cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Derivation of melt pond coverage on Arctic sea ice using MODIS observations

Abstract The formation of meltponds on the surface of sea ice during summer is one of the main factors affecting variability in surface albedo over the ice cover. However, observations of the spatial extent of ponding are rare. To address this, a MODIS surface reflectance product is used to derive the daily melt pond cover over sea ice in the Beaufort/Chukchi Sea region through the summer of 2004. For this region, the estimated pond cover increased rapidly during the first 20 days of melt from 10% to 40%. Fluctuations in pond cover occurred through summer, followed by a more gradual decrease through late August to 10%. The rapid initial increase in pond cover occurred later as latitude increased and melt progressed northward. A surface campaign at Barrow in June 2004 provided pond and ice spectral reflectance needed by the MODIS algorithm to deduce pond coverage. Although individual pond and ice reflectance varies within the comparatively small region of measurement, the mean values used within the algorithm ensured that relevant values (i.e. concurrent with satellite observations) were being applied. Aerosonde unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs) were deployed in June 2004 from Barrow, Alaska, to photograph the sea ice so melt pond cover could be estimated. Although the agreement between derived pond cover from UAV photos and estimates from MODIS varies, the mean estimates and distribution of pond coverages are similar, suggesting that the MODIS technique is useful for estimating pond coverage throughout the region. It is recommended that this technique be applied to the entire Arctic through the melt season.
Biochemical genetics of Chinese hamster cell mutants with deviant purine metabolism: Biochemical analysis of eight mutants

Purine biosynthesis was studied in 8 mutants of Chinese hamster cells which require purines for growth and in wild-type cells which do not show this nutritional requirement. Of these, 6 mutants, ade −B, ade−D, ade−E, ade−F, GAT−, and AT−, were shown to accumulate metabolic intermediates not accumulated by wild-type cells. These intermediates were shown to be compounds unique to the adenylic acid biosynthetic pathway by the following criteria: (a) their radioisotopic labeling properties, (b) their response to agents which specifically inhibit known enzymatic steps in the pathway, (c) their chromatographic properties, and (d) spectrophotometric analysis. Two mutants, ade−A and ade−C, accumulate no detectable compounds not accumulated by the wild type. These 2 mutants are believed to be defective in steps very early in the purine biosynthetic pathway. The sites of the defects in the other mutants are proposed, and the usefulness of these mutants is discussed.
Das Verhältnis des Harndrangs zur Blasenkontraktion bei Enuresis der Kinder

Die Abwesenheit des Gefuhls des Harndrangs im Zusammenhang mit der Blasenkontraktion enuretischer Kinder scheint eher die Ausnahme als die Regel zu sein.
A prospective study of vitamin intake and the risk of hearing loss in men.

Abstract Objective Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the United States, afflicting more than 36 million people. Higher intakes of vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12, and folate have been proposed to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Study Design We prospectively evaluated the association between intake from foods and supplements of vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12, and folate, and the incidence of hearing loss. Setting Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Subjects and Methods A total of 26,273 men aged 40 to 74 years at baseline in 1986. Participants completed questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history every two years and diet every four years. Information on self-reported professionally diagnosed hearing loss and year of diagnosis was obtained from the 2004 questionnaire, and cases were defined as hearing loss diagnosed between 1986 and 2004. Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. Results There were 3559 cases of hearing loss identified. Overall, there was no significant association between vitamin intake and risk of hearing loss. Among men aged ≥60 years, total folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of hearing loss; the relative risk for men aged ≥60 years old in the highest quintile compared with the lowest quintile of folate intake was 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.65-0.96). Conclusions Higher intake of vitamin C, E, beta carotene, or B12 does not reduce the risk of hearing loss in adult males. Men aged ≥60 years may benefit from higher folate intake to reduce the risk of developing hearing loss.
Information Literacy Programs at the University of Puerto Campuses: a current report

The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is the oldest and largest university on the island of Puerto Rico. With 11 campuses distributed along the island the institution has a student population of over to 64, 000 undergraduate and more than 5,000 graduate students, with close to 20,000 FT & PT faculty. The institution offers a full spectrum of programs throughout its campuses from certificates, associate and bachelor degrees, to Masters and PhD. programs. The article gives a general description of the UPR’s libraries’ information literacy (IL) programs at 8 of its 11 campuses. A search of the resent library literature revealed that nothing has been written about the information literacy programs of the libraries of the University of Puerto Rico library system. This article gives a report on the state of these programs as of the spring of 2007
Alpha-1-antitrypsin concentration in human milk.

ABSTRACT.: Alpha-1-antitrypsin concentration was analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis in samples of human colostrum (n = 3) and of mature milk from mothers between 2 to 52 wk postpartum (n = 39), one of whom was known to be PiMZ with a PiZZ infant. All milk samples tested contained a-1-antitrypsin. The three colostrum samples contained 140, 520, and 250 contained α-I-antitrypsin. The three colostrum samples contained 140, 520, and 2250 mg/liter. The mature milk of women who had been lactating less than 6 months had a higher a concentration (7.2 ± 3.6 mg/liter) (mean ±SD) than in the women who had been lactating 6-12 months (4.8 ±1.8 mg/liter) (p < 0.03). The milk of the woman of Pi type MZ had an a-1-antitrypsin cαncentration of 7.0 mg/liter at 7 wk postpartum and 4.1 mg/liter at 52 wk. It has been previously demonstrated that enhanced absorption of intact proteins occurs in early infancy. The presence of antiproteases in human milk provided during early infancy may serve to inhibit the absorption of intact proteases, limiting their entry into the portal circulation.
Synthesis and characterization of a tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane-based cryptand and its triiron(III) complex

Reaction of tris(5-amino-2-ethoxy-3-isopropylphenyl)methane and pyridine-2,6-dicarbonyl-dichloride affords a multi-dentate cryptand in 48% yield. Metallation with iron(III) chloride results in a substantial conformational change of this ligand to give a trianionic triiron(III) complex. Ferric cations line the periphery of the internal cavity with each adopting a square pyramidal N3Cl2 coordination environment.
P1 is required for initiation of cRNA synthesis in WSN influenza virus.

Abstract Ts 101, a mutant of WSN influenza virus, has a temperature-sensitive lesion in P1, a structural protein of the virion. P1 is required for cRNA synthesis, and no detectable cRNA is synthesized by ts 101 in infected cells at the nonpermissive temperature. In the present study, the virion transcriptase activity of ts 101 is shown to be temperature-sensitive in vitro , but only at low concentrations of the dinucleotide primer ApG, which is required specifically for initiation. At saturating concentrations of ApG, ts 101 was not distinguishable from ts +. It is suggested that P1 is required for initiation of transcription, and normally functions in vivo in the recognition of the putative physiological primer. Inasmuch as P1 and P3 are known to be the only gene products which are required for the synthesis of viral cRNA, it seems likely that P3 functions in the elongation process.
Geometric Variables from DXA of the Radius Predict Forearm Fracture Load In Vitro

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the cross-sectional geometry of the radius in female and male cadaveric specimens using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to measure the accuracy of this technique compared with a digitizing procedure, and to measure the correlation between these DXA-based geometric variables and the load required to produce a forearm fracture. Paired intact forearms were scanned at a distal site and at a site approximately 30% of the forearm length from the distal end. The cross-sectional area and the moments of inertia of two sections at 10 and 30% of the forearm length were computed from the X-ray attenuation data. One member of each pair was then sectioned at the 30% location, which is mostly cortical bone, and the section was traced on a digitizing pad. The other forearm was loaded to failure in a servohydraulic materials test system. The DXA-based area and moment of inertia at 30% correlated significantly with the digitized results (r2=0.93 for area; r2=0.95 for moment; P<0.001). The conventional bone mineral density from DXA did not associate significantly with failure load, but the minimum moment of inertia and the cross-sectional area at 10% correlated in a strong and significant manner with the forearm fracture force (r2=0.67 for area; r2=0.66 for moment; P<0.001). The determination of radial bone cross-sectional geometry, therefore, should have better discriminatory capabilities than bone mineral density in studies of bone fragility and fracture risk.
Differential temporal and spatial gene expression of fibroblast growth factor family members during mouse mammary gland development.

Mammary gland development is dependent upon local regulatory factors as well as systemic hormones to mediate gland morphogenesis and associated mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. FGF-3 (int-2) has been implicated as an oncogenic growth factor produced locally in mouse mammary tumor virus-induced mammary tumorigenesis. The observation that FGF-3 is not expressed during normal mammary development as well as the high degree of cellular proliferation and angiogenesis that accompany mammary gland growth suggest roles for other FGF family members in this process. In this study, we have examined expression of FGF family members at various stages of mouse mammary growth and tumorigenesis. FGF-1, FGF-2, FGF-4, and FGF-7 were expressed during the ductal stage of mammary development. The majority of FGF-1 gene expression was in the luminal epithelial cells, whereas FGF-2 expression was in the mammary stroma and possibly the myoepithelial cells. The presence of mammary epithelium induced the expression of both FGF-...
On the stability of a detailed packed‐bed reactor

An analysis of the stability of a packed-bed reactor is presented subject to a model including axial and radial gradients in the interparticle field and gradients plus reaction in the intraparticle field. The stability of the entire reactor is characterized in terms of various stable and unstable conditions inside the porous particles. Simplifications in the mathematical model are shown to be invalid in many situations.
Human transplacental transfer of carbidopa/levodopa

A paucity of information is available concerning the use of levodopa and carbidopa during pregnancy. Particularly lacking is whether these agents cross the placenta and whether levodopa undergoes metabolism in the fetus. The present study carried out in aborted fetal tissues demonstrates that levodopa crosses the placental barrier and suggests that it may be metabolized in fetal tissues, including the brain and spinal cord. The possibility exists that early exposure to levodopa or dopamine may alter the normal neuronal development in the fetus, and caution in the use of levodopa during pregnancy should be observed.
Properties of boundaries of an ND convex cone

This paper summarizes the principle and the main steps in the design of the a Visual-Basic program to compute the convexity and to identify the boundary vectors of a set of ten 5D real vectors generated by a random numerical process. Then, as found EXPERIMENTALLY using this program, it reports in detail many interesting, novel, 5D-geometrical properties. These include such properties as the ring-structures of the boundary vectors, topological symmetries of the boundaries, different ways of joining the boundary planes (4D hyper-planes) in the 5-space, topological order of the extreme edges and that of the boundary planes located around the cone, etc.
Abstract 246: Mammary cancer preventive activity of an extract of withania somnifera roots

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Mammary cancer preventive activity of an alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) roots was examined in female ErbB2+/- (MMTV/Neu) mice. The WS root extract was mixed with feed at a concentration of 750 mg/kg of diet. Mice treated with the root extract developed fewer mammary tumors relative to mice in the untreated group; after 310 days, mice in the treated group had an average of 1.62 tumors, and mice in the control group had 2.48, a reduction of 33% (p=0.1). Representative samples of the mammary tumors were examined histologically after staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and for proliferation (Ki67 and PCNA). For mammary tumors of control mice, sections stained with H&E showed high mitotic activity, whereas in tumors from treated mice, there was low mitotic activity. Labeling indices for Ki67 and PCNA markers in cancers of treated mice were 35% and 30% lower, respectively, than those of the control group. Expression of the cytokine CCL2 was 50% lower in cancers of the treated group. These results indicate that the root extract of WS reduces mammary tumor formation and tumor cell proliferation. Supported by grant U54 CA118948. Citation Format: kamel F. Khazal, Donald Hill, Clinton J. Grubbs. Mammary cancer preventive activity of an extract of withania somnifera roots. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 246. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-246
Development of new mouse lung tumor models expressing EGFR T790M mutants associated with clinical resistance to kinase inhibitors.

Background The EGFR T790M mutation confers acquired resistance to kinase inhibitors in human EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma, is occasionally detected before treatment, and may confer genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.
A systematic analysis and design approach for single-span FRP deck/stringer bridges

There is a concern with worldwide deterioration of highway bridges, particularly reinforced concrete. The advantages of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites over conventional materials motivate their use in highway bridges for rehabilitation and replacement of structures. In this paper, a systematic approach for analysis and design of all FRP deck/stringer bridges is presented. The analyses of structural components cover: (1) constituent materials and ply properties, (2) laminated panel engineering properties, (3) stringer stiffness properties, and (4) apparent stiffnesses for composite cellular decks and their equivalent orthotropic material properties. To verify the accuracy of orthotropic material properties, an actual deck is experimentally tested and analyzed by a finite element model. For design analysis of FRP deck/stringer bridge systems, an approximate series solution for orthotropic plates, including first-order shear deformation, is applied to develop simplified design equations, which account for load distribution factors under various loading cases. An FRP deck fabricated by bonding side-by-side box beams is transversely attached to FRP wide-flange beams and tested as a deck/stringer bridge system. The bridge systems are tested under static loads for various load conditions, and the experimental results are correlated with those by an approximate series solution and a finite element model. The present simplified design analysis procedures can be used to develop new efficient FRP sections and to design FRP highway bridge decks and deck/stringer systems, as shown by an illustrative design example.
Conversion of Decommissioned Aircraft Gas Turbines to High-Efficiency Marine Units

Some helicopter and other engines have been shown in studies to be amenable to conversion to a low-pressure-ratio highly regenerated cycle. Typically the high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine would be removed, and shaft and ducting modifications would be made to introduce high-effectiveness rotary ceramic-honeycomb regenerators. In one case examined the low-pressure turbine could be used with slight modification; in others there would have to be reblading of the turbine stages and the manufacture of new shrouds. In another case the existing combustor could be used with little modification; in others new combustors would be required. Despite the extent of the modifications, the resulting high-efficiency performance over a large part of the power range and presumably relatively low capital and development costs could make this an attractive concept.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
Using Q-methodology in competency development for CEOs in public parks and recreation

This study generated a systematic and comprehensive view of park and recreation CEO competencies by examining how CEOs in public parks and recreation subjectively ranked various competencies using Q-sorts and Q-methodology. Results found three different types of CEOs: the practical CEO, the structured CEO, and the traditionalist CEO. The Practical CEO focused on employee involvement in decision making thus making the work environment a more positive and reinforcing place. The Structured CEO placed an emphasis on structure, organization, and skills. The Traditionalist CEO placed emphasis on formal skill sets, task orientation, and external validation of skills. Understanding that the importance of specific competencies is viewed from different perspectives allows a more informed understanding of how CEOs in public parks and recreation perceive the importance of competencies.
Synthesis and Thermal Expansion Properties of the Ca(1+x)/2Sr(1+x)/2Zr4P6−2xSi2xO24 System

Ca(1+x)/2Sr(1+x)/2Zr4P6−2xSi2xO24(x≤ 0.37) compositions, which belong to the [NZP] family of low-thermal-expansion materials, were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The lattice thermal expansion of members of this system was determined up to 1000°C by high-temperature X-ray diffractometry. The bulk thermal expansion and the microcracking during cooling also were investigated. These properties depended on the composition, on the synthesis method, and on the sintering conditions.
Understanding Hydrogen Sorption in In-soc-MOF: A Charged Metal-Organic Framework with Open-Metal Sites, Narrow Channels, and Counterions

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations of hydrogen sorption were performed in In-soc-MOF, a charged metal–organic framework (MOF) that contains In3O trimers coordinated to 5,5′-azobis(1,3-benzenedicarboxylate) linkers. The MOF contains nitrate counterions that are located in carcerand-like capsules of the framework. This MOF was shown to have a high hydrogen uptake at 77 K and 1.0 atm. The simulations were performed with a potential that includes explicit many-body polarization interactions, which were important for modeling gas sorption in a charged/polar MOF such as In-soc-MOF. The simulated hydrogen sorption isotherms were in good agreement with experiment in this challenging platform for modeling. The simulations predict a high initial isosteric heat of adsorption, Qst, value of about 8.5 kJ mol–1, which is in contrast to the experimental value of 6.5 kJ mol–1 for all loadings. The difference in the Qst behavior between experiment and simulation is attributed to the fact that, in experimental ...
Steady-flux measurements of moisture diffusivity in unsaturated porous media

Abstract Measurements of moisture diffusivity in unsaturated porous media using a steady-flux technique are reported. The method involves measuring the one-dimensional moisture content profile produced in a material specimen by a known steady flux of water flowing through the specimen. Uncertainties in the measured values of moisture diffusivity are analyzed and limitations on the precision of the technique are discussed. The present steady-flux technique permits specimen moisture content gradients to be controlled to a degree that is not possible with transient methods, thereby providing more precise measurements.
The translation effect in memory search

Abstract The function relating recognition reaction time to the size of a memorized set of items is steeper when the memorized items and the probe are in two different categories, related by a memorized translation scheme, than when they are in the same category. Experiment 1 demonstrates that this “translation effect” is obtained for both familiar and unfamiliar translation schemes and further demonstrates that the zero-intercepts of the functions are lower when the probe differs from the memorized items in category than when it does not. Experiment 2 demonstrates that the slopes of the functions relating negative RT to memorized set size when probe and set are the same in category are steeper than the slopes of the corresponding positive functions just in case subjects are aware that the probe and set categories may differ. Experiment 3 demonstrates that the translations between memorized items and a probe that differ in category are done during the rehearsal of the memorized set, not after the probe is presented. Arguments are presented that rehearsal strategy determines memory comparison time, presumably through a hypothetical memory strength variable, but that direct-access strength theories that deny a memory scanning process are inadequate to account for the data.
First-principles-based molecular simulation of heterogeneous catalytic surface chemistry

Abstract The remarkable advances in quantum chemistry and molecular simulation that have occurred over the past decade make it possible to begin to simulate the kinetics of complex reaction systems. Herein, we describe the development of a first-principles-based Monte Carlo simulation for modelling catalytic surface kinetics. The simulation relies on a comprehensive kinetic database which is established from density functional quantum chemical calculations. The predicted elementary parameters include adsorption-, overall reaction-, lateral interaction-, and activation-energies. Bond order conservation and pairwise additive approaches are used to help complete the lateral interaction effects. The Monte Carlo algorithm simulates an exhaustive ensemble of elementary steps, thus following the individual molecular transformations over a metal surface as a function of time and processing conditions. This molecular kinetic simulation was used to model the decomposition of NO on Rh(100) and the kinetics of ethylene hydrogenation on Pt. The results from these preliminary applications indicate that the molecular kinetic simulation can provide reliable temperature-program-desorption spectra and reaction rates that are within an order of magnitude of the measured values. By retaining the explicit atomic structure, the simulation provides a detailed mapping of how the surface coverage, structure and composition control the surface chemistry and kinetics.
Adherence to host extracellular matrix and serum components by Enterococcus faecium isolates of diverse origin

Enterococcus faecium has emerged as an important cause of nosocomial infections over the last two decades. We recently demonstrated collagen type I (CI) as a common adherence target for some E. faecium isolates and a significant correlation was found to exist between acm-mediated CI adherence and clinical origin. Here, we evaluated 60 diverse E. faecium isolates for their adherence to up to 15 immobilized host extracellular matrix and serum components. Adherence phenotypes were most commonly observed to fibronectin (Fn) (20% of the 60 isolates), fibrinogen (17%) and laminin (Ln) (13%), while only one or two of the isolates adhered to collagen type V (CV), transferrin or lactoferrin and none to the other host components tested. Adherence to Fn and Ln was almost exclusively restricted to clinical isolates, especially the endocarditis-enriched nosocomial genogroup clonal complex 17 (CC17). Thus, the ability to adhere to Fn and Ln, in addition to CI, may have contributed to the emergence and adaptation of E. faecium, in particular CC17, as a nosocomial pathogen.
Box products of σ-compact spaces

Abstract Countable box products of σ-compact spaces pseudonormal and ω1-collectionwise Hausdorff. If the factors are also zero-dimensional and have cardinality ⩽ω1, then such box products are consistently paracompact.
Soil organic carbon in some land uses of Costa Rica

The native vegetation in the Tropics is increasingly replaced by crops, pastures, tree plantations, or settlements with contradictory effects on soil organic carbon (SOC). Therefore, the general objective was to estimate the SOC stock depth distribution to 100-cm depth in soils of Costa Rica and to assess their theoretical carbon (C) sink capacity by different management practices. A study was established in three ecoregions of Costa Rica: the Isthmian-Atlantic Moist Forest (AM), the Pacific Dry Forest (PD), and the Montane Forest (MO) ecoregions. Within each ecoregion, three agricultural land uses and a mature forest were sampled to 100-cm depth. The SOC stock in 0–100 cm depth was 114–150 Mg C ha−1 for AM, 76–165 Mg C ha−1 for PD, and 166–246 Mg C ha−1 for MO. Land use had only weak effects on SOC concentrations and stocks except at PD where both were lower for soils under mango (Mangifera indica) and pasture. This may indicate soil degradation which was also supported by data on SOC stratification. How...
Nonylphenol polyethoxy carboxylate metabolites of nonionic surfactants in U.S. paper mill Effluents, Municipal sewage treatment plant effluents, and river waters

Because of their weakly estrogenic properties, interest in nonylphenol polyethoxylates and their carboxylated metabolites is resurging. To assess their occurrence in surface waters impacted by municipal and industrial effluents, an analytical method was developed for the quantitative determination of nonylphenol polyethoxy carboxylate (NPEC) metabolites of nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants in paper mill effluents, municipal sewage treatment plant effluents, and river waters. Strong anion exchange solid phase extraction disks were used for NPEC isolation from aqueous samples, and NPEC elution from the disk is simultaneously combined with derivatization. Extracts were analyzed by gas chro matography and positive mode chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The detection limit of the method ranged from 0.2 μg/L for NP1EC to 2 μg/L for NP4EC. The total concentration of NPECs in a group of paper mill and municipal sewage effluents ranged from below detection to 1300 μg/L. The total concentration of NPECs i...
Motion of a symmetric gyrostat in a viscous medium

Poisson kinematic equations solution of symmetric gyrostat in viscous medium for free rotor and constant angular speed, using perturbation technique
Perturbative solution to the time-dependent two-level problem and the validity of the Rosen-Zener conjecture

We consider the time-dependent two-level problem of quantum mechanics, where the levels are coupled by a radio-frequency pulse with an arbitrary time-dependent envelope $V(t)$. We derive an approximate solution for the system's transition amplitude $P(\ensuremath{\infty})$ which is correct to the third order of perturbation theory, and which applies to all pulses $V(t)$ with finite first and second moments which obey the following: $\mathrm{lim} {t}^{3}V(t)=0$, as $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. Our form of solution for $P(\ensuremath{\infty})$ provides a criterion for judging the validity of a solution previously conjectured by Rosen and Zener, and it is generally useful for providing line-shape details in many cases of practical interest.
Theseus: understanding asynchronous code

The behavior of JavaScript is difficult to understand due to the language's asynchronous and dynamic nature. In particular, chains of event handlers pose difficulties because they cannot be stepped through with a debugger, and determining where a chain is broken requires instrumenting every link in the chain with a breakpoint or log statement. The aim of this work is to create a debugging interface that helps users understand complicated control flow in languages like JavaScript. Theseus uses program traces to provide real-time in-editor feedback so that programmers can answer questions quickly as they write new code and interact with their application. The call graph is augmented with semantic edges that allow users to make intuitive leaps through program traces, such as from the start of an AJAX request to its response.
Evaluation of calibration methods for visible-spectrum division-of-focal-plane polarimeters

Polarization imaging sensors using the division-of-focal-plane paradigm have recently emerged on the market. These sensors, due to their compact design, are ideal for field work. One of the major drawbacks in these sensors is the spatial variation of the optical response of individual pixels across the imaging array. These spatial variations are due to variations in the nanowires of the pixelated polarization filters. In this paper, we describe and compare two methods for calibrating a division of focal plane sensors. We present theoretical and experimental data for these calibration methods.
Drug adhesion parallel plate flow chamber

Observation of molecular binding events under physiological conditions is a key component of validating targeted drug delivery vehicles or imaging agents. One of the major limitations in analyzing the mechanical influences on receptor binding is the inability to observe these interactions in-vivo due to the complexity of the human vasculature and the need for improved resolution in current imaging modalities. The goal of this project was to develop an in-vitro model which enables microscopic observation of molecular binding events under physiological flow conditions. A parallel-plate flow chamber (PPFC) was designed to simulate wall shear stress of the vasculature and to facilitate laminar, uniform, steady flow across its entire width. Major chamber components include an acrylic base, a silicone rubber gasket to define the shape of the flow region, and a glass microscope slide for the upper surface. The Drug Adhesion PPFC geometry was modeled in Pro-ENGINEER and CFD ACE simulation was used to verify and optimize dimensions prior to machining. A variable flow pump will be used to alter flow rates through the chamber corresponding to the physiological wall shear stress of various components of the vasculature. Fluorescent microscopy will be used to observe the binding of model protein-coated targeting beads to receptor proteins coated on microscope slides in order to validate the design as a viable means for studying drug adhesion in-vitro.
Age and Gender Dimensions of Friendship

Since stereotypes about appropriate social behavior appear to influence questionnaires and other self-reported data concerning friendship, an in-depth interview format was used to explore gender and age differences in friendship patterns. Thirty-one subjects were interviewed: five young males, six young females, five midlife males, five midlife females, five older males, and five older females. As in our previous questionnaire studies, groups described friendship in superficially similar ways. However, in the taped interviews, large gender differences appeared that followed conceptually along instrumental/expressive dimensions. Women at all ages were more expressive in their friendships, showing higher levels of empathy and altruism than men. Age differences also appeared, with men developing increased concern and thoughtfulness in friendship with greater age, and women showing more tolerance and less confrontation of their friends with greater age.
Effects of temperature, TSP and per cent non-exchangeable material in determining the gas-particle partitioning of organic compounds

The temperature dependence of the measured, gas-particle partitioning ratio (FT/TSP)/AT has been examined for the case when a constant fraction x (%) of a compound is assumed to be bound within the particulate matter, and non-exchangeable with the gas phase. The parameter FT is the total (exchangeable + non-exchangeable) measured concentration in the atmosphere (ng m−3), AT is the gaseous concentration (ng m−3), and TSP is the level of suspended atmospheric particulate matter (μg m−3). It is assumed that the true thermodynamic constant Kp depends upon 1/T according to log Kp = mp/T + bp where mp depends on the enthalpy of desorption of the compound of interest, bp depends in part on other properties of the compound as well as the specific surface area of the particulate matter, and T is the temperature (Kelvin). When Kp or TSP are low, the difference between the measured quantity (FT/TSP)/AT and Kp can be significant even when the non-exchangeable fraction x is as low as a few per cent. This approach has been used to examine the PAH data set of Yamasaki et al. [(1982) Env. Sci. Technol.16, 189–194]. It was found that the Yamasaki data set does not allow estimates of x that are consistent with the current understanding of the temperature dependence of log Kp values. A likely reason for this result is some dependence of mp and bp on the exact nature of the particulate matter and atmospheric conditions such as relative humidity. It is concluded that estimates of x values for a given compound on actual particulate matter may only be possible by the direct examination of individual particulate matter samples.
Approaching suspicious lymph nodes on the upper abdomen in gynecologic oncology

During last decades, gynecologic oncologists have acquired skills enough to remove malignant disease located in the retroperitoneal area, especially when it infiltrates the paraaortic and pelvic regions. In some circumstances, specifically when talking about advanced ovarian cancer, debulking all macroscopic disease is crucial to improve survival. It is well known that among patients with advanced ovarian cancer, more than 50% of them have positive retroperitoneal nodes. Unfortunately, the nodal status cannot be diagnosed reliably either with imaging or by palpation, just by a systematic lymphadenectomy. Furthermore, 25% of patients with unsuspected lymphatic disease will show lymph nodes infiltration. It is commonly accepted that clinically enlarged retroperitoneal nodes must be removed as part of the cytoreductive effort. Nevertheless the role of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in gynecologic tumors is still controversial especially if they are not clinically relevant. An Italian prospective trial failed to show any advantage in terms of survival event though it exhibited a significant better remission free survival [1]. More recently, a clinical trial (LION) conducted by the AGO-OVAR group, was designed for answering this question and the results have not been reported yet [2]. However, it is not infrequent to find metastasis from gynecologic tumors growing within the retroperitoneal area on the upper abdomen. Very often, Gynecologic Oncology Programs don't provide training necessary to approach the disease on those locations. In fact, many consider retroperitoneal disease on the upper abdomen unresectable [3]. During the last 10 years our team in Madrid has been gradually pushing the indications of primary or secondary surgery when metastasis was diagnosed on those areas. Recently some reports start to demonstrate how trained surgical teams are able to remove retroperitoneal tumor above the renal vessels in order to achieve a complete (R0) cytoreduction [4–6]. This video shows a number of surgical maneuvers needed to expose the retroperitoneum on the lower and upper abdomen. Moreover, the surgical excision of tumoral nodes found on the suprarenal area including: porta hepatis, celiac axis, splenic hilum, cisterna chyli and pleural pericardio recess is shown.
The political economy of modern South Africa

This book argues that South African politics reflect the changing way in which the region has been incorporated into the world economy.
A Poetic System In Expansion Against the Abyss: Fernando Pessoa’s Heteronyms and Kierkegaard’s Concept of Anxiety

Depois de uma breve introducao acerca da recepcao das ideias de Kierkegaard em Portugal, focalizo nas relacoes entre o sistema de heteronimos de Pessoa e as reflexoes sobre a ansiedade de Kierkegaard. Em que sentido a obra de Pessoa pode ser lida no seu complexo como uma resposta a ansiedade? Quais sao as estrategias dos diferentes heteronimos para se confrontar com a ansiedade? Qual e o papel da religiao e de hipotese da existencia de Deus na relacao entre heteronimos e o sentimento da ansiedade?
Superconvergence of local discontinuous Galerkin methods for one-dimensional convection-diffusion equations

In this paper, we study the convergence behavior of the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) methods when applied to one-dimensional time dependent convection-diffusion equations. We show that the LDG solution will be superconvergent towards a particular projection of the exact solution, if this projection is carefully chosen based on the convection and diffusion fluxes. The order is observed to be at least k+2 when piecewise P^k polynomials are used. Moreover, the numerical traces for the solution are also superconvergent, sometimes, of higher-order. This is a continuation of our previous work [Cheng Y, Shu C-W. Superconvergence and time evolution of discontinuous Galerkin finite element solutions. J Comput Phys 2008;227:9612-27], in which superconvergence of DG schemes for convection equations is discussed.
Biomedical applications of polymeric materials and their interactions with blood components: a critical review of current developments

Abstract A critical review is presented of some of the current developments in the biomedical applications of polymeric materials, with emphasis on naturally occurring macromolecules present in blood vessel walls, synthesis and surface modifications, mechanical properties, and interactions between surfaces and blood components.
Plasmonic Nanoparticles as Molecular Contrast Agents in Interferometric Imaging

Plasmonic nanoparticles offer unique optical characteristics, including strong spectrally distinct signatures which make them useful as contrast agents. Here various applications are presented and the benefits of nanoparticles are discussed.
THE USE OF CHLAMYDOMONAS (CHLOROPHYTA: VOLVOCALES) AS A MODEL ALGAL SYSTEM FOR GENOME STUDIES AND THE ELUCIDATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PROCESSES

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard is a unicellular, haploid green alga that has been used as a model genetic system to investigate basic biological processes in photosynthetic eukaryotes. This organism has been particularly useful for dissecting photosynthesis because it can grow heterotrophically as well as photoautotrophically; this has allowed for the isolation and characterization of a large number of mutants that are completely devoid of photosynthetic CO2 fixation. Over the past 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of molecular technologies that can be applied to studies of Chlamydomonas, enhancing its value as a model organism. Nuclear transformation has enabled researchers to generate and complement a range of different mutants and to investigate transcriptional control of gene expression in vivo. The development of methods for chloroplast transformation has helped elucidate the functions of chloroplast genes and the factors that modulate their expression. Genome-wide studies will further enhance the value of Chlamydomonas as a resource for the biological community and will have a profound effect on the types of experimentation for which this alga is used. For example, the generation and characterization of a library of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) would identify cDNAs for most of the genes present on the Chlamydomonas genome. DNA microarray technology could be used to place these cDNAs on “chips,” configured from microscope slides, that would enable investigators to monitor changes in gene expression of essentially the entire genome simultaneously. The development of methods to identify strains harboring insertions in specific genes would help elucidate the functions of the genes that are represented in the EST library and that have been characterized for expression via the microarray technology. The production of linked physical and genetic maps would facilitate the map-based cloning of any gene identified by a mutant phenotype. Finally, completing the sequence of the chloroplast genome and analyzing the function and expression of individual chloroplast genes would enhance our knowledge of the activities and biogenesis of this organelle. In thisreview we discuss the application of genomic technologies to studies of Chlamydomonas and how they would help elucidate the metabolism of plants, especially with respect to photosynthetic processes.
Tumor necrosis factor reduces proteoglycan synthesis in cultured endothelial cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced disruption of vascular endothelial barrier function may be due in part to alterations in proteoglycan metabolism. To test this hypothesis, confluent endothelial cell monolayers were exposed for 24 h to 500 or 1,000 U of TNF per milliliter of culture medium together with 20 microCi Na2 35SO4. HPLC anion-exchange separation of proteoglycans secreted into media of control as well as TNF-treated cultures revealed one major peak (representing 95% of total radioactivity) and one minor peak (representing 5% of total radioactivity), which eluted at 0.6 and 0.9 M NaCl, respectively. One single peak was obtained from control as well as TNF-treated endothelial cell monolayers and eluted at 1.2 M NaCl. TNF treatment did not change the total quantity of radioactive proteoglycans secreted into the media but significantly decreased the amount of proteoglycans in endothelial cell monolayers. However, TNF treatment did not alter the size or glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition of the proteoglycans either in the media or in the cell monolayers. In addition, mRNA levels of specific proteoglycans, perlecan and biglycan, were measured upon TNF treatment, using Northern analysis. TNF treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in mRNA levels for the core proteins of perlecan, a major heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), and biglycan in endothelial cultures. These results suggest that TNF decreases production of proteoglycans and alters normal endothelial cell proteoglycan metabolism which may be sufficient to impair endothelial barrier function.
Autonomía: ¿una meta para la práctica hospitalaria de enfermería?

Autonomy can be defined as independence or freedom. When it is used to describe individual work, it refers to the ability to make decisions without undue influence from others. The purpose of this paper is to critique two models of autonomy, one developed from the discipline of occupational health, and one developed from the discipline of nursing. These models potentially provide insight to the work of nurses in hospitals. Additionally, this paper will explore the possibility of applying these traditional western models to cultures and countries other than the US, Europe, and Australia. The question of whether a hospital nurse can be autonomous is complicated by the structure of the society in which the work of the nurse exists and the barriers produced by those structures. In order for nurses and women to exercise more autonomy in work settings, powerful members of the society must acknowledge the reality of the under valued status of women and women’s work and allow for a greater exercise of discretion by women.
Corrigendum to “Non-periodic finite-element formulation of orbital-free density functional theory” [Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 55 (2007) 669-696]

Corrigendum to ‘‘Non-periodic finite-element formulation of orbital-free density functional theory’’ [Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 55 (2007) 669–696] Vikram Gavini , Jaroslaw Knap , Kaushik Bhattacharya , Michael Ortiz c a Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA b U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005, USA c Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, CA 91125, USA
Internal reflection from an exponential amplifying region

The reflectance from an amplifying region in which the gain decreases exponentially with distance from the surface is calculated as a function of incident angle. The results are similar in some respects to the reflectance from a uniform amplifying layer reported previously. In particular, a singular point occurs in the reflectance for certain values of the thickness of the amplifying region. However, the results for the exponential case do not explain the previously reported observation of large reflectance from a pumped laser dye. An asymptotic form of the reflectance for a thick amplifying region is presented. The results for asymptotic case are compared with various other theories of reflection from an amplifying region.
Direct visualization of botulinum neurotoxin-induced channels in phospholipid vesicles.

THE seven botulinum neurotoxin (NT) serotypes produced by strains of Clostridium botulinum inhibit neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles. Neurotoxin is synthesized as a roughly 150K single-chain protein. Proteolysis produces two fragments, the 50K L-chain and 100K H-chain, that remain linked by a disulphide bond. Intoxication involves membrane attachment by the C-terminal half of the H-chain, endocytotic/lysosomal internalization, vesicle channel formation mediated by the 50K N-terminal half of the H-chain at low pH, and finally blockade of synaptic vesicle fusion after the L-chain reaches the cytosol1–4. We report here the visualization of the neurotoxin–membrane complex by electron cryomicroscopy and image processing. Three-dimensional reconstructions show the neurotoxin bound to the exterior of ganglioside/PC lipid vesicles and show channels entirely perforating the vesicle wall. Each channel appears to arise from the interaction of four neurotoxin molecules.