cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consumer Information use and Misuse in Electronic Business: An Alternative to Privacy Regulation

Abstract The U.S. government and commercial sector have opted to use privacy regulations to control the problem of consumer information misuse in the E-business environment. the authors argue that this is undesirable because it does not correct the market failure that causes this “information externality.” Using the Coase theorem, the authors propose that the market failure can be corrected using either property rules or liability rules and that liability rules at a federal level are likely to be most socially efficient. Recommendations for voluntary actions by industries and companies are also provided.
Heats of solution and dilution of iron‐free paper‐makers' alum

As there are no published data on the heats of solution of papermakers' alum [composition approximately Al2(SO4)3 14H2O] and only one value for the heat of solution of Al2(SO4)3, 18H2O in water, heats of solution at room temperature have been measured in the concentration range up to saturation, and all heat effects were found to be exothermic. The heat of solution per gram of alum is appreciably constant if more than 30 g. water is added. Heats of dilution were also exothermic. The resulting thermal data on solution and dilution were combined to give relative partial specific enthalpies of alum and water at all stable concentrations at 25–30°. A few measurements were made of heats of solution at 65–70°. Thermal effects were again exothermic but of smaller magnitude. By hydrating the alum fully a material almost identical with the normal sulphate, Al2(SO4)3, 16–17H2O, was obtained and its heat of solution at high dilution measured, from which the heat of hydration was calculated. About 50% of the heat of solution of alum is heat of hydration. These data enable all the heats of solution and dilution of alum to be recalculated in terms of Al2(SO4)3, 16–17H2O.
The Political Economy of Monetary Policy in the European Union: The Case of Belgium

The neoliberal notion of globalization implies a homogenizing of international markets into the Anglo-Saxon model. Drawing upon work by Gerald Epstein, this paper describes the changes in Belgium's political-economic power relations as the process of European integration has progressed from the 1960s to the 1990s. It then analyzes the changes in monetary policy and markets that have accompanied this move towards the European Monetary Union.
Incidence of endophthalmitis after 20- and 25-gauge vitrectomy.

Purpose To assess the incidence rate of endophthalmitis after 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and to compare it with the endophthalmitis rate after 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. Design Retrospective, interventional, comparative cohort study. Participants Eight thousand six hundred one consecutive pars plana vitrectomy surgery patients. Methods Surgeries performed at a single institution between January 1, 2004, and September 1, 2006, were reviewed. Main Outcome Measures Incidence of postvitrectomy endophthalmitis. Results Endophthalmitis developed in 1 of 5498 eyes after 20-gauge vitrectomy (0.018%) and in 7 of 3103 eyes after 25-gauge vitrectomy cases (0.23%; P = 0.004). Median final visual acuity was counting fingers or hand movements (range, 20/50–no light perception), with comparable results between 20-gauge and 25-gauge endophthalmitis cases. Conclusions The visual outcomes of vitrectomy-associated endophthalmitis, for both 20-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy, is poor. In this study population, 25-gauge vitrectomy had a statistically significant 12-fold higher incidence of endophthalmitis compared with 20-gauge vitrectomy.
Racial dynamics in cross-race developmental relationships.

I want to thank Robin Ely, Ray Friedman, Herminia Ibarra, Linda Hill, Bill Kahn, and Kathy Kram for comments on earlier drafts of this paper. Special thanks to Robert Sutton and the ASO reviewers for their encouragement and editorial assistance. Data from qualitative field studies of 22 cross-race (African-American and white) supportive work relationships between pairs of junior and senior people are used to examine how people's strategies for dealing with the issue of race affect the kind of relationship that develops between the two and whether the senior person becomes merely a sponsor for the protege, providing him or her with career support such as advocacy for promotions, feedback, and coaching, or whether the senior person becomes a mentor, offering psychosocial support and friendship along with instrumental career support. The study showed that the parties' preferred strategy for dealing with racial difference-either denying and suppressing it or discussing it openly-and whether both parties preferred the same strategy influenced the kind of relationship that developed. Only when the parties preferred the same strategy did the more supportive mentor-protege relationship develop. The paper provides a model of how racial dynamics affect cross-race developmental relationships.'
Characterization of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in osteoclasts in multiple myeloma

We recently showed that increasing Wnt/beta-catenin signalling in the bone marrow microenvironment or in multiple myeloma (MM) cells clearly suppresses osteoclastogenesis in SCID-hu mice; however, this regulation of osteoclastogenesis could result directly from activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling in osteoclasts or indirectly from effects on osteoblasts. The present studies characterized Wnt/beta-catenin signalling and its potential role in osteoclasts. Systematic analysis of expression of WNT, FZD, LRP and TCF gene families demonstrated that numerous Wnt-signalling components were expressed in human osteoclasts from patients with MM. Functional Wnt/beta-catenin signalling was identified by accumulation of total and active beta-catenin and increases in Dvl-3 protein in response to Wnt3a or LiCl. Furthermore, Wnt-induced increases in beta-catenin and Dvl-3 were attenuated by Wnt antagonists Dkk1 and sFRP1. Finally, Wnt3a-induced TCF/LEF transcriptional activity suggests that canonical Wnt signalling is active in osteoclasts. Supernatants from dominant-negative-beta-catenin-expressing osteoblast clones significantly stimulated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast formation from primary MM-derived osteoclasts, compared with supernatants from control cells. These results suggested that Wnt/beta-catenin signalling is active in osteoclasts in MM and is involved in osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow, where it acts as a negative regulator of osteoclast formation in an osteoblast-dependent manner in MM.
Depressive deficits in memory: Processing initiative and resource allocation.

Hertel and Hardin investigated the effects of depressed mood states on recognition memory in three experiments. They report that mood effects on memory depend on the subjects' awareness of the task. Four issues are considered in this article: natural and induced moods, processing initiative, initiative versus resource allocation, and strategies.
Two-stage anaerobic process for bio-hydrogen and bio-methane combined production from biodegradable solid wastes

Abstract A two-stage anaerobic digestion process intended for biohydrogen and bio-methane combined production from organic fraction of municipal solid wastes was investigated. In thermophilic conditions blocking of methanogenesis at the first stage of the anaerobic fermentation was achieved at pH 9.0. Cumulative hydrogen production made 82.5 l/kg volatile solids. Pretreatment of organic fraction of municipal solid wastes and exploitation of mixed cultures of anaerobic thermophilic cellulolytic and saccharolytic bacteria of Clostridia sp resulted in the increase of hydrogen cumulative production up to 104 l/kg volatile solids. Content of methane in biohydrogen didn’t exceed 0.1%. Cumulative bio-methane production made 520 l/kg volatile solids. Methane percentage in produced biogas was 78.6%. Comparison of energy data for two-stage anaerobic digestion with those for solely methane production shows the increase in energy recovery from biodegradable fraction of municipal solid wastes. Results obtained make a foolproof basis for the development of cost-effective technological process providing hydrogen and methane combined production from solid organic wastes. Technology can be implemented at large scale biogas plants improving economical and ecological characteristics of the overall process.
Nucleation of bubbles on quantized vortices in helium-4

We consider the properties of vortices in superfluid helium-4 at negative pressure. Based on a simple density-functional model, we first calculate the density profile in the vicinity of a vortex. We then determine the negative pressure at which the vortex becomes unstable against a uniform radial expansion all along its length. This instability occurs at −6.9 bars. We then calculate the pressure-dependence of the energy Δ Enuc required to nucleate a bubble on the vortex. The results of this calculation are used to estimate the effect of quantized vortices on the rate at which bubbles are nucleated in superfluid helium at negative pressure.
Xanthine dehydrogenase accumulation in developing Drosophila eyes

Abstract Xanthine dehydrogenase activity is assayed by following the oxidation of pterin to isoxanthopterin by spectrofluorometry at the reaction's wavelength peaks: excitation, 344 nm; emission, 412 nm. The method is sensitive to less than 0·1 μU of activity (0·1 pmol/min) and allows the assay of Drosophila imaginal disk homogenates. While the larval eye disk contains less than 0·1 per cent of the individual's XDH, the developing eye becomes a major store, with 30 per cent of the individual's activity by the time of eye pigmentation. The data suggest a basis for the well-known non-autonomous action of the gene rosy, the structural gene for XDH: the enzyme is synthesized in an organ of primary gene expression, and transported through the haemolymph to the eye of the pupa and pharate adult.
Separation of cobalt from nickel in ammonia-ammonium carbonate solutions using pressurized ion exchange

Abstract High resolution pressurized ion exchange has been used successfully to study and separate the various cobalt and nickel complexes present in commercial ammonia-ammonium carbonate solutions produced by the Caron process. Using chromatographic elution from Dowex 50W-X8 (15–25 micron) resin with ammonium carbonate solutions, three cobalt species, identified as the purple carbonato tetrammine complex, [Co(NH 3 ) 4 CO 3 ] + , the red carbonato pentammine complex, [Co(NH 3 ) 5 CO 3 ] + , and the yellow hexammine complex [Co(NH 3 ) 6 ] 3+ , were separated from a single nickel species. Nickel sorption was found to be a strong function of pH, whereas sorption of the cobalt complexes was essentially independent of pH over a rather wide range, extending from ∼pH 7.8 to 10. Distribution ratios for all species increased significantly with decreasing ammonium carbonate concentration. With ammonium carbonate solution at pH 9.5, the complexes were eluted in the following order: [Co(NH 3 ) 4 CO 3 ] + , [Co(NH 3 ) 5 CO 3 ] + , [Ni(NH 3 ) 6-x (H 2 O) x ] 2+ , and [Co(NH 3 ) 6 ] 3+ . From 4 M (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 , distribution ratios were 5.0, 7.5, 18, and 75 for the respective complexes identified in the order above. This study points out some of the difficulties and opportunities in developing a viable ion exchange process for the recovery and separation of these metal ions.
COUNTERCLOCKWISE P-T-T TRAJECTORY FROM THE METAMORPHIC SOLE OF A NEO-TETHYAN OPHIOLITE (TURKEY)

Abstract The Kiziltepe ophiolitic thrust sheet in the Bolkar Mountains of Turkey occurs between two subparallel ophiolite belts bounding the Tauride carbonate platform and represents a remnant of the Cretaceous Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. It is underlain by foliated amphibolite that represents a metamorphic sole developed at the inception of an intra-oceanic subduction zone in the Neo-Tethys ∼92-90 Ma. Blueschist-facies overprinting of the amphibolite indicates that the metamorphic sole was dragged deeper into the subduction zone where it experienced increasing P/T with cooling. Regional tectonic constraints suggest a Maastrichtian age for the timing of this blueschist-facies metamorphism. Sodic amphibole-rich veins and crossite/Mg-riebeckite rims on hornblende suggest that growth of blueschist-facies minerals was facilitated by infiltration of fluid along fractures and grain boundaries. We infer a counterclockwise P-T-t trajectory during which metamorphism was accompanied/succeeded by rapid uplift along the northern edge of the Tauride belt in Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary time.
The effects of human immunodeficiency virus infection on macrophage phagocytosis of Candida

The effects of infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on phagocytic function towards Candida pseudotropicalis were tested using monocytotropic and nonmonocytotropic HIV strains on peripheral blood monocytes. There were no differences in either quantitative phagocytic activity or efficacy between the two infected and control mock-infected monocytes. Immunofluorescence for cytoplasmic p24 antigen and in situ hybridization for detection of HIV-specific RNA sequences revealed that very few cells (10(-4)) exhibit productive infection. Occasional cells with active infection as defined by microscopically detectable fluorescence labelling contained phagocytized yeasts.
Camouflaging endothelial cells: does it prolong graft survival?

Abstract Camouflaging antigens on the surface of cells seems an appealing way to prevent activation of the immune system. We explored the possibility of preventing hyperacute rejection by chemically camouflaging endothelial cells (EC). In vitro as well as in vivo experiments were performed. First, the ability of mPEG coating to prevent antibody-antigen interactions was evaluated. Second, we tested the degree to which mPEG coating prevents activation of EC by stimuli such as TNF-α and LPS. Third, in vivo experiments were performed to test the ability of mPEG coating to prolong xenograft survival. We demonstrate that binding of several antibodies to EC or serum proteins can be inhibited by mPEG. Furthermore, binding of TNF-α as well as LPS to EC is blocked since mPEG treatment of EC inhibits the subsequent up-regulation of E-selectin by these stimuli. However, in vivo experiments revealed that currently this method alone is not sufficient to prevent hyperacute rejection.
Long- and short-term temporal stability of complex fractionated atrial electrograms in human left atrium during atrial fibrillation

Background: Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) have been reported as targets for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the temporal stability of CFAE sites remains poorly defined. Methods and Results: The study consisted of two phases. In the initial phase, two automated software algorithms, namely the interval confidence level (ICL) and the average interpotential interval (AIPI) were assessed for their diagnostic accuracy for automated CFAE detection. The AIPI was found to be superior to the ICL, and an AIPI of ≤100 ms was associated with a sensitivity and specificity of both 92% for detection of CFAEs. In the second phase of the study, 12 patients (2 females, mean age 54 ± 12 years) who underwent catheter ablation for persistent AF were studied to investigate the temporal stability of CFAEs. Two consecutive left atrial (LA) three-dimensional CFAE maps coded with AIPI readings were reconstructed during ongoing AF in each study patient, with a mean time difference of 34.3 ± 8.7 minutes between the two maps. Among a total of 149 CFAE sites and 238 non-CFAE sites on the first CFAE map that were precisely revisited during the repeat mapping process, 135 (90.6%) and 225 (94.5%) remained as CFAE sites and non-CFAE sites, respectively. RF ablation at the selected stable CFAE sites significantly prolonged AF cycle length (181 ± 26 ms to 199 ± 29 ms, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: CFAEs recorded in the LA during AF display high temporal stability in patients with persistent AF. The clinical significance of our findings warrants further investigation.
Early neuron differentiation in the mouse olfactory bulb. I. Light microscopy

Olfactory bulb development in mouse embryos from day 10 of gestation (E10) to E15 was studied with 1 μ plastic sections and Golgi impregnations. Olfactory nerve axons reach the presumptive olfactory bulb region of the cerebral vesicle at E12, the same time that the first young neurons (postmitotic neuroblasts) are seen in the newly-formed intermediate (mantle) layer. By E14 many of the presumptive mitral cells are oriented tangential to the surface and have grown a long axon that enters the lateral olfactory tract on the surface of the presumptive piriform cortex. The following probable sequence of differentiation of mitral cells was determined from Golgi impregnations of E14 and E15 animals: (1) After regrowth of an internal and external process following rounding up at mitosis, the nucleus and perikaryon of certain ventricular cells migrate into the deepest portion of the intermediate layer and start to re-orient into a tangential orientation. This stage is called the primitive radial stage.(2) The growth of tangential processes combined with withdrawal or atrophy of external and internal primitive radial processes follows to produce cells in the pre-axonic tangential stage. (3) The tangential cells then acquire a long, thin, unbranched process (axon) oriented towards the lateral olfactory tract and a larger, branching process (dendrite) running in the opposite direction. This stage is called the tangential mitral cell stage. (4) Radial re-orientation of the perikaryon and dendrites of these cells and external migration of the perikaryon results in cells in the radial mitral cell stage.
Measurements Versus Predictions for Rotordynamic and Leakage Characteristics of a Convergent-Tapered, Honeycomb-Stator/Smooth-Rotor Annular Gas Seal

Measured results are presented for rotordynamic coefficients and leakage rates for two honeycomb-stator seal geometries, a convergent-tapered honeycomb seals (CTHC) and a constant-clearance honeycomb seals (CCHC) tested by Sprowl and Childs in 2007. The rotor diameter was 114.3 mm (4.500 in). The CTHC seals had inlet and exit clearances of 0.334 and 0.204 mm, respectively. The CCHC seal had a constant clearance of 0.204 mm. Honeycomb cells had depths of 3.175 mm (0.125 in) and widths of 0.79 mm (0.031 in). Measurements are reported with air as the test fluid, zero preswirl, ω = 20,200 rpm, a supply pressure of 69 bar (1,000 psi) and supply temperature of 18°C (64.4°F) for both seal geometries. The test pressure ratios are 0.5 for the CCHC seal, and 0.46 for the CTHC seal. The tapered seal leaks about 20% more than the constant-clearance seal. Measured and predicted dynamic coefficients are strong functions of excitation frequency. The measured direct stiffness coefficient was higher for the tapered seal at all excitation frequencies, including a projection to zero frequency, where the CCHC seal was on the order of −2MN/m versus roughly +13MN/m for the tapered seal. The CTHC seal had higher cross-coupled stiffness coefficients than the CCHC seal at all excitation frequencies. The CCHC and CTHC seals had comparable direct damping out to ∼80 Hz. For higher excitation frequencies, the CTHC seal had larger direct damping values. The effective damping Ceff combines the positive effect of direct damping and the destabilizing effect of cross-coupled-stiffness coefficients. It is negative at low frequencies and becomes positive for higher frequencies. The frequency at which it changes sign is called the cross-over frequency. The CCHC had a lower cross-over frequency (better from a stability viewpoint) and higher Ceff values out to ∼80 Hz. At higher excitation frequencies from ∼120Hz onward, the tapered seal has higher effective damping values. Kleynhans and Childs’ 1997 two-control-volume model did a generally good job of predicting the direct stiffness coefficients of both seals. It closely predicted the cross-coupled stiffness coefficients for the CCHC seal but substantially under predicted the values for the CTHC seal. It under predicted the direct damping for the CCHC seal at frequencies below ∼120Hz, but did a good job for higher frequencies. It under predicted direct damping for the CTHC seal at all frequencies. For the CCHC seal, the model did a good job of predicting Ceff at all frequencies and also accurately predicted the cross-over frequency. For the CTHC seal, the model accurately predicted the cross-over frequency but over predicted Ceff below the cross-over frequency (the seal was more destabilizing than predicted) and under predicted Ceff at higher frequencies.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Absorption of medium-chain lipids from the rat cecum.

1. Absorption of G14-labelecd octanoic acid (RAO) and glyceryl trioctanoate (RATO) from the isolated rat cecum were estimated by continuous monitoring of the expired C14O2 for 1 hr. 2. After RAO administration an average of 13.6% of the administered dose of radioactivity was recovered as C14O2. Thorough washing of the cecum prior to RAO instillation did not affect the rate of C14O2 recovery. 3. After intracecal administration of RATO, an average of 9.8% of the administered dose of radioactivity was recovered as C14O2. Prior washing of the cecum, however, resulted in a significant reduction in the mean C14O2 recovery, to 0.7%. 4. Samples of cecal contents aspirated at 20, 40, and 60 min, after trioctanoate instillation revealed the presence of detectable amounts of mono- and diglycerides when subjected to thin-layer chromatography. 5. From these results it would appear that significant amounts of octanoic acid and glyceryl trioctanoate can be absorbed from the rat cecum. While the absorption of this medium-chain fatty acid seems to proceed independently of luminal factors, the absorption of trioctanoate is preceded by luminal digestion by an active lipolytic system in the cecum.
An improved approach to hydrophilic interaction chromatography of peptides: Salt gradients in the presence of high isocratic acetonitrile concentrations

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) for separations of peptides has been employed infrequently, particularly considering that this technique was introduced over 20 years ago. The present manuscript describes a radical departure from the traditional HILIC elution approach, where separations are achieved via increasing salt (sodium perchlorate) gradients in the presence of high isocratic concentrations (>80%) of acetonitrile, denoted HILIC/SALT. This initial study compared to reversed-phase chromatography (RPC), HILIC and HILIC/SALT for the separation of mixtures of synthetic peptide standards varying in structure (amphipathic α-helix, random coil), length (10-26 residues), number of positively charged residues (+1 to +11) and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. Results showed a marked superiority of the HILIC/SALT approach compared to traditional HILIC and excellent complementarity to RPC for peptide separations. We believe these initial results offer a new dimension to HILIC, enabling it to transform from an occasional HPLC approach for peptide separations to a more generally applicable method.
Irrelevant information and utilization of event base rates in nonmetric multiple-cue probability learning

Abstract The effect of irrelevant information on subjects' utilization of an event base rate in a nonmetric probability learning environment was studied. The more irrelevant information in the environment, the lower was the subjects' utilization of a moderate event base rate. Irrelevant information was found to have little or no effect on the utilization of a high event base rate. These results are contrary to predictions of the Castellan—Edgell model. These results were similar to earlier findings for the effect of irrelevant information on the utilization of relevant information.
Reduced ventilator pressure and improved P/F ratio during percutaneous arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal for severe respiratory failure.

Objective To evaluate the effect of percutaneous arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal (AVCO 2 R) on ventilator pressures and P/F ratio in a clinically relevant large-animal model of severe respiratory failure. Background Data AVCO 2 R was developed as a simple arteriovenous shunt with a commercially available low-resistance gas exchange device of sufficient surface area for near-total CO 2 removal. With an AV shunt 10% to 15% of cardiac output, AVCO 2 R allows a reduction in ventilator airway pressures without hypercapnia or the complex circuitry and monitoring required for conventional ECMO. Methods AVCO 2 R was applied to a new, clinically relevant large-animal model of severe respiratory failure created by smoke inhalation and cutaneous flame burn injury. Adult sheep (n = 9, 38 ± 6 kg) received a 40% total body surface area, third-degree cutaneous flame burn and 36 breaths of cotton smoke insufflation. After injury, all animals were placed on volume-controlled mechanical ventilation to achieve Pao 2 > 60 mmHg and Paco 2 < 40 mmHg. Animals were placed on AVCO 2 R within 40 to 48 hours of injury when the Pao 2 /Fio 2 was <200. Animals underwent cannulation of the carotid artery and jugular vein with percutaneous 10F arterial and 14F venous cannulas. Shunt flow was continuously monitored using an ultrasonic flow probe and calculated as a percentage of cardiac output. Results AVCO 2 R flows of 800 to 900 ml/min (11% to 13% cardiac output) achieved 77 to 104 ml/min of CO 2 removal (95% to 97% total CO 2 production) while maintaining normocapnia. Significant reductions in ventilator settings were tidal volume, 421.3 ± 39.8 to 270.0 ± 6.3 ml; peak inspiratory pressure, 24.8 ± 2.4 to 13.7 ± 0.7 cm H 2 O; minute ventilation, 12.7 ± 1.4 to 6.2 ± 0.8 L/min; respiratory rate, 25.4 ± 1.3 to 18.4 ± 1.8 breaths/min; and Fio 2 , 0.88 ± 0.1 to 0.39 ± 0.1. The P/F ratio increased from 151.5 ± 40.0 at baseline to 320.0 ± 17.8 after 72 hours. Conclusions Percutaneous AVCO 2 R allows near-total CO 2 removal and significant reductions in ventilator pressures with improvement in the P/F ratio.
Identification of csrR/csrS, a genetic locus that regulates hyaluronic acid capsule synthesis in group A Streptococcus

The hyaluronic acid capsule of group A Streptococcus (GAS) is an important virulence factor, but little is known about mechanisms that regulate capsule expression. Transposon Tn916 mutagenesis of the poorly encapsulated M-type 3 GAS strain DLS003 produced a transconjugant that exhibited a mucoid colony morphology, reflecting increased hyaluronic acid capsule production. Analysis of chromosomal DNA sequence immediately downstream of the transposon insertion identified two open reading frames, designated csrR and csrS, which exhibited sequence similarity to bacterial two-component regulatory systems. We constructed an in-frame deletion mutation within csrR, which encodes the putative response component. Replacement of the native csrR gene in the DLS003 chromosome with the mutant allele resulted in a sixfold increase in capsule production and a corresponding increase in transcription of the has operon, which contains the essential genes for hyaluronic acid synthesis. Increased capsule production by the csrR mutant strain was associated with enhanced resistance to complement-mediated opsonophagocytic killing in vitro and with a 500-fold increase in virulence in mice. These results establish CsrR as a negative regulator of hyaluronic acid capsule synthesis and suggest that it is part of a two-component regulatory system that influences capsule expression and virulence.
Fundamental study of the deformation behavior of nonwoven heat-bonded sheets

We introduce a Monte-Carlo model for describing the factors controlling the tensile strength and elongation at break of multi-layer nonwoven sheets. Our results indicate that sheet fracture starts through partial delamination of the layers, which results in a change in slope of the stress-strain curve. Upon further straining, fiber strands in the layers start to break in shear and the process rapidly leads to catastrophic failure of the sheet. The importance of delamination strength, layer nonuniformities and fiber properties are discussed.
In Situ Flux Transient Monitoring and Correction During MBE Growth of Quantum Well Structures

Shutter closure during MBE deposition causes source overheating and results in flux transients. These transients are particularly detrimental to the thickness and compositional accuracy of thin quantum well layers. In this paper, we document the effects of flux transients on growth of multiple quantum well (MQW) and resonant tunneling diode (RTD) structures, and demonstrate rudimentary transient correction by employing real-time flux detection. Reflection mass spectrometry (REMS) provides a convenient in situ method for MBE flux monitoring. The Group III partial pressures can be detected in the presence of Group V overpressure, and REMS is compatible with wafer rotation. We used REMS to characterize In, Al and Ga flux transients as a function of shutter closed time, cell flux and substrate temperature. Overshoot magnitudes up to 30% were observed. We verified the correspondence of REMS signal transients and effusion cell flux transients using GaAs/AlGaAs and InGaAs/InAlAs MQW and test structures. We also successfully demonstrated flux transient correction by cell temperature ramping during MQW and RTD growth.
Mutant parathyroid hormone-related protein, devoid of the nuclear localization signal, markedly inhibits arterial smooth muscle cell cycle and neointima formation by coordinate up-regulation of p15Ink4b and p27kip1.

Arterial expression of PTH-related protein is markedly induced by angioplasty. PTH-related protein contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS). PTH-related protein mutants lacking the NLS (ΔNLS-PTH-related protein) are potent inhibitors of arterial vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in vitro. This is of clinical relevance because adenoviral delivery of ΔNLS-PTH-related protein at angioplasty completely inhibits arterial restenosis in rats. In this study we explored the cellular mechanisms through which ΔNLS-PTH-related protein arrests the cell cycle. In vivo, adenoviral delivery of ΔNLS-PTH-related protein at angioplasty markedly inhibited VSMC proliferation as compared with angioplastied carotids infected with control adenovirus (Ad.LacZ). In vitro, ΔNLS-PTH-related protein overexpression was associated with a decrease in phospho-pRb, and a G0/G1 arrest. This pRb underphosphorylation was associated with stable levels of cdks 2, 4, and 6, the D and E cyclins, p16, p18, p19, and p21, but was...
The role of the PI3K-AKT kinase pathway in T-cell development beyond the β checkpoint

The PI3K-AKT pathway can mediate diverse biological responses and is crucial for optimal immune responses and lymphocyte development. Deletion of PI3K subunits or AKT leads to blockage of T-cell development at the TCR-beta checkpoint. Studies with over-expression of constitutively activated AKT have implicated this pathway in anti-apoptosis of developing thymocytes and in development of regulatory T cells. However, the role of endogenous PI3K-AKT in T-cell development beyond the TCR-beta checkpoint remains unclear. Here, we inhibited the endogenous PI3K-AKT pathway in thymocytes after double negative stages by expressing the negative regulator, PTEN. These mice exhibit normal early T-cell development, but the transition from intermediate single positive to double positive (DP) thymocytes is inhibited, leading to a significantly decreased number of DP, single positive thymocytes and peripheral T cells. Proliferation of peripheral T cells is reduced but apoptosis of DP cells and subsequent T-cell maturation, including regulatory T cells, are normal. AKT phosphorylation can be readily observed in most WT T-cell compartments but not DP thymocytes in response to TCR activation. Thus, the PI3K-AKT pathway is crucial for the transition of intermediate single positive to DP thymocytes but is dispensable for apoptosis and maturation of developing thymocytes.
Congenital idiopathic talipes equinovarus.

1. Benjamin D. Roye, MD, MPH* 2. Joshua Hyman, MD† 3. David P. Roye Jr, MD‡ 1. *Attending, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 2. †Assistant Professor, Children’s Hospital of New York 3. ‡Livingston Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Children’s Hospital of New York, New York, NY After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe congenital idiopathic talipes equinovarus (CTEV). 2. Differentiate CTEV from metatarsus adductus clinically. 3. Discuss how to rule out comorbid conditions such as torticollis and hip dysplasia when considering CTEV. 4. Describe the initial treatment of CTEV. 5. Discuss the genetic pattern of CTEV. CTEV, commonly known as clubfoot, has been a recognized deformity since the time of the ancient Egyptians and was described independently by Hippocrates and the Aztecs. As implied by its name, the underlying deformity consists of a hind foot in equinus (plantarflexed) and varus (inverted). Additionally, there often is a cavus (abnormally high arch) and adductus component to the midfoot (Figs. 1 to 3⇓⇓). Essentially, the foot appears as though it was rotated inward and, in severe cases, as though it is on backwards. Historically, initial treatments were variations on the theme of manipulation (sometimes forceful and violent) and splinting. Surgical intervention began in the late 18th century with Lorenz’s Achilles tenotomy, but effective soft-tissue releases, osteotomies, and tendon releases did not evolve until the late 19th century with the advent of anesthesia and aseptic technique. Hiram Kite popularized gentle manipulation and serial casting in 1930, a technique championed and refined by Ignacio Ponseti in the 1950s. This remains the initial treatment of choice today. Although the basic concepts remain the same, surgical and nonsurgical techniques for the treatment of resistant CTEV continue to evolve, promising improved outcomes for children born with this condition. This article addresses primarily the more common idiopathic form of this condition, and unless otherwise stated, CTEV refers to idiopathic CTEV. Figure 1. Clinical photograph of an 8-month-old boy who has bilateral CTEV. Figure 2. Clinical photograph of a clubfoot from the medial aspect. Note the prominent crease in the midfoot. Figure 3. Clinical photograph of a clubfoot with the child …
Geminivirus genes and vectors

The geminiviruses are very small plant viruses with circular single-stranded DNA genomes. Recent advances have identified genes involved in replication, spread of virus or DNA in the plant, and insect transmission. Gene replacement experiments suggest that useful plant gene expression vectors can be constructed from these viruses.
Tongue muscle fiber tracking during rest and tongue protrusion with oral appliances: A preliminary study with diffusion tensor imaging

Hideo Shinagawa , Emi Z. Murano, Jiachen Zhuo, Bennett Landman, Rao P. Gullapalli, Jerry L. Prince and Maureen Stone Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, 650 W Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201 U.S.A. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Maryland Baltimore, 22 S. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201 U.S.A. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 U.S.A.
Pleonal muscle development in the shrimp Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata)

Penaeoidean shrimp pleonal muscle is a valuable economic resource worldwide, but little is known of its development during larval stages. The development of pleonal muscle in Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei was studied by rhodamine-phalloidin staining and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Dorsal pleonal muscle was first evident at the protozoea I stage while ventral pleonal muscle was present by the protozoea II stage. Identifiable ventral pleonal muscles were evident by the protozoea III stage and all ventral muscle types were present in the mysis I. The tail flex response began at the mysis stage and growth of existing pleonal muscles continued. The pleopods formed during the mysis stages, with coxal and basis muscles developed by mysis III. The pleopods became functional beginning with the first post-larval stage. We conclude that the pleonal muscle pattern of P. vannamei larvae is similar to that of adult Penaeus setiferus, and that homologous muscles are present. The major formation of dorsal pleonal muscles occurs during the protozoea II stage, while significant development of ventral pleonal muscles occurs during the protozoea III stage.
A simulator for a bit-slice computer

A simulator has been written for a bit-slice system using 2900 series devices. The simulator is very helpful in the teaching of an advanced logic design course. The system was designed so that it could be expanded as the course progressed from a microprogrammed machine to a general-purpose computer, where the student can microprogram the instruction set. The result is that each student in a large class can have unlimited access to the bit-slice computer being discussed in class. A listing of a program and its execution is given as an example of a microcoded machine. For a general-purpose machine, one would need the microcode for the fetch and execution of the instructions stored in the RAM, the code for the program in the RAM, and the code for the MAP ROM. >
Photochemically Induced Reactions in Vesicles

Excited states of pyrene P, were produced in lecithin vesicles by excitation with a-very short < 1 nsec pulse of Cerenkov light. Several different reactions of excited pyrene in the vesicles were subsequently studied: a The reaction of excited pyrene with ground state pyrene to produce excimers b The quenching of P with hydrophillic quenchers located mainly in the aqueous phase and c With hydrophobic quenchers located in the lipid phase. The kinetics of the reaction depend uniquely on the spacial configuration of the reactants and, two dimensional as well as conventional three dimensional kinetics were observed. In particular data in type a) shows a tendency for pyrene to aggregate' in the lipid phase, as cited earlier by Sackmann et al.
Experimental study of the NaCl–H2O system up to 28 GPa: Implications for ice-rich planetary bodies

Abstract Recent studies have hypothesized that high-pressure H 2 O polymorphs, specifically Ice VI and Ice VII, make up a significant portion of the interiors of select outer planets and their moons; most notably the Galilean satellites, Saturn's Titan and possibly Neptune's moon Triton as well as potential H 2 O-rich extra-solar bodies. Several of these bodies have been conjectured to contain subsurface salty H 2 O waters; therefore, any potential ice phases in the interior of these satellites could have interacted extensively with the salty oceans. Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation have been used previously to study the bonding structure and unit cell parameters of pure Ice VII. However, no data exist on the effect of salts on the unit cell parameters and volume of solid H 2 O at high pressure. To obtain pertinent data for use in planetary physics, it is important to understand the effect of impurities on H 2 O at high pressure. The NaCl–H 2 O system was chosen as a first order approximation of H 2 O-rich planetary bodies. The unit cell parameters and OH stretching frequencies of Ice VII formed from 5 and 10 wt.% NaCl–H 2 O solutions were studied in detail up to 27 GPa at 298 K by using a diamond anvil cell, synchrotron X-ray radiation and Raman spectroscopy. The data indicate that, over the range in pressure and temperature of this study, the maximum solubility of solutes in Ice VII was not pressure dependent. Our data suggest that the maximum concentration of NaCl that can be incorporated into Ice VII at 298 K is 7.5 ± 2.5 wt.% (or 2.4 ± 0.8 mol% NaCl). Ice VII formed from a 5 wt.% NaCl–H 2 O solution has a density that is up to 5% greater at any given pressure relative to the density of Ice VII formed from pure H 2 O. Additionally, the bulk modulus, 26.2 ± 1.4 GPa, was found to be approximately 10–20% greater relative to Ice VII formed from pure H 2 O. Relative OH stretching frequency shifts from Ice VII formed from the NaCl–H 2 O solutions were compared to Ice VII formed from pure H 2 O. Ice VII formed from a 5 wt.% NaCl–H 2 O solution shows a systematic increase of approximately 15 rel cm −1 in the OH stretching frequency relative to pure Ice VII for any given pressure. We hypothesize that the incorporation of Na + and Cl − into the body centered cubic structure of Ice VII results in systematic variations in the intensive thermodynamic properties of Ice VII formed from low salinity solutions. These new data will provide an improved first order approximation of high-pressure H 2 O phases found within H 2 O-rich bodies and should be used to model the density profiles of H 2 O-rich bodies.
Longitudinal surface plasmon resonance based gold nanorod biosensors for mass spectrometry.

A “strategy” for analyte capture/ionization based on chemical derivatization of gold nanorods and infrared laser desorption ionization (IR-LDI) is described. This is the first example of laser deso...
Cosmological changes in atomic and nuclear constants

We use geochronological and cosmological data to obtain upper limits on the rates of change of the following “constants”: proton mass, neutron mass, fine structure constant, weak interaction constant, strong interaction constant, and “range” of nuclear forces. If the rates of change of all these constants are correlated, then the available data permit changes much in excess of the limits that have been obtained by Dyson and others from the assumption that only one or two constants change. As an application of our results, we note that the disagreement between atomic time and ephemeris time reported by Van Flandern can be explained by a change in an atomic constant (magnetic moment of proton or, equivalently, pion mass) rather than a change in the gravitational constant.
The ABCs of visual acuity assessment.

Abstract An accurate visual acuity assessment is an important part of the ophthalmic examination. Each patient needs his or her vision assessed whether an adult, a baby, or a child. The purpose of this article is to review some of the testing methods used to assess vision in the less than 20 200 adult, the preverbal infant, and the uncooperative or timid child. Several “pearls and pitfalls” will be mentioned to help you obtain the best visual acuity assessment on all types of patients.
Expanding the Role of the Generalist Nurse in the Prevention and Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders

Nursing has a central role in the prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders in almost any practice setting. Alcohol consumption is the third leading actual cause of death in the United Stat...
Shear banding and spatiotemporal oscillations in vortex matter in nanostructured superconductors

We propose a simple nanostructured pinning array geometry where a rich variety of complex vortex shear banding phenomena can be realized. A single row of pinning sites is removed from a square pinning array. Shear banding effects arise when vortex motion in the pin-free channel nucleates motion of vortices in the surrounding pinned regions, creating discrete steps in the vortex velocity profile away from the channel. Near the global depinning transition, the width of the band of moving vortices undergoes oscillations or fluctuations that can span the entire system. We use simulations to show that these effects should be observable in the transport properties of the system. Similar large oscillations and shear banding effects are known to occur for sheared complex fluids in which different dynamical phases coexist.
Technological disemployment and economic growth

Abstract Very little early technical advance effects export expansion or import substitution. Because technological disemployment (that much misunderstood process) accompanies it, that advance increases aggregate income little, but merely concentrates it in fewer hands. Without continuing exogenous increase in aggregate demand, there will be little growth. This thesis is believed basic to understanding of economic growth. Corollaries relate to ‘export-led growth’, population growth, and the trend during growth in the distribution of income.
The Effect of Glycosylated Albumin on Platelet Aggregation

Background: Albumin has a role in the complicated process of platelet aggregation. Although it is known that quantitative changes in plasma albumin alter platelet aggregation, less is known about the interaction between qualitative changes in plasma albumin and platelets. One common qualitative change in plasma albumin is nonenzymatic glycosylation, which occurs during states of prolonged hyperglycemia. Methods: Albumin was selectively removed from normal plasma by means of an affinity column. Glycosylated albumin was added to this albumin-poor plasma, and it was used to study platelet aggregation induced by low concentrations of arachidonic acid. Platelet aggregation was determined by light transmittance. Results: As the concentration of glucose in which albumin was incubated was increased, there was progressive augmentation of platelet aggregation. At a plasma glucose of 150 mg/dL, average light transmittance was 9.4%, and at 200 mg/dL, it was 24.6%. These values were significantly different at a p valu...
A web-based platform for automatic and continuous landslide monitoring: The Rotolon (Eastern Italian Alps) case study

In the Small Dolomites group (Eastern Italian Alps), the Rotolon catchment is affected by a landslide that historically threatened the nearby village of Recoaro Terme. After the last re-activation on November 2010, the need to deploy devices to monitor deformations on the unstable slope became of paramount importance. This paper deals with the methodology, the techniques and the integrated services adopted for the design and the realization of a web-based platform for automatic and continuous monitoring of the Rotolon landslide. The choice of a web environment simplifies data collection, while a remote control permits technical maintenance and calibration on instruments and sensors in the field. Data management is straightforward on a single server, with the dataset being continuously updated. There is a user-friendly web interface which allows a practical up-to-date solution for decision-makers. This web-based monitoring platform represents the first step in the implementation of a complete early warning system. We design a multi-source and web-based platform for automatic and continuous monitoring.A user-friendly web interface allows a practical up-to-date solution for decision-makers.A better knowledge of the processes improves the quality of research.The framework is open and supported for custom requests.
Studies on thymidylate phosphatase, thymidine kinase and thymidylate kinase activities in some transplantable rat hepatomas.

Summary Thymidylate phosphatase distribution and specific activity was measured in a series of transplantable hepatomas, the host livers and normal liver. Approximately 90 per cent of the enzyme was recovered in three particulate fractions with nearly equal distribution among them. Activity in the Novikoff hepatoma was only one-third that of normal liver but in the Dunning, another rapidly growing hepatoma, it was higher than in normal liver. In all cases, activity was concentrated in the microsomal fraction. Studies of thymidine kinase and thymidylate kinase activity of the hepa- tomas were carried out. Thymidine kinase activity, in general, correlated well with the proliferative rate of the tumor but thymidylate kinase activity did not. Some implications of the results were discussed.