cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solid lubrication fundamentals and applications

This chapter focuses attention on the friction and wear properties of selected solid lubricating films to aid users in choosing the best lubricant, deposition conditions, and operational variables. For simplicity, discussion of the tribological properties of concern is separated into two parts. The first part of the chapter discusses the different solid lubricating films selected for study including commercially developed solid film lubricants: (1) bonded molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), (2) magnetron-sputtered MoS2, (3) ion-plated silver, (4) ion-plated lead, (5) magnetron-sputtered diamondlike carbon (MS DLC), and (6) plasma-assisted, chemical-vapor-deposited diamondlike carbon (PACVD DEC) films. Marked differences in the friction and wear properties of the different films resulted from the different environmental conditions (ultrahigh vacuum, humid air, and dry nitrogen) and the solid film lubricant materials. The second part of the chapter discusses the physical and chemical characteristics, friction behavior, and endurance life of the magnetron-sputtered MoS2 films. The role of interface species and the effects of applied load, film thickness, oxygen pressure, environment, and temperature on the friction and wear properties are considered.
Don't Leave Home Without It: Limited Liability and American Express

What is the value of limited liability to the corporation? Financial economists take the value of limited liability for granted and there has been little empirical study of its value. Few natural experiments allow us to estimate the value of limited liability. One of these, however, is the case of American Express Company. It appears that American Express was the last publicly traded unlimited liability firm in the United States, becoming a corporation with limited liability only in 1965. In this paper, I examine the effects of adopting limited liability on the value of American Express shares, and on their risk. Consistent with economic theory and previous empirical research [Weinstein (2003)], I find little effect on firm value, and a reduction in both systematic and unsystematic risk. This paper also contributes to the empirical methodology of event studies.
Friedrich Hayek's Theory of Spontaneous Order: Two Problems

The paper finds Hayek's basic building block, the natural/artificialcontrast, to be illuminating. But the manner in which Hayek classifiesentities according to the contrast generates two major problemsin his socio-economic theory. First, Hayek's concept “design”confuses the technical construction of, e.g., a chair with thedeliberate organization of division of labor within the firm.Second, Hayek's notion “spontaneous order” fails to note twokinds of natural order — firms and markets.
Aging, osteoarthritis and transforming growth factor-β signaling in cartilage

Osteoarthritis is a common malady of the musculoskeletal system affecting the articular cartilage. The increased frequency of osteoarthritis with aging indicates the complex etiology of this disease, which includes pathophysiology and joint stability including biomechanics. The balance between anabolic morphogens and growth factors and catabolic cytokines is at the crux of the problem of osteoarthritis. One such signal is transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The impaired TGF-β signaling has been identified as a culprit in old mice in a recent article in this journal. This commentary places this discovery in the context of anabolic and catabolic signals and articular cartilage homeostasis in the joint.
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Epitope Immunodominance in the Control of Choroid Plexus Tumors in Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen Transgenic Mice

The simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (Tag) is a virus-encoded oncoprotein which is the target of a strong cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. Three immunodominant H-2 b -restricted epitopes, designated epitopes I, II/III, and IV, have been defined. We investigated whether induction of CTLs directed against these Tag epitopes might control Tag-induced tumors in SV11 + ( H-2 b ) mice. SV11 + mice develop spontaneous tumors of the choroid plexus due to expression of SV40 Tag as a transgene. We demonstrate that SV11 + mice are functionally tolerant to the immunodominant Tag CTL epitopes. CTLs specific for the H-2K b -restricted Tag epitope IV were induced in SV11 + mice following adoptive transfer with unprimed C57BL/6 spleen cells and immunization with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing either full-length Tag or the H-2K b -restricted epitope IV as a minigene. In addition, irradiation of SV11 + mice prior to adoptive transfer with unprimed C57BL/6 spleen cells led to the priming of epitope IV-specific CTLs by the endogenous Tag. Induction of epitope IV-specific CTLs in SV11 + mice by either approach correlated with increased life span and control of the choroid plexus tumor progression, indicating that CTLs specific for the immunodominant Tag epitope IV control the progressive growth of spontaneous tumors induced by this DNA virus oncogene in transgenic mice.
Patients undergoing sinus surgery: constructing a demographic profile.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to construct an accurate and representative demographic profile of patients undergoing sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This will enable future studies to enroll representative samples so that results can be more easily compared across studies and generalized to the U.S. population. Methods: The investigators interrogated the databases of the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery to gather demographic data. Whenever the NSAS provided incomplete characterization, deficiencies were corrected using state-level data provided by the Health care Cost and Utilization Project. The constructed profile was compared with available profiles of patients with CRS and demographic data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Results: The demographic profile of patients undergoing sinus surgery is 52.7% female with a mean age of 38.5 years. A total of 93.5% of surgery is performed on an outpatient basis with 78.8% of patients having private insurance sources. No significant difference in occurrence of surgery was found between months of the year or between regions of the country. The constructed race profile is 85.7% white, 5% black, 1.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.2% Native American, and 7.8% other. Conclusions. A novel integration of national and state databases can be used to create a demographic profile of patients undergoing surgery for CRS. The creation of this profile enables further study of representative populations of patients with CRS and enables thoughtful analysis of the existing literature. The difficulty in creating the profile highlights the need for complete and accurate healthcare information collection by national and state agencies.
Maintenance of mouse trophoblast stem cell proliferation by TGF-β/activin

Mouse trophoblast stem (TS) cells can be grown indefinitely in vitro with FGF4 and embryonic fibroblast conditioned media (EFCM). Here, we report that the active protein components of EFCM include TGF-beta and the related factor activin, and that long-term continuous TS cell proliferation is possible in media supplemented with only serum, FGF4, and TGF-beta. As trophoblasts are an epithelial cell type, the promotion of TS cell proliferation represents an unusual function for TGF-beta and activin since TGF-beta in particular is well known as an inhibitor of nontransformed epithelial cell proliferation. Our data suggest that constitutive FGF signaling in TS cells selectively inhibits the ability of TGF-beta to repress c-myc expression, a central component of the TGF-beta cytostatic transcriptional response previously observed to be lost in other epithelial cell types upon oncogenic Ras transformation.
Effects of layered heterogeneity in subsurface geologic materials on solute transport under field conditions: A case study from northeastern Iowa, USA

In the Cedar River watershed of northeastern Iowa, USA, water quality in 17 out of 20 private wells indicates that groundwater is contaminated with nitrate from agricultural leachates. In nine of the wells, nitrate concentration exceeds the US Environmental Protection Agency recommended maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 45 mg/L (as NO3 −) for drinking purposes. Solute-transport investigations determined that the surficial loam sediments, the Quaternary sand and gravel deposits, and the glacial till deposits form layered heterogeneity in the subsurface. The resulting conductivity contrast causes a capillary barrier, thereby altering the mechanisms of vertical tracer movement.
Metabolic bone disease

Metabolic bone dlseases are frequently seen in the geriatric population. The pain which often accompanies the disorder is a major cause of morbidity, frequent visits to the physician, health resource utilization, and even mortality. Successful prevention, detection and management of metabolic bone disease are essential components of optimal geriatric health care.
Prospects for Electronic Publication in Communication: A Survey of Potential Users.

This paper discusses the arguments for and against electronic publication and explores the potential acceptance for an electronic journal in the communication discipline. Using electronic mail, 85 users of a computer communication system were surveyed to determine the factors that would influence their decision to submit research reports to an electronic journal. The survey indicates that a majority of respondents would use an electronic journal to publish research reports and that most viewed publishing as a way to communicate about their work rather than a means for advancing in the field. The survey provides evidence that willingness to electronically publish decreased with higher occupational positions (from Masters student to Associate Professor) with this trend reversing itself at the level of Full Professor.
Relations Between Minuchin's Structural Family Model and Kohut's Self-Psychology Constructs

This study examined the relations between S. Minuchin's (1974) structural family model and H. Kohut's (1971) self-psychology constructs. A total of 164 college women completed the Structural Family Interaction Scale-Revised (SFIS-R), the Parental Relations Inventory (PRI), and the Goal Instability and Superiority scales from the Self-Expression Inventory. Two factors, Proximity-Differentiation and Generational Hierarchy-Differentiation, accounting for 90% of the variance, emerged from an exploratory factor analysis of the SFIS-R and PRI. The results of canonical correlation analysis, with the 2 factors included as predictor variables and the 2 scales measuring self-expression as the dependent variables, indicated that women raised in families with strong cross-generational alliances are likely to display narcissistic personality traits and to have difficulty setting goals. Implications for counseling are presented.
Parametric Instabilities in Turbulent, Inhomogeneous Plasma

It is known that parametric instabilities involving two coupled modes, with oppositely directed group velocities, saturate convectively if the medium is inhomogeneous. This work considers the modification of that result when weak long-wave turbulence is present, in addition to the background inhomogeneity. We find that the convective saturation disappears when the turbulence exceeds a certain level, absolute growth occurring instead.
Potential effects of obliquity change on gas hydrate stability zones on Mars

Abstract Methane hydrate dissociation due to obliquity-driven temperature change has been suggested as a potential source of atmospheric methane plumes recently observed on Mars. This work uses both equilibrium and time-dependent models to determine how geothermal gradients change on Mars as a result of obliquity and predict how these changes affect gas hydrate stability zones (HSZs). The models predict that the depth to the HSZ decreases with increasing latitude for both CO 2 and CH 4 hydrate, with CO 2 hydrate occurring at shallower depths than CH 4 hydrate over all latitudes. The depth of the HSZ increases as surface temperatures warm and decreases as surface temperatures cool with changing obliquity, with the largest change in HSZ volume predicted near the equator and the poles. Therefore, changes in the depth to the HSZ may cause hydrate dissociation near the equator and poles as the geothermal gradient moves in and out of the hydrate stability field over hundreds of thousands of years. Sublimation of overlying ice containing diffused methane could account for recent observations of seasonal methane plumes on Mars. In addition, near-surface gas hydrate reservoirs may be preserved at mid-latitudes due to minimal changes in surface temperature with obliquity over geologic time scales. Comparisons of the predicted changes in the HSZ with hydrate dissociation and diffusion rates reveal that metastable hydrate may also remain in the near subsurface, especially at high latitudes, for millions to billions of years. The presence of methane hydrate in the near subsurface at midlatitudes could be an important analytical target for future Mars missions, as well as serving as a source of fuel for future spacecraft.
Bead compacts. II. Evaluation of rapidly disintegrating nonsegregating compressed bead formulations.

In this study, three techniques for the prevention or mitigation of polymer coat fracture on compaction of sustained-release beads into tablets were investigated. All techniques in this paper were evaluated without the addition of any cushioning excipients, but rather by spray coating these excipients to avoid segregation during product manufacturing. First, it was shown that use of swellable polymers such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) serves a unique and effective role in preventing polymer coat rupture. PEO was spray coated between the ethylcellulose (EC) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) coats to evaluate its cushioning effect. The compacted PEO layered beads, on dissolution, disintegrated into individual beads with sustained drug release of up to 8 hr. It is postulated that the PEO was hydrated and formed a gel that acts as a sealant for the cracks formed in the ruptured polymer coating (sealant-effect compacts). Second, EC-coated drug-layered beads were also overcoated with cushioning excipients suc...
Internationalizing the Business School: A Global Survey in 2000

We summarize the major findings of the sixth global survey of business school internationalization sponsored by the Academy of International Business (AIB). The survey covers various aspects of internationalization including: objectives, organizational issues, curriculum and faculty internationalization, foreign institutional arrangements, and satisfaction with progress achieved. The empirical results indicate that, across all dimensions, significant progress continued to be made in the internationalization of business schools.
A subdivision scheme for Poisson curves and surfaces

The de Casteljau evaluation algorithm applied to a finite sequence of control points defines a Bezier curve. This evaluation procedure also generates a subdivision algorithm and the limit of the subdivision process is this same Bezier curve. Extending the de Casteljau subdivision algorithm to an infinite sequence of control points defines a new family of curves. Here, limits of this stationary non-uniform subdivision process are shown to be equivalent to curves whose control points are the original data points and whose blending functions are given by the Poisson distribution. Thus this approach generalizes standard subdivision techniques from polynomials to arbitrary analytic functions. Extensions of this new subdivision scheme from curves to tensor product surfaces are also discussed.
Fifty Years of Skin Aging

In developed countries, interest in cutaneous aging is in large part the result of a progressive, dramatic rise over the past century in the absolute number and the proportion of the population who are elderly (Smith et al, 2001). The psychosocial as well as physiologic effects of skin aging on older individuals have created a demand for better understanding of the process and particularly for effective interventions. Skin aging is a complex process determined by the genetic endowment of the individual as well as by environmental factors. The appearance of old skin and the clinical consequences of skin aging have been well known for centuries, but only in the past 50 y have mechanisms and mediators been systematically pursued. Still, within this relatively short time there has been tremendous progress, a progress greatly enhanced by basic gerontologic research employing immunologic, biochemical, and particularly molecular biologic approaches (Figs 1, 2).
Ethics and evaluation: Implications for group work

Abstract The author describes the major ethical issues involved in program evaluation together with their implications for group work and makes recommendations within this context for group work evaluators.
When the Text Is the Problem: A Postcolonial Approach to Biblical Pedagogy

Abstract Postcolonial biblical scholars use the hermeneutics of decolonization to reinterpret the biblical text. One goal is to find contemporary applications for an age-old message. This article explores the challenges and implications of postcolonial hermeneutics for biblical pedagogy. First, the author explores fundamental hermeneutical principles of postcolonial biblical criticism. Then she reviews its challenges for a liberative biblical pedagogy. Finally, the author applies these principles to a Bible study using the story of Hagar.
Affective traits link to reliable neural markers of incentive anticipation

While theorists have speculated that different affective traits are linked to reliable brain activity during anticipation of gains and losses, few have directly tested this prediction. We examined these associations in a community sample of healthy human adults (n=52) as they played a Monetary Incentive Delay task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI). Factor analysis of personality measures revealed that subjects independently varied in trait Positive Arousal and trait Negative Arousal. In a subsample (n=14) retested over 2.5years later, left nucleus accumbens (NAcc) activity during anticipation of large gains (+$5.00) and right anterior insula activity during anticipation of large losses (-$5.00) showed significant test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations>0.50, p's<0.01). In the full sample (n=52), trait Positive Arousal correlated with individual differences in left NAcc activity during anticipation of large gains, while trait Negative Arousal correlated with individual differences in right anterior insula activity during anticipation of large losses. Associations of affective traits with neural activity were not attributable to the influence of other potential confounds (including sex, age, wealth, and motion). Together, these results demonstrate selective links between distinct affective traits and reliably-elicited activity in neural circuits associated with anticipation of gain versus loss. The findings thus reveal neural markers for affective dimensions of healthy personality, and potentially for related psychiatric symptoms.
The Effects of SST-Induced Surface Wind Speed and Direction Gradients on Midlatitude Surface Vorticity and Divergence

Abstract The effects of surface wind speed and direction gradients on midlatitude surface vorticity and divergence fields associated with mesoscale sea surface temperature (SST) variability having spatial scales of 100–1000 km are investigated using vector wind observations from the SeaWinds scatterometer on the Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite and SST from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) Aqua satellite. The wind–SST coupling is analyzed over the period June 2002–August 2008, corresponding to the first 6+ years of the AMSR-E mission. Previous studies have shown that strong wind speed gradients develop in response to persistent mesoscale SST features associated with the Kuroshio Extension, Gulf Stream, South Atlantic, and Agulhas Return Current regions. Midlatitude SST fronts also significantly modify surface wind direction; the surface wind speed and direction responses to typical SST differences of about 2°–4°C are, on average, about 1–2 m s−1 and 4°...
'Rapping' up cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

A 53-year-old male with idiopathic cardiomyopathy underwent cardiac transplantation. Immunosuppression with cyclosporine (CyA), azathioprine, and prednisone was used. At 1 y post-transplantation, routine coronary angiography (intracoronary nitroglycerin administered prior to study) showed severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) affecting all vessels (Figure 1). The donor coronary angiogram prior to transplantation had shown no visible coronary disease. Over the next 3 mo, CyA was tapered and substituted with an antiproliferative, mTOR inhibitor, sirolimus (rapamycin) as the primary immunosuppressant.1 Sequential angiograms (6 mo later) show a reversal of angiographic findings (Figure 2) with no further worsening of CAV while on maintenance sirolimus therapy.
Stresses in a tensile strip with a large circular hole

Abstract This paper considers the determination of the stress concentration factor at the edge of a large circular hole in a flat strip under tension, as the diameter of the hole approaches the width of the strip. It is found that the stress concentration factor decreases as load increases, going from 1.94 to a limiting value of 1.00.
Probing Mechanisms of Mechano-Sensitive Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently been shown to be responsive to the properties of their adjacent extracellular niche, most notably physical parameters such as topography and elasticity. Elasticity varies dramatically between tissues that MSCs inhibit, which drives elasticity-based differentiation into neurons, muscle, bone, etc. However within tissues, distinct elasticity gradients, brought on by pathological conditions, e.g. myocardial infarction ∼ 8.67 ± 1.50 kPa/mm, or through normal tissue variation, e.g. 0.58 ± 0.88 kPa/mm, could drive MSC migration. In fact, MSCs appear to undergo directed migration up elasticity gradients, or “durotax,” as shallow as 0.96 kPa/mm, indicating a ‘differentiation hierarchy’ since when given the choice, MSCs will durotax into the stiffest regions of the niche and then differentiate based on niche elasticity. As cells move up the gradient, they do so by deforming their niche to determine it’s elasticity, but the molecular mechanism that converts this biophysical signal into a biochemical one which the nucleus can interpret is yet unresolved. We have identified several focal adhesion-related proteins may be capable of force-induced conformational changes, e.g. vinculin. Upon the application of different amounts of traction stress in situ by MSCs, an appropriate amount of stretching results in the exposure of cryptic MAPK binding sites within vinculin and suggests that vinculin, among other focal adhesion proteins, may be sensitive to physical ECM properties and thus able to relay information leading to differentiation of stem cells.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The flow of very dilute polyox solutions into a region of sudden capillary tube enlargement

The flow of dilute drag reducing polymer solutions through capillary tubes into a region of slightly greater tube diameter is characterized by almost complete recovery of the fluid. It is conjectured that the polymer molecules react to prevent the loss of kinetic energy by minimizing the formation of eddies resulting from the expansion.
Evaluation of an internalizing monoclonal antibody labeled using N-succinimidyl 3-[131i]iodo-4-phosphonomethylbenzoate ([131i]SIPMB), a negatively charged substituent bearing acylation agent

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies such as L8A4, reactive with the epidermal growth factor receptor variant III, internalize after receptor binding resulting in proteolytic degradation by lysosomes. Labeling internalizing mAbs requires the use of methodologies that result in the trapping of labeled catabolites in tumor cells after intracellular processing. Herein we have investigated the potential utility of N -succinimidyl-3-[ 131 I]iodo-4-phosphonomethylbenzoate ([ 131 I]SIPMB), an acylation agent that couples the corresponding negatively charged acid [ 131 I]IPMBA to the protein, for this purpose. Biodistribution studies demonstrated that [ 131 I]IPMBA cleared rapidly from normal tissues and exhibited thyroid levels ≤0.1% injected dose, consistent with a low degree of dehalogenation. Biodistribution experiments in athymic mice bearing subcutaneous D-256 human glioma xenografts were performed to compare L8A4 labeled using [ 131 I]SIPMB to L8A4 labeled with 125 I using both the analogous positively charged acylation agent N -succinimidyl-4-guanidinomethyl-3-[ 125 I]iodobenzoate ([ 125 I]SGMIB) and Iodogen. Tumor uptake of [ 131 I]SIPMB-L8A4 (41.9±3.5% ID/g) was nearly threefold that of L8A4 labeled using Iodogen (14.0±1.1% ID/g) after 2 days, and tumor to tissue ratios remained uniformly high throughout with [ 131 I]SIPMB-L8A4. Thyroid uptake increased for the Iodogen labeled mAb (3.55±0.36 %ID at 5 days) whereas that of [ 131 I]SIPMB labeled mAb remained low (0.21±0.04% ID at 5 days). In the second biodistribution, L8A4 labeled using [ 131 I]SIPMB and [ 125 I]SGMIB showed no difference in normal tissue uptake and had nearly identical tumor uptake ([ 131 I]SIPMB, 41.8±14.2% ID/g; [ 125 I]SGMIB, 41.6±15.8% ID/g, at 4 days). These results suggest that [ 131 I]SIPMB may be a viable acylation agent for the radioiodination of internalizing mAbs.
Problem frame transformations: deriving specifications from requirements

The Problem Frames approach provides a framework for understanding the interaction between software and other system components. It emphasizes decomposing an end-to-end system requirement into a machine specification plus a set of assumptions about domains in the problem world.However, the standard approach does not provide the designer with a means for performing such a decomposition, apart from consulting a catalog of 'frame concern' patterns. We suggest a more systematic method for transforming an end-to-end system requirement into a machine specification plus a set of domain properties.
Database proton NMR chemical shifts for RNA signal assignment and validation

The Biological Magnetic Resonance Data Bank contains NMR chemical shift depositions for 132 RNAs and RNA-containing complexes. We have analyzed the 1H NMR chemical shifts reported for non-exchangeable protons of residues that reside within A-form helical regions of these RNAs. The analysis focused on the central base pair within a stretch of three adjacent base pairs (BP triplets), and included both Watson–Crick (WC; G:C, A:U) and G:U wobble pairs. Chemical shift values were included for all 43 possible WC-BP triplets, as well as 137 additional triplets that contain one or more G:U wobbles. Sequence-dependent chemical shift correlations were identified, including correlations involving terminating base pairs within the triplets and canonical and non-canonical structures adjacent to the BP triplets (i.e. bulges, loops, WC and non-WC BPs), despite the fact that the NMR data were obtained under different conditions of pH, buffer, ionic strength, and temperature. A computer program (RNAShifts) was developed that enables convenient comparison of RNA 1H NMR assignments with database predictions, which should facilitate future signal assignment/validation efforts and enable rapid identification of non-canonical RNA structures and RNA-ligand/protein interaction sites. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10858-012-9683-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Development and validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics models for precision structural fumigation

Abstract Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics models for structural fumigation were developed and validated using Fluent ® based upon comprehensive data sets collected during the fumigation of a commercial flour mill. The external flow model, which included the flour mill and surrounding structures, was used to predict stagnation pressures on the mill's walls as a function of the wind speed and direction data. The pressure differences due to density differences between the gas inside and the air outside the mill (stack effect) were estimated using the environmental temperature and relative humidity data. The combined effect of the stagnation pressure and the stack effect was used as the boundary conditions of the internal flow model. The internal flow model incorporated interior details of the mill such as building plans, locations of major equipment, partitions and ducting. Because it was not possible to obtain the actual number and sizes of the cracks in the structure envelope, the idea of representing the cracks as effective leakage zones (ELZ) was adopted. The flow resistance coefficient, k L , of the ELZs determines the gas tightness of the mill. Nine simulations were conducted with different k L values. Both experimental and simulation concentration data indicated that the fumigant was uniformly distributed within the entire mill building. Using a manual optimization approach, one specific k L value was determined for which the models were able to yield a half-loss time (HLT) value identical to the experimental HLT (17 h) and minimize the prediction of the concentration×time ( Ct ) product to within 10.5% of the observed value. Therefore, it was concluded that the models were validated and the assumption of ELZ was reasonable. The modeling methodology established in this paper could be utilized for the prediction of fumigation performance in any type of structure.
Effects of gonadal steroids on catecholamine levels in the brain of the oyster toadfish

Abstract We studied the effects of gonadol steroid implants on catecholamine levels in the brain of ovariectomized female toadfish (Opsanus tau L.). Control values for dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) in the brain were 2181 ± 226, 1112 ± 80 and 6.5 ± 2.02 ng/g, respectively. Compared to controls, 17β-estradiol decreased brain levels of DA to 547 ± 261, and dihydrotestosterone decreased DA to 444 ± 290 ng/g (P
Prevention and removal of elevated radiocarbon contamination in the LLNL/CAMS natural radiocarbon sample preparation laboratory

Abstract The presence of elevated 14 C contamination in a laboratory preparing samples for natural radiocarbon analysis is detrimental to the laboratory workspace as well as the research being conducted. Elevated 14 C contamination occurs via many different pathways, but procedures can be adopted to prevent and remove this type of contamination. In this paper we present our current practices for preventing contamination, evaluating and monitoring potential workspaces and cleaning contaminated workspaces and laboratory equipment.
Seismic scattering from a spherical inclusion eccentrically located within a homogeneous, spherical host: theoretical derivation

The scattered fields from a spherical body eccentrically located within an otherwise homogeneous host sphere are derived by satisfying the boundary conditions at both interfaces simultaneously. The source, which may be composed of any linear combination of S and P waves, is also located arbitrarily within the host sphere. The scattering system may have applications in seismic scattering, by cavities or dense bodies located near the Earth surface or to the Slichter mode.
Compressive Measurements for Video

Redundancies present in video streams could be used to implement compressive sampling to achieve low power video sensors. We explore the possibilities of using this in the design of compressive video sensors and corresponding algorithms.
Head, Heart, and the Practice of Literacy Pedagogy

Dans cet article les formateurs des futurs enseignants parlent de leurs pratiques pedagogiques, expliquent leurs incertitudes, leurs inquietudes et leurs espoirs et revelent ce qu'ils savent et ce qu'ils ne savent pas de la formation a donner aux eleves-enseignants pour en faire de bons pedagogues
Andreev reflection spectroscopy of the heavy-fermion superconductor CeCoIn5 along three different crystallographic orientations

Abstract Andreev reflection spectroscopy has been performed on the heavy-fermion superconductor (HFS) CeCoIn5 single crystals along three different crystallographic orientations, (0 0 1), (1 1 0), and (1 0 0), using Au tips as counter-electrodes. Dynamic conductance spectra are reproducible over wide temperature ranges and consistent with each other, ensuring the spectroscopic nature. Features common to all directions are: (i) asymmetric behaviors of the background conductance, which we attribute to the emerging coherent heavy-fermion liquid; (ii) energy scales (∼1 meV) for conductance enhancement due to Andreev reflection; and (iii) magnitudes of enhanced zero-bias conductance (10–13%). These values are an order of magnitude smaller than the predicted value by the Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk (BTK) theory, but comparable to those for other HFSs. Using the d-wave BTK model, we obtain an energy gap of ∼460 μeV. However, it is found that extended BTK models considering the mismatch in Fermi surface parameters do not account for our data completely, which we attribute to the shift of spectral weight to low energy as well as to the suppressed Andreev reflection. A qualitative comparison of the conductance spectra with calculated curves shows a consistency with d x 2 - y 2 symmetry, providing the first spectroscopic evidence for the order parameter symmetry and resolving the controversy over the location of the line nodes.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Bump at the End of the Railway Bridge

Bumps often develop at the interface between the bridge deck and the approach embankment of a railway bridge. The differential track movement at this transition zone creates higher impact loads, reduced bridge and embankment life, possible safety hazards, and higher maintenance costs. This study investigates the extent of the problem, typical maintenance expense, reasons behind the bump, and possible solutions. Based on a survey conducted to evaluate current practice, the bump problem affects about 50% of all railroad bridges and costs each railroad company an estimated $2,550,000 on maintenance. The typical slope for current bumps is equal to approximately 1:150. Using LS-DYNA, a 3-D, non-linear finite element program, a simple, rigid system was simulated to find the range of impact forces resulting from different bump slopes. A parametric study will be conducted in the future to examine the components involved and to optimize various solutions, such as approach slabs. The results from the entire study will help to minimize the bump at the end of the railway bridge.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Changes in the plasma level of protein-bound iodine in the young calf.

Summary The plasma protein-bound iodine concentration of young calves has been found to be much higher during the first 48 hours postpartum than at any later time. This high level appears to be due to the ingestion of colostrum, which was found to contain relatively large amounts of protein-bound iodine during the first 12 hours after calving. Histological evidence is presented showing that large amounts of colloid are stored in the thyroid follicles as the plasma PBI level falls. It was found also that the plasma PBI concentration of the dam is depressed on the day of calving. The possible significance of this is discussed.
Direct manganese (Mn) speciation in solid state materials by pulsed glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Accurate quantification of specific oxidation states of elements present in complex, solid state samples can be difficult because extraction procedures often lead to changes in those oxidation states. Direct approaches to speciation for solid state materials preclude the extraction step and thus enable more accurate quantification of different oxidation states present in the original material. In this work, pulsed glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry provides such direct differentiation between manganese (IV) dioxide and manganese (II) monoxide in a solid state sample. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the glow discharge source are evaluated and optimized for such speciation by careful control of operating parameters, such as supporting gas pressure, operating power, and temporal observation window. Conditions are found that favor the production of the cluster ion, Mn2O3+, characteristic for manganese (IV) dioxide. It is demonstrated here that once this has been accomplished, the two oxides can be differentiated and quantified.
Finite-element analysis of adhesive butt joints in fiber optic devices

The performance stability of a contacting butt-joint type of fiber attachment method, which is commonly used in the fiber optic industry, is evaluated in this paper. The particular butt joint design in question is a glass fiber bonded to a lithium niobate Mach-Zehnder modulator using UV curing optical adhesive. The joint is susceptible to optical loss levels that can increase with repeated thermal cycles, unless the fiber attachment method is carefully carried out. Difficulties have occurred during the warm portions of thermal cycles and subsequent microscopic analyses of failed devices suggested the presence of adhesive delamination at fiber-to-modulator joints.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The role of protein kinase C in the initial events of platelet activation by thrombin assessed with a selective inhibitor

Abstract The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in platelet activation by thrombin was assessed using a PKC inhibitor Ro 31-7549/001 (R 2 ) which, in vitro , shows more selectivity for PKC than other kinase inhibitors. During early (1.5 s) thrombin-induced platelet activation, when phosphorylation of 47 kDa protein (pleckstrin) and myosin light chain by PKC and myosin light chain kinase, respectively, are most readily differentiated, R 2 suppressed phosphorylation of pleckstrin more effectively than myosin light chain. R 2 -inhibited dense granule secretion (measured 0–10 s using quenched-flow techniques) with a dose dependency similar to that for inhibition of pleckstrin phosphorylation, supporting a role for PKC in this process. R 2 , at 0.5 μM inhibited 47 kDa protein phosphorylation by more than 60%, but had only minimal effects on the kinetics (0–3s) of ADP-induced primary aggregation. At this same concentration, R 2 potentiated the thrombin-induced rise in cytosolic calcium during early (0–15 s) activation as measured in the presence or absence of external calcium. These data support the hypothesis that activation of PKC during early platelet function helps regulate cytosolic calcium levels by limiting calcium release into the cytosol.
Block precoding for MUI/ISI-resilient generalized multicarrier CDMA with multirate capabilities

Potential increase in capacity along with the need to provide multimedia services and cope with multiuser interference (MUI) and intersymbol interference (ISI) arising due to wireless multipath propagation, motivate well multirate wideband code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. Unlike most existing continuous-time symbol-periodic and multipath-free studies, the present paper develops an all-digital block-precoded filter-bank framework capable of encompassing single- or multirate transceivers for asynchronous or quasi-synchronous CDMA transmissions through multipath channels. Thanks to symbol blocking and through appropriate design of user codes, the resulting generalized multicarrier (GMC) CDMA system not only subsumes known multicarrier CDMA variants, but also equips them with flexible multirate capabilities. It is computationally simple, and guarantees symbol recovery regardless of the (possibly unknown) FIR multipath channels in both downlink and uplink setups. Simulations corroborate that the novel GMC-CDMA system outperforms existing multirate alternatives in the presence of asynchronism and multipath, and illustrate the feasibility of recovering blindly multirate transmissions received through unknown frequency-selective channels in the uplink. The performance of GMC-CDMA system in UMTS channels is also simulated and compared with existing multirate schemes.
HyperStorM: an extensible object-oriented hypermedia engine

ABSTRACT It is a well-known problem that developers of hypermediaapplications need assistance for modeling and maintainingapplication-specific hypermedia structures. In the past, vari-ous hypermedia engines have been proposed to support thesetasks. Until now, hypermedia engines either provided a fixedhypermedia data model and left extensions to the hyper-media application or they left the modeling of the hyper-media data completely to the application developer and onlyprovided storage functionality which had to be plugged intothe data model by the application developer. As an alterna-tive, we propose an extensible object-oriented hypermediaengine which supports the specification of application se-mantics as application classes within the hypermedia en-gine, thereby supporting complex operations maintainingapplication-specific as well as application-independentconstraints. In the HyperStorM hypermedia engine, the storage layer andthe application layer of a hypermedia system are implement-ed within the object-oriented database management systemVODAK. Only the presentation layer is kept outside theOODBMS. This approach facilitates both the reuse of data-base functionality as well as the flexibility necessary to sup-port the efficient development of different kinds ofhypermedia applications. First evaluations show that our ap-proach presents a much more powerful hypermedia enginethan previous approaches, thus giving a new quality to hy-permedia application development.
Plasmid diversity within a 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-degrading Variovorax paradoxus population isolated from a contaminated soil

Abstract Thirty‐two 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D)‐degrading (Tfd∗) isolates of Variovorax paradoxus were obtained from a sample of contaminated soil by enrichment culture and were divided into six groups based on the size and number of plasraids they contained. Isolates within each of the six groups had identical and unique plasmid profiles consisting of multiple plasmids of diverse size. Curing of plasmids resulted in loss of ability to degrade 2,4‐D. EcoR1 restriction patterns of plasmids contained by Tfd∗ and Tfd‐ clones suggested that the plasmids did not derive from a common origin, since patterns revealed unique differences as well as similarities in restriction fragment size. In addition, the data suggest that in situ gene transfer and recombination events occurred frequently within this population.
Cooking Time of White Salted Noodles and Its Relationship with Protein and Amylose Contents of Wheat

ABSTRACT Optimum cooking time of white salted noodles determined by sensory panel test ranged from 13.6 to 16.2 min in wheat of wild type in granule bound starch synthase (GBSS), from 16 to 17.4 min in B null in GBSS, from 11.4 to 12.4 min in commercial noodle flours, from 8.0 to 8.2 min in waxy wheat, and 14.2 min in BD double null. Both protein and starch amylose content of wheat significantly influenced water absorption for making noodles and cooking time of white salted noodles. Optimum cooking time of noodles increased as protein content of flour increased, except in waxy wheat flours. Waxy wheat flours, despite their high protein content (>17.1%), exhibited the shortest cooking time of noodles, signifying the influence of starch amylose content on cooking time of noodles. Gelatinization enthalpy of starch in noodles from waxy wheat, commercial noodle flour, and wild type wheat flour disappeared after 2, 6, and 10 min of cooking, respectively. Estimated cooking time based on the changes in amylograph...
Protonation Constants for Triarylphosphines in Aqueous Acetonitrile Solutions

Two independent methods were used to determine protonation constants KH for triarylphosphines in mixed acetonitrile/water media. One method is based on 31P chemical shifts, and the other on the kinetics of debromination of a vicinal dibromide. The protonation constants obtained by the two methods agree well with each other, but they are several orders of magnitude smaller than the values previously reported in the literature for purely aqueous solutions. Moreover, KH decreases with increasing water content. For PPh3 at 1.0 M ionic strength (CF3SO3H + CF3SO3Li), the values of KH are 24.0 ± 0.8 M-1 (CH3CN/H2O = 90:10, v/v), 7.9 ± 0.7 (85:15), 4.2 ± 0.3 (80:20), 2.2 ± 0.1 (70:30), and 1.5 ± 0.3 (50:50). The binding of the proton is weaker at lower electrolyte concentrations, such that at μ = 0.40 M in 90:10 CH3CN/H2O KH for PPh3 is only 3.9 ± 0.3 M-1.
Representing a new MODIS consistent land surface in the Community Land Model (CLM 3.0)

[1] Recently a number of studies have found significant differences between Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface mapping and the land surface parameters of the Community Land Model (CLM) of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM). To address these differences in land surface description, we have developed new CLM 3.0 land surface parameters that reproduce the physical properties described in the MODIS land surface data while maintaining the multiple Plant Functional Type (PFT) canopy and herbaceous layer representation used in CLM. These new parameters prescribe crop distributions directly from historical crop mapping allowing cropping to be described in CLM for any year from 1700 to current day. The new model parameters are calculated at 0.05 degrees resolution so they can be aggregated and used over a wider range of model grid resolutions globally. Compared to the current CLM 3.0 parameters, the new parameters have an increase in bare soil fraction of 10% which is realized through reduced tree, shrub, and crop cover. The new parameters also have area average increases of 10% for leaf area index (LAI) and stem area index (SAI) values, with the largest increases in tropical forests. The new land surface parameters have strong repeatable impacts on the climate simulated in CCSM 3.0 with large improvements in surface albedo compared to MODIS values. In many cases the improvements in surface albedo directly resulted in improved simulation of precipitation and near-surface air temperature; however, for the most part the existing biases of CCSM 3.0 remained with the new parameters. Further analysis of changes in surface hydrology revealed that the increased LAI of the new parameters resulted in lower overall evapotranspiration with reduced precipitation in CCSM 3.0. This was an unexpected result given that other research into the impacts of vegetation change suggests that the new parameters should have the opposite impact. This suggests that while the new parameters significantly improve the climate simulated in CLM 3.0 and CCSM 3.0, the new surface parameters have limited success in rectifying surface hydrology biases that result from the parameterizations within the CLM 3.0.
Pitfalls in the application of digoxin determinations

The radioimmunoassay of digoxin is one of the most important services of the nuclear medicine laboratory. Precision and accuracy in the performance of the test are especially critical. A number of commercial kits are available and reliable. Pitfalls to be avoided include limited availability or delay in performance of the assay; failure to consider sensitizing factors; drawing the blood sample too soon after a digoxin dose; failure to consider desensitizing factors; forgetting that renal function is a major determinant of blood and tissue digoxin levels; assuming patient compliance and uniform intestinal absorption (bioavailability) with all digoxin preparations in all patients; attempting to interpret digoxin levels without the necessary clinical information; and failure to deliver the result to the proper person. If one avoids these pifalls, an important service will be rendered in the evaluation of the patient requiring digitalis therapy.