cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prospective comparison of systemic-bladder versus portal-enteric drainage in vascularized pancreas transplantation

Abstract Background: Most pancreas transplants are performed with systemic venous delivery of insulin and bladder drainage of the exocrine secretions (systemic-bladder [S-B]). To develop a more physiologic procedure, we performed pancreas transplantations with portal venous delivery of insulin and enteric drainage of the exocrine secretions (portal-enteric [P-E]). Methods: During an 11-month period, we prospectively alternated 32 consecutive pancreas transplant recipients to either S-B (n = 16) or P-E (n = 16) drainage with standardized immunosuppression. Results: Patient, kidney, and pancreas graft survival rates after simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation were 91% S-B versus 92% P-E, 91% S-B versus 92% P-E, and 82% S-B versus 92% P-E, respectively. Pancreas graft survival rates after solitary pancreas transplantation were 80% S-B versus 75% P-E. There were no graft losses either to immunologic or infectious complications in either group, but the incidence of acute rejection was slightly higher in the S-B group (44% S-B vs 31% P-E, P = NS). The cost and length of the initial hospital stay were similar between groups. The incidence of operative complications, major infections, and cytomegalovirus infections were likewise comparable. However, the S-B group was characterized by a slight increase in the number of readmissions, urinary tract infections, and urologic complications. Furthermore, metabolic acidosis and dehydration were more common in the S-B group. Conclusions: Pancreas transplantation with P-E drainage can be performed with short-term results comparable to those of transplantation with S-B drainage. (Surgery 2000;127:217-26.)
Pathways of marine debris derived from trajectories of Lagrangian drifters.

Abstract Global set of trajectories of satellite-tracked Lagrangian drifters is used to study the dynamics of marine debris. A probabilistic model is developed to eliminate the bias in spatial distribution of drifter data due to heterogeneous deployments. Model experiments, simulating long-term evolution of initially homogeneous drifter array, reveal five main sites of drifter aggregation, located in the subtropics and maintained by converging Ekman currents. The paper characterizes the geography and structure of the collection regions and discusses factors that determine their dynamics. A new scale R c = (4 k / |D |) 1/2 is introduced to characterize tracer distribution under competing effects of horizontal divergence D and diffusion k . Existence and locations of all five accumulation zones have been recently confirmed by direct measurements of microplastic at the sea surface.
Experiences with GDSS development: lab and field studies

One laboratory and two field studies of GDSS application were completed. Results indicated that when GDSS tools are matched to appropriate problems, adequate GDSS training is given, and the GDSS process is integrated into the broader organizational context, GDSS is perceived as having positive impacts on group problem solving, and will be accepted by the problem solving group. Implications of the results for GDSS research and development are discussed.
EFFECT OF PROTEIN DISRUPTION USING PROTEOLYTIC TREATMENT ON COOKED RICE TEXTURE PROPERTIES

Two long-grain rice (Oryzae sativa L.) cultivars (Wells and Francis) were harvested from Stuttgart, AR and Essex, MO at high (21.0–22.0%) and low (12.8–16.3%) moisture contents (MCs). Rice samples were soaked in distilled water, sodium phosphate buffer and sodium phosphate buffer with a 0.2% protease (PS) at 37C for 30 min before cooking. A uniaxial compression test was performed to assess cooked rice texture properties. Results showed that protease treatment resulted in a significant decrease in cooked rice firmness for all cultivars across harvest locations and harvest MC. This indicated that proteins were involved in providing structural support to the rice kernel during cooking, restricting starch granule swelling and water hydration. The increase in cooked rice MC after PS treatment provides support for this finding. Stickiness significantly (P < 0.05) increased by soaking either in water or buffer solutions. This was attributed to a greater solubilization of starch, especially amylose leaching, during cooking. Protease treatment did not significantly increase cooked rice stickiness over the buffer treatment.
Measurement of the velocity of products of combustion in gas-fired heaters

Abstract A relatively simple scheme is presented for measuring the velocity in an environment such as the flue way of gas-fired furnaces and heaters. The scheme employs a measure of the correlation between two thermocouples displaced in the axial direction. Analysis of the time-delayed correlation between these two signals shows a maximum value of the correlation function at a delayed time which corresponds to the transit time between both sensors. Knowledge of the separation between these sensors permits a measure of the velocity. While the accuracy of the device may be on the order of 10%, the procedure is straightforward and simple, requires no calibration, and is not dependent on the local properties of the fluid.
COGNITIVE MODELS OF WRITING: WRITING PROFICIENCY AS A COMPLEX INTEGRATED SKILL

This paper undertakes a review of the literature on writing cognition, writing instruction, and writing assessment with the goal of developing a framework and competency model for a new approach to writing assessment. The model developed is part of the Cognitively Based Assessments of, for, and as Learning (CBAL) initiative, an ongoing research project at ETS intended to develop a new form of kindergarten through Grade 12 (K–12) assessment that is based on modern cognitive understandings; built around integrated, foundational, constructed-response tasks that are equally useful for assessment and for instruction; and structured to allow multiple measurements over the course of the school year. The model that emerges from a review of the literature on writing places a strong emphasis on writing as an integrated, socially situated skill that cannot be assessed properly without taking into account the fact that most writing tasks involve management of a complex array of skills over the course of a writing project, including language and literacy skills, document-creation and document-management skills, and critical-thinking skills. As such, the model makes strong connections with emerging conceptions of reading and literacy, suggesting an assessment approach in which writing is viewed as calling upon a broader construct than is usually tested in assessments that focus on relatively simple, on-demand writing tasks.
Regulatory delay and the timing of product innovation

Abstract This paper examines how regulatory delay affects innovation by a regulated firm. When product introduction costs fall over time, an extra day of regulatory delay increases time to introduction by more than a day. When the uncertainty of regulatory delay increases, a risk neutral firm responds by moving up the product introduction. The model places testable restrictions on the empirical relationship between introduction delay and regulatory delay, and is consistent with data gathered from a large U.S. telecommunications provider.
Cytokine Signaling Mediates UV-Induced Nociceptive Sensitization in Drosophila Larvae

Summary Background: Heightened nociceptive (pain) sensitivity is an adaptive response to tissue damage and serves to protect the site of injury. Multiple mediators of nociceptive sensitization have been identified in vertebrates, but the complexity of the vertebrate nervous system and tissue-repair responses has hindered identification of the precise roles of these factors. Results: Here we establish a new model of nociceptive sensitization inDrosophila larvae, in which UV-induced tissue damage alters an aversive withdrawal behavior. We find that UV-treated larvae develop both thermal hyperalgesia, manifested as an exaggerated response to noxious thermal stimuli, and thermal allodynia, a responsiveness to subthreshold thermal stimuli that are not normally perceived as noxious. Allodynia is dependent upon a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) homolog, Eiger, released from apoptotic epidermal cells, and the TNF receptor, Wengen, expressed on nociceptive sensory neurons. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that cytokine-mediated nociceptive sensitization is conserved across animal phyla and set the stage for a sophisticated genetic dissection of the cellular and molecular alterations responsible for development of nociceptive sensitization in sensory neurons.
A review of literacy frameworks for learning environments design

This article charts the development of three literacy research frameworks: multiliteracies, new literacies, and popular literacies. By reviewing the literature surrounding three current conceptions of literacy, an attempt is made to form an integrative grouping that captures the most relevant elements of each for learning environments design. Rather than showcasing the merits and weaknesses of each perspective (resulting in theoretical ‘winners and losers’), the frameworks are used to derive a core set of principles which might inform the design of interventions and artifacts to promote learning within informal learning environments for youth. These principles include exploring lifeworlds, recognising sources of power, multimodality, intertextuality, play and popular culture, design and production, and changing roles for adults.
The energy spectrum of isolated ortho-hydrogen molecular pairs

The orientational energy eigenvalues and eigenvectors of an isolated pair of ortho-hydrogen molecules are calculated over a range of molar volumes 7.8 cm3/mole≤V≤22.65 cm3/mole. Admixtures of free-rotator basis vectors withJ>1, used in describing the system eigenstates, are shown to provide important contributions to the qualitative structure of the eigenvalue spectrum. On this basis,J=1 is not necessarily a good quantum number. TheJ=3 band is explicitly given, and the effect of high pressures on the system is described.
Evolutionary Growth Development in SiC Sputtered Films

The growth of rf-sputtered silicon carbide thin films has been studied over a wide range of substrate temperatures, producing films with crystal structures from completely amorphous to highly crystalline. The initial 100nm of growth is characterized by ‘void network’ type physical structure throughout the temperature regime studied. This network of polyhedra outlines the dominant physical structure features at the top surface of the film and is shown to grow in average lateral dimension (D) with increasing film thickness (t) as a parabola (D=K·tx). The growth exponent (x) describes the lateral growth rate of these parabolic growth cone columns and decreases with increasing film temperature, bombardment, and hydrogen in the plasma. In the highly crystalline films the lateral crystallite growth rate eventually exceeds the growth of void network columns present in 10–100nm films, producing abrubt increases in size of physical features between 100–1000nm levels. The results show that the evolutionary structure zone model consistently accounts for film growth behavior in the amorphous regime but must be modified for crystalline films.
Adaptive optics wide-field microscopy using direct wavefront sensing.

We report a technique for measuring and correcting the wavefront aberrations introduced by a biological sample using a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor, a fluorescent reference source, and a deformable mirror. The reference source and sample fluorescence are at different wavelengths to separate wavefront measurement and sample imaging. The measurement and correction at one wavelength improves the resolving power at a different wavelength, enabling the structure of the sample to be resolved.
Radiation-Tolerant Code-Density Calibration of Nyquist-Rate Analog-to-Digital Converters

A radiation-tolerant analog-to-digital converter (ADC) calibration algorithm based on measuring and correcting the code-density histogram of the converter under calibration is presented. The algorithm constructs a histogram of the ADC response to a linear ramp and stores the calculated correction coefficients in a lookup table. The algorithm uses techniques to increase tolerance to soft errors both during convergence and during normal operation. By leveraging circuit density improvements in deep submicron CMOS technology, the algorithm is able to provide substantive improvements to ADC static linearity performance at low silicon cost. The algorithm is applied to an 80-MS/s, 10-bit prototype Pipelined ADC implemented in 65-nm CMOS technology. The ADC is implemented with two additional stages to provide calibration data. The calibration algorithm improves measured integral nonlinearity from -4.11/1.32 least significant bits (LSB) to -0.29/0.30 LSB at a 10-bit level.
Kaon electroproduction and low-lying hypernuclear excitations using a relativistic transition operator and nuclear structure model

Abstract Using a relativistic model we predict cross sections for the nuclear (e, e'K + ) reaction. The transition operator is derived from Feynman diagrams and the nuclear and hypernuclear wave functions contain Dirac-Hartree orbitals obtained from a relativistic nuclear structure model extended to hypernuclei. We discuss the effects on the predicted cross sections of the large relativistic scalar and vector potentials and of the four component spinor wave functions. Both pseudoscalar and pseudovector KNΛ vertex couplings are considered and we discuss the different predictions obtained in the two cases. Shapes and magnitudes of predicted cross sections are significantly altered compared to previous non-relativistic predictions. The importance of using a relativistic approach is discussed. The considerable sensitivity to the choice of pseudoscalar (PS) or pseudovector (PV) KNΛ coupling cannot be exploited until a more complete nuclear structure relativistic theory incorporating pseudo-scalar mesons is developed.
A fast method for computing the integrals of the relativistic Compton scattering kernel for radiative transfer

Abstract For various computer simulation applications, one needs the integrals of the Compton scattering kernel over its parametes. An efficient and accurate for evaluaying these integrals is described and the corresponding software is available upon request.
Predictors of postoperative complications in the patient with diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background Since patients with diabetes mellitus have increased rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, it is critical to evaluate cardiovascular risk perioperatively. Although several preoperative risk indices have been developed, including the Goldman and Detsky indices, none have been designed specifically for diabetic patients. In this study, we attempted to identify predictors of postoperative cardiac and noncardiac complications in diabetic patients undergoing elective general surgery. Study Design A cohort of 107 diabetic patients undergoing elective surgery was assembled. Basic demographic and clinical data were recorded perioperatively, and all patients were followed up prospectively daily for 7 days postoperatively. Patients were interviewed at 5 years postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of postoperative complications and long-term cardiac and vascular morbidity and mortality. Results Total cardiac complications and myocardial infarction were predicted by the Goldman index. Wound complications were not predicted by any of the variables studied. At 5 years postoperatively, cardiac and vascular deaths and events were predicted by age, history of myocardial infarction or stroke, presence of vascular disease, Goldman index, duration of diabetes or hypertension, Charlson comorbidity score, and postoperative myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest. Blood sugar control during surgery was not predictive of any short- or long-term cardiovascular complications. Conclusions Total cardiac complications had a significant preoperative predictor: the Goldman index. Both preoperative and postoperative variables and indices predicted long-term cardiac and vascular complications. Further study is necessary to investigate these relationships to better assess and manage the diabetic patient in the perioperative setting.
Cable behavior in bottom trawling

Abstract A method of numerical analysis based on iterative solutions of quasi-linearized differential equations describing the behavior of long cable segments is developed. The method is implemented in a computer program for use on small computer facilities, such as desktop-sized computers. The method is applied to the problem of predicting the stresses, locations and orientations of warps for bottom trawling. Steady-state towing is assumed. Arbitrary variations in fluid properties, flow descriptions and cable cross-sectional and material properties along the length of the warps are allowed. Parametric studies are reported.
The Thinking Organization: Dynamics of Organizational Social Cognition

The article reviews the book “The Thinking Organization: Dynamics of Organizational Social Cognition,” by Henry P. Simms, Jr., Dennis A. Gioia, and associates.
Enantiomer‐selective pharmacokinetics and metabolism of ketorolac in children

Objective To compare the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of R (+)- and S (−)- ketorolac in children. Methods Children from 3 to 18 years old received 0.6 mg/kg racemic ketorolac intravenously. Serial blood samples were obtained for 12 hours, and urine was collected for 12 to 24 hours. Racemic ketorolac was measured in plasma, and racemic ketorolac, para-hydroxyketorolac, and ketorolac glucuronide were measured in urine by HPLC. S (−)- and R (+)-ketorolac were measured in plasma; S (−)- and R (+)-ketorolac and ketorolac glucuronide were measured in urine by chiral HPLC separation. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for racemic drug and both enantiomers were determined for each patient. Results Clearance of racemic ketorolac in children was approximately 2 times the clearance reported in adults. Clearance of the S (−) enantiomer was 4 times that of the R (+) enantiomer. Terminal half-life of S (−)-ketorolac was 40% that of the R (+) enantiomer, and the apparent volume of distribution of the S (−) enantiomer was greater than that of the R (+) form. Recovery of S (−)-ketorolac glucuronide was 2.3 times that of the R (+) enantiomer. Conclusion The higher clearance in children suggests that the weight-adjusted dose of ketorolac may have to be greater for children to achieve plasma concentrations comparable to those of adults. Because of the greater clearance and shorter half-life of S (−)-ketorolac, pharmacokinetic predictions based on racemic assays may overestimate the duration of pharmacologic effect. Enantiomeric pharmacokinetic differences are best explained by stereoselective plasma protein binding. Selective glucuronidation of the S (−) enantiomer suggests that stereoselective metabolism may also be a contributing factor. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1999) 65, 382–388; doi:
Trend assessment in a long memory dependence model using the discrete wavelet transform

In this article we consider trend to be smooth deterministic changes over long scales, and tackle the problem of trend estimation in the presence of long memory errors (slowly decaying autocorrelations). Using the fractionally differenced (FD) process as a motivating example of such a long memory process, we demonstrate how the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is a natural choice at extracting a polynomial trend from such an error process. We investigate the statistical properties of the trend estimate obtained from the DWT, and provide pointwise and simultaneous confidence intervals for the estimate. Based on evaluating the power in the trend estimate relative to the estimated errors, we provide a test of nonzero trend. We finish by applying the methods to a climatological example.
Birth malformations and other adverse perinatal outcomes in four U.S. Wheat-producing states.

Chlorophenoxy herbicides are widely used in the United States and Western Europe for broadleaf weed control in grain farming and park maintenance. Most of the spring and durum wheat produced in the United States is grown in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, with more than 85% of the acreage treated with chlorophenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Rates of adverse birth outcomes in rural, agricultural counties of these states during 1995-1997 were studied by comparing counties with a high proportion of wheat acreage and those with a lower proportion. Information routinely collected and made available by federal agencies was used for this ecologic study. Significant increases in birth malformations were observed for the circulatory/respiratory category for combined sexes [odds ratio (OR) = 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-2.55]. A stronger effect was observed for the subcategory, which excluded heart malformations (OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.14-3.59). In addition, infants conceived during April-June--the time of herbicide application--had an increased chance of being diagnosed with circulatory/respiratory (excluding heart) malformations compared with births conceived during other months of the year (OR = 1.75; 95% CI, 1.09-2.80). Musculoskeletal/integumental anomalies increased for combined sexes in the high-wheat counties (OR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.06-2.12). Infant death from congenital anomalies significantly increased in high-wheat counties for males (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.52-4.65) but not for females (OR = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.20-1.15). These results are especially of concern because of widespread use of chlorophenoxy herbicides.
Interactions involving two electrons in ion-atom collisions

Abstract Two-electron processes in ion-atom collisions in which the electron-electron interaction (electron correlation) plays a role, or is expected to play a role, are considered. The processes of interest here are transfer excitation (TE), double capture, and transfer ionization (TI). For each, the importance of correlation compared to independent electron-nucleus interactions is examined. In the case of correlation, a distinction must be made between static (after the collision) and scattering (during the collision) correlation. In the TE process, scattering correlation can be the dominant factor; for double capture there is evidence that this mechanism plays a significant role; in the case of TI, the expected contribution from static correlation at high velocity has not yet been verified.
Contribution of Phosphorus to the Antiwear Performance of Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphates

Four-ball wear studies show that the antiwear (low load) performance of zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDPs) can be duplicated by combining a dialkyl acid phosphate and a soluble zinc compound. Antiwear performance of acid phosphates was independent of chain length for C8 to C18 but affected by chain branching and ring substitution. Zinc compound effectiveness depended on the strength of the parent acid compared to that of the acid phosphate, and its concentration in the blend (an atomic ratio of 2P:1Zn being optimum). Zinc was the most desirable metal naphthenate tested. Base oil viscosity had little effect on additive effectiveness. Added possible inorganic ZDP reaction products exhibited no antiwear activity. At higher loads in the EP regime, ZDPs lose their antiwear effectiveness, whereas both acid phosphates and sulfur compounds can reduce wear. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/ASLE Lubrication Conference in San Diego, California October 22–24, 1984
Comparison of the Efficacy and Transmissibility of Conventional NDV Vaccines and Vaccines Prepared After Back-Passage Through Chickens

Abstract In laboratory trials B1 and Lasota strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) back-passaged in chickens were found to have a greater spreading potential than presently available B1 and Lasota vaccines. Although the regular B1 and Lasota strains of NDV gave a routine serologic response when administered to 4-week-old chickens via the water, both vaccines had a low spreading potential since the geometric mean titer of the birds in contact with the B1 vaccinated birds did not exceed 3.4 and the HI response of the nonvaccinated birds placed with the Lasota vaccinated birds did not exceed 4.1. The results from this study also indicate that these back-passaged vaccines elicit higher HI titers and are possibly more invasive than the regular B1 and Lasota vaccines. The data also suggest that the Lasota strain possesses a slightly greater spreading potential than the B1 strain of NDV.
Actuation of biologically inspired intelligent robotics using artificial muscles

Humans throughout history have always sought to mimic the appearance, mobility, functionality, intelligent operation, and thinking processes of biological creatures. Advancements in artificial muscles, artificial intelligence, artificial vision and many other biomimetic related fields are leading to many benefits for humankind. One of the newest among these fields is the artificial muscle, which is the moniker for electroactive polymers. The potential of these materials is enormous and, as challenges are addressed and new effective materials are introduced, capabilities that were considered as science fiction are becoming engineering reality. This paper covers the current state‐of‐the‐art and challenges to make biomimetic robots use artificial muscles.
An improvement of the Erdős–Turán theorem on the distribution of zeros of polynomials

Abstract We prove a subtle ‘one-sided’ improvement of a classical result of P. Erdős and P. Turan on the distribution of zeros of polynomials. The proof of this improvement is quite short and rather elementary. Nevertheless it allows us to obtain a beautiful recent result of V. Totik and P. Varju as a simple corollary, and in a somewhat stronger form, without any use of a potential theoretic machinery. Namely, if the modulus of a monic polynomial P of degree n (with complex coefficients) on the unit circle of the complex plane is at most 1 + o ( 1 ) uniformly, then the multiplicity of each zero of P on the unit circle is o ( n 1 / 2 ) . Our approach is based on the interesting observation that the Erdős–Turan Theorem improves itself. To cite this article: T. Erdelyi, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 346 (2008).
Topological Frustration and the Folding of Interleukin-1β

The cytokine, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), adopts a beta-trefoil fold. It is known to be much slower folding than similarly sized proteins, despite having a low contact order. Proteins are sufficiently well designed that their folding is not dominated by local energetic traps. Therefore, protein models that encode only the folded structure and are energetically unfrustrated (Gō-type), can capture the essentials of the folding routes. We investigate the folding thermodynamics of IL-1beta using such a model and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We develop an enhanced sampling technique (a modified multicanonical method) to overcome the sampling problem caused by the slow folding. We find that IL-1beta has a broad and high free energy barrier. In addition, the protein fold causes intermediate unfolding and refolding of some native contacts within the protein along the folding trajectory. This "backtracking" occurs around the barrier region. Complex folds like the beta-trefoil fold and functional loops like the beta-bulge of IL-1beta can make some of the configuration space unavailable to the protein and cause topological frustration.
Oligolabeling DNA probes to high specific activity with sequenase

In this protocol we present a reproducible method of preparing DNA probes of high specific activity using Sequenase. The probes produced by this method had a specific activity of 2.8×109 cpm/μg with 69% of the total radioactivity incorporated into the TCA-precipitable materials. Probes with 5 to 10-fold lower specific activity were obtained using commercially available kits or using currently empolyed methods.
Variational method based on finite dimensional approximation in a generalized prescribed mean curvature problem

Abstract An elementary existence proof based on variational and finite dimensional approximation methods is proposed for nontrivial solutions of the generalized prescribed mean curvature boundary value problem { − div { [ α ( x ) + | ∇ u | γ ] 1 γ − 1 | ∇ u | γ − 2 ∇ u } = f ( x , u ) in Ω , u = 0 on ∂ Ω , which has been studied otherwise by elaborated abstract theories.
Potential and current distribution in nerve: The effect of the nerve sheath, the number of fibers, and the frequency of alternating current stimulation

The potential and current distribution in a nerve bundle is studied mathematically under various situations. Relations are derived expressing the effect of many fibers on the external potential, the value of the potential for a given nerve excitation pattern with and without the nerve sheath, the potential of a single fiber for a given outside potential pattern, and the effect of varying the frequency of alternating current stimulation. Results of the latter study are used to account for experimental deviations of the two-factor theory, and good agreement with the experimental results is found.
The concept of calcium concentration microdomains in synaptic transmission

Ever since the initial measurements of presynaptic calcium currents it has been evident that calcium triggers transmitter release quite rapidly. Several models indicate, as did the initial voltage clamp measurements, that the calcium concentration triggering such release could be very high at the entry site and that this concentration should be very short lasting. In order to determine this time course, calcium entry was studied at the squid giant synapse by imaging light emission from n-aequorin-J, intracellularly injected into the presynaptic terminal. The imaging utilized a video system capable of acquiring 4000 frames per sec. The results indicate that the calcium entry, triggered by action potentials, reaches a peak within 200 μsec and has an overall duration of close to 800 μsec, closely matching the duration of the presynaptic calcium current determined by voltage clamp results under similar conditions.
Radiation hardening of oxygen-doped niobium by 14 MeV neutrons

Abstract The flow properties of niobium containing 185 and 480 wt ppm oxygen have been studied following irradiation at 300K with T(d, n) neutrons to fluence levels ranging from 6 × 10 20 to 2 × 10 22 m −2 . Two hardening stages connected by a plateau region were observed in the niobium containing 185 wt ppm oxygen. Increasing the oxygen content by 300 wt ppm oxygen shifted the beginning of the high fluence hardening stage from 6 × 10 21 to 1 × 10 21 m −2 , thereby eliminating the plateau region. This shift resulted in 1.5 times more hardening in the oxygen-doped niobium irradiated to fluence levels above 5 × 10 21 m −2 .
Changing concepts of electrical injury.

Summary If the patient with an electrical injury survives the initial shock, he will usually have more tissue damage than is generally expected. Too frequently he is treated for burn injury, although his injury is more like a crush injury and should be treated accordingly.
An investigation of the relationships between quality of service performance, benefits sought, satisfaction and future intention to visit among visitors to a zoo.

Intention to revisit a leisure amenity or to recommend it to others is conceptualized as being dependent upon the quality of service delivered, the extent to which benefits sought were received and overall visitor satisfaction. The objective of this study was to empirically examine the relationships between these constructs. Using a sample of 371 visitors to the Fort Worth Zoo, the study explored the interrelationships between quality of service performance, visitor satisfaction, specific benefits sought and future behavioural intentions, and identified the service performance domains that contributed most to explaining overall service performance, visitor satisfaction and future behavioural intentions. Pearson correlations showed a relatively strong relationship ( r v = v 0.639) between overall service performance and visitor satisfaction, but since this correlation was far from perfect it also confirmed they were independent constructs. Both overall visitor satisfaction and overall service quality were ...
Gaussian beam iteration technique for a wideband multiple reflector design

The Gaussian beam technique has become increasingly popular for a multiple reflector design. This paper demonstrates a new design approach by iterating Gaussian beam and reflector parameters simultaneously at various frequencies to achieve a wideband multiple reflector system. The result can be further improved by comparing it with physical optics results and repeating the iteration.
Delay constrained optimal resource utilization of wireless networks for distributed control systems

An optimal resource utilization framework to analyze the impact of end-to-end delay thresholds on the wireless network throughput is developed. In contrast to conventional networks where lumped transmission and queuing delays are used to model the end-to-end delay, the proposed framework models these delay components separately to analyze their relative contribution to the end-to-end delay when stringent delay thresholds are used. A 'log' utility maximization problem is formulated and its distributed implementation using dual decomposition is proposed. Our optimization results show that decreasing the delay threshold leads to larger contribution from the transmission delay to the end-to-end delay.
High-purity iron pyrite (FeS2) nanowires as high-capacity nanostructured cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Iron pyrite is an earth-abundant and inexpensive material that has long been interesting for electrochemical energy storage and solar energy conversion. A large-scale conversion synthesis of phase-pure pyrite nanowires has been developed for the first time. Nano-pyrite cathodes exhibited high Li-storage capacity and excellent capacity retention in Li/pyrite batteries using a liquid electrolyte, which retained a discharge capacity of 350 mAh g(-1) and a discharge energy density of 534 Wh kg(-1) after 50 cycles at 0.1 C rate.
Maximizing lifetime in an energy constrained wireless sensor array using team optimization of cooperating systems

For omnidirectional wireless broadcast, if a node has sufficient power to broadcast to another node, it also has the ability to broadcast to all closer nodes. This is the advantage of wireless. For the broadcast problem, one node (the source) is required to communicate to all other nodes, by a single transmission to the farthest node or using intermediate hop nodes. For a given node constellation, there exist many wireless connection trees to do this. For a known node constellation, the maximum lifetime of a single tree is equal to the minimum battery life of all the nodes. The battery life is determined by the power, if any, expanded by each node. Reaching nodes far remote takes more power. The broadcast lifetime can be significantly increased by using a plurality of trees switching from tree to tree in accordance to a prescribed duty cycle. Using the viability lemma, we propose an evolutionary team optimization of cooperating systems to determine the best team of broadcast trees - along with specified duty cycles - to maximize the lifetime of a given node constellation with specified battery reserves.
Design and evaluation of a distributed object-oriented communication system for EMS application development

The author describes an architecture for implementing electronic meeting system (EMS) applications in an object-oriented programming (OOP) environment (C++). EMS applications enable group tasks such as negotiation, problem solving, and system design to be performed. The OO-EMS architecture is a three tier structure having layers for base classes, tools, and applications. The design addresses concurrency control, addressing, duplicated objects, and broadcast communications. Implementation details include the results of performance testing on IBM token ring and AT&T STARLAN local area networks. >
Functionalized nanoporous membranes from reactive triblock polymers

Hydrophilic and stimuli responsive nanoporous poly(dicyclopentadiene) membranes are prepared using reactive ABC triblock polymers consisting of a chemically etchable ‘A’ block, poly(lactide), various functionalized ‘B’ blocks, and a metathesis-reactive ‘C’ block, poly(styrene-stat-norbornenylethylstyrene).A membrane with a bicontinuous structure is formed by reaction-induced phase separation during the metathesis crosslinking of dicyclopentadiene in the presence of the ABC triblock polymers. Selective etching of the poly(lactide) block exposed the functionality contained in the B block. Hydrophilic membranes are prepared from a triblock polymer with a poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) B midblock as evidenced by static contact angle measurements in comparison to AC diblock templated membranes. Temperature responsive membranes are prepared from a triblock polymer with a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) B block.
Enhanced stability and activity of cellulase in an ionic liquid and the effect of pretreatment on cellulose hydrolysis

We discuss the hydrolysis of cellulose using a pure cellulase: endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase (EG) from the fungus, Aspergillus niger, in buffer, the pure ionic liquid (IL), tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)-methylammonium methylsulfate (HEMA), and various mixtures of the two at different temperatures. Steady-state fluorescence and absorbance studies were performed to monitor the stability and activity of EG using cellulose azure as the substrate. EG attains its highest activity at 45°C in buffer and denatures at ∼55°C. On the other hand, HEMA imparts substantial stability to the enzyme, permitting the activity to peak at 75°C. The relative roles of temperature, viscosity, pH, polarity, and the constituent ions of the ILs on the hydrolysis reaction are examined. It is demonstrated that pretreatment of cellulose with ILs such as BMIM Cl, MIM Cl, and HEMA results in more rapid conversion to glucose than hydrolysis with cellulose that is not pretreated. The percent conversion to glucose from pretreated cellulose is increased when the temperature is increased from 45 to 60°C. Two different ILs are used to increase the efficiency of cellulose conversion to glucose. Cellulose is pretreated with BMIM Cl. Subsequent hydrolysis of the pretreated cellulose in 10-20% solutions of HEMA in buffer provides higher yields of glucose at 60°C. Finally, to our knowledge, this is the first study dealing with a pure endoglucanase from commercial A. niger. This enzyme not only shows higher tolerance to ILs, such as HEMA, but also has enhanced thermostability in the presence of the IL.
Extraction of Thermodynamic Data from Ternary Diffusion Coefficients. Use of Precision Diffusion Measurements for Aqueous Lysozyme Chloride-NaCl at 25 °C To Determine the Change of Lysozyme Chloride Chemical Potential with Increasing NaCl Concentration Well into the Supersaturated Region †

For ternary systems, we present a method for using measured values of the four ternary diffusion coefficients and the Onsager reciprocal relations to extract derivatives of solute chemical potentials with respect to solute molar concentrations. The method is applicable to systems in which the molar concentration of one solute is very small compared to that of the other, and also small enough that an inverse concentration dependence dominates certain activity coefficient derivatives. These conditions apply to a large number of aqueous systems involving macromolecules of biological interest. Unlike other techniques, the present method can be used to study undersaturated and supersaturated solutions. The approach is illustrated for the lysozyme chloride - NaCl-H2O system at 25 °C, using data reported here for pH 6.0 at 0.60 mM (8.6 mg/mL) lysozyme chloride and 0.25, 0.50, 0.65, 0.90, and 1.30 M (1.4, 2.8, 3.7, 5.1, and 7.2 wt %) NaCl concentrations, and our earlier data for pH 4.5 at the same concentrations. We use these solute chemical potential derivatives to compute the protein cation charge approximately, and to construct a function approximating the derivative of the lysozyme chloride chemical potential with respect to NaCl concentration, which we integrate over a range of NaCl concentrations. This provides the change of the lysozyme chloride chemical potential with NaCl concentration well into the supersaturated region, and hence provides the driving force for nucleation and crystal growth of lysozyme chloride as a function of the extent of supersaturation. We also compute the diffusion Onsager coefficients (Lij)0 for each composition at pH 4.5 and 6.0. Binary diffusion coefficients of aqueous lysozyme chloride at 0.89 mM (12.7 mg/mL) for pH values from 4.0 to 6.0, and at pH 6.0 for concentrations from 0.25 to 1.95 mM (3.6-27.9 mg/mL) are also reported.
Cognitive Models of the Influence of Color Scale on Data Visualization Tasks

Objective: Computational models of identification and relative comparison tasks performed on color-coded data visualizations were presented and evaluated against two experiments. In this context, the possibility of a dual-use color scale, useful for both tasks, was explored, and the use of the legend was a major focus. Background: Multicolored scales are superior to ordered brightness scales for identification tasks, such as determining the absolute numeric value of a represented item, whereas ordered brightness scales are superior for relative comparison tasks, such as determining which of two represented items has a greater value. Method: Computational models were constructed for these tasks, and their predictions were compared with the results of two experiments. Results: The models fit the experimental results well. A multicolored, brightness-ordered dual-use scale supported high accuracy on both tasks and fast responses on a comparison task but relatively slower responses on the identification task. ...
Research Issues Affecting Preoperative Systemic Therapy for Operable Breast Cancer

Preoperative systemic therapy (PST) in operable breast cancer allows a small increase in breast conservation rates and has significant potential as a research platform. PST offers the ability to discern treatment effect in vivo, and may allow smaller trials targeting specific breast cancer subtypes and making more efficient use of resources. Early observations of a specific outcome of interest in individual patient subgroups may improve the design of larger definitive randomized adjuvant trials using survival as a main outcome. PST offers the potential for therapeutic adjustments midcourse, which assumes the existence of validated intermediate end points and effective alternative therapies. This article reviews critical research issues affecting the design of PST trials, including the appropriate selection of trial end points and markers for long-term outcome, baseline marker expression as a predictor of response, and statistical considerations using novel trial designs. Key issues regarding optimal tumor subtype selection for individual trials, novel approaches using nontherapeutic window trial designs, and ethical and advocacy considerations are also discussed. PST requires an experienced and cohesive multidisciplinary team for it to fulfill its potential in both research and clinical care.
Clopidogrel Pretreatment for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Double, Double, Dose in Trouble?

In trying to explain how balloon angioplasty relieved coronary narrowing, Andreas Gruentzig often displayed a photograph of footprints in fresh snow. He proposed that balloon expansion resulted in gentle, uniform plaque compression. Subsequent histological examination in the porcine coronary model and of postmortem and ultrasound findings in humans indicated more traumatic effects of angioplasty, including deep medial fissuring and adventitial stretching. Such injury causes the release of potent substances from the arterial wall that have profound vasoactive and thrombotic effects. One early response is platelet activation and deposition over the injured arterial surface, creating the substrate for thrombosis. Stent implantation appears to be associated with even greater platelet activation than balloon angioplasty alone. Importantly, the magnitude of platelet activation is associated with an increased risk for adverse clinical events after coronary intervention.1 See p 2099 Aspirin, administered as an agent to inhibit platelet activity, has been a standard component of the angioplasty protocol since the inception of the procedure. More recently, substantial evidence indicates that supplementing aspirin and unfractionated heparin with agents that antagonize the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor further reduces the incidence of abrupt coronary closure and the magnitude of periprocedural cardiac enzyme elevations and, in certain patient subsets, may enhance survival.2–6 To decrease the risk of stent thrombosis, practice guidelines call for augmented antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and a thienopyridine) for weeks to months after hospital discharge. In this issue of Circulation , Patti et al7 extend our knowledge about antiplatelet therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly with regard to the impact of pretreatment clopidogrel dosage and the magnitude of treatment effect that can be achieved. These investigators administered either 300 or 600 mg of clopidogrel 4 to 8 hours before cardiac catheterization to 329 patients who were potential candidates for coronary revascularization. Excluded …