cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The radar antenna—Circa 1995

Abstract This paper reviews some of the current interests in radar antennas, including work conducted at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Almost all types of antennas have been used in radar, but it is the phased array which has received the most attention in recent years, especially for military applications. Methods for making phased arrays more affordable are discussed, as well as the potential of ferroelectric phased arrays, diode lens arrays (Radant antenna), agile plasma mirror, phased arrays employing fiber optics, and antennas for ultra-wideband radar. Also briefly mentioned are several areas where further radar antenna development might be indicated.
On Sustainability and the Economics of Survival

This paper investigates the implications of sustainability and survival strategies for economic analysis. It reviews connections between the approaches used by economists and biological scientists in the study of survival. The paper emphasizes the role of irreversibility and uncertainty in the investigation of sustainability issues. Implications of the results for the analysis of economic behavior are discussed.
An inelastic multi-mechanism constitutive equation for cerebral arterial tissue.

Intracranial aneurysms (ICA) are abnormal saccular dilations of cerebral arteries, commonly found at apices of arterial bifurcations and outer walls of curved arterial segments. Histological evidence suggests the stages in ICA development include the deformation of a segment of arterial wall into a “bleb” with no identifiable neck region followed by the development of an aneurysm with a clear neck. Afterwards, the aneurysm may undergo further enlargement, possibly with significant biological response including calcification and thrombosis. Past studies of the biomechanics of cerebral aneurysm tissue have been directed at modeling elastic deformations of pre-existing aneurysms. Taking this approach, the aneurysm wall is treated as a different entity than the arterial tissue from which it developed. In the current work, a nonlinear, inelastic, dual-mechanism constitutive equation for cerebral arterial tissue is developed. It is the first to model the recruitment of collagen fibers and degradation of the internal elastic lamina, two important characteristics of early stage aneurysm formation.
Exact Analysis of Variance with Unequal Variances: Test Procedures and Tables

The level and power of the usual F-test for the r-way layout in analysis of variance (ANOVA) are vitiated when the assumption of equality of error variances is violated. We present procedures, with tables and approximations needed for implementation, which give exact tests with power and level completley independent of the unknown variances. Thus. the assumption of equal variances may be dropped.
The “GD&T Knowledge Gap” in Industry

Mechanical designs in industry typically do not include adequate specification of allowable part geometry variation. Poorly applied Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), ambiguous plus/minus location or orientation controls, and sometimes no variation specifications (only a 3D CAD body) are commonly all that is done. Since improper specifications cause confusion, and since functional requirements are likely either more precise, or less precise, than the manufacturing process will deliver, excessive costs of dealing with geometry variation result. Specifications which unambiguously capture the functional needs of critical part features, combined with properly gathered and consistently reported measurement data would provide a competitive advantage for any company producing a precise mechanical product. The need to capture functional requirements, and also the improved part designs that result when thinking includes the cost & quality issues clarified by GD&T makes this subject an important element of design focused mechanical engineering education. Especially when tolerance analysis and measurement process quality considerations are included, there is sufficient academic rigor to justify additional coursework. The critical seed needed to remedy industry’s knowledge gap regarding dimensional specifications and associated data is to include two academic quarters of GD&T and Dimensional Management design electives as part of every mechanical engineering curriculum.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Using Artificial Neural Network to Determine Favorable Wheelchair Tilt and Recline Usage in People with Spinal Cord Injury: Training ANN with Genetic Algorithm to Improve Generalization

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at risk for pressure ulcers because of their poor motor function and consequent prolonged sitting in wheelchairs. The current clinical practice typically uses the wheelchair tilt and recline to attain specific seating angles (sitting postures) to reduce seating pressure in order to prevent pressure ulcers. The rationale is to allow the development of reactive hyperemia to re-perfuse the ischemic tissues. However, our study reveals that a particular tilt and recline setting may result in a significant increase of skin perfusion for one person with SCI, but may cause neutral or even negative effect on another person. Therefore, an individualized guidance on wheelchair tilt and recline usage is desirable in people with various levels of SCI. In this study, we intend to demonstrate the feasibility of using machine-learning techniques to classify and predict favorable wheelchair tilt and recline settings for individual wheelchair users with SCI. Specifically, we use artificial neural networks (ANNs) to classify whether a given tilt and recline setting would cause a positive, neutral, or negative skin perfusion response. The challenge, however, is that ANN is prone to over fitting, a situation in which ANN can perfectly classify the existing data while cannot correctly classify new (unseen) data. We investigate using the genetic algorithm (GA) to train ANN to reduce the chance of converging on local optima and improve the generalization capability of classifying unseen data. Our experimental results indicate that the GA-based ANN significantly improves the generalization ability and outperforms the traditional statistical approach and other commonly used classification techniques, such as BP-based ANN and support vector machine (SVM). To the best of our knowledge, there are no such intelligent systems available now. Our research fills in the gap in existing evidence.
Photopolymerizations of Thiol−Ene Polymers without Photoinitiators

A thiol monomer is shown to copolymerize with vinyl ether, allyl, acrylate, methacrylate, and vinylbenzene monomers. These thiol−ene polymerizations are photoinitiated without the use of photoinitiator molecules. It is seen that the polymerization proceeds more readily when initiatorless samples are irradiated with light centered around 254 nm as compared to 365 nm light. To demonstrate resistance to oxygen inhibition, thin polymer films of 3−15 μm are polymerized while exposed to ambient air. Without photoinitiator molecules present, light is attenuated only by the monomer and polymer. This feature leads to greater penetration of ultraviolet light and allows for the polymerization of extremely thick polymers. Thick cures of up to 25 in. are obtained using a thiol−vinyl ether system.
Induction of Glyoxylate Cycle Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Fasting Response throughout Larval Development†

The mRNA and the bifunctional protein for the two glyoxylate cycle (GC) enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, are expressed in a tissue- and stage-specific pattern in Caenorhabditis elegans. Since expression of the two enzymes for the carbon-conserving glyoxylate cycle is regulated by the availability of carbon sources in microorganisms, we have studied the bifunctional GCP gene expression under fasting conditions and in certain mutants of C. elegans in order to understand possible mechanisms regulating its expression during nematode development. The GCP mRNA and protein levels were elevated in early larvae which were never fed, a result consistent with previous enzyme activity measurements (Khan, F.R., & McFadden, B.A. (1982) Exp. Parasitol. 54, 48-54]. However, larvae of later stages also expressed higher levels of GCP mRNA and protein when they were shifted from normal to fasting growing conditions. The GCP expression appeared to be regulated primarily at the transcriptional level throughout development. Although the expression of both the GCP gene and lin-14 peaks at about the same time during development and are induced by fasting, the regulation of the GCP gene is independent of the heterochronic lin-14 control mechanism of postembryonic lineages, as demonstrated by the fact that there was no significant change of the GCP at both mRNA and protein levels in the heterochronic lin-4 (lf) and lin-14 (gf) mutants compared to the wild type.
Frequency modulation spectroscopy in a particle-forming environment for the detection of SiH2

Abstract Frequency modulation (FM) spectroscopy using a tunable ring-dye laser has been demonstrated on the SiH 2 reaction intermediate in a shock tube. The silylene radical is a critical species for the study of silane chemistry, the flame synthesis of materials, and the chemical vapor deposition of silicon. However, the detection of SiH 2 using laser absorption techniques is complicated by the presence of condensing particles that are present in the flow fields of interest. In the present application of FM spectroscopy, the modulation frequency is higher than normally employed, allowing one sideband to be well off the peak, despite the broad lineshape of the r Q 0,4 (4) line in the A ˜ – X ˜ ( 0 , 2 , 0 ) – ( 0 , 0 , 0 ) band. A calibration method has been developed to directly obtain the absolute absorption for individual time histories, independent of normal drift in the FM signal level. In addition to increasing sensitivity, the FM approach has eliminated signal contributions from particle formation that could previously dominate the long-time profile. Due to a dramatic reduction of beam-steering effects, the temporal resolution near time zero has been increased. Silylene absorption traces were obtained from SiH 4 and Si 2 H 6 mixtures highly diluted in argon and reflected-shock heated to temperatures between 1070 and 1610 K. Minimum detection sensitivities well below 0.05% absorption were demonstrated, corresponding to 2 . The results show that kinetic-rate and lineshape-model revisions are necessary to fit the data.
Comparison of penalties resulting from first-order and all-order polarization mode dispersion distortions in optical fiber transmission systems.

We compare the eye-opening penalty from a first-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD) model with that from an all-order PMD model in optical fiber transmission systems. Evaluating the performance by taking into account only first-order PMD produces a good approximation of the true eye-opening penalty of uncompensated systems when the penalty is low. However, when the penalties are high, this model overestimates the penalty for outage probabilities in the range of interest for systems designers, which is typically approximately 10-5 to 10-6.
THE REVERSIBILITY OF OBSTRUCTIVE CHANGES IN SEVERE CHILDHOOD ASTHMA.

Apparently symptom-free asthmatic children may have bronchial obstruction whichcan be overcome by vigorous bronchodilator therapy. Severe asthma uncomplicated by repeated infection in 10 children has not led to emphysema that can be detected by pulmonary function tests. An increased residual volume in 3 of these children may be due to changes in the chest wall.
Alterations in cytosolic free calcium in the cat cortex during bicuculline-induced epilepsy

Abstract Influx of calcium ion (Ca ++ ) into the neurons has recently been implicated in the generation of seizure activity. Utilizing indo-1, a fluorescent Ca ++ indicator, changes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca ++ ]i), NAD/NADH redox state and hemodynamics were simultaneously measured in vivo from the cat cortex during bicuculline-induced seizure activity. A ratio of indo-1-Ca ++ fluorescence at 400 and 506 nm during ultraviolet excitation (340 nm) was utilized as a measure of changes in [Ca ++ ]i. Alterations in the NAD/NADH redox state and local cortical blood volume (ICBV) were assessed at 464 nm and 340 nm, respectively. Local cortical blood flow (1CBF) was calculated from 1CBV and mean transit time determined from cortical hemodilution curves. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was monitored from the same cortical region as the optical measurements. The [Ca ++ ]i signal ratio started to increase 19 ± 2 sec prior to the onset of seizure activity on the EEG and remained elevated until the activity was suppressed by an intravenous administration of diazepam (2 mg/kg). The early increase in [Ca ++ ]i is presumably due to a synaptic Ca ++ entry associated with facilitated excitatory neurotransmission. The NAD/NADH redox state became oxidized during the seizure activity and started to recover as the EEG activity was suppressed. The 1CBV and lCBF increased by 17 ± 8% and 68 ± 16%, respectively, 10 min into the seizure activity. This study provides direct in vivo evidence suggesting a possible role of calcium entry into the neurons in the epileptogenesis.
Molecular mechanism of transcriptional repression of gelsolin in human breast cancer cells.

Abstract Loss of gelsolin, a tumor suppressor, is one of the most frequently occurring molecular defects in breast cancers of diverse etiologies and across at least three animal species: human, mouse, and rat. Our previous analysis of breast cancer cells demonstrated that the deficiency is not due to mutation of the gelsolin gene, but instead to epigenetic factors, including decreased transcription of the gene. The study described herein provides the first functional characterization of the human gelsolin promoter and reveals a mechanistic basis for the reduced gelsolin transcription. In reporter gene assays, the gelsolin promoter was less active in low-gelsolin-expressing breast cancer cells. A cis -element mediating this reduced promoter activity was defined as a 27-bp sequence located approximately 135 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Gel shift and supershift assays and Southwestern blotting analysis indicated that activating transcription factor-1 (ATF-1) and a protein of ∼100 kDa may have cancer cell-specific DNA-binding activity to the 27-bp gelsolin cis -element. Although the ATF-1 protein was highly expressed in both benign and tumorigenic breast cells, its DNA-binding activity was selectively abundant in the cancer cells and correlated inversely with the gelsolin mRNA level. Thus, our results suggest a role for ATF-1 in gelsolin promoter silencing in contrast to its transactivating effect on various other promoters.
A matrix calculus for neural nets.

In a previous paper a method was given by which the efferent activity of an idealized neural net could be calculated from a given afferent pattern. Those results are extended in the present paper. Conditions are given under which nets may be considered equivalent. Rules are given for the reduction or extension of a net to an equivalent net. A procedure is given for constructing a net which has the property of converting each of a given set of afferent activity patterns into its corresponding prescribed efferent activity pattern.
Two-dimensional solid state NMR characterization of physisorbed siloxane polymer (OV-225) on silica

Abstract Physisorbed cyanopropyl–methyl–phenyl–methyl–siloxane polymer on a silica surface was characterized by one- and two-dimensional solid state NMR techniques including heteronuclear proton–silicon correlation spectroscopy. Spin–lattice relaxations of protons of the siloxane polymer exhibited only small changes upon anchoring to the silica surface indicating somewhat altered molecular dynamics of proton moieties that contribute to the relaxation process. However, the same relaxation rates of the siloxane polymer’s silica atoms were reduced due to restricted mobility of the polymer. Proton–silicon heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy (HETCOR) revealed strong correlations of silanol protons with both Q3 and Q4 sites of the silica surface. In addition, a correlation between methyl protons and the Q3 site of the silica surface was observed when HETCOR experiments with very small mixing time (5 ms) were performed. The presence of these correlations is indicative of the coherent magnetization transfer mainly through dipolar mechanisms. Since magnetization transfer through the dipolar mechanism is 1/r3 dependent, methyl protons must lie in close proximity to the silica surface. Hydrogen bonding of the silica surface’s hydroxyl protons with the bridging oxygen of the siloxane polymer is most likely responsible for positioning the methyl protons closer to the surface. Additional correlations between 29Si nuclei and methylene protons next to cyano group was also observed with mixing time indicating the closer proximity of these protons to the silica surface as well. This juxtaposition of methylene protons is most likely due to hydrogen bonding of the siloxane polymer through the cyano moiety. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding through the cyano group is most likely to be in parallel orientation to the surface. Finally, the aromatic protons exhibited weak correlations only with Q3 sites, indicating that these protons must also lie in close proximity of the silica surface.
The raw and the cooked among librarians

This introduction to Library Hi Tech‘s special issue on digital libraries and digital centers is about applying anthropology to library research. The goal is to demonstrate anthropology at work by examining the excellent data provided by the articles in this issue of LHT on the Electronic Library at University of Wisconsin at Madison and the federal model at University of Nevada at Reno (UNR). Three themes are examined, which represent binary tensions that exist in most libraries today: 1) physical metaphors for digital artifacts; 2) professional self‐consciousness within integrative teams; and 3) centripetal administrative solutions to centrifugal service needs. The roles of anthropological theory, ethnography, and ethnology are also discussed as tools to help librarians to see the underlying elements in their work and workplaces.
Alternative information web for visually impaired users in developing countries

Websites in the World Wide Web are primarily meant for visual consumption. Accessibility tools such as screen readers that render the visual content in audio format enable the visually impaired to access information on websites. Despite standards that are available to make websites more amenable for screen reading software, not many website authors embed the required metadata information that feeds into such tools. Moreover, the wide variety of visual controls available makes it more difficult to interpret websites with screen readers. This problem of accessing information and services on the Web escalates even further for visually impaired users in developing regions, since they are either semiliterate or illiterate or cannot afford computers and high-end phones with screen-reading capability. In this paper, we present an alternative platform: the World Wide Telecom Web (WWTW), which can be used for delivering information and services to the visually impaired. WWTW is a network of VoiceSites that can be created and accessed by voice interaction over an ordinary phone. We present user studies that demonstrate that using applications on the Telecom Web does not require extensive training. The study leads us to believe that the Telecom Web can be the mainstream Web for blind users, particularly in developing countries.
Lubricity of dilute solutions of hydrocolloids

To determine relative lubricity of hydrocolloids at low viscosities, the friction values of dilute solutions of seven hydrocolloids were measured with the lubrimeter. At very low viscosities, hydrocolloids impart no lubricity to water. A certain consistency appears to be a prerequisite for hydrocolloid dispersions to be effective as lubricants, except for a high molecular weight polymer of ethylene oxide.
Phase equilibria in the Co-Sm-B system

Abstract Metal-rich ternary alloys of the Co-Sm-B system up to a Co: B atomic ratio of 1:1 were studied to obtain an isothermal section at 800°C. Among the eight ternary compounds found in this composition range, two had not been reported previously: tetragonal Co20Sm3B with a = 0.8621 nm and c = 1.1692 nm and hexagonal Co-Sm2B3 with a = 0.511 nm and c = 1.273 nm. Other new information includes the Bravais lattice of Co4SmB4, which is tetragonal with a = 0.7038 nm and c = 1.1437 nm, and of as-cast Co2SmB2, which is tetragonal with a = 1.2804 nm and c = 1.4003 nm. Four of the ternary compounds are members of the homologous series Co3n+5Smn+1B2n formed by alternating one layer of Co5Sm with n layers of Co3SmB2.
A method for constructing exact tests from test statistics that have unknown null distributions

A randomized procedure is described for constructing an exact test from a test statistic F for which the null distribution is unknown. The procedure is restricted to cases where F is a function of a random element U that has a known distribution under the null hypothesis. The power of the exact randomized test is shown to be greater in some cases than the power of the exact nonrandomized test that could be constructed if the null distribution of Fwere known.
Dynamic simulation of the leg in torsion

This paper analytically investigates the dynamic response of the leg in torsion with application to snow ski injuries. A biomechanical model of the leg system is developed and injury mechanisms to the ankle, knee and tibia are presented. The objective is to determine how torsional leg system dynamics influence injuries to the ankle, knee and tibia under impulse loading. The results of the study indicate that ankle, knee and tibial injuries exhibit identical dynamic behavior which is characteristic of a single degree-of-freedom system. In addition, analysis of the injury response to flexible vs rigid thigh tissue shows that the above results are not especially sensitive to flesh effects. Finally, a release decision algorithm for implementation in actively controlled ski bindings is presented.
A specific high-performance liquid chromatography assay for dehydroascorbic acid shows an increased content in CLL lymphocytes.

A method for the assay of dehydroascorbic acid using high-performance liquid chromatography with uv detection is described. The dehydroascorbic acid is separated from ascorbic acid and reduced with dithiothreitol, and is then quantitated as ascorbic acid following rechromatography. Since as little as 22 pmol can be detected, sensitivity is at least 40-fold greater than that of other currently available procedures. This method was used to measure the level of dehydroascorbic acid in normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes. A significantly higher concentration of dehydroascorbic acid was found in leukemic (21.80 ± 3.55 nmol108cells, mean ± SE) than in normal lymphocytes (9.32 ± 1.15 nmol108cells) (P < 0.03). Analysis of extracts from normal B cell lymphocytes revealed comparable dehydroascorbic acid levels to unfractionated lymphocytes, indicating that the elevated level in chronic lymphocytic leukemia was not simply a reflection of the increased percentage of B lymphocytes in this disorder. These studies illustrate that the technique can be used to measure the dehydroascorbic acid content from sources where only scanty material is available or low levels are found.
Spontaneous formation of temperature-responsive assemblies by molecular recognition of a β-cyclodextrin containing block copolymer and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

We report the construction of novel temperature-responsive assemblies based on a double hydrophilic block copolymer (consisting of a PEG block and a β-cyclodextrin-containing block, PEG-b-PCD) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm). Thus formed nano-assemblies exhibit a spherical morphology and have a temperature-responsive loose core. The driving force for the formation of these assemblies was found to be the inclusion complexation interaction between the hydrophobic cavity of β-cyclodextrin and the isopropyl group of PNIPAm. The particle size of these assemblies changed reversibly in response to the external temperature change. The particle size also changed with the PNIPAm/PEG-b-PCD weight ratio. A model hydrophobic drug (indomethacin) was loaded into these assemblies with a high efficiency. An in vitro release study showed that the payload could be released in a sustained manner after an initial burst release. The release rate could be switched between high and low in an On/Off fashion by temperature. These results demonstrate that the nano-assemblies have high potential for applications in controlled drug delivery and biomedicine when temperature responsiveness is desired.
Games of school choice under the Boston mechanism with general priority structures

The Boston mechanism is a centralized student assignment mechanism used in many school districts in the US. We investigate strategic behavior of students under the Boston mechanism when schools may have complex priority structures. We show that a stable matching is supported as an outcome of a Nash equilibrium under a general environment. We further show that any outcome of a Nash equilibrium is a stable matching when the school priorities are substitutable.
The analysis Lexicon and the Lexicon management system

Cet article presente le processus d'acquisition du lexique d'analyse semantique dans un systeme de traduction assistee; ainsi que d'autres systemes de traitement du langage naturel
Peaks in the cosmological density field: sensitivity to initial power spectrum, redshift distortions and galaxy halo occupation

We investigate the number density of maxima in the cosmological galaxy density field smoothed with a filter as a probe of clustering. In previous work it has been shown that this statistic is closely related to the slope of the linear power spectrum, even when the directly measured power spectrum is non-linear. In the present paper we investigate the sensitivity of the peak number density to various models with differing power spectra, including rolling index models, cosmologies with massive neutrinos and different baryon densities. We find that rolling index models which have given an improved fit to CMB/LSS (cosmic microwave background/large scale structure) data yield a ∼10 per cent difference in peak density compared to the scale invariant case. Models with 0.3 eV neutrinos have effects of similar magnitude and it should be possible to constrain them with data from current galaxy redshift surveys. Baryon oscillations in the power spectrum also give rise to distinctive features in the peak density. These are preserved without modification when measured from the peak density in fully non-linear N-body simulations. Using the simulations, we also investigate how the peak density is modified in the presence of redshift distortions. Redshift distortions cause a suppression of the number of peaks, largely due to fingers of God overlapping in redshift space. We find that this effect can be modelled by using a modification of the input power spectrum. We also study the results when the simulation density field is traced by galaxies obtained by populating haloes with a halo occupation distribution consistent with observations. The peak number density is consistent with that in the dark matter for filter scales >4h -1 Mpc, for which we find good agreement with the linear theory predictions. In a companion paper we analyse data from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey.
Evidence for a Phenomenological Supersymmetry in Atomic Physics

We show that supersymmetric quantum mechanics may be used to interrelate the spectra of different atoms and ions. This supersymmetry is broken by electron-electron interactions.
Effects of loss of freedom on subjects with internal or external locus of control

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between internal versus external locus of control of reinforcement and counter control or reactance in subjects in a verbal learning experiment. Internal and external controllers were given either a choice or no choice of material to be learned in a paired associate, anticipation task (after Monty & Perlmuter, Journal of Experimental Psychology , 1972 , 94 , 235–238). As hypothesized, the lack of freedom of choice was associated with counter control (decreased recall) in internals. Being able to choose material lead to faster learning for both internals and externals after first trial recall.
Atomic-scale perspective on the origin of attractive step interactions on Si(113)

Recent experiments have shown that steps on Si(113) surfaces self-organize into bunches due to a competition between long-range repulsive and short-range attractive interactions. Using empirical and tight-binding interatomic potentials, we investigate the physical origin of the short-range attraction, and report the formation and interaction energies of steps. We find that the short-range attraction between steps is due to the annihilation of force monopoles at their edges as they combine to form bunches. Our results for the strengths of the attractive interactions are consistent with the values determined from experimental studies on kinetics of faceting.
The effect of degree and type of training upon extinction of a response chain in pigeons

Pigeons were given extensive training in a two link response chain with a variable interval (VI) schedule in each link. Some animals were given relatively massed training and small food rewards (nonsatiation training); others distributed training and large food rewards (satiation training). During extinction, animals with high training in the satiation condition differed from other animals in that they showed higher response rates in the initial link relative to the terminal link.
Massage-induced release of subcutaneously injected liposome-encapsulated drugs to the blood

Liposome-based, externally regulated drug delivery system is described in which liposome-encapsulated bioactive molecules can be delivered into the blood in response to simple mechanical action. Without any mechanical stimulation, subcutaneously injected 200 mm liposomes are usually trapped in the interstitial for prolonged time. However, upon lymphotropic stimulation (such as manual massage of the injection site), the liposomes can be mobilized into the blood via lymphatic pathway. Up to 40% of the injection dose can be delivered to the blood via lymphatic pathway from the injection site at the rabbit's front paw dorsum during 5 min manual massage cycle. Using vasoconstricting hormone angiotensin II as liposome-encapsulated pharmacological marker, we demonstrated that physiological response to encapsulated drug (average blood pressure increase) can also induced and modulated by massage. Massage itself was found to have no effect on the blood pressure. Modification of liposome surface with polyethylene glycol was found to increase blood localization of the liposome-encapsulated drug presumably due to decreasing the uptake of the drug carrier by lymph node macrophages. Pressure-dependent gaps between lymphatic capillary endothelial cells are thought to play the role of the size discrimination device allowing larger particulates into the lymphatics and, eventually into the blood after increase of interstitial pressure caused by injection site massage.
Comparison of a spectrophotometric, a fluorometric, and a novel radiometric assay for carboxypeptidase E (EC 3.4.17.10) and other carboxypeptidase B-like enzymes

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is a carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of numerous peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. A sensitive assay for CPE and other carboxypeptidase B-like enzymes has been developed using 125I-acetyl-Tyr-Ala-Arg (125I-AcYAR) as the substrate. This peptide is poorly soluble in ethyl acetate whereas the product of carboxypeptidase B-like enzymatic activity (125I-AcYA) can be quantitatively extracted with this solvent, allowing the rapid separation of product from substrate. This radiometric assay can detect less than 1 pg of either CPE or carboxypeptidase B. For CPE, the assay with 125I-AcYAR is approximately 1000 times more sensitive than a fluorescent assay using dansyl-Phe-Ala-Arg (dans-FAR), and 6000 times more sensitive than a spectrophotometric assay using hippuryl-Arg (hipp-R). CPE hydrolyzes the three substrates with Kcat values of 16 s-1 for AcYAR, 13 s-1 for dans-FAR, and 8.5 s-1 for hipp-R. The Km values for CPE with AcYAR (28 microM) and dans-FAR (34 microM) are similar, and are much lower than the Km with hipp-R (400 microM). Thus, the primary reason for the increased sensitivity of the 125I-AcYAR assay over the fluorescent assay is not a result of kinetic differences but is due to the detection limit of iodinated product (10(-15) mol), compared to the fluorescent product (5 x 10(-11) mol). Applications of this rapid and sensitive radiometric assay to detect CPE in cultured cells and in subcellular fractions of the pituitary are described.
Cloning of α2u globulin cDNA using a high efficiency technique for the cloning of trace messenger RNAs

An extremely high-efficiency technique is described for cloning double-stranded (ds) cDNAs in Escherichia coli. The method, which uses two synthetic oligonucleotide linkers rather than one, results in approx. 200--500 recombinant clones per ng of ds cDNA. This technique was used to clone a cDNA comprising 95% of the full length of the mRNA of alpha 2u globulin, a male rat liver protein, which represents approx. 1% of hepatic messenger RNA. The cloned probe was applied to study the complex hormone controls of alpha 2u globulin mRNA in male and female rats.
Evolution of the 2006–2007 El Niño: the role of intraseasonal to interannual time scale dynamics

Abstract. We describe development of the 2006–2007 El Nino, which started late, ended early and was below average strength. Emphasis is on the interplay between large scale, low frequency (i.e., seasonal-to-interannual time scale) deterministic dynamics and episodic intraseasonal wind forcing in the evolution of the event. Efforts to forecast the El Nino are reviewed, with discussion of factors affecting its predictability. Perspectives on the contemporaneous development of an Indian Ocean Dipole Zonal Mode event in 2006 and possible influences of global warming on the ENSO cycle, which exhibited unusual behavior in the first decade of the 21st century, will also be presented.
Isotopic evidence for shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns during the late Quaternary in mid–North America

Wyoming is now at the eastern margin of westerlies originating in the Pacific, but in the Pleistocene appears to have received moisture from elsewhere, possibly the Gulf of Mexico. Oxygen isotope ratios of pedogenic carbonate in postglacial terraces correspond to ratios in equilibrium with present meteoric waters, which show a strong relation to precipitation seasonality and storm sources. In contrast, the oxygen isotope ratios of all pre-Holocene soils are significantly more positive, even though the carbon isotope composition of coexisting organic matter suggests that the carbonate formed in temperatures cooler than today. The oxygen isotope ratios of paleowaters in mid–North America appear to be more useful for identifying past storm sources than for estimating paleotemperatures.
Motives of Honor, Pleasure, and Profit: Plantation Management in the Colonial Chesapeake, 1607–1763

Motives of Honor, Pleasure, and Profit: Plantation Management in the Colonial Chesapeake, 1607–1763, by Lorena S. Walsh, Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, 2010, xxvi + 704 pp., $70.0...
A selective medium (GAMA) for the isolation of somatic cell hybrids from HPRT-AND APRT-mutant cells

A medium is described which can be used for the selection of somatic cell hybrids between HPRT– and APRT– mutant cells. This medium, called GAMA, contains as its relevant constit
Solid-phase synthesis of pyrrolidines via 2-azaallyl anion cycloadditions with alkenes

Abstract The preparation of a variety of highly substituted pyrrolidines was achieved by solid-phase synthesis through the [2 π s + 4 π s] cycloaddition of 2-azaallyl anions with alkenes. Resin-bound aldehydes 2 were condensed with α-amino stannanes 3 to afford (2-azaallyl)stannanes 4 . Transmetalation of 4 with n -BuLi in the presence of electron-rich alkenes followed by the addition of an electrophle provided the polymer-bound pyrrolidines 7 . The free pyrrolidines 9–23 were obtained upon cleavage from the solid support.
Comparison of nifedipine and isosorbide dinitrate when added to maximal propranolol therapy in stable angina pectoris

A study was performed to compare isosorbide dinitrate and nifedipine as adjunctive therapy in 14 patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina pectoris taking maximal beta-blocking drugs. Drug titration phases ensured maximal therapy of propranolol, isosorbide or nifedipine. The combination of nifedipine and propranolol was more effective than the combination of isosorbide and propranolol in reducing angina and increasing exercise capacity (323 vs 416 seconds, p less than 0.005) during exercise treadmill testing. Nifedipine produced a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure at submaximal exercise than isosorbide. Global and regional ejection fraction at rest and exercise was assessed with radionuclide ventriculography. The substitution of nifedipine for isosorbide depressed the global ejection fraction at rest (0.61 to 0.56 p less than 0.05) and produced a slight improvement in exercise ejection fraction (0.47 to 0.51, difference not significant). The decrease in ejection fraction from rest to exercise was 0.14 to 0.04 with nifedipine (p less than 0.005). The benefit of nifedipine compared with isosorbide occurred in regions with marked exercise-induced ischemia. In patients treated with maximal beta-blocking therapy, nifedipine is an effective alternative to isosorbide as a combination agent with propranolol. The salutary effects of nifedipine included afterload reduction with exercise and possible improvements in coronary blood supply.
Adiabatic shear localization in the dynamic punch test, part I: experimental investigation

Abstract The behavior of 1018 steel, 6061-T6 aluminum, and titanium 6%Al–4%V alloy during a dynamic punch test is investigated. Specifically, the possibility and affects of adiabatic shear localization are examined. The three materials are chosen to encompass a wide range of physical properties. Punch tests are conducted at average shear strain rates from 10 −3 to 10 4 s −1 on a servo-hydraulic compression machine, a mechanical press, and a Hopkinson bar apparatus. Experimental load displacement curves are obtained and fractographic and metallographic analysis is performed. Finite element simulations of punching operations are performed in the second part of this two part investigation to examine internal deformation not visible during experimental tests. More specifically, the role of adiabatic shear localization in burr formation is determined. Adiabatic shear localization occurs in the titanium alloy for the mechanical press and Hopkinson bar tests, while localization is not present for the 6061-T6 aluminum in any test. The 1018 steel begins to exhibit some transitional behavior toward shear localization in the Hopkinson bar experiments. It is seen that in the materials tested here, a combination of high strength and low strain hardening make a material more susceptible to adiabatic shear localization in punching operations.
Evaluating sales training programs

Industrial marketers spend millions of dollars annually training new sales people. An important aspect of effective training is the evaluation of such training. The purpose of this article is to provide information on how such evaluations are conducted and to understand managers' attitudes toward evaluating sales training. Findings indicate that only a small number of managers focus attention on measuring the results of training programs. An analysis of why this is true and suggestions for managerial actions to deal with this problem are provided.
Critical intracranial hypertension with Glasgow Coma Scale of 15

We are concerned there may be a widely held misconception that critically rising intracranial pressure (ICP) is always accompanied by a progressive deterioration in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).1 We present two cases when the GCS remained 15, despite critically high ICP. A 15-year-old girl presented with a 2 month history of headaches and episodic vomiting. Her initial heart rate in the ward was 46 bpm and her blood pressure was 106/71. Her GCS was 15. Examination was unremarkable. Her heart rate fluctuated between 50 and 65. Approximately 7 h after admission, her headache became unbearable and she developed severe neck pain. Her blood pressure …
PRIDE: A Data Abstraction Layer for Large-Scale 2-tier Sensor Networks

It is a challenging task to provide timely access to global data from sensors in large-scale sensor network applications. Current data storage architectures for sensor networks have to make trade-offs between timeliness and scalability. PRIDE is a data abstraction layer for 2-tier sensor networks, which enables timely access to global data from the sensor tier to all participating nodes in the upper storage tier. The design of PRIDE is heavily influenced by collaborative real-time applications such as search-and-rescue tasks for high-rise building fires, in which multiple devices have to collect and manage data streams from massive sensors in cooperation. PRIDE achieves scalability, timeliness, and flexibility simultaneously for such applications by combining a model-driven full replication scheme and adaptive data quality control mechanism in the storage-tier. We show the viability of the proposed solution by implementing and evaluating it on a large-scale 2-tier sensor network testbed. The experiment results show that the model-driven replication provides the benefit of full replication in a scalable and controlled manner.
IL-18 induces profibrotic renal tubular cell injury via STAT3 activation

IL-18 is an important mediator of obstruction-induced renal fibrosis and renal tubular epithelial cell (TEC) injury. IL-18's proinflammatory properties have been attributed, in part, to NF-κB activation and the stimulation of cytokine gene expression; however, STAT3 has increasingly been shown to mediate renal fibrotic injury. We therefore hypothesized that IL-18 mediates profibrotic TEC injury via STAT3 activation. Male C57BL6 wild-type mice and transgenic mice for human IL-18-binding protein were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction or sham operation. The kidneys were harvested 1 or 2 wk afterward and analyzed for active STAT3 (p-STAT3) expression (Western blotting, immunohistochemistry) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression. In a separate arm, renal tubular cells (HK-2) were directly stimulated with IL-18 for 2 days with or without the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 (50 μM). Cell lysates were then analyzed for p-STAT3 and SOCS3 expression, profibrotic cellular changes (collagen and α-SMA expression), and tubular cell apoptosis. p-STAT3 and SOCS3 expression increased significantly in response to obstruction; however, a significant reduction in p-STAT3 and SOCS3 expression occurred following 1 wk, but not 2 wk, of obstruction in the presence of IL-18 neutralization. In vitro results similarly demonstrate increased p-STAT3, SOCS3, α-SMA, and collagen III expression, and increased collagen production and TEC apoptosis in response to IL-18 stimulation, but the response was significantly diminished in the presence of STAT3 inhibition. These results demonstrate that IL-18-induces profibrotic cellular changes and collagen production in TECs via STAT3 activation.
The fibroproliferative response in acute respiratory distress syndrome: mechanisms and clinical significance

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) continues to be a major healthcare problem, affecting >190,000 people in the USA annually, with a mortality of 27-45%, depending on the severity of the illness and comorbidities. Despite advances in clinical care, particularly lung protective strategies of mechanical ventilation, most survivors experience impaired health-related quality of life for years after the acute illness. While most patients survive the acute illness, a subset of ARDS survivors develops a fibroproliferative response characterised by fibroblast accumulation and deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the lung. Historically, the development of severe fibroproliferative lung disease has been associated with a poor prognosis with high mortality and/or prolonged ventilator dependence. More recent studies also support a relationship between the magnitude of the fibroproliferative response and long-term health-related quality of life. The factors that determine which patients develop fibroproliferative ARDS and the cellular mechanisms responsible for this pathological response are not well understood. This article reviews our current understanding of the contribution of pulmonary dysfunction to mortality and to quality of life in survivors of ARDS, the mechanisms driving pathological fibroproliferation and potential therapeutic approaches to prevent or attenuate fibroproliferative lung disease.
Hazard of low-frequency electromagnetic coupling of overhead power transmission lines to electroexplosive devices

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the fields generated by overhead transmission lines and stations pose a hazard to electroexplosive devices (EEDs). An analysis showed that under worst-case conditions, the maximum induced current in an EED resulting from power-line coupling is approximately 6.3 mA for the case of electric field coupling and 0.67 mA for the case of magnetic field coupling. The no-fire levels of numerous devices including, but not limited to, impulse cartridges, blasting caps, detonations, flares, switches, and pressure cartridges were compared to determine the most sensitive. It was concluded that worst-case coupling assumed in the analysis is insufficient to induce a hazardous current level in an EED. >
Global Approaches to the Role of miRNAs in Drug-Induced Changes in Gene Expression

Neurons modulate gene expression with subcellular precision through excitation-coupled local protein synthesis, a process that is regulated in part through the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs. The biosynthesis of miRNAs is reviewed, with special emphasis on miRNA families, the subcellular localization of specific miRNAs in neurons, and their potential roles in the response to drugs of abuse. For over a decade, DNA microarrays have dominated genome-wide gene expression studies, revealing widespread effects of drug exposure on neuronal gene expression. We review a number of recent studies that explore the emerging role of miRNAs in the biochemical and behavioral responses to cocaine. The more powerful next-generation sequencing technology offers certain advantages and is supplanting microarrays for the analysis of complex transcriptomes. RNA-Seq is unparalleled in its ability to identify and quantify low-abundance transcripts without prior sequence knowledge, facilitating the accurate detection and quantification of miRNAs expressed in total tissue and miRNAs localized to postsynaptic densities (PSDs). We previously identified cocaine-responsive miRNAs, synaptically-enriched and depleted miRNA families, and confirmed cocaine-induced changes in protein expression for several bioinformatically predicted target genes. The miR-8 family was found to be highly enriched and cocaine-regulated at the PSD, where its members may modulate expression of cell adhesion molecules. An integrative approach that combines mRNA, miRNA, and protein expression profiling in combination with focused single gene studies and innovative behavioral paradigms should facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic approaches to treat addiction.