cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactive Block Copolymers for Modification of Thermosetting Epoxy

Block copolymers incorporating epoxy-reactive functionality in one block have been studied as modifiers for model epoxy resins. As observed previously with nonreactive poly(ethylethylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (OP) copolymers, reactive poly(epoxyisoprene)-b-polybutadiene (BIxn) copolymers and poly(methyl acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate)-b-polyisoprene (MG-I) copolymers form ordered microstructures in blends with epoxy precursors as evidenced by small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Like OP copolymers, both types of reactive copolymer remain well-dispersed within the epoxy matrix during cure. Additionally, DSC and solubility studies suggest that these copolymers can react with the curing epoxy resin to form covalent linkages between the copolymeric microstructures and the cross-linked epoxy resin. The capability of these types of copolymers to template epoxy resin is proposed to arise from a combination of (1) the miscibility of one block with the epoxy components well into ...
Spectroscopic photoacoustic microscopy in the 1064–1300 nm range using a pulsed multi-color source based on stimulated Raman scattering

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) provides excellent image contrast based on optical absorption. Lipidrich tissue, such as atherosclerotic plaques and myelinated nerve fibers, exhibits an optical absorption peak near 1210 nm. Unfortunately, pulsed lasers operating in this wavelength range use expensive optical parametric oscillator (OPO) systems. We demonstrate a simple approach to convert an inexpensive 1064 nm pulsed laser into a multi-wavelength source suitable for spectroscopic PAM of lipid-rich tissue. Wavelength conversion is achieved by using stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in an optical fiber. A sufficiently intense laser pulse nonlinearly interacts with the internal vibrations of the glass molecular structure to produce a series of down-shifted frequency components (Stokes lines). We use a Q-switched Nd:YAG microchip laser producing 0.6 ns duration pulses at 1064 nm with 8 uJ of energy at a 7.4 kHz repetition rate. The laser pulses are coupled into a 20 meter long single-mode fiber. The multi-color fiber output goes through a band pass filter, where the selected wavelength is sent to a photoacoustic microscopy system employing optical focusing. Pulse energies above 200 nJ are produced within spectral bands at 1064, 1100, 1175, 1225, 1275, and 1325 nm. Imaging experiments with phantoms containing butter clearly show the expected absorption peak near 1210 nm. A major advantage of our technique is the simple arrangement to convert a single-wavelength laser into a multi-color source for spectroscopic PAM. We believe this multi-color technique is a promising method to achieve high-speed spectroscopic photoacoustic microscopy of lipid-rich tissue.
'Flare': A graphic by-product of the study of a two-dimensional dynamical system

A 'piece of mathematical art' titled 'Flare' is presented. Flare was obtained as a by-product of the study of the iteration of a certain (unnamed) function of two variables. This study is related to the Mandlebrot set but it does not concern the quadratic map z to z/sup 2/+c. Some general comments are presented on the background of such representations and use of computer graphics for representing such pictures. >
Pomegranate Supplementation Improves Affective and Motor Behavior in Mice after Radiation Exposure

Currently, NASA has plans for extended space travel, and previous research indicates that space radiation can have negative effects on cognitive skills as well as physical and mental health. With long-term space travel, astronauts will be exposed to greater radiation levels. Research shows that an antioxidant-enriched diet may offer some protection against the cellular effects of radiation and may provide significant neuroprotection from the effects of radiation-induced cognitive and behavioral skill deficits. Ninety-six C57BL/6 mice (48 pomegranate fed and 48 control) were irradiated with proton radiation (2 Gy), and two-month postradiation behaviors were assessed using a battery of behavioral tests to measure cognitive and motor functions. Proton irradiation was associated with depression-like behaviors in the tail suspension test, but this effect was ameliorated by the pomegranate diet. Males, in general, displayed worse coordination and balance than females on the rotarod task, and the pomegranate diet ameliorated this effect. Overall, it appears that proton irradiation, which may be encountered in space, may induce a different pattern of behavioral deficits in males than females and that a pomegranate diet may confer protection against some of those effects.
Personality profiles of mothers of sexual abuse victims and their daughters

Sixty-five mothers of sexual abuse victims and 25 of their daughters were compared with 65 control mothers and 32 control daughters on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Leisure Interest Checklist. Results showed both study groups to be significantly less impulsive than their control counterparts. Victim mothers also presented themselves as being more constricted than control mothers.
An exact scaling result for one dimensional interacting electronic systems

For the one dimensional interacting electron system without Umklapp processes, Solyom has shown (1973) that to third order in the invariant charges, the renormalization group equations predict that G/sub 1/-2G/sub 2/ is constant under scaling. The present author shows that for G/sub 1/-2G/sub 2/ = 0 this result is exact even in the strong coupling regime. The possible invariance of G/sub 1/-2G/sub 2/ not equal to 0 is discussed. 12 refs.
Evaluating the Efficiency of US Air Force Real-Property Maintenance Activities

The objective of this research is to evaluate a new methodology, data envelopment analysis (DEA), as a tool for measuring and evaluating the operational efficiency of US Air Force organizations. This study involves the application of DEA to locate possible inefficiencies in the performance of US Air Force real-property maintenance activities. Dynamic behaviour, as exhibited via window analyses, is reviewed along with static counterparts. The testing was done in close coordination with Air Force officials, who reviewed the results for accuracy, validity and relevance. We conclude that this type of efficiency analysis does have value for the Air Force, where it can serve as a guide to auditors, budget programmers, managers and others in measuring, evaluating and enhancing operational efficiency.
THE ANTHROPOMETRY OF BODY ACTION

Conventional anthropometry of the adult has been limited largely to measurements that may be made with the anthropometer, the tape measure, and the calipers. The dimensions are linear, and they relate to the body surfaceheights of body landmarks, widths, circumferences, and spans between surface points. To be duplicable, the measurements must he made in the same manner on different individuals, and the subjects must assume a stereotyped static posture, usually standing, during measurement. Supplementary and equally stereotyped postures such as sitting, supine, arms outstretched, etc., may also be used. The measurements, of course, allow comparisons between individuals and between population groups. They provide information on the relative magnitude and variability of individuals, hut they are in no way functional measurements. If a dynamic anthropometry is to be developed that can cope with problems of movement and postural change, new methods must be sought, and the parameters of measurement must be extended to include angles, velocity, acceleration, rhythmic patterns, space envelopes, and force. Body activity is infinitely variable, and it is essential that there be a theoretical framework so that relevant and secondary features may be evaluated correctly. Similarly, it is important that the conditioning factors and inbuilt limitations of the body machinery he also understood. Simplifications and abstract concepts are necessary, but it is important that these should not be oversimplified relative to the specific problem at hand. Studies based on dynamic measurements should contribute to human comfort, efficiency, convenience, and safety. One may envision the application of work-space information to the industrial worker, to the school room, to vehicles and machinery, and to military problems. There should be contributions to furniture design and to the architecture of such work spaces as kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, a better understanding of dynamic actions of the body mechanism should provide help in the coaching of athletic performance, in the design of work clothing, including shoes and gloves, in personnel selection, and in the designing of prostheses. Braune and Fischer6 were pioneers in this field, and more recent work has been done by Lay and Fisher:6 Hooton,2l Randall e f al.," Chapanis et aE.,B Smith and his group,% McFarland et aZ.,% and Dempster.l'
Argentine randomized trial of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass surgery in multivessel disease (ERACI): In-hospital results and 1-year follow-up

Abstract Objectives. This study was designed to compare freedom from combined cardiac events (death, angina, myocardial infarction) at 1-, 3- and 5-year follow-up in patients with multivessel disease randomized to either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Background. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been an effective approach in patients with coronary artery disease, but its role in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease is still controversial. Methods. One-hundred twenty-seven patients with multivessel disease and lesions suitable for either form of therapy were randomized to either coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 64) or coronary angioplasty (n = 63). In this study we report the immediate results and freedom from combined cardiac events at 1-year follow-up. Results. Demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no differences in in-hospital deaths, frequency of periprocedure myocardial infarction or need for emergency revascularization procedures between the two groups. At 1-year follow-up, there were no differences in mortality or in the incidence of myocardial infarction between the groups. However, patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting were more frequently free of angina, reinterventions and combined cardiac events than were patients treated with coronary angioplasty (83.5% vs. 63.7%, p Conclusions. No significant differences were found in major in-hospital complications between patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary angioplasty. Although at 1-year follow-up there were no differences in survival and freedom from myocardial infarction, patients in the coronary artery bypass grafting group were more frequently free from angina, reinterventions and combined events than were patients in the coronary angioplasty group.
Fracture Toughness of Carbon-Graphene/Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites

Abstract Plain strain fracture toughness (K IC ) of graphene-epoxy (G-Ep) and carbon-graphene-epoxy (C-G-Ep) hybrid nanocomposites have been evaluated using single-edge-notch bending (SENB) specimens. The effects of graphene concentrations on K IC have been examined. G-Ep nanocomposites were prepared using a combination of mechanical mixing, magnetic stirring, sonication and high shear mixing. The hybrid nanocomposites (C-G-Ep) were processed using manual layup techniques and vacuum assistance during curing process. The dispersion morphology and fracture surface of all specimens were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results show significant improvement in fracture toughness of both G-Ep and C-G-Ep nanocomposites in comparison to neat epoxy and conventional carbon-epoxy composites. The SEM images show evidence of slight graphene agglomeration, but reasonably effective graphene dispersion is observed throughout epoxy matrix. The toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection, crack pinning, debonding, fiber bridging and pull-out are possibly contributed to enhancing fracture toughness in G-Ep and C-G-Ep nanocomposites.
A complex variable technique to study notch-effects in geodynamics

The techniques of Complex Variables are used to obtain a solution for a general notch problem having a load distributed over any portion of its free surface. This solution is very general in that it can be used for many different shapes of notches, including protrusions, by simply varying a few parameters. The same techniques are then used to solve the problem of a notched plate acted on by loads at infinity. This solution is of a very general nature. One particular solution holds for the problem studied in an earlier publication.
The Service-Oriented Metaphor Deciphered

Received 1 November 2010; Revised 6 December 2010; Accepted 13 December 2010 In this article we review the metaphor of service-oriented architecture for enterprise computing. In typical definitions service-oriented architecture appears as a single message and a consistent roadmap for building flexible software system landscapes. But it is not. Different communities have elaborated different SOA (service-oriented architecture) concepts to address different problem areas, i.e., enterprise application integration, business-to-business, business process management, and software productizing. If software architects and software managers are aware of these strands of SOA when talking about SOA in their projects they can avoid misunderstandings and detours better. This article contributes a clarification of the different strands of SOA concepts and technologies and their mutual dependencies and identifies particular SOA concepts as instances of more general software engineering principles.
Response to inhaled nitric oxide for the adult respiratory distress syndrome: are there racial differences?1

Abstract Purpose: Inhaled nitric oxide (INO) improves PaO 2 in patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Response to INO in nonseptic ARDS is 66% and response in sepsis is 30%. Recent work suggests hypertension in African-Americans (AA) may be related to alterations in inducible nitric oxide synthesis. We reviewed our experience with INO in ARDS to elucidate differences in response rates based on race. Methods: Patients with ARDS requiring positive end-expiratory pressure of more than 10 cm H 2 O were treated with INO at 1 ppm following informed consent. The INO was delivered by an INO vent system. Arterial and venous blood gases were analyzed, and systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics were measured at baseline at 60 minutes following INO. Positive response was defined as an increase in PaO 2 /FIO 2 greater than 20%. The etiology of ARDS was recorded, and response for white and African-American patients was determined for septic and nonseptic ARDS. Results: The positive response rate in African-American patients was 40% (8/20) and that in white patients was 54% (29/54). The incidence of ARDS and sepsis was 65% African-Americans and 41% in whites. The response rate was 31% (4/13) in African-Americans with sepsis and 60% (15/25) in whites with sepsis; it was 57% (4/7) in nonseptic African-American and 48% (14/29) in nonseptic white patients. Conclusions: In this small population, African-American patients were more likely to have ARDS due to sepsis and had a reduced response rate to INO. The difference in response may be due to the etiology of ARDS or possibly to an altered response of African-Americans. Further studies in larger groups are necessary to elucidate the causes.
The flow climatology to Bermuda and its implications for long-range transport

Abstract The transport of pollutants off the North American continent is one part of the overall chemical budget which is now being studied under the Western Atlantic Ocean Experiment (WATOX). As a contribution to the understanding of this transport, back trajectories were calculated from Bermuda and a flow climatology was developed for a 7-year period. On a daily basis, 10-day back trajectories were produced for the 850-mb and 700-mb levels from January 1975 to December 1981. A classification scheme was adopted that separated flow from a northwesterly, southwesterly and southeasterly direction. The classification showed that direct flow off the North American continent was present almost 60 % of the time during the 7-year period. When trajectories during rain-only periods in Bermuda were studied, the southeasterly and southwesterly sectors contributed significantly more rain amounts, and hence contributed more to the chemistry, than would be expected from the overall flow climatology. The trajectory summaries will be used along with the chemical data collected on Bermuda to help evaluate pollutant transport across the Atlantic.
Programmed to direct alloimmunity

After an allograft placement, the body faces an intricate task of mounting a balanced immune response to foreign antigens. The ideal response entails maintaining enough immunity to prevent infections and cancer yet not endangering the ability to achieve and maintain organ tolerance. Programmed death-1 and its ligands expressed on non-professional antigen-presenting cells such as the renal tubular epithelium function to downregulate allogenic T-cell responses and thus play an important role in achieving this balance.
Forming an institutional culture with multinational administrators and teachers at Effat College, Saudi Arabia

This article describes the teaching and learning culture of a newly established women’s college in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The academic culture at Effat College in 2002 included administrators and teachers from many nations, which created unique challenges in cross‐cultural communication. These challenges, in turn, affected the development and organization of the institutional culture at Effat. Using a cultural lens, archival data were used to analyze the expectations and relations between the multicultural faculty and administration at the college. Our research revealed that the faculty related to one another through their own cultural perspectives. Faculty from the western nations promoted more reflective and constructivist classrooms, while those from eastern nations were more authoritarian. With a diverse faculty from multiple nations holding significant differences in cultural expectations, it is important to acknowledge that all beliefs hold value and deserve respect. Whether or not people accept one ...
Hepatitis C virus infection in non‐Hodgkin‘s lymphoma

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with immune-complex mediatcd disorders, including type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia is itself low-grade 13-cell lymphoproliferative disorder which may progress to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Studies from Europe and Asia have found a prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in non-liodgkin's lymphoma patients as high as 34%. 0ther viral infections are also associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We speculated that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients in the midwestern USA would have an increased prevalence of hepatitis C infection. We tested 73 patients with NHL and 20 controls with Hodgkin's disease for anti-HCV antibodies by EIA-2. Only 1/73 patients and no control subject was positive for anti-HCV. The anti-HCV positive patient had no identifiable risk factors for hepatitis C, and Al/r was persistently normal. HCV-RNA testing by RT-PCR was negative. Thus, none of 73 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients could be confirmed to have hepatitis C infection. In a second part of the study. of 41 patients with HCV infcction followed an average of 28.1 months, only one patient developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We conclude that in our population, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not associated with hepatitis C virus infection. Based on these results and review of the literature, there are marked regional differences in the prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A study of the recrystallization kinetics of an Al-4% Cu alloy

Abstract The disposition of a solute is a structural factor that significantly controls the recrystallization kinetics in the Al-4% Cu alloy system. The interaction of precipitate with dislocations is a paramount structural factor in this regard. It is apparent from this work that this interaction can be quite complex due to the structural instability of this alloy during plastic deformation.
Theory of differential normal pulse voltammetry

Abstract An analytical solution is presented for the case of double potential step chronoamperometry at a stationary planar electrode for the case of heterogeneous charge transfer control. Extension of the result to multiple potential steps gives the current—potential response for differential normal pulse voltammetry. The dependence of the response on the experimental parameters is examined. The dependence on duration of the first pulse is especially significant, for the case of long duration of the first pulse corresponds to the widely-used technique of differential pulse voltammetry. The advantage of using shorter durations for the first pulse ( ie using differential normal pulse voltammetry) when examining irreversible reactions is shown.
Detection of unknown gas-phase chemical plumes in hyperspectral imagery

Gas-phase chemical plumes exhibit, particularly in the infrared, distinctive emission signatures as a function of wavelength. Hyperspectral imagery can exploit this distinctiveness to detect specific chemicals, even at low concentrations, using matched filters that are tailored both the the specific structure of the chemical signature and to the statistics of the background clutter. But what if the chemical species is unknown? One can apply matched filters to a long list of candidate chemicals (or chemical mixtures), or one can treat the problem as one of anomaly detection. In this case, however, the anomalous signals of interest are not completely unknown. Gas spectra are generically sparse (absorbing or emitting at only a few wavelengths), and this property can be exploited to enhance the sensitivity of anomaly detection algorithms. This paper investigates the utility of sparse signal anomaly detection for the problem of finding plumes of gas with unknown chemistry in hyperspectral imagery.
The Scattering of Hydrogen and Helium Beams in Mercury Vapor

The scattering of beams of hydrogen molecules and helium atoms in mercury vapor has been investigated in the angular region from 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} at beam temperatures of 115\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 590\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The results are expressed in terms of the number of molecules scattered per incident molecule, per cm path, per ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ mm of mercury at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C per unit solid angle in the direction $\ensuremath{\theta}$ to the original beam. The general shape, the absolute intensity and the change in shape of the helium scattering curves with change in beam temperature is in moderately good quantitative agreement with the quantum theory of scattering of rigid spheres as developed by Massey and Mohr. The scattering of hydrogen molecules, especially at low temperatures, shows some deviation from the results predicted by the same theory. In the case of both hydrogen and helium it is necessary to assume collision radii larger than the corresponding kinetic theory values in order to obtain the best agreement between the calculated and observed curves.
Field-responsive superparamagnetic composite nanofibers by electrospinning

Superparamagnetic polymeric nanofibers were produced via an electrospinning technique from colloidally-stable suspensions of magnetite nanoparticles in polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol solutions. The magnetite nanoparticles were aligned in columns parallel to the fiber axis direction within the fiber by the electrospinning process. The polymer/magnetite nanofibers exhibited superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, and deflected in the presence of an applied magnetic field. The mechanical properties of the nanofibers were maintained or improved after incorporating the magnetite nanoparticles.
Constructing query-specific knowledge bases

Abstract Large general purpose knowledge bases (KB) support a variety of complex tasks because of their structured relationships. However, these KBs lack coverage for specialized topics or use cases. In these scenarios, users often use keyword search over large unstructured collections, such as the web. Instead, we propose constructing a 'knowledge sketch' that leverages existing KB data elements and relevant text documents to construct query-specific KB data. A knowledge sketch is a distribution over entities, documents, and relationships between entities, all for a specific information need. In our experiments we construct knowledge sketches for queries from the TREC 2004 Robust track, which emphasizes complex queries which perform poorly with existing text retrieval approaches.
The effect of hypophysectomy on fetal and placental growth in the rat.

THE original observation by Pencharz and Long (1931) that hypophysectomy after the 11th day of gestation did not interrupt the progress of pregnancy in the rat has been repeatedly confirmed and extended. These investigations, however, did not encompass the effects of pituitary ablation in the pregnant animal on fetal or placental growth. The present study was undertaken to determine whether or not hypophysectomy on the 12th day of pregnancy would, under controlled conditions, influence fetal and placental growth in the rat. The animals employed in this study were female rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain, weighing approximately 200 gm. at the time of mating. They were selected for estrus by the vaginal smear technique between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. and placed with males. The females were segregated the morning of the following day—day 1 of pregnancy. On the 12th day of gestation laparotomies were performed and pregnancy was confirmed in 22 animals.
Susceptibility to Peer Influence, Self-Control, and Delinquency*

The significance of peers during adolescence is well established in the social science literature. However, relatively few studies have devoted attention to susceptibility to peer influence with regard to both its causes and consequences. The current study aims to add to this literature in two ways. First, it investigates the role of self-control in the etiology of susceptibility to peer influence. Second, it examines the independent and interactive effects of these two constructs on self-reported delinquency. Results indicate that individuals who are higher in self-control are less likely to be susceptible to peer influence, that susceptibility is a stronger predictor of delinquency than self-control, and that the influence of susceptibility on delinquency is moderated by one's level of self-control. In particular, the effect of susceptibility to peer influence on delinquency is stronger for individuals with higher levels of self-control. The implications of the findings for theory and future research are discussed.
GENERALIZED CORRESPONDING STATES CORRELATIONS FOR THE VISCOSITY AND THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS

Corresponding slates correlations have been developed for the viscosity and thermal conductivity of aqueous electrolyte solutions for a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and concentrations. For viscosity, the Vogel-Tamann-Fulcher equation has been generalized using the corresponding states theory, and extended to include pressure effects. Twenty six aqueous electrolyte solutions, including both monovalent and multivalent electrolytes, have been studied and a generalized correlation has been developed for viscosity, with four system dependent parameters. For thermal conductivity, a similar corresponding states based correlation has been developed. Twenty three aqueous electrolyte solutions were studied for thermal conductivity and a generalized equation was obtained that requires only two System dependent parameters. With both correlations, the maximum error is usually within 10% of the experimental values, with the average errors being much less. Additional systems can also be included in both correl...
Gaining Insight from Innovation: Promising Practices that Promote Integrated Employment by State IDD Agencies

Abstract State employment agency policies and practices vary widely in their level of commitment to improving access to integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). State IDD agencies are charged to seek creative approaches to policy formation, organizational change, and service provision that directly influence the development of employment opportunities. The goal of this study was to understand the promising practices and strategies being used by state intellectual and developmental disabilities agencies in order to understand what factors make these strategies successful, the lessons learned from implementation, and how the themes derived from this analysis can help to further articulate integrated employment as the preferred outcome for individuals with IDD. Semistructured, one-on-one telephone interviews with key state IDD agency personnel revealed six themes that were common across 30 state agency practices. These were (a) identifying barriers, (b) forming...
Descriptive analysis of residency-trained emergency medicine physicians

The purpose of this study was to analyze the demographics, practice characteristics, and job satisfaction of physicians who completed emergency medicine residencies. A questionnaire was mailed to 858 physicians who graduated from residencies between 1978 and 1982. A 62.8% response rate (n = 539) was achieved. The majority of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their choice of a career in emergency medicine and with the quality of their residency training. Over 22% of respondents cited lack of preparation to perform administrative tasks as a significant weakness of their residency training. The results of survey indicate that emergency medicine physicians are engaged primarily in clinical practice, but that administrative duties increase rapidly in the years following residency graduation. Emergency medicine physicians are still highly concentrated in states in which emergency medicine residencies are located. The percentage of graduates choosing academic careers is smaller than reported in studies of earlier graduates.
Computer simulation of a living cell

Abstract This paper, which is being presented in two parts, is concerned with the problem of a realistic and useful simulation of a living cell, the simple unicellular bacterium Escherichia coli, the program being written in Fortran IV for an IBM 360/67 computer. The object is to represent the cell in such a way as to simulate its growth in real environments of a living cell, as well as during changes from one chemical environment to another. This simulation could also supply useful information for answering current questions in biology. In Part 2 of this paper the authors describe the method of evolving DNA and discuss cancer in relation to the computer simulation under consideration. Literature references cited in both parts of the paper, as well as the appendix to the work, are also presented.
Spatially organized free-standing poly(p-xylylene) nanowires fabricated by vapor deposition

Thin films of poly(chloro-p-xylylene) (PPXC) grown by the pyrolysis and evaporation of chloro-[2.2]paracyclophane in an evacuated chamber contain free-standing, slanted, parallel columns that are 50 μm long and are assemblies of 50- to 100-nm-diameter nanowires, which thus can have an unprecedented aspect ratio as high as 1000:1. The nanostructured thin films organize spatially with a chemical structure similar to that of planar PPXC thin films, but the former also possess nanostructured morphology. Nanostructured thin films of poly(p-xylylene) (PPX) and its derivatives shall be useful as functionalized interfaces for antifouling coatings and biomedical devices.
A dynamic programming approach: Improving the performance of wireless networks

Traditional wireless networks focus on transparent data transmission where the data are processed at either the source or destination nodes. In contrast, the proposed approach aims at distributing data processing among the nodes in the network thus providing a higher processing capability than a single device. Moreover, energy consumption is balanced in the proposed scheme since the energy intensive processing will be distributed among the nodes. The performance of a wireless network is dependent on a number of factors including the available energy, energy-efficiency, data processing delay, transmission delay, routing decisions, security architecture etc. Typical existing distributed processing schemes have a fixed node or node type assigned to the processing at the design phase, for example a cluster head in wireless sensor networks aggregating the data. In contrast, the proposed approach aims to virtualize the processing, energy, and communication resources of the entire heterogeneous network and dynamically distribute processing steps along the communication path while optimizing performance. Moreover, the security of the communication is considered an important factor in the decision to either process or forward the data. Overall, the proposed scheme creates a wireless ''computing cloud'' where the processing tasks are dynamically assigned to the nodes using the Dynamic Programming (DP) methodology. The processing and transmission decisions are analytically derived from network models in order to optimize the utilization of the network resources including: available energy, processing capacity, security overhead, bandwidth etc. The proposed DP-based scheme is mathematically derived thus guaranteeing performance. Moreover, the scheme is verified through network simulations.
Enhanced bonding between YSZ surfaces using a gas-phase fluorination pretreatment

The present investigation focuses on the surface modification, via gas-phase fluorination process, of yttria- stabilized zirconia (YSZ) to increase its wettability and chemical bonding directly to acrylate-based resin cements. YSZ plates and cylinders, as-received and roughened, were pretreated in a fluorine containing plasma and bonded with a commercially available resin cement for simple shear bond adhesion testing. No organo-silane coupling agent was used to enhance bonding between the two substrates. Shear bond tests revealed that bond strength increased with fluorination time. Furthermore, the pretreated, as received (nonroughened) specimen group displayed relatively high bond strengths suggesting surface reactivity and direct chemical bonding with the resin cement. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed the surface conversion layer to be a mixture of phases; zirconium oxyfluoride, zirconium fluoride, and yttrium fluoride. It is hypothesized that these fluoride and oxyfluoride phases have the potential to increase surface hydroxylation, enabling direct covalent bonding between YSZ and resin cement. It is believed that this surface treatment has broad reaching impact when using high-strength ceramics in a multitude of bioapplications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Bilateral false aneurysms after carotid endarterectomy

Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are not common. Various etiological factors have been enumerated. A case with bilateral carotid aneurysms following endarterectomy is presented.
Effects of diethyl pyrocarbonate on the isolation and recovery of bound polysomes from a particulate fraction of rat liver

The conventional treatment of rat liver postmitochondrial supernatant with detergents permits the recovery of a roughly equal mixture of undegraded free and bound polysomes [ 1 ] , whereas similar treatment of the pellet containing mitochondria, lysosomes and the bulk of bound polysomes leads to the recovery of largely degraded polysomes [2,3] in spite of the use of naturally-occurring nuclease inhibitor [4]. This presumably is due to detergent-mediated activation or release of nucleases that are refractory to nuclease inhibitor [5]. Intact bound polysomes can be prepared from purified rough membrane fractions; however, the whole procedure requires about 2 days of centrifugation and polysome recovery is low [l]. Recently, diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEP), a potent inhibitor of nucleases, has been employed for the preparation of undegraded polysomes and RNA from higher plants and bacteria [6-81. The inactivation of pancreatic ribonuclease by DEP in vitro is believed to result from the formation of intraand intermolecular peptide-like bonds which cause conformational changes and yield polymeric proteins [9]. It was, therefore, of interest to determine whether mitochondrial and lysosomal nucleases could be inactivated by DEP while still in their latent state, and thereby permit isolation of undegraded bound polysomes from a crude particulate fraction of rat liver. In this report we provide evidence that the nuclease activities of the more rapidly sedimenting fraction of
Atrial fibrillation, stroke, and acute antithrombotic therapy: analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background— Strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are typically larger, are associated with higher early mortality, and occur in older patients versus strokes in patients with sinus rhythm. Until recently, the value of antithrombotic therapies for acute stroke management has been based on empiric evidence. Summary of Review— We present a critical review of 3 randomized clinical trials testing aspirin, heparin/heparinoid, or both involving 5029 patients with AF and acute stroke. Early recurrent ischemic stroke occurred in about 5% of patients during the 2 to 4 weeks after initial stroke. Data conflict about whether early use of heparin/heparinoid reduced early recurrent ischemic stroke but are consistent regarding its lack of overall benefit on long-term functional outcome. Modest benefits for reduction of early recurrent stroke and functional outcome were associated with aspirin use, based largely on subgroup analysis from a single, large, unblinded trial. Conclusions— No benefit of heparin ha...
NF‐κB binds to the immunoglobulin Sγ3 region in vivo during class switch recombination

Ig class switch recombination (CSR) is dependent upon the expression of activation-induced deaminase and targeted to specific isotypes by germ-line transcript expression and isotype-specific factors. NF-κB plays critical roles in multiple aspects of B cell biology and has been implicated in the mechanism of CSR by in vitro binding assays and altered S/S junctions derived from NF-κB p50-deficient mice. However, the pleiotropic contributions of NF-κB to gene expression in B cells has made discerning a direct role for NF-κB in CSR difficult. We now observe that binding of NF-κB components p50 and p65 is detected on Sγ3 in vivo following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation and repressed by LPS + IL–4, suggesting a direct role for this factor in CSR. In vivo footprinting confirms occupancy of a previously defined NF-κB recognition site in Sγ3 with the same temporal kinetics as found in the chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Binding of NF-κB components p50 and p65 was also detected on Sγ1 following B cell activation. H3 histone hyper acetylation at Sγ1 is strongly correlated with NF-κB binding, suggesting that NF-κB mediates chromatin remodeling in the Sγ3 and Sγ1 region.
Some Aspects of Research in Developmental Biology

Dr. Grant served as Director of the Developmental Biology Program of the National Science Foundation from 1962 to 1966. As one surveys the broad trends of the last few years in developmental biology, it can be stated that the most noteworthy phenomenon is the realization and acceptance of the notion among developmental biologists that the complexities of developmental systems are now open to investigation at all levels of organization, from the molecular to the organismic. In 1958 at the Johns Hopkins Symposium on the chemical basis of development, Dr. S. Spiegelman vigorously complained of the pessimism which dominated the thinking of embryologists and called for a serious investigation of embryogenesis at the molecular level within the working hypotheses of microbial genetics. Apparently, his persuasive appeal has borne fruit. In 1961, Jacob and Monod enunciated the messenger RNA hypothesis and elaborated on repressorinducer feedback models to explain differentiation in embryonic systems. At Endicott House, MIT, in 1962, a group of embryologists met with molecular biologists to assess the new models of microbial genetics and molecular biology as they relate to developing systems. That year may have represented a turning point for developmental biology as embryologists, biochemists, and molecular geneticists plunged in to analyze development at the molecular level. Also in that year, in a significant appraisal of the impact of molecular biology on development, C. Grobstein illuminated this central
Dehydroepiandrosterone Activates Endothelial Cell Nitric-oxide Synthase by a Specific Plasma Membrane Receptor Coupled to Gαi2,3

Abstract The adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has no known cellular receptor or unifying mechanism of action, despite evidence suggesting beneficial vascular effects in humans. Based on previous data from our laboratory, we hypothesized that DHEA binds to specific cell-surface receptors to activate intracellular G-proteins and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS). We now pharmacologically characterize a putative plasma membrane DHEA receptor and define its associated G-proteins. The [3H]DHEA binding to isolated plasma membranes from bovine aortic endothelial cells was of high affinity (K d = 48.7 pm) and saturable (B max = 500 fmol/mg protein). Structurally related steroids failed to compete with DHEA for binding. The putative DHEA receptor was functionally coupled to G-proteins, because guanosine 5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTPγS) inhibited [3H]DHEA binding to plasma membranes by 69%, and DHEA increased [35S]GTPγS binding by 157%. DHEA stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding to Gαi2 and Gαi3, but not to Gαi1 or Gαo. Pretreatment of plasma membranes with antibody to Gαi2 or Gαi3, but not to Gαi1, inhibited the DHEA activation of eNOS. Thus, DHEA receptors are expressed on endothelial cell plasma membranes and are coupled to eNOS activity through Gαi2 and Gαi3. These novel findings should allow us to isolate the putative receptor and reevaluate the physiological role of DHEA activity.
Some Comments and Suggestions Concerning Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling, Especially of Digoxin, and Its Relation to Clinical Therapy

Population pharmacokinetic and dynamic modeling is often employed to analyze data of steady-state trough serum digoxin concentrations in the course of what is frequently regarded as routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Such a monitoring protocol is extremely uninformative. It permits only the estimation of a single parameter of a 1-compartment model, such as clearance. The use of D-optimal design strategies permits much more information to be obtained, employing models having a really meaningful structure. Strategies and protocols for routine TDM policies greatly need to be improved, incorporating these principles of optimal design. Software for population pharmacokinetic modeling has been dominated by NONMEM. However, because NONMEM is a parametric method, it must assume a shape for the model parameter distributions. If the assumption is not correct, the model will be in error, and the most likely results given the raw data will not be obtained. In addition, the likelihood as computed by NONMEM is only approximate, not exact. This impairs statistical consistency and reduces statistical efficiency and the resulting precision of model parameter estimates. Other parametric methods are superior, as they provide exact likelihoods. However, they still suffer from the constraints of assuming the shape of the model parameter distributions. Nonparametric methods are more flexible. One need not make any assumptions about the shape of the parameter distributions. Nonparametric methods also provide exact likelihoods and are statistically consistent, efficient, and precise. They also permit maximally precise dosage regimens to be developed for patients using multiple model dosage design, something parametric modeling methods cannot do. Laboratory assay errors are better described by the reciprocal of the assay variance of each measurement rather than by coefficient of variation. This is easy to do and permits more precise models to be made. This also permits estimation of assay error separately from the other sources of uncertainty in the clinical environment. This is most useful scientifically. Digoxin has at least 2-compartment behavior. Its pharmacologic and clinical effects correlate not with serum digoxin concentrations but with those in the peripheral nonserum compartment. Some illustrative clinical examples are discussed. It seems that digitalis therapy, guided by TDM and our 2 compartment models based on that of Reuning et al, can convert at least some patients with atrial fibrillation and flutter to regular sinus rhythm. Investigators have often used steady-state trough concentrations only to make a 1-compartment model and have sought only to predict future steady-state trough concentrations. Much more than this can be done, and clinical care can be much improved. Further work along these lines is greatly to be desired.
Faddeev-type equations with half-off-shell input

We derive new Faddeev-type equations for amplitudes directly related to the three-body transition amplitudes. They are simpler than the usual Faddeev equations in that their effective potentials are independent of the energy and only require two-body state wavefunctions and half-off-shell amplitudes as input. Moreover, after an angular momentum decomposition, the potentials can easily be made real, and the breakup amplitudes explicitly exhibit a Watson final state interaction factor.
Desipramine Modulation of α -, γ -Synuclein, and the Norepinephrine Transporter in an Animal Model of Depression

The mechanisms underlying depression remain elusive. We previously determined that α-synuclein (α-Syn) modulates the activity and trafficking of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in a manner that is dependent on its interactions with microtubules (MTs). Here we sought to determine if α-Syn, or the other synuclein family members, β-synuclein (β-Syn) and γ-synuclein (γ-Syn), modulate NET activity in an animal model of depression, the Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rat. The NET-selective antidepressant desipramine (DMI) was chronically administered for 14 days to WKY rats and the strain from which it was outbred that does not show depressive-like behavior, the Wistar rat. This drug regimen induced significant behavioral improvements in the WKY, but not the Wistar rat, in the forced swim test. In WKY rats there was an overexpression of γ-Syn which was reduced following DMI treatment. In parallel, DMI caused an increase in both α-Syn and NET in the frontal cortex. Frontal cortex synaptosomes from WKY rats were not sensitive to nocodazole, a compound that promotes MT destabilization. However, in WKYs treated with DMI, nocodazole induced an increase in [3H]-NE uptake. This trend was reversed in Wistars. Underlying these DMI-induced changes were alterations in the protein interactions between the synucleins and NET with the tubulins. These results are the first to implicate α-Syn or γ-Syn in the pathophysiology of depression and suggest that targeting synucleins may provide a new therapeutic option for depression.