cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visual Noise Causes Tunnel Vision

Ss had quickly to detect similarities between two uppercase letters presented peripherally and one other central letter falling on the fovea. These three characters were so legible that this task was very easy when the three letters were flashed on by themselves. But the addition of extra letters to this display seriously impaired performance. The periphery of the retina could no longer accurately detect at a glance whether items were similar. Foveal performance was also affected to some extent by extra items in the periphery of the retina.
A diffusional analysis of the oxidation of binary multiphase alloys

A nonsteady-state diffusional analysis has been applied to the oxidation of binary multiphase alloys. In addition to the solubility of the solute element in the continuous solid-solution phase, the volume fraction and the size of the second-phase particles have been found to be crucial for the exclusive formation of the solute oxide. By solving the diffusion equations, the oxidation behavior of a multiphase alloy has been quantitatively related to a microstructure parameter, P L ,which is a function of both the volume fraction and shape of the second phase. Moreover, the effectiveness of alloying for alloys with differently shaped second-phase particles on the oxidation of multiphase alloys has been discussed.
Studies on the life-cycle of Polymyxa betae in sugar beet roots

Light and electron microscopy was used to study the development of Polymyxa betae , the plasmodiophoromycete vector of beet necrotic yellow vein virus, in Beta vulgaris seedling roots. A triple staining technique (methylene blue — azure II — basic fuchsin) discriminated host-plant and fungal material and revealed changes in fungal constituents during development. Initially, infection was restricted to root epidermal cells. In later samples all stages in the fungal life-cycle were found throughout the cortex, although P. betae was never observed in the root endodermis or stele. Granular pink-stained material, associated with vacuoles, increased to become an important constituent of plasmodia as they matured and differentiated into zoosporangia, but decreased as zoospores developed. In electron micrographs the pink colour corresponded to an unidentified material of complex structure which may be of host origin or a novel storage compound. Electron micrographs also revealed that cysts are differentiated within the cystosorus by the formation of a membranous bi-layer. This contrasts with zoospores, which arise through the division of the zoosporangial cytoplasm by cleavage vacuoles. Peripheral vesicles, characteristic of some other plasmodiophoromycetes, were observed in mature zoospores.
Control Effect on Diesel Pool Fire by Longitudinal Smoke Discharge and High Pressure Water Mist

The subway tunnel benchmodel(1/3)of small scaled size is established to study fire spread control effect under the combined effect of the longitudinal smoke discharge and water mist. The different working pressure of water mist is opened at the same time with the smoke discharge. The suppression effect of the diesel pool fire is observed and it can be concluded as follows: When the longitudinal smoke is started, it can effectively control the spread of smoke, but the lasted combustion time of fire increased, the sole longitudinal smoke discharge is not the optimum measurement on the control of diesel pool fire. For the diesel pool fire with the surface size of 250mm×200mm, the experiments show that the combination of water mist and longitudinal smoke discharge, which were started simultaneously, are able to control the fire effectively. And the 15MPa water mist is the best on the fire control affection with the combination of smoke discharge.
The Aging of Vulcanized Rubber under Varying Elongation

Abstract 1—Deterioration in the oven is approximately 30 per cent greaterat 100 per cent elongation than at 0 per cent elongation. 2—Deterioration in the bomb is almost independent of elongation. 3—Deterioration in ozone is greatest at 5 and 10 per cent elongations. 4—Deterioration in sunlight with respect to stretch is analogous to deterioration in ozone. 5—Cracking of the test rings occurs in both ozone and sunlight when the rings are stretched, but not in the oven or bomb. This cracking is greatest at 5 and 10 per cent elongations. 6—A 40 per cent carbon-black stock shows marked deterioration and cracking in both ozone and sunlight at about 10 per cent elongation. 7—High sulfur causes greater deterioration in ozone and sunlight than low sulfur. 8—Undercures show greater deterioration than the optimum cure in ozone and sunlight. 9—Loading with a filler such as whiting does not change the shape of the ozone- and sunlight-aging curves, and does not materially affect the percentage deterioration. 10—Rubber...
Managerial Strategies in the Captive Propagation of Endangered Species

A captive propagation manager, committed to the welfare of captive populations of exotic animals, must often make decisions that are risky to individual animals. Innovative decisions that place animals at risk are essential to the progress of captive propagation. Such decisions must be grounded thoroughly on peer consultation, the scientific and zoo literature, and where possible on original applied research targeted specifically to the procedure in question. The management of two closely spaced births in a gorilla group is provided as an example.
752 NAFCILLIN-OXACILLIN COMPARATIVE CLINICAL TRIAL

Intravenous nafcillin (N) or oxacillin (O) was administered to 114 patients, newborn to 17 years of age. Distribution of the pts included 87 studied double blind and 27 by physician preference. Physician preference pts did not alter the results. A minimum of five days of IV therapy was required for inclusion, but 60% of the pts received >10 days of therapy. The pts were monitored with serial CBC's, platelet counts, urinalysis, BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, and bilirubin. Occurrence of secondary fevers, rashes, and thrombophlebitis (TH) were tabulated. Treatment courses were successful in 97.5%, but 4 pts died after bacteriologic sterilization. TH occurred in 17/52 N pts and 4/62 O pts. In pts over 10 years of age receiving N 14/25 developed TH. Of eight pts switched blindly from N to O because of TH, all tolerated the second drug. Three patients in each group developed severe neutropenia (WBC≤1500). Seven N and 5 O pts had drug fevers. Elevated SGPT's occurred in 13/62 O and 6/52 N pts. No renal side effects were noted. Pharmacokinetic studies were done on 12 pts of which six pts had cross-over studies on both drugs. The half-life in prematures was different than the older child (3.0 ± 0.9 versus 0.6 ± 0.1 hrs.) There was no difference between O or N half-lives. Volumes of distribution, and total body clearances were calculated.
Reliability of water proton chemical shift temperature calibration for focused ultrasound ablation therapy

Our purpose in this work was to assess the reliability of the calibration coefficient for magnetic resonance water protonchemical shift temperature mapping. Over a six month period, the calibration coefficient was measured 15 times in several different phantoms. A highly linear relationship between water protonchemical shift and temperature change was found. The average temperature calibration coefficient determined from all studies was 0.009±0.001 ppm /° C . Four of the 15 studies were conducted on the same day using the same phantom. The average temperature calibration coefficient of these four studies was 0.0096±0.0001 ppm /° C .
On the cyclodimerization of acetylenes to cyclobutadiene problem: the synthesis, crystal and molecular structure of (η5-cyclopentadienyl)-(η4-1,2-diphenylcyclobuta[l]phenanthrene)rhodium

Abstract A reaction between 2,2′-bis(phenylethynyl)biphenyl and η5-cyclopentadienylcarbonylrhodium has been found to produce several organometallic products, including (η5-cyclopentadienyl)(η4-1,2-diphenylcyclobuta[l]phenanthrene)rhodium has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using data acquired by a computer-controlled diffractometer. The substance crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P 1 , with cell constant of a 10.023(1), b 11.146(3), c 22.314(4) A, α 101.26(2), β 97.53(1) and γ 96.55(1)°. The observed and calculated densities (for two molecules in the asymmetric unit) are 1.45(1) and 1.446 g/cm3, respectively. The structure was solved by Patterson, Fourier and least-squares refinement techniques. Final discrepancy indices are R(F) - 3.6% and Rw(E) = 4.2%. The (η5-C5H5)Rh fragments have a normal disctances and angles, the Cp rings being planar as expected. The cyclobutadiene rings are also planar (largest deviations from planarity being 0.003 A) and parallel to the Cp rings. The most important change, as a result of the constraints of the fused cyclobuta[l]phenanthrene system, is the trapezoidal shape of the (η4-C4) ring. The effects of fusion and of strain, caused by the crowding of two hydrogen atoms at the open side of phenanthrene, on the cyclobuta[l]-phenanthrene system are discussed.
Organization of endogenous opiate and nonopiate pain control systems

Research during the past decade has revealed the existence of neural systems that modulate pain transmission. Much of this work has focused on the role of endogenous opiate systems, but recent research indicates the involvement of nonopiate mechanisms as well. In this article, we present data demonstrating that opiate and nonopiate analgesia systems can be selectively activated by different environmental manipulations and describe the neural circuitry involved. Both neural and hormonal pathways and both opiate and nonopiate substances play roles in the complex modulation of pain transmission. The existence and description of these modulatory mechanisms have important clinical implications for the treatment of pain.
Nonadiabatic effects in photodissociation dynamics: A quantum mechanical study of ICN photodissociation in the A continuum

The photodissociation dynamics of ICN in the A continuum has been studied using a quantum coupled‐channel method. The two‐state empirical potential energy surfaces derived by Goldfield et al. are used in our calculations, and the CN bond is assumed frozen throughout the dissociation (rigid‐rotor approximation). The excited state dynamics involving nonadiabatic transitions between the I and I* channels is treated in a diabatic representation. The CN rotational distributions have been obtained for several wavelengths and zero total angular momentum by calculating the appropriate Franck–Condon integral. Bimodal structure in CN rotational distributions is obtained in the quantum calculations, but the width of the peaks is narrower than in semiclassical results for the same surfaces. Discrepancies between quantum and semiclassical results are also found in the total cross‐section and in the I*/I branching ratio. Comparison of our quantum results with experiment indicates that the potentials derived from the se...
Formal Synthesis of (+)-Sorangicin A

The formal synthesis of (+)-sorangicin A was completed by two independent routes. Both approaches feature a cross metathesis reaction to form the C29-C30 bond to arrive at the bicyclic ether/tetrahydropyran fragment. Formation of the C15-C16 olefin to unite the dihydropyran fragment with the rest of the molecule was achieved by either a cross metathesis reaction or a Julia-Kocienski olefination.
Relationship among United States Medical Licensing Step I, orthopedic in-training, subjective clinical performance evaluations, and american board of orthopedic surgery examination scores: a 12-year review of an orthopedic surgery residency program

Objective To improve the understanding of relationships among United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step I), Orthopedic In-Training Examination (OITE), Subjective Clinical Performance Evaluations, and American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Examination Part I (Abos-I) and Part II (Abos-II), which would help residency programs better achieve their educational mission. Design A 12-year descriptive study of retrospectively collected data. Setting One residency program with 47 resident participants. Results Residents that failed Abos-I and Abos-II had lower program mean OITE year-in-training (YIT) percentile rank scores. The program mean OITE YIT percentile rank score had a moderate relationship with Abos-I (% correct) score (r = 0.68, p Conclusion Our program uses the USMLE Step I (3-digit) score as a preacceptance estimate of likely supplemental guided mentoring needs. Program mean OITE YIT percentile rank and PGY-3 OITE YIT percentile rank scores help identify educational deficiencies and predict eventual Abos-I and II passage. Subjective clinical performance evaluations provide important supplemental information regarding professionalism, communication, and patient care skills.
ACL Injury Mechanism is Related to Articular Pressure Distribution: A Cadaveric and Finite Element Investigation

Acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can be devastating, and often results in clinical sequelae that include meniscal tears, chondral lesions and osteoarthritis. Various bone bruise patterns of the femur or tibia, and bone contusions of the lateral tibial plateau have been associated in more than 80% of partial or complete ACL ruptures [1]. As quantification of articular cartilage pressure distribution under high-rate loading conditions remains challenging, validated finite element (FE) models of the knee can be used to characterize the effects of different loading parameters on tibiofemoral (TF) joint pressure distribution. This study combines high-rate cadaveric experiments with FE analysis to simulate ACL injuries and associated bone bruise patterns following landing from a jump. We hypothesized that a potential relationship exists between ACL injury mechanisms and resultant tibial plateau bone bruise patterns. This relationship may enhance our understanding of ACL injury mechanisms, which may provide insight to improve current prevention strategies that aim to decrease the risk of ACL injury and damage to secondary anatomical structures. All of this may in turn minimize associated posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Setting fat on fire.

One approach to developing antiobesity drugs is to shift the energy balance in the body in favor of burning fat. A transcriptional coactivator is now assigned this task.
Trajectory Options for DUNE, a Near-Earth Dust Telescope

This paper compares five mission design scenarios for the proposed Dust Near Earth (DUNE) spacecraft. DUNE’s science requires it to carry a dust telescope outside of the Earth’s magnetosphere, yet its communication requirements restrict it to orbits within the orbit of the Moon. The scenarios considered in this paper include trajectories that place DUNE into highly eccentric Earth orbits, lunar orbits, and lunar halo orbits. This paper concludes that the most successful mission design option for DUNE implements a lunar gravity assist to place the spacecraft in a very high Earth orbit with a raised inclination.
The cytology of the corpora lutea of the ewe

The cytology of corpora lutea of non-pregnant ewes is described with reference to the origin, structure, fate, and function of these organs. The lutein cells, characteristic of corpora lutea, are derived from the cells of the stratum granulosum of the Graafian follicle; connective-tissue cells, embryonic cells, and non-striated muscle cells, from the theca interna; and erythrocytes, leucocytes, and histiocytes, from the blood stream. The lutein cells undergo changes in size, nuclear structure, and cytoplasmic inclusions correlated with the period in the estrous cycle and disappear during retrogression. Although secretory products have not been identified, a secretory function is postulated on the basis of the structure of the cell.
Redrawing the Margin: Re-examining Regional Multichotomies and Conditions of Marginality in Canada, Russia and their Northern Frontiers

Petrov A. N. Redrawing the margin: re-examining regional multichotomies and conditions of marginality in Canada, Russia and their Northern Frontiers, Regional Studies. This paper pursues four objectives: to conceptualize and identify organizational logics of space-economy and dimensions of regional differentiation; to identify regional conditions of marginality and group regions along the core–periphery–margin continuum; to examine regional differences within the Norths; and to compare marginal regions in the Canadian versus Russian North. The analysis is based on the multichotomic view of core–periphery–margin relationships that rests on multiscalar, multiscale, and multicentre interpretation of regional polarities. The regional structures of Canada and Russia are ‘remapped’ and it is shown that a great degree of resemblance is shared. The contemporary North is an economically marginalized and fractured, but also a strikingly similar, space. Petrov A. N. Redessiner les limites: reexaminer les multichotom...
Bifurcations and chaos in parametrically excited single-degree-of-freedom systems

The behavior of single-degree-of-freedom systems possessing quadratic and cubic nonlinearities subject to parametric excitation is investigated. Both fundamental and principal parametric resonances are considered. A global bifurcation diagram in the excitation amplitude and excitation frequency domain is presented showing different possible stable steady-state solutions (attractors). Fractal basin maps for fundamental and principal parametric resonances when three attractors coexist are presented in color. An enlargement of one region of the map for principal parametric resonance reveals a Cantor-like set of fractal boundaries. For some cases, both periodic and chaotic attractors coexist.
A simulation-based comparison of multidisciplinary design optimization solution strategies using CASCADE

The design of multidisciplinary systems (such as aircraft, automobiles, and others) often requires an iterative cycle that includes a design initialization, a system analysis, a sensitivity analysis, and design optimization. This design cycle is standard in the field of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) and has often been referred to in the literature as the “Multiple-Discipline-Feasible” (MDF) approach. The name stems from the fact that complete multidisciplinary feasibility is maintained in each and every design cycle. The drawback of MDF is that it can be a timely and a costly procedure. Numerous researchers have developed alternate means for posing and subsequently solving the multidisciplinary design problem. One such solution procedure has been referred to both as “Simultaneous Analysis and Design” (SAND) and “All-at-once” (AAO), and treats the entire multidisciplinary design cycle as one large optimization problem. Another alternate solution procedure has been referred to as “Individual-Discipline-Feasible” (IDF); this procedure exhibits characteristics which lie in between the two extremes exemplified by MDF and AAO. IDF assured that each individual discipline is feasible on every design cycle, while driving the entire system (all disciplines) towards multidisciplinary feasibility. The present work will present a rigorous numerical comparison of these solution strategies over a wide variety of problem sizes and complexities. The purpose of this comparison is for the eventual development of heuristics which will govern the appropriateness of a given solution strategy for a given set of system characteristics. The multidisciplinary design test problems that are used for these comparisons are generated by a robust simulation tool called CASCADE.
Modular, multi-input transcriptional logic gating with orthogonal LacI/GalR family chimeras.

In prokaryotes, the construction of synthetic, multi-input promoters is constrained by the number of transcription factors that can simultaneously regulate a single promoter. This fundamental engineering constraint is an obstacle to synthetic biologists because it limits the computational capacity of engineered gene circuits. Here, we demonstrate that complex multi-input transcriptional logic gating can be achieved through the use of ligand-inducible chimeric transcription factors assembled from the LacI/GalR family. These modular chimeras each contain a ligand-binding domain and a DNA-binding domain, both of which are chosen from a library of possibilities. When two or more chimeras have the same DNA-binding domain, they independently and simultaneously regulate any promoter containing the appropriate operator site. In this manner, simple transcriptional AND gating is possible through the combination of two chimeras, and multiple-input AND gating is possible with the simultaneous use of three or even fou...
In situ x-ray study of an acceptor-donor heterostructure: Stage-1 CoCl 2 -K-graphite intercalation compound

The sequential intercalation process of potassium atoms into a stage-2 ${\mathrm{CoCl}}_{2}$-graphite intercalation compound has been studied by in situ x-ray (00l) scans. The heterostructure was made in a two-zone furnace with pre-prepared stage-2 ${\mathrm{CoCl}}_{2}$-graphite intercalation compound and potassium metal sealed into an evacuated Pyrex glass tube. At temperatures ${T}_{\mathrm{K}}$=130 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and ${T}_{s}$=230 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C for the potassium metal and stage-2 ${\mathrm{CoCl}}_{2}$-graphite intercalation compound, respectively, we observed a heterostructure with an interplanar spacing ${d}_{H}$=${d}_{1}$+${d}_{2}$=14.65 A\r{}, where ${d}_{1}$=9.30 A\r{} corresponds to a C-${\mathrm{CoCl}}_{2}$-C stacking, and ${d}_{2}$=5.35 A\r{} to a C-K-C stacking. This is the first observation of a donor-acceptor heterostructure. The kinetics of the transformation from stage-2 CoCl-graphite intercalation compound to stage-1 heterostructure can be understood by the movement of potassium atoms through Daumas-H\'erold domains.
The effectiveness of ice as a topical anesthetic for the insertion of intravenous catheters.

In a paired clinical trial, the effectiveness of ice in reducing the pain of intravenous catheter placement was assessed in 28 adult volunteers. An ice pack was placed over one arm for 10 minutes, followed by insertion of an 18-gauge angiocatheter in both arms. Patients recorded their pain assessment after each venipuncture on a previously validated 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and identified their preferred method for the procedure (pretreatment with ice or no pretreatment). The mean pain score for catheter placement on arms pretreated with ice was 27.5+/-15.9 mm; the mean pain score for the control arms was 34.2+/-21.6 mm (P = .17). Most patients (61%) preferred no pretreatment (P = .014). Although most men (75%) preferred no pretreatment, 75% of women preferred pretreatment with ice (P = .014). Future studies should examine whether ice is effective at reducing pain from other more painful procedures and whether the response to ice is gender-related.
Questionable Exercises--Some Safer Alternatives.

(1989). Questionable Exercises—Some Safer Alternatives. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 60, No. 8, pp. 26-32.
Das Erhabene, die Sterne und die Informatik

Diese Kolumne ist ein Beitrag zu einem Astronomie-Sonderheft. Astronomie ist so faszinierend! Ich habe eine spezielle Beziehung zu ihr, weil meine Frau im Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie in Heidelberg arbeitet. Dort kommen so viele Besucher vorbei! Besucht jemand noch Informatiker? Ich vergleiche die verschiedene Art der Begeisterung fur die beiden Facher und pladiere fur den Aufbau einer erhabenen Vision fur die Informatik der Zukunft.
Hemobilia: Calcified hepatic artery aneurysm presenting with massive gastrointestinal bleeding

A case of a calcified and ruptured hepatic artery aneurysm presenting with hemobilia and massive gastrointestinal bleeding is reported and illustrated. The clinical diagnosis should be entertained whenever the trial of findings (abdominal colic, gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated bilirubin levels) is present. Angiography is the method of choice in confirming this diagnosis. A short review of the clinical and radiographic syndrome of hemobilia with emphasis on the occurence, significance, and prognosis of hepatic artery aneurysms is presented.
Barbital N-glucoside is not detected as a urinary excretion product of barbital in humans.

Abstract A study was undertaken to determine if humans excreted barbital N -glucoside as a urinary metabolise following oral administration of barbital. A liquid chromatography method using gradient elution was developed for detecting and quantifying barbital N -glucoside and barbital in urine. Following a single oral dose of barbital to male caucasian and oriental subjects that had previously been shown to excrete amobarbital and phenobarbital N -glucosides, no barbital N -glucoside conjugate was observed in the urine. This result indicates that N -glucosylation of barbiturates is not a general pathway for the biodisposition of barbiturates in man.
An abbreviated procedure to determine the inherent resistance of maize to Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Abstract Several experiments on the influence of resistant and susceptible maize on developmental parameters of Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. suggested that the procedure to determine the Dobie index of susceptibility could be shortened by replacing progeny yield with the number of eggs laid per sample and days to mid-emergence (DME) with days to first emergence (DFE). Before experimental validation of the modified index, assumptions regarding homogeneity of variances for DFE, DME and days to last emergence (DLE), degree of association between eggs laid per sample of grain and total progeny yield and between DFE and DME, and β-estimators of host suitability were proven. When compared to the Dobie index, the modified index extended the scale for rating resistance and magnified the differences among maize types. The new index could save time and resources for breeding programs.
Two-phase filtered mass density function for LES of turbulent reacting flows

This paper describes a new computational model developed based on the filtered mass density function (FMDF) for large-eddy simulation (LES) of two-phase turbulent reacting flows. The model is implemented with a unique Lagrangian–Eulerian–Lagrangian computational methodology. In this methodology, the resolved carrier gas velocity field is obtained by solving the filtered form of the compressible Navier–Stokes equations with high-order finite difference (FD) schemes. The gas scalar (temperature and species mass fractions) field and the liquid (droplet) phase are both obtained by Lagrangian methods. The two-way interactions between the phases and all the Eulerian and Lagrangian fields are included in the new two-phase LES/FMDF methodology. The results generated by LES/FMDF are compared with direct numerical simulation (DNS) data for a spatially developing non-reacting and reacting evaporating mixing layer. Results for two more complex and practical flows (a dump combustor and a double-swirl burner) are also considered. For all flows, it is shown that the two-phase LES/FMDF results are consistent and accurate.
Sedimentary biomarker and isotopic indicators of the paleoclimatic history of the Walker Lake basin, western Nevada

Walker Lake, a terminal saline lake in western Nevada, has experienced major fluctuations in its water level due to changes in the regional climate during Quaternary times. As part of a paleo- climatological study of western Nevada, we have investigated organic matter 6 ~3C and C/N values and lipid biomarker contents of sediments deposited at various periods over the past 150 thousand years of lake history. Surficial sediments from two cross-lake transects contain mostly lake-derived organic matter. Diagenetic losses of organic matter are evident in deeper sediments, and the proportion of aquatic and terrigenous organic materials changes in response to variations in preservational factors. Source identification of organic matter is complicated by the probability that Walker Lake has experienced desiccation at various times in its history which impacts the degree of preservation of organic substances.
The Impact of Institutional Ownership on Corporate Operating Performance

This paper examines the relationship between institutional investor involvement in and the operating performance of large firms. We confirm a significant relationship between a firm’s operating cash flow returns and both the percent of institutional stock ownership and the number of institutional stockholders. However, the positive relationship between the number of institution al investors holding stock and operating cash flow returns is found only for pressure-insensitive institutional investors (those with no business relationship with the firm). The number of pressure-sensitive institutional investors (those with an existing or potential business relationship with the firm) has no impact on performance. These results suggest that institutional investors that need to protect actual or promote potential business relationships with firms in which they invest are compromised as monitors of the firm, and lend credence to calls for greater independence of board members from firms.
Management of symptomatic ascites in recurrent ovarian cancer patients using an intra-abdominal semi-permanent catheter:

Ascites is commonly present in women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. No standardized protocol exists for the treatment of the patient with recurrent ovarian cancer and rapidly reaccumulating malignant ascites. Palliation of symptoms is most commonly achieved through repeated paracentesis, a procedure that potentially results in injury to intra-abdominal organs, infection, and patient discomfort. Our goal was to improve patient comfort by alleviating symptoms and reducing the need for paracentesis. The Pleurx' catheter offers a number of potential advantages over traditional treatment modalities. Clearly, larger study numbers are required to quantify the morbidity associated with the Pleurx catheter.
Differential scanning calorimetry of semiconducting As-Se glasses containing Sb

The compositional dependence of the glass transition temperature (T g), and the temperature of the maximum rate of crystallization (T p) of As-Se glasses containing Sb has been measured using non-isothermal DSC. The variation of these characteristic temperatures is found useful in interpreting the structural changes in As-Sb-Se glasses. The role of Sb in these glasses and its effect on the crystallization characteristics is analyzed.
An ESR investigation of nitrobenzene adsorbed on zinc oxide

Abstract An ESR study of the interaction of nitrobenzene with nonstoichiometric ZnO surfaces was made. A 3-line spectrum with g values 1.9840, 2.0055 and 2.0225 was observed and was identified as due to nitrobenzene anion radicals strongly held to the surface. An unidentified signal at g = 2.0050 was left behind after heating the sample at 300 °–500 ° in a vacuum.
Coarse-grained optimization-driven design and piecewise linear modeling of synthetic genetic circuits

Abstract The aim of synthetic biology is to confer novel functions to cells by rationally interconnecting basic genetic parts into circuits. A key barrier in the design of synthetic genetic circuits is that only a qualitative description of the performance and interactions of the basic genetic parts is available in databases such as the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Modeling approaches capable of harnessing this qualitative knowledge are thus timely. Here, we introduce an optimization-based framework, which makes use of the available qualitative information about basic biological parts to automatically identify the circuit elements and structures enabling a desired response to the presence/absence of input signals. Promoters and ribosome binding sites are categorized as high, medium or low efficiency and protein expressions in the circuit are described using piecewise linear differential equations. The desired function of the circuit is also mathematically described as the maximization/minimization of a constrained objective function. We employed this framework for the design of a toggle switch, a genetic decoder and a genetic half adder unit. The identified designs are consistent with previously constructed circuit configurations and in some cases point to completely new architectures. The identified non-intuitive circuit structures highlight the importance of accounting for ribosome binding site efficiencies and relative protein abundance levels in circuit design. Our results reaffirm the usefulness of the qualitative information for the coarse-grained genetic circuit design and simulation in the absence of detailed quantitative information.
Quandaries for Neuroeducators

Ethical quandaries abound in the emerging fi eld of neuroeducation. Concepts and fi ndings from the GoodWork® Project may help neuroeducators deal ethically with these quandaries. In particular, ethical work is easier to carry out when all stakeholders concur on the means and goals of the profession. Similarly, when professionals wear only one occupational hat, ethical work is more readily achieved than when the professionals need to reconcile two confl icting hats. Such quandaries need not be tackled alone. An organization like the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society is a promising venue for discussing and perhaps resolving these quandaries. If I am permitted to begin with a neologism, I would like to introduce the term neuroeducator. A neuroeducator is a professional who is grounded both in the theories and research of neurosciences and in the practice of education. Recent analogous professionals would be cyber lawyers, nuclear engineers, and physician managers. In the near future, neuroeducators will face numerous quandaries. These quandaries will raise, in sharp form, the question of the responsibilities inherent in the role of the neuroeducator — be he or she a researcher, a clinician, or a teacher. Consider just a few possible dilemmas: 1. Scores on achievement and aptitude tests, gathered for other purposes, can be aggregated in terms of race and ethnicity. Should these data be so arrayed, should the results be made public, and if the result involves invidious comparisons in the media about the brains of these different groups, what actions should the neuroedu- cator take? 2. In the course of a routine magnetic resonance imaging scan of a student, evidence emerges, suggesting a large potential learning problem in the future. At present,
Transport and Retention of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon in North America’s Largest River Swamp Basin, the Atchafalaya River Basin

Floodplains and river corridor wetlands may be effectively managed for reducing nutrients and carbon. However, our understanding is limited to the reduction potential of these natural riverine systems. This study utilized the long-term (1978–2004) river discharge and water quality records from an upriver and a downriver location of the Atchafalaya River to quantify the inflow, outflow, and inflow–outflow mass balance of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN = organic nitrogen + ammonia nitrogen), nitrate + nitrite nitrogen (NO3 + NO2), total phosphorous (TP), and total organic carbon (TOC) through the largest river swamp basin in North America. The study found that, over the past 27 years, the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB) acted as a significant sink for TKN (annual retention: 24%), TP (41%), and TOC (12%), but a source for NO3 + NO2 nitrogen (6%). On an annual basis, ARB retained 48,500 t TKN, 16,900 t TP, and 167,100 t TOC from the river water. The retention rates were closely and positively related to the river discharge with highs during the winter and spring and lows in the late summer. The higher NO3 + NO2 mass outflow occurred throughout spring and summer, indicating an active role of biological processes on nitrogen as water and air temperatures in the basin rise.
A complete solution for two-person, single-stage, deterministic, stackelberg game

A method is presented to solve two-person, single-stage, deterministic, Stackelberg games. The approach lies on the delineation of the inducible region. If the leader is extremely powerful, he can induce the follower to do whatever he desires. However, the leader in general can only induce the follower's behavior to "certain extent" due to limited information, control, etc. In other words, there exists a region inside which the leader can induce the follower's behavior. Thus, the best the leader can do is to minimize his cost inside this region. In this paper, we delineate precisely the inducible region, and obtain a leader's optimal strategy, if it exists. In case that a Stackelberg strategy does not exist, we show that an ?-Stackelberg strategy always exists.
A nonlinear orientation model for global description of fingerprints

A nonlinear orientation model for the representation of the orientation matrix of a fingerprint image is presented. A general procedure to obtain the set of parameters describing this model is shown. Particularly, a piecewise linear orientation function is analysed. The model, compared with a previous zero-pole model, shows substantial decrease in the orientation error. The application of this model for efficient identity verification based on the ridge orientation is explored.
Evaluation of estradiol binding in human benign prostatic hyperplasia

We have systematically evaluated the effect of tris/phosphate buffers, ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA), dithiothreitol (DTT), molybdate, and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) on the binding of 17β-estradiol to human BPH cytosol. Competition binding assays demonstrated that the estrogen receptor was highly specific for 17β-estradiol. There was statistically no difference in binding observed with tris or phosphate buffers. Two classes of binding (high affinity—type I, low affinity—type II) were observed. DTT (1 mM) showed maximum inhibition of type II binding. There was no significant difference in binding observed in the presence of 1.0 mM EDTA. However, 10 mM EDTA stimulated estradiol binding in both saturation analysis and glycerol gradients. Stimulation of estradiol binding by 10 mM EDTA was observed even in the presence of 1 mM DTT. Molybdate (20 mM), a reagent used to stabilize steroid receptors, significantly inhibited estradiol binding. PMSF inhibited estradiol binding at all concentrations studied and the nature of the inhibition appeared to be uncompetitive. A Bmax (maximum number of binding sites) of 84.4 ± 68.5 fmoles/mg protein with a KD (equilibrium dissociation constant) of 2.5 ± 1.7 mM was observed for type I estrogen receptor binding. Our Bmax values are higher than those reported in other studies even after allowing for possible overestimation. In view of the potential importance of estrogen receptors in human prostate, careful reevaluation of estrogen receptors must be undertaken using proper assay conditions.
Urban Politics in the State Arena

We seek to explain how states govern big cities. Political scientists' accounts of urban politics either fail to treat the state systematically or place state hostility at the center of such an account. Accounts by historians, by contrast, offer tools political scientists can use to theorize urban politics in the state arena. We use those tools, and we find that cities can manage the legislative process. This power starts with bill introduction and carries through to the vote on the floor. This ability results from a central feature of American state politics: on bills about big cities, state legislators now and in the past find their primary voting cues in the unity of local delegations. The city delegation, then, has tremendous power to manage the state's involvement in city affairs. In many respects, ours is an account of a special kind of divided government, with two institutional arenas where urban government is carried out.
Emerging evidence of the physiological role of hypoxia in mammary development and lactation

Hypoxia is a physiological or pathological condition of a deficiency of oxygen supply in the body as a whole or within a tissue. During hypoxia, tissues undergo a series of physiological responses to defend themselves against a low oxygen supply, including increased angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, and glucose uptake. The effects of hypoxia are mainly mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which is a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of α and β subunits. HIF-1β is constantly expressed, whereas HIF-1α is degraded under normal oxygen conditions. Hypoxia stabilizes HIF-1α and the HIF complex, and HIF then translocates into the nucleus to initiate the expression of target genes. Hypoxia has been extensively studied for its role in promoting tumor progression, and emerging evidence also indicates that hypoxia may play important roles in physiological processes, including mammary development and lactation. The mammary gland exhibits an increasing metabolic rate from pregnancy to lactation to support mammary growth, lactogenesis, and lactation. This process requires increasing amounts of oxygen consumption and results in localized chronic hypoxia as confirmed by the binding of the hypoxia marker pimonidazole HCl in mouse mammary gland. We hypothesized that this hypoxic condition promotes mammary development and lactation, a hypothesis that is supported by the following several lines of evidence: i) Mice with an HIF-1α deletion selective for the mammary gland have impaired mammary differentiation and lipid secretion, resulting in lactation failure and striking changes in milk compositions; ii) We recently observed that hypoxia significantly induces HIF-1α-dependent glucose uptake and GLUT1 expression in mammary epithelial cells, which may be responsible for the dramatic increases in glucose uptake and GLUT1 expression in the mammary gland during the transition period from late pregnancy to early lactation; and iii) Hypoxia and HIF-1α increase the phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 5a (STAT5a) in mammary epithelial cells, whereas STAT5 phosphorylation plays important roles in the regulation of milk protein gene expression and mammary development. Based on these observations, hypoxia effects emerge as a new frontier for studying the regulation of mammary development and lactation.
Transcription Activation by GC-Boxes: Evaluation of Kinetic and Equilibrium Contributions

Basal and GC-box activated transcription were compared by various assays in order to learn the basis for an 8-fold difference observed under standard conditions. The time required for forming pre-initiation complexes and initiating and elongating RNA synthesis, and the extent of transcription reinitiation were found to be quite similar for basal and activated transcription, with complex formation being the slow step in both cases. The extent of activation was found to vary widely with the amount of template DNA used. Activated pre-initiation complexes were found to have a higher stability than basal complexes. The data are interpreted to indicate that GC-box elements do not stimulate the rate constants for critical steps in this system but rather increase the equilibrium constant for pre-initiation complex formation, probably by 10-30-fold.
The best treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: what do current systematic reviews tell us?

Results The search yielded six studies [1-7]. The major objectives included effectiveness of mass screening, exercises, bracing, observation and electrical stimulation. Based on the OQAQ scores, the Rowe review is extensively flawed, and its recommendations should be questioned. The Focarile and the Lenssinck reviews were the highest quality in this series, and as such, their recommendations should be considered the most valid and informative concerning treatment decisions.
Light-Sensitive Ruthenium Complex-Loaded Cross-linked Polymeric Nanoassemblies for the Treatment of Cancer

This work focuses on improving the efficacy of photoactivatable Ru complexes for photodynamic therapy by employing cross-linked nanoassemblies (CNAs) as a delivery approach. The effects of complex photoactivation, hydrophobicity, and solution ionic strength and pH on complex loading and release from CNAs were analyzed. The cell cytotoxicity of CNA formulations was similar to free Ru complexes despite reduced or eliminated DNA interactions. The release rate and the amount of each Ru complex released (%) varied inversely with complex hydrophobicity, while the effect of solution ionic strength was dependent on complex hydrophobicity. Premature release of two photoactivatable prodrugs prior to irradiation was believed to account for higher activity in cells studies compared to DNA interaction studies; however, for photostable 1O2 generator-loaded CNAs this cannot explain the high cytotoxicity and lack of DNA interactions because release was incomplete after 48 hrs. The cause remains unclear, but among other possibilities, accelerated release in a cell culture environment may be responsible.
Twinning in magnesium under dynamic loading

Twinning is an important mode of deformation in magnesium (Mg) and its alloys at high strain rates. Twinning in this material leads to important effects such as mechanical anisotropy, texture evolution, tension-compression asymmetry, and sometimes non-Schmid effects. Extension twins in Mg can accommodate significant plastic deformation as they grow, and thus twinning affects the overall rate of plastic deformation. We use an experimental approach to study the deformation twinning mechanism under dynamic loading. We perform normal plate impact recovery experiments (with microsecond pulse durations) on pure polycrystalline Mg specimens. Estimates of average TB velocity under the known impact stress are obtained by characterization of twin sizes and aspect ratios developed within the target during the loading pulse. The measured average TB velocities in our experiments are of the order of several m s −1 . These velocities are several orders of magnitude higher than those so far measured in Mg under quasi-static loading conditions. Electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) is then used to characterize the nature of the twins and the microstructural evolution. Detailed crystallographic analysis of the twins enables us to understand twin nucleation and growth of twin variants under dynamic loading.
Dopamine sensing upon amphetamine administration

Anti-psychotic drugs and its effects on various neurotransmitters have been studied tremendously in the past few years. Here, we study the effect of Amphetamine (AMPH), both an addictive and therapeutic drug on Dopamine (DA) release. We administer AMPH drug of high dosage 10mg/kg to an adult male Sprague-Dawley rat (∼350–400g) followed by electrical stimulation of DA neuron. The current corresponding to the DA concentration was sensed by a carbon fiber electrode encased in a glass. The current resulted from oxidation of DA was observed for varying stimulation lengths. Principal component regression (PCR), a multivariate two-step multivariate calibration method that involves principal component analysis (PCA) followed by regression, which was used to analyze the data. The presence of the outliers introduced 20x error in the experimentally data and PCR predicted DA concentration. Outliers were thus detected using Cook's distance algorithm and eliminated from the training set. The improved PCR prediction shows almost accurate DA concentration prediction with linearity of 0.999.