cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary Vitamin C Requirement of Hybrid Striped Bass Morone chrysops♀× M. saxatilis ♂

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis. Fish were fed a semi-purified basal diet with 40% crude protein and an energy to protein ratio of 8 kcal/g for a conditioning period of 2 wk. This diet which was not supplemented with vitamin C contained approximately 6-mg vitamin C/kg. Following conditioning, fish (approximately 0.55 g initial weight) were stocked as groups of 20 in 38-L aquaria and fed the basal diet and experimental diets supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 150-mg vitamin C/kg as ascorbate polyphosphate for a period of 10 wk. Fish fed the basal diet and the diet supplemented with 10-mg vitamin C/kg exhibited signs of vitamin C deficiency including suppressed weight gain, reduced plasma and liver ascorbic acid levels, and abnormalities in isthmus cartilage formation. Plasma and liver ascorbic acid levels generally reflected dietary supplementation with the lowest levels occurring in fish fed the basal diet and higher levels in fish fed the supplemented diets. The minimum dietary requirement (±SE) based on non-linear least squares regression analysis of weight gain was 22 (±6) mg vitamin C/kg diet.
Asymmetric Catalysis with Water: Efficient Kinetic Resolution of Terminal Epoxides by Means of Catalytic Hydrolysis

Epoxides are versatile building blocks for organic synthesis. However, terminal epoxides are arguably the most important subclass of these compounds, and no general and practical method exists for their production in enantiomerically pure form. Terminal epoxides are available very inexpensively as racemic mixtures, and kinetic resolution is an attractive strategy for the production of optically active epoxides, given an economical and operationally simple method. Readily accessible synthetic catalysts (chiral cobalt-based salen complexes) have been used for the efficient asymmetric hydrolysis of terminal epoxides. This process uses water as the only reagent, no added solvent, and low loadings of a recyclable catalyst (<0.5 mole percent), and it affords highly valuable terminal epoxides and 1,2-diols in high yield with high enantiomeric enrichment.
Quantum theory of optical temporal phase and instantaneous frequency

We propose a general quantum theory of optical phase and instantaneous frequency in the time domain for slowly varying optical signals. Guided by classical estimation theory, we design homodyne phase-locked loops that enable quantum-limited measurements of temporal phase and instantaneous frequency. Standard and Heisenberg quantum limits to such measurements are then derived. For optical sensing applications, we propose multipass and Fabry-P\'erot position and velocity sensors that take advantage of the signal-to-noise-ratio enhancement effect of wide-band angle modulation without requiring nonclassical light. We also generalize our theory to three spatial dimensions for nonrelativistic bosons and define a Hermitian fluid velocity operator, which provides a theoretical underpinning to the current-algebra approach of quantum hydrodynamics.
A resilience-reliability crosswalk

There has been strong interest in the new and emerging field called resilience engineering. This field has been quick to align itself with many existing safety disciplines, but it has also distanced itself from the field of human reliability analysis. To date, the discussion has been somewhat one-sided, with much discussion about the new insights afforded by resilience engineering. This paper presents an attempt to address resilience engineering from the perspective of human reliability analysis (HRA). It further, by means of example, attempts to review a misadministration example from the literature and evaluate that example in terms of resilience and HRA concepts. This paper seeks to clarify and ultimately refute the arguments that have served to divide HRA and resilience engineering by showing that the underlying analyses have complementary perspectives for the risk analyst and systems designer.
Calcium Mediated Triggered Activity in Cardiac Tissue

It is well known that various cardiac arrhythmias are initiated by an ill-timed excitation that originates from a focal region of the heart. However, up to now, it is not known what governs the timing, location, and morphology of these triggered beats. Recent studies have shown that these focal excitations can be caused by abnormalities in the calcium (Ca) cycling system. However, the cause and effect relationships linking subcellular Ca dynamics and triggered activity in cardiac tissue is not completely understood. In this paper we present a minimal model of Ca mediated triggered activity in cardiac tissue. This model accounts for the stochastic nature of spontaneous Ca release on a one dimensional cable of cardiac cells. Using this model we show that the timing of triggered activity is equivalent to a first passage time problem in a spatially extended system. In particular, we find that for a short cable the mean first passage time (MFPT) increases exponentially with the number of cells in tissue, and is critically dependent on the ratio of inward to outward currents near the threshold for an action potential (AP). For long cables triggered activity occurs due to ectopic foci which occur on a length scale determined by the minimum length of tissue that can induce an AP. Furthermore, we find that for long cables the MFPT decreases as a power law in the number cells. These results provide precise criteria for the occurrence of focal excitations in cardiac tissue, and will serve as a guide to determine the propensity of Ca mediated triggered arrhythmias in the heart.
Measures of discord in the Dempster-Shafer theory

Abstract This paper is a companion of a previous paper, in which a new measure of uncertainty, called a measure of discord, was introduced. While the previous paper focuses on intuitive justification of this new measure and identification of deficiencies of some previously considered measures, this paper is oriented toward a mathematical consideration of the measure of discord. Also discussed in the paper is a total measure of uncertainty in the Dempster-Shafer theory, defined as the sum of discord and nonspecificity.
The armadillo homologs β-catenin and plakoglobin are differentially expressed during early development of Xenopus laevis

Plakoglobin and beta-catenin are cytoplasmic proteins associated with the intracellular plaques of cell adhesive junctions. While plakoglobin is present in both adherens junctions and desmosomes, beta-catenin is associated with the cadherins that accumulate only in adherens junctions. Both beta-catenin and plakoglobin are homologs of armadillo, a Drosophila segment polarity gene that is considered to be in the wingless signaling pathway. We have characterized the expression and distribution of both plakoglobin and beta-catenin in Xenopus embryos. As shown by RNA blot analysis, beta-catenin and plakoglobin transcripts are present in fertilized eggs and in embryos through to tadpole stage. Whole-mount in situ hybridization indicates that both genes are expressed in the dorsal ectoderm and mesoderm of tailbud- and tadpole-stage embryos and that beta-catenin is expressed in the midbrain. Both plakoglobin and beta-catenin polypeptides are present during early Xenopus development; however, differences exist in the timing of maximal expression. Plakoglobin is present in the fertilized egg, increases in abundance by neurula stage, then declines at the tailbud and tadpole stages. beta-Catenin, recognized by an anti-arm antibody, is also present in the fertilized egg and in blastula-stage embryos. However, beta-catenin continues to be detected at the neurula, tailbud, and tadpole stages when levels of plakoglobin decline. The presence of multiple homologs of armadillo in Xenopus embryos and the differences in their patterns of expression suggest distinct roles for these proteins in processes affected by cell adhesion.
Toscana meningoencephalitis: a comparison to other viral central nervous system infections.

Background Toscana virus (TOSV) is an emerging pathogen causing central nervous system (CNS) infection in Mediterranean countries, mostly during summer season.
The histopathologic associates of neurometabolite abnormalities in fatal neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective To determine the histopathologic basis of altered brain neurometabolites in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Methods Brain neurometabolite concentrations in a 20-voxel area of the brain were determined premortem by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 7 individuals with NPSLE. Absolute concentrations of neurometabolite for N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline, creatine, and lactate were measured. After the death of the patients, histopathologic changes were determined at autopsy of the brain and were matched voxel-by-voxel with the neurometabolites. Results The mean ± SD absolute concentrations of NAA (9.15 ± 1.78 mM in patients versus 12.2 ± 0.8 mM in controls; P < 0.01) and creatine (6.43 ± 0.16 mM in patients versus 6.90 ± 0.60 mM in controls; P < 0.003) were significantly reduced and the concentration of choline (2.51 ± 0.42 mM in patients versus 1.92 ± 0.32 mM in controls; P < 0.04) was significantly elevated in NPSLE patients as compared with controls. Widespread heterogeneous changes in the histologic features of the brain were present, including microinfarcts, microhemorrhages, bland angiopathy, thrombotic angiopathy with platelet and fibrin thrombi, neuronal necrosis in various states of resolution, reduced numbers of axons and neurons, vacuole and space formation among the fibers, reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes, reactive microglia and astrocytes, lipid-laden macrophages, and cyst formation. Neurometabolite abnormalities were closely associated with underlying histopathologic changes in the brain: 1) elevated choline levels were independently associated with gliosis, vasculopathy, and edema (r = 0.75, P < 0.004 in the multivariate model); 2) reduced creatine levels with reduced neuronal–axonal density and gliosis (r = 0.72, P < 0.002 in the multivariate model); 3) reduced NAA levels with reduced neuronal–axonal density (r = 0.66, P < 0.001 in the multivariate model); and 4) the presence of lactate with necrosis, microhemorrhages, and edema (r = 0.996, P < 0.0001 in the multivariate model). Conclusion Altered neurometabolites in NPSLE patients, as determined by MRS, are a grave prognostic sign, indicating serious underlying histologic brain injury.
Anthracenone ABA analogue as a potential photoaffinity reagent for ABA-binding proteins

Abstract An anthracenone analogue of abscisic acid (ABA) was synthesized as a potential photoaffinity reagent and tested for biological activity. Reaction between 10,10′-dimethoxy-9-anthrone with two equivalents of the lithiated dianion of cis-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol afforded an acetylenic alcohol key intermediate. Subsequent reduction of the triple bond, functional group manipulation of the side chain alcohol and deprotection of the dimethoxy protected anthrone provided anthracenone ABA analogue 7 as a potential photoaffinity reagent for ABA-binding proteins. The effect of natural ABA and the potential photoaffinity anthracenone ABA 7 on corn cell growth was determined at various concentrations. The results show that anthracenone ABA 7 is perceived as ABA-like, although producing less inhibition than ABA itself. For example, 7 at 33 μM produces approximately the same inhibition as ABA at 10 μM.
Symbol and Ritual in the New Spain: The Transition to Democracy after Franco

This is a book about the role of culture in social change and the Spanish transition to democracy after Franco. Laura Desfor Edles takes a distinctively culturalist approach to the 'strategy of consensus' deployed by the Spanish elite and uses systematic textual interpretation (with a particular focus on Spanish newspapers) to show how a new symbolic framework emerged in post-Franco Spain which enabled the resolution of specific events critical to the success of the transition. In addition to uncovering underlying processes of symbolization, she shows that politico-historical transitions can themselves be understood as ritual processes, involving as they do phases and symbols of separation, liminality and re-aggregation.
Neurobehavioral Assessment Predicts Motor Outcome in Preterm Infants

Objective To determine whether Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavior Scales (NNNS) at 44 weeks predict motor outcome at 2 years in preterm infants from the Maternal Lifestyles Study (MLS). Study design Data were collected on all preterm infants ( Results Eighteen of 395 infants (5%) had CP; 24 of 270 infants (9%) had PDI Conclusions The neurobehavioral profile of under-arousal in 44-week-old preterm infants may predict poor motor outcome.
Safety and efficacy of a triphasic oral contraceptive containing desogestrel: Results of three multicenter trials

Abstract This report combines the data obtained in three multicenter efficacy studies with a new triphasic oral contraceptive combination containing desogestrel (DSG) and ethinyl estradiol (EE). The studies were conducted at 40 investigational sites in the United States (38 centers) and Canada (2 centers) in support of the FDA approval of the product. In total, 1,095 subjects were exposed to the study medication for 11,231 cycles, corresponding to approximately 864 woman-years of use. Of these subjects, 414 completed at least 13 cycles of treatment. Contraceptive efficacy was high; six pregnancies occurred during the in-treatment period (two due to method failure and four due to user failure), corresponding to Pearl Indices of 0.23 and 0.46, respectively. The incidence of irregular bleeding was low, and the acceptability was excellent as evidenced by the low incidence of drug-related drop-outs. No drug-related serious adverse experiences were reported, and the incidence of other drug-related adverse experiences was generally low and decreased with continued use. No effects were seen on blood pressure, body mass index, laboratory parameters, cervical cytology and breast nodularity. These studies demonstrate that triphasic DSG/EE is an effective and acceptable triphasic oral contraceptive preparation with excellent cycle control and no significant physiologic effects.
Tubulocystic carcinoma of the kidney: a histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study

Tubulocystic carcinoma of the kidney (TCCK) is a tumor entity, which is not yet included in the WHO classification of renal tumors. The histogenesis of this neoplasm is uncertain. This study was undertaken to determine (1) the incidence of TCCK and (2) immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of those tumors that qualify as TCCK by the current definitions. From January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2012, a total of 615 renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) were seen by the Department of Pathology, University of Maryland Medical Center. Four TCCKs were identified (4/615, <1 %). TCCK is a distinctive group of kidney tumors with a male predominance and noteworthy macroscopic spongy appearance. Microscopically, the tumors were composed of tubules and cysts lined by a single layer of eosinophilic, columnar, cuboidal, flat, or hobnail cells with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli separated by a thin fibrotic stroma. In all TCCKs, the majority of neoplastic cells showed immunohistochemical (CD10+, RCC+, vimentin+, and AMACR+) and ultrastructural (abundant long brush border microvilli) characteristics of proximal renal tubules. In few cells, the microvilli were shorter and sparse with cytoplasmic interdigitation analogous to intercalated cells of the collecting ducts. Focal positivity for BerEP4 (a marker preferentially expressed in distal renal tubules) was also noted. The major differential diagnostic considerations are oncocytoma, multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma, and cystic nephroma/mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney. TCCK seems to have a favorable prognosis. In the current series, none of the patients had local recurrence or metastatic disease.
Media representations of third world women

In her influential essay, “Under Western Eyes,” Third World feminist Chandra Mohanty critiques the ways in which Western feminist writers have constructed Third World women. She argues that assumptions of privilege and ethnocentric universality, as well as inadequate consciousness of the domination of the West in global politics, have led to the construction of third world women as homogenous and passive. Many of these criticisms are also applicable to news and journalistic writing. In this essay I use Mohanty's framework to critique news representations of third world women and to make some suggestions for how that coverage could be changed. I primarily draw on stories about Indian women from the Dallas Observer, the Dallas Morning Mews, and the New York Times, but I will also briefly refer to other articles in the Washington Post and in U.S. News and World Report..
How Many Scientific Methods Exist

Bonner (2005) argued for the existence of two scientific methods, which he referred to as ‘‘method A’’ and ‘‘method B.’’ He described method A as the traditional approach, in which hypotheses guide the generation of predictions and the design of experiments to test them; hypotheses are supported or contradicted by comparing predicted results with observed results. In method B, hypotheses are generated only after collecting experimental data and serve to explain the data. In Bonner's view, recognizing that at least two scientific methods exist is relevant to teachers because many students lack the background knowledge needed to generate interesting hypotheses to test –– via method A. However, students can ask questions that can be answered through experimentation –– via method B. Thus, pedagogical progress can still be made. In support of the existence and usefulness of method B, Bonner (2005) cited the Nobel Prize––winning research that Marshall Nirenberg conducted in the early 1960s. According to Bonner, Nirenberg's research followed method B and asked this descriptive question: ‘‘What amino acid does UUU code for?’’ At that time, biologists thought that the DNA code consisted of four letters (adenine –– A, guanine –– G, cytocine –– C, and thymine –– T). They also thought that the DNA code was first translated into an RNA code, also with four letters, but with uracil –– U substituting for thymine –– T. Hence, an RNA code consisting of combinations of A's, G's, C's, and U's somehow coded for the production of proteins by somehow stringing the 20 or so amino acids together. According to Bonner's interpretation of Nirenberg's research, there were 20 possible answers to his descriptive question (e.g., UUU codes for valine, UUU codes for serine, UUU codes for phenylalanine, and so on). In Bonner's view, Nirenberg harbored no hypotheses and advanced no predictions …
Value-based Insurance Design: Barriers to Implementation in Radiology

Expensive and steadily rising health care costs without a concomitant increase in quality have generated a search for solutions to fund health care in the United States. Recent health care reforms and proposals on the agenda have spurred debate about alternative payment plans for health care. Much of the talk centers on imaging, which is a fast-growing and expensive component of health care. Value-based insurance design (VBID), a "clinically sensitive" means of sharing the cost of health care, has been proposed as a means to control the runaway costs of health care management including diagnostic testing. A corollary of pay-for-performance initiatives in which physician incentives are aligned with evidence-based medical practices, VBID seeks to increase patient incentives to comply with evidence-based health care consumption. We previously reviewed the principles of VBID and provided examples of VBID in practice using diabetes management as a model, as well as suggested some areas in diagnostic testing that lend themselves to VBID benefit design. In this article, we summarize the barriers to implementation and outline potential solutions, with particular regard to radiology.
The electron capture negative ion mass spectra of 2,6-dinitroaniline and 2,4-dinitrophenol herbicides and related nitrobenzene derivatives

The electron capture, negative ion mass spectra of a group of 2,6-dinitroaniline and 2,4-dinitrophenol herbicides are presented. In addition, the spectra of a series of mono- and dinitrobenzene derivatives are reported. These compounds exhibit a wide range of fragmentation behaviors. Simple spectra, dominated by intense molecular ions, are observed for certain groups of compounds, while others give spectra dominated by ions which result from ortho interactions and other complex rearrangements. The fragmentation behavior of these compounds is investigated using isotopically labelled compounds and accurate mass measurements. The question of nitro group reduction reactions, under electron capture conditions, is examined using 15N labelled compounds. Electron capture negative ion (ECNI) mass spectrometry is found to be a sensitive and reproducible technique for the identification of nitro compounds.
Mini and Micro Propulsion for Medical Swimmers

Mini and micro robots, which can swim in an underwater environment, have drawn widespread research interests because of their potential applicability to the medical or biological fields, including delivery and transportation of bio-materials and drugs, bio-sensing, and bio-surgery. This paper reviews the recent ideas and developments of these types of self-propelling devices, ranging from the millimeter scale down to the micro and even the nano scale. Specifically, this review article makes an emphasis on various propulsion principles, including methods of utilizing smart actuators, external magnetic/electric/acoustic fields, bacteria, chemical reactions, etc. In addition, we compare the propelling speed range, directional control schemes, and advantages of the above principles.
Action potential sources and their volume conductor fields

This essentially tutorial paper describes, quantitatively, the bioelectric sources corresponding to a propagated action potential with particular emphasis on a cylindrical nerve or muscle fiber of infinite or finite length. Based on this source description, the resulting volume conductor fields are described and discussed.
Urban agriculture: long-term strategy or impossible dream? Lessons from Prospect Farm in Brooklyn, New York

Proponents of urban agriculture have identified its potential to improve health and the environment but in New York City and other densely developed and populated urban areas, it faces huge challenges because of the shortage of space, cost of land, and the lack of contemporary local food production. However, large portions of the city and metropolitan region do have open land and a history of agricultural production in the not-too-distant past. Local food movements and concerns about food security have sparked a growing interest in urban farming. Policies in other sectors to address diet-related illnesses, environmental quality and climate change may also provide opportunities to expand urban farming. Nevertheless, for any major advances in urban agriculture, significant changes in local and regional land use policies are needed. These do not appear to be forthcoming any time soon unless food movements amplify their voices in local and national food policy. Based on his experiences as founder of a small farm in Brooklyn, New York and his engagement with local food movements, the author analyzes obstacles and opportunities for expanding urban agriculture in New York.
Dynamic characteristics of a hydrostatic gas bearing driven by oscillating exhaust pressure

Vibration of a statically loaded, inherently compensated hydrostatic journal bearing due to oscillating exhaust pressure is investigated. Both angular and radial vibration modes are analyzed. The time-dependent Reynolds equation governing the pressure distribution between the oscillating journal and sleeve is solved together with the journal equation of motion to obtain the response characteristics of the bearing. The Reynolds equation and the equation of motion are simplified by applying regular perturbation theory for small displacements. The numerical solutions of the perturbation equations are obtained by discretizing the pressure field using finite-difference aproximations with a discrete, nonuniform line-source model which excludes effects due to feeding hole volume. An iterative scheme is used to simultaneously satisfy the equations of motion for the journal. The results presented include Bode plots of bearing-oscillation gain and phase for a particular bearing configuration for various combinations of parameters over a range of frequencies, including the resonant frequency.
Internalizing symptoms and rumination: The prospective prediction of familial and peer emotional victimization experiences during adolescence

Adolescence is marked by increases in stressful life events. Although research has demonstrated that depressed individuals generate stress, few studies investigate the generation of emotional victimization. The current study examined the effects of rumination and internalizing symptoms on experiences of peer victimization and familial emotional abuse. Participants were 216 adolescents (M = 14-years-old; 58% female; 47% African-American) who completed two assessments. Results showed that rumination predicted peer victimization and emotional abuse. The effect of rumination on emotional victimization is heightened for those who have higher levels of depression symptoms. That is, individuals who ruminate and who have depression symptoms experience increases in both peer emotional victimization and parental emotional abuse. This study builds upon prior research and indicates that rumination may be a stronger predictor of emotional victimization than symptoms of depression or anxiety. Identifying underlying mechanisms may yield targets for interventions aimed at addressing the chronic nature of depression.
Can assisted reproductive technologies help to offset population ageing? An assessment of the demographic and economic impact of ART in Denmark and UK

Governments worldwide are searching for ways to cope with ageing populations as the demographic shift towards fewer and later births takes hold. The potential contribution of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to increasing fertility rates has not yet been explored. This paper describes a preliminary study into the impact ART policies might have on population ageing. A deterministic model is developed to quantify the effects of ART policies on total fertility rate (TFR), and tested using data from the UK and Denmark. The population structure for 2050 is modelled to translate fertility rates into time-dependent population dynamics, and the costs of potential ART policies are investigated. If access to ART in the UK were increased to the level of Denmark, the TFR would increase by 0.04, from 1.64 to 1.68. The cumulative effect on the population structure would be a 1.7% decrease in old-age dependency ratio in 2050. Although the empirical models do not include behavioural components, the results demonstrate that ART does have potential to contribute to TFR and influence population structure, and that the direct costs associated with adopting ART as a population policy are comparable with those of existing policies commonly used by governments to influence fertility.
A Novel Internal Model-Based Tracking Control for a Class of Linear Time-Varying Systems

This paper provides a novel method of constructing an internal model-based design of reference tracking and/or disturbance rejection for a class of linear time-varying plants with a known linear time invariant (LTI) exosystem. It is shown how the realization of an appropriate time-varying internal model can be constructed by means of a novel feedback mechanism. The design of the internal model consists of two ingredients: (1) a time-varying system immersion of the exosystem, and (2) an automatic generation of the desired control input to render the error-zeroing subspace invariant, based on the complete knowledge of the plant model. The important features of the proposed method lie in that the tracking problem setup and the proposed feedback mechanism allow us to avoid explicitly calculating the desired input, which keeps the regulated error identically at zero. Moreover the time-varying immersion is guaranteed to hold for the class of plant models under consideration. These features significantly broaden the range of applications of the proposed method, and simplify the control implementation process.
The Economics of Renewable Energy

Levelized cost is the preferred method of evaluating various energy technologies. Yet this ubiquitous technique is rarely questioned, and its history is poorly understood. This paper traces the history of levelized cost as a method and highlights its promise and pitfalls. The levelized cost of most energy technologies - ranging from coal and nuclear to wind, solar, geothermal, and marine energy - is calculated, with assumptions noted and sensitivities demonstrated. Included as an appendix is a summary of every renewable energy levelized cost study between 2005-2011 that was located by the author. Other methods of comparing energy technologies - such as options and a market-based approach - are also discussed. The paper concludes by using a market-based approach to determine the value of solar and wind power.
X-ray powder diffractometric method for quantitation of crystalline drug in microparticulate systems. I. Microspheres.

Ethylcellulose microspheres containing tolnaftate (I) were prepared by the emulsion–solvent evaporation technique. An X-ray powder diffractometric method was developed to quantify the content of crystalline I in these microspheres. X-ray lines of I with d-spacings of 5.5 and 4.2 A were chosen for the quantitative analyses. Physical mixtures containing various weight fractions of I and blank (empty) microspheres were prepared and lithium fluoride (20% w/w) was added as the internal standard. The 5.5 and 4.3 A lines of I and the 2.3 A line of lithium fluoride were used for the quantitative analysis. A plot of the intensity ratio (intensity of the 5.5 A line of I/intensity of 2.3 A line of lithium fluoride) as a function of the weight percent of I in the mixture, resulted in a straight line. The crystalline content of I in the tolnaftate-loaded microspheres was determined using this standard curve. A second independent determination of the content of I was possible from the intensities of the 4.3 A line. The enthalpy of fusion of I, determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), was also used as a measure of the crystalline content of I in the microspheres. The X-ray and DSC methods measure the content of crystalline I in the microspheres at room temperature (∼25°C) and at the melting point of I (111°C), respectively. The total content of I in the microspheres was determined by HPLC. The DSC and X-ray results indicated that a substantial fraction of the incorporated I was dissolved in the ethylcellulose matrix. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 91:983–990, 2002
Horizontal wave number spectra of density and temperature perturbations in the mesosphere measured during the 4 August flight of ANLC‐93

On 4 August 1993 during ANLC-93 the NCAR Electra completed a round-trip flight west from Edmonton, Alberta to the Pacific Ocean. The University of Illinois Na lidar and Utah State Michelson interferometer observations were used to study the vertical wave number (m) and zonal wave number (k) spectra of relative atmospheric density, Na abundance, OH emission intensity, and rotational temperature perturbations. The spectral indices of the m- and k-spectra inferred from the lidar data are smaller than those reported by Hosteller and Gardner [1994] over the mid-Pacific but similar to those reported by Kwon et al. [1990] over the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. These differences may be a consequence of different gravity wave source characteristics over the Rocky Mountains compared to the equatorial mid-Pacific region where convection is strong and orographic forcing is absent. The Na abundance spectrum closely follows a power-law over the range from k = 2π/(1000 km) to 2π/(3 km). This observation contradicts simple gravity wave theory which predicts that the abundance spectrum should fall rapidly to zero at wave numbers larger than ∼2π/(25 km).
Verruciform xanthoma in association with discoid lupus erythematosus

Verruciform xanthoma (VX) is an uncommon lesion occurring primarily in the oral cavity. Cutaneous lesions are much less common and they preferentially arise on anogenital skin. They are not necessarily associated with a pre-existing inflammatory process. We report a VX in association with a long-standing lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) on the scalp of a 34-year-old black woman. This association, which to our knowledge has not been previously reported, is consistent with the proposed pathogenetic mechanism of entrapment and subsequent degeneration of epithelial cells in the papillary dermis of VX. Histological distinction of VX from squamous cell carcinoma, with which this lesion may be clinically confused, is straightforward.
Estradiol modulation of phenylephrine-induced excitatory responses in ventromedial hypothalamic neurons of female rats

Estrogens act within the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) to facilitate lordosis behavior. Estradiol treatment in vivo induces α1b-adrenoreceptor mRNA and increases the density of α1B-adrenoreceptor binding in the hypothalamus. Activation of hypothalamic α1-adrenoceptors also facilitates estrogen-dependent lordosis. To investigate the cellular mechanisms of adrenergic effects on VMN neurons, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were carried out on hypothalamic slices from control and estradiol-treated female rats. In control slices, bath application of the α1-agonist phenylephrine (PHE; 10 μM) depolarized 10 of 25 neurons (40%), hyperpolarized three neurons (12%), and had no effect on 12 neurons (48%). The depolarization was associated with decreased membrane conductance, and this current had a reversal potential close to the K+ equilibrium potential. The α1b-receptor antagonist chloroethylclonidine (10 μM) blocked the depolarization produced by PHE in all cells. From estradiol-treated rats, significantly more neurons in slices depolarized (71%) and fewer neurons showed no response (17%) to PHE. PHE-induced depolarizations were significantly attenuated with 4-aminopyridine (5 mM) but unaffected by tetraethylammonium chloride (20 mM) or blockers of Na+ and Ca2+ channels. These data indicate that α1-adrenoceptors depolarize VMN neurons by reducing membrane conductance for K+. Estradiol amplifies α1b-adrenergic signaling by increasing the proportion of VMN neurons that respond to stimulation of α1b-adrenergic receptors, which is expected in turn to promote lordosis.
Stress, Strain, Coping, and Defense

Discussions of stress, especially as this is relevant to aging, have been confused because of lack of uniformity in terminology. The history of stress research is briefly sketched to develop the concept of stress as an external event. Strain is proposed as a suitable term for the affective, physiological, and cognitive changes induced by stress. Although stress is always external, the degree of strain is moderated by the individual's perception of the stressor. Thus, "objective" lists of life-stress units have limited value. Coping has also been used in a variety of ways. It is proposed that coping be conceptualized as voluntary activity directed against the external stress or protecting the individual against the stress. Defense would then be restricted to unconscious changes which reduce the immediate strain without modifying the person-stressor relation-ship. Use of relaxation and desensitization as coping tactics for the elderly is evaluated favorably.
Application of Sommerfeld-Watson Transformation to an Electrostatics Problem

The electrostatics problem of a point charge between two infinite parallel conducting planes— i.e., the Green function for a parallel plate capacitor—is solved by the method of images. A Sommerfeld-Watson transformation is then used to obtain an integral representation for the potential. An asymptotic expression is derived for the region far from the charge, and the field is found to fall off exponentially.
In vitro primary hepatocyte proliferation with nonparenchymal liver cell activation

The construction of a tissue engineered liver requires the ready availability of an immunocompatible cell source capable of replacing lost physiological functions. Primary autologous hepatocytes would be an ideal choice for such a device; however, it is not yet known how to induce proliferation of these cells in vitro. We investigated the effect of culture medium containing known liver regeneration factors (HGF, EGF, VEGF, IL-6) pre-conditioned by culture with nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) on the proliferation of primary hepatocytes in collagen sandwich culture. Morphological evidence indicated an increase in the density of hepatocytes when supplemented with proliferation factor-conditioned NPC media.
Stereo-based obstacle avoidance in indoor environments with active sensor re-calibration

We present a stereo-based obstacle avoidance system for mobile vehicles. The system operates in three steps. First, it models the surface geometry of the supporting surface and removes the supporting surface from the scene. Next, it segments the remaining stereo disparities into connected components in image and disparity space. Finally, it projects the resulting connected components onto the supporting surface and plans a path around them. One interesting aspect of this system is that it can detect both positive and "negative" obstacles (e.g. stairways) in its path. The algorithms we have developed have been implemented on a mobile robot equipped with a real-time stereo system. We present experimental results on indoor environments with planar supporting surfaces that show the algorithms to be both fast and robust.
How to Use Events and Rules for Supporting Role-Based Security? (Invited Paper)

Role-based access control, where object accesses are controlled by roles (or job functions) is a more feasible alternative to traditional access control mechanisms. Constraints play a critical role in realizing and providing finegrained RBAC in diverse domains such as P2P and grid computing. In this paper, we have shown how events and authorization rules are used to provide fine-grained RBAC. First, simple events are identified for the RBAC domain. Second, various event operators for modeling constraints such as precedence, non-occurrence, dependency and their combinations are introduced. Third, how event-based RBAC policies are specified using both simple and complex events are discussed. Finally, how the proposed fine-grained RBAC policies can be exploited for P2P resource management is discussed
Product performance-evaluation using Monte Carlo simulation: a case study

Product performance evaluation in the room and in the extreme environmental conditions is one of the most important design engineering activities. Is the product designed to operate within the specified tolerances over the specified environment and are the product performance parameters optimized so that the effects of the environmental stresses are minimized? These are the questions that a design engineer has to answer before any new product is released to the market. Therefore, environmental testing and monitoring of the product outputs, intended design performance and other product design parameters need to be performed. Such tests may include significant number of samples, may be time consuming and very costly. Consequently, environmental tests should be designed and planned very carefully and the data analysis methodologies should require the minimum resources for data collection. The proposed methodology is based on the idea of the product performance modeling and monitoring the performance degradation over the range of the environmental stresses. It is very flexible and is applicable in all situations when a product's performance can be modeled with a linear or nonlinear functions, whose parameters may be random, correlated and stress dependent. It provides the tools for performance stress evaluation and reliability estimation. The methodology is presented through the following case study.
Using Ecosystem Landscape Models to Investigate Industrial Environmental Impacts

This article explores the use of ecosystem landscape models to estimate the environmental impacts of industrial activities at the regional / local scale. Integrated ecosystem and industrial modeling is first introduced within the context of life cycle assessment. Then, the use of integrated modeling to overcome problems stemming from the lumped parameter, static, site non-specific nature of life cycle assessment is discussed. Finally, the results of linking a handful of industrially relevant material and information flows demonstrate the ability of current ecosystem landscape models to respond to industrial burdens and estimate some environmental impacts.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Improved seasonal drought forecasts using reference evapotranspiration anomalies

A novel contiguous United States (CONUS) wide evaluation of reference evapotranspiration (ET0; a formulation of evaporative demand) anomalies is performed using the Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) reforecast data for 1982–2009. This evaluation was motivated by recent research showing ET0 anomalies can accurately represent drought through exploitation of the complementary relationship between actual evapotranspiration and ET0. Moderate forecast skill of ET0 was found up to leads of 5 months and was consistently better than precipitation skill over most of CONUS. Forecasts of ET0 during drought events revealed high categorical skill for notable warm-season droughts of 1988 and 1999 in the central and northeast CONUS, with precipitation skill being much lower or absent. Increased ET0 skill was found in several climate regions when CFSv2 forecasts were initialized during moderate-to-strong El Nino–Southern Oscillation events. Our findings suggest that ET0 anomaly forecasts can improve and complement existing seasonal drought forecasts.
Epigenetic control of stress-induced apoptosis

Abstract Transcriptional activation of proapoptotic genes play an important role to initiate cell death during animal development or in response to cytotoxic stress. In particular, P53-mediated induction of proapoptotic genes serves as a major tumor suppression mechanism in eliminating genetically compromised cells. During animal development, the sensitivity of cells to intra- and extracellular stress-induced cell death varies greatly depending on tissue types and differentiation status. Emerging evidences from Drosophila , as well as mammalian systems, indicated that targeted epigenetic regulation of proapoptotic genes, especially those that are transcriptional targets of P53, controls cellular sensitivity to stress-induced apoptosis during animal development. Epigenetic regulation of proapoptotic genes distinguishes itself from canonical epigenetic regulation of homeotic genes in three major aspects. First, it is not strictly determined by cell lineage or position. Second, it is often reversible in response to changes of the extracellular and intracellular environment. Last, but probably most importantly, epigenetic regulation of P53 target loci introduces differential sensitivity to stress among adjacent cells in the same tissue compartment. This phenotypic plasticity generated by the epigenetic mechanism may play an import role in maintaining appropriate number of cells during animal development. The detailed mechanism of how stress-responsive proapoptotic genes is specifically targeted for epigenetic suppression remains to be explored. However, abundant evidence suggests that such a mechanism can be hijacked by oncogenic viruses or dysregulated by oncogene overexpression to promote tumorigenesis. Comprehensive understanding of epigenetic regulation of proapoptotic genes holds the promise of improving the efficacy of cancer therapy.
Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a significant concern in the perioperative period. The incidence of postoperative AKI has been found to be approximately 1 % in noncardiac surgical patients [1, 2]. In those admitted to the ICU after noncardiac surgery, the AKI rate has been shown to be 7.5 % [3]. Some studies indicate higher rates [3, 4], and reports may vary according to the definition of AKI which has evolved over recent years. AKI is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. It has further been associated with increased 30-day, 60-day, and 1-year all-cause mortality [1].
An Anatomical Approach to the Surgical Management of the Dorsal Vein and Santorini’s Plexus During Radical Retropubic Surgery

AbstractAn illustrated description of the anatomy of the deep dorsal vein and Santorini’s plexus is presented. The deep dorsal vein of the penis passes through the urogenital diaphragm and trifurcates into a superficial branch and 2 lateral plexuses. There are 3 regional valvular systems in the deep dorsal venous system. An operative technique is presented for the management of this venous system in radical retropubic operations that minimizes blood loss and improves exposure
The most reduced rock from the moon, Apollo 14 basalt 14053: Its unique features and their origin

The Apollo 14 high-Al basalt, 14053, is the most reduced lunar rock examined to date. Both fayalite in the mesostasis and spinel minerals have been extensively reduced in the exterior of the rock, whereas the interior contains relatively limited reduction. It is shown that these products are the effects of solar-wind hydrogen that was implanted on the exterior of the “normal” 14053 basalt after it originally crystallized and was weathered to become part of the regolith. Subsequent reheating, probably in an impact-ejecta blanket, caused extreme subsolidus hydrogen reduction, particularly of the weathered exterior of this rock. The limited permeability of the rock prevented the entire rock from being subjected to the same degree of reduction. It is proposed that this extreme reduction, especially of the mesostasis, also affected the phosphate minerals, F-Cl apatite and merrillite, each of which vary greatly in REE contents. This effect on the phosphate minerals could relate to the upset Sm-Nd radiogenetic systematics, whereas the Rb-Sr system may have been largely immune to the subsolidus reduction.
HLA-C Downmodulation by HIV-1 Vpu.

It is widely held that HIV-1 Nef downmodulates HLA-A and -B to protect infected cells from CD8+ T cells but leaves HLA-C on the cell surface to inhibit NK cells. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Apps et al. (2016) revise this model by showing that the Vpu protein of primary HIV-1 isolates downmodulate HLA-C.