cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Uptake of Carnitine by Slices of Rat Cerebral Cortex

The properties of carnitine transport were studied in rat brain slices. A rapid uptake system for carnitine was observed, with tissue-medium gradients of 38 +/- 3 for L-[14CH3]carnitine and 27 +/- 3 for D-[14CH3]carnitine after 180 min incubation at 37 degrees C in 0.64 mM substrate. Uptake of L- and D-carnitine showed saturability. The estimated values of Km for L- and D-carnitine were 2.85 mM and 10.0 mM, respectively; but values of Vmax (1 mumol/min/ml intracellular fluid) were the same for the two isomers. The transport system showed stereospecificity for L-carnitine. Carnitine uptake was inhibited by structurally related compounds with a four-carbon backbone containing a terminal carboxyl group. L-Carnitine uptake was competitively inhibited by gamma-butyrobetaine (Ki = 3.22 mM), acetylcarnitine (Ki = 6.36 mM), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (Ki = 0.63 mM). The data suggest that carnitine and gamma-aminobutyric acid interact at a common carrier site. Transport was not significantly reduced by choline or lysine. Carnitine uptake was inhibited by an N2 atmosphere, 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonylcyanide-N-chlorophenylhydrazone, potassium cyanide, n-ethylmaleimide, and ouabain. Transport was abolished by low temperature (4 degrees C) and absence of glucose from the medium. Carnitine uptake was Na+-dependent, but did not require K4+ or Ca2+.
Melting Powder Particles in a Low-Pressure Plasma Jet

A numerical model has been developed to predict the temperature history of metal particles injected in a low-pressure (supersonic) d-c plasma jet. The temperature and velocity fields of the plasma jet are predicted by solving the parabolized compressible Navier-Stokes equations using a spatial marching scheme. Particle trajectories and heat transfer characteristics are calculated using the predicted plasma jet temperature and velocity fields. Correction factors have been introduced to take into account the noncontinuum effects encountered in the low-pressure environment. The plasma jet profiles as well as the particle/plasma interactions under different jet pressure ratios (from underexpanded to overexpand cases) have been investigated.
A Monte Carlo Model for Soil Particle Resuspension Including Saltation and Turbulent Fluctuations

This article describes a stochastic model for resuspension that combines both aerodynamic entrainment and momentum transfer from saltating particles. Two case studies are performed based on soil conditions for the topmost layer of soil in Los Angeles County, CA, and Allegheny County, PA. Wind friction velocity, u∗, and soil size distribution were found to be the most important factors in predicting mass and number flux. Under a broad range of wind conditions mass and number fluxes agree to within an order of magnitude with the empirical models of Marticorena and Bergametti (1995) and Ginoux et al. (2001) at u∗ ≤ 0.4 m/s. For u∗ ≤ 0.60 m s−1 and u∗ ≥ 0.85 m s−1 aerodynamic forces and splash were the dominant resuspension mechanisms, respectively. Flux was sensitive to wind speed but was not proportional to u∗3. The mass and number distributions with height peaked at heights corresponding to the maximum concentration of saltating particles and the maximum concentration of suspended particles, respectively. ...
On the summation of subseries in closed form

In this note, we present an interesting approach to sum subseries in closed form. This approach seems to be not widely known and remains under-appreciated. Our study will lead to the discovery of results some of which have been known for a long time, some which were found only recently, as well as those which appear to be new.
Application of the C(18)-carboxypropylbetaine specimen processing method to recovery of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from ruminant tissue specimens.

The causative agent of Johne's disease is Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. This is a chronic, debilitating gastrointestinal disorder that affects ruminants and is responsible for significant economic loss. The specimen processing method that combines C18-carboxypropylbetaine (CB-18) treatment and lytic enzyme decontamination has been shown to improve the diagnosis of mycobacterioses. This processing method was applied to the isolation of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis from ruminant tissue samples. The BACTEC 12B liquid culture system was used but was supplemented with 1% egg yolk emulsion, 4 μg of mycobactin J, and 0.5% pyruvate (12B/EMP) for use in conjunction with this method. The final concentration of antibiotics used was 10 μg of vancomycin, 30 μg of amphotericin B, and 20 μg of nalidixic acid (VAN) per ml. A 7H10-based solid medium was also used that included mycobactin J, pyruvate, and VAN but excluded the egg yolk emulsion (7H10/MPV). Several M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates were examined during the evaluation of this processing method. It was observed that treatment with lytic enzymes stimulated the growth of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis; however, the growth of one isolate was markedly inhibited due to the presence of vancomycin. Subsequently, the vancomycin concentration in the VAN formulation was reduced to 2 μg/ml. A blinded panel of 60 previously characterized tissue samples from bovine and bison were then processed and analyzed by smear and culture. Historically, 31 and 37 specimens were classified as positive by histology and culture, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity of smear relative to culture following CB-18 processing were 97.6 and 89.5%, respectively. The 12B/EMP/VAN liquid culture system recovered M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis from 39 specimens, whereas 7H10/MPV and Herrold's egg yolk media recovered M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis from 26 and 16 specimens, respectively. The average times to positive were 7.4 ± 8.3, 29.9 ± 2.6, and 24 ± 0 days, respectively. The contamination rates were 4.8, 22.6, and 20.0%, respectively.
The Point-Load Solution Using Linearized von Kármán Plate Theory for a Spinning Flexible Disk Near a Baseplate

In magnetic and/or optical recording on flexible media, an elastic disk rotates at constant angular velocity in close proximity to a stationary baseplate. Such a configuration is used to stabilize the transverse motion of the flexible disk whose natural frequencies and critical speeds would otherwise be too low for stability of the flexible-disk-to-head interface. The influences of coupling between the in-plane displacements and transverse deflections (von Karman plate theory) and of the air flow between the disk and the baseplate are investigated. Steady-state solutions, for this nonaxisymmetric problem, are obtained by linearizing the partial differential equations about the axisymmetric configuration due to the baseplate alone. These equations are solved using an exponential Fourier series expansion in the circumferential direction and a finite difference approximation radially. The results are the transverse and in-plane deflections of the disk and the air film pressure. Comparisons are made with othe...
Regional cerebral blood flow in dialysis encephalopathy and primary degenerative dementia

Regional cerebral blood flow in dialysis encephalopathy and primary degenerative dementia. Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in patients with dialysis encephalopathy, primary degenerative dementia, dialysis patients with no central nervous system (CNS) complications, and normal controls. Both groups of dialysis patients (with and without CNS complications) demonstrated higher CBF values, and the dementia patients, lower CBF values than the controls. The dialysis patients had lower hematocrit, which correlated inversely with the cerebral blood flow. No such correlations were present in normals and patients with primary degenerative dementia. The dialysis patients and controls obtained similar CBF when the flow values were adjusted for the differences in hematocrit.
VIII. Training, Education, Manpower, and Research for Stroke Care

The manpower required for diagnosis and management of the 500,000 patients who experience stroke in the United States annually encompasses numerous disciplines, beginning with the family physician. The medical specialists and allied health personnel chiefly involved in addition are the neurologist, internist/cardiologist, nurse, physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist. Besides these, services of the radiologist, neurosurgeon, vascular surgeon, psychiatrist, orthopaedist, urologist, ophthalmologist, and pathologist frequently are needed. Important support is given by the dietitian, social worker, psychologist, and vocational rehabilitation counselor. Statistics are included for manpower available at present in a number of these disciplines. Training and education extend throughout all levels, from the undergraduate through the postgraduate, and including continuing education. The knowledge and skills which each of these special groups should possess for competence in t...
Calculation and prescription of dose for total body irradiation

The use of large total body fields creates a unique set of problems that stress the accuracy of techniques routinely used for dose calculation. This paper discusses an approach suggested by the Children's Cancer Study Group (CCSG) for both prescribing the total body irradiation (TBI) dose and calculating the beam-on time or meter set needed to deliver it. It is aimed at guaranteeing the accuracy of the calculations, while at the same time ensuring a high degree of compliance for the various CCSG protocols using TBI. Data supporting the various CCSG recommendations are presented.
Relationship of the oxidative pentose shunt pathway to lipid synthesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

The tissue activities of the oxidative pentose shunt enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.44), in the larvae of Drosophila melanogaster are not dependent on the amount of flux through the oxidative pentose shunt pathway. An oxidative pentose shunt deficiency effects about a 40% reduction in the NADPH concentration in early third instar larvae, resulting in a six-fold difference in the NADPH/NADP+ ratio between wild-type and pentose-shunt-deficient larvae. The capacity of pentose-shunt-deficient larvae to synthesize triglyceride in response to a high concentration of dietary sucrose is only 73% of the wild-type level. Environmental temperature influences on the fatty acid composition of larvae are not altered by an oxidative pentose shunt deficiency.
A microarray window into granulocyte development and function

Comment on Theilgaard-Monch et al, page [1785][1] This study provides a detailed analysis of gene expression patterns during granulocytic maturation and in so doing provides novel insights into myeloid cell development and activities. As part of the innate immune system, granulocytes are
Numerical Simulation of Shear Induced Plugging in HY100 Steel Plates

Numerical simulations of penetration processes in HY100 steel plates were performed in this study. The penetrators were made of maraging steel rods and the impact velocity ranges from 78-400 m/s. Experimental evidence shows that the dominant mode of failure in HY100 steel plates is shear induced plugging. By using a maximum equivalent plastic strain failure criterion and the element deletion capability in the transient dynamic finite element PRONTO 2D code, shear plugging was successfully simulated. Quantita- tively, calculated residue velocity of the penetrator and the plug velocity agree well with measured data. This investigation provides credence to the finite element technique that it is a viable tool for the analysis of this class of problems.
Organization of PARS — a structural resizing system

Abstract PARS (Programs for Analysis and Resizing of Structures) is a software system for the automated design of structures modeled by finite elements. The system is designed to work with the SPAR finite element system and like SPAR, it is a modular set of processors communicating through a data base. The paper describes the design and organization of the processors that form PARS. In particular, it is shown how that organization contributes to the flexibility and efficiency of PARS. Several examples are also used to demonstrate PARS capabilities for the minimum weight design of structures subject to stress, displacement and flutter constraints.
Empirical findings relating sample volume size to diagnostic accuracy in pulsed doppler cerebrovascular studies

Ultrasonic duplex scanning has a sensitivity of 97% in detecting disease of the carotid bulb. However, the specificity is much less, being 37%. The error in distinguishing normal arteries from those with minimal disease appears to be in part related to the size of the sample volume of the pulsed Doppler. This paper addresses the importance of the features of scan head design in relation to distinguishing normal and diseased arteries.
Antibody-free PRISM–SRM for multiplexed protein quantification: is this the new competition for immunoassays in bioanalysis?

Highly sensitive technologies for multiplexed quantification of a large number of candidate proteins will play an increasingly important role in clinical biomarker discovery, systems biology, and general biomedical research. Herein we introduce the new PRISM-SRM technology, which represents a highly sensitive multiplexed quantification technology capable of simultaneous quantification of many low-abundance proteins without the need of affinity reagents. The versatility of antibody-free PRISM-SRM for quantifying various types of targets including protein isoforms, protein modifications, metabolites, and others, thus offering new competition with immunoassays.
Human endothelium in cell culture.

Summary Human endothelial cells derived by trypsinization of umbilical vein and artery were grown in cell culture and compared with fibroblasts grown from explants of umbilical cord. Two types of cells were recognized in endothelial cultures: endothelial cells proper and macrophages. The former replicated very slowly and could not be maintained by subculture. Macrophages constituted about 5 % of the total cell popu-lation. They replicated slightly more rapidly than the true endothelial cells and were not derived from these cells. Neither cell type was transformed into fibroblasts. Both cell types had marked ability to phagocytose cellular and bacterial particles, macrophages sometimes, but not always, having greater phagocytic capacity depending on the nature of the partiele ingested. Endothelial cultures derived from umbilical artery initially differed from those from the vein only by the presence of a small number of fibroblasts which, in older cultures, overgrew the endothelial cells. The presence of fibroblasts in arterial cultures was associated with the absence of a distinct intemal elastic lamina so that subendothelial cells were included in the culture.
Herbert Marcuse on the New Left: Dialectic and Rhetoric

Herbert Marcuse's relationship to the student-activists of the 1960s not only required a different form of discourse from that of his colleague, Theodor W. Adorno, but also indicated the range of conditions that govern political discourse in the academy. Whereas Adorno restricted his political activity almost exclusively to the pursuit of dialectical theory, Marcuse's insistence upon speaking to audiences of activists occasioned a contemporary manifestation of ancient debates over the discursive forms of rhetoric and dialectic. This essay analyzes two different kinds of discourses: (1) a dialectical conversation between Marcuse and Adorno, and (2) a rhetorical address that Marcuse presented to activists. Taken together, these texts reveal the dependence of the academy on more than one form of discourse and suggest that even under our contemporary circumstances, the ancient categories of rhetoric and dialectic continue to operate as counterparts.
Shifts in sauger spawning locations after 40 years of reservoir ageing: influence of a novel delta ecosystem in the Missouri River, USA.

To determine how reservoir ageing affects sauger Sander canadense spawning locations in Lewis and Clark Reservoir, we quantified riverine habitat and determined sauger spawning locations during recent years (2003–2004) and compared these results to historic (1950–1966) habitat conditions and spawning locations. The riverine habitat above the reservoir, which was historically homogeneous, has developed into two distinct areas: the upstream remnant river reach, characterized by a distinct main channel, and cold and clear water from the hypolimnetic discharge from the upstream reservoir, and the downstream delta section, which has abundant side channels and backwater areas and is warmer and more turbid water than the remnant reach. Sauger spawning locations have shifted markedly in the last 50 years. Sauger historically spawned in the upper reaches of this system, near Fort Randall Dam. However, in 2003, we found that sauger spawned in the lower delta reach and avoided the remnant reach. This shift likely occurred concomitantly with the development of the novel delta habitat. The delta likely functions more similarly to the historic remnant reach of this system (warmer temperature, turbidity, active meandering, complex habitats, etc.), indicating that sauger prefer to spawn in areas with historic riverine function. Thus, future management activities intended to enhance sauger populations should focus on the restoration of riverine function, such as that provided by emerging reservoir deltas, which may mimic pre-impoundment conditions on the Missouri River. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teaching Concurrent Engineering at the University of Central Florida

U.S. manufacturing has discovered that the serial, over-the-wall approach to product development has to give way to a concurrent engineering approach. This customer-centered, multi-disciplinary team approach is being more widely used and today's graduating engineer must be prepared to understand and function in this environment. This paper describes an approach used to teach concurrent engineering at the University of Central Florida.
Soil degradative effects of slope length on alfisols in western Nigeria. IV plots of equal land area

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of four slope lengths (20 m, 10 m, 6·7 m and 5 m) and four slope gradients (0·9–1·8 per cent, 4·7–5·7 per cent, 9·3–9·9 per cent, and 14·2–14·9 per cent) on interrill erosion. Plot width was appropriately adjusted to keep the plot area constant at 20 m2. These experiments were conducted on natural slopes and rainfall conditions for four consecutive years from 1984–1987 for maize (Zea mays)–cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) or soybean (Glycine max)–cowpeas rotation. Runoff per unit area decreased with increase in slope length especially for steep slope gradients and erosive rains. Mean annual runoff per unit area was 3·2 per cent, 3·7 per cent, 4·6 per cent, and 8·1 per cent of the annual rainfall amount for 20 m, 10 m, 6·7 m and 5 m slope length, respectively. Similarly, interrill erosion per unit area also decreased with increase in slope length, and was 893 kg ha−1, 588 kg ha−1, 845 kg ha−1 and 1979 kg ha−1 for 20 m, 10 m, 6·7 m and 5 m slope length, respectively. For the steep slope gradient of 14·2–14·9 per cent, mean sediment concentration was 0·15 g l−1 for 20 m, 0·19 g l−1 from 10 m, 0·56 g l−1 for 6·7 m and 0·92 g l−1 for 5 m slope length. Highest grain yield was obtained for slope gradient of 4·7–5·7 per cent for maize, and for 0·9–1·8 per cent slope for cowpeas. High soybean yield was obtained on the steep slope gradient. Crop yields were related to clay content of the surface horizon and the soil's susceptibility to crusting, but not to slope length. These results show that surface detention capacity, for runoff and sediments, play an important role in runoff rate and amount and on interrill erosion. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk-averse outsourcing strategies for optimal intellectual property protection

This paper presents an extension of our previous work on optimal allocation of external suppliers to manage the risk of leakage in the intellectual property (IP) of a product. The optimal outsourcing decision problem is modeled as a bi-objective minimization problem with one objective being the estimated risk of loss of IP of a product due to outsourcing (IP leakage) and another being manufacturing cost of the product. A number of extensions are made in the problem formulation, including 1) unified probabilistic modeling of IP loss, 2) consideration of manufacturing process sequence to model the effect of partial observation on the compromise by a supplier, 3) modeling nonlinear effects on the increase in the probability of compromise by a supplier performing (and observing) multiple manufacturing processes, and 4) generalization to multi-supplier cases. A case study on a hinge mechanism for a cellular phone is presented, where a multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to generate the Pareto optimal supplier allocations exhibiting the trade-offs between the two objectives.
Infrared Spectra of M(OH)1,2,3 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) Molecules in Solid Argon and the Character of First Row Transition Metal Hydroxide Bonding

Reactions of laser-ablated Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni atoms with H2O2 and with H2 + O2 mixtures in excess argon give new absorptions in the O−H and M−O stretching regions, which are assigned to metal dihydroxide and trihydroxide molecules, M(OH)2 and M(OH)3. Isotopic substitutions (D2O2, 18O2, 16,18O2, D2) confirmed the assignments and DFT calculations reproduced the experimental results. The O−H stretching frequencies decreased in the dihydroxides from Sc to Zn. Mulliken and natural charge distributions indicate significant electron transfer from metal d orbitals to OH ligands that decreases from Sc to Zn, suggesting that the early transition metal hydroxides are more ionic and that the later transition metal hydroxides are more covalent.
Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Splenic Abscess

Splenic abscess is a rare clinical entity, and splenectomy remains the treatment of choice. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic splenectomy in this setting. Using a prospective database of laparoscopic splenectomy, we identified 4 patients who underwent surgery for splenic abscess (3 male, 1 female). Mean age was 55.5 (range 42-78) years. Patient symptoms included: fever and abdominal pain in 4 patients, pleural effusions in 2, and nausea and leukocytosis in 1. Risk factors for splenic abscess included septic emboli from bacterial endocarditis in 2 patients and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in 1. All patients underwent successful laparoscopic splenectomy. Mean operative time was 200 (range 160-220) minutes, and blood loss was 220 (range 100-450) mL. There were no postoperative complications or deaths; postoperative length of stay averaged 14 (range 2-26) days. Despite the difficulty of the operation, the laparoscopic approach appears to be a safe and effective treatment of splenic abscess.
Psychopharmacological interventions in HIV infections.

Clinicians working with HIV-infected patients must be aware of special psychopharmacological interventions.
Contraception for Women with Chronic Medical Conditions

Chronic medical conditions can complicate maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, making unintended or mistimed pregnancy problematic. The use of highly effective reversible contraceptives is important for women with health issues, yet sometimes those same illnesses make the contraceptives themselves less effective or less safe. We review the evidence surrounding contraceptive use by women with six common medical conditions: systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, anticonvulsant use for epilepsy or mood disorder, HIV infection, migraine headache, and obesity. In some instances it is not possible to make a risk-free contraceptive choice, yet pregnancy may be even riskier. Good clinical judgment and patient counseling must be exercised.
831: A behavioral weight gain intervention in pregnancy: a cost-benefit analysis

31.8 / 3.0%. In addition maternal hypoproteinemia was present with mean albumin levels of 2.8 / 0.28 g/dL. Despite minimal fluid administration and blood loss during the procedure, significant decreases (p 0.0001) in mean hemoglobin (9.13 . 0.1 g/dL), hematocrit (26.4 / 2.8%), and albumin (2.5 / 0.22 g/dL) were seen 24 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Significant maternal protein-calorie malnutrition and anemia were found in patients undergoing laser treatment for severe TTTS. These maternal abnormalities may help explain the risk of malnutrition related complications after laser treatment, including maternal pulmonary edema and fluid retention. They may also contribute to the amniotic fluid abnormalities seen in the donor and recipient fetus. Further studies are indicated to see if maternal protein supplementation can correct these abnormalities and perhaps affect the incidence and severity of maternal complications after laser treatment of the placenta. In addition, assessment of those patient not requiring treatment for lower stages of TTTS must be assessed to see if there is an association of protein-caloric malnutrition with more severe stages of TTTS.
Additive-subtractive phase-modulated speckle interferometry: Fringe visibility under partial decorrelation

Abstract Additive-subtractive phase modulated speckle interferometry (ASPMSI) is a technique that minimizes the susceptibility of speckle methods to environmental noise while providing fringes of good visibility. The method requires the acquisition of two consecutive video frames of additive-speckle images of the same two deformed states of an object at a rapid enough rate such that ambient noise is not a problem. The additive-speckle images as expected are of very poor visibility due to the presence of the self-interference term. An interframe phase-modulation is introduced and the two additive-speckle images are digitally subtracted to improve the fringe visibility by removing the self-interference term. The ASPM-SI method works with in-plane and out-of-plane deformation sensitive ESPI as well as with displacement-gradient sensitive speckle-shearing interferometry. It is shown that the ASPM-SI scheme has higher visibility than conventional additive-SI and performs consistently better than subtractive-SI schemes in the presence of partial interframe speckle decorrelating optical noise. Furthermore, it is shown that the fringe visibility of the out-of-plane displacement sensitive interferometer which uses a protected reference beam separate from the object beam can be made to be essentially unity even at complete interframe decorrelation.
Response of two strains of mice to increased social contact and decreased personal space as measured by fluorometric analysis of corticosterone.

Two strains of mice, CF#I (passive) and CFW (aggressive), were subjected to variations in cage size and population for 14 days. Then Ss were sacrificed and blood plasma analysed for corticosterone, a hormone known to increase during periods of stress. CFW mice showed a significant difference in hormone level between groups while CF#I Ss did not.
Quantitative methods in wear debris analysis

Abstract Wear debris has been recovered from several test systems and analyzed using different methods. These methods produced specific information concerning the particulate size and composition. A magnetic debris recovery method was quantitatively evaluated using debris samples and also using collections of manufactured particulates having known sizes and compositions. Small 5 μm diameter SiO 2 spheres, some containing nickel, were used to simulate debris. Other particulates of iron and nickel in different size ranges were also used in order to investigate such matters as size resolution, lubricant dilution techniques, particle overlap difficulties and the general problem of calibration of debris recovery systems. A comparison between chemical analysis and particulate analysis findings is presented. The application of optical and electron microscope methods and X-ray microanalysis in characterizing the wear particulates was carried out directly on the recovery substrate; these techniques are described.
Forcing and stable ordered-union ultrafilters

We investigate the effect of a variant of Matet forcing on ultrafilters in the ground model and give a characterization of those P –points that survive such forcing, answering a question left open by Blass [4]. We investigate the question of when this variant of Matet forcing can be used to diagonalize small filters without destroying P–points in the ground model. We also deal with the question of generic existence of stable ordered-union ultrafilters.
Can Nuclear Interactions Be Long Ranged

A renormalizable relativistic quantum field theory of nuclear interactions is shown to possess not only Yukawa-type solutions, but also a topologically nontrivial one. It corresponds to a hadronic monopole, called a hadroid. Experimental evidence suggesting the existence of such a nuclear state is considered.
No Local L 1Solution for a Nonlinear Heat Equation

Abstract In this article, we consider the nonlinear heat equation on with some boundary conditions and the initial condition , where and p > 1. For the one dimensional case, it is well known that for p < 3 this problem has a local solution for any initial condition . But the existence and uniqueness of a local solution in L 1for the critical exponent p= 3 was wide open and this work is to answer this open question. First, we prove that for the Cauchy problem there is no local solution in L 1for some u 0∈ L 1. Then using the nonlocal existence of Cauchy problem by a cutoff function argument, we prove the nonlocal existence of a solution for the Dirichlet problem which answers this open question. Moreover, we generalize the nonlocal existence result for n-dimensional case with the critical exponent . More general nonlinearity is also considered for Dirichlet boundary value problems. Finally, we prove the same result for the mixed boundary condition with the same initial data u 0.
The hostility of offshore environments--How much more?

The upper limit of environmental elements is questioned by reports of increasing extremes of winds, waves, storm tides and currents in old and new areas of offshore development. During stormy seasons in hostile areas like the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the North Atlantic, extreme values of such parameters have been underestimated. Semi-permanent offshore operations in these areas indicate extreme conditions increase with exposure time. Is the increase of extremes related to changing climate or to availability of more data? If we cannot separate the causes of underestimates, we can update the empirical data, discuss their implications and present these for consideration. The ultimate maxima are theoretically computed and considered. Climatic changes contributing to storm intensity at world locations are presented and their implications discussed.
Influence of episodic exposures of chlorpyrifos to an estuarine cyprinodontid, Fundulus heteroclitus

Abstract Episodic exposure to chlorpyrifos can inhibit AChE and weaken bone strength. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of short-term exposures to chlorpyrifos, followed by a recovery period, on Fundulus heteroclitus brain AChE activity, CYP2B induction, and caudal vertebrae strength. All parameters were measured following four 6-h episodic exposures to chlorpyrifos. During the tests, organisms were exposed to 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 μg l−1 of chlorpyrifos. Positive and negative controls were used to account for osmoregulatory effects. Daily (4 days) and weekly (4 weeks) exposures were conducted with laboratory-reared and wild fish. Our results demonstrated that several 6-h pulsed doses of chlorpyrifos in 5 g kg−1 salinity seawater significantly inhibited brain AChE activity, may have affected CYP2B activity, and significantly weakened caudal vertebrae in test organisms. Some of these effects appear to be confounded with gender, suggesting a potential seasonal or hormonal factor is involved.
Microwave Observations of a Partially Ionized Interstellar Cloud

High resolution spectroscopy has enabled detection of recombination lines of excited hydrogen, carbon and elements of intermediate mass from a cool cloud in the direction of W3.
Immunoglobulin gene expression in xid mice: Defective expression of secreted and membrane α-heavy chain RNA

Abstract CNA/N mice bearing the X-linked immunodeficiency ( xid ) gene(s) demonstrate overall decreased numbers of B-cells, impaired immune responses to TI-2 antigens and decreased serum IgM, IgG3 and to a lesser extent IgG1 and IgA. In these experiments we examined equal numbers of B-cells (cells capable of regeneration of surface Ig) from PP, MLN and spleens of xid and control mice for immunoglobulin gene expression. B-cells present in CBA/N mice exhibit control levels of Ig isotypespecific mRNA accumulation and transcription. Oligonucleotide probes directed against membrane and secreted exons of β, γ and α genes were synthesized and hybridized to B-cell RNA from CBA/N and CBA/J mice to determine relative levels of each isotype- and exon-specific mRNA. Results revealed decreased α s RNA:α m RNA in splenic B-cells of xid mice when compared to control animals. Northern blot analysis of total tissue polysomal RNA demonstrated enhanced expression of the (larger) membrane form of α-mRNA (α m -RNA) of CBA/N when compared to CBA/J mice. This was especially apparent in splenic preparations; these and other studies have shown that both control and xid PP and MLN express enhanced levels of the membrane forms of each Ig heavy chain isotype RNA when compared to splenic RNA levels. These data suggest the presence of a defective regulation of membrane and secreted α in B-cell subpopulations of xid mice.
Reducing the variance by smoothing

Abstract In this paper we show that versions of statistical functionals which are obtained by smoothing the corresponding empirical d.f. with an appropriate kernel can reduce the variance and the mean square error of the statistic. This is shown by studying the influence function of the functional. The smaller variance is achieved when the influence function is either discontinuous or piecewise linear with convexity towards the x-axis. Examples for M- and L-estimators are given.
Simulating lower extremity nerve blocks with virtual reality

Regional anesthesia offers many potential benefits to patients, and provides a gratifying aspect of practice to anesthesiologists. Unfortunately, these techniques are often avoided because practitioners lack familiarity with the procedures. Current methods of teaching regional anesthesia require the clinician to learn while performing actual procedures on patients. This approach poses a barrier to learning because it can create anxiety among student, teacher, and patient. We have developed a method of simulating regional anesthesia with the goal of allowing physicians to gain technical familiarity with these procedures before actual patient contact. Our approach involves the visual presentation of a patient using virtual reality that is created from CT-scan data and presented in stereo through a head-mounted display. The sense of touch and needle resistance is simulated with a PHANToM servo-controlled force transduction device. The system provides satisfactory realism to allow the user to suspend disbelief, and accept the environment as representing a patient upon whom a regional anesthetic procedure can be performed. Because the simulation is derived from patient CT data and biomechanical testing of tissue properties, actual patient characteristics may be modeled. Procedures can be rehearsed and alternative approaches attempted before actual patient contact. By using virtual reality, this approach reduces the space, expense, and inflexibility of a mannequin-based simulator. Early experience with the system suggests that physicians find this tool useful in learning the anatomy and technical approach to regional anesthesia.
Theoretical analysis of bragg electrostrictive mixing in optical waveguides

Abstract A theoretical analysis of electrostrictive mixing in optical waveguides using the power balance approach is presented. The high optical power densities attainable in optical waveguides provide a means to make this effect appreciable to generate acoustic surface waves of the Rayleigh type. The tensor property of the acoustic wave and the transverse field distributions of the optical and acoustic waves are included in the analysis. Numerical calculation for a tellurite glass, fused quartz waveguide structure indicates a possibility for cw operation.
Efficacy of delayed administration of crotalid antivenom and crystalloid fluids

Abstract R. C. Dart , A. P. Goldner and D. Lindsey . Efficacy of delayed administration of crotalid antivenom and crystalloid fluids. Toxicon 26, 1218–1221.—Clinical and research reports suggest that the efficacy of antivenom declines when its administration is delayed after envenomation. A controlled sequential trial was performed comparing the efficacy of three treatments to untreated controls when applied 1 hr after subcutaneous injection of rats with Crotalus atrox venom. Survival was decreased in all groups when treatment was delayed for 1 hr. Survival was highest in animals treated with both antivenom and saline, followed by antivenom alone, saline alone and then untreated animals.
On-chip source synchronous interface timing test scheme with calibration

This paper presents an on-chip test circuit with a high resolution for testing source synchronous interface timing. Instead of a traditional strobe-scanning method, an on-chip delay measurement technique which detects the timing mismatches between data and clock paths is developed. Using a programmable pulse generator, the timing mismatches are detected and converted to pulse widths. To obtain digital test results compatible with low-cost ATE, an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is used. We propose a novel calibration method for the input range for the ADC using a binary search algorithm. This enables test results to be measured with high resolution using only a 4-bit flash ADC (which keeps the area overhead low). The method achieves a resolution of 21.88 ps in 0.18µ technology. We also present simulation results of the interface timing characterization, including timing margins and timing pass/fail decisions.
Conjugate observation of optical aurora with polar satellite and ground-based cameras

Abstract Ultraviolet images from the Polar spacecraft enable observation of the optical aurora in the sun illuminated northern summer hemisphere. All sky cameras operated in Antarctica observe large portions of the southern polar hemisphere simultaneously during the dark southern winter. This opportunity permits real conjugate auroral observations for long periods and in all sectors of local time. Optical aurora conjugacy depends on the location on closed or open field lines and on the distortion of the geomagnetic field. Several case studies show a good conjugacy close to magnetic noon but sometimes non-conjugacy close to magnetic midnight. There seems to be better conjugacy during small and northward IMF, but no systematic dependence on the solar wind dynamic pressure could be found.
Mass transfer with chemical reaction—I. A second-order irreversible reaction

Abstract The process of simultaneous absorption of two gases which react between themselves in an inert liquid is examined in the realistic limit of fast reaction. In this limit the nonlinear mass balance equations based on film theory are solved analytically using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Explicit analytical expressions for the enhancement factors and concentration profiles of the gaseous solutes are derived. Results are given for the case where the two gases undergo an irreversible chemical reaction and the reaction rate is first order with respect to each of the solute concentrations. The nonlinear mass-transfer equations are also solved numerically using a shooting technique. When the dimensionless reaction rate constant is large, the analytical solution for the enhancement factor is found to be in excellent agreement with the numerical solution, with an error of less than 0.2% (better than any previously achieved).
Development of a Claims-Based Risk Score to Identify Obese Individuals

Abstract Obesity is underdiagnosed, hampering system-based health promotion and research. Our objective was to develop and validate a claims-based risk model to identify obese persons using medical diagnosis and prescription records. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of de-identified claims data from enrollees of 3 Blue Cross Blue Shield plans who completed a health risk assessment capturing height and weight. The final sample of 71,057 enrollees was randomly split into 2 subsamples for development and validation of the obesity risk model. Using the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups case-mix/predictive risk methodology, we categorized study members' diagnosis (ICD) codes. Logistic regression was used to determine which claims-based risk markers were associated with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2. The sensitivities of the scores ≥90th percentile to detect obesity were 26% to 33%, while the specificities were >90%. The areas under the receiver operator curve ranged from 0.67 to 0.73. In contr...
Behavioral genetics of childhood obesity

Research on the behavioral genetics of childhood obesity is presented. Obesity clusters in families, and both twin and adoption studies have shown a genetic contribution to the development of obesity. Analysis of the heritability of intake has not shown food or taste preferences to have a strong genetic basis. The effect of heredity on activity level and fitness is stronger than for intake variables. Research on the role of familial obesity in the treatment of childhood obesity shows that children with obese parents may be less successful in a weight control program than obese children with nonobese parents during the first year of treatment; these differences do not tend to be maintained over three years.
Crypthecodinium and Tetrahymena: an exercise in comparative evolution.

Nucleotide sequences have been determined for the highly variable D2 region of the large rRNA molecule for over 60 strains of dinoflagellates. These strains were selected from a worldwide collection that represents all the known sibling species (compatibility groups, Mendelian species) in the sibling swarm referred to as Crypthecodinium cohnii. A phylogenetic tree has been constructed from an analysis of the variations in a length of about 180 bases, using PHYLOGEN string analysis programs. The Crypthecodinium tree is compared with the previously published but here augmented tree constructed upon the same rRNA region for the sibling species of a worldwide collection of ciliated protozoa related to the genus Tetrahymena. The first reported sequence of Lambornella clarki, the parasite of tree-hole mosquitoes, is included. The dinoflagellate species complex is much more homogeneous with respect to ribosomal variation. The mean number of differences among sequences from different Crypthecodinium species is about 7, in comparison with 22 differences among the ciliate species examined. Moreover, all the diversity in the dinoflagellates can be explained by base substitutions, whereas insertions and deletions are common in the ciliates. The dinoflagellates are also much more uniform with respect to nutritional and genetic economies. The two complexes differ also in the relationship between molecular variations and breeding compatibility. All tetrahymenine sibling species thus far examined are monomorphic in the D2 region, but several dinoflagellate species are polymorphic. Several different dinoflagellate species, moreover, have identical D2 regions. This kind of ribosomal identity of incompatible strains is found in these ciliates only in one tight cluster of species—Group C. The tetrahymenine swarm is apparently much older than the Crypthecodinium swarm, and the dinoflagellate species produce incompatible progeny species much more readily than do the ciliates, perhaps by the acquisition of mutations that potentiate incompatibility in sympatric populations.
Studies of the N-bromosuccinimide inactivation of the enzyme rhodanese

Abstract The enzyme rhodanese (Thiosulfate : cyanide sulphurtransferase, EC 2.8.1.1) is rapidly inactivated by treatment with N-bromosuccinimide. Spectrophotometric titration and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis show that neither tryptophan oxidation nor polypeptide chain cleavage can account for the inactivation. Sulfhydryl group assays using the colormetric reagent 5,5′-dituiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) after destruction of excess N-bromosuccinmide, indicate that approximately 2 sulfhydryl groups per enzyme molecule are lost. Further, rhodanese inactivated by N-bromosuccinimide can be reactivated (∼95%) by incubation with the substrate thiosulfate. It is postulated that N-bromosuccinimide inactivates rhodanese by inducing the formation of a disulfide bond involving the active site sulfhydryl group of the enzyme and a second sulfhydryl group which can be brought close to the active site in the flexible native structure.
Head and Neck Cancer Specific Survival Based on Socioeconomic Status in Asians and Pacific Islanders

BACKGROUND: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to higher incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) and lower survival. However, little is known about the effect of SES on HNC survival in Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs). This study's purpose was to examine the effect of SES on disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) in APIs with HNC using population-based data. METHODS: A total of 53,544 HNC patients (4,711 = APIs) were identified from the California Cancer Registry from 1988 to 2007. Neighborhood (block-group-level) SES, based on composite Census 1990 and 2000 data, was calculated for each patient based on address at diagnosis, categorized into statewide quintiles, and collapsed into 2 groups for comparison (low SES = quintiles 1-3; high SES = quintiles 4-5). DSS and OS were computed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusted hazards ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Among APIs, lower neighborhood SES was significantly associated with poorer DSS (HR range for oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx/hypopharynx cancer, 1.07-1.34) and OS (HR, 1.13-1.37) after adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics. Lower SES was significantly associated with poorer survival in API with all HNC sites combined: DSS HR: 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.48) and OS HR, 1.30 (95% CI, 1.16-1.45). CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood SES was associated with longer DSS and OS in API with HNC. The effect of SES on HNC survival should be considered in future studies, and particular attention should be paid to clinical care of lower-SES HNC patients. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.