cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficient Design for Body Sensor Nodes

This paper describes the hardware requirements and design constraints that derive from unique features of body sensor networks (BSNs). Based on the BSN requirements, we examine the tradeoff between custom hardware and commercial off the shelf (COTS) designs for BSNs. The broad range of BSN applications includes situations where either custom chips or COTS design is optimal. For both types of nodes, we survey key techniques to improve energy efficiency in BSNs and identify general approaches to energy efficiency in this space.
Reconstituted amiloride-inhibited sodium transporter from rabbit kidney medulla is responsible for Na+-H+ exchange

Microsomes formed from rabbit kidney medulla and reconstituted proteoliposomes formed from these microsomes were capable of amiloride-inhibited Na+ transport that was insensitive to valinomycin either with or without K+. This indicated that the Na+ transport process was electroneutral. This Na+ transport process was insensitive to extravesicular Cl- or HCO-3 and not stimulated by high intravesicular gradients of K+, Ca2+ or Mg2+, which indicated that the process did not require NaCl or NaHCO3 co-transport or Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+ or Na+/Mg2+ counter-transport. Na+ uptake into microsomes or proteoliposomes was inhibited by extravesicular K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ or La3+, which indicated that these ions interacted with the Na+-binding site on the transport protein. Na+ uptake into microsomes was stimulated by intravesicular protons and inhibited by extravesicular protons. This suggested that microsomes were capable of Na+-H+ exchange and this was confirmed when Na+ was shown to stimulate H+ efflux from microsomes. The amiloride-inhibited Na+ transporter from medulla microsomes which has been reconstituted into proteoliposomes is most likely a Na+-H+ exchanger. This Na+ transporter was totally insensitive to the uncoupler 1799, either in the presence or absence of valinomycin plus K+ and less sensitive to NH3 than to amiloride. This indicated that amiloride inhibited Na+ transport not merely by acting as a weak-base uncoupler but by directly interacting with the protein responsible for Na+-H+ exchange.
Pantomime, praxis, and aphasia.

Abstract The production and comprehension of pantomimed movements by aphasic subjects were studied with respect to their relationship to the aphasic deficit on one hand and apraxia on the other. At issue was whether impaired use of pantomime is a manifestation of reduced symbolic capacity or purely a manifestation of an apraxic impairment of purposeful movement or both. Tests of pantomime included a Pantomime Recognition Test, a nonverbal Transitive Pantomime Production Test, and an Intransitive Pantomime Production Test (to oral command). Imitation of Nonmeaningful Movements served as a measure of apraxia, uncontaminated by symbolic or linguistic factors. Imitation of Meaningful Movements taken from the pantomime tasks was also tested. Independent measures of auditory comprehension, picture naming, and reading comprehension were used as indices of language impairment. Intellectual function was measured by the Performance scale of the WAIS. Thirty aphasic subjects were examined. Twenty healthy age-matched normals served to establish scoring standards for the pantomime tests. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant, independent contributions from both auditory comprehension and imitation of Nonmeaningful Movements to all of the tests of pantomime production and pantomime recognition. All measures of pantomime production and pantomime recognition were strongly intercorrelated. While the three language measures were strongly correlated with each other, auditory comprehension was the only one of them that was significantly and consistently related to the pantomime tests. None was related to the imitation of nonmeaningful movement. The results are taken as indicating (1) that pantomime production and imitation share common factors with both praxis and auditory comprehension; (2) apraxia entails impairment of both production and interpretation of purposeful movements. Possible theoretical accounts for these results are offered.
A Similarity in the Effect of Estrogen and Androgen on the Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid in the Cell Nuclei of Gonadohormone-Sensitive Tissues

Experimental evidence is presented apropos of a persistent question regarding in vitro RNA synthesis by nuclear preparations from appropriate target tissues after the administration of estrogen or androgen in vivo: that is, whether the quantitative stimulation of RNA synthesis is reflected equally in all RNA species or preferentially in particular RNA species. We offer 2 lines of evidence favoring the latter proposal. First, it is shown that RNA polymerase activity in certain tissues previously treated with one of the sex hormones was more sensitive than the RNA polymerase activity of control tissues to inhibition by low in vitro concentrations of actinomycin D. Second, the base composition and nearest-neighbor frequency of RNA synthesized in vitro were altered by hormone manipulation of the target tissues. The changes in RNA nearestneighbor nucleotide frequency provoked by testosterone (on prostate) and estrogen (on uterus) were remarkably similar. It is suggested that the 2 sex hormones affect RNA synth...
Multivariable Wiener-Hopf operators I. Representations

On identifie toutes les representations de la C*-algebre des operateurs de convolution de Wiener-Hopf a plusieurs variables pour des cones convexes fermes
Paternal influence on growth and survival of dark-eyed junco young: do parental males benefit?

Recent studies of typically monogamous passerine birds have suggested that the fitness benefits males derive by caring for their young may not be as great as was previously thought. This study was conducted to determine whether parental care by male dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis, serves to increase either the quantity or quality of young that they produce. Over a 4-year period, males were caught at the time their eggs hatched, and the subsequent growth and survival of the young of unaided females and control pairs were compared. Broods raised by unaided females gained body mass more slowly and fledged at slightly lower mass than those raised by two parents. However, fledging mass was not correlated with survival to independence. There were no differences in tarsus growth between the two treatment groups. Entire brood loss to predators occurred as often among females without male help as it did among those with male help. However, partial brood loss was more common among female-only broods than among controls; this difference was largely attributable to higher rates of starvation and exposure in female-only broods. There appeared to be an interaction between growth and predation. Female-only broods that were below the median mass of combined treatment groups at 5 days of age were more likely than all other broods to experience partial or complete predation. Male impact on offspring survival varied with age of the offspring. When years were combined, males tended to increase survival during the first half of the nestling period, but their impact at the time of nest-leaving was minimal. In all years, from nest-leaving to independence (ca. 2 weeks), broods without male help survived only about half as well as did those with male help. Independent young raised by one parent were as likely to return the following spring as were young raised by two parents. Thus, paternal care benefits males by improving the survivorship of their fledglings, and may also act as a buffer against poor female parental quality and inclement weather. However, the magnitude of these benefits is such that bigamous males might achieve greater reproductive success than monogamous males. Various possible male strategies are discussed.
Association of HbA1c with emotion regulation, intolerance of uncertainty, and purpose in life in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Background The extant literature lacks breadth on psychological variables associated with health outcome for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This investigation extends the scope of psychological information by reporting on previously unpublished factors. Objective To investigate if intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation, or purpose in life differentiate T2DM adults with sustained high HbA 1c (HH) vs. sustained acceptable HbA 1c (AH). Subjects and methods Cross-sectional observational study. Adult patients with diagnosed T2DM meeting inclusionary criteria for AH, HH, or a nondiabetic reference group (NDR) were randomly selected and invited to participate. Patients who consented and participated resulted in a final sample of 312 subgrouped as follows: HH ( n = 108); AH ( n = 98); and NDR ( n = 106). Data sources included a survey, self-report questionnaires, and electronic medical record (EMR). Results HH individuals with T2DM reported lower purpose in life satisfaction ( p = 0.005) compared to the NDR group. The effect size for this finding is in the small-to-medium range using Cohen's guidelines for estimating clinical relevance. The HH–AH comparison on purpose in life was nonsignificant. The emotion regulation and intolerance of uncertainty comparisons across the three groups were not significant. Conclusions The present study determined that lower purpose in life satisfaction is associated with higher HbA 1c . In a T2DM patient with sustained high HbA 1c , the primary care clinician is encouraged to consider screening for purpose in life satisfaction by asking a single question such as “Do the things you do in your life seem important and worthwhile?” The patient's response will assist the clinician in determining if meaning or purpose in life distress may be interferring with diabetes self-care. If this is the case, the clinician can shift the conversation to the value of behavioral and emotional health counseling.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin augmentation therapy in deficient individuals enrolled in the Alpha-1 Foundation DNA and Tissue Bank.

INTRODUCTION Intravenous augmentation therapy with purified intravenous alpha-1 antitrypsin replaces the deficient protein and is the only currently approved treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) related lung disease. While augmentation therapy has been available for more than 20 years, there are a limited number of studies evaluating the effect of augmentation on lung function. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined the decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) in patients enrolled in the Alpha-1 Foundation DNA and Tissue Bank in relation to the use or not of alpha-1 antitrypsin augmentation therapy. For the purpose of our analysis we included 164 patients with AATD and PI ZZ genotype. RESULTS Mean age of the patients was 60 years, 52% were females, 94% were white and 78% ex-smokers. The mean FEV(1) at baseline was 1.7 L and the mean FEV(1) % of predicted was 51.3%. The mean follow-up time was 41.7 months. A total of 124 (76%) patients received augmentation therapy (augmented group) while 40 patients (24%) did not received it (non-augmented group). When adjusted by age at baseline, sex, smoking status, baseline FEV(1) % of predicted, the mean overall change in FEV(1) was 47.6 mL/year, favoring the augmented group (DeltaFEV(1) 10.6 +/- 21.4 mL/year) in comparison with the non-augmented group (DeltaFEV(1) -36.96 +/- 12.1 mL/year) (P = 0.05). Beneficial DeltaFEV(1) were observed in ex-smokers and the group with initial FEV(1) % of predicted of <50%. No differences were observed in mortality. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, augmentation therapy improves lung function in subjects with AATD when adjusted by age, gender, smoking status and baseline FEV(1) % of predicted. The beneficial effects were noted in ex-smoker subjects with FEV(1) below 50% of predicted.
Energy spectrum of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence in far dissipation range.

The Kolmogorov relation for the third order structure function is used to derive the energy spectrum in the far dissipation range (k\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}). This contains no unspecified constants. Using methods from matched asymptotic expansions and mild analyticity assumptions, a uniformly valid form for the inertial through the dissipative ranges is obtained. An analogous energy spectrum is presented. This is compared with the results of physical and numerical experiments on the energy spectra E(k). The theoretical predictions are found to deviate by not more than a few percent from the measured data in the entire range of wave numbers where the energy spectrum E(k) varies by more than 30 orders of magnitude.
Contribution of Serum and Cellular Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase to Amine Metabolism and Cardiovascular Toxicity

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) plays a role in thein vivoandin vitrotoxicity of several environmental and endogenous amines. We investigated the role of SSAO as a component of cell culture medium (through addition of fetal calf serum (FCS)) compared to intracellular SSAO in thein vitrocytotoxicity of three amines and metabolites. Smooth muscle cells and beating cardiac myocytes were grown in 96-well plates and exposed to various concentrations and combinations of FCS in medium, amines (allylamine, AA; benzylamine, BZA; and methylamine, MA), and amine metabolites (aldehydes: acrolein, benzaldehyde, and formaldehyde; hydrogen peroxide, H2O2; ammonia, NH3). Amine and amine metabolite cytotoxicity was quantified by monitoring cell viability. SSAO activity was measured in FCS, cardiovascular cells, or rat plasma by a radioenzymatic assay using [14C]BZA. Our data show that AA and its aldehyde metabolite, acrolein, were the most toxic compounds to both cell types. However, AA toxicity was FCS-dependent in both cell types, while BZA, MA, and amine metabolite (i.e., aldehydes, H2O2, and NH3) cytotoxicity showed little FCS dependence. In these experiments, medium containing 10% FCS had a calculated amine metabolic capacity that was 30- to 50-fold that of the cultured smooth muscle cellular content in a single well of a 96-well plate. Our study demonstrates that SSAO in FCS contributes to amine metabolism and cytotoxicity to rat cardiovascular cellsin vitroand how critical it is to evaluate serum for its role in mechanisms of amine toxicityin vitroandin vivo.
Spinal nerve root degeneration in aging laboratory rats: A light microscopic study

Degeneration of unknown etiology was noted in the spinal nerve roots of aging rats. These animals (Charles River CD® rats) were included in a study of long-term effects of ionizing radiation. The initial lesion was a de-myelination of an individual axon or a few, isolated, scattered axons in the ventral roots of rats between 18 and 20 months of age. As the lesion progressed, the dorsal roots showed involvement, and by 24 months the usual finding was marked degeneration in ventral roots with degenerative changes of a lesser degree in the dorsal roots. When degeneration was complete, connective tissue filled the regions normally occupied by neural tissue. The lesion was unrelated to the radiation procedure, occurring with equal frequency in both irradiated and non-irradiated animals. Furthermore, lesions occurred with equal frequency in both males and females. The one factor to which the lesion appeared to be related was age since it was not observed in animals less than 18 months old but was seen in 66.7% of those between 18 and 20 months and in 96.0% of those older than 20 months. These data indicate that this lesion needs to be considered when using aging laboratory rats.
A trend analysis of overweight and obesity levels of middle school students in a southeast Texas district

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of overweight/obesity among middle school students in a school district in southeast Texas by comparing the current statistics (school year 2011–2012) with those in the previous year (2010–2011). Using FITNESSGRAM, teachers reported archival body mass index (BMI) data of middle school students (N = 1991; 51.88% boys and 48.12% girls) reported between 2011 and 2012 which were examined with cross-sectional analysis by grade, age, and gender and then compared to the previous year's data (2010–2011; N = 2908; 52.5% boys and 47.5% girls) to determine the trend of obesity levels among students in the district. The students' BMI was percentile ranked using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's >85th percentile rating as an index for overweight or BMI above the 95th percentile as an index of access fat, an indication of obesity. Results indicate a slight increase in overweight and obesity levels from the previous year, especially among female students a...
27 High dose ondansetron is not effective for reducing motion sickness in highly susceptible subjects

While often effective, drug remedies for motion sickness typically induce undesirable side effects. Ondansetron has been explored as an alternative due to its proven prophylactic effect on the vomiting associated with chemotherapy and relative lack of side effects. Previous research indicates that ondansetron may inhibit tachyarrhythmia, a pattern of stomach electrical activity associated with nausea and motion sickness, which may in turn help prevent the development of some motion sickness symptoms. Sixty-three participants with positive history of motion sickness and self-treatment of motion sickness were selected. Participants were divided into three groups: placebo, 100 mg dimenhydrinate, and 24 mg ondansetron. Participants were given one of the three treatments 1 hour before exposure to a rotating chair stimulus. Electrogastrograms were measured during a 20-min baseline and while participants were rotated in complete darkness for up to 20 minutes at 20 rpm while making timed head movements. There were no statistically significant differences between dimenhydrinate, ondansetron, or placebo in the number of head movements tolerated, the amount of time tolerated in the rotating chair, or on subjective motion sickness symptoms. All groups showed a marginally significant decrease in normal three cycles per minute (cpm) activity (F (1/45) = 3.04, p < 0.10) and a significant increase in gastric tachyarrhythmia (F (1/45) = 9.71, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups and no significant interactions of time (baseline vs. rotation) found in the electrogastrogram data. There were no statistically significant correlations with subjective symptom measures. 3 cpm activity during baseline was positively correlated with rotation duration (r = 0.31) and number of head movements tolerated (r = 0.311), meaning that baseline levels of 3 cpm activity are somewhat predictive of rotation and head movement toleration. This study revealed that ondansetron is not an effective remedy for motion sickness for highly susceptible people. The findings that ondansetron did not affect the GI measures is in direct contrast with previous findings that suggest ondansetron may inhibit tachyarrhythmia (Levine et al., 2000). This study also provides evidence that dimenhydrinate may not be effective for reducing motion sickness in highly susceptible individuals. From both a subjective and objective perspective, all groups developed motion sickness; not even the “gold standard” dimenhydrinate treatment was effective. It appears there is a group of motion sickness sufferers who lack the adequate treatment they need.
Permeability and Porosity of Embolic Protection Filters: An Experimental Study

Endovascular therapies are an evolving form of treatment for stenosed atherosclerotic blood vessels. In particular, stenting and angioplasty of the carotid artery has recently gained more attention. Due to risk of periprocedural distal embolization, cerebral protection devices such as embolic protection filters (EPFs), which maintain distal perfusion during the intervention, have been developed to capture embolized plaque particles. This investigation studied in vitro the effects of a deployed EPF on flow rate in the internal carotid artery. The pseudopermeability of each device was calculated by maintaining a constant pressure gradient during its deployed state and after injection of emboli by adjusting the flow rate. High resolution images were used to calculate the porosity of each device. Experimentally-determined permeability and porosity can be used in computational fluid dynamics simulations as a design optimization approach to determine the optimal pore size for each EPF.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Chronic postoperative heart block in children

Abstract The course and management of 13 children with chronic postoperative heart block are reviewed. Ten patients were managed by medical means after an initial period of temporary pacemaker control and 3 by permanent pacemaker implantation. Of the former group, 3 died within five months of surgery, and all had significant residual cardiac lesions. The condition of the 7 survivors is satisfactory eight months to nine years after operation. Cardiac catheterization was performed postoperatively in 4 of the 7 survivors and in 3 demonstrated an adequate cardiac output that was maintained by an increase in stroke volume. Of the 3 patients managed by permanent pacemaker implantation, 1 died six months postoperatively, the second is living and well, and the third experienced multiple pacemaker complications. Because of these complications, the pacemaker was removed and the child remains asymptomatic. The results of this study suggest that, in selected patients, chronic postoperative heart block may be successfully managed without the use of a permanent pacemaker.
Development of a dynamically adaptive grid method for multidimensional problems

An approach to solution adaptive grid generation for use with finite difference techniques, previously demonstrated on model problems in one space dimension, has been extended to multidimensional problems. The method is based on the popular elliptic steady grid generators, but is 'dynamically' adaptive in the sense that a grid is maintained at all times satisfying the steady grid law driven by a solution-dependent source term. Testing has been carried out on Burgers' equation in one and two space dimensions. Results appear encouraging both for inviscid wave propagation cases and viscous boundary layer cases, suggesting that application to practical flow problems is now possible. In the course of the work, obstacles relating to grid correction, smoothing of the solution, and elliptic equation solvers have been largely overcome. Concern remains, however, about grid skewness, boundary layer resolution and the need for implicit integration methods. Also, the method in 3-D is expected to be very demanding of computer resources.
MDSC in autoimmunity.

Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were first described nearly two decades ago. Until recently, however, descriptions of MDSC populations were found almost exclusively in animal models of cancer or in cancer patients. Over the last few years, an increasing number of reports have been published describing populations of myeloid cells with MDSC-like properties in murine models of autoimmune disease. In contrast to the proposed deleterious role of MDSC in cancer - where these cells likely inhibit tumor immunity - in the context of autoimmunity, MDSC have the potential to suppress the autoimmune response, thereby limiting tissue injury. A logical corollary of this hypothesis is that a failure of endogenous MDSC to appropriately control autoimmune T cell responses in vivo may actually contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.
ACTIVE LOAD CONTROL FOR WIND TURBINE BLADES USING MEM TRANSLATIONAL TABS

Micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) translational tabs are proposed for active load control on utility-scale wind turbines. These microtabs are mounted near the trailing edge of the rotor blades, deploy approximately normal to the surface, and have a maximum deployment height on the order of the boundary-layer thickness. Deployment of this type of device effectively changes the camber on the rotor blade, thereby changing the lift generated by the surface. The effect of these tabs on lift has been shown to be as powerful as conventional control surfaces such as ailerons. Incorporation of this simple yet innovative lift enhancement and load control device with existing wind turbine power electronics and high-speed feedback sensors may permit the reduction of some of the bulky, conventional pitch control systems and result in overall reduction in system weight, complexity and cost. The minute size of these devices allows for response times much faster than conventional variable-pitch rotors allowing for improved wind turbine performance and load control at various wind speeds. This paper focuses on the experimental setup and comparison of computational and experimental data for a representative blade section. Both sets of data support previous "proof of concept" work that introduced the microtab concept and design methodology.
Low-altitude target detection by coastline operated marine radar

Relevant to a Richian family of fluctuating targets with a composite background of sea-plus-land clutter, the performance prediction of a radar operating in near-coastal regions is elucidated by assuming noncoherent integration of the pulses. Considering the dominance of land clutter, a modified K-distributed statistic is indicated for the overall clutter envelope; and the corresponding probability of false alarm and probability of detection are deduced for fixed threshold detection (s) based on N pulses integrated in the presence of the sea-plus-land clutter and the noise. Even when the target offers a dominant scattered echo, the worst situations of the land clutter affecting the detection performance are indicated. >
A Numerical Model for Storm Surges that Involve the Inundation of Complex Landscapes

A numerical model for the prediction of storm surges over complex landscapes is assembled using state-of-the-art techniques. The model is based on the full nonlinear depth-averaged long wave equations solved via an explicit finite volume scheme. The interfacial fluxes are computed from slope limited reconstructions of the state variables using Osher’s approximate Riemann solver. The geometric source terms are treated in a simple manner that is well balanced and consistent with the numerical flux. The numerical solution technique has been chosen to enable the accurate simulation of flows over complex topography. Importantly, the scheme conserves both mass and momentum even when the flow involves wetting–drying fronts. This approach makes the model extremely robust in cases that involve bathymetries which include large spatial gradients and even discontinuities. Another important feature of the model is the use of a simple underlying Cartesian mesh with quad-tree-based static and dynamic refinement. This permits the simulation of highly unsteady flows over complex landscapes (including localized features such as canals) by locally increasing (or relaxing) grid resolution in a dynamic fashion. If it is deemed desirable, the numerical and physical boundaries can be aligned. This alignment is achieved by a cut-cell-type approach in combination with quad-tree-based mesh refinement. In this paper, we describe the model and then present a number of tests that have been carefully chosen to verify various aspects of the solution algorithm.
The marketing of diversity in the inner city: tourism and regulation in Harlem

This article brings regulation theory and the broader post-Fordist debate together with an empirical study of the emergence and consequences of tourism in Harlem. It shows that the valorization of cultural diversity, as well as under-served markets, has helped reposition this formerly unmarketable area in relation to city, state and capital markets. Moreover, as development occurs, the nature of regulation pertaining to Harlem begins to change. The author argues that the failure to disaggregate – to link the elements of the restructuring economy to outcomes for specific areas and residents, leads to an overly pessimistic view. Tourism-based development may act as an equalizing force, helping to rebalance the uneven urban spatial development characteristic of Fordism and symbolized by the social isolation and concentrated poverty of the racial ghetto in the US. The role of cultural capital as the engine of growth in Harlem, has meant that revitalization promotes cultural differentiation along with standardization. Overall, cultural tourism requires substantial civic engagement. This gives the community control, but at the same time disciplines and stabilizes. Urban tourism thus incorporates a new mode of regulation, making for greater social/political and economic inclusion, but with the associated costs as well as benefits. Cet article allie la theorie de la regulation et le debat plus large du post-Fordisme, a une etude empirique sur l'apparition et les consequences du tourisme a Harlem. Il montre que la valorisation de la diversite culturelle, de mame que les marches sous-approvisionnes, ont aidea repositionner cette zone auparavant sans attrait commercial dans une relation avec les marches de la ville, de l'Etat et des capitaux. En outre, avec l'expansion, la nature de la regulation propre a Harlem a commencea changer. L'absence de desagregation – qui associe les elements de l'economie en restructuration aux resultats en faveur de zones et residents particuliers – conduit a une vision des plus pessimiste. Toutefois, un essor base sur le tourisme peut avoir une force compensatrice, aidant a reequilibrer l'amenagement spatial urbain inegal, caracteristique fordienne symbolisee par l'isolement culturel et la pauvrete concentree dans les ghettos raciaux aux Etats-Unis. Le role du capital social en tant que moteur de croissance d'Harlem s'est traduit par une revitalisation favorisant a la fois differenciation culturelle et normalisation. Le tourisme culturel implique surtout un engagement civique reel, celui-ci donnant la maa'trise a la communaute, tout en apportant discipline et stabilite. Le tourisme urbain amene donc un nouveau mode de regulation, creant une meilleure inclusion socio-politique et economique, mais avec les couts (et avantages) associes.
High Temperature Electrical Transport Properties of Eu and Yb-doped Skutterudites

Skutterudites are a class of materials that show promise for thermoelectric applications due to their high power factor and the ability to “tune” the thermal conductivity due to the addition of “rattling” atoms into the novel structure of these materials. Thermopower and resistivity is measured and reported for a series of Eu and Yb-doped skutterudites over a temperature range of approximately 100 K - 700 K using the High Temperature Thermoelectric Probe. Sample measurement techniques are briefly discussed. Data from various dopings is presented and compared in hope of showing trends that point towards improvements in these skutterudites.
Credit-spread determinants and interlocking contracts: A study of the Ras Gas project

Abstract This paper provides an in-depth study of the allocation of a firm's residual risks not explicitly managed through interlocking contracts in the context of project finance. Focusing on the Ras Gas project, we relate its credit spreads as a measure of investor risk perceptions to firm-specific risk factors in the context of 25-year supply agreements, debt covenants, and a debt-service guarantee contingent on output prices. Consistent with theoretical predictions, we find that unmanaged risk factors affecting the supply agreement drive Ras Gas’ credit spreads, whereas managed ones have no effect. Interpreting our findings as evidence for the nexus-of-contracts view of the firm, we discuss some implications for financial design and valuation.
Pathogen re-colonization of in-house composted and noncomposted broiler litter

SUMMARY In-house litter composting has been reintroduced to the industry and shown to reduce bacteria by as much as 2 orders of magnitude. Other industries have demonstrated that pathogens can recolonize a waste-residual when microbial competition has been reduced or inhibited following composting. Poultry growers, in the process of shifting to in-house composting for pathogen control, should be aware of this potential problem. A laboratory microcosm study investigated pathogenic bacteria recolonization into composted and noncomposted broiler litter over a simulated broiler grow-out cycle. Objectives were to: 1) determine colonization potential for zoonotic and poultry bacterial pathogens, 2) identify beneficial bacteria which reduce pathogen recolonization, and 3) identify the effects of ammonia on pathogen recolonization. Composted broiler litter allowed Listeria and Campylobacter to colonize within the first 2wk of the grow-out period while noncomposted litter resisted colonization. Colonization was nearly identical by the end of the grow-out period, and showed that bacterial pathogens had essentially been overtaken by commensal or normal bacteria. 16S rRNA libraries demonstrated reductions in Proteobacteria associated with composted litter (48 vs. 16%), which may indicate that this phylum occupies a niche which zoonotic pathogens prefer to occupy. Ammonia generationneitherinhibitednorpromotedbacterialcolonization,aslevelswerehighforbothlittertreatments.Thisstudyneithersuggestsnorcondemnsthecontinueduseofthiscost-effective, litter-treatment process; findings suggest that while the beneficial microbial population was initially reduced, it quickly recovered and pathogen colonization was neither enhanced nor inhibited because of this. This study demonstrates that the recently adopted in-house composting process may continue to be used, provided poultry health gains continue to be seen.
Securities Loans Collateralized by Cash: Reinvestment Risk, Run Risk, and Incentive Issues

Securities loans collateralized by cash are by far the most popular form of securities-lending transaction. But when the cash collateral associated with these transactions is actively reinvested by a lender’s agent, potential risks emerge. This study argues that the standard compensation scheme for securities-lending agents, which typically provides for agents to share in gains but not losses, creates incentives for them to take excessive risk. It also highlights the need for greater scrutiny and understanding of cash reinvestment practices — especially in light of the AIG experience, which showed that risks related to cash reinvestment, by even a single participant, could have destabilizing effects.
Gender Differences in the Impact of Leadership Styles on Subordinate Embeddedness and Job Satisfaction

Abstract It is not surprising that subordinates generally prefer high-quality relationships with their supervisors. However, gender may influence the specific characteristics subordinates use to make this judgment, thereby impacting important downstream workplace processes and outcomes. Drawing from Social Role Theory, we use moderated mediation analyses across two independent samples to show that communally oriented leader–member exchange (LMX) dimensions (i.e., Affect and Loyalty) positively influence the job embeddedness of female (but not male) subordinates, whereas agentically oriented LMX dimensions (i.e., Professional Respect and Contribution) influence both genders equally. We found these effects despite strong LMX facet intercorrelations (ranging from r = .68 to .81), thereby highlighting the utility of testing theoretically driven dimensional effects, even when facets overlap significantly.
Optimal mass for aerobraking tethers

Earlier work has demonstrated the feasibility of using aerobraking tethers for the exploration of the solar system. In fact, compared to chemical propulsion, the tether mass is usually much less than the required propellant mass. The basic concept involves an orbiter and a probe connected by a thin tether. The probe is deployed into the atmosphere of a planet where aerodynamic drag decelerates it. The tension on the tether provides the braking effect on the orbiter, thus eliminating the need for a propulsive maneuver. During the maneuver the orbiter travels outside the atmosphere, and does not require heat shielding. In the previous work a suboptimal solution was found where the system maintained a near vertical orientation during the fly through. In this paper we consider the minimum tether mass required for specified aerocapture conditions. As an intermediate step, we find the trajectory which provides the minimum tension on the tether. The fact that the orbiter must remain outside the atmosphere is introduced as an altitude constraint. The results are significant for future solar system exploration. In the history of the exploration of the solar system, some of the most successful and most ambitious missions have involved dual vehicle spacecraft. In such a mission (the Viking program being the best known) one vehicle (a probe or lander) is delivered to the planet's surface or atmosphere, while the second one (the orbiter) remains in orbit around the planet. The Galileo spacecraft, currently on its way to Jupiter, is representative of several missions being proposed in this category. When the spacecraft arrives at the target planet, the orbiter performs a propulsive maneuver to achieve capture, while the probe relies on an aerobraking maneuver to decelerate. The aerobraking tether shown in Fig. 1 eliminates the need for the orbiter propulsive maneuver. The spacecraft consists of an orbiter and a probe that are connected by a thin tether. When the vehicle arrives at the planet, the probe flies into the atmosphere, as before, while the orbiter is decelerated by tether tension, thus eliminating the need for propellant. Note that the orbiter remains outside the atmosphere during the maneuver and does not require additional aerodynamic shielding. After capture has occurred, the tether may be severed, allowing the probe to land on the planet, or the system may remain together and additional aerobraking maneuvers can be performed to finalize the orbit.
Antibiotic therapy in post-operative endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis following routine cataract surgery is a rare but potentially devastating complication resulting in severe vision loss. Various prophylaxis treatments have been tried. However, none have been demonstrated to completely eliminate the risk. The Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) helped establish clinical guidelines in the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. The strength and limitation of the study will be discussed as well as the current knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of intravitreous injection of antibiotics. Additionally, the common pathologic organisms, the use of antibiotic therapy, steroids, and vitrectomy will be discussed.
Revised statistical motor unit number estimation in the Celecoxib/ALS trial

Techniques to estimate motor unit number (MUNE) measure the number of functioning motor units in a muscle. As amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive motor unit loss, this disease offers an ideal setting for the use of MUNE. Statistical MUNE was employed in a recent multicenter trial of creatine in ALS, and was shown to be reliable, reproducible, and to decline with disease progression. However, motor unit amplitude stayed constant over 7 months, a finding believed to reflect an artifact of the method. The statistical method was revised to reflect more accurately the presence of larger motor units and employed in a 12-month study of Celecoxib in ALS. MUNE declined by 49% in 12 months; however, motor unit amplitude again stayed constant over the same period. Statistical MUNE estimates motor unit number based on the variability of response to a repeated stimulus of constant strength, with an underlying assumption that this variability is due solely to the number of motor units responding in an intermittent manner. Based on studies showing that single motor units in ALS display excessive amplitude variability when stimulated repeatedly, we show that response variability in ALS patients is in large part due to single unit changes. Thus, we conclude that the statistical method is not an appropriate measure of motor unit number in any disease associated with motor unit instability.
The development of residual stresses in Ti6Al4V-Al3Ti metal-intermetallic laminate (MIL) composites

Residual stresses in the metal (Ti6Al4V)-intermetallic (Al3Ti) laminate composite are generated when cooled from the processing temperature (∼700 ◦ C) to ambient temperature, because of the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between Ti6Al4V and Al3Ti. Two stress release mechanisms, creep and crack propagation, are proposed to explain the development of residual stress during cooling process. Both analytical calculations and finite element simulations are performed. In the analytical modeling, a critical stress criterion is proposed in order to determine the initiation of crack propagation. In the finite element simulation, the J-integral is used as a criterion for crack evolution; it enables the establishment of the distribution of the residual stress as a function of temperature. The results of both analytical modeling and finite element simulation show good agreement with the experimental results obtained through X-ray diffraction. © 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Hormone replacement therapy among postmenopausal women presenting with acute myocardial infarction: Insights from the GUSTO-III trial

Background The role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the prevention of cardiovascular disease has been controversial. In large observational studies, HRT appears to lower cardiovascular disease risk. However, prospective randomized trials do not substantiate this. Methods We sought to characterize the use of HRT in women presenting with acute myocardial infarction and to investigate an association between HRT and inhospital or 30-day outcomes among women enrolled in the Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries III (GUSTO-III) trial. Of the 15 059 patients in GUSTO-III, 4124 were women. Menopausal status, HRT use, and clinical outcomes data were prospectively collected. Results Postmenopausal women taking HRT were significantly younger than those not taking HRT, and US women were more likely to be prescribed HRT than non-US women. While unadjusted 30-day mortality was substantially lower in HRT patients (6.1% vs 12.7%, P 2 = 0.15, P = .70). Conclusion Hormone replacement therapy appears to have no early mortality benefit in women sustaining acute myocardial infarction. These findings further challenge the role of HRT in cardiovascular medicine.
Mixed n-step MIR inequalities: Facets for the n-mixing set

Gunluk and Pochet (O. Gunluk , Y. Pochet: Mixing mixed integer inequalities. Mathemat- ical Programming 90(2001) 429-457) proposed a procedure to mix mixed integer rounding (MIR) inequalities. The mixed MIR inequalities dene the convex hull of the mixing set f(y 1 ;:::;y m ;v)2 Z m R+ : 1y i + v i;i = 1;:::;mg and can also be used to gener- ate valid inequalities for general as well as several special mixed integer programs (MIPs). In another direction, Kianfar and Fathi (K. Kianfar, Y. Fathi: Generalized mixed inte- ger rounding inequalities: facets for innite group polyhedra. Mathematical Programming 120(2009) 313-346) introduced the n-step MIR inequalities for the mixed integer knapsack set through a generalization of MIR. In this paper, we generalize the mixing procedure to the n-step MIR inequalities and introduce the mixed n-step MIR inequalities. We prove that these inequalities dene facets and high-dimensional faces for a generalization of the P n j=1 jy i + v i;i = 1;:::;mg. The mixed MIR inequalities are simply the special case of n = 1. We then show that mixed n-step MIR can generate multi-row valid inequalities for general MIP and can be used to gener- alize well-known inequalities for capacitated lot-sizing and facility location problems to the multi-capacity case.
WWW.Cell Biology Education

Each quarter, Cell Biology Education calls attention to several Web sites of educational interest to the life science community. The journal does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the information at any of the listed sites. If you want to comment on the selections or suggest future inclusions, please send a message to ude.ytinirt@notsylbr. The sites listed below were last accessed on June 1, 2003.
Antimicrobial activity of gatifloxacin tested against Neisseria gonorrhoeae using three methods and a collection of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains.

Abstract Gatifloxacin, a new 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone, was tested against 131 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by reference agar dilution, disk diffusion, and Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) methods on supplemented GC agar. Gatifloxacin activity was equal to ciprofloxacin (MIC 50 , 0.008 μg/mL) against strains fully susceptible to fluoroquinolones, but was generally four-fold more active (MIC 90 , 0.064–0.094 μg/mL) against strains with par C or gyr A mutations and resistance to ciprofloxacin. Etest results were comparable to those generated by the agar dilution test [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.97]. Gatifloxacin zone diameters using 5-μg disks also correlated well (r = 0.86–0.87) with the agar dilution and Etest MIC results. Breakpoints for laboratory testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains await clinical trial outcome correlations, but susceptibility at ≤0.125 or ≤0.25 μg/mL (≥34 mm) seems appropriate. All three tests used in this study seem applicable for laboratory testing of isolates from patients with uncomplicated gonorrhoeae receiving therapy with gatifloxacin.
Elevation of IL-6 in the allergic asthmatic airway is independent of inflammation but associates with loss of central airway function

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that is characterized by a Th2-type of immune response with increasing evidence for involvement of Th17 cells. The role of IL-6 in promoting effector T cell subsets suggest that IL-6 may play a functional role in asthma. Classically IL-6 has been viewed as an inflammatory marker, along with TNFα and IL-1β, rather than as regulatory cytokine. To investigate the potential relationship between IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines, Th2/Th17 cytokines and lung function in allergic asthma, and thus evaluate the potential role of IL-6 in this disease. Cytokine levels in induced sputum and lung function were measured in 16 healthy control and 18 mild-moderate allergic asthmatic subjects. The levels of the proinflammatory biomarkers TNFα and IL-1β were not different between the control and asthmatic group. In contrast, IL-6 levels were specifically elevated in asthmatic subjects compared with healthy controls (p < 0.01). Hierarchical regression analysis in the total study cohort indicates that the relationship between asthma and lung function could be mediated by IL-6. Among Th2 cytokines only IL-13 (p < 0.05) was also elevated in the asthmatic group, and positively correlated with IL-6 levels (rS = 0.53, p < 0.05). In mild-moderate asthma, IL-6 dissociates from other proinflammatory biomarkers, but correlates with IL-13 levels. Furthermore, IL-6 may contribute to impaired lung function in allergic asthma.
Matrix Uncertainty Structures for Robust Stabilizability

Consider a linear state equation whose system matrices contain time-varying uncertainties. Furthermore, assume that the values of these parameters are unknown but bounded. The goal is to develop a single linear time-invariant state feedback which stabilizes the system for all admissible uncertainties. In this work, such results are achieved by exploiting the structure of the uncertainty. Structure of the uncertainty is concerned with "where" the uncertainty enters the system matrices and which matrix entries can "tolerate" arbitrarily large perturbations. The main result gives sufficient conditions for stabilizing uncertain multi-input systems. Via these conditions, one can stabilize systems which cannot be handled by existing stabilizability criteria. An example to this effect is given in the sequel. Moreover, the class of systems which satisfy this new criteria captures those systems satisfying the so-called "matching condition."