cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Orexin Receptor Antagonists as Novel Augmentation Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder: Evidence for Safety and Efficacy from a Phase 2B Study of Seltorexant.

There is a large unmet need for effective treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), an often chronic/recurrent disorder that affects 1 in 5 adults during their lifetime in the United States. Clinicians and individuals with MDD often rely on augmentation approaches given the low rate of remission with the initial antidepressant treatment. Therefore, the report by Savitz and colleagues on the safety and efficacy of seltorexant is of great interest as it provides initial evidence for the antidepressant potential of drugs targeting orexin neurotransmission. Findings of this study suggest that seltorexant 20 mg is more effective than placebo, especially in individuals with moderate or insomnia symptoms at baseline. Given that insomnia is a common feature of depression, orexin 2 receptor antagonists may serve as important new treatment alternatives for people with MDD.
REDESIGNING GRADUATE EDUCATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY Making Room for Distance Education

Distance Education is becoming a core area in many instructional technology graduate programs. A recent study by Deniz Eseryel, Mary Bludnicki, and Phil Doughty of Syracuse University (2004) examined the evolution of graduate programs in instructional technology and attempted to identify trends and changes in course offerings. Their study was presented at the 2003 Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology held in Anaheim. Because the authors felt that instructional technology is “constantly expanding, and fastchanging” they conducted a review of a recent edition of Peterson’s Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, Information Studies, Law & Social Work. Forty-five graduate programs in the United States were identified and had their curricula evaluated. The results of this analysis make interesting reading. Eight concentration areas were identified. The eight areas each included a number of subcategories of topics. Seven of the eight major concentrations were:
The Generalization and Retention of Equivalence Relations in Adults with Mental Retardation.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the generalization and long-term retention of equivalence relations in individuals with mental retardation. To date, the generalization of equivalence relations to a range of novel stimuli has only been demonstrated among verbally competent adults. The responding of many individuals with mental retardation often fails to come under control of relevant stimulus features and fails to generalize to novel stimuli. Thus, we assessed whether the generalization of stimulus equivalence would occur in the absence of remedial training for 4 adults with mild or moderate mental retardation. Subjects learned 6 conditional discriminations and were tested for the emergence and generalization of 3 symmetry and 3 equivalence relations. Subjects were also tested for their retention of the relations approximately 1–4 months following their last laboratory session. All subjects showed the emergence and generalization of all of the relations in the absence of remedial training, and most showed the long-term retention of the relations. Accuracy improved during the retention test as a function of repeated testing for some subjects.
Amperometric argentimetric and mercurimetric titration of sulfhydryl

The ampero-mercurimetric titration of cysteine (RSH), glutathione (GSH), thioglycolic acid (TSH) and 2-mercaptoethanol (ESH) at the RMPE at pH 9 yields a sharply defined end-point corresponding to the composition (XS)2Hg. Under the same conditions with the KPtWK two lirciiks an; (ibst'rvc-d in the titration lines with RSH and GSH, corresponding to compositions (RS)2Hg and (RS)2Hg2 respectively. On the other hand, with TSHl and ESH only one clear break is found at the RPtWE corresponding to ('l'S)2Hg or (ES)2Hg Conditions liave been describcd for the accurate mercurimetric titration of the thiol compnunds at pH 2 in the pesence of 0.01 M sulfur dioxide at the RMPE, use of this can be made in the determination of disufides and in the determination of the equilibrium concentrations of the reaction betwcen a disulfide and a sulfite at varying pH.
Algebraic transition matrices in the Conley index theory

We introduce the concept of an algebraic transition matrix. These are degree zero isomorphisms which are upper triangular with respect to a partial order. It is shown that all connection matrices of a Morse decomposition for which the partial order is a series-parallel admissible order are related via a conjugation with one of these transition matrices. This result is then restated in the form of an existence theorem for global bifurcations. Simple exarnples of how these results can be applied are also presented.
Mudi-chood disease.

Mudi-chood disease is a distinct clinical entity seen nearly exclusively in young women in Kerala State, India. Traditional hair grooming methods that utilize various plant oils along with the natural environmental heat and humidity create the conditions necessary to produce a lichenoid dermatitis on the neck and upper back.
Effects of ageing and exercise training on endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation and structure of rat skeletal muscle arterioles

Ageing reduces endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in humans and animals, and in humans, exercise training reverses the ageing-associated reduction in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism(s) by which 10–12 weeks of treadmill exercise enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in muscles of differing fibre composition from young and old rats. Three- and 22-month-old male Fischer 344 rats were assigned to young sedentary, young exercise-trained, old sedentary, or old exercise-trained groups. Arterioles were isolated from the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles; luminal diameter changes were determined in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh, 10−9–10−4 mol l−1) alone and in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME (10−5 mol l−1) or the combination of l-NAME and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10−5 mol l−1). Training ameliorated the ageing-induced reduction in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in soleus muscle arterioles. Treatment with l-NAME alone and in combination with indomethacin abolished differences in ACh vasodilatation occurring with ageing and training. Expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA in soleus arterioles was unaltered by ageing, whereas eNOS protein was increased with age; training elevated both eNOS mRNA and protein. In gastrocnemius muscle arterioles, ageing did not alter maximal vasodilatation, but ageing and training increased maximal arteriolar diameter. These results demonstrate that ageing-induced reductions and training-induced enhancement of endothelial vasodilatation both occur through the nitric oxide signalling mechanism in highly oxidative skeletal muscle, but ageing and training do not appear to act on the same portion of the signalling cascade.
Chemical and Biological Occupational Hazards in the Toxicology Laboratory

In addition to the chemical, physical, flammability, thermal, electrical and radiation hazards common to laboratories in general, toxicology laboratories have specific occupational hazards that require their recognition, appreciation and development of management practices for protective and precautionary measures. These include exposure to test chemicals of poorly understood toxicology and to control chemicals of high biological potency. Additionally there may be exposure to allergenic materials such as latex or animal allergens, and to transmissible animal diseases. This chapter reviews the routes and natures of hazardous exposures in the toxicology laboratory, specific allergenic and infective problem areas, and necessary protective and precautionary measures. Keywords: animal allergens; latex; sensitization; zoonoses; protection; precautionary measures; atopy; respiratory function tests; skin-prick tests; solvents; carcinogens; laboratory safety
Ocorrência de braquiópodes fósseis no entorno do Rio Balsas, Município de Santa Teresa, Estado do Tocantins, em estratos da Formação Pimenteiras, Devoniano da Bacia do Parnaíba.

O presente trabalho registra os primeiros afloramentos fossiliferos no entorno do Rio Balsas, Municipio de Santa Teresa, Estado do Tocantins, em estratos da Formacao Pimenteiras, Devoniano da Bacia do Parnaiba, com ocorrencia de braquiopodes fosseis e fauna associada. Dentre os especimes coletados neste afloramento, foi possivel identificar tres especies: Australocoelia palmata , Australospirifer iheringi e Tropidoleptus carinatus . A ocorrencia de Australocoelia palmata e Australospirifer iheringi no afloramento Chacara L 26, associados nos mesmos estratos de siltito, indicam paleoambiente de zona neritica interna distal. Tropidoleptus carinatus predomina nas camadas fossiliferas de arenito fino do afloramento Fazenda Sao Raimundo, o mesmo indica um paleoambiente de zona neritica interna proximal. A presenca dessa associacao de braquiopodes caracteriza uma zona de mistura de aguas frias, mornas e quentes durante o Devoniano, na Bacia do Parnaiba, demonstrando a capacidade de migracao e tolerância desses individuos se dispersarem, implicando uma conexao marinha entre as bacias do Amazonas, Parana e Parnaiba.
Center of Main Interests, International Insolvency Case Venue, and Equality of Arms: The Eurofood Decision and the European Court of Justice

This Article examines the Eurofood-E.C.J. decision and evaluates its impact on the decisions of the Irish and the Italian courts to open main insolvency cases for Eurofood. This Article also addresses the broader international insolvency law issues that the E.C.J. decision left open. Part II of this Article provides background information on the format and binding effect of a decision of the E.C.J. Part III explores the background of Parmalat and Eurofood and describes the Eurofood cases in the Irish and Italian courts prior to the E.C.J. decision. Part IV examines the E.C.J. decision, its rationale, and its application to the Irish and Italian cases. Part V focuses on the E.C.J. decision's application to procedural problems in insolvency law of the "equality of arms" principle, which the E.C.J. had previously imported from the European Court on Human Rights and had applied principally in the contexts of criminal defense and administrative law. Part V also explains how the E.C.J. used this concept to impose E.U. procedural law on the determination of the location of a debtor's CoMI and the resulting proper national venue for its insolvency. Part VI examines the substantive insolvency law issues that the Eurofood-E.C.J. decision addressed and the procedural issues apart from those involved in the "equality of arms" analysis. Part VII contains concluding remarks.
Anchoring and degradation of glycolipid-anchored membrane proteins by L929 versus by LM-TK- mouse fibroblasts: implications for anchor biosynthesis.

Abstract Although many cells anchor surface proteins via moieties that are sensitive to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), the anchor moieties of surface proteins of mouse L929 cells resist PI-PLC. By constructing stable hybrids between L929 and lymphoma cells that express glycolipid-anchored proteins in a PI-PLC-sensitive form, we show that PI-PLC resistance behaves as a recessive trait. Since putative mannolipid precursors of the lipid anchors bear alkali-labile substituents which make them resist PI-PLC, these observations are most simply interpreted by postulating that L929 lacks a critical anchor deacylase. Unlike the L929 cell line, two of its descendants, the LM cell line and its thymidine kinase-negative variant (LM-TK-), do not express glycolipid-anchored proteins on their surface. Moreover, unlike L929 cells, LM-TK- cells rapidly inactivate at least one lipid-anchored enzyme in a compartment sensitive to acidotropic amines and leupeptin. By fusion of LM-TK- cells to mouse Thy-1- lymphoma mutants and monitoring of surface expression of lipid-anchored proteins, we assign LM-TK- to lymphoma mutant complementation group H. This genetic assignment is matched by analysis of mannolipids of L929, LM-TK-, wild-type, and class H lymphoma mutant cells: striking similarities are seen between the two wild-type cells by contrast to the mutants. Since the differences pertain to lipids which have properties consistent with their being anchor precursors, we suggest that LM-TK- has a lesion in the synthesis of anchor precursor mannolipids.
Influence of ecology and landscape on snake road mortality in a sagebrush‐steppe ecosystem

Roads fragment our landscape, posing a severe threat to the persistence of wildlife populations through losses of individuals to direct mortality and decreased connectivity. Although they possess a particular suite of life history characteristics that make them especially vulnerable, snakes tend to be underrepresented in research examining vertebrate road mortality. Here, we report a statistical analysis of snake mortality along a 183-km road circuit in sagebrush-steppe habitat located in southeastern Idaho. We describe differential road mortality across snake species, season, sex and age. We also analyze both fine-scale and broad-scale habitat measurements to identify various habitat and landscape factors associated with snake road mortality. Our results show clearly that snake road mortality is influenced by interactions among demographic, ecological and temporal factors. Vagile species and life stages were particularly vulnerable to road mortality during periods of peak activity. Gophersnakes dominated our road observations, with adult male mortality peaking in spring and high casualties of neonates in the fall. Snake crossings were especially common along roadsides with high vegetative cover, in areas dominated by non-native grasses. These results suggest the potential for snake populations to become fragmented over time, and that habitat conversion and species invasions may be compounding this effect. This study suggests that conservation efforts need to account for inter- and intraspecific differences in road mortality risk and provides guidance for roadside management that may serve to minimize vertebrate mortality on roads.
Nonlinear Aeroelastic Scaled-Model Design

A systematic approach for aeroelastic scaled-model design is developed. The method optimizes an incremental number of vibration eigenpairs, buckling eigenpairs, and optionally a linear static response of scaled models to match the scaled values of a target full-scale aircraft. A method for matching scaled modal mass, a required scaling parameter, is developed. The sources of local optima are identified and a tiered global-search-optimization procedure is incorporated. The approach is demonstrated on a joined-wing scaled-model-design problem. Costly nonlinear analysis is omitted from the evaluation of the objective function and constraints for optimization. The results produced scaled models that closely replicate the geometrically nonlinear target aeroelastic behavior.
An analytical model of sub-Alfvénic moon-plasma interactions with application to the hemisphere coupling effect

We develop a new analytical model of the Alfven wing that is generated by the interaction between a planetary moon's ionosphere and its magnetospheric environment. While preceding analytical approaches assumed the obstacle's height-integrated ionospheric conductivities to be spatially constant, the model presented here can take into account a continuous conductance profile that follows a power law. The electric potential in the interaction region, determining the electromagnetic fields of the Alfven wing, can then be calculated from an Euler-type differential equation. In this way, the model allows to include a realistic representation of the “suspension bridge”-like conductance profile expected for the moon's ionosphere. The major drawback of this approach is its restriction to interaction scenarios where the ionospheric Pedersen conductance is large compared to the Hall conductance, and thus, the Alfvenic perturbations are approximately symmetric between the planet-facing and the planet-averted hemispheres of the moon. The model is applied to the hemisphere coupling effect observed at Enceladus, i.e., to the surface currents and the associated magnetic discontinuities that arise from a north-south asymmetry of the obstacle to the plasma flow. We show that the occurrence of this effect is very robust against changes in the conductance profile of Enceladus' plume, and we derive upper limits for the strength of the magnetic field jumps generated by the hemisphere coupling effect. During all 11 reported detections of the hemisphere coupling currents at Enceladus, the observed magnetic field jumps were clearly weaker than the proposed limits. Our findings are also relevant for future in situ studies of putative plumes at the Jovian moon Europa.
Dopamine D4 receptor activation controls circadian timing of the adenylyl cyclase 1/cyclic AMP signaling system in mouse retina

In the mammalian retina, dopamine binding to the dopamine D4 receptor affects a light-sensitive pool of cyclic AMP by negatively coupling to the type 1 adenylyl cyclase. The type 1 adenylyl cyclase is the primary enzyme controlling cyclic AMP production in dark-adapted photoreceptors. A previous study demonstrated that expression of the gene encoding the type 1 adenylyl cyclase, Adcy1, is down regulated in mice lacking Drd4, the gene encoding the dopamine D4 receptor. The present investigation provides evidence that dopamine D4 receptor activation entrains the circadian rhythm of Adcy1 mRNA expression. Diurnal and circadian rhythms of Drd4 and Adcy1 mRNA levels were observed in wild type mouse retina. Also, rhythms in the Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and cyclic AMP levels were observed. However, these rhythmic activities were damped or undetectable in mice lacking the dopamine D4 receptor. Pharmacologically activating the dopamine D4 receptor 4 hrs before its normal stimulation at light onset in the morning advances the phase of the Adcy1 mRNA expression pattern. These data demonstrate that stimulating the dopamine D4 receptor is essential in maintaining the normal rhythmic production of the type 1 adenylyl cyclase from transcript to enzyme activity. Thus, dopamine/dopamine D4 receptor signaling is a novel zeitgeber that entrains the rhythm of Adcy1 expression and, consequently, modulates the rhythmic synthesis of cyclic AMP in mouse retina.
Studies on monoclonal antibody production by a hybridoma cell line (C1E3) immobilised in a fixed bed, porosphere culture system

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of fixed beds of macroporous glass spheres as a production process for animal cell products. The growth, metabolism and monoclonal antibody expression of a mouse-mouse hybridoma cell line was investigated in order to both test the potential of and to optimise the system. After the initial growth phase, the culture went into a steady-state phase brought on by glutamine limitation. An event occurred after 120–160 h of steady-state operation which destabilised the culture, causing a decline in productivity, after which the culture recovered. This event was analysed in detail to determine its cause, and whether a major switch in metabolic function had occurred. The parameter which correlated most closely to antibody production rate was oxygen, but as this was kept constant in the void medium of the bed it has to be concluded that oxygen diffusion into the spheres was the regulatory factor. A comparison of the fixed bed and a flask culture identified interesting differences in glucose metabolism between the two systems. The data gave strong indications as to how the productivity of the fixed bed system can be further improved. This includes optimisation of the glutamine concentration and modifying the porous structure of the spheres to improve diffusion characteristics.
“Necessarily various”: Body Politics and Discursive Ethics in Wollstonecraft’s The Wrongs of Woman

Wollstonecraft’s The Wrongs of Woman: or, Maria is a generic hybrid, a multivocal fiction delivered in a highly condensed, almost allegorical manner that occasionally verges on the uncanny. Although the relevance of Wrongs to the issue of women’s rights has long been recognized, its engagement with the political debates of 1796 has not. In this essay, I argue that to understand the feminist politics of Wrongs, we need to attend to the text’s historicity – its commitment to a radical politics of communication that in the end, constitutes not just an historical but an ethical alternative to the bellicose, anti‐democratic polemics of Burke’s Two Letters on a Regicide Peace (1796).
A Simplified indicator-dilution technic for the localization of left-to-right circulatory shunts. An experimental and clinical study of intravenous injection with right heart sampling.

Indicator-dilution curves recorded from a systemic artery after injection in the right heart may show the presence of a left-to-right shunt but will not localize it. Injections into the left side of the heart with arterial sampling or into the pulmonary artery with right heart sampling provide accurate and sensitive methods for localization but the technics are inconvenient and sometimes impossible to apply. A simplified indicator method for the localization of left-to-right circulatory shunts is described.
Living Arrangements of the Elderly in Fiji, Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines

Using logit techniques and data from surveys of the elderly conducted in 1984 under the auspices of the World Health Organization, this article investigates socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic determinants of living arrangements of the elderly. Having a spouse or children with whom to live has important effects on living arrangements. The results provide only weak support, however, for hypotheses based on modernization theory and point to the need for detailed data on transitions in living arrangements and for information about the younger generation as well as the older generation, both of which are involved in deciding who lives with whom.
Sunitinib reduces recurrent pelvic adhesions in a rabbit model.

Abstract Background Adhesions represent a major problem after abdominal and pelvic procedures. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of sunitinib (Sutent, SU11248), a Food and Drug Administration-approved receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on recurrent pelvic adhesion formation after pelvic adhesiolysis in a rabbit model. Materials and methods A total of 20 New Zealand white rabbits underwent a uterine abrasion procedure, followed by an adhesiolysis procedure 4 weeks later. Before adhesiolysis, the rabbits were randomized to sunitinib at 10 mg/kg/d or placebo. These were administered as 1 dose preoperatively followed by 10 doses postoperatively. The rabbits were killed 30 d after the adhesiolysis procedure. At death, the adhesions were scored, and a total adhesion score (presented as the median and interquartile range [IQR]) was calculated according to the percentage of uterine involvement and the tenacity of the adhesions. Results All the rabbits survived the operative procedures without complications. The sunitinib-treated rabbits (n = 10) had a significantly lower uterine involvement score (median 2.0, IQR 1.0–3.0) than the placebo-treated rabbits (median 4.0, IQR 3.0–4.0; P = 0.02). The sunitinib-treated rabbits also had median tenacity score of 3.0 (IQR 3.0–4.0) compared with a median of 4.0 (IQR 4.0–4.0; P = 0.04) in the placebo-treated rabbits (n = 10). The median total score in the sunitinib-treated rabbits was 5.0 (IQR 4.0–6.25) compared with 8.0 (IQR 6.75, 8.0) in the placebo-treated rabbits (P = 0.01). Conclusions Sunitinib treatment might be an efficacious strategy to reduce recurrent adhesion formation after pelvic procedures.
The Metasternal Glands of the Ant, Myrmica Rubra, with Special Reference to the Golgi Bodies and the Intracellular Canaliculi

Golgi bodies and intracellular canaliculi have been observed in cells having secretory function (Beams &; King, ’32, a, b, ’33). The purpose of this paper is to report the presence of these structures in the metasternal glands of ants. These glands are paired organs located in the posterior region of the thorax and open to the outside through orifices located near the pleural-sternal margins of the metathorax. They were observed first by Meinert (1860) and later Lubbock (1879), Janet (1898) and Emery directed some attention to their gross structure. These glands are peculiar to the ants and are present in all of the castes. The function of these glands is not known although Janet suggested that they might be involved in the production of the nest odor which enables an ant to recognize members of its own colony.
Variational methods in phononics

Three fundamental variational principles used for solving elastodynamic eigenvalue problems are studied within the context of elastic wave propagation in periodic composites (phononics). We study the convergence of the eigenvalue problems resulting from the displacement Rayleigh quotient, the stress Rayleigh quotient and the mixed quotient. The convergence rates of the three quotients are found to be related to the continuity and differentiability of the density and compliance variation over the unit cell. In general, the mixed quotient converges faster than both the displacement Rayleigh and the stress Rayleigh quotients, however, there exist special cases where either the displacement Rayleigh or the stress Rayleigh quotient shows the exact same convergence as the mixed-method. We show that all methods converge faster for smoother material property variations, but when density variation is rough, the difference between the mixed quotient and stress Rayleigh quotient is higher and similarly, when compliance variation is rough, the difference between the mixed quotient and displacement Rayleigh quotient is higher. Since eigenvalue problems such as those considered in this paper tend to be highly computationally intensive, it is expected that these results will lead to fast and efficient algorithms in the areas of phononics and photonics.
Surgical Management of Concomitant Carotid and Coronary Artery Occlusive Disease

The management of concomitant coronary and carotid disease is controversial. We report our experience of simultaneous coronary artery bypass surgery and carotid artery endarterectomy on 70 consecutive patients (34 males and 36 females) with a mean age of 68 years. The oldest patient was 91 years old. The average percent of carotid artery stenosis was 86% (range 60%–99%). The average number of grafts per patient was 3.35 (range 1–6). Two patients experienced postoperative strokes (2.86%), 1 had a perioperative infarct (1.42%), and 4 died in the hospital (5.7%). The simultaneous approach offers the advantage of shorter hospital stays, decreased anesthesia exposure, and significant cost savings. The causes of death include stroke, renal failure, and bowel infarction. This review indicates the simultaneous approach has a higher incidence of adverse outcomes compared with elective carotid endarterectomy or elective coronary artery bypass surgery. These patients, however, are at significantly higher risk due to their poor medical conditions, extensive atheromatous disease, and often emergent medical condition.
Connectivity, persistence and fault diagnosis of interconnection networks based on O k and 2 O k graphs

Abstract Various fault-tolerance performance parameters including enumeration of openly disjoint paths, persistence, and resilience of odd graphs Ok and their doubly bipartite derivatives, 2Ok, are analyzed in this paper. Using a remarkable partitioning property of these graphs, we propose an efficient semi-distributed fault-diagnosis scheme for these networks. It is shown through the performance parameters that both Ok and 2Ok graphs have a high degree of fault tolerance and allow efficient fault diagnosis which make these networks comparable or even superior to some other well-known dense networks.
Comparative study of Aureobasidium pullulans, A. prunorum sp.nov. and Trichosporon pullulans

The morphology, pigment production, and substrate utilization by strains o Trichosporon pullulans, Aureobasidium pullulons and A. prunorum have been studied. Although T. pullulans and A. pullulans are morphologically distinct, the strains of both species utilized similar substrates aerobically. None of the strains were able to ferment. A. prunorum was morphologically and physiologically distinct from the other two species and is described as new.
Plasma membrane effects of salicyclic acid treatment on cultured rose cells

Abstract To test the hypothesis that salicylic acid serves as a signal compound in the chain of events by which cultured rose cells respond to u.v.-C radiation and Phytophthora cell-wall elicitor, we tested the effect of added salicylate on various plasma membrane-related functions of the cells. Sodium salicylate at 1 mM increased K + efflux, inhibited the reduction of ferricyanide, and stimulated the synthesis of H 2 O 2 by the cells. Long-term incubation of cells in nutrient agar containing 1 mM salicylate was lethal, although a 6-hr treatment with salicylate, followed by plating, did not reduce plating efficiency. The effects of salicylate on ferricyanide reduction and plating were not observed with m -hydroxybenzoate and p -hydroxybenzoate, two isomers of salicylate; in contrast, the effects on K + efflux and H 2 O 2 synthesis were more pronounced with m -hydroxybenzoate than with salicylate. Neither u.v.-C radiation nor elicitor treatment results in an accumulation of salicylic acid in rose cells, leading to the conclusion that salicylic acid does not serve as a signal compound in the responses of rose cells to these stressors.
Failure analysis of a thermal tile on the space shuttle Columbia

Several high-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI) tiles from the space shuttle Columbia were analyzed for their response to the catastrophic events during re-entry. The analysis of the HRSI tile focused on the outer surface, which was composed of silica tile with a reaction-cured glass (RCG) coating, and the inner surface strain isolation pad, which is bonded to the tile using a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone adhesive. Light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to evaluate the tile surfaces. The tiles were found to have a heavily damaged outer surface, with much of the top RCG coating eroded by impact from shuttle debris and/or plasma flow during the shuttle’s breakup and re-entry. The RCG experienced slumping and the silica exhibited melting and glassification due to temperatures exceeding the glass transition temperature and the anticipated tile operating temperatures. Deep cavities present in the material were found to contain metal particles that are not normally present and suggest impact with shuttle debris. Silicone adhesive degradation was also found. The slumping of the silica, the degraded adhesive, and the erosion of the tile contributed to a complex process during which the individual tile delaminated from the shuttle airframe.
Thermocapillary Convection of Low Prandtl Number Fluids under Uniform Magnetic Fields

Numerical simulations on thermocapillary convection of low Pr number molten tin under uniform magnetic field have been conducted under microgravity. The Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the energy conservation equation are solved on a staggered grid, and the free surface is captured by using the level set method. The present results show that the transverse uniform magnetic field can restrain the thermocapillary convection, and the fluid velocity at the hot corner fluctuates with a constant frequency at the steady state.
Evanescent amplification in a single-mode optical fibre

By replacing a portion of the cladding of a single-mode fibre with a laser dye, amplification can be achieved by means of an evanescent field interaction. External gains as high as 22 dB have been measured by guiding both a pulsed pump and CW signal within the single-mode fibre.
SU‐FF‐T‐338: Comparison Between Proton and Neutron Dose Distributions From Single‐Scattering and Dual‐Scattering Systems in Ocular Proton Therapy

Purpose: Typically, ocular proton treatment nozzles use a single‐scattering (SS) flattening filter design to achieve lateral spreading of a raw pencil‐beam to create a flat field. This approach has the advantage of simplicity but at the cost of proton efficiency, η. It is expected, though never demonstrated, that a more efficient, dual‐scattering (DS) flattening filter design may possess several advantages. Method and Materials: A proton nozzle with the SS filter design was modeled in Monte Carlo(MC)radiation transport software. Simulations of this nozzle provided in‐field proton absorbed dose distributions in water, D, and the neutrondose equivalent values, H, outside of the field, which were subsequently benchmarked to published measurements. Then, a proposed nozzle was modeled that uses a DS filter design. Simulations of the SS and DS nozzles were conducted to investigate differences in several figures‐of‐merit including the distal 80%–20% falloff l D80–20 and neutrondose equivalence per therapy Gray (H/D) distributions. Other figures‐of‐merit presented will include the field uniformity U, therapeuticdose rate Ddot, and the 80–20% lateral penumbral width l L80–20. Results: The simulations and measurements of the proton absorbed dose distributions from the SS nozzle agreed to within 2% or 0.1 mm. The shape of the measured and simulated H/D values as a function of distance from isocenter perpendicular to the beam agreed within 3%. The distal falloff width was expectedly narrower from the DS nozzle by 2.5 mm. The simulations revealed that the DS design yields substantially lower H/D values (between 0.3–0.6 times the SS values). This is partially attributed to the DS design's increased peak dose per proton.Conclusion: The DS flattening filter design may offer clinical advantages when compared to the SS filter design, including a sharper distal falloff, Ddot, and decreased H/D values.
Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

Acamprosate (calcium acetylhomotaurine) is an amino acid modulator that has displayed efficacy in some clinical trials in reducing craving and promoting abstinence in alcohol dependent patients following detoxification. While acamprosate is safe and generally well-tolerated, not all studies have demonstrated clinical efficacy that is superior to placebo. In addition, the precise neurochemical mechanisms of action of acamprosate have still not yet been identified. In this review, we summarize current clinical data on the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of acamprosate, as well theories on its potential mechanism of action. We also discuss tolerability and patient preference issues and conclude with a discussion of the place of acamprosate in addiction medicine and therapy.
The Role of the Intestinal Tract in the Elimination of Carbon Tetrachloride

Abstract The target organ toxicity, mechanisms of toxicity, and metabolism of carbon tetrachioride (CCl 4 ) have been studied extensively. However, there is a paucity of information concerning its elimination. Previous inhalation studies showed that a significant amount of 14 C appeared in the feces of rats and monkeys exposed to 14 CCl 4 . The nature of the compound(s) excreted in the feces has not been well characterized. Fecai excretion is a major route of elimination for many lipophilic compounds that are resistant to metabolism. A mechanism of excretion for these compounds is the direct exsorption from the blood to the lumen of the intestinal tract. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if fecal elimination contributes significantly to the elimination of CCl 4 . The secondary purpose was to determine the mechanism (biliary and/or nonbiliary, i.e., direct exsorption) of fecal elimination of CCl 4 and/or its metabolite(s) in Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicate that both biliary and nonbiliary mechanisms contribute to the fecal elimination of CCl 4 following a single iv dose (1 mmol/kg), but this route accounts for less than 1% of the administered dose. The results also indicate that CCl 4 is not eliminated unchanged in the feces following either acute treatment (iv or ip) or repeated inhalation exposures. Fecal elimination of CCl 4 does not significantly contribute to the overall elimination of CCl 4 .
The bull's eye view in slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

The bull's eye technique is a simple method to check the pin position in patients undergoing pinning for slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
PuppetX: a framework for gestural interactions with user constructed playthings

We present PuppetX, a framework for both constructing playthings and playing with them using spatial body and hand gestures. This framework allows users to construct various playthings similar to puppets with modular components representing basic geometric shapes. It is topologically-aware, i.e. depending on its configuration; PuppetX automatically determines its own topological construct. Once the plaything is made the users can interact with them naturally via body and hand gestures as detected by depth-sensing cameras. This gives users the freedom to create playthings using our components and the ability to control them using full body interactions. Our framework creates affordances for a new variety of gestural interactions with physically constructed objects. As its by-product, a virtual 3D model is created, which can be animated as a proxy to the physical construct. Our algorithms can recognize hand and body gestures in various configurations of the playthings. Through our work, we push the boundaries of interaction with user-constructed objects using large gestures involving the whole body or fine gestures involving the fingers. We discuss the results of a study to understand how users interact with the playthings and conclude with a demonstration of the abilities of gestural interactions with PuppetX by exploring a variety of interaction scenarios.
Propylene glycol produces excessive apoptosis in the developing mouse brain, alone and in combination with phenobarbital.

Propylene glycol (PG) is a common solvent used in medical preparations. It is generally recognized as safe at regulated concentrations; however, its apoptotic potential is unknown. PG triggered widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration with the greatest damage at postnatal day 7 (P7). Significant apoptosis was observed at doses as low as 2 ml/kg. These findings have implications for the safety of drug preparations used in pediatric medicine. The anticonvulsant phenobarbital (PB), which alone produces apoptosis in the immature central nervous system (CNS) is prepared in 68% PG and 10% ethanol (EtOH). We assessed whether PG contributes to the neurotoxic potential of PB. The agents (both at subtoxic doses) produce significantly more apoptosis when used in combination. In conclusion, finding an alternative non-apoptotic solvent that can be used as a substitute for PG may be beneficial to patients. C57BL/6 mice (P4–30) were exposed to PG to examine whether PG could produce apoptosis in the developing CNS.
Thermal decomposition of dimethyllaurylamine oxide

The principal reaction during thermal decom-position of dimethyllaurylamine oxide is deoxy-genation to dimethyllaurylamine; 1-dodecene is also formed. The rates of amine oxide decomposi-tion have been determined in the range of 80-100C. Interpretation of the kinetic data shows that deoxygenation is a primary decomposition process. Comparison of the energy and entropy of activation for olefin formation (36.3 kcal, 12.4 e.u.) and amine formation (20.6 kcal, -30.8 e.u.) shows that these are competing processes with different transition states.
THE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS

THE RAPID growth of the size of commercial banks during the last twenty years has emphasized the need for delegating responsibility and authority; this requires an effective organizational structure. The general objective of this research is to contribute to the understanding of bank organization toward the end of improving the efficiency of these institutions. The research consisted of detailed case studies covering ten midwestern banks ranging in size from $13,000,000 to $130,000,000 in deposits. The case studies were supplemented with personal interviews of over two hundred bank authorities, officers, and employees. The bank personality is a complex of several elements which, in interaction, give the bank a distinct individuality and partially determine the suitable organization structure. Size and other physical characteristics of the bank set certain requirements for the organization structure as conditioned by the history, traditions, and reputation of the bank. The nature of the market served by the bank determines the specific functions performed within the bank and provides the basis of departmentation. Finally, the human resources of the bank are an important consideration. These factors indicate that there is no one ideal organization structure suitable for all banks. The bank boards were found to function in four ways: they decide, confirm, counsel, and review. The research indicated that the informal relationships are often much more important than the formally defined functions. Important decisions are seldom made in the actual board meetings. The formal confirmation of management proposals was found to be unanimous by the board in practically all instances because of prior informal discussions between the board and top management. The chief executive is in a strategic position to influence the board of directors by selecting the problems brought before the board for action and the factual information supplied to the board.
Life Assessment of Full-Scale EDS Vessel Under Impulsive Loadings

The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) was developed by Sandia National Laboratories for the US Army Product Manager for Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel (PMNSCM) to destroy recovered, explosively configured, chemical munitions. PMNSCM currently has five EDS units that have processed over 1,400 items. The system uses linear and conical shaped charges to open munitions and attack the burster followed by chemical treatment of the agent. The main component of the EDS is a stainless steel, cylindrical vessel, which contains the explosion and the subsequent chemical treatment. Extensive modeling and testing have been used to design and qualify the vessel for different applications and conditions. The high explosive (HE) pressure histories and subsequent vessel response (strain histories) are modeled using the analysis codes CTH and LS-DYNA, respectively. Using the model results, a load rating for the EDS is determined based on design guidance provided in the ASME Code, Sect. VIII, Div. 3, Code Case No. 2564. One of the goals is to assess and understand the vessel’s capacity in containing a wide variety of detonation sequences at various load levels. Of particular interest are to know the total number of detonation events at the rated load that can be processed inside each vessel, and a maximum load (such as that arising from an upset condition) that can be contained without causing catastrophic failure of the vessel. This paper will discuss application of Code Case 2564 to the stainless steel EDS vessels, including a fatigue analysis using a J-R curve, vessel response to extreme upset loads, and the effects of strain hardening from successive events.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Quadrupole strong focusing transport for a Ka-band coupled cavity traveling wave tube amplifier

A proof-of-principle research effort is presented to demonstrate the benefits of using a permanent magnet quadrupole focusing lattice to increase the beam current in a TWT. Recent work by researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory indicated the significant potential of such an approach. A simulation study is presented using the AFRL ICEPIC code and the SAIC/NRL MICHELLE code.
Evaluation of Storage Tank Floating Roofs for Stress and Stability Due to Earthquake Induced Liquid Sloshing

Considerable interest has developed in the engineering community concerning the damage to the floating roof of oil storage tanks due to liquid sloshing from earthquake loading. Engineering groups in countries bordering the circum-Pacific seismic belt in particular are devoting extensive efforts to obtaining solutions capable of identifying vulnerable roof designs and developing modifications to improve strength. The recent efforts of the Japanese Fire Disaster and Management Authority (FDMA) as a result of 1995 Kobe and the 2003 Tokachi-Oki earthquakes are examples of recent work in this area. This paper focuses on efforts to analyze floating roof structures for stress and stability under typical earthquake velocity spectrums using advanced finite element methods. It employs ideas included in the Japanese FDMA studies, work done as part of the ASCE Committee on Gas and Liquid Fuel Lifelines, and some original methods developed at ExxonMobil. It has been applied to several tank designs and been submitted as a suitable advance analysis method to the Japanese FDMA. The paper provides both the theoretical foundation as well as an example covering typical tank geometry.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Low power laser irradiation alters gene expression of olfactory ensheathing cells in vitro.

Background and Objectives Both photobiomodulation (PBM) and olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) transplantation improve recovery following spinal cord injury. However, neither the combination of these two therapies nor the effect of light on OECs has been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of light on OEC activity in vitro. Materials and Methods OECs were purified from adult rat olfactory bulbs and exposed to 810 nm light (150 mW; 0, 0.2, or 68 J/cm2). After 7–21 days in vitro, cells underwent immunocytochemistry or RNA extraction and RT-PCR. Results Analysis of immunolabeling revealed a significant decrease in fibronectin expression in the cultures receiving 68 J/cm2. Analysis of gene expression revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and collagen expression in the 0.2 J/cm2 group in comparison to the non-irradiated and 68 J/cm2 groups. OEC proliferation was also found to significantly increase in both light treated groups in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions These results demonstrate that low and high dosages of PBM alter OEC activity, including upregulation of a number of neurotrophic growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins known to support neurite outgrowth. Therefore, the application of PBM in conjunction with OEC transplantation warrants consideration as a potential combination therapy for spinal cord injury. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Atmospheric chemistry of sulfuryl fluoride: reaction with OH radicals, Cl atoms and O3, atmospheric lifetime, IR spectrum, and global warming potential.

Sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) is a radiatively active industrial chemical released into the atmosphere in significant (ktonne/year) quantities. The potential for SO2F2 to contribute to radiative forcing of climate change needs to be assessed. Long path length FTIR/smog chamber techniques were used to investigate the kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms, OH radicals, and O3 with SO2F2, in 700 Torr total pressure of air or N2 at 296 ± 1 K. Upper limits of k(Cl + SO2F2) < 9 × 10−19, k(OH + SO2F2) < 1.7 × 10−14 and k(O3 + SO2F2) < 5.5 × 10−24 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 were determined. Reaction with Cl atoms, OH radicals, or O3 does not provide an efficient removal mechanism for SO2F2. The infrared spectrum of SO2F2 is reported and a radiative efficiency of 0.196 W m−2 ppbv−1 was calculated. Historic production data estimates are presented which provide an upper limit for expected atmospheric concentrations. The radiative forcing of climate change associated with emissions of SO2F2 depends critically on the at...