cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correction Insulin Advisory System Based on Meal Behavioral Profiles

Abstract We propose a model-based optimal correction bolus advisory system for the treatment of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which incorporates both continuous glucose monitoring and continuous monitoring of insulin pump data, and is responsive to the patient's history of eating behavior. In contrast to the closed-loop artificial pancreas devices currently under development, our system only provides advice to the user upon request. In silico preclinical trials show that our advisory system can substantially improve control performance with respect to conventional therapy.
The role of the α4 integrin-paxillin interaction in regulating leukocyte trafficking

The movement of leukocytes from the blood into peripheral tissues is a central feature of immune surveillance, but also contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Integrins are a family of adhesion and signaling molecules made up of paired a and beta subunits, and the integrin alpha4beta1 plays a prominent role in the trafficking of mononuclear leukocytes. We have previously described the direct interaction of the signaling adaptor molecule paxillin with the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha4 integrin subunit. This interaction is critical for alpha4beta1 integrin dependent cell adhesion under shear flow conditions as it provides a needed connection to the actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the alpha4-paxillin interaction is required for effective alpha4beta1 dependent leukocyte migration and does so through the temporal and spatial regulation of the small GTPase Rac. These findings make the alpha4-paxillin interaction a potentially attractive therapeutic target in controlling leukocyte trafficking.
Global mapping of parameter regions with a specific number of solutions

Abstract Previously proposed methods do not account for all the possible changes in the number of solutions in the global parameter space. A new method is presented which overcomes this deficiency by extending the classical definition of codimension. It can be used to find parameter regions corresponding to any specified number of solutions. The procedure can handle cases in which some parameters and/or the state variable are bounded, and solutions emerge (or disappear) on these boundaries. Several examples illustrate this procedure, which should find many applications.
Detection of Explosive Vapors by Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors Containing Novel Siloxane Based Coatings

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor was coated with a new chemoselective polymer to detect nitroaromatic explosives. Adsorption of the analyte influences the propagation of SAW and thus causes a shift in the resonant frequency of the SAW device. A novel azobenzene functionalized siloxane polymer was developed and applied to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing device for the detection of explosive vapors such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The experimental setup used for evaluating the response of this polymers-coatings is described in the paper. Experimental results indicate that the viscoelastic properties of the polymer coating is fairly insensitive to the temperature changes occurring in our experiments, which is ideal for SAW sensing device. The PDMS coating is able to detect DNT and TNT vapors.
PI3K/Akt and CREB regulate adult neural hippocampal progenitor proliferation and differentiation

The phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway has been implicated in regulating several important cellular processes, including apoptosis, survival, proliferation, and metabolism. Using both pharmacological and genetic means, we demonstrate here that PI3K/Akt plays a crucial role in the proliferation of adult hippocampal neural progenitor cells. PI3K/Akt transduces intracellular signals from multiple mitogens, including basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). In addition, retroviral vector-mediated over-expression of wild type Akt increased cell proliferation, while a dominant negative Akt inhibited proliferation. Furthermore, wild type Akt over-expression reduced glial (GFAP) and neuronal (β-tubulin III) marker expression during differentiation, indicating that it inhibits cell differentiation. We also show that activation of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), which occurs in cells stimulated by FGF-2, is limited when Akt signaling is inhibited, demonstrating a link between Akt and CREB. Over-expression of wild type CREB increases progenitor proliferation, whereas dominant negative CREB only slightly decreases proliferation. These results indicate that PI3K/Akt signaling integrates extracellular signaling information to promote cellular proliferation and inhibit differentiation in adult neural progenitors. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.
The Big Deal, Interlibrary Loan, and Building the User-Centered Journal Collection: A Case Study

Finding the right balance between ownership of journals and access to the content of nonowned journal articles is a challenge to all research libraries coping with static budgets and increasing subscription costs. The Iowa State University (ISU) Library has implemented an evaluation model utilizing both cost-per-use data and interlibrary loan (ILL) cost figures to determine the overall cost benefit of two Big Deals, ultimately leading to the breakup of both. Interlibrary loan cost thresholds were utilized to subscribe to journals on an individual basis. Funds saved from the breakups were applied to the addition of new subscriptions identified as in high demand by interlibrary loan requests from the Iowa State University community. The use of interlibrary loan cost and use data was an important component in breaking up both Big Deals and adjusting the journal collection to be more in tune with user demand and contributing to a continued drop in demand for ILL service.
The multicritical (order ) magnetization equation of state

Abstract We give the crossover equation of state for an order , isotropic, n -component, Landau-Ginsberg-Wilson model which exponentiates the first-order corrections to the mean field exponents. The competition between the gaussian and non-trivial fixed points is fully incorporated.
Towards registration of temporal mammograms by finite element simulation of MR breast volumes

Performing regular mammographic screening and comparing corresponding mammograms taken from multiple views or at different times are necessary for early detection and treatment evaluation of breast cancer, which is key to successful treatment. However, mammograms taken at different times are often obtained under different compression, orientation, or body position. A temporal pair of mammograms may vary significantly due to the spatial disparities caused by the variety in acquisition environments, including 3D position of the breast, the amount of pressure applied, etc. Such disparities can be corrected through the process of temporal registration. We propose to use a 3D finite element model for temporal registration of digital mammography. In this paper, we apply patient specific 3D breast model constructed from MRI data of the patient, for cases where lesions are detectable in multiple mammographic views across time. The 3D location of the lesion in the breast model is computed through a breast deformation simulation step presented in our earlier work. Lesion correspondence is established by using a nearest neighbor approach in the uncompressed breast volume. Our experiments show that the use of a 3D finite element model for simulating and analyzing breast deformation contributes to good accuracy when matching suspicious regions in temporal mammograms.
Enhanced X-Ray Detectors Using Polar Dopants for KCD Digital Radiography

The goal of this study is to develop high resolution imaging detectors with applications in digital radiography and computed tomography. A physical treatment aimed at a better understanding of the line-spread function response of kinestatic charge detector (KCD) gas media, using dopants with permanent electric dipoles, is presented. Experimental results were obtained by operating a KCD krypton-filled detector at pressures up to 60 atm and constant electric field-to-gas density ratio doped with small amounts of polar or nonpolar polyatomic molecules with low or high ionization potential. The results clearly indicate that the addition of dopants having both low ionization potential and high dipole moment significantly enhance the imaging signal quality. An analysis of the experimental results aimed at providing a plausible interpretation of the reported observations is offered.
A criterion for the isothermal first explosion limit

Abstract The term “explosion” has been used for a wide variety of phenomena from essentially no reaction to complete fuel use. Previous criteria for prediction of explosions have correspondingly not considered extent of fuel consumption. A simple zeroth-order outer singular perturbation scheme is used here on the equations modeling isothermal hydrogen combustion in a closed vessel to define and provide an a priori criterion for when an explosion would take place and to what degree . Explosions are termed here overdamped, damped , and underdamped corresponding to essentially no reaction, some reaction, and complete reaction, respectively. A damping factor is introduced and verified computationally in its predictive meaning. Termination reactions of the pseudo-first-order wall-capture type are used here so that the specific results obtained apply to the first explosion limit only. However, the approach is completely independent of the form of the kinetics.
The effect of lithium chloride administration on brain and heart norepinephrine turnover rates.

The effect of Li+ on NE turnover rates in rat heart and brain was studied. Turnover rates were determined in brain and heart by blocking tyrosine hydroxylase with L-α-methyltyrosine and following the decline of NE with time or in heart by injecting3H-NE and following the decline of NE specific activity with time. Subacute treatment with LiCl in doses that maintained a serum lithium level within the clinically therapeutic range caused: 1. A 95% increase in brain NE turnover rate without altering the steady-state level of the amine. 2. A slight but not significant increase in heart NE turnover. 3. The selective increase in brain NE turnover, compared to heart, may be attributed to the higher tissue levels of Li+ found in the brain under the conditions of study.
Electrochemical and Thermal Characterization of Battery Modules Commensurate with Electric Vehicle Integration

A relatively simple mathematical representation of a nickel metal hydride traction battery is developed and implemented. The approach is based in part on an equivalent circuit comprising a resistor element in series with a parallel resistor-capacitor combination. Additional features include self-discharge, current inefficiency, temperature and state-of-charge (SOC) dependencies, and mass-transport limitations. An energy balance is coupled to the electrochemical problem: the energy balance incorporates transient heat-transfer to the battery surroundings as well as reversible and irreversible heat generation. The high-frequency and pseudo-steady-state impedance exhibit an Arrhenius temperature dependence. All the model parameters arc constants or are described by continuous functions of temperature and SOC. Calculated results from the coupled electrochemical and thermal model are compared with charge and discharge experiments conducted over the time scales and current magnitudes of interest for electric-vehicle applications. The paper closes with a brief summary and a discussion of open questions.
Yolk utilization and growth to yolk-sac absorption in summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) larvae at constant and cyclic temperatures

Rates of development, growth and yolk conversion efficiency were determined in larvae of the summer flounder Paralichtys dentatus at constant temperatures of 21°, 16°, 12° and 5°C and in temperature cycles of 21°–16°, 16°–11°, and 11°–5°C. In constant incubation temperatures, development rate increased with increasing temperature. Larvae reared in the cyclic temperature regimes exhibited development rates intermediate to those at the temperature extremes of the cycle. All larvae reared at 5°C and in the 11°–5°C cycle regime died prior to total yolk-sac absorption. Although development rates were temperature dependent, no significant differences in notochord length ash-free dry weight or yolk utilization efficiency were found at the time of total yolk-sac absorption. The similarity in growth and yolk utilization efficiency for larvae reared under these various temperature regimes suggests that the physiological mechanisms involved are able to compensate for temperature changes encountered in nature.
The R-URICA: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and a Revision to the URICA

Assessing and measuring client motivation to change has been of great interest to therapists and researchers in a variety of fields. The authors of this manuscript present the results of a confirmatory factor analysis of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) in a sample of individuals in couple therapy. A sample of 603 individuals engaged in couple therapy completed the URICA as part of intake measures. Interpretation of the results indicated that a modified version of the URICA, the R-URICA provides a three-factor solution that best fits the data.
Remaining Life Prediction of Thermal Barrier Coatings Based on Photoluminescence Piezospectroscopy Measurements

Remaining Life Prediction of Thermal Barrier Coatings Based on Photoluminescence Piezospectroscopy Measurements Nondestructive determination of the remaining life of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) is highly desirable for components removed from service engines. Remaining life predictions for EB-PVD/Pt-Al TBCs cycled at two temperatures (1151 °C and 1121 °C) were made based on the thermally grown oxide stresses measured by the photoluminescence piezospectroscopy technique without knowing the test temperature. The predictions were compared using regression methods and neural network methods. It was found that both methods produce accurate life remaining predictions, but the neural network methods were superior. The lowest root-mean-square (rms) error and maximum absolute error for the prediction was 6.1% and 8.2%, respectively. For a data set with a 48.7% rms spallation life variation about the mean, the prediction results obtained are highly encouraging.
Gangstas, Wankstas, and Ridas: defining, developing, and supporting effective teachers in urban schools

Drawing from three years of research in the classrooms of four highly effective elementary and secondary teachers in South Los Angeles, this article considers theories of teaching in urban contexts by examining effective practices in urban classrooms. It outlines an original framework of five indicators of effective teaching in urban schools and uses examples from practice to illustrate those indicators and their relationship to increased achievement. Finally, it discusses possibilities for better preparation and development of teachers in these areas of their practice.
Bilateral latissimus dorsi cardiomyoplasty.

Abstract This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that a bilateral latissimus dorsi cardiomyoplasty provides greater hemodynamic augmentation than a unilateral procedure. Two types of bilateral procedure and a left posterior cardiomyoplasty were tested in each of 8 mongrel dogs. R-wave synchronous muscle pacing was achieved with a programmable burst stimulator. Hemodynamic variables of stimulated beats were compared with those of a nonstimulated baseline using paired t tests. The effects of a double anterior muscle wrap were equal to a right anterior/left posterior configuration. Therefore, the data on the two types of bilateral procedure were combined and compared with the left wrap. Stimulation of the bilateral cardiomyoplasty resulted in significant increases in right ventricular pressure (44 ± 3.1 versus 26 ± 1.8), first derivative of right ventricular pressure (595 ± 117 versus 196 ± 14), pulmonary artery pressure (34 ± 1.9 versus 23 ± 1.6), left ventricular pressure (90 ± 5.9 versus 69 ± 5.3), first derivative of left ventricular pressure (1454 ± 141 versus 1072 ± 107), aortic pressure (80 ± 5.4 versus 67 ± 4.9), and peak aortic flow (9.4 ± 1.1 versus 7.7 ± 0.8) ( p
Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid monoalkyl esters : effects on mercury levels in mice

Abstract Seven monoesters of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were evaluated for relative activities in mobilizing and promoting excretion of mercury in mercury-laden mice. Compounds assessed were the ethyl (M-EDMS), n-propyl Mn-PDMS, isopropyl (Mi-PDMS, n-butyl (Mn-BDMS), isobutyl (Mi-BDMS), n-amyl (Mn-ADMS), and isoamyl (Mi-ADMS), esters. 2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DPMS) and DMSA were used as positive controls. After the first oral dose of each compound at 0.5 mmol/kg, DMSA and DMPS reduced the corporal mercury burden 16% and 24%, respectively, compared to controls, while the monoesters effected reductions of 35% (M-EDMS) to 49% (Mi-ADMS). After the second treatment at the same dose, the respective reductions produced by DMSA and DMPS were 24% and 38%, and those conferred by the monoesters ranged from 52% (M-EDMS) to 1% (Mn-BDMS). Determination of the comparative dose-response relationships of DMSA and Mi-ADMS on corporal and renal mercury concentrations revealed the monoester to be more active than DMSA on both parameters at each dose used. The cumulative amount of mercury excreted in urine by control mice over a 3-day period was 7.08 μg; this was increased 22%, 85%, and 94% by daily i.p. injections of DMSA, DMPS, and Mi-ADMS, respectively, at a daily dose of 0.1 mmol/kg. The respective cumulative 3-day totals recovered in feces from control mice and from mice treated with DMSA, DMPS, and Mi-ADMS were 9.76, 8.21, 10.44, and 11.73 μg. Parallel daily measurements of retained whole body radioactivity from 203Hg in mice were in good agreement with the values calculated from the excretion data.
The Les Houches accords: new tools for high energy physics

Two new tools developed at the 2001 Les Houches Physics at TeV Colliders Workshop are described. First, generic Fortran common blocks are presented for use by high energy physics event generators for the transfer of event configurations from parton level generators to showering and hadronization event generators, and second, a universal interface for the inclusion of parton distribution functions into any matrix element or Monte Carlo program is described.
Mafia or Farmer? Coevolutionary consequences of retaliation and farming as predatory strategies upon host nests by avian brood parasites

Many host species of avian brood parasites have evolved to recognize and reject foreign eggs and chicks in the nest. Yet, other hosts accept and care for parasitic young, despite the fitness losses associated with raising non-kin. It has been suggested that nest predation upon host nests by brood parasites could select for coevolved acceptance by hosts, even when their cognitive and motor traits allow for the successful rejection of brood parasitism. Using a modeling approach, I analyzed the conditions that favor the evolution of two predatory strategies by parasites and the acceptance of parasitism in the presence of predatory parasites. The Mafia strategy represents retaliatory parasites that punish rejecter hosts by depredating their nests. In contrast, the Farmer strategy represents farming parasites which depredate advanced stage host nests. Both predatory strategies benefit when hosts become available for future parasitism by renesting. The modeling showed that higher rates of parasitism and rejecti...
RNA Tumor Viruses

To the Editor.— The prodigious discovery of reverse transcriptase (the enzyme that codes for the production of DNA off an RNA template) represents a milestone in the annals of molecular biology. As such, I would like to call attention to an erroneous paragraph that appeared in a recent article in the MEDICAL NEWS section ofThe Journal(231:335, 1975). The original observation of the presence of reverse transcriptase in RNA tumor viruses was reported independently but concomitantly by Howard Temin and Satoshi Mizutani of the University of Wisconsin and by David Baltimore of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both reports were published in a single issue of Nature in June 1970. 1,2 In addition, Temin and his colleagues conducted their investigations at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research in Madison, Wis, not at the National Institutes of Health. Third, and least importantly, Howard Temin holds a PhD, not an MD,
Detergent extraction of tightly-bound apoB from extracts of normal aortic intima and plaques

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that aortic plaques contain a substantial quantity of LDL-protein or apoB not removed by conventional buffer extraction. We have examined the extraction of this remaining apoB from pellets of aortic intimal homogenates under a variety of conditions. Triton X-100 was the most effective of five detergents listed for their ability to extract residual apoB. This fraction was quantified by an electroimmunoassay (EIA) relative to an LDL standard treated with Triton. Standard slopes of peak height versus concentration were flatter for Triton-treated LDL than native LDL. On Ouchterlony plates lines of complete identity were obtained between native LDL, Triton-treated LDL, and buffer-extracted apoB, but only partial identity between Triton-extracted residual apoB and the above. However, when whole minces of aortic plaques were homogenized and extracted with Triton, the amount of apoB obtained was comparable to the sum of buffer-extractable and detergent-extractable apoB. When exogenous Triton-treated LDL was added to aortic pellets or to supernatant fractions of Triton-extracted pellets, recovery appeared to be complete within the error of the system. Extraction of residual apoB from plaque pellets with Triton appeared complete since no apoB could be detected by immunofluorescence techniques in the pellets remaining after three extractions with Triton or by EIA in the third extract. In twelve cases studied normal intima contained predominantly buffer-extracted apoB, while plaques contained nearly equal amounts of buffer- and Triton-extracted apoB. These results suggest that the plaques contain a tightly bound fraction of apoB in contrast to the normal intima.
Relationships between direct predation and risk effects

Risk effects arise when prey alter their behavior in response to predators, and these responses carry costs. Empirical studies have found that risk effects can be large. Nonetheless, studies of predation in vertebrate conservation and management usually consider only direct predation. Given the ubiquity and strength of behavioral responses to predators by vertebrate prey, it is not safe to assume that risk effects on dynamics can be ignored. Risk effects can be larger than direct effects. Risk effects can exist even when the direct rate of predation is zero. Risk effects and direct effects do not necessarily change in parallel. When risk effects reduce reproduction rather than survival, they are easily mistaken for limitation by food supply.
Surgical resection for metastatic neoplasms of the lung: experience at the University of Minnesota Hospitals.

Pulmonary resection for metastatic disease in 167 patients undergoing 207 thoracotomies resulted in a cumulative survival rate of 29% at five years and 20% at 10 years, with an operative mortality of 0.6%. The most favorable prognosis was associated with testicular and renal cell carcinomas and sarcomas. Less favorable tumors were malignant melanoma, carcinoma of the colon and rectum, and cervix uteri. A significant factor influencing survival was duration of disease-free interval with a 50% five-year survival rate in patients whose primary tumor was treated over five years ago. Patients with multiple pulmonary metastases had a five-year survival rate of 27% vs. 22% of patients with solitary metastases. Of 23 patients with tumor extending to the chest wall, diaphragm, or pleura, only two survived five years. Of 26 patients with mediastinal involvement none survived two years.
Explaining Away Excellence: The Biased Assault on Private-School Research

Research favoring private education runs counter to the agenda of some researchers and policy makers. Consequently, the ameliorative role of private school is apt to be explained away on methodolog...
Comment on "Intrinsic decoherence in quantum mechanics"

Milburn has recently proposed a model [Phys. Rev. A 44, 5401 (1991)] in which quantum states evolve into statistical mixtures of stationary states. One might think that this would imply that any observable quantity would become independent of time. We argue that, on the contrary, the decoherence implied by Milburn's model would have no observable effect at all.
Three-dimensional transient simulation of magnetoresistive head temperature during an ESD event

Abstract Magnetoresistive (MR) heads for disc drives are susceptible to very low levels of ESD in the manufacturing and assembly process. The cost of failed heads and the ESD controls in the factories are high. One mode of failure is overheating of the MR sensor due to the ESD current. Knowledge of the head design parameters which affect the peak ESD temperature are desirable to guide the head design. The MR sensor temperature during an ESD event is modeled in three dimensions using finite elements. Results are given for the relative effect of ESD with a range of thermal and electrical properties, dimensions, and discharge time constants. The key parameters are the material properties of the sensor and insulator, the sensor height, and the insulator thickness. Lateral heat conduction reduces the temperature at the edges of the sensor.
High-Pressure Studies of Optical Dephasing in Polymer Glasses

The effect of high pressure on the optical dephasing of chromophores in organic polymers at low temperature is evaluated within the stochastic sudden jump two-level-system (TLS) model. The approximations within the "standard" TLS model cannot account for the observed pressure dependence of the pure dephasing rate without ad hoc assumptions about changes in the TLS density of states. However, the photon echo model of Geva and Skinner for disordered systems can be used to model pressure-dependent optical dephasing results for a variety of doped polymer systems without assuming changes in the TLS density of states. The relative importance of pressure-induced changes in TLS density, chromophore-TLS coupling, and TLS-phonon coupling is evaluated by fitting experimental high-pressure photon echo results to the TLS model.
Beam forming of light from structured metal nano-aperture vertical cavity lasers

We report the nano-scale patterning of concentric ring-shaped metal corrugations around a sub-wavelength aperture in Ag deposited on top of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The presence of the rings results in more than a doubling of collected far-field power and a reduction in far-field angular width from 100° to 28°. These nano-aperture lasers thus have the unique property of both a small near-field spot and a relatively low beam divergence. Finite-difference timedomain simulations confirm the experimental results and show that the far-field pattern is highly sensitive to misalignment of the aperture and to the presence of multiple transverse laser modes.
Electrodeposition of silver on silver single crystals

Abstract The morphology of silver electrodeposits deposited on silver single crystals has been studied in sulphate, perchlorate and ammonium nitrate baths at several current densities. A. characteristic type of deposit was observed in the above baths. In presence of sulphadiazine and sulphadimidine, the growth habit changes depending upon the concentration and current density.
Dustbathing as a regulatory mechanism

Three mathematical models were developed to describe how some species of birds, such as bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) regulate the amount of oil on their plumage. The models assume that dustbathing plays a significant role in this regulatory process. They differed primarily in their assumptions about the relationship between oiling and dustbathing behavior. Several experiments were run to check on the implications of the models.
The use of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic dosimetry models for chemical mixtures.

Abstract Human exposure to chemicals is rarely, if ever, limited to a single chemical. Therefore, it is essential that we consider multiple chemical effects and interactions in our risk assessment process. However, with the almost infinitely large number of chemical mixtures in the environment, systematic studies of the toxicology of these chemical mixtures with conventional methodologies and approaches are impossible because of the immense resources and unrealistically long durations required. Thus, the development of ‘Predictive and Alternative Toxicology’ is imperative. At Colorado State University (CSU), our research effort is entirely devoted to this challenge. In order to have a reasonable chance to deal with the complex issue of toxicology of chemical mixtures, we believe that the following concepts must be considered: (1) the utilization of computer; (2) the exploitation of mathematical/statistical methodologies; (3) developing very focused, mechanistically based, and short-term toxicology studies; (4) coupling computer/mathematical modeling with mechanistically-based toxicology. Our strategy is therefore the utilization of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) modeling, coupled with very focused, modeldirected toxicology experiments as well as other statistical/mathematical methodologies such as Monte Carlo simulation, isobolographic analysis, and response surface methodology. We believe that ‘Predictive and Alternative Toxicology’ in terms of tissue dosimetry at the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic levels is achievable with simple and complex but chemically defined mixtures. In this presentation, we describe two ongoing research projects as an illustration of our ‘Bottom-Up’ and ‘Top-Down’ approaches for handling the chemical mixtures: (1) PBPK/PD modeling of toxicologie interactions between Kepone and carbon tetrachloride (CC14) and the coupling of Monte Carlo simulation for the prediction of acute toxicity; (2) the conceptual development of PBPK/PD modeling for a more complex chemical mixture of seven groundwater contaminants from hazardous waste sites and the consideration of subfractionation of this chemical mixture.
Recent results on development of a table-top soft X-ray laser

Gain measurements have been performed in a recombining carbon plasma generated by a line focussed Nd-glass laser beam on a multi-fin target with the aim of developing a “table-top” soft X-ray laser. With a laser beam of only 4 J (2ns) and a 6 mm long target gain up to 7.1 cm−1 was measured for the C VI 18.2 nm line (gain-length ∼4.3). During these measurements high gain (6.5 cm−1) was also measured for the first time on the C VI 13.5 nm line (4−2 transition). These measurements were done in the process of preparation for two-target experiments. High gain was measured independently for two separate, identical 6 mm targets. Changes in the influx into the plasma of iron ions from “cooling” blades significantly affected the location of the gain region and can be used as a mechanism to control the gain region in two-target experiments.
Abridgment of cooperative courses — Their development and operating principles

The Cooperative Idea has been the motivating spirit in the various attempts to bring together the educational and industrial elements in engineering. The outstanding milestones of progress in this undertaking are the “Sandwich System” of Scotland, the establishment of shops in schools, the rise of educational opportunities in industrial concerns, the report of Sir William White's committee of practising engineers and educators in England, and finally, the conception and inception of the cooperative courses at the University of Cincinnati and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These courses are taken as examples of two types of cooperative course called respectively the “Cincinnati Plan” and the “M. I. T. Plan.” Each of these possesses a structure and a set of operating principles determined by the purpose for which it was instituted and the conditions under which it is carried out. The operating principles of the M. I. T. Plan are discussed in detail in this paper. The graduates of both these plans are demonstrating that the results sought are being accomplished.
Determinants of Health: Testing of a Conceptual Model

Systematic exploration of the relative strength of the many determinants of health requires a framework or model for organizing research endeavors. Despite the 150year-old literature on social determinants of health, there have been few efforts at developing such a model. The Lalonde Report (1974), 1 which popularized a prior conceptualization of health as being determined by biological, environmental, life style, and health care organization, is still cited and even repeated in various incarnations as a prototype, despite the fact that much greater specificity is required if policy decisions are to result from scholarly inquiry. In this presentation we provide an example of the evolution of causal diagrams from the early 1970s to the late 1990s. 2–5 This example shows how discrete lines of scholarly endeavors can shape the way these diagrams are formed. For example, in the 1970s and 1980s Aaron Antonovsky’s work 6 on social coherence influenced the specification of pathways; in the 1990s, social cohesion has replace social coherence, even though it is a variable more related to social context than to individual psychological representation of ‘feelings.’ Very few empirical studies address more than two steps in a postulated pathway. 6,7 More recent models (F IG . 1) explicitly represent the ecological context that influences individuals primarily indirectly through more proximate social and environmental phenomena, and even more proximate individual manifestations of these contextual phenomena. Virtually absent from most of the recent literature is consideration of the contextual variables related to health services organization and delivery and their translation into individual experiences of quality of services received. When these more comprehensive models are used, it becomes evident that no single pathway is responsible for manifestation of a population’s health. Rather, the interaction between a variety of types of domains, including the biological, social, behavioral, environmental, and medical become clear. As noted by Greenland et al., 9 conventional multivariate techniques for assessing the strength of relationships become problematic as the interactions among variables overwhelms the ability of these techniques to accurately characterize the interactions. A simple example of these interactions is provided by the work of Shi et al., 10 who used a path analytic strategy informed by F IGURE 1 to examine the relative impact of the contextual variables of income inequality and the supply of primary care versus specialty physicians in the 50 U.S. states. They found that both income inequality and the supply of primary care physicians directly influenced most of the
Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins on the Transient Impairment of Endothelium—Dependent Brachial Artery Vasoactivity Following a Single High-Fat Meal

Context. —Much has been written about the potential role of antioxidants in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Objective. —To assess the short-term effect of a single high-fat meal with and without pretreatment with antioxidant vitamins on endothelial function in healthy, normocholesterolemic subjects. Design. —Observer-blinded randomized trial. Setting. —University hospital. Participants. —Twenty healthy, normocholesterolemic (total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol Intervention. —Three randomly administered breakfasts: (1) a high-fat meal (3766 J [900 calories], 50 g of fat); (2) a low-fat meal (3766 J [900 calories], 0 g of fat); and (3) a high-fat meal and pretreatment with oral administration of vitamins C (1 g) and E (800 IU) (high-fat meal with vitamins). A subgroup of 10 subjects also ate the low-fat meal with the same vitamin pretreatment (low-fat meal with vitamins). Main Outcome Measure. —High-resolution ultrasound assessed flow-mediated (endothelium-dependent) brachial artery vasodilation measured as percent diameter change before and hourly for 6 hours following each meal. Results. —Flow-mediated vasodilation fell from a mean±SD of 20%±8% before to 12%±6%, 10%±6%, and 8%±9% at 2, 3, and 4 hours, respectively, after the high-fat meal ( P P Conclusion. —A single high-fat meal transiently reduces endothelial function for up to 4 hours in healthy, normocholesterolemic subjects, probably through the accumulation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. This decrease is blocked by pretreatment with antioxidant vitamins C and E, suggesting an oxidative mechanism.
Characterization of Active Sites over Reduced Ni−Mo/Al2O3 Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Linear Aldehydes

Reduced Ni−Mo/Al2O3 catalysts exhibit a behavior analogous to that of sulfided Ni−Mo/Al2O3 catalysts in hydrogenation of linear aldehydes to alcohols. Similar to what has been previously reported for sulfided catalysts, NO and CO2 can be used over the reduced Ni−Mo catalysts as probe molecules for the active sites responsible for two competing reactionsaldehyde hydrogenation to alcohols and condensation reactions to heavy products, respectively. Reduced catalysts have a higher aldehyde conversion activity and alcohol selectivity than their sulfided counterparts. The reduction temperature has a strong effect on the surface density of anion vacancies, which are responsible for alcohol formation. Reduction temperature also plays a role in determining the abundance of OH groups on the alumina surface. The effect of reduction temperature also manifests itself through the differences seen in the oxidation states of Mo and Ni species.
Augmenting the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines: Role of plasmid-encoded Flt-3 ligand, as a molecular adjuvant in genetic vaccination

Abstract In this study, we have taken advantage of the unique property of a potent dendritic cell (DC) growth factor, Flt-3 ligand (FL), which could act as a vaccine adjuvant. Accordingly, a single injection of plasmid DNA coding for soluble FL (FLex) was shown to induce large numbers of DCs in various tissue compartments and was critical for generating high frequencies of antigen-specific (HIV gp120 and LCMV NP) immune responses in mice. Interestingly, this enhanced level of immune response is strictly dependent on the co-delivery (i.m.) of the DNA vaccines and hFLex DNA to mice harboring large numbers of DCs. The high frequencies of antigen-specific CD8 + T cells were largely associated with the expansion phase of DCs in vivo. However, DC expansion and immune enhancement have not reciprocally maintained a linear correlation, suggesting that other factors, cytokines/chemokines, which have the potential to modulate the microenvironment of DCs, could influence immunological outcome in this vaccination modality.
Contemporary Attitude Theory in Sport: Theoretical Considerations and Implications

Although the attitude construct has received considerable attention in the social psychological literature, its application to better understand how people form strong, stable and continuous involvement with athletic teams remains largely unexplored. Following a review of attitude strength research in other disciplines, previous methods used to investigate attitudes in the leisure and sport literatures are reviewed. Based on this review, a framework for the study of attitudes is discussed for understanding allegiance to sport teams. This framework includes a description of the structural relations among various attitude properties and their likely influences on the persistence of attitudes over time, resistance of attitudes in the face of challenges, thoughts about the attitude object, and the likelihood of attitudes influencing behaviour. It is suggested that consideration of attitude strength issues may allow sport managers to better understand how attitudes may be formed toward teams, and may provide insights into how to manage fan loyalty.
A photographic fishing expedition with granie

In this issue of Blood , Le Guyader and colleagues use a variety of elegant techniques during zebrafish development to identify a unique population of neutrophils derived from myeloid progenitors originating from primitive embryonic macrophages. Zebrafish, the tropical freshwater Danio rerio , has
Aspartic acid inhibition of glutamic acid utilization for proline, citrulline and glutamine biosynthesis

Abstract The inhibition of growth of L. arabinosus 17-5 by aspartic acid is similarly prevented over a 500-fold range of inhibitory concentrations by either glutamic acid or 50–100 times more effectively by glutamine in the presence of sufficient glutamic acid for growth. A strictly competitive relationship is not obtained particularly at high concentrations, but the range of inhibitory effects is sufficiently large for an analysis of the inhibition. Proline, citrulline, or low concentrations of glutamine singly, and in combinations synergistically, increase the amount of aspartic acid necessary for growth inhibition at various concentrations of glutamic acid. These results suggest that these substances exert a sparing effect on a common glutamate complex or interconvertible glutamate complexes, presumably by preventing their own biosynthesis. Glutamine not only serves as an essential metabolic product of glutamic acid but also can fulfil these other functions of glutamic acid (i.e., proline and citrulline production) more effectively than glutamic acid itself in the inhibited system. However, the greater activity of glutamine probably results from its ability to serve as an active glutamate donor and does not constitute evidence that glutamine itself is an intermediate in these other biosyntheses. The effect of ornithine as compared with citrulline indicates dual glutamate functions, both in the biosynthesis of ornithine and in its conversion to citrulline.
A Strategic Planning Network for Non- profit Organizations

Summary Strategic planning processes are seldom treated from a contingency perspective. As a result, practitioners are unable to select a set of planning techniques for a particular situation they confront. This paper constructs methods, defined as sets of techniques, which are applicable to strategic planning for non-profit organizations. These constructed planning methods are matched to strategic archetypes, defined by the sponsor's expectations for quality, acceptance, and/or innovation in the strategy. The contingency framework is presented as a network which identifies planning methods usefulfor each strategic archetype application.
Reducing viscosity of paraffin base crude oil with electric field for oil production and transportation

Abstract Reducing the crude oil viscosity is important for the oil production and transportation. The micro–nanotechnology of viscosity reduction associated with electric field is found to be universal, working for all kinds of crude oil, including asphalt base crude oil and paraffin base crude oil. Especially at low temperature, the electric field is extremely efficient: in a couple of seconds after the electric field is applied, the viscosity is reduced substantially, making the flow rate in a pipeline more than double. The technology consumes very little energy and will be very useful for both off-shore and on-shore crude oil production and transportation.
Some exact solutions to a non-linear diffusion problem in population genetics and combustion.

Abstract The Fisher (1937) or Kolmogoroff-Petrovsky-Piscounoff (1937) equation has had wide application in describing phenomena occurring in population genetics and combustion. We propose an extension of this equation and obtain closed form traveling wave, stationary, and “symmetric” solutions to the equation.
Photoelectrochemical Investigation of Radiation-Enhanced Shadow Corrosion Phenomenon

The photoelectrochemical investigation was performed by measuring the photoelectrochemical behavior of various alloys such as Zircaloy 2, 304 stainless steel (SS) and Alloy X-750 in 0.01M Na2SO4 at 25°C or in high purity water at 300°C under intense ultraviolet (UV) illumination. UV was selected because its photon energy (∼5 eV) is similar to the energy gap of the electron-hole pairs in zirconium oxide. The data show that the photoexcitation of ZrO2 caused the corrosion potential to shift in the anodic direction and produced anodic photocurrents under the oxidizing water chemistry condition when Zircaloy 2 electrode was galvanically coupled with dissimilar electrodes, such as Alloy X-750, 304 SS, or Pt, causing accelerated corrosion of Zircaloy. It is thus postulated that the photoelectrochemical enhancement of surface reaction kinetics at the ZrO2 surface may be responsible for the radiation-enhanced corrosion on Zircaloy (i.e., shadow corrosion). In addition, it is revealed that no significant change in galvanic current between Zircaloy 2 and other dissimilar electrodes was measured in high temperature water containing only hydrogen that resulted in similar ECPs. These data thus clearly provide an explanation for why the radiation-enhanced corrosion of Zircaloy only occurs in BWRs but not PWRs. Based on galvanic corrosion, impedance, and transmission electron microscopy analysis, it is proposed that the defect structure of equiaxed grain layers may be responsible for the photoelectrochemical response of ZrO2 in high temperature water. The mechanism of shadow corrosion is still highly debated but it appears to be similar to a process of galvanic corrosion in connection with sufficiently conducting Zr oxide structure. The galvanic corrosion data suggests that a Zr coating on the fuel assembly spacer (Alloy X-750 or 304 SS) may mitigate the shadow corrosion in BWRs.
Non-photochemical hole burning and its relation to the fluorescence and structure of organic glasses☆

Abstract To explain the appearance of laser induced sharp persistent holes burnt into in-homogeneously broadened impurity spectra in organic glasses, a two level systems structural model for the glass is proposed. Non-photochemical hole burning data pertaining to the density of states and relaxation processes of the two level systems are presented.
A hybrid method for computing forces on curved dislocations intersecting free surfaces in three-dimensional dislocation dynamics

Dislocations intersecting free surfaces present a challenge for numerical implementation of traction-free boundary conditions in dislocation dynamics simulations. The difficulty arises when singular analytic expressions of dislocation stress fields need to be used in combination with numerical methods to calculate image stress fields due to the free surfaces. A new hybrid method is developed here in which the singular and non-singular parts of the image stress are dealt with separately. The analytic solution for a semi-infinite straight dislocation intersecting the surface of elastic half-space is used to account for the singular part of the image stress, while the remaining non-singular part is treated using the standard finite element method. The numerical advantages of this decomposition are demonstrated with examples.