cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of l -propranolol during repetitive dosing in normal and uranyl nitrate-induced renal failure rats

The effect of experimental renal failure on the intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of l-propranolol was studied in rats. Renal failure was induced by a single intravenous injection of uranyl nitrate (5 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out on the fifth day after injection of the renal toxin (renal failure group or saline (control group). Serum concentration time course of l-propranolol was characterized after a single intravenous or oral dose as well as after five consecutive doses of the drug given at 3-hr intervals. During repetitive intravenous drug administration, steady state was reached by the second dose, i.e., within 6hr after initiation of repetitive dosing. No significant difference in the serum concentration time course of l-propranotol was observed between control and renal failure animals. In both groups the AUCover the steady-state dosing interval was on the average 21–27%higher than the AUCafter a single dose, indicating a slight decrease in the systemic clearance of l-propranolol during repetitive intravenous drug administration. An approximately two- to three-fold higher serum l-propranolol concentration was observed in renal failure animals as compared to the normal controls after both single or repetitive oral dosing. The apparent reduction in oral clearance probably reflected an inhibition of the hepatic first-pass metabolism of l-propranolol in the renal failure rat. An unexpectedly high and protracted accumulation of serum l-propranolol concentration was observed during repetitive oral drug administration. Continuing accumulation was still evident after the fifth oral dose, i.e., a period of 15hr or approximately 10 half-lives. The mean AUCover the last dosing interval was 32.0 and 17.8 times higher than the predicted steady-state estimate based on single oral dose data for control and renal failure rats, respectively. The substantial reduction in the oral clearance during repetitive drug administration may be due to an auto-inhibition of l-propranolol metabolism.
Ciliated sensory neurons in the lip of the squid Lolliguncula brevis Blainville

The lip of Lolliguncula brevis is a muscular fold covered by a simple columnar epithelium and overlayed medially and distally by a non-cellular cuticle. Bipolar sensory cells in the epithelium have a shallow pocket with cilia and microvilli at the free end of their dendrite. The cilia project out onto the surface through pores in the cuticle. Cells with intracellular cilia were observed below the epithelium. These cells send a process toward the surface of the lip. These two receptors are compared to the receptors previously described from the lip of Sepia.
A critique of customer and commodity

For some good reasons, academic librarians see library users as customers, and library materials and access as commodities. However, there are some problems with the focus on consumerism and commodification. This paper examines a number of writings that advocate a customer service approach and the attendant view of library materials and access as commodities. The examination is informed by a substantial body of thought that addresses questions relating to customers and commodities in light of some cultural, social, and intellectual concerns. There are some problems, which are discussed in detail, with the popularly held notions of library users as customers and of library services as commodities.
Contractions of the filariid Acanthocheilonema viteae induced by potassium chloride.

The effects of K+ on muscle contractility were explored in the filarial nematodeAcanthocheilonema viteae (Dipetalonema viteae). The parasite was slit open longitudinally and mounted in a smooth muscle chamber that was filled with aerated (95% N2−5% CO2) physiological solution at 37°C. KCl at concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 mM induced a rapid isotonic contraction of the filarial muscle. The maximal response from KCl was similar to the maximal response to acetylcholine chloride (ACh). When KCl was applied for several minutes, tolerance frequently occurred. Contractions were also induced by K2SO4 but not by NaCl, Na2SO4 or sucrose. Nifedipine was more than 10 times as potent in reducing the KCl-induced contraction as in reducing that caused by ACh. The KCl-induced contraction was abolished in a Ca-free physiological medium containing ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA, 10−4M). Low [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] solutions blocked the spontaneous activity, the KCl-induced contractions, and the ACh-induced contractions. KCl also induced contractions in denervated muscle strips, supporting the hypothesis that K+ acts directly on the muscle cells. These results indicate that K+ can depolarize the muscle membrane and induce a muscle contraction that is dependent on extracellular calcium ions.
Osteochondroma causing diaphragmatic rupture and bowel obstruction in a 14-year-old boy

Exostosis, also known as osteochondroma, results from a disorder of the growth-plate where bone grows away from the growth axis and forms an irregular projection. This abnormality most commonly occurs around the femur, scapula, humerus, and ribs. Although hemothorax and diaphragmatic rupture are known complications of exostosis growth, we present herein the first known report of an inward-facing exostosis in a 14-year-old boy with hereditary multiple exostosis causing diaphragmatic rupture and a bowel obstruction requiring operation. Most exostoses are asymptomatic and as such require no further treatment. However, when they are threatening to cause mass effects (such as frictional bursitis, local entrapment of vessels, and tendons or nerves) or symptomatic, surgical resection is the appropriate treatment.
Authentication of ATCC strains in theSaccharomyces cerevisiae complex by PCR fingerprinting

Abstract Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of 18 yeast strains currently assigned toSaccharomyces cerevisiae, S. pastorianus, andS. bayanus were examined. Primers complementary to the ITS region were used to amplify the ITS rDNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The products were digested with 10 endonucleases and cluster analysis was used to generate a phenogram from the restriction fragment data. Three strains ofS. cerevisiae (ATCC 10609, 26250, and 66162) exhibited restriction patterns that were different from the type strain but identical to those of theS. bayanus-S. pastorianus cluster. In contrast,S. pastorianus (ATCC 76671) showed restriction profiles that were different from its type strain but were identical to the type strain ofS. cerevisiae (ATCC 18824). These results suggest that the three strains ofS. cerevisiae should be reassigned to eitherS. pastorianus orS. bayanus, and the strain ofS. pastorianus (ATCC 76671) should be reclassified asS. cerevisiae.
Identification of a heparin-binding protein in bovine seminal fluid as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2.

Presence or absence of three distinct bovine seminal heparin-binding proteins (21-31 kDa) recognized in sperm extracts by a monoclonal antibody, M1, is a diagnostic indicator of fertility differences among bulls producing normal semen. We recently identified a 31 kDa fertility-associated antigenin bovine seminal fluid as a unique DNase I-like protein. We now report purification and identification of a 24 kDa seminal heparin-binding protein (HBP-24) recognized by M1. N-terminal microsequence analysis of HBP-24 purified from seminal fluid yielded 20 amino acid residues that displayed 90% identity to the N-terminus of a bovine metalloproteinase inhibitor identified as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). A single immunoreactive band migrating at 24 kDa was detected in Western blots of cauda epididymal sperm extracts following incubation with purified seminal heparin-binding proteins and subsequent washing in vitro, indicating TIMP-2 bound to sperm membranes. Expression of TIMP-2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in bovine bulbourethral gland, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Mobility of the 24 kDa heparin-binding protein increased under nonreducing SDS-PAGE to approximately 21 kDa, characteristic of the reported molecular mass of TIMP-2. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TIMP-2 binding to spermatozoa and of TIMP-2 mRNA expression in bovine accessory sex glands. These results corroborate previous reports regarding the site of production of heparin-binding proteins that are related to bull fertility, and suggest that TIMP-2 influences fertility of bulls, either through inhibition of metalloprotease activity in semen or via undefined activities independent of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition.
Failure to induce allergic response in guinea pigs with scorpion venom.

Abstract The venom of Centruroides sculpturatus was tested for its ability to incite an allergic response in guinea pigs, using two standard methods. No allergic response was observed.
The Impact of Energy Deregulation on Sourcing Strategy

SUMMARY Supply researchers predicted in 1999 that deregulation would change the landscape for the purchasers of energy. The current research was undertaken to determine the nature and direction of the predicted changes in energy sourcing behavior. Based on detailed interviews with managers, government officials, and lobbyists, the risks and rewards associated with recent events in deregulation are examined and analyzed. Next, a detailed process for developing and implementing an energy sourcing strategy for commercial businesses that considers these risks and rewards of alternative energy sourcing channels is developed. This is followed by a process that involves aggregating data, obtaining support, defining risk tolerance, and spending parameters that involved stake-holders, evaluating proposals, executing the strategy and monitoring it overtime. Finally, insights into the future trends in deregulated energy markets are described. Results suggest that a focused approach to developing detailed supply market intelligence can assist sourcing managers in preparing for the deregulated era and achieve significant cost savings in energy spending.
Neuropsychological Testing: Methodology, Interpretation and Outcomes

The outcome most dreaded by patient and surgeon alike is a brain dysfunction. Numerous surveys indicate most patients would prefer death to significant neurological impairment. Cardiac surgery curr...
Composite material with a cracked layer and fiber

Knowledge of the variation of stress and strain in layered media is essential to the understanding of the mechanical behavior of laminates. The idea of bonding together several materials with dissimilar properties is to produce a structural element capable of resisting load in different directions. The stresses and displacements are usually assumed to be continuous across the bond lines so that no layer can slip relative to another. The layered assembly acts as one unit with its own properties and transmits load through its constituents in a complicated manner. Since the stress state in laminated composites is inherently three-dimensional in character, simplifying assumptions such as those applied in plate theories are usually necessary in order to reduce the boundary-value problem to manageable proportions. Such approaches often lead to the approximate satisfaction of conditions at the edges and/or interfaces. Chapters 6 and 7 will discuss the formulation of laminated plate theories.
Hidradenocarcinoma: Criteria for Malignancy and Hypothesis of an Apoeccrine Origin

The immunohistochemical profile of hidradenocarcinoma, defined here as the malignant counterpart of hidradenoma, has not been well characterised. We evaluated the staining pattern of six cases of hidradenocarcinoma using antibodies to gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), S-100 protein, keratin AE1/3, cytokeratin 5/6, p53, bcl-1, bcl-2, and Ki67. All tumours were poorly circumscribed with clefting between tumour and stroma, evidence of poroid cells and cuticular cells, decapitation secretion, and increased mitoses with cords of tumour infiltrating through the adjacent desmoplastic stroma. The tumours stained with antibodies to CEA, S-100 protein, GCDFP-15, and EMA in no consistent pattern. All tumours studied stained positively for keratin AE1/3 and cytokeratin 5/6. Ki67 and p53 staining were strongly positive in 5 of 6 tumours. Bcl-1 and bcl-2 staining were variable. Our study demonstrates that hidradenocarcinomas may have both apocrine and eccrine features within the same tumour and suggests that it may be most accurate to consider that these tumours originate from apoeccrine structures or stem cells with the capacity for pluripotential differentiation.
A blueprint for genomic nursing science.

Purpose: This article reports on recommendations arising from an invitational workshop series held at the National Institutes of Health for the purposes of identifying critical genomics problems important to the health of the public that can be addressed through nursing science. The overall purpose of the Genomic Nursing State of the Science Initiative is to establish a nursing research blueprint based on gaps in the evidence and expert evaluation of the current state of the science and through public comment. Organizing Constructs: A Genomic Nursing State of the Science Advisory Panel was convened in 2012 to develop the nursing research blueprint. The Advisory Panel, which met via two webinars and two in-person meetings, considered existing evidence from evidence reviews, testimony from key stakeholder groups, presentations from experts in research synthesis, and public comment. Findings: The genomic nursing science blueprint arising from the Genomic Nursing State of Science Advisory Panel focuses on biologic plausibility studies as well as interventions likely to improve a variety of outcomes (e.g., clinical, economic, environmental). It also includes all care settings and diverse populations. The focus is on (a) the client, defined as person, family, community, or population; (b) the context, targeting informatics support systems, capacity building, education, and environmental influences; and (c) cross-cutting themes. It was agreed that building capacity to measure the impact of nursing actions on costs, quality, and outcomes of patient care is a strategic and
Race, Bias, and Attitudes Toward Drug Control Policy

This research explores the associative and interactive effects of race and perceived racial bias on attitudes toward drug policies among a sample of university students. Extant research that has examined general crime control attitudes has suggested the relative influence of both variables. However, our exploratory analysis finds perceived racial bias to be the most salient factor, whereas race, measured discretely, exhibits no interactive effect. The discussion considers structural explanations for racial disparity and advocates a more robust measurement of race variation that includes racial categorization, self-identification, and bias.
Cardiac Arrest Secondary to Bilateral Pulmonary Emboli following Arteriovenous Fistula Thrombectomy: A Case Report with Review of the Literature

Number of patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is growing worldwide. Hemodialysis remains the main modality of renal replacement therapy for ESRD patients. A patent hemodialysis access (arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft) plays a key role in successful delivery of hemodialysis. Common vascular access issues encountered by patients and nephrologists are thrombosis and infection. The thrombosed access is declotted by various percutaneous techniques these days by multiple outpatient access centers in a timely fashion. Thrombolysis can give rise to various complications, a few of which can be life threatening. A young hemodialysis patient underwent percutaneous thrombolysis of his clotted arteriovenous fistula. Outpatient access thrombectomy was complicated immediately afterwards with cardiac arrest requiring cardiac resuscitation in the recovery room. The patient was admitted to intensive care unit after life sustaining care. Work up revealed multiple pulmonary emboli to both lung fields on CT scan of the chest. Patient was anticoagulated and discharged from the hospital. Thrombolysis of clotted hemodialysis access is associated commonly with occurrences of pulmonary embolic which are usually asymptomatic. Massive pulmonary embolization due to access thrombolysis is rare. Nephrologists and radiologists should be aware of this dangerous complication particularly in patients with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease.
Economic Methodology and the Significance of the Knight-Herskovits Controversy

THE IMMEDIATE STIMULUS in the writing of this article has been the recent publication of Prof. Melville J. Herskovits' book on comparative economic systems.1 This work, a thorough revision of the author's The Economic Life of Primitive Peoples, includes in its appendix a critical review essay of the book written by Prof. Frank Knight after it was first published in 1940, as well as a rejoinder to Knight's comments by Dr. Herskovits.2 Both articles, as well as certain sections of the book itself, are of special interest to the writer inasmuch as they specifically deal with the problem of economic methodology as applied to cultures other than
Ecological agriculture: Principles, practices, and constraints

The practice of ecological agriculture involves building the strengths of natural ecosystems into agroecosystems, purposely disturbed to produce food and fiber. The overall strategies include using practices that (a) grow healthy plants with good defense capabilities, (b) stressing pests, and (c) enhancing populations of beneficial organisms. These are accomplished by enhanced habitat management both above ground and in the soil. Many of the practices that contribute to the overall strategies are well known—such as intensive use of cover crops or reduced tillage. Reasons for why they have not been more widely used are discussed. The special challenges facing ecological agriculture in the poor countries of the Third World are also discussed. Re-engaging national governments in the active support of their agriculture and addressing the structural inequalities (including access to land) are essential to overcome the many problems facing farmers in the poor countries.
Work hour rules and contributors to patient care mistakes: A focus group study with internal medicine residents

BACKGROUND: The “Swiss cheese model” of systems accidents is commonly applied to patient safety, implying that many “holes” must align before an adverse event occurs. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) instituted work hour limitations to fill one such hole by reducing resident fatigue. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine how residents perceive the impact of the ACGME rules and other factors on patient safety. DESIGN: The study was designed as a focus group study. PARTICIPANTS: Participating in the study were 28 internal medicine residents, of whom 13 were from a university-based program that includes both an academic medical center and a Veterans Affair (VA) hospital, 9 were from a community-based program, and 6 were from a freestanding medical college that includes a large private teaching hospital and a VA hospital. MEASUREMENT: Grounded theory analysis was used to examine transcripts of the focus group discussions. RESULTS: A model of contributors to patient care errors emerged including fatigue, inexperience, sign-outs, not knowing patients, “entropy” (which we defined as “overall chaos in the system”), and workload. Participants described the impact of both intended and unintended consequences of the work hour rules on patient care. Residents reported improved well-being and less fatigue, but had concern about the effect of reduced continuity on patient care. CONCLUSION: Our focus group participants perceived that the ACGME work hour limitations had minimized the impact of resident fatigue on patient care errors. Other contributors to errors remained and were often exacerbated by methods to maintain compliance with the rules. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:228–237.
The role of porosity in filtration VII effect of side‐wall friction in compression‐permeability cells

The effect of side-wall friction on the uniformity of packing of beds in compression-permeability cells is examined. A large portion of pressure applied to the top of a compressible bad is absorbed in wall friction, resulting in a nonuniformly packed bed. A simplified analysis of wall friction and its effect on porosity and permeability is presented. All experimenters involived in flow through porous media are urged to examine the effects of stress distribution on the structure and uniformity of the packing. In general, compressible beds of small particles will be strongly affected by the walls.
A new process for making reservoir-type microcapsules using ink-jet technology and interfacial phase separation.

A new microencapsulation technique that utilizes interfacial mass transfer between two mutually soluble liquids has been developed. The technique is based on formation of a solid polymer film at the interface of a solution of a water-insoluble polymer and an aqueous solution, resulting from the mutual mass transfer of solvents (i.e., solvent exchange). Reservoir-type microcapsules were prepared by inducing this phenomenon to occur on the surface of an aqueous droplet. One method of implementation employed a dual microdispenser system that consisted of two ink-jet nozzles. The nozzles, producing droplets of a polymer solution and an aqueous drug solution, respectively, were aligned to allow collision of pairs of the droplets. The collision resulted in spreading of the polymer solution on the aqueous droplet and simultaneous solvent exchange, to form a polymeric membrane around the aqueous droplet. The formation of the polymer membrane depended largely on the favorable spreading of the polymer solution on the aqueous droplets and fast solvent exchange, and required judicious selection of the organic solvent. Simple and fast screening methods were developed for selection of a proper solvent. Ethyl acetate was chosen as one of the most desirable solvents through the screening procedures. Ethyl acetate and the dual microdispenser system were used to form microcapsules that were subsequently examined by microscopic methods to demonstrate their unique geometry.
Stationary Quasi-Compressibility Methods: The Penalty Method and the Pressure Stabilization Method

The objective of this chapter is the mathematical classification of the penalty method and the pressure stabilization method. To be more specific, we suggest a new analytical approach to the penalty method and the pressure stabilization method that distinguishes and quantifies the different error mechanisms inherent to them. As a result, we obtain optimal (pointwise in time) error statements as well as sharp a-priori bounds for the solution of the pressure stabilization method, that have not been available before. The latter results are, for instance, necessary in order to derive optimal results in the finite element context.
Detecting potential regional effects of increased atmospheric CO2 on growth rates of western juniper

Evidence of an atmospheric CO2 fertilization effect on radial growth rates was uncovered by examining climate‐growth relationships for seven western juniper tree-ring chronologies in central Oregon using multiple regression models. Consistent upward trends of the residuals from dendroclimatic models indicated a decreased ability for climate parameters to predict growth with time. Additionally, an assessment was made of whether enhanced growth was detectable under drought conditions, because a major benefit of elevated atmospheric CO2 is the reduction of water stress. Mean ring indices were compared between ecologically comparable drought years, when atmospheric CO2 was lower (1896‐ 1949), and more recent drought years that occurred under higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations (1950‐96/98). The results presented herein show that: (i) residuals from climate/growth models had a significant positive trend at six of seven sites, suggesting the presence of a nonclimatic factor causing increased growth during recent decades; (ii) overall growth was 23% greater in the latter half of the 20th century; (iii) growth indices during matched drought and matched wet years were 63% and 30% greater, respectively, in the later 20th century than the earlier 20th century; and (iv) harsher sites had greater responses during drought periods between early and late periods. While it is not possible to rule out other factors, these results are consistent with expectations for CO2 fertilization effects.
The Phosphonopyruvate Decarboxylase from Bacteroides fragilis

Abstract The Bacteroides fragilis capsular polysaccharide complex is the major virulence factor for abscess formation in human hosts. Polysaccharide B of this complex contains a 2-aminoethylphosphonate functional group. This functional group is synthesized in three steps, one of which is catalyzed by phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase. In this paper, we report the cloning and overexpression of the B. fragilis phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase gene (aepY), purification of the phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase recombinant protein, and the extensive characterization of the reaction that it catalyzes. The homotrimeric (41,184-Da subunit) phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase catalyzes (kcat = 10.2 ± 0.3 s–1) the decarboxylation of phosphonopyruvate (Km = 3.2 ± 0.2 μm) to phosphonoacetaldehyde (Ki = 15 ± 2 μm) and carbon dioxide at an optimal pH range of 7.0–7.5. Thiamine pyrophosphate (Km = 13 ± 2 μm) and certain divalent metal ions (Mg(II) Km = 82 ± 8 μm; Mn(II) Km = 13 ± 1 μm; Ca(II) Km = 78 ± 6 μm) serve as cofactors. Phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase is a member of the α-ketodecarboxylase family that includes sulfopyruvate decarboxylase, acetohydroxy acid synthase/acetolactate synthase, benzoylformate decarboxylase, glyoxylate carboligase, indole pyruvate decarboxylase, pyruvate decarboxylase, the acetyl phosphate-producing pyruvate oxidase, and the acetate-producing pyruvate oxidase. The Mg(II) binding residue Asp-260, which is located within the thiamine pyrophosphate binding motif of the α-ketodecarboxylase family, was shown by site-directed mutagenesis to play an important role in catalysis. Pyruvate (kcat = 0.05 s–1, Km = 25 mm) and sulfopyruvate (kcat ∼ 0.05 s–1; Ki = 200 ± 20 μm) are slow substrates for the phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase, indicating that this enzyme is promiscuous.
Challenges with optically transparent patch antennas for small satellites

Satellites have always played an important role in space. Their contributions for space research, extended global communications and surveillance have been instrumental for the advancement of the information age. As part of the effort to create this outer space network, small satellites that in average weigh less than 5 Kg are becoming important players in space communications. Limitations of surface area on small satellites leave barely enough room for solar cells, which are necessary to power the internal systems of the satellite. This repeatedly impedes the placement of external elements such as antennas. Without the required surface area for topical microstrip patches, complex and failure prone antennas, such as deployable parabolic reflectors, are often used. This adds substantially to cost and labor hours as well as the potential for failure. Transparent and conductive materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) have been used in the developed of topical patch antennas [1], [2] that could potentially be mounted on top of solar cells. ITO has a high optical transparency (90%–80%) at very thin depositions (100nm-1.2um) while maintaining a considerably high conductivity of 281319 S/m. However, at very thin depositions efficiency of patch antennas is severely handicapped by skin and ground effects. This paper presents a revised expression for surface resistivity that better accounts for these effects at both low frequencies (100MHz) and high frequencies (10 GHz). Furthermore, this paper addresses the challenges involved with patch antennas made from transparent materials for integration with solar cells.
Proposed modification to data analysis for statistical motor unit number estimate

Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is an important electrophysiological technique for quantitative measurement of motor neuron loss. Although commonly used, there is no consensus concerning the optimal procedure for statistical MUNE, particularly regarding several operator-dependent variables. To assess the variables, we analyzed 500 sequential, submaximal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) responses at three or four stimulus intensities in 10 controls and 10 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In both controls and ALS patients, we found that posttest filtering data based on 20% or 25% windows or 2, 2.5, or 3 SD excludes 2 SD from the mean, because this is operator independent, includes the majority of data, effectively excludes clearly outlying data, such as fasciculations or movement artifact, and has a reasonable coefficient of variation.
Agroecology as Participatory Science: Emerging Alternatives to Technology Transfer Extension Practice

The discourses of agricultural extension reveal how actors represent their scientific activities and goals. The “transfer of technology” discourse developed with the professional U.S. extension service, reproducing its expert/lay power relations. Agroecology is emerging as a systems approach to preventing agricultural pollution. Its theoreticians argue that agroecology cannot be transferred like technology but must be extended through networks of participatory social learning. In California, hundreds of actors and dozens of institutions have cocreated agroecological partnerships using this alternative extension model. They have developed three alternative extension discourses to represent and explain their activities. Bruno Latour's “circulatory system of science” model provides a superior theoretical framework for interpreting the participation and discourses of diverse actors in this extension practice.
FDTD analysis of wave propagation in nonlinear absorbing and gain media

An explicit finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) scheme for wave propagation in certain kinds of nonlinear media such as saturable absorbers and gain layers in lasers is proposed here. This scheme is an extension of the auxiliary differential equation FDTD approach and incorporates rate equations that govern the time-domain dynamics of the atomic populations in the medium. For small signal intensities and slowly varying pulses, this method gives the same results as frequency-domain methods using the linear susceptibility function. Population dynamics for large signal intensities and the transient response for rapidly varying pulses in two-level (absorber) and four-level (gain) atomic media are calculated to demonstrate the advantages of this approach.
Ethics and the pharmaceutical industry.

Objective: Relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession enhance the potential for physicians to become involved in conflicts of interest. Whether or not these rise to a level that violates standards of medical ethics depends on the degree to which they detract from the quality of health care and its cost, the objectivity of research, and the profession's integrity. This paper explores those issues from two perspectives – the micro-level of the medical profession and the macro-level of society.Conclusions: Practices and policies that affect varied aspects of the interaction between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession – such as education, research and marketing – are discussed. The reader is asked to reflect on the ethics of issues raised; the author offers suggestions for mitigating conflicts of interest and, in turn, the potential for unethical medical care.
The fundamental nature of acceleration sensitivity

In this paper, the fundamental nature of acceleration sensitivity is reviewed and clarified. The driving factor behind the acceleration-induced frequency shift is shown to be the deformation of the resonator. The deformation drives two effects: an essentially linear change in the frequency determining dimensions of the resonator, and an essentially nonlinear effect of changing the velocity of the propagating wave. The basic properties of acceleration sensitivity are illustrated through the simple examples of "BAW in a box" and "STW in a box". These examples serve to clarify a number of concepts, including the role of mode shape and the basic difference between the bulk acoustic wave and acoustic surface wave cases. Finally, these basic understandings are extended to other cases such as BAW microresonators.
Nitrate Anions and Ion Pairing at the Air-Aqueous Interface †

Nitrate ions are ubiquitous in aqueous-phase atmospheric aerosols from the polluted to the remote troposphere and are involved in a variety of atmospheric reactions. Thus, a fundamental understanding of nitrate ions at the air−aqueous interface is of prime importance with respect to understanding atmospheric aerosol chemistry. In the present study, investigations of the air−aqueous interface of a series of divalent metal-nitrate solutions, Mg(NO3)2, Ca(NO3)2, and Sr(NO3)2, were carried out using vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy. The vibrational symmetric stretch mode of nitrate ions at the air−aqueous interface (1047 cm−1 and 1063 cm−1) was directly probed. Analysis of the VSFG spectra reveals the perturbation from cation−anion interactions on interfacial nitrate ions. Ion pairing between interfacial nitrate anions and divalent metal cations follows the same trend as bulk ion pairing: Sr2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+. Moreover, nitrate anions in the air−aqueous interfacial region are found to be...
Major skin-irritant principle from synadenium grantii

The latex of Synadenium grantii Hook. f. (Euphorbiaceae) yielded a novel skin irritant, 12-O-tigloyl-4-deoxyphorbol-13-isobutyrate (I). The identity of the diterpene parent alcohol and the relative positions of the esterifying groups were established by spectral analysis and experiments leading to the hydrolysis and acetylation of I. Compound I is the first phorbol derivative to be reported from the genus Synadenium.
Democracy and Islam: The Cultural Dialectic

Current history is marked by the meeting of two powerful currents, democracy and political Islam. Islam itself is the subject of a cultural dialectic between a modern and an authentistic form, out of which a synthesis tends to arise, only to be attacked again by a new authentistic antithesis. Political Islam is the current antithesis, attacking the unpopular states for impiety and materialism. Democracy is also rising in popularity as a criterion of good government, with special meaning as the consummation of nationalism for new states recently free from colonial rule. The two currents are not necessarily incompatible, but they have different sources and will have a profound effect on each other whenever they meet.
A CMP-based method for tunable, cell-mediated gene delivery from collagen scaffolds

The use of collagen-based biomaterials in regenerative medicine has rapidly increased over the past decade. The unique structural and biochemical properties of collagen make it a particularly promising material for delivering both protein and DNA-based therapeutics. Although many collagen modification techniques have been developed, the majority of them require multi-step chemical treatments that can modify the natural favourable properties of collagen. We have developed a promising biomimetic modification technique employing collagen-mimetic peptides (CMP)s to control the retention and delivery of DNA polyplexes from collagen structures, including both monomeric 2-D collagen films and fibrous, 3-D gels. Variations in the concentration of CMPs displayed on polyplexes enabled tuning of polyplex retention vs. release over periods of at least 2 weeks on films and a month on gels. Retention of CMP-modified polyplexes (20 days) was substantially improved compared to non-modified polyplexes, which were retained for only 2 days. The activity of bound polyplex in collagen gels was shown, through a series of transfection studies, to be maintained in the presence of serum for a minimum of 2 weeks. Only matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-stimulated cells exhibited significant levels of transfection suggesting that cell mobility within the gel was vital and that collagen remodelling played a role in stimulating gene release and expression. To our knowledge, this study is the first to deliver genes with CMP-modified polyplexes and to examine the effects of CMP display on DNA release. The results suggest that this technique may be used more broadly to create tuneable, collagen-based delivery systems.
Transport of MOX Fuel: A Continuous Challenge

For 45 years TN International has been involved in the radioactive materials transportation field. Since the beginning the spent nuclear fuel transportation has been its core business. During all these years TN International, now part of AREVA, has been able to anticipate and fulfill the needs for new transport or storage casks designed to fit the nuclear industry evolutions. A whole fleet of casks able to transport all the materials of the nuclear fuel cycle has been developed. In this presentation we will focus on the casks used to transport the fresh and used MOX fuel. To transport the fresh MOX BWR and PWR fuel, TN International has developed two designs of casks: the MX 6 and the MX 8. These casks are and have been used to transport MOX fuel for French, German, Swiss and in a near future Japanese nuclear power plants. A complete set of baskets have been developed to optimize the loading in terms of integrated dose and also of course capacity. MOX used fuel has now its dedicated cask: the TN112 which certificate of approval has been obtained in July 2008. This cask is able to transport 12 MOX spent fuel elements with a short cooling time. The first loading of the cask has been performed in September 2008 in the EDF nuclear power plant of Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux. By its continuous involvement in the nuclear transportation field, TN International has been able to face the many challenges linked to the radioactive materials transportation especially talking of MOX fuel. TN International will also have to face the increasing demand linked to the nuclear renaissance.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The Value of Multiple Viewpoints in Gesture-Based User Authentication

Although traditionally used as a gesture recognition device, the Kinect has been recently leveraged for user entry control. In this context, a user admission decision is typically based on biometrics such as face, speech, gait and gestures. Despite being a relatively new biometric, gestures have been shown to be a promising authentication modality. These results have been achieved using a single Kinect camera. This paper aims to investigate the potential performance and robustness gains in gesture-based user authentication using multiple Kinects. We study the impact of multiple viewpoints on a dataset of 40 users that contains notable degradations from user memory and personal effects (multiple types of bags and outerwear). We found that two additional viewpoints can provide as much as 26 -- 43% average relative improvement in the Equal Error Rate (EER) for user authentication, and as much as 16 -- 68% average relative improvement in the Correct Classification Error (CCE) compared to using a single centered Kinect camera.
Isolation and characterization of uridylic acid-rich 7 S ribonucleic acid of rat liver nuclei.

Morphologically intact nuclei were prepared from 1 to 1.5 kg of rat liver by batch techniques with the use of a modified Hobart tissue grinder, continuous homogenizers, and discontinuous sucrose gradients in Sharples centrifuges. Undegraded nuclear RNA was recovered in yields averaging 73 mg per kg of rat liver. For isolation of the 4 to 7 S RNA, whole nuclear RNA was loaded in a zonal rotor in amounts approximating 100 mg. The 4 to 7 S RNA was recovered as a single peak in a yield approximating 20 mg per 100 mg of whole nuclear RNA, or 14.5 mg per kg of rat liver. Approximately 40 to 50 mg of nuclear 4 to 7 S RNA was initially fractionated on Sephadex G-100 columns, 5 × 180 cm. Three major peaks were found, of which Peak 2 contained the nuclear RNA rich in uridylic acid (27 to 29%). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of this RNA showed that five bands were present. The three bands of greatest mobility (one minor and two major bands) were closely approximated in the gels and were designated U1a, U1b, and U1c. A band of intermediate mobility designated U2 was well separated from the U1 bands. A slower moving, small band, U3, was well separated from the U2 band. U2 was isolated in an electrophoretically homogeneous state by preparative polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis. The base composition of the RNA in Fraction U2, i.e. 22% adenylic acid, 28% uridylic acid, 32% guanylic acid, and 19% cytidylic acid differed from that of the U1 group of 19% adenylic acid, 27% uridylic acid, 31% guanylic acid, 23% cytidylic acid. These data indicate that in rat liver nuclei, there is a group of uridylic acid-rich low molecular weight RNAs that have lower electrophoretic mobility on polyacrylamide gels than 4 S and 5 S RNA. Evidence that these RNAs are not degradation artifacts arose from extractions of nuclei with hot and cold phenol and the lack of degradation of high molecular weight RNA added to the preparation.
Effectiveness of Different Model-Form Quantification Techniques as Applied to Thermal Physics-Based Simulations

In the past, the majority of work in the uncertainty quantification field has focused on parametric uncertainties inherent in design parameters within engineering problems. Current work has begun to incorporate model form uncertainties into the uncertainty quantification process. Model form uncertainty arises as a result of the uncertainty present in not knowing which model within a model set used to predict a system response is the best approximating model. Thus it becomes necessary to develop and utilize techniques for quantifying this uncertainty. This work presents a design scenario in which multiple models defining a single model set are used for predicting the same system response, and thus representing the presence of model form uncertainty. Four different model form uncertainty techniques are presented and applied to the model set consisting of three models, each used for predicting the transient temperature response at different locations within a corrugated-core sandwich panel used in thermal protection systems subject to thermal loading and boundary conditions to demonstrate the challenges inherent in each of the quantification techniques. The effectiveness of each technique is weighted against those of the other techniques.
Phenotypic Screening with Oleaginous Microalgae Reveals Modulators of Lipid Productivity

Here we describe the first phenotypic screening with microalgae to study lipid metabolism and to discover organic small molecules as chemical triggers that increase growth and lipid production. A microplate assay has been developed for analysis of intracellular lipids using Nile Red fluorescence in order to screen a collection of diverse bioactive organic molecules (e.g., kinase inhibitors) with four strains of oleaginous microalgae (Nannochloropsis salina, Nannochloropsis oculata, Nannochloris sp., and Phaeodactylum tricornutum). Several small molecules identified in microplate screening increased lipid productivity >200% without decreasing growth and biomass production. Selected compounds were further investigated in the context of larger batch culture experiments (e.g., 500 mL) and demonstrated to increase lipid levels (up to 84%) while maintaining or increasing the specific growth rate. Bioactive molecules such as forskolin and quinacrine were identified as promising probes of microalgae lipid pathways. We have also determined that common antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) increase lipid productivity and may represent new probes of oxidative signaling pathways for photooxidative protection.
Studies in histochemistry. LIII. Microbiological assay in quantitative histo- and cytochemistry.

SummaryExtension of microbiological assay methods to a scale requiring 1/500th to 1/1000th the sample ordinarily used is described with specific application to the measurement of biotin and pantothenate in tissue sections.
Unrecognized “AIDS” in Monkeys, 1969–1980: Explanations and Implications

AIDS was recognized in humans in 1981 and a simian form was described in the years 1983 to 1985. However, beginning in the late 1960s, outbreaks of opportunistic infections of AIDS were seen in monkeys in the United States. This apparent syndrome went unrecognized at the time. We have assembled those early cases in monkeys and offer reasons why they did not result in earlier recognition of simian or human AIDS, including weaknesses in understanding disease mechanisms, absence of evidence of human retroviruses, and a climate of opinion that devalued investigation of infectious disease and immunologic origins of disease. The "epistemological obstacle" explains important elements of this history in that misconceptions blocked understanding of the dependent relationship among viral infection, immunodeficiency, and opportunistic diseases. Had clearer understanding of the evidence from monkeys allowed human AIDS to be recognized earlier, life-saving prevention and treatment interventions might have been implemented sooner.
From Parallel Sequence Representations to Calligraphic Control: A Conspiracy of Neural Circuits

Calligraphic writing presents many challenges for motor control, including: learning and recall of stroke sequences; critical timing of stroke onsets and durations; fine control of grip and contact forces; and letterform invariance under size scaling, which entails fine control of stroke directions and amplitudes during recruitment and derecruitment of musculoskeletal degrees of freedom. Experimental and computational studies in behavioral neuroscience have progressed toward explaining the learning, planning, and control exercised in tasks that share features with calligraphic writing and drawing. This article highlights component operations ranging from parallel sequence representations to fine force control. Treated in succession are: competitive queuing models of sequence representation, performance, learning, and recall; letter size scaling and motor equivalence; cursive handwriting models in which sensory-motor transformations are performed by circuits that learn inverse differential kinematic mappin...
Approach for Uncertainty Propagation and Robust Design in CFD Using Sensitivity Derivatives

This paper presents an implementation of the approximate statistical moment method for uncertainty propagation and robust optimization for a quasi 1-D Euler CFD code. Given uncertainties in statistically independent, random, normally distributed input variables, a first- and second-order statistical moment matching procedure is performed to approximate the uncertainty in the CFD output. Efficient calculation of both first- and second-order sensitivity derivatives is required. In order to assess the validity of the approximations, the moments are compared with statistical moments generated through Monte Carlo simulations. The uncertainties in the CFD input variables are also incorporated into a robust optimization procedure. For this optimization, statistical moments involving first order sensitivity derivatives appear in the objective function and system constraints. Second-order sensitivity derivatives are used in a gradient-based search to successfully execute a robust optimization. The approximate methods used throughout the analyses are found to be valid when considering robustness about input parameter mean values.