cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Integrated Prime-Field ECDLP Hardware Accelerator with High-Performance Modular Arithmetic Units

This paper reports a successful demonstration of Pollard rho algorithm on a hardware-software co-integrated platform. It targets the Elliptic curve discrete logarithmic problem (ECDLP) for a NIST-standardized curve over 112- bit prime field. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on fully functional, demonstrated hardware-accelerated ECC cryptanalytic engine. Our implementation uses a highly optimized software implementation as reference [1] and develops a hardware version of it. This paper also describes a novel, generalized architecture for polynomial-basis multiplication over prime field and its extension to a dedicated square module. The resulting modular multiplier completes the multiplication within 14 clock cycles, which is 2.5X lower latency over earlier work [2]. We demonstrate our design on a Nallatech FSB-Compute platform with Virtex-5 FPGA. The implementation efficiently utilizes the dedicated DSP48 cores available in the used FPGA device. The measured performance of the resulting design is 151 cycles per Pollard rho step at 100MHz and upto 660K iterations per second per ECC core. With a multi-core implementation of our design, the performance can be comparable with that of the software implementation on a Cell processor [1]. Though the primary target of this implementation is 112-bit prime field, its design strategy can be applied to other prime field moduli.
Effect of chronic DDC treatment on LHRH and substance P amidation processes in the rat

We examined the effects of chronic diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) treatment on the concentrations of methionine-enkephalin, mature and unamidated forms (-Gly) of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and substance P (SP) in various regions of the central nervous system (CNS). Chronic DDC treatment resulted in elevations of LHRH-Gly like immunoreactivity in the preoptic area (POA) and the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), as well as elevations in SP-Gly like immunoreactivity in all areas of the CNS examined. Castration altered the ratios of SP-G-like/SP-like immunoreactivity in the pons, and LHRH-Gly like immunoreactivity in the MBH. Met-enkephalin concentrations were significantly elevated in the pons and medulla of intact DDC-treated animals, and in the POA of both intact- and castrated DDC-treated animals. Results demonstrate that it is possible to detect basal levels of unamidated LHRH and SP in many areas of the CNS, with ratios of unamidated/amidated peptides representing a unique and sensitive method for determining altered posttranslational processing of these transmitters, especially under altered endocrine states such as castration. Pharmacological blockade of terminal enzymatic processing of these peptides may be useful in studying upstream regulatory events in peptidergic neurons.
Charge selectivity of the designed uncharged peptide ion channel Ac-(LSSLLSL)3-CONH2

Charge selectivity in ion channel proteins is not fully understood. We have studied charge selectivity in a simple model system without charged groups, in which an amphiphilic helical peptide, Ac-(Leu-Ser-Ser-Leu-Leu-Ser-Leu)3-CONH2, forms ion channels across an uncharged phospholipid membrane. We find these channels to conduct both K+ and Cl-, with a permeability ratio (based on reversal potentials) that depends on the direction of the KCl concentration gradient across the membrane. The channel shows high selectivity for K+ when [KCl] is lowered on the side of the membrane that is held at a positive potential (the putative C-terminal side), but only modest K+ selectivity when [KCl] is lowered on the opposite side (the putative N-terminal side). Neither a simple Nernst-Planck electrodiffusion model including screening of the helix dipole potential, nor a multi-ion, state transition model allowing simultaneous cation and anion occupancy of the channel can satisfactorily fit the current-voltage curves over the full range of experimental conditions. However, the C-side/N-side dilution asymmetry in reversal potentials can be simulated with either type of model.
Niacin and lipoprotein(a): facts, uncertainties, and clinical considerations

Over the years, niacin has gained recognition as an atheroprotective agent, in part because of its capacity to lower the plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and very-low- and low-density lipoproteins and to substantially raise high-density lipoprotein. In high doses, niacin has also been reported to lower the plasma level of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]). However, the published research on the subject suffers from a lack of uniformity regarding patient selection, drug dose, length of administration, and methods for plasma Lp(a) quantification. In this report, the authors examine the most relevant niacin-related Lp(a) studies and hypothetical mechanisms of drug action, also considering the emerging notion of Lp(a) as a potential proinflammatory entity.
Sacrifice No More

This article argues against understanding Christ’s death as sacrifice. Using the work of Jay, Stowers, and others, it describes the work of sacrifice in establishing a male-dominated hierarchical social order and the marginalization of women. It then considers the uses of sacrifice in the Second Testament and the warning passages in Hebrews reflecting the logic of sacrifice. It concludes with a few observations on sacrifice today.
Should general surgery residents be taught laparoscopic pyloromyotomies? An ethical perspective.

Objectives The authors examine the ethical implications of teaching general surgery residents laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Design/Participants Using the authors' previously presented ethical framework, and examining survey data of pediatric surgeons in the United States and Canada, a rigorous ethical argument is constructed to examine the question: should general surgery residents be taught laparoscopic pyloromyotomies? Results A survey was constructed that contained 24 multiple-choice questions. The survey included questions pertaining to surgeon demographics, if pyloromyotomy was taught to general surgery and pediatric surgery residents, and management of complications encountered during pyloromyotomy. A total of 889 members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association and Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons were asked to participate. The response rate was 45% (401/889). The data were analyzed within the ethical model to address the question of whether general surgery residents should be taught laparoscopic pyloromyotomies. Conclusions From an ethical perspective, appealing to the ethical model of a physician as a fiduciary, the answer is no. Definitions We previously proposed an ethical model based on 2 fundamental ethical principles: the ethical concept of the physician as a fiduciary and the contractarian model of ethics. •The fiduciary physician practices medicine competently with the patient's best interests in mind. The role of a fiduciary professional imposes ethical standards on all physicians, at the core of which is the virtue of integrity, which requires the physician to practice medicine to standards of intellectual and moral excellence. The American College of Surgeons recognizes the need for current and future surgeons to understand professionalism, which is one of the 6 core competencies specified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. •Contracts are models of negotiation and ethically permissible compromise. Negotiated assent or consent is the core concept of contractarian bioethics. •Nonnegotiable goods are goals for residency training that should never be sacrificed or negotiated away. Fiduciary responsibility to the patient, regardless of level of training, should never be compromised, because doing so violates the professional virtue of integrity. The education of the resident is paramount to afford him or her the opportunity to provide competent care without supervision to future patients. Such professional competence is the intellectual and clinical foundation of fiduciary responsibility, making achievement of educational goals during residency training another nonnegotiable good.
Compaction and microstructure of spherical alloy dental amalgam related to transverse strength

Abstract Manual, pneumatic, electromagnetic, belt-driven, and ultrasonic compaction methods were compared on the basis of transverse strength and microstructure of 100 specimens of spherical alloy dental amalgam. Specimens were tested 1 hour and 24 hours after compaction. Belt-driven compaction was significantly better than the other 4 methods at 1 hour with a mean transverse strength of 5,240 p.s.i. No significant difference was found among the higher strengths of the 24 hour specimens. Microscopic examination revealed typical fracture patterns and porosity characteristics.
Life Stress and Atherosclerosis: A Pathway through Unhealthy Lifestyle

Objective:To examine the relationship between a general measure of chronic life stress and atherosclerosis among middle aged adults without clinical cardiovascular disease via pathways through unhealthy lifestyle characteristics.Methods:We conducted an analysis of The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The MESA collected in 2000 includes 5,773 participants, aged 45–84. We computed standard regression techniques to examine the relationship between life stress and atherosclerosis as well as path analysis with hypothesized paths from stress to atherosclerosis through unhealthy lifestyle. Our outcome was sub-clinical atherosclerosis measured as presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC).Results:A logistic regression adjusted for potential confounding variables along with the unhealthy lifestyle characteristics of smoking, excessive alcohol use, high caloric intake, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity yielded no significant relationship between chronic life stress (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.80–1.08) and C...
Aerodynamic and Aeroelastic Insights Using Eigenanalysis

This paper presents novel analytical results for eigenvalues and eigevectors produced using discrete time aerodynamic and aeroelastic models. An unsteady, incompressible vortex lattice aerodynamic model is formulated in discrete time, the importance of several modeling parameters is examined. A detailed study is made of the behavior of the aerodynamic eigenvalues both in discrete and continuous time. The aerodynamic model is then incorporated into aeroelastic equations of motion. Eigenanalyses of the coupled equations produce stabililty results and modal characteristics which are valid for critical and non-critical velocities. Insight into the modeling and physics associated with aeroelastic system behavior is gained by examining both the eigenvalues and the eigenvectors. Potential pitfalls in discrete time model construction and analysis are examined.
Vascularity, angiogenesis and angiogenic factors in leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Bone marrow microenvironment plays a crucial role in the leukemogenic process. New studies suggest that the bone marrow vascularity changes significantly in the leukemic process and that angiogenic factors play a major role in leukemia and myelodysplasia. However, hematologic malignancies appear to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of angiogenic factors because most of these factors appear to be secreted by hematopoietic cells, and they may have autocrine and paracrine regulatory effects on the hematopoietic system. The use of angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of hematologic malignancies is particularly attractive because it may target not only the environment but also the malignant cells.
Differential activation of JAK enzymes in rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders by pro-inflammatory cytokines: potential drug targets

Although several pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-7, IL-12/IL-23, IL-17, IL-2, interferon, and the anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4/IL-13, IL-10, and IL-22, all activate the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/ STAT) pathway, in autoimmune disorders, a skewing of the cytokine repertoire in favor of pro-inflammatory cytokines results in amplifying the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. An apparent deficiency of anti-inflammatory cytokines to counterbalance the 'ramping up' of pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated activation of JAK/STAT is also significant, while endog- enous negative regulators of cytokine signaling and JAK/STAT activation may also be com- promised. In addition, JAK/STAT pathway activation can result in activation of stress-activated protein/mitogen-activated protein kinase (SAP/MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/ Akt/ mammalian target of rapamycin pathways that are instrumental in promoting matrix metal- loproteinase gene expression, aberrant cell survival, and osteoclast differentiation. The critical role played by pro-inflammatory cytokines in differentially activating JAK/STAT and parallel signal transduction pathways resulted in the development of several cytokine/cytokine receptor neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins that are currently employed for treating rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis. Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) that target specific JAK enzymes have led to the development of CP690550, a JAK3-specific SMI, which
Norepinephrine turnover before and after interventions: A mathematical approach for these determinations in individual animals

Abstract Norepinephrine turnover refers to the mathematical model that describes the production of norepinephrine in neural tissue. This is estimated using different methods based on the conversion of radio-labeled precursor (tyrosine or dopamine) to labeled norepinephrine, the decline in specific activity of labeled norepinephrine over time, and the decline in tissue norepinephrine concentration after inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase. These methods apply to a single determination in individual animals or groups of animals. This report describes a new approach for determining norepinephrine turnover and involves the separate infusion of 3H-tyrosine and 14C-tyrosine during control and test periods, respectively. Using the mathematical formulations reported herein and the specific activity of 3H-NE and 14C-NE in tissues obtained at sacrifice, independent rates of neurotransmitter turnover are calculated during two levels of sympathetic activity in an individual animal. The experimental data validate this new approach. Applications of this methodology are foreseen in the investigation of presynaptic regulation of norepinephrine turnover in normal and pathological states and in the investigation of turnover of other neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
Low energy electron transport with EGS

Abstract The use of EGS, a general purpose Monte Carlo electron-photon transport system, has been investigated for low Z materials with incident electron energies as low as 50 keV while tracking electrons down to energies as low as 1 keV. It was found that: (1) the default electron step-size algorithm had to be modified, (2) care had to be taken to avoid turning off multiple scattering by using too short step-sizes; and (3) suitable cutoff energies for secondary electron production had to be used. Under these circumstances, it was found that for electron detector response functions and for electron transmission and reflection coefficients for slabs of material, EGS produces results which are in reasonable agreement with the calculated results of ETRAN and with experimental data. In the low Z cases investigated, no differences attributable to the different multiple scattering formalisms used in the two codes could be found although, as expected. EGS does predict too much bremsstrahlung production for electrons below 2 MeV kinetic energy because it ignores the Elwert correction factor. The straggling in the energy-loss distribution predicted by ETRAN using the Landau formalism was found to be in good agreement with the energy distribution calculated by EGS which includes energy-loss straggling by explicitly taking into account energy loss from random discrete events. A minor logic error was found in EGS when production of low energy secondary electrons was considered (less than 80 keV for water), although the observable effects were found to be small. Coding for a short routine to provide electron step-sizes of equal energy loss is presented.
Effect of oral alanine on blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, and growth hormone in normal and diabetic subjects

Abstract Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and plasma free fatty acids, glucose, insulin, and growth hormone responses were measured following oral 1-alanine in doses of 0.5 or 0.1 g/kg. In normal and untreated adult diabetic subjects beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased 59%–84% (high dose) and 34%–47% (low dose). This reduction occurred in two phases, the first corresponding to a rise in plasma insulin (high and low dose) and the second corresponding to a fall in free fatty acids (with high dose only). In long-term insulin-treated diabetics made ketotic by withdrawal of insulin, the first phase was still clearly demonstrable, suggesting that alanine is capable of inhibiting ketosis by some extrainsulin mechanism. In these subjects, alanine produced a rise in free fatty acids as beta-hydroxybutyrate fell. Plasma glucose remained stable in normal and untreated diabetics, but rose significantly in insulin-dependent diabetics. Alanine also produced a delayed release of growth hormone starting at 90 min in normals and insulin-dependent diabetics. This release appeared to correlate with and was likely due to a preceding fall in free fatty acids.
Photoinduced Formation of Shape-Selective Pt Nanoparticles

A new synthetic route has been utilized for the formation of multiple-shaped Pt nanoparticles (NPs) under UV-photoirradiation. The one-step process exclusively generates different shapes, such as spheres, cubes, short and long wires, and flakelike nanostructures. The reduction of Pt(IV) ions was done using alkaline 2,7-DHN in CTAB micellar media under 3 h UV-photoirradiation. The synthesized Pt NPs are stable for more than 4 months in ambient conditions. By changing the surfactant-to-metal ion molar ratios and the concentration of reducing agent, the particle size and shape can be tuned. The mechanisms of the particles formation with variable shapes and the effects of different reaction parameters are studied in detail. The present approach can be extended to a fast synthetic method for the formation of other metallic and semiconductor particles with variable shapes. The evolved Pt NPs will find promising applications in different types of organic and inorganic catalysis reactions, medicinal applications, and nanoelectronics.
Isolation and Characterization of Two Methionine: tRNA Ligases from Wheat Germ

Two methionine: tRNA ligases (here called ligase A and ligase B) with distinctly different enzymatic and molecular properties were isolated in homogeneous form from extracts of raw wheat germ. Both the A and B enzyme are composed of single polypeptide chains of Mr 105 000 and 70 000 respectively. The smaller molecule (B) has been shown not to be a proteolytic fragment of the larger one (A). The catalytic properties of both the A and B enzymes have been established and the Mg2+ -dependent capacity to charge six purified methionine-accepting tRNAs have been compared to those of the methionine: tRNA ligases from Escherichia coli and bakers' yeast. The possible reasons for the presence of two methionine: tRNA ligases and their unusual monomeric nature are discussed.
A method for the intracranial delivery of reagents to voltammetric recording sites.

Abstract Carbon fiber microelectrodes are widely used for electrochemical monitoring in the intact brain. The local delivery of reagents to the recording site is often desirable. The approach of co-implanting a micropipette near the microelectrode presents some limitations that are overcome by the use of double-barreled devices. One barrel supports the carbon fiber and the other barrel serves as a pipet for local reagent delivery. Some studies have used iontophoretic delivery but here we consider the alternative approach of pressure ejection. However, placing the pipet so close to the electrode raises the risk that reagent can leak into the recording site. This problem is easily solved. We filled the tip of the pipet with vehicle solution, the barrel with a reagent solution, and separated the two solutions with an air gap to prevent their mixing. With this approach, reagent is delivered only after ‘priming’ pressure pulses: we show in two examples that unintended reagent delivery (leakage) prior to the priming pulses is non-detectable.
RTG Genes in Yeast That Function in Communication between Mitochondria and the Nucleus Are Also Required for Expression of Genes Encoding Peroxisomal Proteins

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells with dysfunctional mitochondria, such as in petites, the CIT2 gene encoding the peroxisomal glyoxylate cycle enzyme, citrate synthase 2 (CS2), is transcriptionally activated by as much as 30-fold, a phenomenon we call retrograde regulation. Two genes, RTG1 and RTG2, are required for both basal and elevated expression of CIT2 (Liao, X., and Butow, R. A. (1993) Cell 72, 61-71). Different blocks in the tricarboxylic acid cycle also elicit an increase in CIT2 expression, but not to the extent observed in petites. We have examined whether other genes of the glyoxylate cycle exhibit retrograde regulation and the role of RTG1 and RTG2 in their expression. Of the glyoxylate cycle genes tested, CIT2 is the only one that shows retrograde regulation, suggesting that CS2 may be an important control point for metabolic cross-feeding from the glyoxylate cycle to mitochondria. Surprisingly, RTG1 and RTG2 are required for efficient growth of cells on medium containing oleic acid, a condition which induces peroxisome biogenesis; these genes are also required together for oleic acid induction of three peroxisomal protein genes tested, POX1 and CTA1 involved beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids and PMP27, which encodes the most abundant protein of peroxisomal membranes. These data indicate that, in addition to their role in retrograde regulation of CIT2, the RTG genes are important for expression of genes encoding peroxisomal proteins and are thus key components in a novel, three-way path of communication between mitochondria, the nucleus, and peroxisomes.
Analysis of compounds of environmental concern: II. Diphenyl ethers

Nineteen halogenated and/or nitrated diphenyl ethers (currently listed in EPA Method 8111) have been separated on a DB-5/ DB-1701 column pair connected to an inlet splitter and separate electron capture detectors. Retention times are included for 10 additional compounds evaluated for their suitability as internal standards or surrogate compounds for incorporation into Method 8111. Method reproducibility and linearity are discussed, and results are presented for extracts of two real samples spiked with the 19 diphenyl ethers and analyzed using the dual-column dual-detector arrangement.
Dioxygen electrocatalysis: mechanisms in relation to catalyst structure

O/sub 2/ electrocatalysis is a particularly appropriate topic for the Berzelius lecture, in view of Berzelius' interest in both catalysis and the element oxygen. Despite extensive studies over the past century, the mechanistic aspects of the O/sub 2/ electrode reactions are not well understood; these reactions are very irreversible in aqueous electrolytes, even at temperatures of 200/sup 0/C with the best of catalysts, such as highly dispersed platinum. O/sub 2/ electrocatalysis is of critical importance to a number of applied aspects of electrochemistry, including: O/sub 2/ reduction (cathodes), anodic generation of O/sub 2/ (anodes).
Turbulent structure of isothermal and nonisothermal liquid metal pipe flow

Abstract The structure of fully-developed mercury pipe flow, with and without heat transfer, was studied at a Reynolds number of 50000 using a hot-film anemometer. Traverses were made in a 1–434 in. dia, vertical, heated test section at a constant wall heat flux of 3820 Btu/hft 2 . Axial turbulent velocity fluctuation measurements in isothermal pipe flow were made with both x-sensor und single-sensor hot-film probes. The radial turbulent velocity fluctuation intensity and the turbulent shear stress were also measured with an x-sensor probe. General agreement of the velocity results with corresponding measurements made in air indicates that the mercury flow turbulent velocity structure is similar to other fluids. The production and dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy were calculated from both single sensor and x-sensor data and were found to agree closely with the air data of Laufer. Turbulent temperature fluctuations, measured by using the hot-film anemometer as a resistance thermometer, were found to agree with the results of other measuring techniques. The turbulent axial heat flux, ρc p uθ , and the turbulent radial heat flux, ρ c p u r θ , were also measured with both single and x-sensor hot-film probes using a modified Kovasznay method to separate temperature and velocity sensitivities. The combination of relatively poor velocity sensitivity combined with the large temperature sensitivity and superimposed axial free convection resulted in uncertain values of u x θ . The measured values of u r θ were unusually large in the wall region but indicated that convective and conductive transport were nearly equal in the turbulent core region.
Relationship of CNS tryptaminergic processes and the action of LSD-like hallucinogens.

Abstract Tryptamine produces pharmacologic effects in man and the chronic spinal dog which are similar to those produced by LSD, mescaline, psilocin, DMT, DOM,and DOB. These effects include tachycardia, tachypnea, mydriasis, hyperreflexia, behavioral changes and in man, hallucinations. Chronic spinal dogs treated chronically with LSD became tolerant to its ability to produce mydriasis, tachycardia, tachypnea and hyperreflexia, and were cross tolerant to the ability of tryptamine, psilocin, mescaline, DMT, DOM and DOB to produce these same effects. Further, it was found that the brain and spinal cord contained tryptamine and could release it. Further tryptamine levels were higher in the brainstem and spinal cord above the level of transection in the chronic spinal dog than in intact dogs, and the same in the spinal cord below the level of transection. These observations suggested that there were both ascending and descending tryptaminergic pathways. Supporting this hypothesis were the observations that L-tryptophan also produced hyperreflexia in the scute, but not the chronic, spinal dog and cat, and that L-tryptophan hypereflexia was antagonized by α-methyldopa but not pCPA. These observations and others argue that the spinal cord and brain have tryptaminergic mechanisms which are distinct from serotoninergic mechanisms, and that LSD-like hallucinogens act in part through a tryttaminergic mechanism.
Ultrastructural variation in granular dystrophy of the cornea.

Corneal deposits of granular dystrophy were studies in six corneas from five patients. Two additional corneas from two patients with lattice dystrophy were used for comparison. The diagnoses were confirmed by light and electron microscopy. Three types of ultrastructural features were distinguished in the electron-dense rod-shaped deposits of granular dystrophy, i.e., Type 1 with homogenous structure, Type 2 with fibrillar constituents, and Type 3 with a moth-eaten or sponge-like appearance. In polarization microscopy of Congo-red stained sections, the Type 2 tended to show an increased birefringence without green dichroism, while the other types were less birefringent than the stroma. Three different components were found immediately around the deposits, i.e., 1. normal collagen fibrils, 2. finely filamentous substance, and 3. areas of thin fibrils (70-100 A in diameter). While the second component appeared non-specific, the third component was found only in two corneas, superimposed on the lesions of granular dystrophy, and showed light and electron microscopic characteristics of the lesions of amyloid as well as of lattice dystrophy.
Shadow Detection by Combined Photometric Invariants for Improved Foreground Segmentation

Detection and tracking of moving objects are the essential steps of many video understanding applications such as traffic monitoring, video surveillance and visual event recognition. Moving object detection process segments the scene into foreground (moving) and background regions. Moving cast shadows cause serious problems in this process because they can easily be misclassified as foreground. This misclassification may lead to drastic changes in the shapes of objects or merging of multiple objects. In this paper, we present a method to detect moving cast shadows to improve the performance of moving object detection. The foreground regions are processed in terms of intensity, chromaticity, and reflectance ratio. To further refine the results, compactness constraint is enforced on the foreground and shadow masks. The algorithm exploits spatial and spectral information; no a priori knowledge about camera, illumination or object/scene characteristics are required. Obtained results show better performance compared to other work in recent literature
The effect of processing parameters on the environmental stability of YBaCuO superconductor

The effect of processing parameters on the environmental stability of YBaCuO superconductor was studied by exposing the pellets to a constant level of relative humidity for periods up to 2000 h. Various annealing treatments and compaction pressures, including hot pressing, were utilized to fabricate the pellets. T c measurements, Auger electron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron and optical microscopy were employed to characterize the degradation. Samples coated with a polyimide material were also included in the study to determine its utility as a moisture barrier. Results indicated that a slow anneal (41 h) in flowing oxygen produces samples that are far more stable compared to the ones annealed rapidly (9 h) in air. The pellet compaction pressure does not appear to significantly affect the degradation characteristics of the material. The hot-pressed samples showed considerable degradation within 800 h of exposure. The polyimide was found to be ineffective in inhibiting the attack of the humid environment.
Parameter Estimation Techniques for Transport Equations with Application to Population Dispersal and Tissue Bulk Flow Models.

We develop techniques for estimating the coefficients, boundary data, and initial data associated with transport equations (or more generally, parabolic distributed models). Our estimation schemes are based on cubic spline approximations, for which convergence results are given. We discuss the performance of these techniques in two investigations of biological interest: (1) transport of labeled sucrose in brain tissue white matter, (2) insect dispersal that cannot be modeled by a random diffusion mechanism alone.
Supersonic STOVL aircraft with turbine bypass/turbo-compressor engines

Three propulsion systems for a Mach 2 STOVL fighter were compared. The three propulsion systems are: (1) turbine bypass engine with a turbocompressor used for STOVL only; (2) turbine bypass engine with a turbocompressor for both STOVL and thrust during forward flight; and (3) mixed flow afterburning turbofan with a remote burner lift system. In the first system, the main engines have afterburners and the turbocompressors use after burning during STOVL. In the second system, the turbine bypass engines are dry and the turbocompressors have afterburners. The mission used in the study is a deck launched intercept mission. It is indicated that large improvements in combat time are possible when the turbocompressors are used for both left and thrust for forward flight.
Regeneration of axons in tributary nerves

Abstract The present study tests 2 hypotheses: (1) that the numbers of axons that regenerate into a tributary nerve are in part dependent on the type of lesion used to transect the axons in the parent nerve; and (2) that the numbers of axons that regenerate will be different in different tributary nerves. Axons were counted in the sural nerve and the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle 8 weeks following crush, simple transection, transection with removal of 4 mm and transection with removal of 8 mm of the sciatic nerve in the rat. The counts of myelinated and unmyelinated axons are presented in the text. If axon numbers in the 2 nerves are normalized, the proportion of regenerated to normal myelinated axon numbers are approximately the same in the 2 nerves, with more regenerated axons than normal following crush, simple transection, or 4 mm gap transection and fewer following 8 mm gap transection. The unmyelinated axons behave differently. In the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle, the numbers of unmyelinated axons are greater than or equal to the normal numbers following our various surgical paradigms whereas in the sural nerve there are always fewer unmylinated axons than normal. These findings indicate that the above hypotheses are correct for the nerves tested in the rat.
Pulmonary immune response in health and disease

The technique of bronchoalveolar lavage has permitted the study of immune response in the human lung. In this short review a brief description of cellular and humoral components of pulmonary immune system is presented. Pulmonary immune responses in certain disorders are discussed.
High-gain high-sensitivity resonant Ge/Si APD photodetectors

Abstract: In this paper we present a separate-absorption-charge-multiplication Ge/Si avalanche photodiode, which has a high gain-bandwidth product (e.g., >860GHz at a wavelength of 1310nm). Such a high gain-bandwidth product is attributed to the peak enhancement of the frequency response at the high frequency range. From a small signal analysis, we establish an equivalent circuit model which includes a capacitance parallel connected with an inductance due to the avalanche process. When the APD operates at high bias voltages, the LC circuit provides a resonance in the avalanche, which introduces a peak enhancement.
Marine diatoms grown in chemostats under silicate or ammonium limitation. II. Transient response of Skeletonema costatum to a single addition of the limiting nutrient

Skeletonema costatum was grown at different steady-state growth rates in ammonium or silicate-limited chemostats. The culture was perturbed from its steady-state condition by a single addition of the limiting nutrients ammonium or silicate. The transient response was followed by measuring nutrient disappearance of the liliting perturbation experiment indicate that three distinct modes of uptake of the limiting nutrient can be distinguished; surge uptake (V s ), internally controlled uptake (V i ), and externally controlled uptake (V e ). An interpretation of these three modes of uptake is given and their relation to control of uptake of the limiting nutrient is discussed. The uptake rates of the non-limiting nutrients were shown to be depressed during the surge of the uptake of the limiting nutrient. Kinetic uptake parameters, K s and V max, were obtained from data acquired during the externally controlled uptake segment, V e . The same V max value of 0. 12 h-1, was obtained under either silicate or ammonium limitation. Estimates of K s were 0.4 μg-at NH4-N l-1 and 0.7 μg-at Si l-1. Short-term 15N uptake-rate measurements conducted on nitrogen-limited cultures appear to be a combination of V s or V i , or at lower substrate concentrations V s and V e . It is difficult to separate these different uptake modes in batch or tracer experiments, and ensuing problems in interpretation are discussed.
A Mathematical Model for the Branched Chain Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways of Escherichia coli K12

Abstract As a first step toward the elucidation of the systems biology of the model organism Escherichia coli, it was our goal to mathematically model a metabolic system of intermediate complexity, namely the well studied end product-regulated pathways for the biosynthesis of the branched chain amino acids l-isoleucine, l-valine, and l-leucine. This has been accomplished with the use of kMech (Yang, C.-R., Shapiro, B. E., Mjolsness, E. D., and Hatfield, G. W. (2005) Bioinformatics 21, in press), a Cellerator (Shapiro, B. E., Levchenko, A., Meyerowitz, E. M., Wold, B. J., and Mjolsness, E. D. (2003) Bioinformatics 19, 677–678) language extension that describes a suite of enzyme reaction mechanisms. Each enzyme mechanism is parsed by kMech into a set of fundamental association-dissociation reactions that are translated by Cellerator into ordinary differential equations. These ordinary differential equations are numerically solved by Mathematica™. Any metabolic pathway can be simulated by stringing together appropriate kMech models and providing the physical and kinetic parameters for each enzyme in the pathway. Writing differential equations is not required. The mathematical model of branched chain amino acid biosynthesis in E. coli K12 presented here incorporates all of the forward and reverse enzyme reactions and regulatory circuits of the branched chain amino acid biosynthetic pathways, including single and multiple substrate (Ping Pong and Bi Bi) enzyme kinetic reactions, feedback inhibition (allosteric, competitive, and non-competitive) mechanisms, the channeling of metabolic flow through isozymes, the channeling of metabolic flow via transamination reactions, and active transport mechanisms. This model simulates the results of experimental measurements.
On the filtering of noise-contaminated signals observed via hard limiters

The problem of signal estimation from a measurement of its noise crossings is considered, following a nonlinear filtering approach that is different from the classical Davenport method. By focusing on a specific noise model and applying recent results on the excursions of a Brownian motion, an exact representation of the optimal filter is derived. Various extensions of the results are considered. >
Controlled Fabrication of Self-Assembled Arrays of Silver Nanoparticles

A simple one pot, highly efficient method to produce self-assembled arrays of functional silver nanoparticles is presented. In this strategy, a combination of tris[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] isocyanurate (TTPI) and trioctylamine (TOA) play the dual role of reducing and stabilizing agents. In situ self-polymerization of TTPI, after attachment with self-assembled nanoparticles provides unique silicon nucleated soluble nanocomposites.
Misperceptions of Peer Pill-Popping: The Prevalence, Correlates, and Effects of Inaccurate Assumptions About Peer Pharmaceutical Misuse

Peer behaviors may significantly influence personal behavior yet individuals may not accurately estimate their peers’ actions. Overestimations of peer substance use may encourage initiation or exacerbate extant problems. The present study examines misperceptions of peer pharmaceutical misuse and explores the relationship between reported misuse and perceptions of misuse for four categories of prescription drugs. Data collected from 2,349 college students in the Southeastern United States were analyzed and results indicated that overall perceptions of misuse were significantly higher than actual misuse. These findings suggest that intervention efforts may benefit from addressing misperceptions of pharmaceutical misuse. Study limitations and implications are addressed.
Copper reverses silver inhibition of flower senescence in Petunia hybrida

Abstract The action of metal ions on detached flowers of Petunia hybrida was investigated to determine how they affected ethylene-promoted senescence. Salts of various metals were applied singly or in combination by 5 s immersion of excised flowers which were then incubated in 1μl l−1 ethylene for 24 h. Of the metals tested, only Ag+ prevented ethylene-induced senescence. Cu2+ and Cd2+ completely, and Hg2+ and Fe2+ partially reversed the effect of Ag+. K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Co2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ were ineffective. Cu2+ promoted senescence even when applied after Ag+ and a 24-h ethylene treatment. Cu2+ promoted ethylene synthesis, so that senescence was not affected by ethylene treatment unless flowers had been pre-treated with aminoethoxyvinyl-glycine. Ag+ inhibited the promotion of respiration and ethylene production by ethylene treatment of corolla tissue. Cu2+ treatment restored these ethylene effects in Ag+-treated tissue. The action of Cu2+ suggests that ethylene signal perception occurred in Ag+-treated corolla tissue.
The Search for Trust: Technology, Religion, and Society’s Dis-Ease

Modern technology, and information technology in particular, has changed the nature of human interaction, which has created a certain “disease” as more and more transactions move from the familiarity of traditional community to the abstractness of modern society. This article explores two studies of trust that emerged in the past decade as a result of this “disease.” The first, rational choice, redefines trust as a risk management tool. The second, social capital, reexamines the traditional concept in light of the present situation. Our study compares both definitions with traditional Judeo-Christian conceptions of trust and measures them against the demands of the new world introduced by the Internet. We find that both definitions are lacking, offering little reason to speak of trust outside of direct human interaction. The studies reveal severe limitations when attempting to mediate trust by technology.
Simulating human occupancy in an experimental laboratory settings

Energy conservation within a residential home is a primary focus for both home owners and power utilities throughout the country. Developing a methodology to model, detect, and measure human occupancy would allow for manipulation of electrical components within the home to conserve energy when no activity is present. An accurate ways to measure human occupancy is through detecting the latent and sensible heat that is generated by activities within the home. Industry and research facilities require the development of technology that appropriately models and detects human activity within a home.
Transmission electron microscopy of chalcogenide thin-film photovoltaic materials

Abstract Thin-film photovoltaic modules hold great promise to produce sustainable, low-cost, and clean electricity from sunlight, because thin-film solar cells can potentially be fabricated by economical, high-volume manufacturing techniques. However, to achieve high sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency, thin-film solar cells require sophisticated control on interface formation and materials qualities. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides unique methods to access this information at the nanometer scale. In this paper, we provide a brief review on TEM studies of the interfaces, microstructure, and lattice defects in chalcogenide thin-film photovoltaic materials. We analyze the potential effects of the observed interface formation and materials quality that could affect the performance of solar cells.
Mesoscale model simulation of the meteorological conditions during the 2 June 2002 Double Trouble State Park wildfire

On the morning of 2 June 2002, an abandoned campfire grew into a wildfire in the Double Trouble State Park in east-central New Jersey, USA. The wildfire burned 526 ha (1300 acres) and forced the closure of the Garden State Parkway for several hours due to dense smoke. In addition to the presence of dead and dry fuels due to a late spring frost prior to the wildfire, the meteorological conditions at the time of the wildfire were conducive to erratic fire behaviour and rapid fire growth. Observations indicate the occurrence of a substantial drop in relative humidity at the surface accompanied by an increase in wind speed in the vicinity of the wildfire during the late morning and early afternoon of 2 June. The surface drying and increase in wind speed are hypothesised to result from the downward transport of dry, high-momentum air from the middle troposphere occurring in conjunction with a deepening mixed layer. This hypothesis is addressed using a high-resolution mesoscale model simulation to document the structure and evolution of the planetary boundary layer and lower-tropospheric features associated with the arrival of dry, high-momentum air at the surface coincident with the sudden and dramatic growth of the wildfire.
Efficient Temporal Shaping of Ultrashort Pulses with Birefringent Crystals

A new and simple technique for temporal shaping of femtosecond and picosecond pulses with high efficiency is demonstrated. The pulse is divided into numerous pulses by a designed birefringent-crystal set. These divided pulses produce various shapes.
Phenotypic characterization of OmpX, an Ail homologue of Yersinia pestis KIM.

The goal of this study was to characterize the Yersinia pestis KIM OmpX protein. Yersinia spp. provide a model for studying several virulence processes including attachment to, and internalization by, host cells. For Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Ail, YadA and Inv, have been implicated in these processes. In Y. pestis, YadA and Inv are inactivated. Genomic analysis of two Y. pestis strains revealed four loci with sequence homology to Ail. One of these genes, designated y1324 in the Y. pestis KIM database, encodes a protein designated OmpX. The mature protein has a predicted molecular mass of 17.47 kDa, shares approximately 70 % sequence identity with Y. enterocolitica Ail, and has an identical homologue, designated Ail, in the Y. pestis CO92 database. The present study compared the Y. pestis KIM6+ parental strain with a mutant derivative having an engineered disruption of the OmpX structural gene. The parental strain (and a merodiploid control strain) expressed OmpX at 28 and 37 °C, and the protein was detectable throughout all phases of growth. OmpX was required for efficient adherence to, and internalization by, cultured HEp-2 cell monolayers and conferred resistance to the bactericidal effect of human serum. Deletion of ompX resulted in a significantly reduced autoaggregation phenotype and loss of pellicle formation in vitro. These results suggest that Y. pestis OmpX shares functional homology with Y. enterocolitica Ail in adherence, internalization into epithelial cells and serum resistance.
What are those cilia doing in the neural tube

Primary cilia are present on almost all vertebrate cells, and they have diverse functions in distinct tissues. Cilia are important for sensation in multiple capacities in contexts as different as the retina, kidney, and inner ear. In addition to these roles, cilia play a critical part in various developmental processes. Of particular importance is the development of the neural tube, where cilia are essential for the transduction of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway that specifies neuronal cell fates. This relationship is well established and is the most recognizable function for cilia in the neural tube, but it may be part of a larger picture. Here, we discuss the links between cilia and Shh signaling, as well as suggesting additional roles for cilia, and mechanisms for their placement, in the neural tube.