cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of the met receptor in mesothelioma.

Background: Expression of the Met receptor and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), has been observed in 74% to 100% and 40% to 85% of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) specimens, respectively. HGF stimulation has been shown to enhance MPM cell proliferation, migration, cell scattering, and invasiveness. Experimental Design: To investigate a potential therapeutic role for the Met receptor in MPM, we examined the effects of PHA-665752, a specific small-molecule inhibitor of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase, in a panel of 10 MPM cell lines. Results: Two of the cell lines, H2461 and JMN-1B, exhibited autocrine HGF production as measured by ELISA (3.9 and 10.5 ng/mL, respectively, versus 50 of 1 and 2 μmol/L, respectively. No activating mutations in Met were detected in any of the cell lines. Consistent with observed growth inhibition, PHA-665752 caused cell cycle arrest at G 1 -S boundary accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease in phosphorylation of Met, p70S6K, Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Growth of H2461 cells was also inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to HGF and by RNA interference knockdown of the Met receptor, confirming that growth inhibition observed was through a Met-dependent mechanism. PHA-665752 also reduced MPM in vitro cell migration and invasion. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that inhibition of the Met receptor may be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with MPM and provides a mechanism, the presence of a HGF/Met autocrine loop, by which to select patients for PHA-665752 treatment.
Computing the six degrees of freedom of light emitting diodes in a monocular image

A portable three-dimensional vision coordinate measuring system capable of determining the six degrees of freedom (6DoF) is proposed in this paper. This cost-efficient test equipment is intended for use in manufacturing and assembly processes, such as the alignment process of aircraft stations. The three-dimensional vision coordinate measuring system is a low cost line-of-sight (LOS) system. It is capable of measuring large objects in the field, and has reduced setup times, as compared to other test measuring systems. Whereas conventional coordinate measurement systems provide three dimensional measurements in a Cartesian coordinate system, the system proposed in this paper is capable of determining yaw, pitch, and roll with respect to a camera. The three-dimensional vision coordinate measuring system consists of light-emitting diode (LED) planar target, a high resolution camera, and a laptop computer. The equations of the three-dimensional vision coordinate measuring system are derived from analytical geometry and the perspective of three collinear points. This paper explores techniques to measure the 6DoF of a LED planar target in monocular image. Experiments confirming the validity of the three-dimensional vision coordinate measuring system are included in this paper.
An efficient algorithm for the generation of two‐electron repulsion integrals over gaussian basis functions

A synthesis of certain of the features of the recently developed HGP method of Head-Gordon and Pople with some of the constructs of the well-established McMurchie-Davidson (MD) scheme has led to the development of a new algorithm for the computation of the two-electron repulsion integrals which arise in conventional ab initio quantum chemical calculations using Gaussian basis sets. As in the MD scheme, derivatives of the two-electron integrals with respect to the nuclear coordinates are obtained very efficiently by the new algorithm. Moreover, in the spirit of the HGP approach, as much of the computational effort as possible is performed outside the contraction loops. This is achieved through the intermediacy of scaled, partially contracted integral sets and through the use of a near-optimal solution to the central tree-search problem. Explicit FLOP (floating point operation) counts suggest that the new algorithm is typically a factor of 2 cheaper than the HGP method for contracted basis sets.
Effect of Musical Experience on Verbal Memory in Williams Syndrome: Evidence From a Novel Word Learning Task

Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurogenetic developmental disorder characterized by an increased affinity for music, deficits in verbal memory, and atypical brain development. Music has been shown to improve verbal memory in typical individuals as well as those with learning difficulties, but no studies have examined this relationship in WS. The aim of our two studies was to examine whether music can enhance verbal memory in individuals with WS. In Study 1, we presented a memory task of eight spoken or sung sentences that described an animal and identified its group name to 38 individuals with WS. Study 2, involving another group of individuals with WS (n=38), included six spoken or sung sentences that identified an animal group name. In both studies, those who had participated in formal music lessons scored significantly better on the verbal memory task when the sentences were sung than when they were spoken. Those who had not taken formal lessons showed no such benefit. We also found that increased enjoyment of music and heightened emotional reactions to music did not impact performance on the memory task. These compelling findings provide the first evidence that musical experience may enhance verbal memory in individuals with WS and shed more light on the complex relationship between aspects of cognition and altered neurodevelopment in this unique disorder.
Numerical Investigation On Flow Generated by Invent Mixer In Full-Scale Wastewater Stirred Tank

AbstractThis paper investigates behaviors of three dimensional, full-scale flows generated by the newly developed INVENT HyperClassic® mixers in a primary influent channel of a wastewater treatment plant in the New York City. The ANSYS FLUENT, in conjunction with the standard k-e turbulence closure and a multiple reference frame model, is employed for the investigations. Numerical simulations reveal large-scale circulations on cross sections perpendicular to the channel direction as a main feature of the flows, and such circulations are expected to be a key mechanism to enhance their mixing and keep solid particles in suspension. Stronger turbulence mixing in terms of turbulence kinetic energy and dissipation rate and more intensive mixing in the sense of time average and evaluated by the Lyapunov exponent are observed in the presence of two mixers than those with a single mixer. Additionally, a larger inlet velocity of the channel results in an increase in turbulence kinetic energy and dissipation rate b...
Synthesis of Solid Phosphate Compounds of Ti(III) and Ti(IV)

Several new methods for the synthesis of TiPO4 are described. Crystalline phosphate compounds containing boron and titanium in a single III or mixed (III, IV) oxidation states have been synthesized and identified by X-ray diffraction. An additional family of phosphate compounds containing only Ti(III, IV) has also been synthesized and identified. All the compounds exhibit attractive colors, e.g., bright green, blue, purple, and black, and are stable at room temperature in air and in boiling water.
Serine/Threonine Phosphatase (SP-STP), Secreted from Streptococcus pyogenes, Is a Pro-apoptotic Protein

This investigation illustrates an important property of eukaryote-type serine/threonine phosphatase (SP-STP) of group A Streptococcus (GAS) in causing programmed cell death of human pharyngeal cells. The secretory nature of SP-STP, its elevated expression in the intracellular GAS, and the ability of wild-type GAS but not the GAS mutant devoid of SP-STP to cause apoptosis of the host cell both in vitro and in vivo suggest that GAS deploys SP-STP as an important virulence determinant to exploit host cell machinery for its own advantage during infection. The exogenously added SP-STP is able to enter the cytoplasm and subsequently traverses into the nucleus in a temporal fashion to cause apoptosis of the pharyngeal cells. The programmed cell death induced by SP-STP, which requires active transcription and de novo protein synthesis, is also caspase-dependent. Furthermore, the entry of SP-STP into the cytoplasm is dependent on its secondary structure as the catalytically inactive SP-STP with an altered structure is unable to internalize and cause apoptosis. The ectopically expressed wild-type SP-STP was found to be in the nucleus and conferred apoptosis of Detroit 562 pharyngeal cells. However, the catalytically inactive SP-STP was unable to cause apoptosis even when intracellularly expressed. The ability of SP-STP to activate pro-apoptotic signaling cascades both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus resulted in mitochondrial dysfunctioning and perturbation in the phosphorylation status of histones in the nucleus. SP-STP thus not only functions as a virulence regulator but also as an important factor responsible for host-related pathogenesis.
Three dimensional mesh generation by triangulation of arbitrary point sets

A method for generating an unstructured mesh is described. The approach is quite general and joins an arbitrary set of points to produce a covering of three dimensional space by tetrahedra. After removing the tetrahedra that connect surface points, a mesh suitable for a finite element based flow solver is obtained. Details of the triangulation algorithm are provided together with an analysis of the algorithm efficiency and validity.
Microstructure of low energy deuterium implanted stainless steel

Transmission electron microscopy has been used to determine the defect structure produced in stainless steel by deuterium ions of energies from 0.3 to 5 keV. These energies are typical of neutral atoms incident on the first wall of current tokamak devices. At room temperature, high defect densities were found at our lowest dose of 1 x 10/sup 15/ D/sup +//cm/sup 2/. With increasing dose, the defect structures coarsened, and lattice strain effects in the implanted region became noticeable. Following low temperature implantation, no gas bubbles were observed for deuterium concentrations as high as approximately 10 atom percent.
High-Resolution Mapping of the Spatial Organization of a Bacterial Chromosome

Chromosomes must be highly compacted and organized within cells, but how this is achieved in vivo remains poorly understood. We report the use of Hi-C to map the structure of bacterial chromosomes. Analysis of Hi-C data and polymer modeling indicates that the Caulobacter crescentus chromosome consists of multiple, largely independent spatial domains likely comprised of supercoiled plectonemes arrayed into a bottlebrush-like fiber. These domains are stable throughout the cell cycle and re-established concomitantly with DNA replication. We provide evidence that domain boundaries are established by highly expressed genes and the formation of plectoneme-free regions, whereas the histone-like proteins HU and SMC promote short-range compaction and the cohesion of chromosomal arms, respectively. Collectively, our results reveal general principles for the organization and structure of chromosomes in vivo.
Dual class IPOs: A theoretical analysis

We consider an incumbent who wishes to sell equity to outsiders at an IPO to implement his firm’s project. He may be talented (lower cost of effort, comparative advantage in project-implementation) or untalented. The project may have high (intrinsically more valuable, but showing less signs of success in the near-term) or low near-term uncertainty. Under a single class share structure, the incumbent has a greater chance of losing control to potential rivals if he undertakes the project with high near-term uncertainty, since outsiders may vote for the rival if they believe the project is not progressing well. A dual class share structure allows the incumbent to have enough votes to prevail against any rival, but may be misused by untalented incumbents to dissipate value. Our results help to explain firms’ choices between dual class and single class IPOs and the post-IPO operating performance of dual class versus single class firms.
Gender Differences Over the Span of College: Challenges to Achieving Equity

Although educational and occupational gains made by women in recent decades have given rise to a popular notion that gender equity has been achieved, signifi cant gender differences in the college student population exist across a variety of domains. Focusing on three major areas—(1) Financial Background; (2) Academic Self-Confidence and Engagement; and (3) Degree, Major, and Career Aspirations—this study examines historical trends in gender differences observed among entering college students over the past 4 decades and assesses changes in the gender gap occurring over 4 years of college. Results reveal significant sex differentials across all categories and show that gender differences observed at the point of college entry tend to remain steady over 4 years of college, though some narrowing and/or magnification of gender differences is observed. The implications for improving campus gender equity are discussed.
Development of oxide scale microstructure on single-crystal SiC

Microstructures of oxide scales on SiC single crystals, produced by oxidation at 1400° C for various lengths of time, were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy and by X-ray diffraction. At short oxidation times the oxide films were amorphous; at longer times they consisted of spherulitic cristobalite. The cristobalite is thought to grow by devitrification of the amorphous phase. No significant difference in oxide scale thickness or structures was found between commercial purity and semiconductor grade crystals.
Intraband hole burning of colloidal quantum dots

CdSe, InP, and ZnO colloidal quantum dots of 1.5-2.5 nm radius show <3 meV homogeneous width at 10 K for the midinfrared 1S c -1P c intraband transition around 300 meV. A weak temperature dependence leads to a homogeneous width of less than 10 meV at 200 K for 2.3 nm radius CdSe. The strength of the LO-phonon replica is in quantitative agreement with expectations from bulk parameters.
An introduction to biodiversity concepts for environmental economists

Biodiversity is a valuable, but poorly understood, natural resource, which is being lost at an accelerating rate as a result of human actions. We present a broad, introductory review of biodiversity concepts. Biodiversity is first defined at the species and community levels. Available methods and approaches for quantifying biodiversity are discussed with specific reference to the spatial scales over which these measures can be applied. Dominant threats to biodiversity are reviewed. Fundamental patterns and processes that underlie ecological production functions are outlined. Differing rationales for biodiversity conservation are given and compared. Finally, the current suite of approaches employed in biodiversity conservation is discussed. Our aim in writing this review is to encourage further, much needed, inter-disciplinary collaboration among economists and ecologists on biodiversity questions.
Nanoengineering Ultra-High-Performance Concrete with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Ultra-high-performance concretes (UHPCs) are characterized by extremely high packing densities. These densities can be achieved with optimization of grain size distribution by incorporating a homogeneous gradient of fine and coarse particles during mixing. Addition of steel fibers can increase the ductility under tensile loading tremendously. The packing density is a key parameter for the high bond strength between steel fibers and the UHPC matrix. The objective of this study is twofold: to enhance the behavior of the bond between the steel fibers and the matrix by increasing packing density with the inclusion of nanometersized particles while preserving the workability of the concrete mix. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were chosen for their unique physical and impressive mechanical properties (i.e., ultimate strength, stiffness, and ductility). However, because of the nanotubes' inherent tendency to agglomerate, an extensive study was conducted to optimize their dispersion in solutions suitable fo...
Fracture toughness of geomaterials

An understanding of the fracture mechanics of geomaterials is important for the solution of many problems in geomechanics. One of the most important material properties involved in fracture mechanics is the fracture toughness. The short-rod test configuration proposed by barker has significant potential for becoming a standard test for fracture toughness determination in geomechanics. The purpose of this brief is to examine the application potential of the short-rod test for geomechanics problems. (TRRL)
Metabolic Dysfunction and Altered Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Utrophin-Dystrophin Deficient Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The utrophin-dystrophin deficient (DKO) mouse model has been widely used to understand the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, it is unclear as to what extent muscle pathology affects metabolism. Therefore, the present study was focused on understanding energy expenditure in the whole animal and in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle and to determine changes in metabolic enzymes. Our results show that the 8 week-old DKO mice consume higher oxygen relative to activity levels. Interestingly the EDL muscle from DKO mouse consumes higher oxygen per unit integral force, generates less force and performs better in the presence of pyruvate thus mimicking a slow twitch muscle. We also found that the expression of hexokinase 1 and pyruvate kinase M2 was upregulated several fold suggesting increased glycolytic flux. Additionally, there is a dramatic increase in dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp 1) and mitofusin 2 protein levels suggesting increased mitochondrial fission and fusion, a feature associated with increased energy demand and altered mitochondrial dynamics. Collectively our studies point out that the dystrophic disease has caused significant changes in muscle metabolism. To meet the increased energetic demand, upregulation of metabolic enzymes and regulators of mitochondrial fusion and fission is observed in the dystrophic muscle. A better understanding of the metabolic demands and the accompanied alterations in the dystrophic muscle can help us design improved intervention therapies along with existing drug treatments for the DMD patients.
Walter C. (Terry) Neale (1925-2004)

Abstract Walter Castle Neale, more usually known as Terry, was in different aspects an institutional economist, an economic historian, a South Asianist, and an economic anthropologist. This describes his contributions under three heads: South Asia, which includes the main bulk of his technical economic arguments and his policy analyses; Economic anthropology, which covers his importance in Anthropology; and General theory, which covers the themes that provide his work with its underlying consistency and unity.
A new route to Z-disubstituted olefins. A simple synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids by reiterative coupling

A new synthesis of 5,6-dehydroarachidonic acid (8) is described which illustrates the first stereospecific, iterative and non-acetylenic route to this type of polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Climate change implicated in amphibian and lizard declines.

Amphibians are in trouble around the world. Awareness of the problem slowly grew in the 1980s. Among the earliest reported incidents were the disappearances of Golden Toads and Harlequin Frogs in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica in 1986–1987 (1), but soon there were many others. The Declining Amphibian Population Task Force, organized in 1991, served as a conduit for information arriving from many parts of the world and also was an important source of seed grant funding to encourage field research on amphibians, especially in understudied areas. Throughout the 1990s, reports continued to accumulate. Many amphibian biologists, especially those in apparently unaffected areas, were dubious and suspected that population fluctuations were being mistaken for monotonic declines. When long-term field studies (2) confirmed the early reports from Monteverde and reports of declines continued to accumulate, doubts essentially vanished. However, in many parts of the world, amphibians seemed to be doing well, and in discussing amphibian declines, it became standard to state, almost as a disclaimer, that the main reason for the decline was habitat destruction and conversion. But as data accumulated, it became apparent that the earliest reports of declines and disappearances from relatively undisturbed tropical upland habitats were not exceptional but were becoming typical. Tropical lowland environments seemed to be spared, but that perception is altered by an alarming new report by Whitfield et al. (3) in this issue of PNAS.
Effect of reserpine (serpasil) on increased oxygen consumption induced by triiodothyronine.

Chez des cobayes rendus hypothyroidiens au moyen de ladl-triiodothyrosine, la Reserpine diminue la consommation d'oxygene. Les resultats presentes suggerent que la Reserpine agit comme un antagoniste de ladl-triiodothyrosine. L'action de l'hormone thyroidienne (exogene ou endogene) sur la consommation d'oxygene est empechee probablement par un mecanisme localise a la peripherie.
Turnover of opiate receptors in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells

Opiate receptors have been found in a neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cell line [ 1,2] and have been shown to regulate adenylate cyclase [2,3] (ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1 .l). The opiate receptor concentration is approximately twice that found in rat brain homogenates [l] . Morphological differentiation [4] and a concomitant increase in the specific activities of choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3 .1.6) and acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) [ 51 occurs in these cells when grown in the presence of dibutyryl CAMP. However regulation of the opiate receptor concentration has not been detected [ 1,6] . We report here the turnover rate of opiate receptors in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells.
Does nurse case management improve implementation of guidelines for cardiovascular disease risk reduction

Background and objective Over the last 5 decades, research has demonstrated that cardiovascular risk reduction mediated through medical and surgical therapies, as well as lifestyle change, reduces morbidity and mortality from diseases of the vascular system. Based on this extensive research, government and professional organizations publish evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with, or at risk of developing, cardiovascular disease. However, recommended interventions are frequently neither initiated nor adhered to, and when appropriate therapies are initiated, patient adherence is poor. This review sought to evaluate how nurse-based case management (NCM) according to recommended guidelines improves patient outcomes and enhances cardiovascular risk reduction. Methods English-language articles (1950 to January 2009) were identified using a combination of the following terms: (case) management; nurse(-led) or nursing; guideline and/or implement or implementation; cardiovascular (disease) (risk); hypertension or dyslipidemia, or diabetes, or smoking (cessation), or nutritionist, or cardiac rehabilitation. Primary articles were reviewed for focus on modifiable risk factor management involving a nurse acting as a "case manager," having a prominent role within the management of a patient's cardiovascular health, and following scientifically based, published guidelines. Findings and conclusion From the Stanford Coronary Risk Intervention Project in the 1990 s to EUROACTION published 2008, NCM has appreciably evolved. The studies summarized demonstrate that individualized, systematic, and guideline-based NCM can translate into clinically meaningful reductions in cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the NCM model was effective for hospitalized patients, especially during the postdischarge period, in primary care, low-income clinics, and in the community including the workplace. Providing NCM for those at risk of or with cardiovascular disease may help toward reducing the related loss of productive lives and the enormous costs to society.
Non-conventional fuel tax credits and the extraction R&D model

Abstract This paper applies the extraction R&D model in examining the effects of non-conventional fuel tax credits on natural gas reserves and extraction in southwestern and northeastern New Mexico, the second largest deposits of natural gas in the USA. Testable implications of both market prices and R&D effort are specified in an empirical supply function for natural gas. The findings of the paper indicate marginal R&D costs closely parallel real wellhead prices and are an important element in explaining natural gas reserves and extraction. The policy implication is that non-conventional fuel tax credits affected both natural gas reserves and extraction activity via their influence on R&D behaviour.
Amyloid in the brains of aged squirrel monkeys.

In this immunocytochemical study, the brains of nine squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), ranging from 8 to 27 years of age, were examined for the presence and distribution of β/A4 amyloid, a 4-kilodalton peptide. In aged squirrel monkeys, amyloid is associated primarily with intracerebral and meningeal capillaries and arterioles and occurs to a lesser degree as small and/or diffuse deposits in the neural parenchyma and in the dense cores of senile plaques. Cerebrovascular amyloid is found primarily in neocortex, amygdala, and septum verum and is rare or nonexistent in other subcortical gray structures, white matter, cerebellum, and spinal cord; this pattern of localization is comparable to that in humans with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. There is a significant correlation between cerebrovascular and parenchymal deposits of amyloid. However, cerebrovascular amyloid is always the most abundant form in squirrel monkeys, even in cases of severe cerebral amyloidosis. In contrast to squirrel monkeys, aged rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) develop, mostly parenchymal deposits of amyloid and have relatively less vascular amyloid. This species difference in the histological distribution of amyloid suggests that separate mechanisms may influence the accumulation of amyloid in cerebral blood vessels and in the neural parenchyma. These data also indicate that the squirrel monkey can serve as a model for investigations of cerebrovascular amyloidosis.
Correlates of malingering

The author presented anonymous questionnaires to 172 patients and 160 medical students to assess the frequency and correlates of malingering in various groups in a medical center on a V.A. campus. The results indicate that sociopaths, drug abusers, and alcoholics are more prone to malinger than other individuals, supporting previous assertions that mental health professionals should have a higher index of suspicion for malingering in these diagnostic groups. Race and age were found to have small but significant correlations with malingering, but at present, this finding must be viewed cautiously. No association was found between somatization disorder and malingering.
Survival of rabbit spermatozoa frozen and thawed at different rates with and without seeding

The ability to freeze rabbit spermatozoa with resulting high survival and fertility, would be very useful experimentally and have practical application. The experiments reported here were designed to explore different methods of freezing and thawing rabbit spermatozoa to improve their survival. Dutch male rabbits on a regular semen collection schedule provided sufficient spermatozoa per ejaculate to allow factorial arrangements which including an egg yolk-acetamide extender processed differently. This extender provides substantial protection during freezing, but previous reports indicated that there was considerable damage to spermatozoa during freezing and thawing. The results of the experiments reported here demonstrated consistently that mechanical seeding of extended semen at −6°C, so that it did not supercool to −14°C, substantially improved post-thaw progressive motility of spermatozoa (P<0.01). Holding the semen at −6°C to equilibrate before seeding, or slow freezing after seeding had only minor effects. Freezing at −15°C min−1 from −6°C after seeding to −100°C and then transfer to liquid nitrogen was equal or superior to slower rates of freezing (−5 and −10°C min−1). Thawing semen at 25°C was superior to thawing at 45 or 65°C (P<0.01). With optimal freezing procedures, the post-thaw percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa usually exceeded 60%.
Laser prostatectomy: Two and a half years' experience with aggressive multifocal therapy

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome 1 to 2 1/2 years after aggressive neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser prostatectomy alone or combined with potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP/532) laser therapy. Methods In 32 men with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, Nd:YAG laser energy (40 W) was delivered to six or more locations on the prostatic lateral lobes and one or more on the median lobe. In a subgroup of 15 of these patients, the prostate was also incised and sculpted with KTP/532 laser to create a better channel. Results In the 32 men, voiding parameters improved: mean peak flow rate increased from 10 to 21 mL/s (110%), residual volume decreased from 167 to 64 mL (62%) and American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score decreased from 24 to 9 (63%). Catheters were removed after 3 days. Of the 17 patients treated with the Nd:YAG laser alone, 12 (70.5%) required recatheterization, whereas only 5 of the 15 (33%) who received KTP/532 laser therapy after Nd:YAG treatment required recatheterization ( P Conclusions Aggressive Nd:YAG laser prostatectomy is safe and effective for obstructive prostates up to 70 mL in volume and produces good results that are sustained for up to 2 1/2 years. Adjunctive KTP/532 laser therapy apparently creates an unobstructed channel more quickly and reduces the rate of postoperative retention, but it does not alter other voiding parameters.
Obesity-related cardiovascular disease: implications of obstructive sleep apnea

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often coexist. OSA has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Thus, OSA may contribute to the cardiovascular consequences of obesity. In this review, we explore clinical and pathophysiological interactions between obesity, cardiovascular disease and OSA. We discuss the mechanisms whereby OSA may contribute to hypertension, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and atrial fibrillation associated with obesity, and emphasize the potential implications for understanding why only a subgroup of obese patients develop cardiovascular disease. Identification of the OSA-dependent and OSA-independent pathways in the cardiovascular pathophysiology of obesity may hold clinical and therapeutic promise.
Temperature dependence of electrical properties in Be‐implanted semi‐insulating GaAs

The Hall coefficient and sheet resistivity have been measured as functions of temperature for Cr‐doped semi‐insulating GaAs implanted with 100‐keV Be ions at fluences between 1×1013 and 5×1015 cm−2. Impurity conduction influences or dominates hole transport processes at all temperatures for fluences of 1×1014, 4×1014, and 5×1015 cm−2, but is evident only for T <80 °K for lower fluence implants of 1×1013 and 4×1013 cm−2. Analysis of higher‐temperature sheet‐hole concentration data for these lower‐fluence implants indicates the implanted layers are heavily doped and compensated, and the activation energy Ea decreases with increasing ionized acceptor concentration Nai. These results, along with an earlier result for a much lower concentration of implanted Be acceptors, can be represented by Ea=28.4 meV −(1.77×10−5) N1/3ai. In addition, measurement of electrical properties as a function of room‐temperature sample‐storage time indicates slow activation of compensating donors for the 4×1013‐cm−2 implant. This e...
The Lecture — — but They Can't Read It!

In studying a French lesson, there is a tendency for students to lose the positive effects gained during the listening and speaking phase when they meet with frustration in trying to read the Lecture. In this study, the authors used two readability formulas to examine the Lecture in six books used to teach Beginning French at the college or university level. Results indicated that the Lecture is generally difficult for the student to read and that it is generally not systematically graduated in difficulty through the books.
A simple laminate theory using the orthotropic viscoplasticity theory based on overstress. I - In-plane stress-strain relationships for metal matrix composites

A macromechanics analysis is presented for the in-plane, anisotropic time-dependent behavior of metal matrix laminates. The small deformation, orthotropic viscoplasticity theory based on overstress represents lamina behavior in a modified simple laminate theory. Material functions and constants can be identified in principle from experiments with laminae. Orthotropic invariants can be repositories for tension-compression asymmetry and for linear elasticity in one direction while the other directions behave in a viscoplastic manner. Computer programs are generated and tested for either unidirectional or symmetric laminates under in-plane loading. Correlations with the experimental results on metal matrix composites are presented.
A new approach to probing conformational space with molecular mechanics: Random incremental pulse search

A computational method is described that permits reliable searching for different molecular conformations. A Monte Carlo type routine is employed to randomly search the potential energy surface for a given molecule, and Allinger's MM2 force field is employed for energy calculations and minimizations. The method has two modes of operation: conformational search (by torsional or energetic criterion) and global minimum location. The Monte Carlo type routine, called random incremental pulse search (RIPS), logically couples the benefits of random searching with those of analytical minimization. The method has been tested by searching conformational space for a series of cycloalkanes. All conformational families and minimum-energy structures are reliably located in each case.
Particle paths in three-dimensional flow fields as a means of study: Opposing jet mixing system

Abstract Particle paths can provide a tool for the analysis of mixing process. As an example, we will consider an opposing jet mixing system. Experimental, full-field, time-revolved, velocity vector data have been obtained using three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) technique. Using this field as a basis, hypothetical particles are injected anywhere and at any time into the field. The particles are then tracked as they move under the influence of the velocity field. The injected hypothetical particles can be neutrally buoyant or given a different density than the fluid. Color graphical representation of the results cannot be conveniently reported here; however, examples are provided in an equivalent gray-level coding. A more thorough presentation is possible by using color. These are provided at the URL (Uniform Resource Locator, i.e., the address for a location on the Internet) cited in Zhao and Brodkey [Y. Zhao, R.S. Brodkey, Particle paths in three-dimensional flow fields as a means of study: opposing jet mixing system, //www.er6.eng.ohio-state.edu/~brodkey/ojindex.htm . See item on Paper to be published in a Special Issue of Powder, 1997].
The Art of the Possible: An Overview of Catalyst Specimen Preparation Techniques for TEM Studies

Obtaining useful microstructural information about catalysts requires appropriate procedures for preparing specimens for the transmission electron microscope. Unfortunately, most descriptions of catalyst specimen preparation are scattered throughout numerous journal articles or are unavailable. Traditional techniques for preparing heterogeneous catalyst powders include primarily dilute dispersion and ultramicrotomy. The advantages and disadvantages of these will be discussed in terms of information obtainable and possible artifacts. In addition, techniques for preparing layered materials, as well as some novel approaches and model systems, will be presented. With these, as with more traditional approaches, the best method for a specific material will be arrived at only through experimentation. Our aim is to describe a variety of possibilities for getting an already synthesized catalyst into the microscope suitably neat, thin, and artifactfree.
Multimarket Trading and Market Liquidity

When a security trades at multiple locations simultaneously, an informed trader has several avenues in which to exploit his private information. The greater the proportion of liquidity trading by "large" traders who can split their trades across markets, the larger is the correlation between volume in different markets and the smaller is the informativeness of prices. We show that one of the markets emerges as the dominant location for trading in that security. When informed traders can use their information for more than one trading period, the timely release of price information by market makers at one location adversely affects the profits informed traders expect to make subsequently at other locations. Market makers, competing to offer the lowest cost of trading at their location, consequently deter informed trading be voluntarily making the price information public and by "cracking down" on insider trading. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Assessing preschool environments with the early childhood environment rating scale

Theoret ical perspect ives as d iverse as those of Sk inner and Piaget have aff i rmed the importance of env i ronment in the development of cogni t ive and social ski l ls. Yet, assessing the qua l i t y of an ear ly chi ldhood classroom with accuracy remains a chal lenge. Pract i t ioners need ef f ic ient , pract ical , and val id measures. Researchers need instruments that produce val id and rel iable environmental in fo r mation across programs. Such funct ional descr ipt ions of the basic components of d i f f e r i ng ear ly chi ldhood sett ings might, for example, expla in the conf l ic t ing f ind ings about the impact of ear ly education and care on later social adjustment, since social development is l ikely to be program related (B ron fenb renner , Belsky & Ste inberg, 1977; Harper, 1978; Haskins, Finkelste in, & Stedman, 1978; Raph, Thomas, Chess, & Korn, 1968; Schwartz, S t r ick land, & Kral ick, 1974).
Toward Functional Carboxylate-Bridged Diiron Protein Mimics: Achieving Structural Stability and Conformational Flexibility Using a Macrocylic Ligand Framework

A dinucleating macrocycle, H2PIM, containing phenoxylimine metal-binding units has been prepared. Reaction of H2PIM with [Fe2(Mes)4] (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) and sterically hindered carboxylic acids, Ph3CCO2H or ArTolCO2H (2,6-bis(p-tolyl)benzoic acid), afforded complexes [Fe2(PIM)(Ph3CCO2)2] (1) and [Fe2(PIM)(ArTolCO2)2] (2), respectively. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that these diiron(II) complexes closely mimic the active site structures of the hydroxylase components of bacterial multicomponent monooxygenases (BMMs), particularly the syn disposition of the nitrogen donor atoms and the bridging μ-η1η2 and μ-η1η1 modes of the carboxylate ligands at the diiron(II) centers. Cyclic voltammograms of 1 and 2 displayed quasi-reversible redox couples at +16 and +108 mV vs ferrocene/ferrocenium, respectively. Treatment of 2 with silver perchlorate afforded a silver(I)/iron(III) heterodimetallic complex, [Fe2(μ-OH)2(ClO4)2(PIM)(ArTolCO2)Ag] (3), which was structurally and spectroscopically characterize...
An analysis of the accuracy of Langevin and molecular dynamics algorithms

Analytic expressions for mean squared positions and velocities of a harmonic oscillator are derived for Langevin dynamics algorithms valid in the high and low friction limits, and for the Verlet algorithm. For typical values of the parameters, errors in the positions are small. However, if the velocity is defined by the usual Verlet form, kinetic energies (and therefore calculated temperatures) can be in error by several per cent for the Langevin algorithms. If the Bunger-Brooks-Karplus algorithm is used to calculate positions, a simple redefinition of the velocity results greatly in improved kinetic energies. In addition, due to cancellation of errors in the velocities and the positions, the correct virial is obtained. The effect of including the force derivative in diffusive algorithms is examined. Positional and velocity averages are calculated for the Verlet algorithm for arbitrary initial conditions, and errors in the total energy and virial are analysed. Connection is made with the Langevin algorith...
Reconstruction of Piecewise Smooth Functions from Non-uniform Grid Point Data

Spectral series expansions of piecewise smooth functions are known to yield poor results, with spurious oscillations forming near the jump discontinuities and reduced convergence throughout the interval of approximation. The spectral reprojection method, most notably the Gegenbauer reconstruction method, can restore exponential convergence to piecewise smooth function approximations from their (pseudo-)spectral coefficients. Difficulties may arise due to numerical robustness and ill-conditioning of the reprojection basis polynomials, however. This paper considers non-classical orthogonal polynomials as reprojection bases for a general order (finite or spectral) reconstruction of piecewise smooth functions. Furthermore, when the given data are discrete grid point values, the reprojection polynomials are constructed to be orthogonal in the discrete sense, rather than by the usual continuous inner product. No calculation of optimal quadrature points is therefore needed. This adaptation suggests a method to approximate piecewise smooth functions from discrete non-uniform data, and results in a one-dimensional approximation that is accurate and numerically robust.
Abolishing the Taboo: Dwight D. Eisenhower and American Nuclear Doctrine, 1945–1961. By Brian Madison Jones. (Solihull, England: Helion, 2011. Pp. iv, 172. $49.95.)

During the Eisenhower presidency [1953–1961], America's nuclear arsenal expanded from 841 weapons capable of 50 megatons of explosive power to over 18,000 warheads yielding 20,000 megatons. Deliver...
Overlay grafting for lateral nasal wall concavities

One of the most difficult maneuvers in rhinoplasty is achieving a straight dorsum in the patient with a crooked nose. Often this deformity is a result of trauma involving the bony and cartilaginous vaults, resulting in nasal bone fractures and avulsion of the lateral cartilages into the nasal airway. Reduction of nasal bone fractures is fairly straightforward, but the repair of nasal cartilage trauma is more problematic. The cartilage of the nasal vault possesses fibrous attachments, which when disturbed, are difficult to reestablish. Overlay grafts are known to be effective in filling these defects and creating the illusion of a straight nose. In this series, during an 8-year period, 89 grafts were placed over lateral nasal wall concavities during rhinoplasty. Results after a minimum of 1 year follow-up are reviewed, as well as technique, materials, complications, revision rate, and patient satisfaction.
Control of Nonlinear PDEs Based on Space Vectors Clustering Reduced Order Systems

Abstract Nonlinear PDEs domain discretization yields finite but high dimensional nonlinear systems. Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) is widely used to reduce the order of such systems but it assumes that data belongs to a linear space and therefore fails to capture the nonlinear degrees of freedom. To overcome this problem, we develop a Space Vector Clustering (SVC) POD and use the reduced order model to design the controller which will then be applied to the full order system. A space vector is the solution at a particular space location over all times. The solution space is grouped into clusters where the behavior has significantly different features, then local POD modes will be constructed based on these clusters. We apply our method to reduce and control a nonlinear convective PDE system governed by the Burgers' equation over 1D and 2D domains and show a significant improvement over global POD. We also design a reference tracking controller and compare the controlled systems. We show that the controller based on our SVC local POD reduced system yields more accurate tracking results over the one based on global POD.
Design of a diamond-crystal monochromator for the LCLS hard x-ray self-seeding project

As the result of collaborations between the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory, and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, we have designed and constructed a diamond crystal monochromator for the LCLS hard x-ray self-seeding project. The novel monochromator is ultrahigh-vacuum compatible to meet the LCLS linear accelerator vacuum environmental requirement. A special graphite holder was designed for strain-free mount of the 110-?m thin synthetic diamond crystal plate provided by Technological Institute for Super-hard and Novel Carbon Materials of Russia (TISNCM). An in-vacuum multi-axis precision positioning mechanism is designed to manipulate the thin-film diamond holder with resolutions and stabilities required by the hard x-ray self-seeding physics. Optical encoders, limit switches, and hardware stops are established in the mechanism to ensure system reliability and to meet the accelerator personal and equipment safety interlock requirements. Molybdenum shields are installed in the monochromator to protect the encoders and associated electronics from radiation damage. Mechanical specifications, designs, and preliminary test results of the diamond monochromator are presented in this paper.
American Foreign Policy Textbooks: How Do We Transmit the Cumulation of Knowledge to the Scholars of the Future?

As teachers as well as scholars of American foreign policy, we face the periodic challenge of finding textbooks that (1) present the cumulation of knowledge in the relevant subject area and (2) suggest approaches to help students think independently about and evaluate that knowledge. When undergraduates with a range of abilities and backgrounds comprise our classes, we must also find books that are accessible. The purpose of this contribution is to compare and contrast five American foreign policy texts, pointing out how each characterizes the cumulation of knowledge and the frameworks that the authors offer to help students to consider that knowledge. The five texts examined here are ones that this writer has used in the classroom. In alphabetical order by author, these five texts are: Tables 4.1 through 4.4 compare these texts with regard to the actors on which the authors focus, their emphasis (history, process, or contemporary issues), the theories that they explicate, and the particular issues to which they devote space. View this table: 4.1 Key Actors Covered in Selected American Foreign Policy Texts View this table: 4.2 Particular Emphasis Chosen by Selected American Foreign Policy Texts View this table: 4.3 Theories Covered in Selected American Foreign Policy Texts View this table: 4.4 Issues Covered in …
Symmetrized dot-patterns (SDP) of irregular compressive stress-strain relationships

Symmetrized dot-pattern displays (SDP) of the kind used in speech analysis and medical diagnosis can also be used to visualize textural differences between and among crunchy foods. Meaningful interpretation of the patterns in terms of textural characteristics, however, will require further study of two topics: how the display parameters, notably the number of points and symmetry axes affect the resulting image perception, and how factors such as the specimen's geometry and moisture content, for example, affect the pattern's morphological features.