cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Diffuse Scattering of X-Rays by Rocksalt

A "monochromatic Laue pattern" of rocksalt has been obtained with crystal reflected Mo $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ radiation, and shows forty diffuse spots. The positions of these spots, their intensities and their half-widths at half-maximum are compared with values for these quantities predicted by Zachariasen. In general, the agreement is good.
Effects of cognitive load presence and duration on driver eye movements and event detection performance

This study examined the effects of cognitive load on driving performance for interactions with an in-vehicle information system (IVIS) that varied in duration from 1 to 4 min. Twelve participants drove in a simulator while intermittently performing the IVIS task. There were three IVIS conditions: interacting with the IVIS, non-IVIS periods between IVIS interactions, and baseline driving without the IVIS task. Contrary to our hypothesis, driver response to lead vehicle braking was surprisingly uniform across IVIS conditions. IVIS interaction did undermine driver ability to detect the bicyclist along the side of the road, and some of these performance decrements persisted after the IVIS interaction had ended. Reaction time for bicyclist detection increased from the first to the subsequent minutes of the interaction. Eye movements were influenced by the IVIS conditions but not by task duration. Both ANOVA and factor analyses revealed that some of the changes in eye movements were concurrent with IVIS interaction while others persisted after the driver completed the IVIS interaction. Overall, the findings suggest that two mechanisms might account for the distraction-related performance decrements in this study: competition for processing resources and interference due to activation of competing goals.
Two forms of the T-cell receptor gamma protein found on peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

The T-cell receptor (TCR) γ polypeptide is expressed associated with CD3(T3) on the surface of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These cells function as non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and thus may play an important role in host immune defence. The TCR γ polypeptide occurs as a dimer in at least two molecular forms based on the absence or presence of disulphide linkage. These forms use TCR γ polypeptides with strikingly different peptide backbone sizes.
Relevance of time-frequency features for phonetic and speaker-channel classification

Abstract The mutual information concept is used to study the distribution of speech information in frequency and in time. The main focus is on the information that is relevant for phonetic classification. A large database of hand-labeled fluent speech is used to (a) compute the mutual information (MI) between a phonetic classification variable and one spectral feature variable in the time–frequency plane, and (b) compute the joint mutual information (JMI) between the phonetic classification variable and two feature variables in the time–frequency plane. The MI and the JMI of the feature variables are used as relevance measures to select inputs for phonetic classifiers. Multi-layer perceptron (MLP) classifiers with one or two inputs are trained to recognize phonemes to examine the effectiveness of the input selection method based on the MI and the JMI. To analyze the non-linguistic sources of variability, we use speaker-channel labels to represent different speakers and different telephone channels and estimate the MI between the speaker-channel variable and one or two feature variables.
Use of chiral symmetry in pion-condensation calculations

It is demonstrated that, contrary to the assumptions of a number of authors, results obtained on pion condensation in the sigma model are not characteristic of general chiral models.
Behavioral effects of ethanol inhalation in rats

Behavioral effects of ethanol inhalation were studied on two fixed-ratio (FR) liquid-reinforced schedules and a continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedule intracranial self-stimulation (SS) in rats using the inhalational behavioral chamber designed in our laboratory. In the FR-24 schedule ethanol caused a decrease of reinforcement rate at 161 ppm and higher concentrations. In the FR-50 schedule decreases of the rate were observed at 102 ppm and 203 ppm. In the SS behavior ethanol produced a decrease in the rate of reinforcement at 603 ppm and higher concentrations. In rats of this schedule, blood ethanol concentrations were measured to be 393 micrograms/ml and 545 micrograms/ml after exposure to 600 ppm and 1200 ppm of ethanol respectively. Acute tolerance to ethanol was observed in these experiments, particularly in the FR-24 schedule. Thus ethanol inhalation could produce adequate blood concentrations so as to produce behavioral effects.
Bridging the Gap: 16 Years of Academic Leadership Development for Women

Historically, leadership at the top levels of higher education has been exercised by males. Consequently, for 16 years, the BRIDGES: Academic Leadership for Women program in North Carolina has attempted to break down barriers for women and bridge this gap by providing leadership development for women in the academy. This article presents a best-practices model for a women’s academic leadership program, including program description, historical review, and program impact. To date, BRIDGES has addressed various themes from the leadership literature, including leadership styles, overcoming the glass ceiling, personal development, empowerment, essential knowledge and skills, transformational leadership, and the intersection of race and gender. The authors encourage replication of the BRIDGES program in other states and abroad.
Receiving support as a mixed blessing: evidence for dual effects of support on psychological outcomes

Although social support is thought to boost feelings of closeness in dyadic relationships, recent findings have suggested that support receipt can increase distress in recipients. The authors investigated these apparently contrary findings in a large daily diary study of couples over 31 days leading up to a major stressor. Results confirm that daily support receipt was associated with greater feelings of closeness and greater negative mood. These average effects, however, masked substantial heterogeneity. In particular, those recipients showing greater benefits on closeness tended to show lesser cost on negative mood, and vice versa. Self-esteem was examined as a possible moderator of support effects, but its role was evident in only a subset of recipients. These results imply that models of dyadic support processes must accord a central role to between-individual heterogeneity.
Quantum statistical mechanics of message transport in nerves

Abstract In Mathematical Biosciences5(1969), 495–509, I introduced a new theory of message transport in nerves based on an interpretation of the role played by the sodium ion diffusion in the transport process. In this paper I report the results of a quantum statistical mechanical theory of the fundamental message transport step. The theory is developed using the assumption that the message charge transfer step and the sodium ion diffusion from the Donnan nonequilibrium state are coupled through modes of the environmental dielectric continuum. The analysis is carried out by means of second-order, time-dependent, quantum mechanical perturbation theory. The analysis yields an expression for the message current which is of the form of a second-order kinetic process. The requirement of at least a second-order rate for the message transport mechanism was pointed out in the above mentioned paper.
Effect of Surface Hydrophobicity on Adsorption and Relaxation Kinetics of Albumin and Fibrinogen: Single-Species and Competitive Behavior

This work compares the spreading and relaxation rates of albumin and fibrinogen, inferred from single-component and competitive adsorption kinetic experiments, on model surfaces of varying hydrophobicity. Kinetics from the single-component studies revealed a constant spreading rate, where the adsorbed protein footprint grew linearly in time for at least 15 min. This spreading rate increased with substrate hydrophobicity (ranging from 0.02 to 0.16 nm2/molecule/s for albumin and from 0.04 to 0.26 nm2/molecule/s for fibrinogen), resulting in a larger extent of footprint growth and a lower ultimate coverage on hydrophobic surfaces when compared with hydrophilic surfaces at the same adsorption conditions. Competitive adsorption studies were in qualitative agreement with the single-component experiments but were able to probe longer spreading time scales. Although spreading appeared to occur initially at a constant rate in the competitive experiments, after 2 h the spreading rate had slowed dramatically and the...
Report of Rome meeting of the section of terrestrial magnetism and electricity of the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union, May 1922

A well-attended meeting of the Section of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity of the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union was held at Rome, May 4 to 9, 1922. Representatives from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United States were present at various sessions. Besides discussion of the Agenda, which contained leading questions pertaining to terrestrial magnetism and electricity, reports were presented by national and other committees and by leading investigators.
Characterization Theorems when Variables Are Measured with Error

Linear regression models are studied when variables of interest are observed in the presence of measurement error. Techniques involving Fourier transforms that lead to simple differential equations with unique solutions are used in the context of multiple regression. Necessary and sufficient conditions are proven for a random vector of measurement error of the independent variable to be multivariate normal. One characterization involves the Fisher score of the observed vector. A second characterization involves the Hessian matrix of the observed density.
Changes in retinal morphology and glucose utilization in aging albino rats.

Abstract Retinal morphology and glucose utilization (GU) were examined and compared in retinas of 1-, 3-, 12-, 24- and 34-month-old albino Fischer-344 rats, reared in a 12-hr light/dark cycle. Progressive degeneration was observed throughout the retina with age but was most rapid and severe in the periphery. The central retina was more severely affected than were the equatorial regions. GU in the light-adapted retinas did not change in the immature rats from 1 to 3 months even though there were significant cell losses in the photoreceptor and inner nuclear layers. From 3 to 34 months, there was a significant 76% decrease in GU which was associated with an 86% decline in mean number of photoreceptor nuclei for the peripheral, equatorial and central retinal regions. Inner layer nuclei decreased slightly during this period. GU in the optic nerve declined slightly after 3 months. GU in the superior colliculus increased from 1 to 3 months and then decreased to the 1 month level.
Tuning the DNA binding modes of an anthracene derivative with salt

Abstract The DNA binding properties of an anthracene derivative with substituents at the 9 and 10 positions, carrying four positive charges, are examined in calorimetric, spectroscopic and photocleavage studies. Isothermal titration calorimetric data indicated exothermic binding of the ligand to calf thymus DNA with a binding constant of (1.4 ± 0.5) × 105 M−1 and this value is much greater than binding of similar monocationic derivatives. The values for the other binding parameters were, ΔH = −3.5 ± 0.4 kcal/mol; ΔS = 11.6 ± 1.6 cal/mol K, and a binding site size of ∼4 base pairs. Absorption spectral studies indicated small, but significant red shifts in the vibronic bands, and ∼70% of hypochromism. The binding plots indicated bi-phasic binding of the ligand. At higher ionic strengths, the red shifts in the absorption spectra were abolished but significant hypochromism persisted. Excitation and sensitized fluorescence spectral studies indicated weak energy transfer from the DNA bases to the ligand. Further more, energy transfer was reduced substantially at higher ionic strengths. Strong induced circular dichroism bands are noted, in the 300–400 nm region, and these are most likely dominated by the contributions from the groove bound form as well as the intercalated chromophore. Helix melting studies indicated improvement in the helix stability, and substantial increase in the melting temperature (ΔTm > 17 °C). Differential scanning calorimetric data, on the other hand, indicated only minor improvements in the thermodynamic parameters. Irradiation of a mixture of the ligand (2 μM) and supercoiled pUC18 DNA (20 μM, @374 nm) resulted in the efficient formation of nicked circular DNA (>90%) in an hour. The data indicated at least two distinct binding modes, and one of these persisted at high ionic strengths (375 mM NaCl). Substitution at 9 and 10 positions of the anthracene ring system with positively charged residues resulted in multiple binding modes, and these are resolvable in ionic strength studies.
Vibrational circular dichroism of carbohydrate films formed from aqueous solutions.

Abstract Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in the entire 2000–900 cm−1 region have been recorded, for the first time, for films of carbohydrates prepared from aqueous solutions. Eight different carbohydrates, α- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- d -glucose, cyclomaltohexaose, α- d -glucopyranosyl α- d -glucopyranoside, β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)- d -glucose, β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- d -glucose, d -glucose, and both enantiomers of 6-deoxygalactose and of allose, were investigated. The VCD spectra obtained for films are found to be identical to the corresponding spectra obtained for aqueous solutions of carbohydrates. These measurements demonstrate several advantages of significant importance. The strong infrared absorption of water has prevented, in the past, the pursuit for routine applications of VCD in determining the structures of carbohydrates in aqueous solutions. This limitation is not present for film studies because water solvent is removed in the process of preparing the films. Also, strong infrared absorption of water at 1650 cm−1 requires the use of very short-pathlength (6 μm) cells for measurements on aqueous solutions. This requirement and concomitant inconveniences (such as laborious assembling of a demountable liquid cell or purchasing an expensive variable pathlength liquid cell) have been eliminated for film measurements. The removal of interfering water absorption in film studies resulted in higher light throughput and better signal-to-noise ratios for VCD measurements. Another point of significance is that the amount of carbohydrate sample required for VCD measurements on films is approximately one to two orders of magnitude smaller than that required for corresponding VCD measurements on aqueous solutions. Since carbohydrate samples can now be studied as films, VCD spectroscopy becomes much more broadly applicable for carbohydrates than previously believed. The present work, in combination with other film measurements in our laboratory, indicate that VCD studies on films can be used more generally, providing a convenient and powerful approach for probing structural information for biologically important compounds.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Extraction of Intact IgA From Granular Deposits in Dermal Papillae

Abstract Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is characterized by the granular deposition of IgA in the dermal papillary tips. The source and antigenic specificity of this IgA are unknown, largely because of the previous inability to isolate it for study. These granular IgA deposits, pathognomonic of DH, have been specifically isolated from 4-mm punch biopsies. Specific isolation was achieved by removing contaminating serum IgA by a combination of washes in saline and sodium dodecyl sulfate without a reducing agent present and mechanical isolation of papillary dermis. The tissue IgA was then solubilized by a buffer containing 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.2 mm dithiothreitol, a reducing agent. Immunoreactive alpha chains were recovered in eluates of DH skin in 6-fold greater amounts than in eluates of normal skin, coincident with disappearance of immunofluorescent-staining granular deposits of IgA. Extracted specific IgA was recovered in sufficient quantity for detection by immunoenzymatic stain, was partially composed of a native (165Kd) molecular mass, and had alpha and kappa staining material, all indicating that the extracted immunoglobulin was in part intact.
Vegetation Communities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) contains one of the most diverse assemblages of vegetation communities in North America. Over 70 unique community associations comprised of over 1300 native plant species have been identified in the Park. This wide array of communities provides habitat for unknown multitudes of other taxa whose abundance, distribution, and ecological importance remain largely unknown. The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) underway in the Park is the first comprehensive attempt to better understand the vast array of species present in the Park. This paper discusses the composition, structure, distribution, and extent of vegetation communities in GSMNP. Detailed assessments of the vegetation, site, and soil characteristics of the 19 ATBI plots are also included.
Dry matter losses due to oxygen infiltration in silos

A mathematical model is presented for predicting loss of forage dry matter due to oxygen infiltration during long-term storage in silos. The model is based on the rate of oxygen infiltration through the silo wall or covering material, the rate of oxygen diffusion through the pore spaces of the silage, and the rate of oxygen uptake by plant respiration. In comparison with experiment, the model gives reasonably accurate predictions for dry matter loss as dependent on position in the silo, forage density, forage dry matter content, and container permeability. For typical cases involving a concrete tower silo, predicted losses range between 1 and 3% per month, indicating that infiltration may account for a high fraction of the total percentage losses in the silo.
Theorizing the Standoff: Contingency in Action

Acknowledgements 1. Theorizing contingency 2. The times of standoffs 3. The spaces of standoffs 4. The action of standoffs 5. Endings and improvisations.
Photoacoustic studies of complexation of copper(II) with an ethylenediamine analog immobilized on silica gel

Abstract Photoacoustic spectroscopy and solid-solution distribution measurements are used to study complexation of copper(II) with N-2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane immobilized on silica gel. Nearly consecutive formation of bis and mono complexes occurs on the surface with increasing copper(II) concentration. Evidence for conversion of bis sites to mono sites with increasing copper(II) concentration was not found. Heterogeneous distribution measurements fit well with a model which assumes two independent types of binding sites. An approximately 2.5:1 ratio of mono to bis sites was found.
Establishment and control of a bar-pressing habit by means of fixed interval ICSS reinforcement.

13 rats were prepared with chronically indwelling electrodes, the exposed tips of which were in the vicinity of median forebrain bundle. In addition, 7 of these received septal lesions, 2 were inflicted with unilateral hippocampal lesions, and 2 sustained unilateral lesions of the anterior neocortex. The remaining two Ss received no further surgery beyond the electrode implant. All were trained to bar press for brain stimulation at crf, FI 10-sec., FI 20-sec., FI 40-sec., FI 60-sec., FI 90-sec., and FI 120-sec. reinforcement contingencies, respectively. Although the major outcome of the study was that bar pressing could be developed and maintained by FI ICSS in a manner similar to FI food reinforcement, there were several characteristics of the FI ICSS-controlled behavior which distinguished it from bar pressing controlled by FI food reward. (1) Even when an S had been exposed to FI ICSS for as many as 28 hr., it was necessary at the beginning of each daily session to “prime” and “retrain” S. (2) For FI 6...
Uptake and release of nutrients by living and decomposing Typha glauca godr. tissues at Eagle Lake, Iowa

Abstract Uptake and release of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium from living above-ground and below-ground tissues and from decomposing litter of Typha glauca Godr. were studied at Eagle Lake, IA, during 1976. All nutrients were accumulated rapidly by shoots in the spring. Some of the nitrogen and phosphorus came from belowground storage; but potassium, calcium, and sodium were extracted entirely from the soil. Nutrients were immobilized in shoot tissues for different periods of time. Potassium content declined as rapidly as it had accumulated, and there was no evidence of belowground storage. Nitrogen and phosphorus content also declined, though not as rapidly. Approximately 45% of the nitrogen and phosphorus lost from the shoots was translocated to the rhizomes and stored. Calcium and sodium were conserved in shoot tissues until the shoots died. In the decomposing litter, potassium and sodium content declined, phosphorus and calcium content remained relatively constant, but nitrogen content increased. Over the full year of production and decomposition, this Typha glauca stand accumulated calcium and nitrogen, maintained phosphorus levels, and lost potassium and sodium.
Teaching Combative Sports through Tactics

Abstract The tactical games approach can enhance the teaching of some martial arts by emphasizing their similarities to one another and to wrestling.
Intracellular dissociation of a polymer coating from nanoparticles

Polymer-coated nanoparticles are widely used for drug delivery in cancer therapy. However, it is not clear whether the polymer coating is disrupted in the lipid bilayer or intracellular space. Our current work suggests that the polymer coating of inorganic nanoparticles is disrupted after internalization by cancer cells. Single dispersed red quantum dots (QDs) labeled with 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-FAM) (green) (diameter = 28 nm) were incubated with cancer cells (PC-3) and imaged via fluorescence microscopy. Initially the 5-FAM-labeled polymer coating was attached to the QD and its green fluorescence was quenched when the nanoparticles were internalized after 4 h incubation, but the 5-FAM-labeled polymer became separated from the QD once inside the lysosomes of cells and its fluorescence becomes visible after 8 h. The fluorescence ratio (5-FAM/QDs) was increased 29-fold after 8 h incubation compared to 2 h. The fluorescence quenching effect of PEG-5-FAM after conjugation in solution (quenched by 44%) was compared to free poly(ethylene glycol)-5-FAM (PEG-5-FAM) mixing with QDs, which only exhibited slight (6.9%) quenching of 5-FAM. In addition, the intracellular dissociation of polymer coating from QD loaded micelles (diameter = 300 nm) was also observed. Furthermore, amphiphilic polymer labeled with the hydrophobic dye 6-((4,4-difluoro-1,3-dimethyl-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-2-propionyl)amino)hexanoic acid (BODIPY® TMR) (red) was applied to encapsulate hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The BODIPY dye was quenched by both the encapsulated IONPs and the hydrophobic region inside the micelles, while an 8-fold fluorescence enhancement was observed after polymeric micelle dissociation. Our in vitro results also reveal the polymeric dissociation after internalization by cancer cells as the dye signal becomes detectable after 24 h incubation. These results suggest that the polymer coating is stable in the lipid bilayer and becomes dissociated from nanoparticles in the lysosome of cancer cells. These data will provide guidance for intracellular drug delivery using polymer coated nanoparticles.
Carbon nanotubes as Raman sensors of vulcanization in natural rubber

Abstract A method has been developed to synthesize composites with cross-linked natural rubber (NR) and dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). The mechanical response of the NR samples was observed to change as a function of the amount of sulfur used for cross-linking, based on the number density of cross-links resulting from the vulcanization process. The relationship between SWNTs D ∗ wavenumber shift and the amount of sulfur have been obtained by means of Raman spectroscopy. The cross-link densities of the NR and SWNT/NR samples have been calculated from uniaxial stress–strain measurements, and plotted as the function of the amount of added sulfur. Comparison of the results from mechanical measurements and Raman spectroscopic measurements showed that SWNT Raman sensors are sensitive to the cross-link density in natural rubber and can be used to evaluate the cross-linking process of rubbery materials.
Quantization Effects in an Analog-to-Information Front End in EEG Telemonitoring

Energy in wireless communication is the dominant sector of the energy consumption in electroencephalography (EEG) telemonitoring due to intrinsically high throughput. Analog-to-information conversion, i.e., compressed sensing (CS), offers a promising solution to attack this problem. Most of previous research work on CS focus on the sparse representation to reduce the signal dimension, but the impact of quantization in CS has had limited examination in the research community. In this brief, we investigate the quantization effects of CS with the application in EEG telemonitoring. In particular, we study the quantized CS (QCS) structure to explore the impacts of quantization on the performance–energy (P–E) tradeoff of the front end in EEG telemonitoring. Compared to the state-of-the-art CS with the constant bit resolution, experiments show that the QCS framework with the optimal bit resolution can improve the P–E tradeoff by more than 35%. Furthermore, the optimal bit strategy even broadens the application range of the QCS framework by 54% compared to the traditional Nyquist sampling, which indicates that the quantization is a critical factor in the entire CS framework.
Hydrogen from Coal in a Single Step

The production of high-purity hydrogen via steam gasification of coal has been investigated. The separation of CO from H2 in the gasification products is achieved by CO oxidation to CO2 followed by uptake of the CO2 by a suitable removal agent. This uptake of CO2 increases the extent of the water gas shift reaction and enhances the yield and purity of H2. In addition to the water gas shift reaction, the oxidation is enhanced by the use of a solid oxygen transfer agent (Fe2O3) in the hydrogen enrichment pass. Subsequently, the reduced oxygen transfer agent is reoxidized (and thus regenerated) in the presence of air and the heat liberated via the exothermic reaction is utilized to regenerate carbon dioxide removal agent. In this study, the effect of process variables on coal gasification and hydrogen enrichment has been evaluated. Fixed bed gasification studies using coal and coal−Fe2O3 and coal−CaO mixtures were conducted to evaluate the kinetics of gasification and separation effectiveness of the process....
Performance of Leghorn Hens Induced to Molt by Limited Feeding of Diets Varying in Nutrient Density

Abstract The effects of diet type and of the periodicity of limited feeding used to induce molt in 78-wk-old Leghorn hens on postmolt performance were evaluated. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments, plus a fasted control. Either ground corn, a 22% protein starter, or a 15% protein layer mash diets were available ad libitum for 6 h on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th recurring days; approximately 30% BW reduction was attained after 23, 20, and 17 days, respectively, of limited feeding. A pullet developer feed was then full fed until the end of the 35-day molt period. Records of lay performance during the 35-day, molt-inducing period and for the following seven, 28-day periods were kept. Many significant (P≤.05) treatment effects and interactions were observed during the 35-day, molt inducing period. However, when these data were integrated with the following seven periods of data, no significant (P>.05) treatment difference or main effect interaction was observed for egg production, egg weight, feed per hen per day, Haugh units, shell weight, shell weight per unit surface area, or mortality. The results demonstrate that neither the diet fed during limited feeding nor the period of limited time feeding used to induce molt in the present experiment was of long-term importance. Further, the results demonstrate that molt induced by limited feeding is an acceptable alternative to continuous fasting.
CCN and cloud droplet concentrations at a remote ocean site

[1] Extensive aircraft measurements over the mid Pacific displayed unexpectedly high overall average concentrations of condensation nuclei (CN) of 379 cm−3, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at 1% supersaturation (NCCN) of 301 cm−3, and total cloud droplets (Nc) of 139 cm−3. Factor of two variations in average NCCN and Nc among 11 flights produced a positive correlation coefficient (R) of 0.81. Updraft velocity (W) was also positively correlated with Nc but with lower R. Comparisons with a more traditionally maritime project (RICO), which had higher average W clearly demonstrated the role of W in determining Nc. Correlations of NCCN with concentrations of larger droplets were negative but the R switched back to positive for concentrations of largest cloud droplets with NCCN. The explanation offered for this double reversal of R for NCCN with droplet concentrations greater than various sizes suggests yet another influence of the aerosol on cloud microphysics.
Rejuvenator: A static wear leveling algorithm for NAND flash memory with minimized overhead

NAND flash memory is fast replacing traditional magnetic storage media due to its better performance and low power requirements. However the endurance of flash memory is still a critical issue in using it for large scale enterprise applications. Rethinking the basic design of NAND flash memory is essential to realize its maximum potential in large scale storage. NAND flash memory is organized as blocks and blocks in turn have pages. A block can be erased reliably only for a limited number of times and frequent block erase operations to a few blocks reduce the lifetime of the flash memory. Wear leveling helps to prevent the early wear out of blocks in the flash memory. In order to achieve efficient wear leveling, data is moved around throughout the flash memory. The existing wear leveling algorithms do not scale for large scale NAND flash based SSDs. In this paper we propose a static wear leveling algorithm, named as Rejuvenator, for large scale NAND flash memory. Rejuvenator is adaptive to the changes in workloads and minimizes the cost of expensive data migrations. Our evaluation of Rejuvenator is based on detailed simulations with large scale enterprise workloads and synthetic micro benchmarks.
Activation of Human D3 Dopamine Receptor Inhibits P/Q-Type Calcium Channels and Secretory Activity in AtT-20 Cells

The D3 dopamine receptor is postulated to play an important role in the regulation of neurotransmitter secretion at both pre- and postsynaptic terminals. However, this hypothesis and the underlying mechanisms remain untested because of the lack of D3-selective ligands, paucity of appropriate model secretory systems, and the weak and inconsistent coupling of D3 receptors to classical signal transduction pathways. The absence of ligands that selectively discriminate between D3 and D2 receptors in vivo precludes the study of D3 receptor function in the brain and necessitates the use of heterologous expression systems. In this report we demonstrate that activation of the human D3 dopamine receptor expressed in the AtT-20 neuroendocrine cell line causes robust inhibition of P/Q-type calcium channels via pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. In addition, using the vesicle trafficking dye FM1-43, we show that D3 receptor activation significantly inhibits spontaneous secretory activity in these cells. Our results not only support the hypothesis that the D3 receptor can regulate secretory activity but also provide insight into the underlying signaling mechanisms. We propose a functional model in which the D3 receptor tightly regulates neurotransmitter release at a synapse by only allowing the propagation of spikes above a certain frequency or burst-duration threshold.
Diagnosis and management of alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol is the most commonly used hepatotoxin worldwide. About 90% of heavy drinkers (more than 60 g/day of alcohol) show evidence of fatty livers, while only 10-35% develop alcoholic hepatitis and 5-15% developed cirrhosis. The daily intake of alcohol that results in liver injury varies and depends on a number of risk factors. Alcoholic disease developes at lower doses in females, Hispanic, obese objects, and patients with hepatitis C. Insights into the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced liver injury has improved significantly but the translation into clinical benefit has been slow. The importance of continued abstinence and correction of nutritional deficiencies are major components in the long-term management of liver disease. Alcohol hepatitis has a variable mortality and the prognosis is determined most commonly by the modified discriminant function. The mocel of end-stage liver disease (MELD) is being increasingly used to predict outcome in alcoholic hepatitis even though standard cut offs are not available. Anti-inflammatory therapy with corticosteroids and anticytokine therapy with corticosteroids and pentoxifylline are effective for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Patients with endstage liver disease should be considered for liver transplantation. Six months of abstinence is considered to be a requirement prior to transplant, but this length of time may be adjusted in individual bases.
Noninvasive risk stratification in postinfarction patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and methodology of the MADIT II noninvasive electrocardiology substudy

Sudden cardiac death occurs as a result of a complex interplay of changes in myocardial substrate, imbalance of autonomic regulation of the heart, and myocardial vulnerability. Noninvasive electrocardiology serves as a comprehensive tool for investigating factors representing mechanistic pathways leading to cardiac events. Heart rate variability, nonlinear dynamics of heart rate, and heart rate turbulence provide insight into autonomic control of the heart. Prognostic value of these parameters in postinfarction patients is well established for predicting cardiac death, but there is less evidence for their association with sudden death or arrhythmic events. Electrical manifestation of changes in myocardial substrate include QRS and QTc prolongation, presence of conduction disturbances, presence of late potentials, abnormalities of repolarization morphology, and presence of nonsinus rhythm, namely atrial fibrillation. Electrocardiogram (ECG) measures reflecting myocardial vulnerability to arrhythmias include frequent ventricular premature beats, T wave alternans, or QT variability. Prognostic significance of these parameters is documented in studies focused mostly on them as individual markers of risk. The noninvasive electrocardiology substudy of the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT II) allows for simultaneous analysis of several of the above ECG markers of risk and will provide insight about relative contribution of mechanistic pathways leading to cardiac death in postinfarction patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. Combination of a standard 12-lead ECG and 10-minute high-resolution Holter recordings serves to evaluate the prognostic significance of noninvasive electrocardiology parameters for mortality in patients randomized to conventional treatment and for arrhythmic events in patients randomized to implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy.
Chemical interactions at the interface between a carbon fiber and a boron trifluoride-catalyzed epoxy matrix

The cure of a tetrafunctional epoxy resin (largely tetraglycidyldiaminodiphenylmethane, TGDDM), cross-linked with diaminodiphenylsulphone (DDS) and boron trifluoride/ethylamine (BF3EA) catalyst, is affected in a complex fashion by the presence of an oxidized carbon fiber surface. If the fiber is aged in a humid environment (25°C, 95% humidity) before coating with the matrix, the affinity of the oxidized fiber surface for water leads to destruction of the catalyst and retardation of the cure. This retardation is noticeable at lower humidities if the polymer content of the composite is reduced to > 20%. For oxidized fibers that are stored under ambient conditions (40% humidity), the retarding effect of water is overwhelmed by the catalytic effect of the acidic fiber surface. This activates the latent catalyst, increasing the rate of epoxy consumption and the proportion of the epoxy–epoxy reaction relative to the epoxy–amine reaction. For the low-humidity case, even though the rate of chemical reaction is increased, vitrification of the matrix is retarded, implying that there is less cross-linking and more extended epoxy–epoxy sequences in the network. The proposed chemical changes in epoxy/carbon fiber composites were confirmed by analysis of model reactions in solution. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Microbial Communities of Deep Marine Subsurface Sediments: Molecular and Cultivation Surveys

Recent molecular analyses show that microbial communities of deep marine sediments harbor members of distinct, uncultured bacterial and archaeal lineages, in addition to Gram-positive bacteria and Proteobacteria that are detected by cultivation surveys. Several of these subsurface lineages show cosmopolitan occurrence patterns; they can be found in cold marine sediments and also in hydrothermal habitats, suggesting a continuous deep subsurface and hydrothermal biosphere with shared microbiota. The physiologies and activities of these uncultured subsurface lineages remain to be explored by innovative combinations of genomic and biogeochemical approaches.
Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Males

Methoxyisoflavone (M), 20-hydroxyecdysone (E), and sulfo-polysaccharide (CSP3) have been marketed to athletes as dietary supplements that can increase strength and muscle mass during resistance-training. However, little is known about their potential ergogenic value. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these supplements affect training adaptations and/or markers of muscle anabolism/catabolism in resistance-trained athletes. Forty-five resistance-trained males (20.5 ± 3 yrs; 179 ± 7 cm, 84 ± 16 kg, 17.3 ± 9% body fat) were matched according to FFM and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner supplements containing either a placebo (P); 800 mg/day of M; 200 mg of E; or, 1,000 mg/day of CSP3 for 8-weeks during training. At 0, 4, and 8-weeks, subjects donated fasting blood samples and completed comprehensive muscular strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic capacity, and body composition analysis. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in training adaptations among groups in the variables FFM, percent body fat, bench press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM or sprint peak power. Anabolic/catabolic analysis revealed no significant differences among groups in active testosterone (AT), free testosterone (FT), cortisol, the AT to cortisol ratio, urea nitrogen, creatinine, the blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio. In addition, no significant differences were seen from pre to post supplementation and/or training in AT, FT, or cortisol. Results indicate that M, E, and CSP3 supplementation do not affect body composition or training adaptations nor do they influence the anabolic/catabolic hormone status or general markers of catabolism in resistance-trained males.
The Assessment of IADL Motor Skills: An Application of Many­ Faceted Rasch Analysis

Traditional methods of developing tests have been driven by item content specification and have relied on the use of summed ordinal scores in an attempt to create a quantitative index of ability. There are fundamental problems with this approach to test development. The first problem is that the summing of qualitative ordinal counts to create a total score does not result in a number that is a valid means of making quantitative comparisons of performances. The second problem is that reliance on content experts does not ensure that the test items indeed test the construct in question. As a result, the development of functional assessments based on Rasch measurement models is becoming a preferred method among rehabilitation professionals for constructing tests. Rasch measurement models offer an alternative approach to instrument development that results in unidimensional linear measures based on additive numbers. Rasch analyses also generate goodness-of-fit statistics that can be used to perform confirmatory construct validity analyses of the constructed scales based on (a) formulating expectations about what should happen when a group of persons take a test, and then (b) confirming that the test items fit that model. This paper describes how the many-faceted Rasch model was used to develop the motor scale of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) (Fisher, 1992). The process of beginning test development with a theory of expectations related to a constructed scale and then confirming that the scale conforms to these expectations also is demonstrated.
Potassium citrate/citric acid intake improves renal function in rats with polycystic kidney disease.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been shown to be exacerbated by acidosis or a low potassium intake, and there is evidence that administration of alkali might have a beneficial effect. This study determined whether ingestion of potassium citrate and citric acid would ameliorate PKD. Healthy normal and heterozygous littermate Han:SPRD rats with autosomal dominant PKD were provided with either tap water or 55 mM K3citrate/67 mM citric acid solution (KCitr) to drink starting at the age of 1 mo. Renal clearance measurements and histologic assessments were performed when the rats were 3 mo old. KCitr intake did not affect body weight or urine flow, but completely prevented the decline in GFR found in untreated rats with PKD. In rats that drank tap water, left kidney GFR averaged (in p.1/mm per 100 g body wt) 503 ± 78 (ii = 9) in normal animals and 242 ± 56 (ii = 6) in rats with PKD. In rats that drank KCitr, GFR averaged 562 ± 123 (n = 7) in normal animals and 534 ± 103 (ii = 7) in rats with PKD. Kidneys of rats with PKD were approximately double normal size. KCitr treatment did not affect kidney size, but led to fewer interstitial abnormalities and smaller cysts in cystic kidneys. KCitr inges- tion led to a significantly lower (P < 0.001) plasma (K�) in rats with PKD (3.3 ± 0.2 versus 4. 1 ± 0.2 mEq/L in rats on tap water). Chronic KCitr intake in the young heterozygous Han: SPRD rat with PKD yields a modest improvement of kidney histology and a dramatic improvement in GFR. The mecha- nism of action of KCitr and the long-term effects of this treatment on renal structure and function in PKD deserve further study. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common genetic disease that often leads to renal failure. The expression of this disease is quite variable, probably because of differences in the primary gene defect, modifier genes, and environmental factors. Practical treatments to halt or slow the progression of PKD in patients are extremely limited ( 1).
What is wrong with 'wrongful life' cases?

'Wrongful life' torts raise a number of interesting and perplexing philosophical issues. In a suit for 'wrongful life', the plaintiff (usually an infant) brings an action (usually against a physician) claiming that some negligent action has caused the plaintiff's life, say by not informing the parents of the likely prospect that their child would be born with severe defects. The most perplexing feature of this is that the plaintiff is claiming that he would have been better off if he had never been born. A number of arguments have appeared which purport to show that "wrongful life' claims should not be allowed, either because it is senseless to claim that one would be better off if one had not existed or that it is impossible to assess the extent to which someone has been damaged by being brought into existence. In our paper we rebut these arguments and suggest a procedure for determining damages in 'wrongful life cases'.
Transcriptional Induction of Hepatic NADPH: Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase by Thyroid Hormone

Studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanism whereby thyroid hormone (T3) induces NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (P450R) mRNA in rat liver in vivo. Northern blot analysis revealed that T3 treatment increases unspliced liver nuclear P450R RNA 4-fold within 8 h and that this induction precedes the induction of mature, cytoplasmic P450R RNA. Unspliced nuclear P450R RNA was suppressed below basal levels 24 h after T3 treatment, despite the continued presence of elevated circulating T3 levels. To determine whether the T3-stimulated increase in nuclear P450R RNA reflects an increase in P450R transcription initiation, nuclear run-on transcription assays were carried out. T3 induced a 6- to 8-fold increase in P450R transcription rate within 12 h, sufficient to account for the observed increase in nuclear P450R precursor RNA, followed by a decrease back to basal transcription levels at 24 h, consistent with the nuclear RNA profile. Similar transcriptional increases were observed in nuclear run-on transcription studies using hybridization probes corresponding to nine different fragments of the P450R gene, spanning exon 2 to exon 16. Thus, P450R transcription initiation, not transcription elongation, is the T3-regulated event. Similar results were obtained during short (5 min) compared with long (45 min) nuclear run-on transcription assays, suggesting that changes in nuclear RNA processing or regulated degradation do not contribute to the overall RNA induction. This finding was confirmed by the ability of the RNA polymerase inhibitor actinomycin D, administered in vivo, to block T3 induction of P450R transcriptional activity. We conclude that P450R transcription, rather than nuclear RNA processing or mRNA stabilization, is the primary mechanism whereby T3 induces hepatic P450R mRNA.
Does a tensioning device pinned to the tibia improve knee anterior-posterior load-displacement compared to manual tensioning of the graft following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A cadaveric study of two tibial fixation devices.

Devicesthatarepinnedtothetibiatotensionananteriorcruciateligament(ACL)graft producejointreactionloadsthatinturncanaffectthemaintenanceofgraftinitialtensionaftertibial fixation and hence knee anterior-posterior (AP) load-displacement. However, the effect of these devices on AP load-displacement is unknown. Our objectives were to determine whether tensioning by device versus tensioning by hand causes differences in AP load-displacement and intraarticular graft tension for two commonlyused tibialfixation devices: a bioresorbable interference screw and a WasherLoc. AP load-displacement and intraarticular graft tension were measured in 20 cadaveric knees using acustomarthrometer.An initial tensionof 110 N was appliedto a double-looped tendon graftwiththekneeatextensionusingatensioningdevicepinnedtothetibiaandasimulatedmethod oftensioningbyhand.Afterinsertingthetibialfixationdevice,the134Nanteriorlimit(i.e.,anterior positionofthetibiawith respecttothefemurwith a134Nanteriorforceappliedtothetibia)and0N posterior limit (i.e., AP position of the tibia relative to the femur with a 0 N force applied to the tibia) were measuredwiththekneein 258flexion.Intraarticulargrafttensionwasmeasuredat extension. These limits and intraarticular graft tension were also measured after cyclically loading the knee 300times.Comparedtoasimulatedmethodoftensioningbyhand,tensioningwithadevicepinnedto