cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marijuana and immunity: tetrahydrocannabinol mediated inhibition of lymphocyte blastogenesis.

Abstract The effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its major metabolite, 11-OH delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH THC) on mitogen driven lymphocyte blastogenic transformation (LBT) were studied. THC inhibited LBT responses to the T lymphocyte mitogens phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A but not the B lymphocyte stimulant pokeweed mitogen. The metabolite 11-OH THC caused a comparable, but less sifnificant, inhibition of LBT responses to the T cell mitogens. These inhibitions were dependent upon the drug doses and the time of incubation with the lymphocytes. There was no significant inhibitory actvity of THC to the LBT when it was added 24 or 48 h after mitogen. In addition, exposure of lymphocytes to THC for 3 h, followed by removal of the drug prior to addition of mitogen had no effect on the cells' ability to respond to the mitogen. Thus, there appears to be specified temporal period during which exposure of lymphocytes to THC results in an inhibition of blastogenesis. Interleukin 2 (30 units/ml) could not preclude the THC induced inhibition of lymphocyte blastogenesis. We conclude that THC and 11-OH THC inhibit T lymphocyte blastogenesis. However, unlike the THC mediated inhibition of natural killer cell activity (as shown previously), the process is not responsive to the cytokine intetleukin 2.
Speciation in Action

In a paper in this week's issue, Rieseberg et al. ([p. 741][1]) examine the formation of a new species of sunflower in real time. In his Perspective, Coyne discusses the importance of this scientist-generated evolution and what it tells us about the process of speciation. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.272.5262.741
Beta-lactam antibiotic prevents tolerance to the hypothermic effect of a kappa opioid receptor agonist.

Abstract Beta-lactam antibiotics are the only clinically approved drugs which directly increase glutamate uptake. They activate the glutamate transporter subtype 1 (GLT-1), the protein responsible for 90% of glutamate uptake in the mammalian brain. The capacity of GLT-1 to clear extracellular glutamate suggests that glutamate transporter activators be explored for therapeutic approaches to clinical conditions caused by increased glutamatergic transmission. One of the most common drug effects mediated by increased glutamatergic signaling is opioid tolerance. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that a beta-lactam antibiotic (ceftriaxone), by increasing glutamate uptake, prevents tolerance to hypothermia induced by a kappa opioid receptor agonist (U-50,488H). A single injection of U-50,488H (20 mg/kg, s.c.) caused significant hypothermia in rats. Tolerance to the hypothermic effect of U50,488H was induced by injecting U50,488H (20 mg/kg) twice daily for 7 days. Pretreatment with ceftriaxone (200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days did not alter the acute hypothermic response to U50,488H (20 mg/kg) but did prevent tolerance to U50,488H-induced hypothermia. Central administration of dl - threo -β-benzyloxyaspartic acid (TBOA) (0.2 μmol, i.c.v.), a glutamate transporter inhibitor, abolished the effect of ceftriaxone. These results identify a functional interaction between ceftriaxone and U50,488H in vivo and provide pharmacological evidence that a beta-lactam antibiotic abolishes tolerance to hypothermia induced by a kappa opioid receptor agonist.
Crosslinking of α chain remnants in human fibrin

Abstract Human plasma was clotted in the presence of EDTA; the clots were incubated in a second medium; and the resulting fibrin was reduced and examined by gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. When Factor XIII and thrombin were present in the second medium, α chain remnant band 9 (nomenclature of Mosesson et al. , J. Biol. Chem.: 247, 5210, 1972) disappeared from the electrophoretic pattern, evidently as the result of crosslinking, whereas α remnant band 11 did not. Since these remnants are formed by the loss of portions of the COOH-terminal region of the chain, with remnant 11 being identical to the NH2-terminal portion of remnant 9, it was concluded that the COOH-terminal region of remnant 9 contains at least 1 potential crosslinking site. Molecular weights of these remnants were used to compute the location of the site(s), approximately 220 to 280 amino acid residues from the NH2-terminus of the Aα chain.
The use of torque angle curves in the assessment of digital joint stiffness

Abstract Paul Brand, M.D. has advocated the use of torque angle curves to assess the quantity and quality of joint stiffness. This study seeks to test Brand's theory by the use of torque angle curves of stiff PIP joints. Twenty-nine uninjured, healthy human subjects underwent PIP cast immobilization for periods of one to six weeks. Resultant curves were compared to baseline curves and to conventional measures of lost ROM. The primary finding was that torque angle curves were objective measures of quantity and quality of stiffness. A secondary, unexpected finding was that only a modest amount of stiffness resulted frorm prolonged immobilization.
Histone-like TAFs within the PCAF Histone Acetylase Complex

Abstract PCAF histone acetylase plays a role in regulation of transcription, cell cycle progression, and differentiation. Here, we show that PCAF is found in a complex consisting of more than 20 distinct polypeptides. Strikingly, some polypeptides are identical to TBP-associated factors (TAFs), which are subunits of TFIID. Like TFIID, histone fold–containing factors are present within the PCAF complex. The histone H3– and H2B–like subunits within the PCAF complex are identical to those within TFIID, namely, hTAF II 31 and hTAF II 20/15, respectively. The PCAF complex has a novel histone H4–like subunit with similarity to hTAF II 80 that interacts with the histone H3–like domain of hTAF II 31. Moreover, the PCAF complex has a novel subunit with WD40 repeats having a similarity to hTAF II 100.
Development of a simple mixed-mode fracture test and the resulting fracture energy envelope for an adhesive bond

Characterizing the fracture energy of bonded adhesive joints over a range of mode mixities often requires special fixtures or a variety of test configurations. By pairing a tapered and a constant thickness adherend, a hybrid double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen is proposed. This asymmetric tapered DCB configuration can be used to determine the fracture energy as a function of mode mixity. As the debond propagates, the relative stiffness of the adherends varies in a systematic manner, resulting in a range of mode mixities from 0° to approximately 20°. Strain energy release rates were obtained using corrected beam theory and a finite element fracture analysis. Single-leg bending tests were used to determine the fracture energy at mode mixity up to 56°. Constant thickness and tapered DCB tests were used to determine the mode I fracture energy. The resulting fracture envelope was constructed in order to show the dependence of the fracture energy on mode mixity for a two part acrylic adhesive.
Polarization study of photoinduced second-harmonic generation in glass optical fibers

By studying the polarization properties of photoinduced second-harmonic generation in a germania-doped silica glass optical fiber we show that the induced χ(2) is consistent with being due to the χ(3) of the glass acted on by an internal dc electric field. Additional arguments are provided to support the view that the observed χ(2) is not simply due to the microscopic χ(2) of ordered dipoles.
Growth factors in cancer and their relationship to oncogenes.

(1986). Basic Science Review: Growth Factors in Cancer and Their Relationship to Oncogenes. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 43-60.
Modelling electric field driven convection in small combustion plasmas and surrounding gases

Electric fields applied to flames can be used to impart force directly on the reaction zone and local surroundings due to the presence of flame ions. The resultant electric body force modifies the flow field surrounding the combustion environment. This paper describes a numerical simulation of the flow field of entrained gases and exhaust surrounding a gaseous fuel flame when it is exposed to electric fields by formulating the problem as a unipolar two fluid system (neutrals and positive ions). An analysis, performed at steady state, is verified by comparison to published experimental results (total current, current density profiles, and qualitative flow measurements). The results indicate a complex interaction between the combustion and current discharge environments where the flow field is dominated by the presence of a toroidal vortex structure and the discharge is dominated by space charge effects. In addition, a transient analysis of the flow field is performed, and four fundamental timescales in the...
Into the Private Sector: Rights and People with Disabilities

Until late 1988, American social policy proscribed discrimination against people with disabilities only in the public (government or government-assisted) sector of the economy. Title V of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act (PL 93-112), for example, regulated employment practices in federal agencies, federal contractors, and entities receiving federal financial assistance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (S.933 and H.R.2273, pending), however, reaches deep into the private sector and builds upon the precedent set by the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act (PL 100-430). In this article, the major provisions of the ADA are outlined and rationales are offered for the choices made in shaping the legislation; the focus is upon the Senate because the House had not completed action at press time. The bill represents a growing consensus by Republicans as well as Democrats that private-sector regulation is essential if people with disabilities are to gain access to telecommunications, places of public accommodation, tran...
Columnar cortico-cortical interconnections within the visual system of the squirrel and macaque monkeys.

Cortico-cortical interconnections within the visual cortex of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were studied by means of single or multiple injections of [3H]leucine or combined [3H]leucine and horseradish peroxidase into the dorsolateral striate and prestriate cortices. Injections of [3H]leucine were also made into the dorsolateral striate cortex of a Macaca speciosa for comparison. The results indicated that in Saimiri the dorsolateral prestriate cortex is precisely and reciprocally connected with the striate and peristriate cortex, and with the posterior bank of superior temporal sulcus, including the middle temporal area (MT). The dorsolateral striate area is precisely and reciprocally connected with the prestriate and MT area, but does not project to the perstriate cortex as in the case of the macaque. At each target site, the radioactively labelled terminal fields are distributed in a distinctly columnar fashion, with labelled columns (120–480 μm in diameter, commonly 240 μm) interdigitating with sparsely labelled or unlabelled columns of lesser widths. The HRP-labelled neurons invariably exist within the radioactively labelled columns. For all of the cortical areas examined except area 17, lamina IV is the principal ‘receptive’ layer for associational fibers, while layers III and II, as well as V and VI within the same column, receive progressively less input. As for area 17, associational fibers from the prestriate cortex terminate mainly within lamina I, with laminae II, III, V and VI receiving decreasing amounts of input. The present results indicate that the major visual cortical areas are interconnected in precise, topographical and reciprocal fashion. The columnar arrangement is found to be the basis of both extra- and intercortical connections.
Haptic/Graphic Rehabilitation: Integrating a Robot into a Virtual Environment Library and Applying it to Stroke Therapy

Recent research that tests interactive devices for prolonged therapy practice has revealed new prospects for robotics combined with graphical and other forms of biofeedback. Previous human-robot interactive systems have required different software commands to be implemented for each robot leading to unnecessary developmental overhead time each time a new system becomes available. For example, when a haptic/graphic virtual reality environment has been coded for one specific robot to provide haptic feedback, that specific robot would not be able to be traded for another robot without recoding the program. However, recent efforts in the open source community have proposed a wrapper class approach that can elicit nearly identical responses regardless of the robot used. The result can lead researchers across the globe to perform similar experiments using shared code. Therefore modular "switching out"of one robot for another would not affect development time. In this paper, we outline the successful creation and implementation of a wrapper class for one robot into the open-source H3DAPI, which integrates the software commands most commonly used by all robots.
The time dependence and efficiency of excitation of three-quantum coherence in proton spectroscopy of proteins

Abstract The time dependence and efficiency of excitation of three-quantum (3Q) coherence is examined for the peaks that are commonly observed in 'H NMR 3Q spectra of proteins. The algebraic expressions for the various contributions to each 3Q coherence are tabulated. Plots of the excitation efficiency versus the length of the excitation period are shown. These results provide guidelines for optimizing the length of the 3Q excitation period to obtain either a wide range of 3Q signals in the spectrum or the excitation of specific 3Q signals with maximum efficiency.
Cloning and Expression of a Marine Bacterial β-Galactoside α2, 6-Sialyltransferase Gene from Photobacterium damsela JT0160

Sialyltransferase 0160, a bacterial sialyltransferase which catalyzes the incorporation of NeuAc from CMP-NeuAc into the galactose residue of the carbohydrate chain at position 6, is produced by Photobacterium damsela JT0160. The gene coding for sialyltransferase 0160 (bst) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The sialyltransferase 0160 gene contains an open reading frame of 2,028 base pairs encoding a protein of 675 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of sialyltransferase 0160 did not contain the sialylmotif and had no significant similarity to mammalian sialyltransferases. Crude extracts of cultured E. coli MV1184 cells carrying an expression plasmid for the sialyltransferase 0160 gene showed sialyltransferase activity, which was identified as beta-galactoside alpha2,6-sialyltransferase activity by enzymatic reaction product analysis. In addition, when mutant genes, lacking 3'-coding regions for COOH-terminal portions of the protein, which are thought to form alpha-helix structures, were expressed in E. coli MV1184, soluble-form enzymes were obtained. This implies that the COOH-terminal portion of sialyltransferase 0160 is required for membrane binding.
Selective Expression and Processing of Biglycan during Migration of Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells THE ROLE OF ENDOGENOUS BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR

Repair of the vascular lumenal surface after injury requires a controlled endothelial cell response that includes cell migration, proliferation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. These cellular processes are modulated by growth factors that are released or activated following cell injury. When endothelial cell migration is stimulated in response to monolayer wounding in vitro, cells increase synthesis of small leucine-rich dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (PGs) (Kinsella, M. G., and Wight, T. N. (1986) J. Cell Biol. 102, 679-687). However, the identity of the PGs that are increased during cell migration and the factors that affect this modulation have not been identified. We now report that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is responsible for the transient increase of [35S]sulfate incorporation into PGs following monolayer wounding. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that bFGF-treated and wounded cultures increase both biglycan core protein synthesis and biglycan proteolytic processing, which results in the accumulation of a approximately 20-kDa N-terminal biglycan fragment in the culture media. Biglycan RNA steady-state levels also selectively increase 2- to 3-fold after wounding or bFGF treatment. Finally, immunocytochemical staining localizes biglycan to the tips and edges of lamellopodia on migrating cells, indicating that biglycan is found at loci at which the formation and dissolution of adhesion plaques occurs, consistent with hypotheses that predict involvement of biglycan in the control of cell migration. Taken together, these results suggest that release of endogenous bFGF is primarily responsible for altered biglycan expression, synthesis, and proteolytic processing as endothelial cells migrate after wounding.
Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the lymphocyte mitogenic responses in spot, Leiostomus xanthurus

Abstract Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) modulate leukocyte activity in vertebrates 1 . PAH require metabolic activation to ultimate carcinogenic forms, 2 but it is unknown whether PAH metabolism is required to exert immunocyte modulation in fish. The Southern Branch of Elizabeth River, Virginia, is heavily contaminated with PAH, and fish collected from this system show high incidence of diseases and neoplasms. 3,4 Because T lymphocytes play an important role in host-defense mechanisms in vertebrates, we designed several experiments to examine the effects of PAH on T cell activity in vivo and in vitro . Our results show that PAH suppress the proliferative responses of the lymphocytes and that this modulation may involve cytochrome P450-mediated PAH metabolism.
Recent developments on membranes for post-combustion carbon capture

Carbon capture in a postcombustion scenario needs cost-effective and energy-efficient alternatives to the amine process. High performance membranes can potentially meet the stringent cost targets set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In this context, we review and identify the most promising membranes/membrane materials along with the most innovative membrane-based processes reported recently in literature. The important transport results were grouped into different categories depending upon the mechanism of selective CO2 transport through the respective membrane. The analysis of the literature results indicates that each type of membrane demonstrates one or more of the important trade-offs including selectivity–permeability, selectivity–permeance, transport-ease of synthesis, and transport–stability. Reproducible and large-scale production of thin films from existing and new highly permeable materials while maintaining a reasonable selectivity along with innovation in process schemes that utilize multiple membranes with different and unique benefits were identified as key tasks to realizing a membrane-based alternative for this application.
Biologic effects of the adoptive transfer of cells depleted of monocytes with L-phenylalanine methyl ester

Monocytes macrophages have negative regulatory effects on many immunologic responses. Depletion of monocytes from peripheral blood using the lysosomotropic agent, L-phenylalanine methyl ester (PME), has been shown to improve lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell expansion in vitro. A pilot study of the adoptive transfer of LAK cells expanded with PME was performed in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients received interleukin-2 (IL-2) by continuous infusion for 5 days. Leukopheresis was performed daily for 4 days during the second week. Cells obtained from 8 patients were depleted of monocytes using PME in an one-step procedure; < or = 3% of the remaining cells were monocytes. All cells were expanded for 10 days in air-porous plastic bags with IL-2. Cells expanded 2.7-fold when depleted with PME and 1.7-fold when not depleted (P = 0.02). Expanded cells were administered together with IL-2. Patients received up to 60 x 10(10) PME-depleted cells (mean = 26 x 10(10)) with LAK activity (% lysis) of 60 +/- 12%. Lymphocyte phenotype and cytolytic activity were not modulated by PME-depletion, and clinical toxicities and systemic immunologic effects observed in patients receiving PME-depleted cells were similar to that of 5 patients receiving cells not expanded with PME. Thus, the use of PME to deplete monocytes ex vivo can result in the yield of large number of effectors that retain immunologic activity for potential clinical use. The process is convenient, efficient, and does not add clinical toxicity.
Verification, Validation, and Confirmation of Numerical Models in the Earth Sciences

Verification and validation of numerical models of natural systems is impossible. This is because natural systems are never closed and because model results are always nonunique. Models can be confirmed by the demonstration of agreement between observation and prediction, but confirmation is inherently partial. Complete confirmation is logically precluded by the fallacy of affirming the consequent and by incomplete access to natural phenomena. Models can only be evaluated in relative terms, and their predictive value is always open to question. The primary value of models is heuristic.
Nuclear RNA transcripts from Drosophila melanogaster ribosomal RNA genes containing introns.

Abstract The transcription of ribosomal genes in a cell line (Kc) derived from female D.melanogaster, has been investigated using hybridization probes prepared from restriction fragments of a cloned rDNA repeat with a 5 kb type I [Wellauer et al. (1978) Cell 14, 269-278] intron. Gels, of nuclear RNA that have been transferred to diazotized paper and hybridized with labelled intron sequences, reveal both large (1-10 kb) transcripts and a discrete 325 base species. Berk-Sharp experiments [(1977) Cell 12, 721-732] reveal large transcripts that are homologous to intron sequences and extend into 28S sequences as well. However, while the abundance of 28S transcripts is about 50,000 copies per nucleus [Clark et al. (1977) Genetics 86, 789-800], these long transcripts are only present at 1-2 copies per nucleus and the 325 base species is only 10 times more abundant. In view of the fact that female cells have about 400 rDNA genes, 49% of which have type I introns, one must conclude either that transcription rarely occurs from the genes containing introns (the majority) or these transcripts are processed unusually rapidly. Transcripts homologous to the "non-transcribed spacer" region have been found, but their abundance is no higher.
Strategic Voting in India: Its Extent and Determinants in the 2004 General Election

This study explores the issue of "strategic voting" in India by using individual-level, nationwide survey data from the 2004 general election. It finds that Indian voters are more "strategic" than "expressive" if their preferred party is unlikely to win a given parliamentary seat. Furthermore, the variables of being Muslim and education are found not to be statistically significant determinants of strategic voting.
Similarities and differences of microstructure and macro properties between portland and blended cement

The relationship between microstructure and macro properties of different cementitious materials has been investigated. This study consists of the following tasks: using NMR and IR to better characterize the amorphous and poorly crystalline phases that occur in blended cements; characterizing the microstructure of the hydration products of modified Portland cement as a function of different percentages of pozzolan replacements by ESEM, SEM, and EDS; comparing the properties of blended cement pastes with a control group of normal Portland cements; and studying the engineering aspects of blended cement that are important for identifying and characterizing fundamental phenomena that are responsible for their durability. The overall influence of the nanoscale and microscale structure of blended and Portland cement on the properties of the resultant composite will be discussed.
Human thymic MR1-restricted MAIT cells are innate pathogen-reactive effectors that adapt following thymic egress

Human thymic MR1-restricted MAIT cells are innate pathogen-reactive effectors that adapt following thymic egress
Control of a ring structure with multiple active - passive hybrid piezoelectrical networks

A structural control concept, using multiple active - passive hybrid actuators (piezoelectric materials with active voltage sources and external passive RL circuits) on a ring structure, is investigated. A concurrent design method is developed to simultaneously optimize the active control gains and the values of the shunt resistors and inductors. A Kalman filter is employed to estimate the states of this multi-input - multi-output system from piezoelectric sensor measurements. Analysis results indicate that the proposed approach can suppress vibration and noise radiation effectively, and it can achieve better performance with less control effort as compared to a purely active system.
Ultra-High Pressure Modeling and Experiments Review *

*† ‡ The RDHWT/MARIAH II energy addition, run time, and mass flow rate requirements imply large air and nitrogen fluid volumes at the highest practical static enthalpy. The objective of the gas supply concept development is the satisfaction of ultra-high pressure (UHP), high temperature thermodynamic requirements in a facility with acceptable safety and economic risks. The primary challenges for the mechanical design are connecting multiple volumes at the required pressures and temperatures and managing the pressurerelated forces and stresses in the system. We have developed an “octahedral module” concept that addresses these issues. Four UHP intensifiers and two UHP manifolds that are arranged in an “octahedral” configuration make up a module. Multiple modules join to provide the required UHP volume at a stagnation pressure of 2100 MPa and stagnation temperature of 750 K.
THE PROGNOSTIC IMPORTANCE OF GLEASON GRADE IN PROSTATIC ADENOCARCINOMA: A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 648 PATIENTS TREATED WITH RADIATION THERAPY

PURPOSE It is common practice to histologically grade adenocarcinoma of the prostate using the Gleason system. Whereas the prognostic utility of this grading is well known, few studies have comprehensively evaluated it for patients undergoing definitive radiation therapy and generally accepted guidelines as to which Gleason grades should be "lumped" have not been established. This study reports the results of univariate and multivariate evaluation of the prognostic significance of Gleason grade in 648 patients followed for a median of 6.5 years after radiation therapy for T1 to T4, N0, or NX, MO prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS The correlation between Gleason grade and local recurrence, metastatic relapse, any disease relapse, and patient survival was evaluated using univariate and multivariate methods. Analysis was also stratified according to whether the grading was assigned on a needle biopsy or on a transurethral resection specimen. RESULTS The large number of Gleason grades required grouping of grades for meaningful analysis and we found that a four-tier system (grades 2 and 3, 155 patients; grades 4-6, 290 patients; grade 7, 92 patients; and grades 8-10, 111 patients) correlated best with outcome. In univariate analysis, this four-tier grouping correlated significantly with local recurrence, distant metastases, any relapse, and survival. The incidences of distant metastasis at 10 years were: grades 2 and 3, 13%; grades 4-6, 34%; grade 7, 52%; and, grades 8-10, 63%. The survival rates at 10 years were: grades 2 and 3, 64%; grades 4-6, 60%; grade 7, 46%; and grades 8-10, 24%. In multivariate analysis, Gleason grade was the single most important determinant of outcome for each endpoint. These results applied equally to needle biopsy and transurethral resection specimens. CONCLUSION Tumor grade is the single most significant determinant of outcome following radiotherapy for clinically localized prostate cancer. The Gleason system is a valid method for grading tumors to be irradiated. A four-tier grouping into grades 2 and 3, grades 4-6, grade 7, and grades 8-10 appears to be adequate and simple.
Promoting exercise as medicine for prediabetes and prehypertension

Prediabetes and prehypertension are conditions that reflect higher-than-normal blood glucose level and elevated blood pressure. The use of the term "pre" helps highlight the potentially slippery slope toward fully realized diabetes or hypertension. In both situations, recommended lifestyle modifications include a focus on regular exercise, including cardiorespiratory (aerobic) activity and resistance training. In spite of strong evidence related to the benefits of exercise, the number of American adults meeting even minimal targets is low. Therefore medical and health professionals should utilize strategies (including goal setting, problem solving, and relapse prevention, feedback, self-monitoring, and modeling) to encourage behavior change.
Electrical integration and interface management

Electrical System Integration and Interface Management is an integral part of the overall system design of a railway, and is required to be assessed throughout the project life cycle, from concept design through to operation and maintenance. There are, however, no text books to instruct Railway Authorities on the principles of system design or how to integrate an electrified railway. Each railway is a `one off' design that demands the knowledge, application, innovation and skills which are embedded within railway authorities and the design houses. Multi-disciplined electrification projects therefore require experienced and knowledgeable engineers to ensure that designed systems are compatible. Compatibility problems in railway projects invariably occur at `system interfaces'; Rail Project Directors who are unfamiliar with EMC/ESC can be blissfully unaware of potential disasters that can befall them. The result of meeting ESC (Electrical Systems Compatibility) and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) requirements will help to ensure reliable, safe operation of equipment without degrading the performance of any other system installed on the Rail infrastructure, and on adjacent railways, commercial and domestic premises.
Generic Issues Program Overview and Update

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has a Generic Issues Program (GIP) to address Generic Issues (GI). A GI is defined as “a regulatory matter involving the design, construction, operation, or decommissioning of several, or a class of, NRC licensees or certificate holders that is not sufficiently addressed by existing rules, guidance, or programs.” This rather legalistic definition has several practical corollaries: First, a GI must involve safety. Second, the issue must involve at least two plants, or it would be a plant-specific issue rather than a GI. Third, the potential safety question must not be covered by existing regulations and guidance (compliance). Thus, the effect of a GI is to potentially change the body of regulations and associated guidance (e.g., regulatory guides). The GIP was started in 1976, thus it is a relatively mature program. There have been approximately 850 issues processed by the program to date. More importantly, even after 30 years, new GIs continue to be proposed. The entire set of Generic Issues (GIs) is updated annually in NUREG-0933, “A Prioritization of Generic Safety Issues.” GIs tend to involve complex questions of safety and regulation. The efficient and effective means of addressing these issues is very important for regulatory effectiveness. If an issue proves to pose a genuine, significant safety question, then swift, effective, enforceable, and cost-effective action needs to be taken. Conversely, if an issue is of little safety significance, the issue should be dismissed in an expeditious manner, avoiding unnecessary expenditure of resources and regulatory burden or uncertainty. This paper provides an overview of the 5-stage program, from identification through the regulatory assessment stage. The paper also includes a discussion of the program’s seven criteria, sources of proposed GIs, recent improvements, publicly available information, historical performance, and status of current GIs.© 2008 ASME
Evaluating displacement damage in cerium-doped yttrium borate using photoluminescence lifetime

Abstract The photoluminescence lifetime and spectrum of YBO 3 :Ce 3+ are observed before and after proton bombardment. The optical properties change under irradiation, and thus the material can record information about the radiation exposure. As the fluence of 1 MeV protons increases beyond 10 14 proton/cm 2 , the lifetime of YBO 3 :Ce 3+ decreases nearly exponentially. Furthermore, by changing the concentration of cerium, the sensitivity of the material to the radiation induced defects is controllable such that lower-doped YBO 3 :Ce 3+ is more sensitive to damage.
Messaging in a 3G world

Messaging is now used billions of times a day to communicate person to person and person to application. Yet despite the success, the number of messaging technologies presents problems for users and potentially inhibits even larger take-up. The paper describes how the different choices present problems to today's user and how these problems may be exacerbated by the use of devices capable of sending and receiving richer content. The paper goes on to show how the situation may be improved for the users of messaging, especially those of 3G networks where the range of options may be bewildering to many users.
Pupal mortality in forest tent caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae): causes and impact on populations in southwestern Alabama.

Analyses of pupal mortality factors were made in six subpopulations of forest tent caterpillar (FTC), Malacosoma disstria Hubner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), in Baldwin and Mobile counties in southwestern Alabama in 1977, 1978, and 1979. Infestations were confined to a cypress-tupelo deltoid swamp with water tupelo, Nyssa aquatica L., as the predominant host species. Major identifiable mortality factors included predation, disease, and parasitism. Pupal predation was attributable predominantly to birds and ants, whereas the entomogenous fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin caused all observed mortality attributable to disease. Fifteen parasitic insects were reared from FTC pupae; nine were considered primary parasites, and six were hyperparasites. Rate of pupal parasitization was less than 60% in 17 of 18 temporally or spatially distinct samples during the 3 year study. Although parasitism was the most important cause of pupal mortality, it did not appear to be a dominant regulatory factor for FTC in this ecosystem. Neither host population quality nor density was highly correlated with degree of parasitism. The aquatic habitat places severe restrictions on the species of parasites which can effectively utilize FTC as a host, which in turn limits total parasite impact.
Alumina-stabilized zirconia coatings for high-temperature protection of turbine blades

Abstract Thin films of ZrO2Al2O3 were deposited on fused silica, silicon, platinum and stainless steel by sol-gel processing of organo-metallic compounds. Four precursors with different atomic ratios of Zr:Al were prepared. As deposited films were amorphous and annealing in air resulted crystallization and densification of ZrO2 phases. Thin films heated as low as 600°C showed crystallinity with cubic phase. All compositions tested in this work crystallized into cubic phase upon heating regardless of the kind of substrate. The particle sizes of the zirconia films were calculated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the films showed similar morphology for the films on various substrates.
Identification of Alcoholism and Depression in a Geriatric Medicine Outpatient Clinic

Objective: To examine the utility of brief screening instruments for alcoholism and depression in the frail elderly medical outpatient. Design: Cross-sectional examination. Setting: Coffey Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City. Subjects: Convenience sample of 84 consenting male and female outpatients over 62 years of age. Measurements: The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), CAGE questionnaire, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: Four subjects (5%) scored positive for alcoholism on the MAST, all of whom had been previously identified by the geriatric clinic staff. In contrast, the CAGE only identified 1 (1.4%) alcoholic subject. Thirty-two percent of subjects scored positive for depression on the GDS, yet only one-third of these depressed patients had been previously identified by the geriatric team as depressed. Among the depressed outpatients, 19% were labeled anxious and received anxiolytics from the geriatric medical staff. Conclusions: Whereas brief alcohol screening instruments to detect alcoholism did not augment the geriatrician's clinical assessment, screening for depression with the GDS may be an important adjunct to the identification of depression in geriatric medical patients.
A Simplified Formula for Discomfort Glare

The method covered in this article is the basis for criteria established by RQQ Report No. 3, “An alternate simplified method for determining the acceptability of a luminaire from the VCP standpoint for use in large rooms.” The basic equation used in this method to assess discomfort glare is known as the “Guth formula.” Here, the author's purpose is to show the basis for computing a luminance value, L, and to show how the method of assessing glare is related to the Guth formula.
The Relationship Between Ethical Work Climate and Moral Awareness

L'A. presente sa these ou il examine la conscience morale a partir de la perspective sociologique du climat ethique au travail. La question sur laquelle il construit sa recherche est : Quelle est la relation entre le climat ethique au travail a l'interieur d'une organisation et la conscience morale individuelle ? Le travail sur le terrain a ete realise dans sept organisations differentes a l'aide d'un questionnaire au niveau de groupes contenant 36 questions sur le climat ethique. Les donnees ont ete analysees a l'aide d'analyse factorielle, d'echelle d'evaluation, d'analyse discriminante et de tests de correlation. Il en ressort que le climat au travail est associe a la conscience morale individuelle
An arsenical-maleimide for the generation of new targeted biochemical reagents.

The finding that arsenic trioxide is an effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia has renewed interest in the pharmacological uses of inorganic and organic arsenicals. Here we synthesized and characterized the reactivity of an arsenical–maleimide (As-Mal) that can be efficiently conjugated to exposed cysteine residues in peptides and proteins with the ultimate goal of directing these As(III) species to vicinal thiols in susceptible targets within cells and tissues. As-Mal conjugated to a surface cysteine in thioredoxin provides a more potent inhibitor for Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase than comparable simple inorganic or organic arsenicals. As-Mal can be coupled to all of the eight cysteine residues of reduced unfolded ribonuclease A or to site-specific locations using appropriate cysteine mutations. We observed particularly strong binding to the two CxxC motifs of protein disulfide isomerase using a mutant RNase in which As-Mal was specifically incorporated at residues 26 and 110. As-M...
Measuring access to eye care: a public health perspective.

Purpose: To examine the different dimensions of access to eye care from a public health perspective. Methods: We substantively review the theoretical and empirical literature on access to eye care and summarize the major considerations in measuring access to eye care using a modified behavioral framework. Results: We found that progress has been made, but some gaps still remain in measuring access to eye care. Most studies have focused on individual characteristics and use of eye care services. Only a very few studies have touched on contextual characteristics, such as demographic make-up of the area in which the patient lives, and their impact on the use of eye care services. Few studies have explored the linkage between the use of eye care services and outcomes or between the use of such services and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: To address a variety of demands from patients, providers, and policy makers, it is necessary to account for potential access and realized access measures. We need to adopt...
Information integration without awareness

Information integration and consciousness are closely related, if not interdependent. But, what exactly is the nature of their relation? Which forms of integration require consciousness? Here, we examine the recent experimental literature with respect to perceptual and cognitive integration of spatiotemporal, multisensory, semantic, and novel information. We suggest that, whereas some integrative processes can occur without awareness, their scope is limited to smaller integration windows, to simpler associations, or to ones that were previously acquired consciously. This challenges previous claims that consciousness of some content is necessary for its integration; yet it also suggests that consciousness holds an enabling role in establishing integrative mechanisms that can later operate unconsciously, and in allowing wider-range integration, over bigger semantic, spatiotemporal, and sensory integration windows.
Polyreactive antibodies to glatiramer acetate promote myelin repair in murine model of demyelinating disease

Using a murine model of demyelinating disease, we demonstrate that remyelination of spinal cord axons is promoted by antibodies to glatiramer acetate (GA, Copolymer-1, Copaxone), a therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis (MS). Glatiramer acetate is a mixture of randomly synthesized peptides that induces both T cell activation and antibody production in all treated individuals. These observations prompted us to compare the independent effects of adoptively transferred GA-reactive T cells and antibodies in mice with chronic inflammatory demyelination induced by Theiler's virus. Transferred T cells had no effect on lesion load or the extent of remyelination. Purified polyclonal GA antibodies also did not alter lesion load, which suggests that neither GA T cells or antibodies were pathogenic. On the contrary, GA antibodies enhanced the normally low level of remyelination in chronic lesions. The antibodies, which were primarily immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 and IgG2, cross-reacted with oligodendrocytes, perivascular infiltrating cells, astrocytes, and neurons in spinal cord sections. In glial cultures they bound subsets of early lineage oligodendrocytes and microglia. Thus, several mechanisms may have contributed to the promotion of remyelination. These results support the hypothesis that the antibody response in GA-treated patients is beneficial by facilitating repair of demyelinated lesions.
A New Approach to Astrophysical Spectra: The Complete Experimental Spectrum of Ethyl Cyanide (CH3CH2CN) Between 570 and 645 GHz

There is a general consensus that many of the unidentified features in astrophysical spectra are due to low lying excited vibrational and torsional states of a few molecules—commonly referred to as the astrophysical weeds. This is a challenging spectroscopic problem not only because there are many such states, but also because these states are often highly perturbed and difficult to analyze. We have previously described an alternative approach based on experimental, intensity-calibrated spectra taken at many temperatures. In this paper, we describe the procedures and results obtained with this approach for ethyl cyanide, strategies for archiving and disseminating these results, and the prospects for using these results to reduce the confusion limit in the powerful new observatories that are coming online.
A lagrangian-based algorithm for a combinatorial motion planning problem

We consider a combinatorial motion planning problem (CMP) that naturally arises in many applications involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with fuel and motion constraints. The motion constraint we consider is the inability of a vehicle to turn at an arbitrary yaw rate. The CMP is a generalization of a single travelling salesman problem and is NP-hard. In this paper, we exploit the combinatorial structure of the problem and provide heuristics with computational results to address the same.
Measurement of the quantum capacitance of interacting electrons in carbon nanotubes

The electronic capacitance of a one-dimensional system such as a carbon nanotube is a thermodynamic quantity that contains fundamental information about the ground state1. It is composed of an electrostatic component describing the interactions between electrons and their correlations, and a kinetic term given by the electronic density of states. Here, we use a field-effect transistor geometry to obtain the first direct capacitance measurement of individual carbon nanotubes, as a function of the carrier density. Our measurements detect the electrostatic part of the capacitance as well as the quantum corrections arising from the electronic density of states. We identify the van-Hove singularities that correspond to the one-dimensional electron and hole sub-bands and show that the measured capacitance exhibits clear electron–hole symmetry. Finally, our measurements suggest the existence of a negative capacitance, which has recently been predicted to exist in one dimension as a result of interactions between electrons2,3,4.
Connective tissue changes incident to cervical effacement

LITTLE inquiry has been directed toward the specific changes which occur in the human cervix to permit effacement and consequent dilatation without injury. It is well known that the nonpregnant cervix is rigid, that it can be dilated only by much force, and that this forcible dilatation may be accompanied by injury or tearing. During pregnancy the cervix becomes softer, but it still cannot be dilated easily except in the event of miscarriage or the onset of labor. In the former case it dilates prior to the passage of any tissue, such that a large Hegar dilator can be introduced with ease; in the latter case it may remain rigid in early labor such that forcible dilatation is impossible. As labor progresses it becomes softer and thinner and dilates without injury to permit the passage of the head. Within a week of delivery, a portion of its old rigidity has returned, and within a month there is little evidence of this dramatic series of events. It is curious that so little effort has been made to explain these Ph enomena.
ORYSSUS SAYI, Westwood

At the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario in October, 1885, I read a brief note on Oryssus Sayi, which was afterwards publihsed in the Canadian Entomologist (vol. xviii, page 30). It recorded the capture of two ♀ and one ♂ on cedar telegraph poles, and suggested that they might have emerged therefrom. During the arly summer of 1886, I added several specimens of Oryssus to my collection, and what is of much more importance, succeeded in gaining a more definite knowledge of the habits of our species. As no account, other than the brief note just cited, has ever appeared in the Entomologist of these handsome and interesting insects, I propose to give a brief paper upon them.
Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle Generators: Dominant Solutions in Capacity Planning

Natural Gas fired gas turbine combined cycle technologies are evaluated in a standard capacity planning model for the 6 EPRI Regional Utilities. Results Indicate that GTCC technology dominates the optimal decision paths for 4 of the 6 regions studied. Further, the study concludes that the GTCC options offer minimal downside risk on price of gas, on operating conditions or on capital cost.