cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PHENOLIC ACIDS IN LONICERA JAPONICA THUNB. USING HIGH PERFORMANCE THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

A new, simple, precise, and rapid high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitative determination of three phenolic acids, namely, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and chlorogenic acid from flower buds of Lonicera japonica. The separation of these compounds was carried out on silica gel 60F254 eluted with ethyl acetate:chloroform:methanol:formic acid:water (6:2.5:1.5:0.6:0.1 v/v/v/v) and a detection wavelength at 330 nm. The developed method gave a good linear regression relationship between peak area and an observed concentration range of 200–1200 ng spot−1 for the three aforementioned marker compounds. Spike recoveries were within 97.81–101.59% and the RSD values of precision were in the range of 0.65–3.21%. The method presented good results for the following parameters: selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, as well as limit of detection and limit of quantification. Therefore, this metho...
Kinetics and Regulation of Mammalian NADH-Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (Complex I)

NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I, European Commission No. 1.6.5.3) is one of the respiratory complexes that generate the proton-motive force required for the synthesis of ATP in mitochondria. The catalytic mechanism of Complex I has not been well understood, due to the complicated structure of this enzyme. Here, we develop a kinetic model for Complex I that accounts for electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone through protein-bound prosthetic groups, which is coupled to the translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The model is derived based on the tri-bi enzyme mechanism combined with a simple model of the conformational changes associated with proton transport. To study the catalytic mechanism, parameter values are estimated by analyzing kinetic data. The model is further validated by independent data sets from additional experiments, effectively explaining the effect of pH on enzyme activity. Results imply that matrix pH significantly affects the enzyme turnover processes. The overall kinetic analysis demonstrates a hybrid ping-pong rapid-equilibrium random bi-bi mechanism, consolidating the characteristics from previously reported kinetic mechanisms and data.
Pump intensity noise and ASE spectrum of Raman amplification in non-zero dispersion-shifted fibers

We observe growth of narrow spectral features in the ASE spectrum of a Raman amplifier under certain dispersion conditions. Relative intensity noise of the counterpropagating pump is found to cause this when it exceeds -125 dB/Hz.
Unsaturated phosphazenes as co-solvents for lithium-ion battery electrolytes

Abstract This paper covers the synthesis and use of a related family of cyclic phosphazene solvents containing terminal unsaturations that are being considered as electrolyte additives in lithium-ion cells. A brief synopsis on the synthesis and purification of these compounds is given. Data will be presented that covers physical and chemical properties of the phosphazenes as well as the properties when blended at various levels with representative organic carbonate baseline solvents. Electrochemical cycling data will be presented using commercially available electrode couples as well as studies focusing on cell performance at early lifetime as well as after repeated cycles. Conclusions regarding the effect of the unsaturated phosphazene compounds and their interaction with various alkyl carbonates, and their effect on cell performance will be presented.
A study of collisional quenching and radiation-trapping kinetics for Rb(5p) in the presence of methane and ethane using time-resolved fluorescence

An experimental study using time-resolved fluorescence techniques together with theoretical simulations has been conducted and used to determine the quenching cross-sections of rubidium–methane and rubidium–ethane. Radiation trapping was significant under many of the experimental conditions (temperatures 40–130 °C and pressures 50–700 Torr) and a detailed analysis of the interplay between radiation trapping and quenching kinetics was carried out. Modifications of the Holstein equation for radiation trapping were implemented to account for the quasi-2 level behaviour of the Rb atom for high buffer gas pressures, the absolute frequency-dependent absorption cross-section for Rb with variable buffer gas pressures which accounts for the hyperfine splitting of 87Rb and modification of the trapping factors so that radiation trapping and quenching by an additive quenching gas could be treated simultaneously. Experimental results supported by theoretical simulations bound the quenching cross-sections (σ) of methane and ethane at 40 °C to be σ ≤ 0.019 A2 and σ ≤ 0.033 A2, respectively. These values are nearly two orders of magnitude smaller than previously reported.
Clinical perspectives for the use of new hypoxic cell sensitizers

Abstract Experience with high pressure oxygen in combination with radiotherapy has shown that, for some tumors at least, the presence of hypoxic cells is a limiting factor in the ability to cure these tumors even with conventional daily fractionation. This suggests that hypoxic cell radiosensitizers, of which misonidazole (MISO) is the prototype drug, may play a role in improving the cure-rate of some tumors when combined with daily fractionation. Even for those tumors for which no improvement is seen when combined with daily fractionation, it is likely that there will be an important role for these sensitizers by using them in combination with regimens of only a few dose fractions. Because of the limiting side effects of neuropathy, a less toxic radiosensitizer than MISO is required to gain the full clinical benefit of these drugs. A possible way of achieving this is to reduce the lipid solubility (lipophilicity) of the compounds while still retaining their electron-affinity. This reduces the concentration of drug in the neural tissues (brain, peripheral nerves) without affecting the tumor concentration. However, if the lipophilicity is too low, the drugs are unable to enter the hypoxic cells and hence lose their radiosensitizing efficiency. It would appear that a lipophilicity given by an octanol:water partition coefficient of approximately 0.04 is optimum (cf. MISO=0.43) with the 2-nitroimidazole amide SR-2508 the best in this series. Tumor levels of this drug of at least 7–8 times those obtained with MISO should be attainable clinically for no increase in neurotoxicity. Another property of electron-affinic sensitizers shows clinical promise. This is their ability to preferentially sensitize tumors compared to normal tissues to the cytotoxic action of several chemotherapeutic agents. A therapeutic gain of a factor of approximately 2 can be obtained when cyclophosphamide or melphalan is combined with MISO at dose levels that can be achieved clinically.
The SCAMP system for patient and practice management

SCAMP is a comprehensive clinical information system for ambulatory care. Four design goals distinguish this system: ease of use, comprehensiveness, the incorporation of medical knowledge into system functions, and ease of modification of system capabilities by clinicians. Major subsystems are dedicated to billing, administrative reports, entry, retrieval and analysis of the medical record, clinical research, and provision of clinical reminders. Because clinicians differ in their needs and preferences, SCAMP has been designed to let clinicians modify aspects of the content, format, and processing of information available on the system. The SCAMP system has become increasingly accepted by many primary care physicians as a practical and useful tool for managing their information needs in ambulatory care.
Acetylcholine receptor subunit gene expression in thymic tissue.

It is controversial whether acetylcholine receptors (AChR) or AChR-like proteins exist in human thymus. To evaluate this question we isolated RNA from paraffin-embedded thymic tissue of 5 myasthenics and 5 nonmyasthenics. RNA was subjected to reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers specific for β-actin, subunits of the fetal- and adult-type AChR, and Myf-4, a gene product which regulates AChR expression in muscle. β-Actin transcripts were identified in specimens from 8 of 10 patients. In these 8 patients α-and e-subunit transcripts were identified. Presence of these transcripts did not correlate with thymic pathology or clinical presentation. No γ-subunit (specific for the fetal-type AChR) or Myf-4 transcripts were found. Our results indicate that mRNA for subunits of the adult-type AChR are expressed in thymic tissue by mechanisms not involving Myf-4. AChR subunits in pathological thymus may provide a target for immune attack in MG. However, as AChR subunits were found in thymus tissue from myasthenics and nonmyasthenics, the presence of AChR subunits in the thymus alone is not sufficient to produce myasthenia gravis. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nonlinear viscoelastic stress analysis—a finite element approach

Abstract This paper describes a finite element algorithm developed for analysis of nonlinear viscoelastic materials. A single integral constitutive law proposed by Schapery is used to describe viscoelastic material behavior. Work leading to this paper focused on adhesives, but the FE formulation is general and readily extended to structural systems other than plane strain, plane stress and axisymmetric analysis as described. Cartesian strain components are written in terms of current and past stress states. Thus strains are conveniently defined by a stress operator that includes instantaneous compliance and hereditary strain which is updated by recursive computation. Equilibrium at each time step is insured with a modified Newton Raphson technique, incorporating convergence acceleration. Verification analyses show excellent agreement with experimental data for FM-73 adhesive systems. A plane strain analysis of a butt joint is included.
Matrix-Isolation Studies and Ring Conformation of 1,3-Dithietane

The infrared and Raman spectra of 1,3-dithietane have been recorded with the sample in the solid state and trapped in an argon matrix at 18K. The number of coincidences between the infrared and Raman spectra of the matrix-isolated sample is consistent with C2v molecular symmetry in which the ring has a puckered conformation. In the solid state a number of bands disappear upon annealing, and the observed mutual exclusion for the annealed solid can be interpreted in terms of D2h symmetry. Whereas the matrix probably represents the
The industrial prestige hierarchy

Abstract The major concerns of this research were to determine the prestige evaluations of selected industries by individuals representing diverse groups, and to compare the results with a previous study. Questionnaires were administered to five occupational subgroups (accountants, personnel managers, secretaries, electricians, security guards) and two university groups, one composed of white students, the other of black students. A total of 400 respondents indicated their prestige ratings of 30 industries in terms of a five-point scale. The major findings may be summarized as follows: (1) the industries were perceived to be arranged hierarchically as to prestige but many of the differences were not statistically significant; (2) various subgroups of the sample shared a closely similar evaluation pattern; and (3) industrial ratings had changed but little through time and did not vary significantly from one geographical area to another.
An examination of drunken driving law reform

Most states have recently altered legislation in response to the problem of drunken driving. Reforms are generally aimed at enhancing criminal justice response to offenders. This research examines the outcomes corollary to new drunken-driving legislation in one Michigan jurisdiction. Pre- and post-reform data are analyzed with significant difference tests in order to assess whether or not the objectives of increasing arrests, convictions, and sanctions for drunken drivers materialized through implementation. Overall, results indicated the partial realization of reform goals. Concluding considerations offer interpretations, along with recommendations for continued progress in impacting upon the problem of drunken driving.
Far-field dynamics of tidal energy extraction in channel networks

Tidal hydrokinetic power generation involves the conversion of the kinetic power in swiftly moving tidal currents to renewable electricity. Resource assessment is critical to understand the tidal hydrokinetic potential, but is complicated by a number of factors, including far-field effects. These are changes to the tidal regime caused by the increased resistance to flow as power is extracted from a channel network. This study addresses far-field effects in four prototypical channel networks: multiply-connected flow around an island, a branching network in which the flow bifurcates but does not converge downstream, and a network with multiple constrictions in series. These networks are modelled as one-dimensional channels with hydrokinetic power extraction in high current constrictions. Changes to tides, transport, frictional power dissipation, and kinetic power density are quantified for a range of extraction options. Depending on the type of network, the tidal regime may be either locally augmented or reduced by kinetic power extraction. The changes to kinetic power density throughout the network have important implications for resource assessment, particularly for networks with multiple extraction sites. Results suggest that existing analytical methods tend to over- or under-estimate the hydrokinetic resource because they do not allow for changes to the tidal forcing as a consequence of extraction. In general, site-specific numerical modelling is required to quantitatively predict far-field extraction effects and assess the hydrokinetic resource.
Selenium isotopes support free O2 in the latest Archean

Selenium (Se) undergoes redox transformations and isotopic fractionations at relatively high redox potentials and could therefore provide insight into changes in oceanic and atmospheric O2 levels over Earth’s history. We test this idea with Se data from the 2.5 Ga Mount McRae Shale (Hamersley Basin, Australia), which records temporary enrichments in abundances and isotopes of other redox-sensitive elements indicating a “whiff of oxygen” in Earth’s atmosphere before the Great Oxidation Event. Se isotopic ratios expressed as δ82/78Se and abundances relative to crustal background show significant positive excursions of up to 1.1‰ and an enrichment 13 times above background, respectively, overlapping with excursions in Mo and N isotopes and abundances. Because Se has a relatively high redox potential and photosynthetic oxidation pathways are unknown, our data thus suggest that Se was mobilized by free O2 during this interval. The isotopic fractionation likely occurred during transport of Se oxyanions from the site of weathering to the outer shelf. Although O2 could have been produced locally on land and may not necessarily have increased in the global atmosphere, our results strengthen the inference of an early origin of oxygenic photosynthesis long before the Paleoproterozoic Great Oxidation Event. This is the first report of a Se isotope excursion in the Precambrian rock record, and it confirms that Se isotopes can serve as a useful redox proxy in deep time.
Browsing databases with constraint hierarchies

Electronic markets rely on database technology for efficient search for products, services, customers, and trading partners. Yet, database technology was not designed to build electronic markets, and it often fails to fully support market search activities. Market search often requires browsing and incremental search, attribute and constraint tradeoffs, approximate matches, and incorporation of user and task characteristics into searches. None of these requirements are supported directly by the database technology. Three major extensions to database technology are proposed to effectively support electronic markets. First, incremental search techniques are proposed to allow users to browse databases, and to move from solution to solution by following attribute and constraint tradeoffs. These techniques require systems to have some knowledge of similarity, distance, direction, and tradeoffs. Second, typing and stereotyping techniques are introduced to allow users to relate task and user characteristics to product attributes. These techniques require integration of typing systems with database searches. Third, a comprehensive search strategy is developed that combines incremental search and stereotyping techniques by utilizing product, task, and user ontologies.
Use of a Spreadsheet To Help Students Understand the Origin of the Empirical Equation That Allows Estimation of the Extinction Coefficients of Proteins

A brief history of the development of the empirical equation that is used by prominent, Internet-based programs to estimate (or calculate) the extinction coefficients of proteins is presented. In addition, an overview of a series of related assignments designed to help students understand the origin of the empirical equation is provided. The assignments culminate in a challenge whereby students were encouraged to develop a similar equation. The results of a student survey suggest that the assignments helped increase understanding of how the empirical equation was developed, in particular, and of the use of statistical methods (e.g., multiple linear regression, nonlinear least-squares fitting), in general.
Unaccepted applicants to medical school as a health resource.

The career decisions of national samples of male and female unaccepted applicants to the 1971-72 entering U.S. medical school class are studied in order to determine whether the increasing number of unaccepted applicants is a potential manpower pool for alternative health occupations. The dominant response to rejection among respondents is reapplication to medical school in subsequent years, and the principal determinant of reapplication is receiving postrejection support (usually from family or friends) of the original career intentions. Most of the respondents who do not gain admittance to medical school on reapplications still aspire to doctoral-level degrees, but only half remain in the health area. Those respondents who had formulated contingency career plans in the professions and who had high science aptitude but low math aptitude tended to remain in the health area. A service orientation toward occupations is not associated with remaining in the health area.
The Growing Litigiousness of Czech Elections

Abstract The 2006 Czech elections produced a record number of lawsuits, more than all previous elections to the Chamber of Deputies combined. This article explains the rise as due primarily to the introduction of a new administrative court with special responsibility for electoral disputes. Although the law makes a successful challenge to a result almost impossible, low-cost litigation is attractive to minor political parties as a form of campaigning. The article focuses on the two aspects of the 2006 election that generated the most complaints, media coverage and disproportionality between seats and votes.
Estimating data center thermal correlation indices from historical data

In order to better manage the cooling infrastructure in a data center with multiple computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units, the relationship between CRAC settings and temperature at various locations in the data center needs to be accurately and reliably determined. Usually this is done via a commissioning process which is both time consuming and disruptive. In this paper, we describe a machine learning based technique to model rack inlet temperature sensors in a data center as a function of CRAC settings. These models can then be used to automatically estimate thermal correlation indices (TCI) at any particular CRAC settings. We have implemented a prototype of our methodology in a real data center with eight CRACs and several hundred sensors. The temperature sensor models developed have high accuracy (mean RMSE error is 0.2 °C). The results are validated using manual commissioning, demonstrating the effectiveness of our techniques in estimating TCI and in determining thermal zones or regions of influence of the CRACs.
Mutnovsky Flash-Steam Power Plant, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

The Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatksy on the Kamchakta Peninsula is 7840 km (4870 mi) and nine time zones east of Moscow. The whole length of the peninsula, about the size of the state of California, is studded with gigantic volcanoes, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Kamchatka is home to one of the world's premier geyser fields along the Geysernaya River in the Uzon caldera, so remote that it was not discovered until 1941. Despite its isolated location, Kamchatka was recognized as having great geothermal potential. Renewed interest has resulted in scores of wells being drilled, in numerous geoscientific studies, and technical articles being published and presented to the geothermal community. Vereina using the TOUGH2 reservoir simulator has carried out a detailed study of the reservoir at Mutnovsky. This chapter is based on the conclusions reached in that work. There are two units either under construction or in advanced planning at Mutnovsky: Verkhne-Mutnovsky IV and Mutnovsky second stage. With many advantages for the integrated steam-binary plant, it is likely that future developments at the geothermal fields of Kamchatka will be accomplished with this type of energy conversion system.
CONTROL UNIQUENESS IN RECONSTRUCTABILITY ANALYSIS

Abstract When the reconstructability analysis of a directed system yields a structure in which a generated variable appears in more than one subsystem, information from all of the subsystems can be used in modeling the relationship between generating and generated variables. The conceptualization and procedure proposed here is discussed in relation to Klir's concept of control uniqueness
Tie2 and Eph Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activation and Signaling

The Eph and Tie cell surface receptors mediate a variety of signaling events during development and in the adult organism. As other receptor tyrosine kinases, they are activated on binding of extracellular ligands and their catalytic activity is tightly regulated on multiple levels. The Eph and Tie receptors display some unique characteristics, including the requirement of ligand-induced receptor clustering for efficient signaling. Interestingly, both Ephs and Ties can mediate different, even opposite, biological effects depending on the specific ligand eliciting the response and on the cellular context. Here we discuss the structural features of these receptors, their interactions with various ligands, as well as functional implications for downstream signaling initiation. The Eph/ephrin structures are already well reviewed and we only provide a brief overview on the initial binding events. We go into more detail discussing the Tie-angiopoietin structures and recognition.
The southern California uplift and associated earthquakes

Southern California earthquakes ≥ M5.5 during the period 1955/01/01–1994/01/17 were concentrated along or adjacent to the south flank of the southern California uplift, as defined both at its culmination and following its partial collapse. Spatial clustering of these earthquakes within three more-or-less distinct groups suggests either gaps along the south flank that were previously filled or are yet to be filled. Nearly all of the indicated earthquakes accompanied or followed partial collapse of the uplift, and seismic activity within this regime seems to have been increasing through at least 1994/01/17.
Computational Analysis of Conserved RNA Secondary Structure in Transcriptomes and Genomes

Transcriptomics experiments and computational predictions both enable systematic discovery of new functional RNAs. However, many putative noncoding transcripts arise instead from artifacts and biological noise, and current computational prediction methods have high false positive rates. I discuss prospects for improving computational methods for analyzing and identifying functional RNAs, with a focus on detecting signatures of conserved RNA secondary structure. An interesting new front is the application of chemical and enzymatic experiments that probe RNA structure on a transcriptome-wide scale. I review several proposed approaches for incorporating structure probing data into the computational prediction of RNA secondary structure. Using probabilistic inference formalisms, I show how all these approaches can be unified in a well-principled framework, which in turn allows RNA probing data to be easily integrated into a wide range of analyses that depend on RNA secondary structure inference. Such analyses include homology search and genome-wide detection of new structural RNAs.
MBE Growth of Mercury Cadmium Telluride: Issues and Practical Solutions

The growth of thin films of mercury-based materials by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) presents significant experimental problems which must be overcome in order to successfully grow infrared detector materials such as mercury cadmium telluride (MCT). Many of the problems associated with the use of Hg in MBE arise from its high room temperature vapor pressure (2 mTorr) and its low sticking coefficient. The MBE system must be designed for Hg usage by considering such things as the ultra high vacuum pumping system, the Hg source, Hg containment, and Hg removal. In addition, Hg is a toxic heavy metal and must be handled appropriately. Other problems involved with the growth of MCT are associated with the design of the MBE furnaces which are used to evaporate cadmium telluride and tellurium.
Comparison of Environmental Effects of Steel- and Concrete-Framed Buildings

In order to create an environmentally-conscious building, the environmental impacts of the entire service life must be known. Life-cycle assessment (LCA), which evaluates the impacts from all life-cycle phases, from “cradle to grave,” is the best method to achieve this goal. In this paper, LCA is used to quantify the energy use and the environmental emissions during the construction phase of two typical office buildings, one with a structural steel frame and one with a cast-in-place concrete frame, and then these are put in the perspective of the overall service life of each building. The concrete structural-frame construction has more associated energy use, C O2 , CO, N O2 , particulate matter, S O2 , and hydrocarbon emissions due to more formwork used, larger transportation impacts due to a larger mass of materials, and longer equipment use due to the longer installation process. In contrast, the steel-frame construction has more volatile organic compound (VOC) and heavy metal (Cr, Ni, Mn) emissions due...
Full-rate full-diversity complex-field space-time codes for frequency- or time-selective fading channels

Multi-antenna systems allow for a significant increase in transmission rates of coherent wireless transmissions over Rayleigh fading channels. Various multi-antenna designs have been developed in recent years targeting either high-performance or high rate. We design a layered space-time (ST) scheme equipped with linear complex field (LCF) coding, which enables full diversity with full rate, for any number of transmit- and receive-antennas through either flat or non-flat fading channels. Our theoretical claims are confirmed by simulations.
Results from the NOAA National Status and Trends Program on distribution and effects of chemical contamination in the coastal and estuarine United States

The NOAA National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program has been monitoring chemical contamination in fish livers, and surface sediments since 1984 and in molluscan tissue and sediments since 1986. Data from fine-grained sediment at 175 sites are used to describe the spatial distribution of contamination throughout the coastal and estuarine United States. Highest levels are generally found in, and considered representative of, urban areas. It should be noted, however, that these levels are not as high as have been found near discharge pipes or in isolated industrial areas through other monitoring efforts. Dramatic biological responses, such as liver tumors in fish or apparently toxic contaminant levels in sediment, are found infrequently. Subtle biological changes, especially those that affect reproductive ability, are being sought. Data from three annual collections of mollusks have been used to identify early signals of temporal trends in contamination at NS&T sites.
Alkylations of Aldehydes via Reaction of the Magnesioenamine Salt of an Aldehyde: 2,2‐Dimethyl‐3‐Phenylpropionaldehyde

Alkylations of aldehydes via reaction of the magnesioenamine salt of an aldehyde: 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropionaldehyde intermediate: N-(2-methylpropylidene)-tert-butylamine product: 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropionaldehyde byproduct: 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone Keywords: alkylation, C-alkylation; coupling; Grignard and related reactions; ethylmagnesium bromide, preparation of; tetrahydrofuran; bubbler, mercury; condenser, for low-boiling liquids
The Kingdom of God as the Design of Society: An Important Aspect of F. D. Maurice's Theology

It is being said on every hand that the church is remiss in its moral responsibilities in our time. The church is conspicuous because of its failure to give ethical perspectives either to the world revolution of Asians, Africans, and Latin Americans rising to prominence or to America's revolution of minority groups. There are many to bemoan, however, and few to offer constructive solutions.
WebSIDD: server for predicting stress-induced duplex destabilized (SIDD) sites in superhelical DNA

Summary: WebSIDD is a Web-based service designed to predict locations and extents of stress-induced duplex destabilization (SIDD) that occur in a double-stranded DNA molecule of specified base sequence, on which a specified level of superhelical stress is imposed. The algorithm calculates the approximate equilibrium statistical mechanical distribution of a population of identical molecules among its accessible states. The user inputs the DNA sequence, and the program outputs the calculated transition probability and destabilization energy of each base pair in the sequence. As options, the user can specify the temperature and the level of superhelicity. The values of all structural and energy parameters used in the calculation have been experimentally measured. WebSIDD should prove useful for finding SIDD-susceptible sites in genomic sequences, and correlating their occurrence with locations involved in regulatory and pathological processes. This strategy already has illuminated the roles of SIDD in diverse biological regulatory processes, including transcriptional initiation and termination, and the eukaryotic nuclear scaffold attachments that partition chromosomes into domains. Availability: http://orange.genomecenter.ucdavis.edu/benham/sidd/index.html
Performance of US MIL-STD-188-141B appendix C data link protocols

This paper has examined the new HF data link protocols defined in the U.S. MIL-STD-188-141B and being considered for NATO STANAGS 4538 and 4539. The protocols have the characteristics of code combining and synchronous transmission times, which allow them to optimally adapt to HF channel conditions and to minimize protocol misalignment. Performance data illustrates that the World's first implementation of these protocols closely agrees with previously published simulation results. Additionally, simulation results illustrate that under many standard HF channel conditions, the XDL protocols significantly outperform those of U.S. Federal Standard 1052, a highly optimized adaptive data rate ARQ system. On-air testing aimed at comparing the performance of XDL and FS1052, highlights the improved performance expected from simulation and perhaps illustrates an even greater than expected advantage to XDL in its ability to quickly adapt to and minimize the effects of rapid channel conditions. The XDL protocols are currently available as an option in the RF-5800H manpack radio. Current work is underway to apply these techniques to the higher data rate waveforms defined in the current draft version of the US MIL-STD-188-110B HF modem standard.
Social and organizational influences on psychological hardiness: How leaders can increase stress resilience

Today’s security forces must operate in environments of increasing complexity, uncertainty and change, a fact that has led to increased stress levels along with the challenge to adapt. For many people, such stressful conditions can lead to a range of health problems and performance decrements. But others remain healthy, showing resilience under stress. What accounts for such resilience? This paper focuses on psychological hardiness, a set of mental qualities that has been found to distinguish resilient from non-resilient people. Those high in psychological hardiness show greater commitment – the abiding sense that life is meaningful and worth living; control – the belief that one chooses and can influence his/her own future; and challenge – a perspective on change in life as something that is interesting and exciting. This paper begins with a brief discussion of the major stress sources in modern military and security operations, and the broad range of factors that can influence resilience in organizations. Next the concept of psychological hardiness is described, including theoretical background, representative research findings, and biological underpinnings. Finally, some strategies are suggested for how psychological hardiness can be built up in organizations, primarily through leader actions and policies. By focusing more attention on increasing psychological hardiness, security organizations can realize enhanced health and performance in the workforce, while also preventing many stress-related problems.
Remembrance of things past: Trauma and mourning in Perec’s W ou le souvenir d’enfance

Perec’s W is studied as a ‘memory text’ revealing the effects of the trauma associated with the loss of his parents during the Second World War. Perec’s text recognizes the mourning process as an engagement with the aporia created by the inability to bear witness. A dialogical relationship is produced by the juxtaposition of ‘autobiographical’ narrative and fantasy text (the fictional representation of the island of W). This enables the latter to function as a heuristic device allowing the writer to come to terms with loss. Viewed as an ethical act, Perec’s writing project stages the mourning process of a fractured life as a reparative gesture enabling the ‘other’ to be kept alive.
The precipitation of latent herpes simplex encephalitis by anaphylactic shock.

Summary1. Evidence that virus disease may develop a latent state is reviewed with an account of the reports of successful activations of latent infections.2. Nineteen instances of precipitation of latent herpetic infection in rabbits by anaphylactic shock are presented.3. Recovery of Herpes simplex virus from rabbit central nervous system during periods of (a) quiescence, (b) chronic encephalitis, (c) spontaneous exacerbations, and (d) anaphylactically induced precipitations of encephalitis is reported.
Interleukin-13 directly promotes oesophagus production of CCL11 and CCL24 and the migration of eosinophils.

Summary Background Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EE) is a clinico-pathologically defined oesophageal disorder that is characterized by eosinophil migration into oesophageal tissues. There is growing support for EE being an allergic disease and for a contribution of T-helper type 2 (Th2)-associated cytokines in disease pathogenesis. The respiratory system has been shown to be critical in driving the development of EE in animal models. However, the mechanisms underlying the recruitment of eosinophils into the oesophagus remain unclear. Objective We sought to investigate the influence of Th2-associated cytokines on the production of eosinophil-specific chemokines from the oesophagus directly. Methods In order to eliminate the potential involvement of the lung, we utilized isolated oesophageal rings. These were treated in vitro with IL-4 or IL-13 and the expression and production of CCL11 and CCL24 were determined. Results Our data demonstrate that IL-13 is a potent and direct inducer of both CCL11 and CCL24 production from the oesophagus, as is IL-4 also. The expression of CCL11 precedes CCL24 by several hours but then diminishes over time, as well as at high concentrations of IL-13. We demonstrate that there is an up-regulation of the inhibitory IL-13 receptor, IL-13Rα2 but that IL-13Rα1 remains unaltered. Oesophagus rings isolated from STAT6−/− mice were unable to produce CCL11 or CCL24 upon IL-13 treatment. Lastly, we demonstrate that oesophageal production of CCL11 and CCL24 upon IL-13 stimulation is sufficient to promote eosinophil migration. Conclusions IL-13 is capable of directly stimulating oesophageal tissue to produce eosinophil-attracting chemokines and drive eosinophil migration. Cite this as: C. V. Neilsen and P. J. Bryce, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 427–434.
FDA Approval Summary: Sunitinib for the Treatment of Progressive Well-Differentiated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

On May 20, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sunitinib malate capsules (Sutent®; Pfizer, Inc., New York) for the treatment of progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease. In a phase III randomized trial, 171 patients received either sunitinib (37.5 mg) or placebo once daily. The progression-free survival (PFS) interval was the primary efficacy endpoint. Secondary endpoints included the overall survival (OS) time, objective response rate (ORR), patient-reported outcomes, and safety. Based on early results favoring sunitinib, the independent data monitoring committee recommended trial termination prior to the prespecified interim analysis. This premature analysis may have led to an overestimate of the treatment effect. In the FDA analysis of investigator-assessed PFS times, the median values for the sunitinib and placebo arms were 10.2 months and 5.4 months, respectively. The ORRs were 9.3% and 0% in the sunitinib and placebo arms, respectively. The OS data were not mature at the time of approval and were confounded by 69% crossover. Common adverse reactions in patients receiving sunitinib included diarrhea, nausea, asthenia, fatigue, neutropenia, hypertension, and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome. Two patients on sunitinib died as a result of cardiac failure. The Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted eight to two that, despite residual uncertainty about the magnitude of the PFS effect because of early trial termination, sunitinib demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile in pNET patients. The FDA concurred with the committee's assessment and granted sunitinib regular approval for this rare malignancy with few available therapies.
The Sociology of the Future: Tracing Stories of Technology and Time

The sociology of the future is an emerging field of inquiry that works to understand future consciousness drawing from a mix of Science & Technology Studies and the practice of foresight. Through an exploration of the theories, methodologies, and quagmires of anticipation employed in the study of nanotechnology, this piece introduces the sociology of the future and suggests some ways the field is taking definition. Exploring the future tense provides a means of taking responsibility for what is to come; yet, the movement of the social sciences into the tricky terrain of the future presents tensions. Understanding plausibility, how different communities use anticipatory knowledge, and the performative role of expectations in innovation remain areas of research rich with dilemmas and delights. As social scientists begin to weave their own accounts of futures, they should pay attention to the politics of such rendering. Extension of the technological reach Scholarly attention to the development of new technologies and to exploring the sociologic tools and methods we have for grasping their emergence is exceedingly important not only for the dual nature of technology as blessing and curse, but also because our technological reach into the future is growing. Our ability to produce technologies that have a lasting impact on social systems seems to be growing given the biological, chemical, and material technologies of late. Nanotechnology is one such novel technology area that is regularly promised to radically alter what it means to be human, our systems of production, and our environmental landscapes. Whether expectations of seamless interactions with nature, non-polluting instantaneous production, or unprecedented wealth and health, nanotechnology is presented by promoters as the elixir for post-industrial ills (Drexler 1986; Roco and Brainbridge 2001; Wood et al. 2003). Yet, this brazen optimism is also balanced by visions of self-replicating nanobots out of control and more tempered analyses about nanotechnology’s ability to
Impaired myocardial protein synthesis induced by acute alcohol intoxication is associated with changes in eIF4F

The purpose of the present study was to examine potential mechanisms for the known inhibitory effect of acute alcohol exposure on myocardial protein synthesis. Rats were injected intraperitoneally ...
Socio-economic Needs for Community Development in Selected Villages of Molopo Local Municipality of North-west Province South Africa

This paper examined the Socio-economic needs for community development in selected villages of Molopo Local Municipality of North-West Province South Africa. Using a stratified random sampling technique 178 household heads were selected from a population of 561 households. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, income and expenditure, employment, household resources, food security, marketing, training and socio-economic needs of the community. The data was analyzed by SPSS computer programme using frequency counts and percentages. The results shows that majority (57 percent) of the household heads were females, 69 percent fall within the economically active group 53 percent had no formal education, 67.9 percent survive by means of Government social grants and about 50 percent of the household heads earn below R1000 per month. Other results on the distribution of major occupations of the heads of the households were: gardening (62 percent), cleaning (32 percent), civil service (10.3 percent), farming (6.7 percent) and mechanic/petrol attendant (3.5 per cent). The majority (56 percent) will like to engage in agricultural related ventures (vegetable production (21 percent), livestock production (21 percent) and poultry production (14 percent) in order to improve their income and livelihood. There is need to implement appropriate community development and empowerment programmes that can create an environment where the people can meet their basic needs and improve quality of their life. It is recommended that emphasis should not only be on the development of basic infrastructure, but also on income generating activities and education services aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty in the study area.
China: Credit, Collateral, and Commodity Prices

We review how China has become a dominant influence in global commodity markets due to the economy’s size and commodity intensity. We then focus on the emergence of China’s credit market as a new influence on commodity prices using a vector autoregression model and recursive identification. We find that a 1 percentage point (ppt) surprise increase in China’s bank lending results in statistically significant price increases of 10-12 percent for some base metals, including copper. This contrasts with a 1 ppt shock to China’s industrial production which leads to a statistically significant change of 7-9 percent of aluminum, copper, and crude oil. We suggest that one reason for the large influence of China’s credit aggregates may be the important role that some commodities play as collateral for lending in a financial system still bedeviled by information asymmetries, particularly for private sector borrowers.
HEp-2 cell adherence as an assay for virulence among diarrheagenic Escherichia coli.

This review summarizes what is known about enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC adherence to HEp-2 cells and biological significance of this phenomenon. HEp-2 is a line of tissue culture cells derived from an epidermoid carcinoma of a larynx to which 80% of EPEC strains adhere. This phenomenon is used as an assay for certain serotypes of E. coli which produce a characteristic intestinal lesion destroy microvilli and form pedestals. Now both defuse adherence and localized adherence with microcolonies have been distinguished. The localized behavior is determined by a E. coli plasmid. Volunteer studies have shown that the strains with the plasmid cause more illness. The diffuse adherence is caused by a distinct surface protein on the bacteria to which purified breast mild sIgA binds. Diffuse adherence needs to be characterized genetically and pathologically. A 3rd type of adherence dubbed aggregative has now been described where the E. coli adhere both to HEp-2 cells with a stacked brick pattern as well as glass slides. These bacteria were isolated from Chilean children with diarrhea and may carry a plasmid.
Myopathy in Critically Ill Children

The incidence of muscle weakness was determined in 830 children (3 months to 17 years of age) admitted for >24 hours to the intensive care unit over a 1-year period at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Cellular Functions of Calcium Channel Subtypes

Intracellular calcium regulation is critically important for numerous cellular functions, such as muscle contraction, secretion, neurotransmitter release and cell migration. Voltage-activated calcium channels play a crucial role in severalof these processes (see Figure 1). Although the functional diversity of calcium channels can be explained by the rich molecular variety of this channel superfamily, a common denominator of calcium channel function is that they all couple incoming excitatory electrical signals to fundamental processes within the cell. Different calcium channel subtypes can play a variety of physiological roles within cells, depending on the stage of development, cell type and other factors. A couple of notable exceptions are the skeletal L-type calcium channel α1s, which is the only calcium channel that coordinates muscle contraction in skeletal muscle, and the L-type channel subtype α1F, whose expression seems to be restricted to retinaltissue.
Study on Combining Ability and Heritability of Quality Traits in Three-line Indica Hybrid Rice

3 sterile lines and 11 restoring lines were chosen for the research on combining ability and heritability of 12 quality traits by incomplete diallele cross design.The results were as follows:(1) Most of the traits were determined by non-additive effect of genes,few of the traits were determined by additive and non-additive effect of genes,and the non-additive effect was in leading position.(2) Brown rice rate,length of grain and chalky area were influenced mainly by sterile line,while head rice rate and gelatinization temperature were influenced mainly by restorer line,and the effect of male and female parents on milled rice rate,length/width and chalky rice rate was almost equal.(3) The narrow heritability of the traits were listed out from big to small as follows: protein content,head rice rate,gelatinization temperature,brown rice rate,chalky area,grain length,gel consistency,amylase content and milled rice rate.(4) Xingcheng A and Minghui 77 were more ideal in parents,and Xingcheng A/TO974 and Jin 23A/R207 were better in hybrid combinations.