies for these and other systems with reasonable accuracy. The splitting between the ${f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ and ${f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ levels is 4.01 eV in the gas phase and 3.7 eV in the solid phase. The change in splitting on condensation may be due to energy-loss phenomena peculiar to the surface.
A general-purpose electronic model for arbitrary configurations of neurons

Abstract This paper describes a general-purpose electronic model for simulating the electrical activity in small groups of nerve cells arranged in arbitrary configurations. The model consists of 44 realizations of two basic modules (the “cell”, and the “axon with synapses”) which can be connected together in various arrangements by way of snapper-capped wires. The activity of the individual units is displayed via flashing lights atop the constituent cells; also there are taps on each cell from which one can obtain and display more detailed information concerning the electrical activity of each and all cells, including the graded “generator” potential of the triggering section, on for example an oscilloscope. The modules include realistic approximations to basic mechanisms of neuronal activity, but the main advance over previous models is the emphasis on and ability to deal with the network context of neuroelectric signals. Illustrative applications to mutually-inhibiting centers and to our ladder net theory for reticular-like networks are presented. The primary advantages of the electronic model are: actual physical representation of various configurations, asynchronous timing, flexibility with respect to overall configuration and with respect to network parameters, immediate turnaround, and cost.
Massive Hemoptysis From a Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Associated With an Emphysematous Bulla

A 66-year-old man with a history of COPD and Aspergillus fumigatus infection developed massive hemoptysis. Pulmonary artery angiography revealed an aneurysm which was successfully treated with coil embolization. This is the first known report of a pulmonary artery aneurysm causing massive hemoptysis in a patient with bullous emphysema.
Saturn meteorology - A diagnostic assessment of thin-layer configurations for the zonal flow

Voyager imaging, infrared, and radio observations for Saturn have been recently interpreted by Smith et al. (1982) as an indication that the jet streams observed at the cloud tops extend to depths greater than the 10,000-bar level. This analysis assumes a maximum latitudinal temperature contrast of a few percent, a mean atmospheric rotation rate at depth given by Saturn's ratio period, and no variation with latitude of the bottom pressure level for the zonal flow system. These assumptions are not, however, firmly constrained by observation. The diagnostic analysis of plausible alternative configurations for Saturn's atmospheric structure demonstrates that a thin weather layer system (confined at mid to high latitudes to levels above 200 bar) cannot be excluded by any of the available observations. A quantitative estimate of the effects of moisture condensation (including the differentiation of mean molecular weight) suggests that these might provide the buoyancy contrasts necessary to support a thin-layer flow provided that Saturn's outer envelope is enriched approximately 10 times in water abundance relative to a solar composition atmosphere and strongly differentiated with latitude at the condensation level.
Computing a Large Refined Catalog of Focal Mechanisms for Southern California (1981-2010): Temporal Stability of the Style of Faulting

Using the method developed by Hardebeck and Shearer (2002, 2003) termed the HASH method, we calculate focal mechanisms for earthquakes that occurred in the southern California region from 1981 to 2010. When available, we use hypocenters refined with differential travel times from waveform cross correlation. Using both the P‐wave first motion polarities and the S/P amplitude ratios computed from three‐component seismograms, we determine mechanisms for more than 480,000 earthquakes and analyze the statistical features of the whole catalog. We filter the preliminary catalog with criteria associated with mean nodal plane uncertainty and azimuthal gap and obtain a high‐quality catalog with approximately 179,000 focal mechanisms. As more S/P amplitude ratios become available after 2000, the average nodal plane uncertainty decreases significantly compared with mechanisms that include only P‐wave polarities. In general the parameters of the focal mechanisms have been stable during the three decades. The dominant style of faulting is high angle strike‐slip faulting with the most likely P axis centered at N5°E. For earthquakes of M 2.5 events. Using the 210 moment‐tensor solutions in Tape et al. (2010) as benchmarks, we compare the focal plane rotation angles of common events in the catalog. Seventy percent of common earthquakes match well with rotation angles less than the typical nodal plane uncertainty. The common events with relatively large rotation angles are either located around the edge of the (SCSN) network or poorly recorded.
Integrated semiconductor fluorescent detection system for biochip and biomedical applications

As biological analysis systems scale to smaller dimensions, the realization of small and portable biosensors becomes increasingly important. We present the monolithic integration of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, PIN photodetectors and optical emission filters to be used as a fluorescence sensor. The integration will drastically reduce cost and size of fluorescence detection systems. Also, parallel sensing architectures of more than one hundred channels will be possible. PIN heterostructure photodetectors have been fabricated and tested. Photodetector experiments show extremely low dark current of less than 500 fA/mm, quantum efficiency greater than 85 percent and linear detector response. Optical simulations have been preformed to evaluate the performance of a proximity sensing architecture. These simulations predict a detection sensitivity lower than 10000 fluorescent molecules in a detection area of 10/sup 4/ /spl mu/m/sup 2/.
Cross-Reactive Memory CD8+ T Cells Alter the Immune Response to Heterologous Secondary Dengue Virus Infections in Mice in a Sequence-Specific Manner

Dengue virus is the causative agent of dengue fever and the more-severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Human studies suggest that the increased risk of DHF during secondary infection is due to immunopathology partially mediated by cross-reactive memory T cells from the primary infection. To model T cell responses to sequential infections, we immunized mice with different sequences of dengue virus serotypes and measured the frequency of peptide-specific T cells after infection. The acute response after heterologous secondary infections was enhanced compared with the acute or memory response after primary infection. Also, the hierarchy of epitope-specific responses was influenced by the specific sequence of infection. Adoptive-transfer experiments showed that memory T cells responded preferentially to the secondary infection. These findings demonstrate that cross-reactive T cells from a primary infection alter the immune response during a heterologous secondary infection.
Commercial Demonstration of Un-Cooled Pressure Sensor for Gas-Turbine Engine Monitoring

An un-cooled fiber-optic sensor has been developed for the purpose of gas turbine engine health monitoring. These sensors were developed over the course of 2 SBIR and 1 STTR Phase II’s, each contributing to an advancement in the sensor’s development. Real time direct monitoring of combustion pressure within aircraft turbines will enable more efficient, lower emission designs, through active control of the fuel supply. Sensor prototypes have been demonstrated to operate at greater than 1922°F (1050°C) and 500psig in laboratory experimentation. A co-located measurement system enabled the team to calibrate an alpha prototype sensor over a range of 70°F to 1840°F (20–1000°C) and 0-500psig with an error less than 0.37% Full Scale (FS) over the entire sensor calibration envelope. Previous iterations of this sensor were prototyped and installed into an operating, specially modified, aerospace gas turbine engine immediately after the 1st stage turbine. In this engine the alpha fiber-optic sensor measured dynamic pressures of +/- 0.5 psi while exposed to a maximum temperature of 932.9°F (500.5°C) and a maximum static pressure of 15.4 psig during operation. Finally, another alpha prototype was demonstrated in field trials at a customer facility in two combustors. During these trials the sensor usefully captured hum and rumble oscillations while measuring pressures reasonably accurately at temperatures up to 1652°F (900°C).Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Security management in Wireless Sensor Networks for healthcare

This paper first discusses emerging security threats, requirements and solutions for WSNs. In addition, the current applications and architectures of WSNs in healthcare systems are explained in detail. Then an assessment framework for WSN security for healthcare is developed to determine the security impact of WSNs on the healthcare applications. This framework will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each WSN security architecture and standard for healthcare. Lastly, solutions to close the gap between the existing and idea security will be proposed as well as the future directions for WSN security management.
Polio vaccination: past, present and future.

ABSTRACT Live attenuated oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are the tools being used to achieve eradication of wild polio virus. Because OPV can rarely cause paralysis and generate revertant polio strains, IPV will have to replace OPV after eradication of wild polio virus is certified to sustain eradication of all polioviruses. However, uncertainties remain related to IPV's ability to induce intestinal immunity in populations where fecal–oral transmission is predominant. Although substantial effectiveness and safety data exist on the use and delivery of OPV and IPV, several new research initiatives are currently underway to fill specific knowledge gaps to inform future vaccination policies that would assure polio is eradicated and eradication is maintained.
Eplerenone inhibits aldosterone-induced renal expression of cyclooxygenase

Introduction: The upregulation of cyclooxygenase (COX) expression by aldosterone (ALDO) or high salt diet intake is very interesting and complex in the light of what is known about the role of COX in renal function. Thus, in this study, we hypothesize that apocynin (APC) and/or eplerenone (EPL) inhibit ALDO/salt-induced kidney damage by preventing the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Methods: Dahl salt-sensitive rats on either a low-salt or high-salt diet were treated with ALDO (0.2 mg pellet) in the presence of EPL (100 mg/kg/day) or APC (1.5 mM). Indirect blood pressure, prostaglandins and ALDO levels and histological changes were measured. Results: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were upregulated in the renal tubules and peritubular vessels after high- salt intake, and APC attenuated renal tubular COX-2 protein expression induced by ALDO. Plasma PGE2 levels were significantly reduced by ALDO in the rats fed a low-salt diet when compared to rats fed a high-salt diet. PGE2 was blocked by EPL but increased in the presence of APC. Conclusions: The beneficial effects of EPL may be associated with an inhibition of PGE2. The mechanism underlying the protective effects of EPL is clearly distinct from that of APC and suggests that these agents can have differential roles in cardiovascular disease.
Elastic Properties of 4-6 nm-thick Glassy Carbon Thin Films.

Glassy carbon is a disordered, nanoporous form of carbon with superior thermal and chemical stability in extreme environments. Freestanding glassy carbon specimens with 4–6 nm thickness and 0.5 nm average pore size were synthesized and fabricated from polyfurfuryl alcohol precursors. Elastic properties of the specimens were measured in situ inside a scanning electron microscope using a custom-built micro-electro-mechanical system. The Young’s modulus, fracture stress and strain values were measured to be about 62 GPa, 870 MPa and 1.3%, respectively; showing strong size effects compared to a modulus value of 30 GPa at the bulk scale. This size effect is explained on the basis of the increased significance of surface elastic properties at the nanometer length-scale.
Exchangeability, Representation Theorems, and Subjectivity

According to Bruno de Finetti’s Representation Theorem, exchangeable beliefs over infinite sequences of observable Bernoulli quantities can be represented as mixtures of independent coin tossing experiments. Extensions of this theorem give rise to representations as mixtures of other familiar sampling distributions. This paper offers a subjectivist primer based on the premise that appreciation of these theorems enhances understanding of the subjective interpretation of probability, of its connection to the more prevalent frequentist interpretation, and of its usefulness as a context in which to view parameters, priors, and likelihoods.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipid A diversity and its recognition by Toll-like receptor 4.

Lipid A is the pro-inflammatory component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide, the major surface component of Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria alter the structure of lipid A in response to specific environmental conditions including those found upon colonization of a host. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa synthesizes a unique hexa-acylated lipid A containing palmitate and aminoarabinose during adaptation to the cystic fibrosis airway. Different lipid A species are observed in P. aeruginosa isolated from non-cystic fibrosis associated infections. Here we report that P. aeruginosa isolates from the airway of a cystic fibrosis patient with severe pulmonary disease synthesized a novel hepta-acylated lipid A. Cystic fibrosis-specific P. aeruginosa lipid A modifications result in resistance to host antimicrobial peptides and increased recognition by human Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Using P. aeruginosa lipid A with different levels of acylation, we identified a 222 amino acid region ...
Microtitration of Bacillus cereus hemolysin.

Abstract A microtiter procedure for the quantitation of Bacillus cereus hemolysin is described.
The Application of Simulation Tools to Ultra-deep Water Development Programs and its Relevance to Space Exploration

Oceaneering has developed highly reliable contact physics simulation systems in support of the ultra-deepwater oil and gas industry. This paper provides an overview of how simulation is used offshore, explains Oceaneering’s use of simulation tools to validate requirement-driven design concepts in complex ultradeepwater operations, and describes how a similar system could be used to validate space exploration designs and operational scenarios. There are many program phases from ultra-deepwater projects that are analogous to space exploration. Conceptual design, tooling and system design validation, and worksite design validation are required in both applications. Comparable specialized engineering support and virtual system integrated testing is conceivable, and operations planning can draw on experience from subsea projects. The optimization of procedures as they relate to simulation and modeling for the space exploration functional areas of integrated flight performance, operations integration, guidance navigation & control, human factors, and habitability can be developed in a similar manner.