cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nicotine stimulates expression of the PNMT gene through a novel promoter sequence.

Transcription of the gene encoding the epinephrine-synthesizing enzyme phenylethanolamine N-methyl-transferase (PNMT, E.C. 2.1.1.28) accelerates in response to hormonal and neural stimuli. Cholinergic stimulation through neuronal nicotinic receptors constitutes the primary means for neural regulation of PNMT expression in the adrenal medulla (AM). Therefore, the regulatory sequence conveying responsiveness of the PNMT gene to nicotinic stimuli has been characterized in the 5′ upstream region of the rat PNMT promoter. Functional analyses using nested deletion and substitution mutations of the PNMT promoter map the nicotine responsive region to a sequence spanning −633 to −595 bp, designated the PNMT nicotine-responsive element (NicRE). Sequences at the 5′ (−633 to −620) and 3′ (−599 to −595) ends of this region are essential to convey nicotine responsiveness to PNMT promoter constructs expressed in primary bovine chromaffin cells and in selected lines derived from mouse pheochromocytomas and human neuroblastomas. Profiles of nuclear proteins associating with PNMT promoter sequences also change following nicotine treatment of these cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase I footprinting analyses distinguish multiple sites of DNA-protein interactions within the NicRE region. Because the PNMT promoter does not contain a cAMP responsive element (the site through which nicotine stimulation is mediated for other catecholamine-synthesizing and AM genes), the NicRE of the PNMT gene must therefore be distinct. Thus, nicotinic cholinergic stimuli appear to regulate expression of the epinephrinesynthesizing gene PNMT through a previously uncharacterized regulatory element.
The Distribution and Redox Chemistry of Iron in the Pettaquamscutt Estuary

A series of high resolution (10 cm) vertical profiles of iron were determined across the oxic/anoxic boundary in the Lower Pond of the Pettaquamscutt Estuary. Selective chemical treatments and multiple analytical methods were used to detemine the oxidation state and lability of iron across the oxic/anoxic boundary. The vertical distributions of dissolved and total iron were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and dissolved Fe(II) and reducible iron were determined using a modified Ferrozine spectrophotometric method. Well-developed maxima of total dissolved iron ≈7·5 μM occurred within the oxic/anoxic transition zone. Analysis of Fe(II) by the FZ method indicates that more than 95% of the dissolved iron determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy within the maximum is in the form of Fe(II). The concentration of dissolved Fe(II) ranged from <4 nM in oxygenated surface waters to between 7 and 8 μM at the total dissolved iron maximum. Both dissolved and total iron samples were treated with ascorbic acid to quantify the fraction of iron that was reducible in this system. Dissolved iron is quantitatively reduced to Fe(II) by 3·5 m depth, and particulate iron was almost completely dissolved by 6 m. Thermodynamic speciation calculations indicate that the dominant species of Fe(II) in the anoxic waters is the Fe(HS)+complex. In addition, the concentration of Fe(II) in the anoxic zone appears to be controlled by precipitation of a sulfide phase, the ion activity product for waters below 7 m is in good agreement with the solubility product of mackinawite. The vertical distribution of oxidation states of the metals indicates non-equilibrium conditions due to microbiological and chemical processes occurring in the redox transition zone. A one-dimensional vertical, eddy diffusion model is presented that incorporates redox reactions of iron, sulfide and oxygen. The modeling suggests the maximum in Fe(II) can be achieved through inorganic oxidation and reduction reactions, however the depth at which the maximum occurs is sensitive to sulfide oxidation, which appears to be dominated by biological oxidation. The magnitude of the Fe(II) maximum depends on the flux of iron into the basin, and reductive dissolution of particulate iron.
Papermill wastewater treatment

Can the treatment of industrial and municipal wastes be combined in a single joint facility? Here is one answer based on actual experience in Brewer, Maine.
A large insertion in the Shiga-like toxin 2 gene (stx2) of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 clinical isolate

Abstract Six clinical Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates were epidemiologically linked as part of an outbreak in which the most likely source was undercooked ground beef or cross-contamination from the ground beef to other food products at a Mexican-style restaurant. These cultures were analyzed using molecular genetic, immunological and cytotoxicity procedures. All six isolates were confirmed as E. coli O157:H7 and were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using XbaI. The results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, non-isotopic gene probing, reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) kit results and Vero cell assays were consistent for the presence of a functional Shiga-like toxin 1 (Stx 1) protein. All six strains produced a stx2 PCR amplicon product; five strains produced a product which was consistent with the predicted amplicon size and one (SEA 6414) produced a much larger PCR product. The SEA 6414 isolate produced a protein reactive with the RPLA kit anti-Stx 2 antibody but was not cytotoxic to Vero cells. Sequencing of this region revealed that this 1310 bp insertion was very similar to a previously identified IS 1203 sequence and the insertion interrupted the carboxyl end of the coding region of the stx2 gene ‘A’ subunit.
Infrared target detection with probability density functions of wavelet transform subbands

We report the development of a wavelet multiresolution texture-based algorithm that uses the probability density functions (PDFs) of the subband of the wavelet decomposition of an image. The moments of these pdfs are used in a clustering algorithm to segment the targets from their background clutter. Using the tools of experimental methodology, we evaluate the performance of this algorithm on real infrared imagery under varying algorithm parameter sets as well as scene, image, and false-alarm conditions. We estimate a set of multidimensional predictive analytic performance models that relate the detection probabilities as functions of false alarm, algorithm internal parameter, target pixel number, target-to-background interference ratio, target-interference ratio, and Fechner-Weber and local entropy metrics in the scene. These models can be used to predict performance in regions were no data are available and to optimize performance by selection of the optimum parameter and constant false-alarm values in regions with known scene and metric conditions.
Well-defined polyisocyanates via organotitanium(IV) catalyzed living polymerizations of isocyanates

The development of living organotitanium(IV) catalyzed polymerizations is presented. A living polymerization of alkyl isocyanates was developed using TiCl3OCH2CF3, I, as a catalyst, through which large quantities of well-defined (in terms of molecular weight and polydispersity) polyisocyanates are obtainable under ambient conditions. η5-CpTiCl2OCH2CF3 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl), II, is also an excellent catalyst for the polymerization of isocyanates and, unlike I, will polymerize monomers containing Lewis basic functional groups in the side chain. Compound II was used to synthesize poly(allyl isocyanate) and poly(2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate). Both polymers were found to be soluble, in contrast to previous reports, and spectroscopic characterization showed that no crosslinking of the side chains had occurred.
Derivatization of F2-isoprostanes with 1-pyrenyldiazomethane and their subsequent determination by fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography

F(2)-isoprostanes are produced during free radical oxidation of cell phospholipids and are considered reliable biomarkers of oxidative stress. Currently, mass spectroscopy is the method of choice to detect F(2)-isoprostanes. However, due to numerous isomeric forms, analysis of F(2)-isoprostanes using MS detectors requires preliminary chromatographic separation. The current study was undertaken to develop a method of HPLC separation and quantification of different isomers of prostaglandin F(2alpha), including 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), following derivatization with 1-pyrenyldiazomethane (PDAM) to a highly fluorescent 1-pyrenylmethyl ester. HPLC separation and quantification of 1-pyrenylmethyl esters of PGF(2alpha) isomers at picogram level are complicated by numerous interfering products of the degradation of 1-pyrenyldiazomethane. A procedure of derivatization and purification was developed to reduce these interfering contaminants. The procedure of derivatization includes sorption of PGF(2alpha) isomers from solution in a hexane:ethyl acetate mixture (10:1) on a cellulose support prepared in the form of small (4 x 4mm) filter paper squares. Bound PGF(2alpha) isomers are derivatized by 1-pyrenyldiazomethane dissolved in the same hexane:ethyl acetate mixture. During subsequent washing of the cellulose squares by the hexane:ethyl acetate mixture (10:1), fluorescent derivatives of PGF(2alpha) remain bound to cellulose while a significant portion of the contaminants are washed out. The 1-pyrenylmethyl esters of PGF(2alpha) can be quantitatively extracted from cellulose by an ethyl acetate:methanol (1:1) mixture. The next step in eliminating interference is a solid-phase extraction on silica cartridges using ethyl acetate for application of the sample and an ethyl acetate:methanol (1:1) mixture for elution. Final purification is achieved by normal-phase HPLC with wet ethyl acetate as the mobile phase. This chromatographic method displays remarkable resolution in the separation of different PGF(2alpha) isomers and can be used not only for sample purification but also for pre-MS separation. The purified 1-pyrenylmethyl esters of PGF(2alpha) were quantitatively analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC with fluorescent detection, with a detection limit of 5-10 pg.
Divalent Cation-Induced PIP2 Clustering in Cholesterol-Containing Membranes: How PIP2 Lateral Distribution affects PIP2-Gelsolin Interaction

Phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) is involved in many important cellular events, but the mechanism by which this relatively rare lipid selectively regulates specific proteins is unclear. While many proteins bind to PIP2 with similar affinities in vitro, only a small subset interact with PIP2 at specific sites during specific cellular processes. Previously, we showed that lateral distribution of PIP2 in a background of neutral lipids is affected by divalent cations through counterion-mediated attraction. We further hypothesize that spatial control of PIP2 concentration can alter the binding of this lipid to its protein targets. To test this hypothesis, we determine if Ca2+-induced PIP2 clustering affects the interaction between PIP2 and PIP2-binding proteins with polybasic domains under liquid order/liquid disorder (Lo/Ld) phase demixing conditions.We first characterize the effect of divalent cations on Lo/Ld phase-demixing. The addition of Ca2+ induces a surface pressure drop and lowers the transition surface pressure. In contrast, Mg2+ increases the transition surface pressure and has a minimum condensing effect. Topography measurements through AFM show that Ca2+-induced PIP2-rich clusters co-localize with the Lo phase. The effect of PIP2 microdomain/cluster formation on the regulation of gelsolin was studied using an actin filament severing assay and Ca2+-insensitive gelsolin fragments (NtGSN). This functional assay suggests that membrane partitioning of NtGSN is sensitive to PIP2 local concentration upon phase separation, which also depends on the temperature. Cholesterol-induced phase demixing strongly inhibits the severing function of gelsolin, and the presence of PIP2 clusters formed by micromolar Ca2+ also improves the inhibition efficiency. These observations suggest that changes in local PIP2 distribution might be a major mechanism to determine how proteins interact with PIP2 in the membrane. This research may shed a light in studying the interplay between PIP2, cholesterol and Ca2+-signaling.
Increasing Corporate Social Responsibility Through an Employee-centered Approach

As the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) literature has developed, it appears that a dominant paradigm has emerged. Both scholars who study CSR and those who write about its organizational application have largely converged on CSR as an organizational strategy issue. Viewing CSR as a matter of top-level strategy unwittingly links it to a particular conceptualization of organizational change—a top-down perspective. We suggest that the dominance of this traditional view of organizational change is limiting the study of CSR. Thus, we seek to increase awareness of an alternative model, one that complements the strategic view. Specifically, we describe a model of CSR organizational change that suggests two things. First we assert that significant change can be initiated at lower organizational levels as well as from the top. And second, we suggest that the change can be accomplished in small steps and involve only a portion of the organization, as opposed to an overarching organizational strategy. We present our employee-centered approach to CSR change as an addition to the traditional top-down view.
A Simple Distribution for the Sum of Correlated, Exchangeable Binary Data

This article describes a generalization of the binomial distribution. The closed form probability function for the probability of k successes out of n correlated, exchangeable Bernoulli trials depends on the number of trials and its two parameters: the common success probability and the common correlation. The distribution is derived under the assumption that the common correlation between all pairs of Bernoulli trials remains unchanged conditional on successes in all completed trials. The distribution was developed to model bond defaults but may be suited to biostatistical applications involving clusters of binary data encountered in repeated measurements or toxicity studies of families of organisms. Maximum likelihood estimates for the parameters of the distribution are found for a set of binary data from a developmental toxicity study on litters of mice.
Site-specific mutagenesis of the N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine DNA adduct in mammalian cells

Site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotides were used to explore the mutagenic properties of a cooked food mutagen-derived DNA adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (dG-C8-PhIP). A dG-C8-PhIP-modified oligodeoxynucleotide was prepared post-synthetically by reacting an oligodeoxynucleotide containing a single dG (5′-TCC TCC TCG CCT CTC T) with N-acetoxy-PhIP. The unmodified and dG-C8-PhIP-modified oligomers were inserted into single-strand (ss) phagemid vectors. These ss vectors were transfected into simian kidney (COS-7) cells. The progeny plasmid obtained was used to transform Escherichia coli DH10B. The transformants were analyzed by oligodeoxynucleotide hybridization and sequencing to determine the mutation frequency and spectrum. Preferential incorporation of dCMP, the correct base, was observed opposite dG-C8-PhIP. Targeted mutants showing G→T transversions were detected, along with a small number of G→A transitions and G→C transversions. Significant amounts of non-targeted mutations representing C→T transitions also were detected 5′ to the dG-C8-PhIP lesion. Thus, dG-C8-PhIP, a major DNA adduct induced by PhIP, is mutagenic in mammalian cells and may be involved in the initiation of human cancer.
Inflammatory cytokines and antioxidants in midtrimester amniotic fluid: correlation with pregnancy outcome

Objective Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in midtrimester amniotic fluid is associated with preterm delivery. We hypothesized that, in patients with elevated IL-6, vitamin C and alpha-fetoprotein may provide protection from spontaneous preterm delivery through antioxidant functions. Study Design Antioxidant potential of alpha-fetoprotein was assessed in vitro. Amniotic fluid was collected from a prospective cohort of patients who underwent midtrimester amniocentesis. In patients with IL-6 >600 pg/mL, alpha-fetoprotein, vitamin C, tumor necrosis factor–alpha, tumor necrosis factor receptors, and antioxidant capacity were compared between subjects with spontaneous preterm and term deliveries. Results Alpha-fetoprotein demonstrated 75% the antioxidant capacity of albumin in vitro. Of 388 subjects, 73 women had elevated IL-6 levels. Among these subjects, alpha-fetoprotein, but not vitamin C, was significantly lower in 9 women with preterm birth. Antioxidant capacity correlated with vitamin C and tumor necrosis factor receptors, but not with alpha-fetoprotein or pregnancy outcome. Conclusion Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein, but not vitamin C, may protect against preterm birth in patients with elevated midtrimester IL-6 levels.
Misapplication of a Statistical Test: Comment on “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics (in Geology)”

[1] In his Forum, P. Vermeesch (Eos, 90(47), 443, doi:10.1029/2009EO470004, 2009) argues that “the strong dependence ofp values on sample size makes them uninterpretable” with an example where p values in a hypothesis test using Pearson's chi-square statistic differed by a factor of 1016 when the sample size decreased tenfold. The data were a sequence of magnitude 4 or larger earthquake events (N = 118,415) spanning 3654 days [U.S. Geological Survey, 2010]. There are two problems with the analysis. First, Vermeesch applied the chi-square test to data with statistical properties that are inconsistent with those assumed in the derivation of the chi-square test. Second, he made an assumption that, using a straightforward calculation, can be shown to be inconsistent with the data. I address here only problems related to the application of statistics without reference to any additional physical processes that may also need to be addressed before statistical analysis is performed (e.g., the physics of how aftershocks are related to main earthquakes).
Combustion behaviour of bituminous and anthracite coal char between 425 and 900 °C

Abstract The combustion behaviour of bituminous and anthracite coal char has been studied for temperatures ranging from 425 to 900 °C. The combustion reaction was carried out in a thermogravimetric analyser at 1 atm. A wide range of oxygen partial pressures, from 5×10 −4 to 10 −1 MPa was used. For bituminous char, below 600 °C the intrinsic reaction order and activation energy are 0.75 and 29.0 kcal gmol −1 , respectively, while above 650 °C, the intrinsic reaction order and activation energy are 0.3 and 45.2 kcal gmol −1 . For anthracite char, below 600 °C the intrinsic reaction order and activation energy are 0.9 and 32.8 kcal gmol −1 , while above 650 °C, the intrinsic reaction order and activation energy are 0.3 and 43.6 kcal gmol −1 . The changes in the reaction order and activation energy in the temperature ranges above and below 600 °C imply that the dominant reaction mechanism is different for these two temperature ranges.
Item-Level Comparative Analysis of Online and Paper Administrations of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

This article describes a comparative study conducted at the item level for paper and online administrations of a statewide high stakes assessment. The goal was to identify characteristics of items that may have contributed to mode effects. Item-level analyses compared two modes of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for up to four subjects at two grade levels. The analyses included significance tests of p-value differences, DIF, and response distributions for each item. Additional analyses investigated item position effects and objective-level mode differences. No evidence of item position effects emerged, but significant differences were found for several items and objectives in all subjects at grade 8 and in mathematics and English language arts (ELA) at grade 11. Differences generally favored the paper group. ELA items that were longer in passage length and math items that required graphing and geometric manipulations or involved scrolling in the online administration tended to be the i...
On the scattering of sunlight into planetary shadow cones

Abstract Refraction and multiple scattering of solar radiation in a planetary atmosphere cause the propagation of appreciable amounts of radiative energy into the planet's geometric shadow cone. The implications of this atmospheric phenomenon to research in various fields are discussed. Examples are studies of lunar eclipses, the presence of the Venus ring near inferior conjunction, the astronomical problem of the appearance of the earth as a planet, and the flights of spacecraft in earth orbit and in cislunar space. It is shown that the results of such studies can provide data in disciplines involving geophysics, planetary atmospheres, solar physics, astronomy, and astronautics. Rigorous solutions of radiative transfer problems in a real atmosphere, however, still are beyond the capabilities of present theory. Some preliminary quantitative results in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum have been obtained through the use of a semiempirical method. This technique promises to become a useful tool in the fields of study discussed.
Clogging information flow in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that causes a progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death typically within 2 to 5 years of onset. There are no cures and few treatments. ALS shares some genetic and pathological overlap with another neurodegenerative disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which causes changes to personality and language. Mutations in the gene called chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) are the most common genetic cause of both ALS and FTD. This is the author’s version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the AAAS for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science on [Volume 345 on 5 September 2014], DOI: 10.1126/science.1259461.
Evolutionary algorithms applied to likelihood function maximization during poisson, logistic, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis

Metaheuristics based on genetic algorithms (GA), covariance matrix self-adaptation evolution strategies (CMSA-ES), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and ant colony optimization (ACO) were used for minimizing deviance for Poisson regression and maximizing the log-likelihood function for logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression. We observed that, in terms of regression coefficients, CMSA-ES and PSO metaheuristics were able to obtain solutions that were in better agreement with Newton-Raphson (NR) when compared with GA and ACO. The rate of convergence to the NR solution was also faster for CMSA-ES and PSO when compared with ACO and GA. Overall, CMSA-ES was the best-performing method used. Key factors which strongly influence performance are multicollinearity, shape of the log-likelihood gradient, and positive definiteness of the Hessian matrix.
Saturation Boiling of PF-5060 Dielectric Liquids on Micro-Porous Copper Dendrites Surfaces

Experiments are performed to investigate saturation boiling of degassed PF-5060 dielectric liquid on micro-porous copper dendrites surface layers deposited on 10 × 10 mm Cu substrates. The electrochemically deposited surface layers are of different thickness (50, 70, and 220 μm), average pore size (15, 30 and 80 μm) and volume porosity (96, 94.3, and 93.6%). The thickest layer, deposited using 3.0 A/cm2 for 25s, gives the best results: the saturation CHF of 25.27 W/cm2 occurs at a surface superheat of only 2.9 K and the maximum nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient, hMNB , near the end of the fully developed nucleate boiling region is 8.76 W/cm2 .K. In addition, nucleate boiling begins at surface temperature slightly above saturation (< 0.5 K) with no temperature excursion. The temperature excursions before initiating boiling on the 70 μm and 50 μm thick Cu nano-dendrites surface layers are small (3.7 K and 6 K), corresponding to surface temperatures of ∼ 55.1 °C and 57.4 °C, respectively. These temperatures are much lower than recommended (85 °C) for reliable operation of most silicon electronics and CPUs.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Endoscopic management of recurrent pancreatitis

Endoscopic therapy is a well-established, valuable alternative to surgery for the treatment of a variety of biliary tract diseases. Applications of similar techniques to the pancreas continue to develop. Encouraged by the recognition of the relative safety of ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for gallstone pancreatitis, endoscopic therapy is now being applied in the setting of acute pancreatitis of other etiologies, chronic pancreatitis, complications of acute or chronic pancreatitis, and pancreas divisum.
MERCURY AND TEMPERATURE INTERACTIONS ON THE GROWTH RATES OF THREE SPECIES OF FRESHWATER PHYTOPLANKTON1,2

Cultures of freshwater algae, representing three algal divisions, Synura petersenii Korshikov; Chlamydomonas sp.: and Nitzschia sp., were subjected to four different mercury-temperature shock interactions to demonstrate synergistic effects between mercury and temperature. Algal growth, measured by temporal changes in vivo fluorescence of chlorophyll was used to ascertain the effects. Mercury addition and temperature shock had various inhibitory effects on algal growth. Prior environmental conditions influence the effect of subsequent treatments. Growth of S. petersenii was severely inhibited by mercury in all experiments. Control cultures would not grow at 30 C and died when shacked at this temperature. Chlamydomonas sp. cultures initially inhibited by mercury were able to recover under most conditions after a period of reduced growth. Nitzschia sp. was resistant to mercury except when simultaneously shocked with temperature. Mercury analyses showed that Nitzschia cells at 25 C and 30 C contained a high percentage of the mercury initially added to the cultures. There was a significant loss of mercury at the end of each experiment from all cultures, probably due to volatilization.
Sparse Signal Recovery from a Mixture of Linear and Magnitude-Only Measurements

We consider the problem of exact sparse signal recovery from a combination of linear and magnitude-only (phaseless) measurements. A $k$ -sparse signal ${\bf x} \in {\BBC^n}$ is measured as ${\bf r} = {\bf Bx}$ and ${\bf y} = \vert {\bf Cx} \vert$ , where ${\bf B} \in {\BBC^{{m_1} \times n}}$ and ${\bf C} \in {\BBC^{{m_2} \times n}}$ are measurement matrices and $\vert \cdot \vert$ is the element-wise absolute value. We show that if $\max (2{m_1},1) + {m_2} \geq 4k - 1$ , then a set of generic measurements are sufficient to recover every $k$ -sparse ${\bf x}$ exactly, establishing the trade-off between the number of linear and magnitude-only measurements.
Studies of turbulent liquid sheets for protecting IFE reactor chamber first walls

Abstract The HYLIFE-II conceptual inertial fusion energy (IFE) reactor design uses stationary and oscillating slab jets, or liquid sheets, to create a protective pocket that allows target injection and driver beam propagation while protecting the chamber first walls from neutrons, X-rays and target debris. Thick liquid wall protection can, therefore, reduce reactor chamber size and increase chamber lifetime in commercial IFE reactors. Minimizing driver beam interference and irradiation of the final focus magnets places stringent requirements upon the surface smoothness of the stationary liquid sheets that shield the heavy-ion driver array. Experiments were carried out to determine how nozzle and flow conditioner design affect surface smoothness in turbulent liquid sheets at Reynolds numbers up to 130 000. The free-surface was directly imaged using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) at downstream distances up to 25 times the sheet thickness at the nozzle exit. The data are processed to determine the probability of finding fluid at any given spatial location. The surface smoothness of sheets of water issuing from nozzles with various contractions and rectangular or nearly elliptical exits into atmospheric pressure air were quantified and compared. The free-surface characteristics of liquid sheets issuing from unblocked and partially blocked (2.5% of total area) but otherwise identical flow conditioners were compared to investigate the robustness of flow conditioning elements over long operation times. These results on nearly prototypical turbulent stationary liquid sheets address a number of technical feasibility issues for thick liquid protection in IFE reactors.
Relationships among and demographic predictors of dentists' self-reported adherence to national guidelines

Abstract How dentists learn about and integrate new procedures and techniques into dental practice are major concerns in innovation research in dentistry. The purposes of this study were to: (1) develop reliable measures of self-reported adherence to different national guidelines; (2) to examine the relationships among the different measures; and (3) to determine if predictors of these adherence behaviours exist. One thousand U.S. general dentists were asked to complete a survey of adherence behaviors to established guidelines in infection control, radiation protection, and antibiotic prophylaxis. Thirty-five percent responded to the mailed survey. Reliable scales were developed in infection control and antibiotic prophylaxis behaviors. Step-wise multiple regression analysis produced several weak predictors of adherence to guidelines in these two areas. Characteristics of early adopters such as office complexity, membership in professional associations, and year of graduation, were consistent with other dental innovation literature. Significant correlations were found between adherence behaviors in infection control and antibiotic prophylaxis. These correlations do support the findings that practitioners who are early adopters of innovation are likely to do so in more than one area.
A dimensionless number for CVD processes: LPCVD versus HPCVD

Abstract A dimensionless number is derived which represents the extent to which diffusion affects crystal growth in terms of variables that can be manipulated for the crystal growth. A restriction here is that the result is applicable to processes for which the boundary-layer model is valid, as in the typical horizontal CVD processes. The result is used to critically examine the low pressure CVD process (LPCVD) used for uniform deposition of crystal layers. It is shown that an LPCVD process does not always yield uniform deposition and that a high pressure CVD (HPCVD) in which the total pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure should be used in some cases rather than an LPCVD process if the total pressure is to be manipulated for the uniform deposition. Further, even when an LPCVD process is warranted, the total pressure should be kept as high as possible in some cases for uniform deposition within a certain pressure range. The factor that determines the choice of the total pressure is the apparent order of the growth rate with respect to the total pressure, the choice being dependent on whether or not the order is greater than one-half. No advantage can be gained if the order is one-half. The dimensionless number can also be used to specify growth conditions under which “intrinsic” growth rate data can be generated.
Transition to hydrogen economy in the United States: A 2006 status report

Abstract Energy crises in the latter part of the 20th century, as well as the current increase in the cost of oil, emphasize the need for alternate sources of energy in the United States. Concerns about climate change dictate that the source be clean and not contribute to global warming. Hydrogen has been identified as such a source for many years and the transition to a hydrogen economy was predicted to occur from the mid-1970s to 2000. This paper reports on the status of this transition in the year 2006. Instead of being a clean source of energy, most of the hydrogen produced in the US results from steam reforming of fossil fuels, releasing CO 2 and other pollutants to the atmosphere. Nuclear process heat is ideally suited for the production of hydrogen, either using electricity for electrolysis of water, or heat for thermochemical hydrogen production or reforming of fossil fuels. However, no new nuclear plants have been ordered or built in the United States since 1979, and it may be many years before high-temperature nuclear reactors are available for production of hydrogen. Considerable research and development efforts are focused on commercializing hydrogen-powered vehicles to lessen the dependence of the transportation sector on imported oil. However, the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV) in 2006 is two orders-of-magnitude less than what has been predicted. Although it makes little sense environmentally or economically, hydrogen is also used as fuel in internal combustion engines. Development of hydrogen economy will require a strong intervention by external forces.
Effect of one week of levobunolol HCl 0.5% on the human retinal circulation

Purpose. To determine the effect of one week of topical treatment with levobunolol HCl 0.5% on the retinal circulation of normal subjects. Methods. Fifteen healthy volunteers with no history of ocular disease were included in this study. In a double-masked, randomized, cross-over design, one eye of each subject was treated, for one week, with one drop of either levobunolol or placebo, administered twice daily. Following a washout period of at least three weeks, the same eye received the alternate treatment for one week. Before the beginning of therapy and then two hours after the last drop, vessel diameter (D), maximum erythrocyte velocity (V max) , and volumetric blood flow rate (Q) were determined in one major retinal vein of the treated eye, using bidirectional laser Doppler velocimetry and monochromatic fundus photography. Statistical analysis was performed using two-tailed, paired Student's t-test, linear regression, and correlation analysis. Result. The average percentage change from baseline in int...
Overview of advances in sugar‐based polymers

Polymeric biomaterials, especially agricultural commodity-based polymers, have been moving forward quickly during the last few years because of the significant rise in oil and natural gas prices. From a life-cycle perspective, sugar is a renewable resource that has the potential to be used as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the wide utility of a cereal-derived material, isosorbide, for high added value applications in polymers. As a bicyclic ether derivative of glucose, isosorbide is classified by the Food and Drug Administration as a “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) material. Because of its rigidity, chirality, and nontoxicity, isosorbide can be incorporated into thermosets and thermoplastics. Such processes and products offer a more sustainable and “green” technology. By making the diglycidyl ether, isosorbide epoxy resins were synthesized in this work as a new class of thermosets with comparable dry mechanical property similar to bisphenol A (BPA) epoxide. These could be a potential replacement for BPA in coatings and adhesives. By controlling the stereochemistry, multiple isosorbide-derived AB monomers such as isosorbide methyl terephthalate were synthesized for future homopolymerization and copolymerizations with commercial available polymers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PLLA. The increased glass transition temperature and semicrystalline morphology of these isosorbide copolyesters demonstrate a way to improve the performance of polyester thermoplastics in many applications such as hot-fill containers and engineering resins. All the intermediates generated during the syntheses were characterized by NMR. The thermal tests were conducted using the techniques of DSC and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fibroadenomas with atypia: causes of under- and overdiagnosis by aspiration biopsy.

Fibroadenoma (FA) is a common benign breast lesion frequently sampled by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Although the cytologic diagnosis is straightforward in most cases, cellular discohesion and atypia in FAs may lead to falsely atypical or positive FNAB diagnoses. Conversely, some adenocarcinomas mimic a fibroadenomatous pattern on FNAB, resulting in a false-negative diagnosis. We reviewed the cytologic and histologic findings in 25 cases with a preoperative FNAB diagnosis of FA, wherein excision was recommended based on atypia. Our aim was to analyze the spectrum of changes causing under- or overdiagnosis in such cases. The smears were assessed for cellularity, cellular discohesion, presence of dissociated intact cells and nucleoli, nuclear pleomorphism, oval bare nuclei, and stromal fragments. The histologic findings were correlated with FNAB features. At excision, 88% of FAs classified as atypical on FNAB were benign (FA with ductal hyperplasia and lactational change, myxoid FA, and other fibroepithelial lesions). Differentiating myxoid FA from colloid carcinoma was difficult due to the abundance of extracellular mucin in which the dissociated epithelial cells were floating. Two (8%) cases were carcinomas on excision; the reasons for underdiagnosis in one case reflected sampling, and in the other, interpretative error. There was one (4%) benign phyllodes tumor which lacked stromal fragments and single stromal cells on FNAB smears. The lesion was called atypical, based on the epithelial discohesion on the smears. We conclude that the majority of FAs with atypia on FNAB are benign lesions. Considering the grave consequences of a false-positive cytologic diagnosis, we recommend a conservative approach in interpreting FNAB smears which overall display a fibroadenomatous pattern.
Real time in situ monitoring of surfaces during glow discharge processing: NH3 and H2 plasma passivation of GaAs

Numerous device applications of GaAs are hampered by poor electronic properties of GaAssurfaces and interfaces. Room temperature NH3 and H2 downstream plasmapassivation of native oxide contaminated GaAssurfaces is investigated using attenuated‐total‐reflection (ATR) Fourier‐transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL). Using ATRFTIR concentrations of –As–O, –As–H, H–OH, and C–H bonds are monitored in situ and in real time during exposure of the GaAssurface to H (D) atoms from a microwave discharge through NH3 (ND3) and H2 (D2). Photoluminescence intensity from the GaAs is monitored simultaneously with the FTIR spectra and used as a measure of surface state reduction. At room temperature, H atoms produced from the discharge remove –As–O and C–H contaminants but not Ga2O3. The appearance of As–H bonds and corresponding increase in PL are delayed significantly from plasma initiation, an increase in –O–H concentration, and removal of –As–O bonds. Because the As antisite defects are concentrated at the GaAs–oxide interface, the rates of As–H formation and PL enhancement may be limited by diffusion of H through the oxide and water layer which forms on the surface. We find that the concentration of physisorbed H2O on the GaAssurface increases throughout passivation. There are two sources of water detected on the surface: (i) reduction of As–O bonds and (ii) reaction of H with the quartz reactor walls. Ga2O3 grows on the surface via oxidation of GaAs by the physisorbed water. We surmise that higher H concentration in NH3plasmas results in faster water accumulation on the surface and trapping of the As–H species subsurface. In H2plasma, water accumulation on the surface is slower and trapping of As–H is not observed.
A Time-Based Pipelined ADC Using Both Voltage and Time Domain Information

In this paper, a Nyquist ADC with a time-based pipelined TDC is proposed. In the proposed ADC, the first pipeline stage incorporates both residue amplification and a V-T conversion with high accuracy, efficiently realized by a low gain amplifier with only 24 dB dc gain. Furthermore, adding to power efficiency, a hybrid time-domain pipeline stage based on simple charge pump and capacitor DAC in its backend stages is also proposed. Using the right combination of voltage and time domain information, the proposed ADC architecture benefits from improved resolution and power efficiency, with MSBs resolved in voltage domain and LSBs in time domain. The measured results of the prototype ADC implemented in a 0.13 μm CMOS demonstrate peak SNDR of 69.3 dB at 6.38 mW power and 70 MHz sampling frequency. The FOM based on peak SNDR is 38.2 fJ/conversion-step.
Impact of a neurointensivist on outcomes in patients with head trauma treated in a neurosciences intensive care unit

Object The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a newly appointed neurointensivist on outcomes in head-injured patients in the neurological/neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU). Methods The mortality rate, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition of all patients with head trauma who had been admitted to a 10-bed tertiary care university hospital NICU were compared between two 19-month periods, before and after the appointment of a neurointensivist. Data regarding these patients were collected using the hospital database and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) database. Samples of medical records were reviewed for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score documentation. The authors analyzed data pertaining to 328 patients before and 264 after the neurointensivist's appointment. The unadjusted mean in-hospital mortality rate increased 1.1% in the after period, but this increase was significantly lower compared with the UHC-based expected increase of 8.1% in the mortality rate during the ...
The Emergence of Chronic Peer Victimization in Boys' Play Groups

This investigation utilized a contrived play group procedure to examine the behavioral patterns leading to chronic victimization by peers in middle childhood. 30 play groups, each of which consisted of 6 unacquainted African-American 6-year-old or 8-year-old boys, met for 45-min sessions on 5 consecutive days. Play group interactions were videotaped and then examined. 13 boys who came to be chronically victimized by their play group peers were identified, along with matched nonvictim contrasts. Victims demonstrated lower rates of assertive behaviors, such as persuasion attempts and social conversation initiatives, and higher rates of nonassertive behaviors, such as submissions to peers' social initiatives, than contrasts. This nonassertive behavior pattern appears to have preceded the development of chronic victimization. Children who eventually emerged as victims were pervasively submissive, beginning in the initial 2 sessions. However, marked individual differences in victimization by peers did not become apparent until the final 3 sessions. These data provide evidence of strong linkages between submissive social behavior and the emergence of chronic victimization by peers.
GABA and glycine are protective to mature but toxic to immature rat cortical neurons under hypoxia.

Although recent studies suggest that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine may be 'inhibitory' to mature neurons, but 'excitatory' to immature neurons under normoxia, it is unknown whether inhibitory neurotransmitters are differentially involved in neuronal response to hypoxia in immature and mature neurons. In the present study, we exposed rat cortical neurons to hypoxia (1% O2) and examined the effects of three major inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA, glycine and taurine) on the hypoxic neurons at different neuronal ages [days in vitro (DIV)4-20]. Our data showed that the cortical neurons expressed both GABA(A) and glycine receptors with differential developmental profiles. GABA (10-2000 microm) was neuroprotective to hypoxic neurons of DIV20, but enhanced hypoxic injury in neurons of DIV4. In comparison with delta-opioid receptor (DOR)-induced protection in DIV20 neurons exposed to 72 h of hypoxia, glycine-induced protection was weaker than that of DOR but stronger than that of GABA and taurine. These data suggest that the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitters on hypoxic cortical neurons are age-dependent, with GABA and glycine being neurotoxic to immature neurons and neuroprotective to mature neurons.
Signature Maximization in Designing Wireless Binary Pyroelectric Sensors

This paper explores the segmentation of a monitoring space generated by binary pyroelectric sensors and reference structure. Each segment in the monitoring space can be identified by a state of a family of binary sensors, called a signature. In this paper, we show that the maximum number of signatures in a sensor network with n binary sensors is 2^n and that it can be achieved by n modulators under a defined procedure and one assumption. Furthermore, we prove that the maximum number of signatures can be achieved in a sensor network with n binary sensors without the constraint of the number of modulators. Finally, we explore the signature combination for several simple cases.
Signaling from DNA mispairs to mismatch‐repair excision sites despite intervening blockades

Mismatch-repair (MMR) systems promote genomic stability by correction of DNA replication errors. Thus, MMR proteins—prokaryotic MutS and MutL homodimers or their MutSα and MutLα heterodimer homologs, plus accessory proteins—specifically couple mismatch recognition to nascent-DNA excision. In vivo excision-initiation signals—specific nicks in some prokaryotes, perhaps growing 3′ ends or Okazaki-fragment 5′ ends in eukaryotes—are efficiently mimicked in vitro by nicks or gaps in exogenous DNA substrates. In some models for recognition–excision coupling, MutSα bound to mismatches is induced by ATP hydrolysis, or simply by binding of ATP, to slide along DNA to excision-initiation sites, perhaps in association with MutLα and accessory proteins. In other models, MutSα·MutLα complexes remain fixed at mismatches and contact distant excision sites by DNA looping. To challenge the hypothesis that recognition complexes remain fixed, we placed biotin–streptavidin blockades between mismatches and pre-existing nicks. In human nuclear extracts, mismatch efficiently provoked the initiation of excision despite the intervening barriers, as predicted. However, excision progress and therefore mismatch correction were prevented.
Incorporating a secure coprocessor in the database-as-a-service model

In this paper, we suggest an extension to the database-as-a-service (DAS) model that introduces a secure coprocessor (SC) at an untrusted database service provider in order to overcome drawbacks in the plain DAS model. The processor serves as a neutral party between the clients and service providers with the goal of increasing security of outsourced data. Additionally, it supports a much broader range of queries performed and reduces both bandwidth and computational burdens on the client. We expect these improvements to make the DAS model more viable and attractive from a client's perspective.