cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DETERMINATION OF $pi$-$pi$ CROSS SECTIONS BY THE CHEW-LOW EXTRAPOLATION METHOD

A discussion of the Chew-Low conjecture applied to reactions of the type $\ensuremath{\pi}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+p+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ is given. The extrapolation technique and the so-called "physical-region-plot method" are discussed. These methods are then applied to a sample of 1684 interactions of the type ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}+p+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ and 411 interactions of the type ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}+p+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ at 1.25-BeV/c incident pion momentum. In Sec. II, we present details of the way in which this sample was obtained and processed. The ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}}$ physical-region plots for the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ data confirm the existence of the now well-established $T=J=1$ $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ resonance at 725\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}25 MeV. On the other hand, the physical-region plot of the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ data shows strong deviations from the results expected on the basis of this same resonance.Extrapolation results are presented in detail for seven different $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ energy regions. The ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ data (although very different in the physical region) extrapolate to the same $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ cross-section values for energy regions around the resonance. This fact and the general character of the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ extrapolations indicate that the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ physical-region distortions should be attributed to final-state interactions. Although the errors are large, the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ cross-section curve obtained by extrapolation on the combined ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ sample, is in full agreement with the existence of a $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ $P$-wave resonance at 725\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}25 MeV.
Fish and Oceanographers, Scholars and Librarians: Researching Nineteenth-Century Russian Women Writers

This article discusses librarianship and literary scholarship as operating under separate paradigms, or ways of looking at the world, and considers the relationship between them. Each of these paradigms, it is suggested, generates distinctive research tools that combined can expand our ability to help Slavic and other Humanities literary researchers.
Pituitary-adrenal axis activation as a function of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine titre.

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of Serpasil on the release of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary in the white rat was measured by the ascorbic acid depletion of the adrenal cortices. 2. 2. Serpasil, at a dose-level of 200 μg. per 100 g. of body-weight, had a pronounced stimulatory effect on the release of ACTH. 3. 3. When the enzymatic degradation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was inhibited by pretreatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, the stimulatory effect of Serpasil upon ACTH release was decreased. 4. 4. The stimulatory action of the tranquilizer was not manifested when 5-HT synthesis was inhibited by blockade of aromatic amino-acid decarboxylation. 5. 5. It is proposed that the titre of 5-HT in the hypothalamus is responsible for the activation of the hypothalamic-adenohypophysial-adrenal axis.
Ent-kauranes from Helianthus atrorubens

Extraction of the aerial parts of Helianthus atrorubens afforded five new ent-kauranoic acid derivatives.
Drift properties of tabular drift chambers in high magnetic fields

Abstract We report measurements of the drift characteristics of a tabular drift chamber in magnetic fields up to 17 kG. Drift properties were measured for argon - CO 2 (10%), argon - isobutane (10%) - methylal (1%) and argon-ethane (50%) mixtures. Drift properties are interpreted with a simple gas model.
The role of species abundance in determining breeding origins of migratory birds with stable isotopes

Understanding the breeding origins of migratory birds captured on their wintering grounds has important management and conservation implications for declining populations of songbirds. Stable isotopes have recently been used to infer origins for species where application of conventional markers fails. A natural method of linking wintering birds to breeding populations, and one that has not been previously applied to stable isotopes, is based on likelihood. Using a likelihood assignment rule, birds are associated with the breeding population under which their realized isotope signature is most likely to have been generated. We report the first illustration of using likelihood-based assignment with stable isotope data. Moreover, within a probability-based framework for assignment, we argue that a more natural formulation of the assignment problem should be based on the probability of origin given the observed data, or the posterior probability of origin. The relationship between posterior assignment and tha...
When Should We Delay Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

The development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to a dramatic reduction in the mortality among patients with HIV infection.1–3 However, problems with patient adherence to this medical therapy have created unprecedented challenges. The central concern is that nonadherence can lead to suboptimal viral suppression and the development of a resistant virus, which may then spread among people at risk. This problem adds to the gravity of decisions about when to initiate HAART.
Abstract 2993: Comparison of copy number variation using exome sequencing and affymetrix SNP6.0 genotype array in human cancer cell lines

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Whole exome sequencing has been used successfully as a cost effective and unbiased method in the detection of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the coding regions of the human genome. Its application in identifying another class of genetic variability - copy number variation (CNV) - has been hindered by numerous factors including inconsistent exome capture probe specificity and efficiency for the target regions, discontinuous targets, and variable exon lengths etc. In the current work, we applied ExomeCNV, a depth-of-coverage based statistical analysis method developed by Sathirapongsauti et. al., to exome NGS data from a larger collection of cancer cell lines. The exomes were captured using Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon Kit and sequenced on the average depth of 70x using the Illumina HiSeq platform. To control for sequence coverage biases introduced by the capture technology, CNVs for each cancer cell line are presented as a ratio to a baseline control constructed using pooled samples processed in the same manner. Genotyping arrays are standard methods of choice for CNV discovery in cancer cell lines from the Cancer Genome Project by the Sanger Institute and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia project by the Broad Institute. We obtained Affymetrix SNP6.0 genotype data for the cancer cell lines from these two sources. CNVs detected from exome sequencing were compared with those discovered from genotyping arrays in the same set of cancer cell lines. We present here a comprehensive comparison of the cancer cell line gene copy number determination from exome sequencing and genotyping methods. Our results indicate that, with sufficient exome coverage and properly constructed controls, copy number detection using exome data is a valuable alternative to genotype based approach. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2993. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2993
Ubiquitous Promoter-Localization of Essential Virulence Regulators in Francisella tularensis

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium whose ability to replicate within macrophages and cause disease is strictly dependent upon the coordinate activities of three transcription regulators called MglA, SspA, and PigR. MglA and SspA form a complex that associates with RNA polymerase (RNAP), whereas PigR is a putative DNA-binding protein that functions by contacting the MglA-SspA complex. Most transcription activators that bind the DNA are thought to occupy only those promoters whose activities they regulate. Here we show using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-Seq) that PigR, MglA, and SspA are found at virtually all promoters in F. tularensis and not just those of regulated genes. Furthermore, we find that the ability of PigR to associate with promoters is dependent upon the presence of MglA, suggesting that interaction with the RNAP-associated MglA-SspA complex is what directs PigR to promoters in F. tularensis. Finally, we present evidence that the ability of PigR (and thus MglA and SspA) to positively control the expression of genes is dictated by a specific 7 base pair sequence element that is present in the promoters of regulated genes. The three principal regulators of virulence gene expression in F. tularensis therefore function in a non-classical manner with PigR interacting with the RNAP-associated MglA-SspA complex at the majority of promoters but only activating transcription from those that contain a specific sequence element. Our findings reveal how transcription factors can exert regulatory effects at a restricted set of promoters despite being associated with most or all. This distinction between occupancy and regulatory effect uncovered by our data may be relevant to the study of RNAP-associated transcription regulators in other pathogenic bacteria.
Filter-Feeding Rates of Gizzard Shad

Abstract In laboratory feeding trials, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum of 5.3–17.5-cm standard length fed on zooplankton as pump filter feeders, collecting prey by a series of rapid suctions not directed at individual prey. Buccal volume, determined from plaster casts, increases as a power function of fish standard length. Pumping rates decrease exponentially with length. A model of filtering rate, the product of buccal volume and pumping rate, was corroborated by feeding trials in which gizzard shad cleared zooplankton from a pool. By this model, absolute filtering rates increase as a power function of fish length while filtering rate per gram of fish decreases as a power function of length. Populations of gizzard shad can filter substantial volumes of lake water each hour.
Estimation of dihedral angles from stereological counting measurements

Abstract The dihedral angle at the edge of a microstructural feature is defined as the angle between the vectors that are normal to the surfaces that meet to form the edge. This angle may vary with position along the edge. The development presented in this paper demonstrates that the average value of the dihedral angle may be determined by an appropriate combination of two simple stereological counting measurements. The result also provides a demonstration that the average dihedral angle measured on a section through the edge is equal to average of the true angle measured in three dimensions.
380. Alternative Cellular Receptor for B_Group Adenoviruses: Implications for Gene Therapy

Human adenoviruses (Ads) have been classified into six species (A-F), currently containing 51 serotypes. Human Ads have a broad tropism, causing infection of the urinary tract, kidney, eye, gastrointestinal tract and lymphoid tissue. The outer Ad protein capsid mainly consists of three polypeptides: the penton base, the hexon, and the fiber protein. The major determinant for Ad attachment to host cells is the C-terminal (knob) domain of the fiber protein. Most serotypes belonging to species A, C, E and F are considered to attach cells by binding to the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). In contrast, group-B Ad serotypes (Ad3, 7, 11, 14, 16, 21, 35, 50) use a cellular receptor that is different from CAR, therefore representing a unique group within the adenovirus family. We and others have recently identified CD46 as a cellular receptor used by B-group Ads. Here we show evidence that B-Group Ads utilize an additional receptor for infection of human cells, which is different from CD46. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adenovirus serotypes 3, 7, 11, 14, 16, 21, 35 and 50 were radio-labeled and used for binding and internalization studies on cells. For the purpose of competing adenoviral binding we produced and purified soluble CD46 protein and adenovirus fiber protein from Ad3, 11 and 35 knobs. RESULTS: Competition studies using unlabeled and labeled Ads, recombinant Ad fiber knobs, soluble CD46 and a CD46 antibody reveal three different subgroups of B-group Ads, in terms of their receptor usage; Group1 (Ad16, 21, 35 and 50) nearly exclusively use CD46. Group2 (Ad11p) uses both, CD46 and an alternative receptor. Group3 (Ad3, 7p and 14) utilize an alternative receptor and not CD46. The alternative receptor is expressed at varying levels in normal, malignant, mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. Pretreatment of cells with Trypsin revealed that the alternative receptor is a protein. Deglycosylation of cells using Tunicamycin indicated that glycosylation is important for binding of Ads to the alternative receptor. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that B-group Ads bind to CD46 and, in addition to an alternative receptor, is important for both understanding the molecular mechanism of adenovirus infection and developing B-group Ads as tools for gene therapy. Our current studies are focused on the identification of the alternative receptor and, in consideration of their high tropism towards the alternative receptor, on the development and assessment of Ad3, 7, and 14 as gene transfer vectors.
Cross-Language Transfer of Early Literacy Skills: An Examination of Young Learners in a Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Elementary School

The present study investigates the relationship between first-language literacy skills and the acquisition of second-language reading skills for K–2 grade students enrolled in a Spanish–English two-way bilingual immersion program. Students received literacy instruction in their first language and oral language support in their second language. One hundred seventy-four students were administered subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson (Woodcock-Munoz) in English and Spanish. Findings support the theory of cross-linguistic transfer from the first language to the second language across both constrained and unconstrained literacy skills for both monolingual and bilingual students included in this study. However, findings also suggest interesting differences across language groups.
The Perspective of Evil in Understanding and Treating Child Abuse

This paper places the problem of child abuse in the perspective of evil. In so doing it calls into question the amoral assumptions of social science and human services. The current social science paradigm paradoxically dismisses evil as a real factor in the world, despite its concern for indisputably moral issues such as child abuse. The practical advantages of a perspective incorporating evil are several. Among them are a more realistic appreciation of the need for mechanisms of social control in preventing abuse, the role of confession and conversion, and the role of pastoral care as a support system for families.
Lack of effect of high-intensity pulsed ultrasound on sister chromatid exchange and in vitro chinese hamster ovary cell viability

Abstract The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in in vitro Chinese hamster ovary cells and their viability were not affected by 3-min exposures to 2–4 MHz, focused, pulsed ultrasound with a pulse repetition rate of 200 Hz, pulse duration of 10 μsec and intensities (SPTP) of 500 W/cm2 and 2500 W/cm2. The viability results are consistent with those reported elsewhere; the SCE response does not verify a specific previously reported positive response.
Reaction time of motor units in biceps and triceps

Abstract Human subjects can gain sufficient control over the firing of a single spike from motor units in biceps and triceps to perform effectively in a reaction time experiment. A comparison of reaction time latencies of the voluntarily produced single motor unit discharges in biceps and triceps reveals stable differences. Triceps units usually have shorter reaction time latencies than do biceps units. Variability of single-unit reaction time is less for triceps units than for biceps units. Comparison with gross EMG performance shows consistently greater unit reaction time latency regardless of muscle of origin. Intermittent loss of control over motor unit occurs in the reaction time task.
Synovectomy and total joint arthroplasty for recurrent hemarthroses in the arthropathic joint in hemophilia.

Severe hemophiliacs with intractable bleeding into one or more joints despite adequate clotting factor replacement therapy are difficult management problems. Synovectomy has controlled bleeding only in joints without significant arthritic destruction. Total joint replacements have been performed in arthropathic joints, but not when uncontrolled bleeding was a concurrent problem. This report describes a hemophiliac with uncontrolled bleeding into an arthritic knee who was successfully managed by combining synovectomy with total knee replacement.
The depolarization term in vector (polarization) diffraction tomography and its importance in microwave imaging

It is pointed out that the major difficulty of evaluating possible practical applications of vector diffraction tomography is that experimental data are still sparse, and the data generated usually involve either the Born or Rytov scalar wave approximations. In order to test the depolarizing effects in electromagnetic wave diffraction tomography, the complete vector wave equation needs to be inverted, which at the current state-of-the-art still cannot be done. Instead, for the inverse problem of image formation, oblique incidence on a circular cylindrical scatterer is investigated. It is shown that, due to depolarizing effects, reconstructions of the exact fields at oblique incidence deteriorate rapidly as the angle of incidence deviates further from normal incidence. These reconstructions are investigated. >
Energy efficiency of handheld computer interfaces: limits, characterization and practice

Energy efficiency has become a critical issue for battery-driven computers. Significant work has been devoted to improving it through better software and hardware. However, the human factors and user interfaces have often been ignored. Realizing their extreme importance, we devote this work to a comprehensive treatment of their role in determining and improving energy efficiency. We analyze the minimal energy requirements and overheads imposed by known human sensory/speed limits. We then characterize energy efficiency for state-of-the-art interfaces available on two commercial handheld computers. Based on the characterization, we offer a comparative study for them.Even with a perfect user interface, computers will still spend most of their time and energy waiting for user responses due to an increasingly large speed gap between users and computers in their interactions. Such a speed gap leads to a bottleneck in system energy efficiency. We propose a low-power low-cost cache device, to which the host computer can outsource simple tasks, as an interface solution to overcome the bottleneck. We discuss the design and prototype implementation of a low-power wireless wrist-watch for use as a cache device for interfacing.With this work, we wish to engender more interest in the mobile system design community in investigating the impact of user interfaces on system energy efficiency and to harvest the opportunities thus exposed.
What is new in the blood bank for trauma resuscitation

Purpose of reviewThe aim of the present review was to describe recent changes in blood banking thinking, practice, and products that affect trauma care.Recent findingsPrompt balanced hemostatic resuscitation of major hemorrhage from trauma improves outcome and reduces blood use. New blood processes
A unimodal counterexample to a diameter algorithm

Abstract Dobkin and Snyder [1] proposed an algorithm for finding the diameter of a convex polygon. Avis et al. [2,3] constructed convex polygons for which this algorithm fails to deliver the diameter. Nevertheless, the algorithm works correctly for polygons which are both convex and unimodal [4]. We now show that the algorithm also fails for polygons which are just unimodal.
Advances in skeletal tissue engineering with hydrogels

Structured Abstract Authors – Elisseeff J, Puleo C, Yang F, Sharma B. Objectives – Tissue engineering has the potential to make a significant impact on improving tissue repair in the craniofacial system. The general strategy for tissue engineering includes seeding cells on a biomaterial scaffold. The number of scaffold and cell choices for tissue engineering systems is continually increasing and will be reviewed. Design – Multilayered hydrogel systems were developed to coculture different cell types and develop osteochondral tissues for applications including the temporomandibular joint. Experimental variable – Hydrogels are one form of scaffold that can be applied to cartilage and bone repair using fully differentiated cells, adult and embryonic stem cells. Outcome measure – Case studies represent an overview of our laboratory's investigations. Results – Bilayered scaffolds to promote tissue development and the formation of more complex osteochondral tissues were developed and proved to be effective. Conclusion – Tissue engineering provides a venue to investigate tissue development of mutant or diseased cells and potential therapeutics.
A Muscle Separating Approach to the Equine Shoulder Joint for the Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans

A muscle separating approach with tenotomy of the teres minor was used to expose osteochondritis dissecans lesions in the shoulder joints of five horses. Horses selected for surgery were severely lame or had a long history of lameness. Adequate surgical access allowed removal of cartilage flaps, curettage of the subchondral bone, and in one horse, the removal of an osteocartilaginous free body. Surgical wounds healed by primary intention; one horse developed a seroma that was drained. Three of the five horses were clinically sound 3 months following surgery. Two other horses were pasture sound but lame after extensive athletic activity.
Temporary embolization of the cystic artery in right hepatic lobe Y-90 radioembolization

Learning Objectives – Review the concept of prophylactic cystic artery (CA) occlusion prior to Y-90 radioembolization of the liver. Discuss indications, variant CA anatomy and current techniques. – Present a technique of temporary CA occlusion using a partially deployed coil during Y-90 infusion. Background Prior to Y-90 radioembolization of the liver, it is common practice to perform mesenteric mapping and prophylactic embolization to avoid non-target delivery of the radioembolic agent. The consensus on CA embolization remains to be established. When possible, lobar hepatoembolization is carried out distal to the take-off of the CA, however, only half of all patients have classic CA anatomy with an origin from the right hepatic artery. In certain cases, infusion distal to the CA takeoff may not be practical, potentially putting the gallbladder at risk. In this scenario, protective embolization of the CA with gelfoam or coils is a possible solution. As there are no clear guidelines, clinical judgment must be used to balance the risks of radiation cholecystitis versus ischemic cholecystitis. We present a technique for temporary CA occlusion that could simultaneously mitigate both of these complications of Y-90 therapy. Clinical Findings/Procedure Details A 58-year-old female with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma presents for radioembolization. Of note, she has variant vascular anatomy with early division of the right hepatic artery. The cystic artery arose from the inferior division. A 0.018 inch 3 mm x 6 mm Interlock Fibered IDC Occlusion System (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) was partially deployed in the cystic artery during radioembolization from the main right hepatic artery. After infusion, the coil was recaptured and disposed of in standard fashion. On clinical follow up, the patient did not have signs or symptoms of cholecystitis. Conclusion and/or Teaching Points It is important to understand the variances in CA anatomy and their implications for prophylactic embolization prior to hepatic Y-90 therapy. If necessary, temporarily occluding the CA using a partially deployed coil is a possible solution to minimize the risk of radiation or ischemic cholecystitis.
Problem-based learning and adaptive expertise

In problem-based learning and related approaches, a faculty member organizes course content around posing several situations to students and presenting them questions, challenges, problems, or projects drawn from the situation. A faculty member presents the problem and asks for student solution fragments before lecturing on relevant course content. Then, the faculty member facilitates student teams as they work through a process to answer the question. Content is selected, organized, and presented to help students address each posed challenge. Many studies have offered results that faculty members can use to evaluate the efficacy of a problem-based learning approach to teaching and decide whether to apply the approach for their courses. However, the proposed manuscript offers a different line of reasoning to advocate problem-based learning. Reasoning begins with a two-by-two, process-content matrix, which is very similar to the two-by-two, innovation-efficiency matrix used to characterize adaptive expertise. If student development were characterized as a trajectory in a two-dimensional, innovation-efficiency space, then questions such as the following could be raised: What characterizes more time-efficient trajectories to reach adaptive expertise? The proposed manuscript will use this line of reasoning to explore how problem-based learning may offer a time-efficient approach to developing adaptive expertise.
Wireless sensor network data collection by connected cooperative UAVs

Wireless sensor network is a prevailing research topic in recent years. It is adopted in the scenario of monitoring environmental parameters, which is normally expensive or even impossible to monitor by human labor or other technologies. At the same time, another popular topic is Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which is widely used in military, commercial and civilian activities. In this paper cooperative UAVs form a team to accomplish the data collection task on wireless sensor network, where the technologies in wireless sensor network and UAV are integrated together. We study the novel wireless sensor network data collection with UAVs by considering the cluster load balancing and the connectivity of UAVs. We implement an Iterative Balanced Assignment with Integer Programming (IBA-IP) algorithm for efficient UAV deployment and sensor assignment. The authors analyze the advantages of IBA-IP compared to the Iterative and Adaptive (ITA) algorithm developed in [1]. In order to approximate the performance bound, we solve the problem by applying the Genetic Algorithm (GA). Finally, simulation results are presented under different parameter settings and the performances of the IBA-IP algorithm and the Genetic Algorithm are evaluated.
Initiation and axial propagation of kink bands in fiber composites

The failure of fiber-reinforced composites in compression is sudden, uncontrolled and results in the dynamic formation of narrow zones of inclined kinked fibers and in a drastic reduction in load bearing capacity. Experimental results are presented which demonstrate that such materials do maintain significant post-failure strength and ductility. Following the onset of failure, kink bands which were initiated dynamically could be made to propagate (broaden) in the fiber direction. Under displacement controlled loading, the propagation of the bands takes place in a steady-state manner. In the case of the APC-2/AS4 composite analyzed, quasi-static propagation of this failure took place at a stress level which was 40% of the strength of the intact material. The propagation of the band involved progressive addition of narrow zones of fibers from the adjacent intact material by rotation and breaking. This new characteristic stress of such materials has been called propagation stress. Several requirements and guidelines for establishing the true value of this material property, free of influence from experimental conditions and specimen geometry, are outlined.
Is there an ideal ventricular stimulation protocol

Interest in defining the correct protocol to use to initiate and evaluate ventricular tachyarrhythmias has recently grown because of expanding clinical use of cardiac electrophysiologic study. Investigators have been aware of the large influence which seemingly small details of the stimulation technique have upon the results of ventricular stimulation. For example, Swerdlow and colleagues [1] found that a third extrastimulus produced far more false-negative predictions of drug efficacy than a maximum of two extrastimuli. Though uniformity of protocols has increased with each new publication on the topic, there remains considerable divergence from laboratory to laboratory. Furthermore, the rationale for many ‘standard,’ uniformly applied features of existing protocols is not developed.
VEGF up-regulates DSCR1: more surprises

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) unexpectedly induces the expression of the Down syndrome critical region protein-1 (DSCR1), an inhibitor of the calcineurin signaling pathway, in endothelial cells, leading to down-regulation of several inflammatory genes after initial stimulation.
A procedure for designing time variable reduced order models

A method which combines single stage optimization with interval optimization is used to obtain low order time variable models.
STUDIES OF GAS AND ELECTROLYTE EQUILIBRIA IN THE BLOOD : IX. THE DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTROLYTES BETWEEN TRANSUDATES AND SERUM.

1. Analyses have been made of the electrolytes and proteins of serum and transudates from human subjects. 2. The distribution ratios of HCO3, Cl, Na, and H+ deviated from unity as predicted by the Gibbs-Donnan law for similar heterogeneous systems. 3. Analyses of serum, and of artificial salt solutions approximating edema fluid in composition, after equilibration across collodion membranes showed distributions similar to those between serum and edema fluid in vivo.
Dendrochemical analysis of a tree-ring growth anomaly associated with the Late Bronze Age eruption of Thera

The most marked tree-ring growth anomaly in the Aegean dendrochronological record over the last 9000 years occurs in the mid 17th century BC, and has been speculatively correlated with the impact of the Late Bronze Age eruption of Thera (Santorini). If such a connection could be proved it would be of major interdisciplinary significance. It would open up the possibility of a precise date for a key archaeological, geological and environmental marker horizon, and offer a direct tie between tree-ring and ice-core records some 3600 years ago. A volcanic explanation for the anomaly is highly plausible, yet, in the absence of a scientifically proven causal connection, the value of the proposed correlation is limited. In order to test the hypothesis, dendrochemical analysis via Synchrotron Radiation Scanning X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy (SXFM), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was carried out on growth-ring series from four trees displaying the anomaly. Increases of sulfur, calcium, and rare earth elements following the onset of altered growth, plus concentration spikes of zinc and hafnium in the first affected growth-ring provide promising new evidence in support of a volcanic causal factor. Although a volcanic association is implied, the new data are not sufficient to prove a link to the exact eruption source.
Time encoding and reconstruction of multichannel data by brain implants using asynchronous sigma delta modulators

Recently, information technology and microelectronics have enabled implanting miniature and highly intelligent devices within the brain for in-vitro diagnostic and therapeutic functions. Power and physical size constraints of these devices necessitate novel signal processing methods. In this paper we investigate an effective data acquisition and reconstruction method for brain implants based on Asynchronous Sigma Delta Modulators (ASDMs). The ASDMs are analog non-linear feedback systems capable of time coding signals. The proposed reconstruction algorithm is based on the Prolate Spheroidal Wave Function (PSWF) expansion of the sinc functions and the order of expansion is given by the input signal being coded. Multiplexing and transmission of the different channels of data are accomplished by chirp orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. Computer simulations using multi channel electroen-cephalographic data are performed for wireless transmission by brain implants for monitoring abnormal brain activities of epilepsy patients.
Global Climate Change and Infectious Diseases

Climate change is occurring as a result of warming of the earth’s atmosphere due to human activity generating excess amounts of greenhouse gases. Because of its potential impact on the hydrologic cycle and severe weather events, climate change is expected to have an enormous effect on human health, including on the burden and distribution of many infectious diseases. The infectious diseases that will be most affected by climate change include those that are spread by insect vectors and by contaminated water. The burden of adverse health effects due to these infectious diseases will fall primarily on developing countries, while it is the developed countries that are primarily responsible for climate change. It is up to governments and individuals to take the lead in halting climate change, and we must increase our understanding of the ecology of infectious diseases in order to protect vulnerable populations.
Polycrystalline thin film photovoltaics: Research, development, and technologies

II-VI binary thin-film solar cells based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) and I-III-VI ternary thin-film solar cells based on copper indium diselenide (CIS) and related materials have been the subject of intense research and development in the past few years. Substantial progress has been made thus far in the area of materials research, device fabrication, and technology development, and numerous applications based on CdTe and CIS have been deployed worldwide. World record efficiency of 16.5% has been achieved by NREL scientists for a thin-film CdTe solar cell using a modified device structure. Also, NREL scientists achieved world-record efficiency of 21.1% for a thin-film GIGS solar cell under a 14/spl times/ concentration and AM1.5 global spectrum. When measured under a AM1.5 direct spectrum, the efficiency increases to 21.5%. Pathways for achieving 25% efficiency for tandem polycrystalline thin-film solar cells are elucidated. R&D issues relating to CdTe and CIS are reported in this paper, such as contact stability and accelerated life testing in CdTe, and effects of mositure ingress in thin-film CIS devices. Substantial technology development is currently under way, with various groups reporting power module efficiencies in the range of 7.0% to 12.1% and power output of 40.0 to 92.5 W. A number of lessons learned during the scale-up activities of the technology development for fabrication of thin-film power modules are discussed. The major global players actively involved in the technology development and commercialization efforts using both rigid and flexible power modules are highlighted.
THE THERMOGENIC ACTIVITY OF EXOGENOUS E AND F PROSTAGLANDINS IN HUMANS

A basic understanding of the physiologic effects of the prostaglandins on the human reproductive system has been one of the diverse scientific interests of Professor Axel Ingelman-Sundberg (19). Although the obvious clinical utility of these ubiqitous compounds directed early attention to their therapeutic aspects, more recently there has been renewed interest in the basic physiologic mechanisms of the prostaglandins in reproductive medicine. Undoubtedly, the work of Dr Ingelman-Sundberg has stimulated many of his colleagues, students, and fellow scientists to pursue such basic studies in greater details.
AN APPLICATION OF MULTI‐CRITERIA DECISION MAKING INCORPORATING STOCHASTIC PRODUCTION FRONTIERS: A CASE STUDY OF ORGANIC COFFEE PRODUCTION IN KONA, HAWAII

In this paper, we develop a land use allocation model to search for the optimal ratio of organic (nonchemical) and conventional (chemical-use) farming acreage. The idea is to incorporate stochastic production frontiers (SPFs) to a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model as technological constraints. The objectives of this model are to maximize net returns, minimize chemical inputs, and optimize organic inputs given environmental and ecological concerns. The compromise solutions suggest the desirable ratio of organic and conventional farming acreage and targetable operations for each farming system to improve regional welfare. This method was applied to the Kona coffee belt, Hawaii, and the analysis determined the optimal proportion of organic and conventional Kona coffee farming fields as 0.265 to 0.735 in terms of optimizing community benefits or regional welfare.
Wavelength-dependent triplet state populating mechanisms of naphthalene in heavy-atom hosts

We have made zero-field optically-detected magnetic resonance measurements on the triplet state of naphthalene-d8 incorporated in the heavy-atom host crystals p-dichlorobenzene, p-dibromobenzene, and s-tetrachlorobenzene. The dependence of the relative triplet sublevel populating rates on the exciting wavelength is interpreted in terms of the electronic excitation transfer mechanisms. We find that upon excitation of the host S1 ← S0 transition in p-dichlorobenzene, energy transfer to the guest T1 takes place via the guest S1, whereas in the other host crystals the intermediate is mainly the host T1 band. Upon host T1 ← S0 excitaton, trapping takes place from a spin-aligned excitor band in s-tetrachlorobenzene, whereas the initial alignment is lost prior to trapping in the dihalobenzene hosts.
Mechanomutable carbon nanotube arrays

Here we present atomistic-based multi-scale simulation studies of a magnetically active array of carbon nanotubes to illustrate the concept of mechanomutability. We show that applying external fields, it is possible to change the nanostructure and to induce a desired mechanical response. Direct numerical simulations are reported that illustrate this concept via mechanical testing through nanoindentation. Specifically, the contact stiffness of an array of carbon nanotubes can be changed reversibly from approximately 73 MPa to 910 MPa due to the application of an external field. A hierarchical approach (coarse grain molecular modelling) is implemented to develop a framework that can successfully collaborate atomistic theory and simulations with material synthesis and physical experimentation, and facilitate the progress of novel mechanomutable structural materials.
Effect of Botulinum Toxin A on the Autonomic Nervous System of the Rat Lower Urinary Tract

ABSTRACTPurpose: The magnitude and duration of the effects of botulinum toxin A on acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine release from the bladder and urethra of rats were measured using a radiochemical method.Materials and Methods: Saline (sham treatment) or botulinum toxin A was injected into the bladder (50 μl.) or urethra (30 μl.) in separate groups of animals. The release of 3H-norepinephrine or 14C-choline was measured at 2 time points after injection (5 or 30 days).Results: The fractional release of ACh in botulinum toxin A treated animals was significantly inhibited at higher frequencies of electrical field stimulation (20 Hz.) but not at lower frequencies (2 Hz.) 5 days after injection. However, ACh release recovered to sham injected values 30 days after toxin injection. No significant differences in the fractional release of norepinephrine from sham injected or botulinum toxin A bladders were observed. In contrast, norepinephrine release from the urethra was inhibited by botulinum toxin A for at...
Static muscular contraction elicits a pressor reflex in the chicken

Static muscular contraction has been shown to increase arterial blood pressure and heart rate in humans and other mammals. It is not clear, however, whether birds exhibit a similar response to this maneuver. Therefore, we designed these experiments to determine if the chicken exhibits a cardiovascular response to static muscular contraction and if the observed responses are evoked through a reflex involving muscle afferents. Static contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle was evoked by electrically stimulating the sciatic nerve at 1.5-3.0 times motor threshold (30-40 Hz; 0.025 ms) in 13 chloralose-anesthetized cockerels. We measured arterial blood pressure and muscle tension before and during static contraction and calculated mean arterial pressure and heart rate from the arterial pressure trace. We found that static contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle increased mean arterial pressure from 71 +/- 4 to 95 +/- 4 mmHg (P < 0.05) and increased heart rate from 304 +/- 8 to 345 +/- 10 beats/min (P < 0.05). Furthermore, we found that stimulation of the sciatic nerve after paralysis of the birds with vecuronium bromide or stimulation of the cut peripheral end of the sciatic nerve (using the same stimulation parameters described above) evoked no change in mean arterial pressure or heart rate. We conclude that static muscular contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle in the chicken elicits a pressor response and that this response is due to a reflex arising from the contracting muscles.
Spin and parity analysis for bosons decaying into spin 1/2 pairs

An analysis is presented of the decay of a boson resonance $X$ into two spin-\textonehalf{} particles, assuming parity conservation in the production and decay of particle $X$. The spin and parity of particle $X$ are expressed in terms of measurable quantities, assuming that both spin-\textonehalf{} particles decay weakly, as in $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\ensuremath{\pi}$. Two results of the analysis are that the spin determination requires measurements of the correlations between the spin-\textonehalf{} particles, as represented by correlations between their angular distributions, and that the odd-rank multipole tensors describing the boson spin population can be measured. In particular, the recent experimental result of Alexander et al. concerning a possible resonance in the ($\overline{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}N$) system is discussed. The measurement, while subject to large errors, suggests a large value for the $L=1$, $M=1$ multipole parameter. The consequences of this result for models of production mechanisms are briefly discussed.
Comments on a Class Action Rule for Mississippi

In an accompanying article for this symposium, I argue that Mississippi should adopt a class action rule. This paper offers specific suggestions on the contents of that rule, and comments on the papers by David Rosenberg and John Scanlon and by Robert Klonoff. Mississippi should adopt a rule that, like the federal rule, permits opt-outs in most money damages class actions but provides for mandatory class actions in a narrow band of cases. Rosenberg and Scanlon overestimate the danger of opt-outs for optimal deterrence, while underestimating the usefulness of opt-outs. The paper comments on Klonoff's positions on various aspects of class action rule drafting. Finally, the paper offers suggestions on how to address what may be the greatest obstacle to adoption of a class action rule in Mississippi - mistrust of judicial authority and a reluctance to expand judicial power. By restricting venue options, facilitating appellate review, and setting forth clear obligations for processes and findings, Mississippi can gain the advantages of the class action procedure while reducing the possibility of abuse.
Natural Selection for within-Generation Variance in Offspring Number II. Discrete Haploid Models

ABSTRACT In the classical model of genetic drift in population genetics theory, use is made of a hypothetical "infinite-gametic pool". If, instead, the gametic pool is determined by the random number of offspring per individual, a new form of natural selection acting on the variance in offspring number occurs. A diffusion model of this selection process is derived and some of its properties are explored. It is shown that, independent of the sampling scheme used, the diffusion equation has the drift coefficient M ( p ) = p (1- p ) (µ 1 -µ 2 + σ ee 2 2 - σ e e 1 2 ) and the diffusion coefficient v ( p ) = p (1-σ) [pσ ee 2 2 + (1-σ)σ ee 1 2 ]. It is also pointed out that the Direct Product Branching process model of genetic drift introduces a non-biological interaction between individuals and is thus inappropriate for modeling natural selection.
Two Dimensional Simulations of Micro Cavity Discharges for Micro-propulsion applications

The Micro Cavity Discharge (MCD) thruster concept is built on the idea of a microdischarge with dielectric covered electrodes operated using an alternating current (AC) excitation. The thruster geometry comprises of a constant area section and a divergent micro-nozzle with two ring electrodes placed close to the throat. Power is deposited into a flow of argon gas which increases the specific impulse of the thruster. A suitable refractory wear-resistant dielectric material is used to separate the electrodes from the bulk plasma. This minimizes erosion of the plasma-facing material components due to heating and sputter mechanisms, thereby increasing the life of the microthruster. A detailed plasma dynamics model coupled with the compressible Navier-Stokes equations is used to study the flow and plasma phenomenon in the thruster. Results indicate a highly pulsed microdischarge with plasma densities of ~10 19 m -3 and current densities ~ 700 mA/cm 2 for an alternating current excitation in the radio frequency (RF) regime. It is also seen that the dominant heating mechanism in these discharges is through ion Joule heating. Higher electron densities and spatially dominant thermal source terms are observed at 20 MHz excitation compared to the 10 MHz case. A peak gas temperature rise ~ 150 K is seen for a cycle-integrated power deposition of 68 mW.