cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bioaerosols generated from toilet flushing in rooms of patients with Clostridioides difficile infection.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most frequently reported hospital-acquired infection in the United States. Bioaerosols generated during toilet flushing are a possible mechanism for the spread of this pathogen in clinical settings. Objective: To measure the bioaerosol concentration from toilets of patients with CDI before and after flushing. Design: In this pilot study, bioaerosols were collected 0.15 m, 0.5 m, and 1.0 m from the rims of the toilets in the bathrooms of hospitalized patients with CDI. Inhibitory, selective media were used to detect C. difficile and other facultative anaerobes. Room air was collected continuously for 20 minutes with a bioaerosol sampler before and after toilet flushing. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to assess the difference in bioaerosol production before and after flushing. Setting: Rooms of patients with CDI at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Results: Bacteria were positively cultured from 8 of 24 rooms (33%). In total, 72 preflush and 72 postflush samples were collected; 9 of the preflush samples (13%) and 19 of the postflush samples (26%) were culture positive for healthcare-associated bacteria. The predominant species cultured were Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, and C. difficile. Compared to the preflush samples, the postflush samples showed significant increases in the concentrations of the 2 large particle-size categories: 5.0 µm (P = .0095) and 10.0 µm (P = .0082). Conclusions: Bioaerosols produced by toilet flushing potentially contribute to hospital environmental contamination. Prevention measures (eg, toilet lids) should be evaluated as interventions to prevent toilet-associated environmental contamination in clinical settings.
102 – Inverse Scattering

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the procedure and applications of inverse scattering. It is applicable to nonlinear evolution equations, a single equation, or a system. It yields a reformulation into an inverse problem, which can sometimes result in an exact solution. By rewriting the evolution equation, some natural eigenfunction problems emerge. An evolution equation for u(t,x) = u(t, x1,…, xm) may be written in the form ut = K(u), where K(u) denotes a nonlinear differential operator in x. For a system of equations, u represents a vector of unknowns. Using the eigenfunctions, an inverse problem must be solved; the operator L must be determined from knowledge of its eigenfunctions. It is found that since L depends on u, this might lead to a solution for u. For some problems, the time evolution of the eigenfunctions can be used in the Gelfand–Levitan linear integral equation which may be solved to determine it.
Chapter 23 – Summary and conclusion

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the importance of proper planning and analysis for running a plant and business successfully. Regardless of the overall shifting of trade barriers and inducement of industries to move or to locate in different areas of the world, each firm in the process of building a plant must do proper preplanning if it is to conduct business successfully. Companies must develop a business plan, design a plant, determine their critical costs, establish raw material sources, fix their market objectives, and develop a format for evaluating alternate site choices. In examining potential locations, many intangibles can impact costs. Quality-of-life evaluations covering crime, environmental goals, infrastructure, educational levels, etc., are available from many publications. These need to be factored into the location equation, and underscored by the fact there is no substitute for doing one's homework.
Molecular dynamics studies of thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of single crystalline α-quartz

Abstract Silicon dioxide or quartz is one of the most important natural resources, and silicates are the prominent content of more than 90% of the earth's minerals. This research investigates the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of α-quartz by using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulation method. The Beest, Kramer, and van Santen (BKS) pairwise interatomic potential suitable for quartz crystal was chosen to describe the interatomic interactions. The radial distribution function (RDF) of α-quartz was calculated and plotted. The stress-strain behavior of α-quartz under uniaxial tensile loading in different temperatures and strain rates was also studied using classical molecular dynamics. It was found that the thermal conductivity of α-quartz depends on the temperature, mostly in lower temperatures, and decreases with increasing the temperature. Stress-Strain curves show that the mechanical properties of α-quartz vary meaningfully with temperature and strain rate.
Minimal area submanifolds in AdS × compact

We describe the asymptotic behavior of minimal area submanifolds in product spacetimes of an asymptotically hyperbolic space times a compact internal manifold. In particular, we find that unlike the case of a minimal area submanifold just in an asymp- totically hyperbolic space, the internal part of the boundary submanifold is constrained to be itself a minimal area submanifold. For applications to holography, this tells us what are the allowed "flavor branes" that can be added to a holographic field theory. We also give a compact geometric expression for the spectrum of operator dimensions associated with the slipping modes of the submanifold in the internal space. We illustrate our results with several examples, including some that haven't appeared in the literature before.
Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra: Vectors, Matrices, and Least Squares [Bookshelf]

The book consists of three parts. Part 1 focuses on vectors and their manipulation. Vector algebra, linear functions, linearization, inner products, norms, linear independence, the concept of a basis, and orthogonality are covered. Part 2 is devoted to matrices. Basic matrix operations (including a clear discussion of all four ways to interpret matrix multiplication), linear systems of equations, the QR factorization, and various matrix inverses (left, right, and pseudoinverses) are discussed. Part 3 covers least squares and emphasizes different approaches to finding xt. A notable feature of this book is the excellent end-ofchapter problem sets that span a wide range of interesting applications. A detailed solutions manual is also available to instructors. The book is clear and direct, written by experienced authors. The need for textbooks that show mathematics in action is also clear. Linear algebra has become more important to modern students (arguably, more important than calculus), partly because of the rise of data science and deep learning. Through it all, this wonderful subject retains the beauty of good mathematics.
Reverberating Stress Wave Channel Capacity in Pipe Communications

In-pipe communication exists in broad applications such as structural health monitoring, gas and oil exploration, and remote sensing. The widely deployed pipeline infrastructure provides a new medium to realize wireless communications in the harsh environment, especially underwater or underground communications. The high frequency (above 80 kHz) reverberating stress wave in a short range allows piezoelectric transducers to transmit information. This paper investigates stress wave propagation, the reverberating stress wave channel characteristics, and several potential techniques for the reverberating stress wave channel. Based on our experimental and simulation results, single-input-multiple-output orthogonal frequency-division multiplexting (SIMO-OFDM) and uplink single-carrier FDMA are considered the most suitable schemes for reverberating stress wave communications in point-to-point and multi-user scenarios, respectively. Our evaluation results show the spectral efficiency upper bound is 3.18 bit/s/Hz for 1×3 SIMO and the rate-sum capacity for uplink SC-FDMA is 75.18 kb/s with 30 kHz total bandwidth.
Singular Value Decomposition Controller Design using a Reduced Order Model

Multivariable model reduction is applied to two processes for simulation, multivariable single input-single output controller design, and singular value decomposition controller design. The model reduction tech-niques investigated fail to maintain some of the dominant characteristics of the full system. More-over, the controllers designed with the reduced models are all unstable when applied to control the full model. Insight into the causes of the failures are discussed in terms of the characteristics maintained by the reduction techniques and the structure of the controllers.
Exclusive Dealing, Preferential Dealing, and Dynamic Efficiency

Several recent antitrust cases brought by the U.S.Department of Justice have challenged exclusivedealing by firms with market power. This paperreviews the legal treatment of exclusive dealing andanalyzes the economic implications of contracts thatpenalize customers for trading with a rival supplier. These contracts include arrangements that make it morecostly for customers to trade with a rival(preferential dealing) as well as contracts thatprohibit such trades (exclusive dealing). Theanalysis assumes that buyers and sellers negotiateefficiently, so the focus is on the implications ofcontract terms for investment behavior (dynamicefficiency). When investment is limited to theentrant, the optimal contract between a monopolyseller and a buyer imposes a socially excessivepenalty for trade with a rival. The paper contraststhe dynamic efficiency consequences of contractualpenalties and volume discounts. Both penalties andvolume discounts reduce a customer's gains from tradewith rival firms. However, in many circumstances,penalties harm dynamic efficiency because they lowera rival firm's marginal incentives to invest.
Studies on Escherichia coli sex factors: I. Specific labeling of F'Lac DNA

Abstract A technique for specific labeling of the F'Lac particle of the bacterium Escherichia coli has been developed using a system in which only a transferred particle can replicate and thereby incorporate labeled thymine. The system consists of a male cell which contains a genetic block such that it cannot incorporate exogenous thymine and a female which cannot replicate its own DNA as a consequence of its inability to repair lesions produced by a heavy dose of ultraviolet light. These cells are mated in the presence of radioactive thymine. In this system, the particle is transferred to the killed female with near-normal efficiency and can replicate and be transcribed in the irradiated cell. It was demonstrated by agargel chromatography that the labeled material is primarily F'Lac DNA.
Semantic Web services

In this paper, we describe what Semantic Web and Web services are; discuss underlying core technologies for Web services, and list how Web services manifest in modern computing. Next we show how to build and deploy a weather web service using Micro"soft.NET technologies. To demonstrate the platform interoperability of web services technology, we show how to develop a client application (using Java technologies) to access the weather web service. To complement this demonstration, a web service for securities is developed in Java and a client for consuming this service is built using. NET technologies. The notion of semantic web is explained, and its relationship to web services is discussed. The paper concludes by pointing out research issues in semantic web services, and pedagogical implications for computer science curricula.
Producer responsibility when WEEE has a value

E-Waste in Africa and other emerging markets is posing a challenge as well as a significant opportunity. E-waste is a valuable resource for the re-use, and secondary raw material markets. The countries in the region, however, lack the infrastructure and resources for the environmentally sound management of electrical and electronic waste or e-waste arising when such products reach their end-of-life. Processing and disposing of e-waste incorrectly can be a human health and environmental hazard. In the last decade we have seen increasing attention by international governments, producers and non-governmental bodies to the issue of e-waste. We are seeing the emergence of several policy mechanisms being adopted by governments to manage e-waste, varying significantly from country to country. First we will analyze the trends with e-waste and its subsequent management and the emergence of e-waste related policy. This will be followed by an analysis of some of the basic principles of e-waste management, drawn from several years of experience in setting up and managing e-waste systems. The paper will highlight some of the work HP and other OEM's have undertaken in e-waste management in Africa before drawing conclusions to the question of where should producer responsibility lie when WEEE has a value and what safeguards are necessary to ensure that all e-waste is managed appropriately.
The ABCG5 Polymorphism Contributes to Individual Responses to Dietary Cholesterol and Carotenoids in Eggs

The ATP binding cassette G5 (ABCG5) polymorphisms have been postulated to play a role in the response to dietary cholesterol. The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of the ABCG5 polymorphism on the plasma response to consumption of cholesterol and carotenoids from eggs. For this purpose, genotyping was conducted for 40 men and 51 premenopausal women who were randomly assigned to consume an egg (EGG, 640 mg/d additional dietary cholesterol and 600 microg lutein+ zeaxanthin) or placebo (SUB, 0 mg/d cholesterol, 0 microg lutein + zeaxanthin) diet for 30 d. The two arms of the dietary intervention were separated by a 3-wk washout period. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL cholesterol were determined. Because eggs are an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, the plasma levels of these carotenoids were also measured in a subset of subjects to determine whether the response to carotenoid intake was similar to that seen for dietary cholesterol and to evaluate the contribution of ABCG5 polymorphism to both responses. Individuals possessing the C/C genotype experienced a greater increase in both LDL-C (P < 0.05) and a trend for lutein (P = 0.08) during the EGG period compared with those individuals with the C/G (heterozygote) or G/G genotypes (homozygotes). These results, although obtained from a small number of subjects, suggest that the ABCG5 polymorphism may play a role in the plasma response to dietary cholesterol and carotenoids.
Bromodeoxyuridine alternating with radiation for advanced uterine cervix cancer: a phase I and drug incorporation study.

PURPOSE: Preclinical studies show a significant increase in the ratio of the radiosensitizer bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) in tumors versus the intestinal mucosa during the drug elimination period, compared with the ratio during drug infusion. We constructed a phase I study in patients with locally advanced cervix cancer, using alternating cycles of BUdR and radiation therapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with stage IIB to IVA cervix cancer participated. A treatment cycle consisted of a 4-day BUdR infusion followed by a week of pelvic RT, 15 Gy twice daily in 1.5-Gy fractions. After three cycles, additional BUdR was infused, followed by brachytherapy. The fraction of thymidine replaced by BUdR and the fraction of cells incorporating BUdR were determined in rectal mucosa and tumor biopsies at the end of the first BUdR infusion (day 5), at the middle of the first RT week (day 10), and at the time of brachytherapy. RESULTS: Dose-limiting toxicity was observed in one of 16 patients receiving 1,000 ...
The Decay of the ATPase Activity of Light Plus Thiol-Activated Thylakoid Membranes in the Dark

Oxidized ATP synthase of spinach thylakoid membranes catalyzes high rates of ATP synthesis in the light, but very low rates of ATP hydrolysis in the dark. Reduction of the disulfide bond in the gamma subunit of the ATP synthase in the light enhances the rate of Mg2+-ATP hydrolysis in the dark. The light plus thiol-activated state decays in a few minutes in the dark after illumination in Tris buffer, but not when Tricine was used in place of Tris. In this paper, it is shown that Tris in the assay mixture is an inhibitor of the light plus thiol-activated ATPase activity of thylakoids, but only after the activated membranes had incubated in the dark. Aminopropanediols and diethanolamine, also selectively inhibited ATPase activity of activated membranes after storage in the dark, whereas NH4Cl and imidazole inhibit the ATPase activity of activated thylakoids almost equally whether they are added directly after the illumination or several minutes later. The fluorescence of 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine (ACMA) is quenched by the establishment of proton gradients by ATP-dependent proton uptake. Addition of ATP to activated membranes results in rapid quenching of ACMA fluorescence. If the activated membranes were incubated in the dark prior to ATP addition, a lag in the ATP-dependent ACMA fluorescence quenching as well as a similar lag in the rate ATP hydrolysis were seen. It is concluded that ADP rebinds to CF1 in the dark following illumination and inhibits the activity of the ATP synthase. Reactivation of the ATP synthase in the dark can occur by the slow generation of proton gradients by ATP hydrolysis in the dark. This reactivation takes place in Tricine buffer, but not in Tris because of its uncoupling action. Whether ADP binding plays a role in the regulation of the activity of the ATP synthase in situ remains to be established.
Type VI glycogenosis: Biochemical demonstration of liver phosphorylase deficiency

Abstract A boy with hepatomegaly had increased glycogen and low activity of liver phosphorylase. Muscle tissue was normal. Conversion of rabbit muscle phosphorylase b to phosphorylase a by his liver homogenate indicated its normal capacity for phosphorylase activation. The patient's hepatic homogenate failed to develop phosphorylase activity under conditions that in control homogenates revealed the presence of endogenous phosphorylase through its activation. The failure was not corrected by the addition of phosphorylase kinase to the patient's homogenate. The results indicate liver phosphorylase deficiency or type VI glycogenosis.
Metal selectivity of exocytosis in α-toxin-permeabilized bovine chromaffin cells

Metal selectivity of exocytosis was analyzed by comparing the effects of polyvalent metal cations Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Pb2+, La3+, Cd2+, Co2+, Tb3+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ on the release of norepinephrine (NE) from staphylococcal alpha-toxin-permeabilized bovine chromaffin cells. Pb2+, La3+, Cd2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ activated NE secretion accompanied by the release of intragranular dopamine beta-hydroxylase but not cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase, indicating the activation of the mechanism of exocytosis. The release triggered by saturating concentrations of Pb2+, La3+, Cd2+, and Sr2+ was nonadditive with Ca2+, indicating a common site of action. In contrast, the Ba2(+)-evoked NE release was additive with Ca2+ and the Ca2+ agonists Pb2+, La3+, Cd2+, and Sr2+, suggesting that Ba2+ activates secretion at a site distinct from the Ca2+ receptor. In distinction to the NE release evoked by Pb2+, La3+, Cd2+, and Ba2+, the Sr(2+)-evoked NE release was associated with a significant elevation of Ca2+ concentration in the medium and abolished by Ca2+ chelation. This indicates that the secretagogue effect of Sr2+ was indirect and secondary to the displacement of bound Ca2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ inhibited the NE release evoked by Ca2+, Sr2+, Pb2+, La3+, and Cd2+ but had no effect on the Ba(2+)-dependent secretion. Tb3+ and Zn2+ were without effect on exocytosis.
Analysis of Microseismic Noise at LASA, NORSAR and ALPA†

Summary An analysis has been made of the properties of both the short-period and long-period microseismic noise in the 0.2- to 40-s period range at LASA, NORSAR and ALPA. The high-resolution frequency–wavenumber spectra are presented for the noise, as well as power spectra and coherence results. These data show that the long-period noise in the 10- to 40-s period range consists of fundamental-mode Rayleigh and Love waves, as well as a non-propagating component. The results of a simultaneous analysis of long-period noise at ALPA and LASA provide for the first time an indication of the location of the noise source. It is shown that this location can be associated with low-pressure atmospheric disturbances. The short-period noise in the 2- to 10-s period range consists primarily of higher-mode Rayleigh waves. The 0.2- to 2-s microseisms consist of a significant non-propagating, as well as a propagating, component. This propagating component of the noise has a frequency-wavenumber spectrum whose structure is highly diffuse in wavenumber space. The signal-to-noise ratio gain of maximum-likelihood processing relative to that obtained with beamforming is computed using a theoretical model for the wavenumber structure of the long-period noise which is based on the measurements. These results show that this gain is not substantial in most cases of practical interest.
Cross-linked elastin and collagen degradation products in the urine of patients with scleroderma.

Objective To measure the urinary excretion of specific cross-link amino acid markers for mature elastin (desmosine [DES] and isodesmosine [IDES]) and fibrillar collagen (hydroxylysylpyridinoline [HP] and lysylpyridinoline [LP]) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and healthy controls. Methods Urine specimens from 20 patients with SSc and 22 controls were assessed for DES, IDES, HP, and LP using high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, in combination with an isotope dilution technique in which the urine specimen was spiked with isotopically labeled cross-link amino acids. Results Mean +/- SD levels of urinary DES and IDES were elevated in SSc patients by 2-3-fold, and urinary HP and LP by 3-4-fold, compared with controls (DES 21.0 +/- 9.4 versus 7.5 +/- 1.4 micrograms/gm creatinine; HP 109.0 +/- 72.9 versus 24.9 +/- 5.7 nmoles/mmole creatinine). Nineteen of the 20 SSc patients had urinary DES and HP values that were > 3 SD above the control mean. A significant elevation in the HP:LP ratio in SSc patients as compared with controls (mean +/- SD 6.9 +/- 1.5 versus 5.5 +/- 1.3) indicated a soft tissue origin for much of the increased HP. Conclusion Patients with SSc have higher levels of urinary cross-link amino acids specific for the degradation of mature collagen and elastin. These markers distinguish most SSc patients from healthy controls.
Performance Excellence: Badminton: The Powerful Backhand Overhead Clear

(1994). Performance Excellence: Badminton: The Powerful Backhand Overhead Clear. Strategies: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 9-11.
Hierarchical Pattern Formation in the Diffusion-Controlled Reduction of HAuCl4 in Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were incorporated in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) hydrogel cylinders via diffusion-controlled reductions of tetrachloroauric acid dissolved in the gels using sodium borohydride or ascorbic acid. At certain reagent concentrations, the two reducing agents formed very different hierarchical structured patterns due to their different chemical nature. Sodium borohydride reduction, which likely follows the classical “supersaturation” mechanism, results in the formation of spherical and monodisperse AuNPs of ∼4 nm in diameter located in micrometer-scale stripes in the outer region of the gels. The mobility of the small colloids in the gels allows the formation of alternating particle-rich and particle-depleted stripes. The reaction of sodium borohydride with water and the −OH groups of the gel matrix diminishes its reducing ability over time and limits the AuNP formation to the outer region of the gels. AuNPs of >20 nm in diameter are formed throughout the gel matrices by ascorbic acid r...
Designing and implementing unemployment benefit systems in middle and low income countries: beyond risk-pooling vs savings

Several middle income countries are considering reforms to their severance pay regulations to both increase flexibility for firms and better protect workers. Policy discussions then often revolve around whether to adopt an unemployment insurance (UI) scheme or unemployment individual savings accounts (UISAs). Proponents of the first emphasize its ability to pool risks and introduce an element of solidarity. Critics point to its potentially negative effects on labor supply as individuals could have fewer incentives to seek, take or keep jobs. In this paper, we show that UI and UISAs are, in fact, particular cases of a more general design and that the crucial policy choice is in terms of how redistribution - to cover benefits for those who could not save enough - is financed. We outline key features of this general design and identify trade-offs and possible solutions. We then discuss issues related to implementation and show how recent technological developments around biometric identification can facilitate the monitoring of conditionalities related to participation in job-search and training activities.
Stay Well and Healthy! Pilot Study Findings from an Inhome Preventive Healthcare Programme for Persons Ageing with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Background While disparities in the health status for persons ageing with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been well documented, interventions that address individual risks in physical, emotional, social and environmental health among this population are lacking. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of two inhome interventions designed to reduce health risks and improve health outcomes among persons ageing with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method Interventions and assessment tools were developed. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aged 32 and over (n = 201) living in non-institutional settings were recruited and assigned to either an advance practice nurse (APN) intervention of inhome multidimensional assessment, targeted recommendations and follow-up visits (n = 101) or an inhome health risk appraisal (HRA) with printed feedback only (n = 100). Results The development and pilot testing of the interventions, assessment tools and methods demonstrated feasibility in the population from mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, high levels of health risks were identified (mean = 5.0; range 0–16) in the sample suggesting the need for effective interventions. Both pilot groups showed significant reduction in health risks between baseline and follow-up. Further rigorous randomized field trials are required to test the effectiveness of each intervention. Conclusions Community-based preventive interventions are feasible for randomized trials in this population.
Intravascular stent therapy for coarctation of the aorta

Intravascular stent therapy is considered a primary therapeutic option for most adults and adolescents with coarctation of the aorta. This review highlights the indications, technical considerations, procedural aspects, and limited long-term outcome data when using this intervention. Stent technology has continued to evolve with potential for further modifications since its inception in the early 1990s. The best therapeutic approach, e.g., stenting versus surgery, in the treatment of native coarctation continues to be debated due to the paucity of long-term clinical and imaging data in both groups.
Microscopically benign thyroid follicles in cervical lymph nodes. Serial section study of lymph node inclusions and entire thyroid gland in 5 cases.

Microscopically normal thyroid follicles were found in cervical lymph nodes in 5 of 106 autopsies. The inclusions of thyroid follicles were characterized by their microscopic size, location in or adjacent to the capsule, appearance similar to normal follicles, uncrowded, uniform nuclei, and lack of papillarity, psammoma bodies, or fibrous stroma. A carcinoma was found in only 1 of the 5 serially sectioned thyroid glands, and it was on the side opposite to the thyroid-bearing lymph node and was histologically dissimilar to the inclusion. Measurements of nuclei of the inclusions showed a size-distribution more like that of benign than malignant thyroid follicles. The authors support the hypothesis that microscopic inclusions of normal-appearing thyroid follicles in cervical lymph nodes are benign. They never have been associated with progressive thyroid carcinoma and should not be considered an indication for thyroidectomy.
Income, wealth, and socialization in Argentina

Los datos de este estudio dan informacion sobre la participacion de los argentinos en organizaciones sociales y su voluntad para confiar en miembros de sus comunidades. La tasa de participacion es cercana al 20% de la poblacion. La tasa de confianza depende de la pregunta del cuestionario, pero la cifra mas razonable es cercana al 33%. Los determinantes de la participacion son la edad, el ingreso familiar, la ruralidad, y la confianza. Los determinantes de la confianza son la edad, la riqueza familiar, la participacion, las tasas de desempleo y la desigualdad en las comunidades o provincias en que vive la gente.
Long-circulating gadolinium-encapsulated liposomes for potential application in tumor neutron capture therapy

Abstract Gadolinium neutron capture therapy (Gd-NCT) is a promising cancer therapy modality. One of the key factors for a successful Gd-NCT is to deliver and maintain a sufficient amount of Gd in tumor tissues during neutron irradiation. We proposed to prepare a Gd delivery system by complexing a Gd-containing compound, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA), with a polycationic peptide, poly- l -lysine (pLL), and then encapsulate the complexed Gd-DTPA into PEGylated liposomes. Complexation of Gd-DTPA with pLL not only enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of Gd-DTPA in liposomes, but also significantly limited the release of Gd-DTPA from the liposomes. A Gd-DTPA-encapsulated liposome formulation that contained 6.8 ± 0.3 mg/mL of pure encapsulated Gd was prepared. The blood half-life of the Gd encapsulated into the liposome formulation was estimated to be about 24 h in healthy tumor-free mice. About 12 h after the Gd-encapsulated liposomes were intravenously injected into mice with pre-established model tumors, the Gd content in the tumors reached an average of 159 μg/g of wet tumor tissue. This Gd-DTPA encapsulated liposome may be used to deliver Gd into solid tumors for NCT and tumor imaging.
Carbon dioxide permeation properties and stability of samarium-doped-ceria carbonate dual-phase membranes

Abstract This study examines high temperature carbon dioxide permeation properties and long-term permeation stability of samarium doped ceria (SDC)-carbonate dual-phase membranes. Hermetic SDC-carbonate membranes were prepared by infiltrating porous SDC ceramic support with Li/K/Na molten carbonate. Carbon permeation experiments on the SDC-carbonate membranes were conducted with either atmospheric or high pressure feed of CO 2 :N 2 mixture or simulated syngas with composition of 50% CO, 35% CO 2 , 10% H 2 , and 5% N 2 . The SDC-carbonate membranes exhibit CO 2 permeation flux in the range of 0.2–0.8 mL(STP) cm −2 min −1 in 700–950 °C with measured CO 2 to N 2 separation factor above 1000. The CO 2 permeation flux shows power function dependence with CO 2 partial pressure and exponential dependence with temperature. The activation energy for CO 2 permeation is 63 kJ mol −1 , similar to that for oxygen ionic conduction in SDC. Essentially the same CO 2 permeation characteristics are observed for the membranes with CO 2 :N 2 and simulated syngas feeds. The membranes exhibit stable long-term permeation flux in 700–900 °C with either CO 2 :N 2 or simulated gas feed at atmospheric pressure or high pressure (5 atm) for various periods of testing time (as long as 35 days). The membranes, with remarkable permeation stability in the presence of H 2 , show only slight decomposition of the ceramic phase after long-term exposure to feed gas mixtures at high temperature.
Both 5-HT1B and 5-HT1F receptors modulate c-fos expression within rat trigeminal nucleus caudalis

A possible mechanism of action of antimigraine drugs such as sumatriptan is inhibition of the trigeminovascular pathway. Sumatriptan's effects might be mediated by 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D or 5-HT1F receptors. To establish the relative importance of these subtypes, we compared the effects of sumatriptan with those of a selective 5-HT1F receptor agonist (LY 344864) on c-fos protein expression in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis. c-fos expression was induced in urethane-anaesthetized rats by intracisternal capsaicin administration. Sumatriptan and LY 344864 decreased the number of capsaicin-induced c-fos-like immunoreactive cells within trigeminal nucleus caudalis (ID50 = 0.04 and 0.6 mg kg(-1)). The effect of sumatriptan, but not of LY 344864, was prevented by pretreatment with the antagonist SDZ 21-009, which displays high affinity for rat 5-HT1B receptors. LY 344864 appears to attenuate c-fos-like immunoreactivity via 5-HT1F receptors, while sumatriptan acts via 5-HT1B receptors. The fact that activation of 5-HT1F receptors is sufficient to modulate the activity of the trigeminal system suggests that this receptor may be a target for antimigraine drugs with improved safety profile.
“Cursed and blessed”: Examining the socioemotional and academic experiences of undocumented Latina and Latino college students

Although many undocumented high school students are demonstrated student leaders with records of outstanding academic achievement, their higher education prospects in the United States are limited due to their legal status. Many of these students enter higher education with academic and emotional challenges that need to be understood and addressed by student affairs professionals.
Simultaneous temperature and multispecies measurement in a lifted hydrogen diffusion flame

UV spontaneous vibrational Raman scattering and laser-induced predissociative fluorescence (LIPF) techniques are combined and applied to a lifted hydrogen jet diffusion flame. Simultaneous, temporally and spatially resolved point measurements of temperature, major species concentrations (H2, O2, N2, H2O), and absolute hydroxyl radical concentration (OH) are obtained with a 'single' excimer laser for the first time. For OH measurements, the use of LIPF makes quenching corrections unnecessary. Results demonstrate that fuel and oxidizer are in a rich, premixed, and unignited condition in the center core of the lifted flame base. In the lifted zone, combustion occurs in an intermittent annular turbulent flame brush and strong finite-rate chemistry effects result in nonequilibrium values of temperature, major species, and OH radicals. Downstream in the slow three-body recombination zone, the major species concentrations are in partial equilibrium, the OH concentrations are in superequilibrium, and the temperatures are in subequilibrium. Far downstream in the flame, equilibrium values of temperature, OH radical, and major species are found.
STUDIES ON INDUCTION OF TOLERANCE OF THE Y CHROMOSOME ANTIGEN BY SPLEEN MICROSOMES.

Summary1. Tolerance of syngeneic male skin grafts has been induced by repeated inoculation of male spleen microsomes to very young females. 2. Such treatment begun during adult life failed to induce tolerance but resulted in prolongation of graft survival in some of the treated females.
Anthracycline-Resistant Breast Cancer.

The management of breast cancer requires the judicious use of cytotoxic therapy, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, analgesics, and other forms of physical and psychological support for optimal palliation of symptoms and prolongation of survival. Patients with low-risk metastatic breast cancer often benefit from hormone therapy as initial management; other patients are best treated with early introduction of cytotoxic therapy. Combination chemotherapy is superior to single-agent treatment, and anthracycline-containing regimens are more effective than the rest.
A comparative study of alkylimidazolium room temperature ionic liquids with FSI and TFSI anions near charged electrodes

Abstract Electric double layer (EDL) structure and capacitance generated by the two series of room temperature ionic liquids containing alkylimidazolium C n mim (n = 2,4,6,8) cations and bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide (FSO 2 ) 2 N − , (FSI) or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N − (TFSI) anions were studied on flat (basal plane graphite) and atomically corrugated (prismatic plane graphite) charged electrode surfaces using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. On atomically flat surface, generated EDLs in all systems produced a weakly changing differential capacitance (DC) as a function of electrode potential. However, on atomically rough surfaces, ionic liquids with FSI and TFSI anions show substantially different EDL structures and DC dependence. Unlike [C n mim][TFSI], which generated a camel-shape DC regardless of the cation alkyl tail length, the [C n mim][FSI] showed a transition from a bell-shape to a camel-shape DC upon increase of the cation alkyl tail length. Analysis of contributions from rearrangement and reorientation of cations and anions indicated that the ability of the FSI anion to respond to changes in electrode potential is the primary driving force for such behavior.
Pose-independent simplification of articulated meshes

Methods for triangle mesh decimation are common; however, most existing techniques operate only on static geometry. In this paper, we present a view- and pose-independent method for the automatic simplification of skeletally articulated meshes. Such meshes have associated kinematic skeletons that are used to control their deformation, with the position of each vertex influenced by a linear combination of bone transformations. Our method extends the commonly-used quadric error metric by incorporating knowledge of potential poses into a probability function. We minimize the average error of the deforming mesh over all possible configurations, weighted by the probability. This is possible by transforming the quadrics from each configuration into a common coordinate system. Our simplification algorithm runs as a preprocess, and the resulting meshes can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach for generating highly-simplified models while preserving necessary detail in deforming regions near joints.
Tetra- and pentacyclic, naturally-occurring, aromatic hydrocarbons in recent sediments

Abstract Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been identified in recent Amazon River and Cariaco Trench sediments. The skeletal structures of these compounds suggest triterpenoid precursors. The tetracyclic compounds seem to result from A-ring cleavage and the pentacyclic compounds from aromatization which begins with ring A and proceeds through ring D. These compounds are another example of the environmental occurrence of natural PAH.
An Intuitive Test of Structural Change

Summary This note suggests a simple, intuitive approach to testing for structural changes in time series data. The procedure is illustrated using historical data from a recent issue of Teaching Statistics.
NEW HIGH-PRESSURE EXCITATIONS IN PARAHYDROGEN

Raman and infrared spectroscopy of para-H{sub 2} to pressures in excess of 200GPa and to 8K using new ultrapure synthetic diamond anvils reveals numerous new vibrational excitations in the three high-pressure phases. Highly resolved Raman-active librons indicate differences in orientational ordering between phasesII and III, including evidence for changes within phaseII. The librons in phaseIII are strongly pressure dependent and reflect a substantial increase in ordering with pressure. Multiple vibrons in all three phases (I, II, and III) are observed. The results place new bounds on predicted crystal structures and dynamics of the dense molecular solid. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Composition and processing effects on the properties of one‐component polyurethanes

A polyurethane consisting of a poly(propylene oxide) soft segment and a diphenylmethane diisocyanate—hydroquinone di-(b-hydroxyethyl) ether (HQEE) hard block has been characterized over the composition range of 30 to 60 percent hard block. The flexural modulus varied from 60 to 900 MPa over this composition range. The elongation was approximately 250 percent at the lower hard block contents but fell below 100 percent at 60 percent hard block. Differential scanning calorirnetric measurements showed that the crystallinity associated with the hard phase increased with increasing hard block content but decreased with increasing cure temperature. The heat sag was found to decrease with increasing hardblock and increase with increasing cure temperature. A material with properties comparable to current fascia materials had a significantly better heat sag resistance than a current RIM (reaction injection molding) polyurethane. The combination of the solid chain extender, HQEE, and a solid catalyst, zinc stearate, lowing it to be processed as a one-component resin having a pot life of greater than 8 h at 20°C al-injection molding machines. The one-component nature of the resin has made it possible to use a continuous in-line mexer and to reduce the amount of scrap by using cold runner molds. In addition, any scrap that is generated can be used as regrind in the system.
Vibrational entropies of phases of Co3V measured by inelastic neutron scattering and cryogenic calorimetry

Abstract The difference in heat capacity of the LI2 and hP24 phases of Co3V was measured by calorimetry at temperatures from 80 to 320 K. Inelastic neutron scattering measurements were performed on Co3V with the LI2, hP24 and fcc phases at elevated temperatures, and the neutron-energy-loss spectra were converted into phonon density-of-states (DOS) curves. Heat capacities calculated from the LI2 and hP24 DOS curves were approximately consistent with the calorimetry data. The phonon DOS curves showed a significant dependence on temperature, although not the temperature dependence of the simple Gruneisen approximation. The thermal expansion of the hP24 phase was measured and was interpreted adequately from the temperature dependence of the phonon DOS. By interpreting our cryogenic calorimetry data with a harmonic model, we estimate the difference in vibrational entropy of the LI2 and hP24 phases to be (0.12±0.03)k B atom−1 at low temperatures, with the LI2 phase having the larger vibrational entropy. From th...
Transferred Jobs: A Neglected Aspect of Migration and Occupational Change.

Migration and occupational change in the contemporary United States are often explained as reflecting an impersonal market process whereby geographic differences in wages and salaries motivate persons to overcome a reluctance to change both jobs and place of residence. Little is known about job-related migration in which employers directly control this process by linking employment and opportunity structures at origin and destination locations. Based on the 1973 to 1977 Annual Housing Surveys of the United States, about 800,000 household heads were relocated annually by their employers. This suggests that the rate of relocations has doubled since the early 1960s. The income and education levels associated with relocated household heads indicated that job transfers are most likely to occur among the higher socioeconomic status occupations but nonetheless appear to be frequent at all levels. The increasing frequency of job transfers suggests the increasing use of direct labor allocation and corporate manage...
Vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated autocrine stimulation of prostate tumor cells coincides with progression to a malignant phenotype.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is often produced at high levels by tumor cells, is a well-known mediator of tumor angiogenesis. VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases, KDR/Flk-1 and Flt-1, have been thought to be expressed exclusively by endothelial cells. In this study, we have used a prostate tumor progression series comprised of a differentiated rat prostate epithelial cell line, NbE-1, and its highly motile clonal derivative, FB2. Injection of NbE-1 cells into the inferior vena cava of syngeneic rats indicated that these cells are nontumorigenic. Using the same model, FB2 cells generated rapidly growing and well-vascularized tumors in the lungs. NbE-1 expressed marginal levels of VEGF, whereas high levels of VEGF protein were detected in FB2-conditioned medium and in FB2 tumors in vivo . Analysis of 125 I-VEGF 165 binding to NbE-1 and FB2 cells indicated that only motile FB2 cells expressed the VEGF receptor Flt-1. Consistent with this finding, physiological concentrations of VEGF induced chemotactic migration in FB2 but not in NbE-1 cells. This is the first documentation of a functional Flt-1 receptor in prostate tumor cells. Our results suggest two roles for VEGF in tumor progression: a paracrine role as an angiogenic factor and a previously undescribed role as an autocrine mediator of tumor cell motility.
Effects of wetland channelization on runoff and loading

Runoff and loading from five subwatersheds of Lamberts Creek, located in Ramsey County near St. Paul, Minnesota, were measured during 12 storms from April through October 1986. Wetland areas located within the subwatersheds constitute from 1 to 35 percent of the drainage area, depending on the subwatershed. However, 6 to 100 percent of the wetlands have been channelized for drainage purposes, depending on the subwatershed. Runoff and loading of total suspended solids, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen are largest from those basins that have predominantly channelized wetlands in association with steep-basin slopes, steep-channel slopes, or large impervious areas. Channelization of wetlands has substantially decreased the amount of surface-water storage of runoff and the amount of load retention in the wetlands. Furthermore, channel erosion through the reach within the channelized wetland is a major source of loading from the basin, depending on the the channel slope (which affects velocity of discharge through the channel) and the amount of impervious area (which affects the amount of surface runoff generated within the basin).
Renormalization group description of polymer excluded volume

A description is provided of the chain conformation space renormalization group approach to the treatment of polymer excluded volume. This method is transformed into one of identical form to the t'Hooft-Veltman renormalization method of field theory, thereby enabling comparison with other methods. A summary is provided of recent new results obtained by this technique for the full second-order dependence of the mean square end-to-end distance 〈R 2〉 on chain length and excluded volume as well as a calculation of 〈R 2〉 for a polyelectrolyte chain with added salt.