cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safety of intravenous midazolam and fentanyl for pediatric GI endoscopy: prospective study of 1578 endoscopies.

Background Data on safety of intravenous sedation in pediatric GI endoscopy are sparse. Objective To evaluate safety of intravenous sedation for GI endoscopy. Design/Setting Single-center prospective series of outpatient GI endoscopies performed from February 2003 to February 2004 at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The recorded information included demographic, medication, and adverse event data. Patients A total of 1226 patients were studied. Main Outcome Measurements Description of adverse events relating to intravenous sedation. Results A total of 2635 endoscopies were performed, of which 1717 were outpatient procedures with the patient under intravenous sedation. Sedation data were available on 1578 procedures (92%, M/F 674/552): 758 esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) alone, 116 colonoscopies (COL) alone, and 352 combined EGD and COL. The median dose of fentanyl was 2.77 μg/kg (SD 0.97, range 0-6.73), and of midazolam was 0.11 mg/kg (SD 0.06, range 0-0.39). The mean recovery time was 118 minutes (SD 47.3, range 31-375). Ten patients (0.8%) failed intravenous sedation. Serious adverse events (apnea) were noted in 2 patients (0.2%). Mild or moderate adverse events included desaturation below 92% for less than 20 seconds (100 patients, 9%), vomiting (64 patients, 5%), agitation (15 patients, 1%), desaturation below 92% for greater than 20 seconds (12 patients, 0.7%), and rash (8 patients, 0.7%). No cardiopulmonary resuscitation or sedation reversal was necessary. No patients required hospitalization. Patients younger than 6 years were more likely to develop respiratory adverse event ( P Conclusions Intravenous sedation with midazolam and fentanyl is safe for pediatric GI endoscopy. Serious adverse events are rare and no patient required hospitalization.
Risk factors associated with mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in house finches

Observations from a citizen-based survey were used to identify potential risk factors associated with mycoplasmal conjunctivitis (Mycoplasma gallisepticum) in eastern house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus). Between November 1994 and October 1996, 778 volunteers provided 7,224 monthly observations at residential bird feeding sites across an eight state region in the eastern USA. Information collected by questionnaires included health status of house finches and four sympatric passerine species, types and number of bird feeders maintained, neighborhood housing locale and altitude of the observation site. Bivariate analyses revealed that house finches were 14 to 72 times as likely to be observed with conjunctivitis than the sympatric species studied. Year of the study, season, and the presence of platform, hopper, and tube type feeders were significantly associated with conjunctivitis in house finches. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model suggests that increased risk of conjunctivitis in hou...
Using Composite Scene Authentication (Csa) as a Graphical Alternative to Alphanumeric Password Systems

Current authentication strategies seek to increase security by requiring users to create more secure alphanumeric passwords, but the inverse relationship between alphanumeric password security and memorability prevents users from being able to create a password that is both secure and memorable. Graphical user authentication mechanisms have been explored as a means to maintain security while enhancing memorability of passcodes. Current approaches often use unrelated picture sets from which participants have to remember a subset, with mixed results. Proposed in this paper is an alternative approach of using a Composite Scene Authentication (CSA) mechanism to maximize memorability of graphical passcodes. In the current study, a composite image consisting of nine elements was compared to a nine character hexadecimal password. Participants were able to correctly recognize the CSA mechanism 80% of the time, but only able to recall the hexadecimal password 20% of the time.
SEPT5_v2 is a parkin-binding protein

Abstract Mutations in parkin are associated with various inherited forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Parkin is a ubiquitin ligase enzyme that catalyzes the covalent attachment of ubiquitin moieties onto substrate proteins destined for proteasomal degradation. The substrates of parkin-mediated ubiquitination have yet to be completely identified. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we isolated the septin, human SEPT5_v2 (also known as cell division control-related protein 2), as a putative parkin-binding protein. SEPT5_v2 is highly homologous to another septin, SEPT5, which was recently identified as a target for parkin-mediated ubiquitination. SEPT5_v2 binds to parkin at the amino terminus and in the ring finger domains. Several lines of evidence have validated the putative link between parkin and SEPT5_v2. Parkin co-precipitates with SEPT5_v2 from human substantia nigra lysates. Parkin ubiquitinates SEPT5_v2 in vitro, and both SEPT5_v1 and SEPT5_v2 accumulate in brains of patients with ARJP, suggesting that parkin is essential for the normal metabolism of these proteins. These findings suggest that an important relationship exists between parkin and septins.
Lack of suppression of glucagon contributes to postprandial hyperglycemia in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We tested the hypothesis that a lack of suppression of glucagon causes postprandial hyperglycemia in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Nine diabetic subjects ingested 50 g glucose on two occasions. On both occasions, somatostatin was infused at a rate of 4.3 nmol/kg·min, and insulin was infused in a diabetic insulin profile. On one occasion, glucagon was also infused at a rate of 1.25 ng/kg·min to maintain portal glucagon concentrations constant (nonsuppressed study day). On the other occasion, glucagon infusion was delayed by 2 h to create a transient decrease in glucagon (suppressed study day). Glucagon concentrations on the suppressed study day fell to about 70 ng/L during the first 2 h, rising thereafter to approximately 120 ng/L. In contrast, glucagon concentrations on the nonsuppressed study day remained constant at about 120 ng/L throughout. The decrease in glucagon resulted in substantially lower (P < 0.001) glucose concentrations on the suppressed compared with the nonsuppressed study days (9.2 ± 0....
The Relationship between Appendage Geometry and Propeller Blade Unsteady Forces.

Abstract : A study was undertaken to determine the relationship between appendage geometry, unsteady propeller blade forces and the incident velocity field distribution. Axial velocity data from water tunnel tests of an axisymmetric body with appendages has been used to calculate the harmonic content of the wake and the resulting distribution of unsteady thrust and torque for a given propeller geometry. The results indicate that unsteady force reduction can be obtained by modification of the flow at the appendage/body intersection, and by modification of the wake such that flow regions having substantial harmonic content lie outside the propeller's maximum diameter. A propeller operating in the turbulent wake of a torpedo or submarine encounters wake non-uniformities which result in spatial and temporal fluctuations of blade angle-of-attack. These angle-of-attack fluctuations result in unsteady blade loadings and the generation of noise. These unsteady forces may then result, for example, in the radiation of noise from the vehicle's shell and in the generation of vehicle self-noise. The sources of propulsor generated noise can be characterized by three types of unsteady force mechanisms: a) turbulence ingestion; b) vortex shedding; and c) blade-rate. The first two mechanisms typically generate continuous spectrum (broadband) radiated noise levels while blade-rate forces generate discrete frequency noise levels at various blade-passage frequencies and harmonics.
High fat diet alters lactation outcomes: possible involvement of inflammatory and serotonergic pathways.

Delay in the onset of lactogenesis has been shown to occur in women who are obese, however the mechanism altered within the mammary gland causing the delay remains unknown. Consumption of high fat diets (HFD) has been previously determined to result decreased litters and litter numbers in rodent models due to a decrease in fertility. We examined the effects of feeding a HFD (60% kcal from fat) diet versus a low-fat diet (LFD; 10% kcal from fat) to female Wistar rats on lactation outcomes. Feeding of HFD diet resulted in increased pup weights compared to pups from LFD fed animals for 4 d post-partum. Lactation was delayed in mothers on HFD but they began to produce copious milk volumes beginning 2 d post-partum, and milk yield was similar to LFD by day 3. Mammary glands collected from lactating animals on HFD diet, displayed a disrupted morphologies, with very few and small alveoli. Consistently, there was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of milk protein genes, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and keratin 5 (K5), a luminobasal cell marker in the mammary glands of HFD lactating animals. Expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin (5-HT) biosynthesis, and the 5-HT7 receptor (HTR7), which regulates mammary gland involution, were significantly increased in mammary glands of HFD animals. Additionally, we saw elevation of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α). These results indicate that consumption of HFD impairs mammary parenchymal tissue and impedes its ability to synthesize and secrete milk, possibly through an increase in 5-HT production within the mammary gland leading to an inflammatory process.
Mass balance in shallow water simulation

Mass balance relations are obtained for primitive and wave equation spectral models. The results prescribe a departure from conventional methods for boundary condition enforcement. Numerical results substantiate the theory.
Safe and effective IV regional anesthesia for use in the emergency department

The mini-dose Bier block, a technique of intravenous (IV) regional anesthesia that uses low-dose lidocaine and provides safe and effective anesthesia for outpatient closed reductions of upper extremity fractures and dislocations, is presented. This procedure was evaluated in two hospital emergency departments in 105 patients (ages 2 to 86). Ninety-five percent achieved adequate anesthesia (minimal or no pain on closed reduction). No significant complications were noted. Full neurologic function returned in ten minutes in all cases. Both patient and physician satisfaction with the procedure were high. The mini-dose Bier block creates the potential for significant cost savings in cases previously treated in the operating room by providing a safe, effective technique of IV regional anesthesia for outpatient use.
Appraisal of Emerging Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer: Associations with Dispositional, Demographic, and Tumor Characteristics

The time it takes for individuals to realize that their emerging colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms are serious is often an impediment to expeditious help-seeking. Tailored educational efforts to hasten symptom appraisal time would benefit from knowledge of the characteristics of individuals who tend to neglect their symptoms as well as the nature of symptoms that are most often neglected. In a sample of 112 CRC patients, we investigated associations between duration of symptom appraisal and: (1) trait anxiety, and (2) tumor location, which affects symptomatology. Symptom appraisal duration was associated with a sex-by-anxiety interaction (p = 0.007). The longest times (in weeks) were among high anxiety females (Mdn = 26.0) and low anxiety males (Mdn = 17.0), with shorter times among low anxiety females (Mdn = 9.0) and high anxiety males (Mdn = 2.0). Symptom appraisal times were also longer for patients with distal (vs. proximal) tumors (p = 0.036).
Open fractures: where are we now?

Open fractures are defined by a soft tissue defect associated with fracture of the underlying bone. This soft tissue wound may be a result of the initial event or as a result of bone fragments tearing the tissues. The primary goal in managing these fractures is union with the prevention of infection in the soft tissues. The overall outcome of the injury is greatly determined by the success at preventing or eradicating infection. 1
Contact B-Scan Echography in the Assessment of Optic Nerve Cupping

We determined the reliability of high-resolution contact B-scan echography for estimating the optic cup size in 56 eyes of 28 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Two trained observers independently evaluated horizontal and vertical cup/disk ratios in stereophotographs, and two skilled echographers independently estimated optic cup size in photoechograms in a masked fashion. The reliability of echographic interpretation varied (kappa 0.29 to 0.71), but it always exceeded that expected by chance alone, even for cups of 0.3 disk diameter or less. Subtly saucer-shaped cups (three of 50 eyes) and deep cups with intact neuroretinal rims (two of 50 eyes) were misinterpreted echographically. High-resolution contact B-scan echography may provide a useful and reliable estimate of the optic cup size in eyes with opaque media.
Homochiral frameworks derived from magnesium, zinc and copper salts of l-tartaric acid

Abstract Five metal-organic frameworks derived from l -tartarate ( l -tart=C4H4O6) and the divalent metal ions magnesium, zinc or copper have been prepared and structurally characterized. The frameworks were prepared from the reaction of potassium l -tartrate [KC4H5O6] with the appropriate metal salt in water solutions. The magnesium compound [Mg( l -tart)(H2O)⊃1.5H2O], 1, crystallizes as a two-dimensional 63 sheet structure. The addition of the divergent linker molecules 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy) or trans-1,2-bispyridylethylene (bpe) to systems involving Zn2+ and Cu2+ results in the formation of the homochiral three-dimensional structures [Zn2( l -tart)2(biyp)(H2O)⊃5.25H2O], 2, [Cu( l -tart)(bipy)⊃2.33H2O], 3, and [Cu( l -tart)(bpe)⊃8H2O], 5. Removal of solvent water molecules from 3 resulted in [Cu( l -tart)(bipy)⊃0.2H2O], 4. Similar experiments on 2 and 5 resulted in breakdown of the frameworks, illustrating the dependence of the stability of these structures on the guest water molecules. This study reports the structures of two new topological types of binodal nets.
Global ocean data assimilation system

Abstract A global oceanic four-dimensional data assimilation system has been developed for use in initializing coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation models and also to study interannual variability. The data inserted into a high resolution global ocean model consists only of conventional sea surface temperature observations and vertical temperature profiles. The data are inserted continuously into the model by updating the model's temperature solution every timestep. This update is created using a statistical interpolation routine applied to all data in a 30-day window for three consecutive timesteps and then the correction is held constant for nine timesteps. Not updating every timestep allows for a more computational efficient system without affecting the quality of the analysis. The data assimilation system was run over a ten year period from 1979–1988. The resulting analysis product was compared with independent analysis including model derived fields like velocity. The large scale features seem consistent with other products based on observations. Using the mean of the ten-year period as a climatology, the data assimilation system was compared with the Levitus climatological atlas. Looking at the sea surface temperature and the seasonal cycle, as represented by the mixed layer depth, the agreement is quite good, however, some systematic differences do emerge. Special attention is given to the tropical Pacific examining the El Nino signature. Two other assimilation schemes based on using Newtonian nudging of SST, are compared to the full data assimilation system. The heat content variability in the data assimilation seemed faithful to the observations. Overall, the results are encouraging, demonstrating that the data assimilation system seems to be able to capture many of the large scale general circulation features that are observed, both in a climatological sense and in the temporal variability.
Recent Progress in Magnetohydrodynamics

This paper briefly reviews advances in magnetohydrodynamic power generation with particular reference to both land-based and aerospace designs. A brief comment is also made on aerodynamic advances.
Fatigue strength of welded AL-6XN superaustenitic stainless steel

Full scale tests of welded AL-6XN superaustenitic stainless steel I-beams were carried out to assess the fatigue behavior of three weld details. A total of 66 full-scale I-beams were tested under constant amplitude loading. The test program was developed to assess the effects of minimum stress, stress range, and residual stress on the fatigue behavior of the longitudinal fillet weld detail, transverse groove weld detail, and a simulated bulkhead attachment detail. Weld defects that initiated fatigue crack growth were characterized. Internal discontinuities included porosity, entrapped oxides, and lack of fusion sites located in the longitudinal fillet welds and the groove welds. Surface cracks initiated at microdiscontinuities at the toe of the attachment fillet welds and at the toe of the groove welds.
On a Problem of Garcia, Stichtenoth, and Thomas

In a recent paper, Garcia, Stichtenoth, and Thomas exhibited, for every finite field E that is not a prime field, an explicit sequence of absolutely irreducible smooth projective curves Cn over E with genus tending to infinity and with #Cn(E)/genus(Cn) tending to a positive limit. I show that their construction does not work over prime fields.
Bulk modulus of basic sodalite, Na8[AlSiO4]6(OH)2·2H2O, a possible zeolitic precursor in coal-fly-ash-based geopolymers

Synthetic basic sodalite, Na{sub 8}[AlSiO{sub 4}]{sub 6}(OH){sub 2}.2H{sub 2}O, cubic, P43n, (also known as hydroxysodalite hydrate) was prepared by the alkaline activation of amorphous aluminosilicate glass, obtained from the phase separation of Class F fly ash. The sample was subjected to a process similar to geopolymerization, using high concentrations of a NaOH solution at 90 {sup o}C for 24 hours. Basic sodalite was chosen as a representative analogue of the zeolite precursor existing in Na-based Class F fly ash geopolymers. To determine its bulk modulus, high-pressure synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction was applied using a diamond anvil cell (DAC) up to a pressure of 4.5 GPa. A curve-fit with a truncated third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state with a fixed K'{sub o} = 4 to pressure-normalized volume data yielded the isothermal bulk modulus, K{sub o} = 43 {+-} 4 GPa, indicating that basic sodalite is more compressible than sodalite, possibly due to a difference in interactions between the framework host and the guest molecules.
Clinical applications of lasers in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery

The use of lasers in otolaryngology--head and neck surgery is described from the invention of the laser in 1960, through the current uses of the laser, and concludes with a summary for the future directions of laser surgery. The various lasers, including the argon, the KTP, and the carbon dioxide lasers used in otolaryngology, are briefly described. The applications of lasers in the larynx, sinuses, and the ear are separately covered, as well as pediatric otolaryngology. In addition to a brief description of the procedure, the complications and limitations are given. Anesthetic considerations are also covered.
Alcohol-induced decrease in muscle protein synthesis associated with increased binding of mTOR and raptor: Comparable effects in young and mature rats

Acute alcohol (EtOH) intoxication decreases muscle protein synthesis via inhibition of mTOR-dependent translation initiation. However, these studies have been performed in relatively young rapidly growing rats in which muscle protein accretion is more sensitive to growth factor and nutrient stimulation. Furthermore, some in vivo-produced effects of EtOH vary in an age-dependent manner. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that young rats will show a more pronounced decrement in muscle protein synthesis than older mature rats in response to acute EtOH intoxication. Male F344 rats were studied at approximately 3 (young) or 12 (mature) months of age. Young rats were injected intraperitoneally with 75 mmol/kg of EtOH, and mature rats injected with either 75 or 90 mmol/kg EtOH. Time-matched saline-injected control rats were included for both age groups. Gastrocnemius protein synthesis and the activity of the mTOR pathway were assessed 2.5 h after EtOH using [3H]-labeled phenylalanine and the phosphorylation of various protein factors known to regulate peptide-chain initiation. Blood alcohol levels (BALs) were lower in mature rats compared to young rats after administration of 75 mmol/kg EtOH (154 ± 23 vs 265 ± 24 mg/dL). However, injection of 90 mmol/kg EtOH in mature rats produced BALs comparable to that of young rats (281 ± 33 mg/dL). EtOH decreased muscle protein synthesis similarly in both young and high-dose EtOH-treated mature rats. The EtOH-induced changes in both groups were associated with a concomitant reduction in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation, and redistribution of eIF4E between the active eIF4E·eIF4G and inactive eIF4E·4EBP1 complex. Moreover, EtOH increased the binding of mTOR with raptor in a manner which appeared to be AMPK- and TSC-independent. In contrast, although muscle protein synthesis was unchanged in mature rats given low-dose EtOH, compared to control values, the phosphorylation of rpS6 and eIF4G was decreased. These data indicate that muscle protein synthesis is equally sensitive to the inhibitory effects of EtOH in young rapidly growing rats and older mature rats which are growing more slowly, but that mature rats must be given a relatively larger dose of EtOH to achieve the same BAL. Based on the differential response in mature rats to low- and high-dose EtOH, the decreased protein synthesis was associated with a reduction in mTOR activity which was selectively mediated via a reduction in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and an increase in mTOR·raptor formation.
Comparison of L-type and mixed L- and T-type calcium channel blockers on kidney injury caused by deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertension in rats

The efficiency of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in the treatment of chronic renal disease (CRD) is controversial. In this study, we investigated whether combined T- and L-type CCBs, using mibefradil (30 mg/kg/d), provided superior protection versus traditional L-type voltage-gated CCBs, using amlodipine (10 mg/kg/d), in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt model of high glomerular blood pressure (P(GC)) and rapidly developing kidney damage. After 4 to 5 weeks of DOCA-salt, amlodipine did not reduce proteinuria (protein, 341 +/- 90 versus 482 +/- 54 mg/24 h; P = not significant) or degree of glomerular damage (20% +/- 4% versus 28% +/- 6% damaged glomeruli; P = not significant) compared with untreated rats. Conversely, mibefradil reduced proteinuria and glomerular damage versus untreated DOCA-salt rats (protein, 244 +/- 75 mg/24 h; P < 0.02; damaged glomeruli, 11% +/- 3%; P < 0.05). Both CCBs had similar antihypertensive actions, returning blood pressure to the untreated sham value. Of note, P(GC) also was reduced by a similar extent (and to the sham value) with both mibefradil (58 +/- 2 mm Hg; P < 0.001) and amlodipine (61 +/- 2 mm Hg; P < 0.005) versus untreated DOCA-salt rats (70 +/- 1 mm Hg). This study shows that combined T- and L-type CCBs provide superior protection against CRD in the DOCA-salt model compared with L-type CCBs alone. However, this protection was not hemodynamic because similar systemic and glomerular antihypertensive responses occurred with both mibefradil and amlodipine. Although mibefradil was withdrawn from the market because of adverse drug interactions not associated with CCBs, other mixed channel blockers may provide an alternative or adjunctive therapy to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in CRD.
Class-wide Positive Behavior Support in Preschool: Improving Teacher Implementation Through Consultation

As the number of young children displaying challenging behavior in early childhood grows, so too does the need to implement evidence-based practices that prevent challenging behavior. Positive Behavior Support (PBS) provides a framework of tiered interventions focused on promoting social-emotional development and preventing challenging behavior. This study investigated the effects of consultation on teachers’ implementation of universal PBS practices and children’s academic engagement. A multiple-baseline design was applied across four preschool classrooms serving children from 33 to 63 months of age. A strong relationship was documented between consultation and teachers’ implementation of PBS skills. High levels of academic engagement were maintained following consultation. Implications of the results are provided for applications of universal PBS practices in early childhood settings.
New phenotype definition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in relatives for genetic analyses

The goal of the present investigation was to create a phenotype definition in relatives of probands that reflects a more genetic form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Logistic regression was applied to the first-degree relatives of ADHD and normal control probands to create a quantitative phenotype that combined information across psychiatric, cognitive, and demographic domains. Models were run separately in mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. Although there was some overlap between the variables retained in each model, no two models had exactly the same variables. Our results suggest that the use of fitted logits may be valuable as a potential index of caseness. Since different characteristics were included in different groups of relatives, our results suggest that gender and generation may moderate the expression of ADHD.
Induction of human breast cancer cell apoptosis from G2/M preceded by stimulation into the cell cycle by Z-1,1-dichloro-2,3-diphenylcyclopropane.

We have shown previously that Z-1,1-dichloro-2,3-diphenylcyclopropane (a.k.a. Analog II, AII) inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation regardless of estrogen receptor status or estrogen sensitivity, and that its cellular targets include microtubules. In the present study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effects of AII. MCF-7, MCF-7/LY2, and MDA-MB-231 cells all showed nuclear fragmentation in response to 100 μM AII when stained with Hoechst 33342 and examined by fluorescence microscopy. Pulsed field gel electrophoretic analysis showed that each of the cell lines also developed specific high molecular weight DNA fragments: a low level of 1–2 Mb fragments appeared after 6 hr, while 30–50 kb fragments accumulated subsequently. At 24 hr of drug exposure, the majority of cells became nonadherent, and the 30–50 kb fragments were restricted to detached MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Both adherent and detached MCF-7/LY2 cells exhibited these fragments. A previous study by single-color (propidium) flow cytometry demonstrated that AII blocks MDA-MB-231 cells in G2/M of the cell cycle. More refined analyses in the present study showed this same result for MDA-MB-231 cells, but MCF-7 and MCF-7/LY2 cells did not reveal apparent drug-induced cell cycle block. AII demonstrated growth inhibitory, cell cycle-perturbing, and hypodiploidy-inducing activity against other human breast carcinoma lines, i.e. BT-20, CAMA-1, and SKBR-3, but no such actions in the non-tumorigenic, “normal” human breast epithelial line MCF-10A. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling and two-color flow cytometric analysis, however, suggested that AII caused stimulation into S phase, and that G2/M was the phase of the cell cycle from which cells apoptosed. AII caused cell rounding, detachment from the growth matrix, and nuclear shrinkage and fragmentation in parallel with biochemical changes. Cycloheximide inhibited AII-induced cell death, indicating that its toxicity requires de novo protein synthesis.
Similarity solutions for a binary diffusion couple with diffusivity and density dependent on composition

Abstract We reexamine similarity solutions for composition in a very long binary diffusion couple for the case in which the diffusivity and the density are functions of composition. For such solutions, the composition depends for sufficiently short times only on a similarity variable x/ t where x is distance and t is time. The classical Boltzmann–Matano treatment holds for the case in which the diffusivity is a function of composition but the density is independent of composition. It results in the selection of a unique (Matano) interface as the origin of coordinates for x and a formula for the diffusivity that depends on integrals of the concentration profile measured with respect to that interface. For density dependent on composition, Sauer and Freise generalized this solution by introduction of two Matano interfaces, one of which is at rest with respect to the left end of the diffusion couple and the other which is at rest with respect to its right end. Wagner reworked this generalization in terms of a unique (Wagner–Matano) interface and went on to derive a formula for the diffusivity that was indepenent of the location of that interface. We reconcile these treatments by examination of a long but finite diffusion couple with careful identification of reference frames for the fundamental description of diffusion.
Pharmacotherapy of Depression: The American Current Status

This paper is a brief review which deals with research findings, clinical issues, and strategies in the pharmacotherapy of clinical depression. The author introduces antidepressants which are currently available in the United States. They include heterocyclic antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants and second-generation antidepressants), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, lithium, carbamazepine, and others. Under the description of each drug category, therapeutic and side effects are briefly discussed in the context of psychiatric practice in America. Then, the author gives a birds eye view of American pharmacotherapy of using antidepressants in acute, maintenance, and prophylactic treatments of depression.
Roles of Gln81 and Cys80 in catalysis by glycosylphosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C from Trypanosoma brucei

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (GPtdIns-PLC) is found in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. A region of protein sequence similarity exists between the protozoan enzyme and eubacterial phosphatidylinositol-phospholipases C. The functional relevance of Cys80 and Gln81 of GPtdIns-PLC, both in this region, was tested with a panel of mutations at each position. Gln81Glu, Gln81Ala, Gln81Gly, Gln81Lys and Gln81Leu mutants were inactive. Cleavage of GPtdIns was detectable in Gln81Asn, although the specific activity decreased 500-fold, and kcat was reduced 50-fold. Thus an amide side-chain at residue 81 is essential for catalysis by GPtdIns-PLC. Sulfhydryl reagents inactivate GPtdIns-PLC, suggesting that a Cys could be close to the enzyme active site. Surprisingly, p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate (p-CMPS) is significantly more potent than N-ethylmaleimide, the less bulky compound. This knowledge prompted us to test whether replacement of Cys80 with an amino acid possessing a bulky side-chain would inactivate GPtdIns-PLC: Cys80Ala, Cys80Thr, Cys80Phe, Cys184Ala, and Cys269-270-273Ser were constructed for that purpose. Cys80Phe lacked enzyme activity, while Cys80Ala, Cys80Thr and Cys269-270-273Ser retained 33 to 100% of wild-type activity. Interestingly, the Cys80Ala and Cys80Thr mutants became resistant to p-CMPS, as predicted if the sulfhydryl reagent reacted with Cys80 in the wild-type enzyme to form a cysteinyl mercurylphenylsulfonate moiety, a bulky adduct that inactivated GPtdIns-PLC, similar to the Cys80Phe mutation. We conclude that a bulky side-chain (or adduct) at position 80 of GPtdIns-PLC abolishes enzyme activity. Together, these observations place Cys80 and Gln81 at, or close to, the active site of GPtdIns-PLC from T. brucei.
Oscillations of gaussian beam parameters in periodic lens waveguides

Abstract Gaussian beams propagating through periodic thin-lens waveguides are found to oscillate in Rayleigh range and waist longitudinal position. A differential expansion of expressions derived from gaussian beam theory leads to approximate analytic expressions for the amplitude, period, and phase of the oscillations. The amplitude and phase are found to depend on the input parameters, while the period depends on the waveguide parameters.
A GENERAL EXPLANATION FOR THE COMPENSATION EFFECT - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DELTA-S+/+ AND ACTIVATION-ENERGY

Abstract Changes in activation energy are often offset by a change in the pre-exponential factor for a group of similar reactions. I present a possible general explanation for this “compensation effect” by relating the entropy of transition to a change in the energy levels of the transition state. Reduction of the activation energy results in a “narrower” transition state. This energetic funneling dictates a decreasing (compensating) entropy.
Using Box-Jenkins techniques in sales forecasting

Abstract This study analyzes the form, stability, and accuracy of Box-Jenkins forecasting models developed for 27 sales series. The order of autoregressive, differencing, and moving average factors is shown for each complete model along with “goodness of fit” criteria. Forecasting models are then presented for a reduced data set and accuracy is compared with seasonally adjusted linear regressions. The results suggest that Box-Jenkins models are often unstable, “goodness of fit” criteria are a poor guide to the best forecasting models, log transforms do not improve accuracy, and Box-Jenkins forecasts are usually (but not always) better than projections made with linear regression techniques.
Statistically Designed Beam Deflection Lab

Two vital skills for an engineering graduate are the abilities to reason and communicate effectively. Laboratory work is one of the principle ways in which students exercise these competencies. In a typical undergraduate engineering course (particularly those at the freshman or sophomore level), laboratory exercises are often designed for students (rather than by them). They must simply follow procedures to find pre-determined results in order to “drive home” theoretical concepts. As a result, students are left with a poor concept of the purpose and power of experimentation, and consequently the laboratory experience detracts from rather than bolstering their critical thinking skills. A one factor at a time approach is often the default method for undergraduate engineering experiments, and while it is relevant for acquiring initial skills at the freshmen and sophomore levels, the approach may only promote lower level thinking skills. Even so, these experiences are pivoting in establishing sound engineering practices among students. In addition, statistical design of experiments could be explored for implementation for junior and senior level design courses. This project sought to provide an example of higher order thinking by performing a statistically-designed beam deflection experiment. The experimental objectives were to determine if load, span, geometry, and material affected the deflection of simply supported beams and to identify significant nuisance factors. Key nuisance effects included support stiffness, the reaction measurement procedure, and the effect of built-up members. In conclusion, the paper points out how undergraduate students could benefit from exposure and participation in such a design of experiments process even though students were not involved in this study originally.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Chapter 2: Partisanship and Ideology in the ESEA Reauthorization in the 106th and 107th Congresses: Foundations for the New Political Landscape of Federal Education Policy:

Jn January 1995, a coalition of House freshman members from the newly elected Republican majority called for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education. One of the leaders of the coalition, Representative Joe Scarborough (R-FL), said in May of 1995: "The great federal experiment in education is over. It is failed. It is time to move on" (cited in Jennings, 1998, p. 156). On May 18, the House of Representatives passed a budget blueprint for the next 7 years that would cut education programs, including Head Start and Safe and Drug Free Schools, by $40 billion. The House also turned the federal school lunch program over to the states via block grants and set funding $10 billion below the projected growth in demand. Majority Leader Newt Gingrich (R-GA) invoked the building of the "opportunity society" as justification for cutting social programs for children and families. In the summer of 1995, the House of Representatives voted to eliminate funding for President Bill Clinton's Goals 2000 legislation and to cut funding for Title I, the major federal compensatory education program, by 17%. During the ensuing 6 years, many observers believed that the federal role in education was in decline. The Clinton administration's enforcement of compliance with the 1994 Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) was weak, and almost all of Clinton's new education proposals, from national testing to class-size reduction, were fought by the Republican House and Senate. In 1996, Republican presidential nominee Robert Dole's major proposals were teaching moral values in schools and a multibillion-dollar school voucher plan (elimination of the U.S. Department of Education was a plank in the GOP platform) (Jennings, 1998, p. 172). Six years later, in January 2002, Republican President George W. Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. The most conservative congressional Republicans, who opposed the bill's extensive new testing mandates and absence of school voucher provisions, were largely left out in the cold as the president won a major domestic political victory. In fact, House Education and Workforce Committee chairman
Bile Salt Structure and Phase Equilibria in Aqueous Bile Salt and Bile Salt‐Lecithin Systems

The hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of bile salt monomers can be readily quantified by their elution sequence during reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Such studies have demonstrated that subtle variations in bile salt structure have profound effects on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of this important family of detergent-like molecules. The common trihydroxy bile salt, cholate, is more hydrophilic than dihydroxy bile salts with alpha-oriented OH groups. In contrast, dihydroxy bile salts with one equatorial OH function are more hydrophilic than cholate. Hydrophilic bile salts have, in general, higher critical micellar concentrations than do hydrophobic bile salts and their primary micelles polymerize less readily to form secondary micelles either with increasing bile salt concentrations or with increases in ionic strength. Hydrophilic bile salts also disperse lecithin into mixed micelles at a slower rate than do hydrophobic bile salts. The structure of mixed bile salt-lecithin micelles is more complex than previously believed and varies with bile salt-to-lecithin ratio. These micelles are disc-like in which bile salts saturate the lecithin bilayer “core” presumably as reverse micelles, as well as coating the perimeter as a bilayered “ribbon”. The ratio of bile salt to lecithin in the bilayer and the intermicellar monomeric bile salt concentration (critical micellar concentration) determines the macroscopic phase limit. With the common bile salt species, the lecithin-to-bile salt phase limit does not correlate closely with the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the bile salt monomers. However, with very hydrophilic bile salts such as the pansulfated species in physiological ionic strength, the equilibria between the large intermicellar bile salt concentrations and the bile salt molecules interacting with lecithin in mixed micelles favors the former state. As a consequence, the lecithin-to-bile salt molar ratio at the phase limit is greatly reduced. However, when the charges of the sulfate groups are electrostatically shielded (e.g., in 4 MNaCl), the lecithin-to-bile salt molar ratio at the phase limit approaches and even exceeds that of the nonsulfated bile salt species.
Fullerene triplet state production and decay: R2PI probes of C60 and C70 in a supersonic beam

Abstract Lifetimes of the lowest triplet state of the two most stable fullerenes, C 60 and C 70 , were measured in a supersonic beam by two-color resonant two-photon ionization. When prepared by intersystem crossing from the singlet manifold, excited at 4.03 eV, these triplet states were found to have lifetimes of 42 and 41 μs, respectively. The energies of these triplet states (1.7 and 1.6 eV, respectively) were measured by photoelectron spectroscopy of the corresponding negative ions.
Magnequench magnets status overview

The advent of neodymium-iron-boron materials having excellent magnetic properties and potential economic advantages has initiated a new era in permanent magnet technology. One method of making these magnets is by the rapid solidification process. It is typically carried out by melt spinning, which produces a highly stable, dmagnetically hard microstructure powder, directly from the melt. This can be used for bonded magnet applications. Alternatively, this powder can be hot pressed to produce fully dense isotropic magnets with energy products up to 15 MGOe. Anisotropic magnets with energy products ranging up to 50 MGOe can be produced by thermomechanical orientation or hot deformation process. Current processing and properties of Magnequench (General Motors) materials are reviewed, das well as the applications and advances of these materials. The advances include high-temperature bonded magnet and high-energy product anisotropic bonded and fully dense magnets.
Research Advances: Improving Our Understanding of Health Benefits and Dangers Associated with Nature’s Chemical Cupboard

This installment of Research Advances describes some benefits and caveats associated with using natural products as an aid to good health. Nature yields a bountiful supply of compounds that can boost or derail our health, and as researchers study the molecular basis for these actions, they urge us to proceed with caution.
The utility of Cox's Interaction Model to direct the assessment and prevention of adolescent aggression.

Abstract The current study of violence prevention is hampered by a lack of consensus on the definition of violence. There is, however, some agreement about the behavioral cues that may predict violent behavior such as aggression. Although it has been shown that individual-level variables (e.g., race, gender, and ethnicity) are correlated with aggressive behavior, it is clear that they alone are not explanatory of aggressive behavior. This article demonstrates how the Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior is an important health behavior framework for the assessment of aggression in adolescents, offering insight into the contextual nature of adolescent aggression. Victimization and witnessing of violence, frequently identified to be precursors of adolescent aggression in current epidemiologic studies, are examined within this framework. On the basis of the interactional nature of the phenomenon, necessary components for successful prevention programs are suggested. Finally, future research implications calling for a well-designed study that integrates individual and contextual variables with the use of this theory-driven explanatory framework are proposed. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on work outcomes in vocational rehabilitation for participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Designed to help persons with schizophrenia to persist and perform better at job placements, the Indianapolis Vocational Intervention Program (IVIP) is a program of cognitive-behavioral group and individual interventions. While its feasibility has been previously demonstrated, it is unknown whether IVIP assists persons to achieve greater levels of participation in vocational rehabilitation and higher levels of job performance. In this study, 100 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were offered a six month job placement and randomized to receive IVIP (n=50) or support services (n=50) matched for treatment intensity. Number of hours worked was recorded weekly and job performance was assessed biweekly using the Work Behavior Inventory with raters blind to condition. t-tests revealed that participants in the IVIP group worked a significantly greater number of weeks than those in the support condition. Also, repeated measures ANOVA revealed the IVIP group worked more hours across that 26 week period as well. And with regards to work performance, repeated measures of the 56 participants who worked for at least two-thirds of the intervention revealed that participants in the IVIP group had generally better work performance than those in the support condition. Results suggest a connection between cognitive-behavioral interventions and higher levels of work performance in people with schizophrenia.
WE‐C‐BRB‐07: Evaluating 4D Interplay Effects for Proton Scanning Beams in Lung Cancers

Purpose: The Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy,delivered with spot scanning, provides greater control over dose distributions than passive scattering proton therapy. However, interplay of spot scanning with respiratory organ motion may result in interplay effects in dose distributions. Such effects may cause some parts of the tumor to be under dosed and other parts to be overdosed. 4D dose averaged over 4DCT sets is the de facto standard to evaluate respiratory motion effects. Interplay effects may render this metric insufficient. The purposes of this work are to develop a dynamic 4D dose calculation algorithm incorporating interplay effects and evaluate the dosimetric consequences of such effect for lung IMPT plans. Methods: The complete flow of the scanning spot delivery process was simulated by coupling the information on proton cycles (acceleration, spills and pulses, switching of spots, etc.), beams, and energies, and respiratory cycles. At beginning of spot delivery of each beam or each fraction, the simulation started with a random respiratory phase. The dose contributed by each pulse was calculated on its corresponding phase in the 4DCTs and final dose was mapped to the reference CT phase using deformable image registration. Dose distributions and the biological effects were compared among simulations with different numbers of fractions and pulses per spot. Results: The prescription dose coverage for PTV was 95%, 94.2 %, 93.9%, 91%, and 84% for the designed dose, 4D static dose, 4D dynamic doses delivered in 30, 6 and 1 fractions respectively. Tumor control probability (TCP) was 76% for 4D and 30‐fraction dose, compared to 72% for single fraction. Conclusion: The dose distributions converge to 4D dose only when the number of fractions or pulses per spot is large enough. A dynamic 4D simulation is necessary for evaluating the impact of organ motions in scanning beam proton plans.