cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monolayer formation characteristics of novel organic molecules with non-linear optically active moieties

A number of novel electroactive materials with amphiphilic molecular structures containing COOH, OH, NMe2, OMe, NO2 and CN were synthesized. In this paper we discuss the monolayer-forming ability of these novel compounds. The stability of the monolayer as a function of pH, temperature, composition of the material in mixed monolayers and the nature of the subphase is investigated. Appropriate choice of experimental conditions under which a stable monolayer is obtained for each material is indicated.
The effects of constrained rehearsal on judgments of temporal order

Tzeng and Cotton’s (1980) study-phase retrieval model holds that temporal encoding of words is acquired through the establishment of contextual associations among list items. Such associations are strengthened by a subject’s ability to rehearse previous items, that is, to engage in displaced rehearsals. Since displaced rehearsals are critical in the study-phase model, to place constraints on such rehearsals should alter performance for the memory of temporal order. Five different rehearsal strategies were employed within a distractor paradigm to test this prediction. Two distinct instructional sets were also administered, with one half of the subjects instructed that serial order information was important, while the remaining subjects were told only that a free recall test would be given. Differences were found for serial position scores among the different rehearsal strategies in support of the study-phase retrieval model. Informed and uninformed instructional groups did not differ in temporal memory.
Debating Forgiveness: A Reply to My Critics

In this essay I offer a detailed reply to three critics (whose commentaries are included in this issue of Philosophia) of my Forgiveness: a Philosophical Exploration (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007). The topics explored include the nature and limits of forgiveness; its unconditional or conditional character; the problem of distinguishing between central and marginal cases; the analysis of political apology; and questions of philosophical methodology.
Three‐dimensional simulation of wave‐induced circulation: Comparison of three radiation stress formulations

[1] A three-dimensional current-wave modeling system, Curvilinear-grid Hydrodynamics 3D (CH3D)-Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN), has been used to simulate wave-induced circulation and compare the performances of three radiation stress (RS) formulations: two depth-dependent formulations (M08 by Mellor (2008) and X04 by Xia et al. (2004)) and one depth-independent formulation (LHS by Longuet-Higgins and Stewart (1964)). While all are based on linear wave theory, LHS uses the vertically integrated equations of motion, and M08 and X04 consider the three-dimensional equations of motion. Results of CH3D-SWAN with three RS formulations are compared with steady state wave setup, observed data in an undertow experiment by Ting and Kirby (1994) (TK94), and observed data in a laboratory fringing reef. All three RS formulations reproduce the analytical solution of wave setup very well. Simulated wave-induced currents and turbulence for TK94 are the best when M08 is used and worst when X04 is used, apparently due to the errors in the X04 formulation. All three RS formulations give good simulation of wave setup in the fringing reef. Wave-induced currents in the fringing reef simulated by the three RS formulations are quite different: M08 produces a single large clockwise gyre in the x-z plane, LHS produces a weaker gyre, and X04 produces a clockwise gyre plus a counterclockwise gyre inside the surf zone. Using the CH3D-Storm Surge Modeling System and M08, storm surge and currents in the Outer Banks and Chesapeake Bay during Hurricane Isabel are simulated. Compared to the earlier simulation obtained with the LHS, M08 produces similar storm surge but slightly improved the wave-induced currents.
Identification of the binding partners for flightless I, A novel protein bridging the leucine-rich repeat and the gelsolin superfamilies.

Flightless-I (fliI) is a novel member of the gelsolin family that is important for actin organization duringDrosophila embryogenesis and myogenesis.Drosophila fliI and the human homolog FLI both contain the classic gelsolin 6-fold segmental repeats and an amino-terminal extension of 16 tandem leucine-rich repeats (LRR). LRR repeats form amphipathic β-α structural units that mediate protein-protein interactions. Although there are close to 100 known LRR domain-containing proteins, only a few binding pairs have been identified. In this paper, we used biochemical and genetic approaches to identify proteins that interact with human FLI. In vitrosynthesized FLI bound to actin-Sepharose and binding was reduced by competition with excess soluble actin. Actin binding was mediated through the gelsolin-like domain and not the LRR domain. Although the FLI LRR module is most closely related to the LRR domains of Ras-interactive proteins, FLI does not associate with Ras, selected Ras effectors, or other Ras-related small GTPases. Two-hybrid screens using FLI LRR as bait identified a novel LRR binding partner. The 0.65-kilobase pair (kb) clone from the screen survived additional rounds of stringent two-hybrid pairwise assays, establishing a specific interaction. Binding to FLI LRR was corroborated by co-immunoprecipitation with FLI LRR. The translated sequence of the FLI LRR associated protein (FLAP) encodes a novel protein not represented in the data base. Northern blot analyses revealed four FLAP messages of approximately 2.7, 2.9, 3.3, and 5.1 kb, which are differentially expressed in the tissues tested. Skeletal and cardiac muscles are particularly rich in the 3.3-kb FLAP message, and the FLI message as well. Full-length FLAP clones were isolated from a mouse skeletal muscle cDNA library. They have an open reading frame which encodes for a protein containing 626 amino acids. Sequence analyses predict that the FLAP protein is rich in α-helices and contains stretches of dimeric coiled coil in its middle region and COOH terminus. The identification of actin and FLAP as the binding ligands for the gelsolin-like domain and the LRR domain, respectively, suggests that FLI may link the actin cytoskeleton to other modules implicated in intermolecular recognition and structural organization.
Myenteric Activity Modifications Induced by Caffeine

Summary1. The amplitude and tonus are the factors primarily modified by caffeine. 2. The presence of caffeine in the intestinal lumen in percentages below 0.50% is not effective in general. 3. Effective concentrations tend to increase the tonus and to decrease the amplitude of the contractions, 4. Full recovery occurs except occasionally with the use of caffeine-saturated (approximately) perfusion solutions.
Utilizing Perioperative Services to Creatively Solve Hospital Capacity Constraints

STEP 1  6 pre-operative beds, in close proximately, were identified to create the STU  Vision  Staff buy-in STEP 2  Hire acute care nurse practitioner to accept and manage patients STEP 3 The team developed and orchestrated the action plan for implementation.  Collaborative team:  Medical Director  Acute Care Nurse Practitioner  Staff  Ancillary services: Pharmacy, Linens, Nutrition, Guest Services  Resources:  Supplies  Documentation / IT  Action items:  Medication requirements  Scope of service  Communication map  Acuity guidelines  Hours of operation  Increase annual surgical volume
The distribution of material properties in the equine third metacarpal bone serves to enhance sagittal bending

Abstract The distribution of material properties within the equine third metacarpal bone (MC3), and its possible effect on the mechanics of the structure, was quantitatively evaluated using single-load-to-failure compressive materials testing of specimens from ten horses. Bone samples from six regions within five proximodistal levels of MC3 were milled into right cylinders and compressed at a strain rate of 0.01 s−1. Diaphyseal MC3 bone material was stiffer, stronger, deformed less to yield and failure, and absorbed more energy to yield, than metaphyseal cortical bone material. Lateral and medial MC3 cortical bone material was stiffer and deformed less to yield and failure, than dorsal and palmar material. This distribution of material properties appears to increase the structural compliance in the sagittal plane, and may serve to enhance the predictability of the strain distribution during normal locomotion, as is provided in other bones by a sagittal curvature.
A monolithic integrated low-threshold Raman silicon laser

We present a monolithic integrated low-threshold Raman silicon laser based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) rib waveguide ring cavity with an integrated p-i-n diode. The laser cavity consists of a race-track shaped ring resonator connected to a straight bus waveguide via a directional coupler which couples both pump and signal light into and out of the cavity. Reverse biasing the diode with 25V reduces the free carrier lifetime to below 1 ns, and stable, single-mode, continuous-wave (CW) Raman lasing is achieved with threshold of 20mW, slope efficiency of 28%, and output power of 50mW. With zero bias voltage, a lasing threshold of 26mW and laser output power >10mW can be obtained. The laser emission has high spectral purity with a side-mode suppression of >80dB and laser linewidth of <100 kHz. The laser wavelength can be tuned continuously over 25 GHz. To demonstrate the performance capability of the laser for gas sensing application, we perform absorption spectroscopy on methane at 1687 nm using the CW output of the silicon Raman laser. The measured rotationally-resolved direct absorption IR spectrum agrees well with theoretical prediction. This ring laser architecture allows for on-chip integration with other silicon photonics components to provide an integrated and scaleable monolithic device. By proper design of the ring cavity and the directional coupler, it is possible to achieve higher order cascaded Raman lasing in silicon for extending laser wavelengths from near IR to mid IR regions.
The impact of customer contact on environmental initiatives for service firms

The impact of business operations on the natural environment has been a public concern for decades and a research concern for years. To date, the focus of environmental impact research has been almost exclusively on manufacturing industries. Environmental research specific to service industries have been neglected, despite the fact that economies of developed nations are mostly made up of service businesses. This paper explores potential distinctions of service businesses as they may influence management motivation for taking environmentally friendly actions. Through a number of case studies, we observe some commonality of environmental motivations between service and manufacturing industries, as well as some environmental themes unique to services. These themes pertain to customer awareness of environmental initiatives of service firms by virtue of their involvement in the production process. Interestingly, customer involvement can have an adverse affect on environmental initiatives.
Theory of negative ion formation in CO chemisorbed on Ni(110): the 2∑ shape resonance

Abstract The lifetime, energy and angular distributions for resonance electron scattering by the 2 ∑ shape resonance of CO chemisorbed on Ni(110) are calculated using a layer-KKR method. This calculation is based upon a multiple scattering approach to negative ion formation at surfaces in which the substrate scattering is fully incorporated. The results are compared to the experimental study of Jones et al. [Chem. Phys. Lett. 161 (1989) 467] and a prior coupled-angular-modes (CAM) study by Teillet-Billy and coworkers that considered only the screening of the negative ion by the metallic substrate [Nucl. Instrum. Methods 58 (1991) 393].
Efforts toward the Expansion of the Genetic Alphabet: Information Storage and Replication with Unnatural Hydrophobic Base Pairs

The faithful recognition of the interstrand hydrogen bonds between complementary nucleobases forms the foundation of the genetic code. The ability to replicate DNA containing a stable third base pair would allow for an expansion of the information content of DNA by supplementing the existing two base pairs of the genetic alphabet with a third. We report the optimization of unnatural nucleobases whose pairing in duplex DNA is based on interbase hydrophobic interactions. We show that the stability and selectivity of such unnatural base pairs may be comparable to, or even exceed, that of native pairs. We also demonstrate that several unnatural base pairs are incorporated into DNA by Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I with an efficiency equivalent to that of native DNA synthesis. Moreover, the unnatural bases are orthogonal to the native bases, with correct pairing being favored by at least an order of magnitude relative to mispairing.
Shock metamorphism and shock barometry at a complex impact structure: Slate Islands, Canada

The Slate Islands archipelago is believed to represent the central uplifted portion of a complex impact structure. Planar microstructures in quartz and feldspars and shock vitrification of rocks are the most common shock metamorphic features encountered. No diaplectic quartz was identified in the exposed rocks, but minor maskelynite is present. Shatter cones occur on all islands of the archipelago suggesting minimum pressures of 4 ± 2 GPa. The relative frequency of low index planar microstructures of specific, optically determined crystallographic orientations in quartz are correlated with results from shock barometric experiments to estimate peak shock pressures experienced by the exposed target rocks. In general, there is a decrease in shock pressure recorded in the target rocks from about 20–25 GPa in east-central Patterson Island to about 5–10 GPa at the western shore of this island and on Mortimer Island. The shock attenuation gradient is ∼4.5 GPa/km across this section of the island group. However, the shock attenuation has a roughly concentric plan only over the western part of the archipelago. There is no distinct shock center and there are other deviations from circularity. This is probably the result of: (1) the shock wave not having expanded from a point or spherical source because of the ∼1. 0 to 1.5 km size of the impactor; (2) differential movement of large target rock blocks during the central uplift and crater modification phases of the impact process. The orientation of planar deformation features in quartz appears to be independent of the shock wave direction suggesting that crystal structure exerts the primary control on microstructure development. Based on the results of XRD analyses, residual, post-impact temperatures were high enough to cause annealing of submicroscopic damage in shocked quartz.
Hierarchical 3D Nanocomposites towards Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage

Polyaniline nanofibers (PANI-NFs)/graphite oxide (GO) nanocomposites with excellent interfacial interaction and elongated fiber structures were synthesized via a facile interfacial polymerization method. This method efficiently exfoliated the expanded layer structure of GO into individual sheet and thus significantly enhanced the specific surface area. The reduced diameter of PANI-NFs in PANI-NF/GO than that of pure PANI-NFs could shorten the diffusion distance and enhance the electro-active sites. The PANI-NFs/GO hybrid materials showed orders of magnitude enhancement in capacitance and better cycling stability than that of individual GO and PANI-NF components.
Corticotropin releasing factor induces proliferation of cerebellar astrocytes.

In the adult cerebellum, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), that is localized in climbing fibers, mossy fibers, and a fine varicose plexus along the Purkinje cell layer, modulates the responsiveness of Purkinje cells to excitatory amino acids. During development, CRF has been detected in the primitive cerebellar anlage as early as embryonic day (E)10, and is continuously expressed throughout embryonic and postnatal cerebellar ontogeny. To investigate a possible trophic role for CRF during cerebellar development, cerebellar culture studies using E18 mouse embryos were carried out. In our culture paradigm, that used serum-free defined medium to suppress cell proliferation, CRF induced proliferation of cells in a dose-dependent manner in a range of concentrations between 0.1-10 microM. The proliferating cells were identified as astrocytes based on their expression of vimentin and GFAP. BrdU incorporation studies supported the proposed mitogenic effect of CRF on developing astrocytes. The mitogenic effects of CRF seemed to be primarily on immature astrocytes determined by their differential expression of vimentin and GFAP. Astrocytes at more advanced stages of development, as determined by the extent of process outgrowth and GFAP expression, incorporated less BrdU compared to immature astrocytes. CRF receptors were localized in astrocytes, and the proliferation of astrocytes induced by CRF was inhibited by astressin, a competitive CRF receptor antagonist. In conclusion, CRF induces proliferation of astrocytes derived from the developing cerebellum, that suggests a gliotrophic role for CRF during cerebellar development.
Nucleate Boiling and Critical Heat Flux From Protruded Chip Arrays During Flow Boiling

The effects of chip protrusion on the forced-convection boiling and critical heat flux (CHF) of a dielectric coolant (FC-72) were investigated. The multi-chip module used in the present study featured a linear array of nine, 10mm x 10 mm, simulated microelectronic chips which protruded 1 mm into a 20-mm wide side of a rectangular flow channel. Experiments were performed in vertical upflow with 5-mm and 2-mm channel gap thicknesses. For each configuration, the velocity and subcooling of the liquid were varied from 13 to 400 cm/s and 3 to 36° C, respectively. The nucleate boiling regime was not affected by changes in velocity and subcooling, and critical heat flux generally increased with increases in either velocity or subcooling. Higher single-phase heat transfer coefficients and higher CHF values were measured for the protruded chips compared to similar flush-mounted chips. However, adjusting the data for the increased surface area and the increased liquid velocity above the chip caused by the protruding chips yielded a closer agreement between the protruded and flush-mounted results. Even with the velocity and area adjustments, the most upstream protruded chip had higher single-phase heat transfer coefficients and CHF values for high velocity and/or highly-subcooled flow as compared the downstream protruded chips. The results show that, except for the most upstream chip, the performances of protruded chips are very similar to those of flush-mounted chips.
Defining Differences among Perivascular Cells Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Distinguishing between perivascular cell types remains a hurdle in vascular biology due to overlapping marker expressions and similar functionalities. Clarifying and defining heterogeneities in vitro among perivascular cells could lead to improved cell-based tissue regeneration strategies and a better understanding of human developmental processes. We studied contractile vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), synthetic vSMCs, and pericytes derived from a common human pluripotent stem cell source. Using in vitro cultures, we show unique cell morphology, subcellular organelle organization (namely endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and stress fibers), and expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and elastin for each cell type. While differences in extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling were less pronounced, the multipotency, in vivo, migratory, invasion, and contractile functionalities are distinctive for each cell type. Overall, we define a repertoire of functional phenotypes in vitro specific for each of the human perivascular cell types, enabling their study and use in basic and translational research.
Preferred vehicle scaling

Properly designed and geometrically similar small-scale models can provide insight into component and system performance of large vehicles for a variety of engineering disciplines for a fraction of the cost compared to full scale fabrication and testing. Using the density, specific heat, magnetic permeability of the fluid, the rotation rate, and the size, the author provides non-dimensional performance properties broadly encompassing the hydrodynamic, acoustic, electro-magnetic, thermal, and structural fields. The preferred numbers based on a geometric series as devised by Renard are introduced. The author then provides a method for defining a mean and standard deviation of a size differences from a standard geometric series. In particular, statistics for customary and metric material specifications of sheet metal, square and round stock, electrical wire, fasteners, beams, and pipes are quantified. The study concludes that preferred numbers are best for standard material sizes and scales and suggests potential procedures for improving systems engineering.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Clarifying Cancer Mortality Rates

Your issue on the state of cancer research (Special Section: Cancer treatment gets personal, 26 May) uses an incomplete reading of cancer trend statistics to support a misleading conclusion on the progress made in cancer mortality. In H. Varmus's Perspective “The new era in cancer research” (p. [1162][1]) and in the Introduction (p. [1157][2]), it is noted that cancer mortality rates today are very close to where they were 50 years ago. In fact, death rates from cancer have changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Age-standardized death rates (deaths per 100,000 population) from cancer increased from 195.4 in 1950 to 215.1 in 1991, primarily because of increases in smoking-related cancers, particularly lung cancer. In the early 1990s, reductions in smoking as well as advances in treatment and early detection led to a drop of about 1% per year in the overall mortality rate, which brought the rate back to 190.1 by 2003. That same year, the number of actual cancer deaths dropped for the first time since mortality record-keeping was instituted in 1930, as the decreasing mortality rate overtook population factors that have obscured the progress made. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1126758 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.312.5777.1157
Mesomorphic complexes of DNA with the mixtures of a cationic surfactant and a neutral lipid.

Polyanionic DNA binds to cationic lipids to form electrostatic complexes exhibiting rich self-assembled structures. These types of complexes have been considered as a nonviral carrier in gene therapy and as a template for nanostructure construction. For the latter application where biocompatibility is not the key issue, replacement of cationic lipid by cationic surfactant is advantageous due to the wide availability of surfactant. Here we report the self-assembly behavior of the complexes of DNA with a cationic surfactant, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), mixed with a neutral lipid, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), in fully hydrated state as a function of DTAB-to-DNA base pair molar ratio (x), DOPE-to-DTAB molar ratio (m) and temperature. The binary complexes of DNA with DTAB microphase separated to form hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains without long-range order. Incorporating DOPE into the complexes effectively strengthened the hydrophobic interaction and hence promoted the formations o...
AIR ENTRAPMENT DURING LIQUID INFILTRATION OF POROUS MEDIA

Abstract Some aspects of the interfacial phenomena that occur during liquid infiltration of porous media are discussed. Experimental data are presented on the critical speed at which air bubbles are trapped when a horizontal liquid surface passes (from below) across an isolated cylindrical rod or filament whose axis is horizontal. The results are correlated over a wide range of liquid viscosities and surface tensions. We observe that bubble entrapment occurs when the Capillary number exceeds a value defined by $ where γ is the so-called Property number, defined by $ The coefficients A and m depend upon the wetting characteristics of the liquid with respect to the solid (filament). A simple physical model is proposed which is in qualitative agreement with the observations. In a porous bed of nonwoven filaments the physical phenomena that occur during wetting are different from those that occur on a single filament. Discussion of flow through such a porous medium leads to a simple model that describes recen...
The prevalence of Listeria, Salmonella, Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 on bison carcasses during processing.

Abstract Bison meat is a relatively new, emerging meat species gaining increased popularity in the US and European meat markets, but little is known of its microflora or pathogens that may be present. This study was carried out to determine the incidence of the foodborne pathogens Listeria, Salmonella, Escherichia coli/E. coli O157:H7 on slaughtered bison and to evaluate the bison slaughter process. Bison carcass sampling was carried out at monthly intervals over a period of 1 year at a Bison processing facility in the Midwestern United States. A total of 355 Bison carcasses were sampled by surface swabbing the carcasses at five points on the production line: pre-dehiding, post-evisceration, post-USDA inspection, post-washing and 24 h chilled carcass. Overall, the prevalence of Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 was 18.3%, 3.94%, 38.3% and 1.13%, respectively. The prevalence of Listeria spp. at each sampling point tested was 42.24%, 18.1%, 6.03%, 1.72% and 3.77% while the prevalence of E. coli at each sampling point was: 88.79%, 73.28%, 52.59%, 56.89% and 11.3%, respectively. The data obtained suggests that current antimicrobial intervention strategies used at the plant are relatively effective in reducing Listeria and E. coli contamination on bison carcasses to some extent, however further study is required to determine the influence of current slaughter practices on carcass contamination. The data reported in this study to the authors’ knowledge is some of the first information reporting on the bacteriological status of Bison, and provides some useful baseline information for future research.
Indiana Residents' Perceptions of Driving and Lower Blood Alcohol Concentration

Abstract Since Congress passed .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as the national standard for impaired driving in October 2000, 28 U.S. States including Indiana have enacted .08 BAC law. This study investigated perceived impact of the .08 law among Indiana residents and their attitudinal and perceptional changes since the enforcement of the law. The focus of this study was to examine demographic differences in these changes. Using random-digit dialing that included unpublished numbers and new listings, a representative sample of 525 adult Indiana residents ages 18 or older was interviewed. Of the total respondents, 61% (n=320) reported having 12 or more drinks in a year, 15% (n=81) reported a decrease in the number of alcohol drinking occasions compared to their drinking behavior before the passage of the .08 law and 30% advocated further reduction of the legal limit of impaired driving below .08 g/dl, which reflects the perception of increased safety. Even though 38% of the total respondents expresse...
Report on the SIGIR 2013 workshop on health search and discovery

The workshop brought together 40 researchers and practitioners from academia and industry to discuss search and discovery in the medical domain. Presentations and discussions spanned several challenging and important topics, including directions improving the accessibility of medical and health information for lay people (with associated enhancements to result ranking algorithms and search interfaces), and methods for discovering biomedical phenomena from the information that people seek online, as evidenced in query streams and other sources such as social and news media. A thread throughout the workshop was the opportunity for new methods and applications to enhance the quality of life of people suffering from medical disorders, carry out surveillance of emerging diseases and other threats, and, more generally, to improve the health and well-being of people via tools to support their health-related information behavior.
Sines and Cosines of Angles in Arithmetic Progression

(2009). Sines and Cosines of Angles in Arithmetic Progression. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 82, No. 5, pp. 371-372.
Instant electrocardiography. Use in cardiac exercise programs.

Instant electrocardiograms before and after physical activity were recorded three times per week for three to six months in ten patients with postmyocardial infarction angina pectoris who engaged in a physical training program. Four patients developed ST-segment depressions of over 2 mm following exercise and one of the four had associated ventricular ectopia. Three other patients had asymptomatic runs of ventricular tachycardia. Two of the latter subsequently developed ventricular fibrillation during moderate physical activity and one subsequently died suddenly at home while engaged in yardwork. Instant electrocardiography represents a simple way to screen for patients prone to exercise-induced arrhythmias. It is felt that the latter should be on antiarrhythmic drugs and be limited to rather light physical activity such as certain flexibility exercises, noncompetitive team sports, and moderately brisk walking.
Circulating natural killer cells but not cytotoxic T lymphocytes are reduced in patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis and little clinical disability as compared to controls.

Abstract Triple antibody flow cytometry was used to compare the populations of CD56 + effector cells in the peripheral circulation of 29 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and little disability who were exacerbation-free for over 2 months and 29 healthy control subjects. Populations were characterized by two panels of antibodies (CD8, CD16, CD56 and CD3, CD8, CD56), as well as by size or granularity. In the MS patients, mature natural killer (NK) cells (CD3 − CD8 − CD56 + ) of small size and low granularity were significantly reduced compared to normals ( P 〈 0.0003). The quantities of other effector cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes, large granular lymphocytes and monocytes) were not different in MS patients compared to the control subjects. Also, we identified a previously unrecognized population of CD56 + monocytes (CD3 − CD14 + CD56 + ) in both the normal control subjects and the MS patients which would have been misclassified as NK cells using one or two antibody cytometry employed in previous studies.
Formation of benzo(a)pyrene—DNA adducts in peripheral human lung tissue

Summary The formation of covalent adducts between DNA and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene was detected in cultured explants of peripheral human lung and in the established human alveolar tumor cell line A549. From the chromatographic analysis of digests of DNA extracted from these tissues, it was concluded that both the lung specimens and A549 cells metabolized benzo(a)pyrene to diastereomeric 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene intermediates which mostly reacted with the exocyclic amino groups of deoxyguanosine to N 2 -(10-[7 β ,8 α ,9 α - and 9 β -trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene]yl)deoxyguanosine (dGua-B(a)P I and II). While comparable amounts of dGua-B(a)P I and II were formed in A549 cells, dGua-B(a)P I represents the predominant adduct in the DNA of lung specimens from six different donors. The assignment of the structures of these adducts is based on indirect evidence and further studies are required.
Informatics and the government

Should the U.S. Government be involved in informatics? My answer to this question is an emphatic YES. I can think of no better example than the U.S. space program where there has been a legitimate role for the government. There is a role for the government in terms of funding long-term projects. I have learned from experience how important it is for government to be active, particularly in funding those programs that don' t have a quick payoff. I think that there is a very important role for the government to play in terms of supporting informatics research and development. But what should that government role be? First, I think that the government must be at the forefront of research, particularly basic research. Some basic research may not payoff for a long time. As a result, there is not a single company in the world that is far-sighted enough to put millions of dollars today into programs that would not payoff for 20 to 30 years or may never payoff. The U.S. government must maintain a real commitment to r e sea r ch -bo th applied and basic research. In the areas of applied research, the federal government is cutting back its funding. Many states including Texas are losing funds for the medical school programs and agricultural research programs. It is very important that all of us involved with state and federal government continue to encourage our leaders in congress to support research, knowing that it does have global implications and the benefits of our research in many cases have helped the quality of life throughout the world. The second role I think the government must play is to be a catalyst, to help sponsor programs in bringing together leaders in the field from around the world. The government must work as a catalyst in bringing together business and political leaders. The third role our government must play is to help fund pilot projects, such as the Solar Energy Research Institute that was funded several years ago but is now struggling
RR Lyrae Variables in the Inner Halo. I. Photometry

I present V-band CCD photometry for a sample of 103 RR Lyrae variables selected from the General Catalogue of Variable Stars to lie in the inner halo of the Galaxy (3 kpc < RGC < 6 kpc). I also describe a method for obtaining the mean apparent magnitude and the epoch at maximum light of an RR Lyrae star. The method requires as few as five photometric observations, and simulations demonstrate that the associated errors are relatively small (~0.03 mag and ~0.03 days, respectively). I employ this method to derive the mean magnitudes and maximum light epochs of the 103 RR Lyrae stars observed. These stars were selected, based on their Galactic coordinates and original photographic photometry, to lie near their orbital tangent points, thus providing a sample well suited for measuring the rotational kinematics of the inner halo. Using interstellar reddenings from the literature and the observed mean V magnitudes, I derive distances for these stars and show that their actual locations in the Galaxy are indeed suitable for use in a kinematic study, despite the large zero-point errors in the survey photographic photometry. The results of the kinematic study will be presented in a separate paper.
Creep and fracture in model niobium-alumina laminates under shear loading

A simple experimental technique was developed to study the near-interface deformation and fracture behavior in ductile-phase-toughened brittle-matrix laminates subjected to elevated-temperature shear loading. In the study, specimens of Nb-foils bonded to A120 a blocks were subjected to shear loading parallel to the Nb/AI203 interfaces. The fracture path was controlled by the applied stress, the temperature and the thickness of the ductile Nb layers. At high shear stresses failure took place by brittle fracture within the A1203 phase with concurrent shear creep in the Nb, and multiple crack branching/arresting toward the interface. At lower stresses, shear-creep and ductile fracture within the Nb were the dominant damage modes. Shear deformation was found to localize along the mid-plane of the Nb, due to strengthening of the Nb adjacent to the interface via solid solution and precipitation resulting from interdiffusion. With thin 20/Jm Nb-layers the fracture energy was low, similar to that found for pure A1203 . Our findings suggest that the ductile-phase toughening of laminated brittle matrix composites depends critically on the thickness of the ductile phase. A concept of brittle-ductile transition to assist in the understanding of the toughness enhancement provided by ductile phase additions into a brittle matrix.
Older Adults' Perceptions of Well-Being after Intergenerational Experiences with Youth

Abstract Drawing upon Ryff's (1995) positive dimensions of well-being in older adulthood, thisstudy investigated older adults' perceptions of well-being following participation in anintergenerational program. Specifically, we examined the relationship between age, years of volunteer service, and sense of well-being among older adults (n= 46; 55 to 100 years of age) participating in intergenerational programs at 10 sites in Midwestern, agriculturally based communities. Using a mixedmethods design, results revealed that olderadults perceive a heightened sense of well-being from intergenerational interactions wit youth. Older adults reported successful aging included staying active, not worrying aboutone's problems, feeling young, and keeping up with the children and community. Adults aged 74-85 experienced significantly greater satisfaction and enjoyment than their older counterparts, particularly in anticipating working with youth and positive self-perception. No relationship emerged between years of invol...
Impulse responses of a monoethylamine-fed fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract The responses of a steady-state, continuous-flow, completely-mixed fluidized bed reactor (FBR) to a range of monoethylamine (MEA) impulses are analyzed in terms of its combined carbon oxidation and nitrification efficiencies. Immobilized cells are cultivated at a mean cell residence time (MCRT) that exceeds 75 days. Responses due to bacterial activities and physical flows are separately estimated using a methodology based on mass balance calculations. MEA inhibition becomes evident when respective critical impulse loadings are exceeded, i . e ., 0.12 mg TOC/mg VS for carbon oxidation and 0.021 mg TOC/mg VS for nitrification (TOC: total organic carbon, VS: volatile solids). Nitrifying cells are shown to be more susceptible to MEA impulses than their heterotrophic counterparts. However, the presence of nitrification activities under the conditions tested demonstrates the advantages of cell immobilization that offer greater flexibility when challenged with suddenly increased MEA loads over a short period of time. Mass balance calculations on nitrogen species confirms that 0.583 mg NH 4 + -N is produced per mg MEA-C removed when the assimilatory nitrogen requirements for cell synthesis are negligible.
Reducing Material Waste Using Six Sigma in Printed Circuit Board Assembly

Material waste in the Printed Circuit Board Assembly consist of parts and components that are purchased above and beyond what is required to complete a project. Controlling such material waste identified in this paper as Quantity Variance is in a direct relationship to minimizing the cost of variance that increases the profitability of each job in a low volume high mix production. This Quantity Variance occurs as defects at key steps of the manufacturing process. Six sigma is used to define, measure, analyze and control occurrences resulting in the need to purchase additional components for the completion of the order.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Riordan matrices and higher-dimensional lattice walks

Abstract An algebraic combinatorial method is used to count higher-dimensional lattice walks in Z m that are of length n ending at height k. As a consequence of using the method, Sands’ two-dimensional lattice walk counting problem is generalized to higher dimensions. In addition to Sands’ problem, another subclass of higher-dimensional lattice walks is also counted. Catalan type solutions are obtained and the first moments of the walks are computed. The first moments are then used to compute the average heights of the walks. Asymptotic estimates are also given.
Failure mechanisms of laminated carbon-carbon composites—I. Under uniaxial compression

Abstract Failure mechanisms under uniaxial compressive loading are determined for several types of two dimensional (2D)carbon-carbon composites. Compressive strengths ranging from 90 to 180 MPa are observed. As expected, under uniaxial compression, a shear band is formed across the specimen diagonal. Remarkably, no inelastic deformation, either in the form of micro-buckling or microcrack nucleation was observed prior to the terminal shear failure. The crimp angles associated with the weaving pattern are significant not only in pre-setting the angle of the shear band but also in regard to the local kink boundary angle β in the fiber bundles. Hitherto unreported values of β ranging from 50 to 60°, and the kink inclination angle α in the range 35–40°, are observed. A theoretical analysis relating the peak compression load to α and β, with crimp angles as initial imperfections, explains the experimental observations.
Polarographic Determination of Cobalt and Nickel in Iron Meteorites

Abstract Cobalt and nickel were determined in five iron meteorites by a polarographic method. The analyses gave good precision and are believed to be reliable. The nickel content ranged from 6.49% to 8.07%, and cobalt ranged from 0.40% to 0.49%. Atomic absorption measurements were made on the sample solutions for comparison.
In situ spectro-electrochemical studies on the oxidation mechanism of brass

Abstract The oxidation mechanism of brass has been studied with in-situ spectro-electrochemical techniques. The results indicate that the brass corrosion mechanism may be interpreted as being composed of dissolution chemistries of zinc and copper, except that the oxidation potential of zinc in brass is more positive than that of pure zinc. After zinc is oxidized, copper oxidizes to Cu(I) hydroxide/oxide in two consecutive steps, followed by further oxidation to Cu(II) hydroxide/oxide. These hydroxides/oxides are reduced upon cathodic scanning of the potential to produce the brass surface in reverse sequence as for oxidation; a relatively large amount of the zincate ion and a small amount of copper (II) hydroxide are still on the electrode surface, even after a long period of reduction at −1.3 V vs the Ag/AgCl, saturated KCl reference electrode.
Acute Childhood Ataxia: 10-Year Experience:

Forty cases of acute childhood ataxia were retrospectively assessed for main etiologies and for factors that can be used in planning the most effective and cost-efficient management. The most common discharge diagnoses were acute cerebellar ataxia, ingestion, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, encompassing 80% of all cases. The remaining 20% included various isolated causes. Acute cerebellar ataxia was primarily seen in children less than 6 years of age who had preceding viral syndromes or varicella. Ingestions were also most frequent in children less than 6 years of age, but a second peak occurred in adolescents. History was suggestive of drug ingestion in 61.5% of cases, and in addition to ataxia, lethargy was an associated symptom. The drug screen was the most informative laboratory test, with 17 of 35 being positive. Lumbar punctures were positive in seven of 25, with pleocytosis in six and elevated protein in two. Of 26 computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance imaging scans performed, only two were positive, one for cerebellar infarct and one for cerebral edema. Acute ataxia in childhood has multiple etiologies, but it is usually due to a benign, self-limited process. A thorough history, physical examination, and drug screen should be performed before other costly and invasive tests and before admission to the hospital. This approach may eliminate the need for hospitalization of some patients with postinfectious acute cerebellar ataxia and ingestion. Neuroimaging studies should be used judiciously in the evaluation of acute ataxia, considering their low yield.
Involvement of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 in Physiological and Pathological Responses to Continuous and Intermittent Hypoxia: Role of Reactive Oxygen Species

The hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcriptional activators that mediate homeostatic responses to hypoxia. At the cellular level, HIF-1 mediates adaptive metabolic responses to hypoxia that serve to maintain energy and redox homeostasis by reducing mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). At the systemic level, HIFs control erythropoiesis and thereby maintain blood O2-carrying capacity and delivery of O2 to body tissues. In contrast to these adaptive responses, patients with obstructive sleep apnea are subjected to chronic intermittent hypoxia, a nonphysiological stimulus that induces HIF-1, which mediates a maladaptive response, systemic hypertension.
The SDM Hand as a Prosthetic Terminal Device: A Feasibility Study

In this paper we discuss the potential of applying our concept for a robotic hand fabricated via Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM) as a prosthetic terminal device. Experimental results with the hand have shown a level of robustness, adaptability, and other performance properties as yet unseen in a robotic hand. Besides reliable performance, the hand is durable, is produced using a molding process that allows both for inexpensive mass production as well as a realistic appearance without the need for a cosmetic glove, and incorporates a simple design that requires only a single actuator for the eight active degrees of freedom. All of these factors make it a good candidate as a basis for either a body-powered or externally-powered prosthetic terminal device that is realistic, functional, robust, and inexpensive.
High-throughput transgene copy number estimation by competitive PCR

Transgene copy number affects the level and stability of gene expression. Therefore, it is important to determine the copy number of each transgenic line. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely employed to quantify amounts of target sequences. Although PCR is not inherently quantitative, various means of overcoming this limitation have been devised. Recent real-time PCR methods are rapid; however, they typically lack a suitable internal standard, limit the size of the target sequence, and require expensive specialized equipment. Competitive PCR techniques avoid these problems, but traditional competitive methods are time consuming. Here we apply mathematical modeling to create a rapid, simple, and inexpensive copy number determination method that retains the robustness of competitive PCR.
“Whose Bureaucracy Is This, Anyway?” Congress' 1946 Answer

“Nor should we omit in our study [of public administration] the problem of legislative-administrative relations, in view of the increasing role of the public servant in the determination of policy, through either the preparation of legislation or the making of rules under which general legislative policy is given meaning and application” (Gaus 1931, 123).In the title of his 1993 Gaus Award Lecture, Francis Rourke posed the deceptively simple question, “Whose Bureaucracy Is This, Anyway?” His subtitle was “Congress, the President, and Public Administration.” Rourke, a pioneer in the field of bureaucratic politics, concluded that federal administration was constitutionally and politically under the “joint custody” of Congress and the president. Clearly, Congress has formidable constitutional authority and responsibility for the structure and operation of the executive branch. A great deal of political science research demonstrates that the legislature and its committees are a major political force in federal administration. Even as the older “iron triangle” model gives way to newer approaches, no one (other than misguided reformers) could reasonably answer Rourke's question and exclude Congress. Its oversight, influence, and intervention in agency operations on behalf of policy objectives and incumbency are central features of contemporary federal administration.