cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxygen Scavenging Packaging Systems

An oxygen scavenger is a material or combination of reactive compounds incorporated into a package structure that may combine with oxygen and effectively remove the oxygen from the inner package environment. Oxygen scavengers are mainly used for food and pharmaceutical applications but can also be used for any product that needs a low oxygen storage atmosphere. Oxygen can cause deteriorative reactions that can lead to the reduced functionality of the product. Iron-based sachets are the type of oxygen scavenging systems that have been used for many years. Many polymers have been developed for this use. Research continues in the use of scavengers for meat packaging, bakery products, orange juice in aseptic packages, and cheese packaging. Regulations and future research, such as the use of microorganisms for oxygen scavenging, use of biofilms, and radiation treatment are discussed. Keywords: oxygen scavengers; food packaging; polymers; sachets; mechanisms; pharmaceutical packaging; meat; bakery products; regulations
Further Observations on the Fine Structure of Freeze-Cleaved Tight Junctions

The fine structure of freeze-cleaved tight junctions has been examined in high-resolution replicas of rat small intestine. By carefully comparing the changes in the surface topography of the cleavage faces of specimens, which, before freezing, were either prefixed with glutaraldehyde and then infiltrated with glycerol, infiltrated with glycerol alone, or infiltrated with glycerol and then fixed with glutaraldehyde, a more precise definition of the tight-junction architecture at the supramolecular level has become possible. The results of this analysis suggest that the bilayer membranes contributing to a tight junction are held together along inter-connected lines of attachment that are arranged in the form of a continuous band-like mesh-work. Each line consists of 2 parallel rows, one in each membrane, of closely spaced adhesion particles. The sensitivity of these particles to glutaraldehyde and their cleaving behaviour under different experimental conditions indicate that they represent globular proteins which bridge the width of the adjoining membranes and are linked together in the plane of the inter-cellular space. Thus, the morphology of a tight-junction seal resembles a modified zipper with the locking units making head to head contact. Similarly, the presence of many open-ended sealing elements between crypt cells has been interpreted as suggesting that the formation of tight-junction seals could resemble a ‘zippering-up’ process. At the juncture of 3 cells the tight-junction meshwork is both modified and extended basally to produce a characteristic pattern. In the central area of such a triple junction, 3 parallel and very closely spaced vertical seals have been resolved, each joining a pair of adjacent plasma membranes. Small, regularly spaced, cross-bridging elements interlink pairs of central seals within the plane of each membrane. At different levels each individual central seal may further give rise to horizontal sealing elements which connect in a ladder-like fashion either to the major network or to vertical elements positioned at greater distances from the central axis. Evidence is presented suggesting that fragments of tight junctions can be internalized and broken down in lysosome-like vesicles.
Cellular sites of extrarenal and renal erythropoietin production in anaemic rats.

Summary. The cellular origins of erythropoietin were investigated in the rat using a probe derived from a cloned rat erythropoietin cDNA. In anaemic-hypoxic rat liver, in situ hybridization detected erythropoietin mRNA primarily in hepatocytes and less frequently in nonparenchymal sinusoidal or perisinusoidal liver cells. An RNase protection assay was used to compare the erythropoietin mRNA contents of separated rat liver cell fractions and also suggested that hepatocytes are the major source of extrarenal erythropoietin with nonparenchymal liver cells contributing less than 1% to total hepatic erythropoietin production. In kidney, in situ hybridization localized erythropoietin mRNA in nonepithelial cells, as yet of undefined lineage, in the cortical and outer medullary interstitium. These results indicate that, in the rat, the primary sources of erythropoietin in liver and kidney are different types of cells.
Experimental study of the structure of 90Y

Abstract Angular distributions of the 89 Y(d, p) 90 Y reaction have been measured at an incident deuteron energy of 12 MeV. Agreement with previous work for the low-lying strongly excited levels is found. Clarification of the structure of the weakly excited states and states at high excitation energies is provided by this study. Fits to the experimental angular distributions are made using DWBA calculations. A comparison of the level structure of other 51 neutron nuclei is made and qualitative agreement is found particularly in the systematic occurence of doublets for each known single-particle state in this region. These states have previously been studied by analogue resonances in elastic and inelastic proton scattering. Also, a comparison is made with the calculations of Ramavataram, who used a Soper-exchange mixture whose general features are the same as the free nucleon-nucleon potential.
SplitStream: High-Bandwidth Content Distribution in Cooperative Environments

In tree-based multicast systems, a relatively small number of interior nodes carry the load of forwarding multicast messages. This works well when the interior nodes are dedicated infrastructure routers. But it poses a problem in cooperative application-level multicast, where participants expect to contribute resources proportional to the benefit they derive from using the system. Moreover, many participants may not have the network capacity and availability required of an interior node in high-bandwidth multicast applications. SplitStream is a high-bandwidth content distribution system based on application-level multicast. It distributes the forwarding load among all the participants, and is able to accommodate participating nodes with different bandwidth capacities. We sketch the design of SplitStream and present some preliminary performance results.
Access to preventive health care: is method of payment a barrier for immigrant Hispanic women?

Abstract This study describes the payment category of 397 low-income Hispanic women and the relationship to compliance with family planning visits the first year postbirth. Only one-fourth of the women returned for the one-year family planning visit, when they would have received well-woman care. Pay category was not a factor in identifying those who returned. Health system barriers, patient cultural beliefs, and life circumstance may explain why women enter and then leave apparently seamless systems of care. To increase preventive care, more study is needed of interventions that build on women’s existing cultural prescriptions for health behavior by health professionals who portray postbirth checks as wellness checks.
Electron microscope observations on thick filaments in striated muscle from the lobster Homarus americanus.

The size and appearance of thick filaments in lobster claw and tail muscle have been determined from EM observations on thin sections and isolated filaments. The filaments from both types of tissue are about 180 A in diameter, but those from claw muscle are approximately 6 μ long, whereas the filaments from tail muscle are only ca. 3.4 μ long. The ratio of thin to thick filaments in the two muscles is 12/1 and 3/1, respectively. Also noted was an apparent variation in cross-sectional density of the filaments. In tail muscle, the filaments appear to be solid in the central region whereas in the A—I overlap region they appear to be hollow.
Crystallization of a layered silicate clay as monitored by small- angle x-ray scattering and NMR.

The 48-h hydrothermal crystallization of a magnesium silicate clay called hectorite has been investigated in detail. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions are used to aid crystallization and become incorporated as the exchange cations within the interlayers. Data from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using aliquots ex situ are consistent with results obtained previously by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and IR. All these techniques see clay crystallites beginning to form within the first few hours of reaction. 29Si NMR displays a visible clay silicate peak after just 1 h. Solid-state 13C NMR shows evidence of TEA−clay formation in as little as 30 min and also that 80% of the final TEA loading is accomplished in the first 10−12 h. Up to 36 h more is needed to incorporate the remaining 20% of TEA, indicating that a slower event is dominating at the later stages of crystallization. Data from 13C NMR and SAXS are compared to and are consistent wit...
HEAT CAPACITY OF DISORDERED AND CRYSTALLINE SUPERCONDUCTORS.

Abstract Low temperature heat capacity measurements on disordered and crystalline Nb 0.26 Zr 0.74 alloys show that the former has a much larger heat capacity jump (Δ C /γ T c ≈ 2.4) than the latter and that the disorder decreases the superconducting transition temperature ( T c ) rather than enhances it.
Minimizing conditional-value-at-risk for stochastic scheduling problems

This paper introduces the use of conditional-value-at-risk (CVaR) as a criterion for stochastic scheduling problems. This criterion has the tendency of simultaneously reducing both the expectation and variance of a performance measure, while retaining linearity whenever the expectation can be represented by a linear expression. In this regard, it offers an added advantage over traditional nonlinear expectation-variance-based approaches. We begin by formulating a scenario-based mixed-integer program formulation for minimizing CVaR for general scheduling problems. We then demonstrate its application for the single machine total weighted tardiness problem, for which we present both a specialized l-shaped algorithm and a dynamic programming-based heuristic procedure. Our numerical experimental results reveal the benefits and effectiveness of using the CVaR criterion. Likewise, we also exhibit the use and effectiveness of minimizing CVaR in the context of the parallel machine total weighted tardiness problem. We believe that minimizing CVaR is an effective approach and holds great promise for achieving risk-averse solutions for stochastic scheduling problems that arise in diverse practical applications.
Functional ambulation performance testing of adults with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were (1) to determine temporal distance (TD) gait measures and the Functional Ambulation Performance Scores (FAPS) of adults with Down syndrome, (2) to determine the reliability of TD gait measures and FAPS of adults with Down syndrome and (3) to compare gait measures of adults with Down syndrome (DSA group), and adults without developmental disability (NDDA group). The FAPS is a quantitative representation of gait performance derived from TD gait measures. STUDY DESIGN Forty-one people participated in the study: 21 (9 males, 12 females) in the DSA group (mean age 41 years, range 23-51 years); and 20 (9 males, 11 females) in the NDDA group (mean age 40 years, range 20-56 years). All participants were in good health and were community ambulators. TD gait measures and FAPS were obtained for four trials from each participant: two immediate test-retest and two 2-week test-retest. One trial consisted of two passes at a comfortable, self-selected velocity on a 4.57-m sensor-embedded walk mat connected to a computerized analysis system (CIR Systems-GAITRite™). Reliability was assessed by the ICC(2,k). Direct comparisons were made between the two groups for FAPS and TD gait measures. RESULTS DSA overall ICC(2,k) for the FAPS = 0.92; mean normalized velocity, left and right step length/leg length ratio, and left and right step time ranged from 0.91 to 0.93. For these measures DSA immediate test-retest ICC(2,k) ≥ 0.91; 2-week test-retest ICC(2,k) ≥ 0.76. Mean gait measures were lower for the DSA group than for the NDDA group for FAPS (DSA = 90.3 ± 10.4; NDDA = 98.2 ± 2.4), step length/leg length ratio (DSA = 0.75 ± 0.10; NDDA = 0.78 ± 0.04), and step time (DSA = 0.53 ± 0.08 s; NDDA = 0.55 ± 0.05 s). Mean gait measures were higher for the DSA group than for the NDDA group for mean normalized velocity (DSA = 1.46 ± 0.43 LL/s; NDDA = 1.42 ± 0.14 LL/s) and base of support (DSA = 12.04 ± 3.74 cm; NDDA = 9.72 ± 2.89 cm). CONCLUSIONS Mean TD gait measurements were similar for both groups except for BOS; however, the variability was greater in the DSA group as reflected in generally larger standard deviations. The eight-point lower mean FAPS for the DSA group compared to the NDDA group indicates different gait proficiencies between the two groups. For the DSA group, the FAPS, mean normalized velocity, step length/leg length ratios, and step time ICC(2,k) results were ≥ 0.91 for immediate test-retest and ≥ 0.76 for 2-week test-retest (good range ≥ 0.75). The results suggest that these measures can be used as indicators of gait performance for adults with Down syndrome.
The Influence of Metal Ions on the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Goethite

Mono- and polyphosphonates, which contain R3CP(O)(OH)2 functional groups, are used in an increasing variety of industrial and household applications including cooling water systems, oil production, textile production, and detergents. The main pathway of phosphonate removal in the environment is via adsorption onto surfaces. This study examines the effect of Ca, Cu, Zn, and FeIII on the adsorption of six phosphonates onto the iron (hydr)oxide goethite. HEDP, NTMP, EDTMP, and DTPMP are commonly used, while AMP and IDMP have been identified as breakdown products of NTMP. When the molar concentration of Ca, Cu, Zn, and FeIII is equal to the concentration of the phosphonate, the effects on phosphonate adsorption are either negligible or slight. This can be explained by dissociation of the metal−phosphonate complex and separate adsorption of the metal ion and phosphonate onto different surface sites. When Ca and Zn concentrations are added in excess of the phosphonate concentration, considerable increases in ad...
The economics of race and eugenic sterilization in North Carolina: 1958-1968.

Abstract Theoretical justifications for state-sanctioned sterilization of individuals provided by Irving Fisher rationalized its racialization on grounds that certain non-white racial groups, particularly blacks due to their dysgenic biological and behavioral traits, retarded economic growth and should be bred out of existence. Fisher’s rationale suggests that national or state level eugenic policies that sterilized the so-called biological and genetically unfit could have been racist in both design and effect by disproportionately targeting black Americans. We empirically explore this with data on eugenic sterilizations in the State of North Carolina between 1958 and 1968. Count data parameter estimates from a cross-county population allocation model of sterilization reveal that the probability of non-institutional and total sterilizations increased with a county’s black population share—an effect not found for any other racial group in the population. Our results suggest that in North Carolina, eugenic sterilization policies were racially biased and genocidal.
Beam burst width and phase drift at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility

Abstract We deduced a time dispersion of (0.49±0.03) ns (fwhm) for the combined effects of the burst width and the residual phase drift after phase compensation of the 135 MeV proton beam at the IUCF. This result is based on cosmic-ray coincidence measurements yielding an intrinsic time resolution of (334±13) ps (fwhm) for a 5 in.×40 in. NE-102 counter; on an observed time resolution of 0.66 ns (fwhm) for prompt γ-rays produced by 135 MeV protons on C; and on the assumption that the various time dispersions combine in quadrature. Also our measured width of 0.83 ns (fwhm) for 116 MeV neutrons from the 12 C(p,n) 12 N(g.s.) reaction at 135 MeV is consistent with the above values for the detector and beam contributions. Effective detector thicknesses of 90 mm and 79 mm were deduced for the γ-ray and neutron data, respectively. The smaller effective thicknesses result from charged recoils exiting the counter without depositing enough energy to be detected above the threshold.
Effects of relaxation instructions on the electromyographic responses of abstinent alcoholics to drinking-related stimuli

Abstract Viewed from a behavioral perspective alcoholism is a behavioral disorder which should be influenced by the same range of environmental and historical variables which affect other operant behaviors. Therefore, environmental stimulus circumstances should play a significant role in influencing alcoholics' disposition to drink. In particular, stimuli which have previously been associated with drinking behavior should come to exert some controlling influence over subsequent disposition to drink. Relapse to substance abuse is often believed to be precipitated by exposure to stimulus circumstances previously associated with the drug or its use. This hypothesis has received its greatest emphasis in the area of narcotics abuse (Wikler, 1965). but presumably it is relevant also to the case of alcohol abuse. Research concerning abusers' reactions to alcohol-related or drinking-related stimuli has been minimal. Ludwig et al. (1974) have presented data suggesting that alcohol-related stimuli interact with priming doses of ethanol to increase alcoholics' disposition to drink. Miller et al. (1974), however, failed to observe a significant effect of drinking-related stimuli upon alcoholics' disposition to drink. In the field of behavior therapy, relaxation and stimulus-exposure techniques (e.g. systematic desensitization) are often recommended as techniques for reducing the effect of environmental stimuli upon an individual's behavior. However, data are lacking concerning the effect of relaxation training upon alcoholics. The present study uses psychophysiological procedures to investigate three issues concerning the effect of drinking-related stimuli and relaxation instructions upon alcoholics: (1) the effect of a single session of systematic relaxation instructions upon the electromyographic tension levels of abstinent alcoholics; (2) the effect of drinking-related auditory stimuli upon the electromyographic tension levels of abstinent alcoholics; and (3) the influence of prior relaxation instructions upon the EMG responses of abstinent alcoholics exposed to drinking-related stimuli.
Snail induction is an early response to Gli1 that determines the efficiency of epithelial transformation.

Gli family members mediate constitutive Hedgehog signaling in the common skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Snail/Snai1 is rapidly induced by Gli1 in vitro, and is coexpressed with Gli1 in human hair follicles and skin tumors. In the current study, we generated a dominant-negative allele of Snail, SnaZFD, composed of the zinc-finger domain and flanking sequence. In promoter–reporter assays, SnaZFD blocked the activity of wild-type Snail on the E-cadherin promoter. Snail loss-of-function mediated by SnaZFD or by one of several short hairpin RNAs inhibited transformation of RK3E epithelial cells by Gli1. Conversely, enforced expression of Snail promoted transformation in vitro by Gli1, but not by other genes that were tested, including Notch1, ErbB2, and N-Ras. As observed for Gli1, wild-type Snail repressed E-cadherin in RK3E cells and induced blebbing of the cytoplasmic membrane. Induction of a conditional Gli1 transgene in the basal keratinocytes of mouse skin led to rapid upregulation of Snail transcripts and to cell proliferation in the interfollicular epidermis. Established Gli1-induced skin lesions exhibited molecular similarities to BCC, including loss of E-cadherin. The results identify Snail as a Gli1-inducible effector of transformation in vitro, and an early Gli1-responsive gene in the skin.
Current gain of amorphous silicon thin-film transistors above the cutoff frequency

In this paper we (1) show above-ft measurements for standard bottom-gate amorphous silicon (a-Si) TFTs and self-aligned bottom-gate a-Si TFTs and (2) illustrate how large TFT gate-drain capacitances lead to a slow current-gain roll-off at frequencies above ft.
Evaluation of causes and frequency of medication errors during information technology downtime.

Purpose. The causes and frequency of medication errors occurring during information technology downtime were evaluated. Methods. Individuals from a convenience sample of 78 hospitals who were directly responsible for supporting and maintaining clinical information systems (CISs) and automated dispensing systems (ADSs) were surveyed using an online tool between February 2007 and May 2007 to determine if medication errors were reported during periods of system downtime. The errors were classified using the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention severity scoring index. The percentage of respondents reporting downtime was estimated. Results. Of the 78 eligible hospitals, 32 respondents with CIS and ADS responsibilities completed the online survey for a response rate of 41%. For computerized prescriber order entry, patch installations and system upgrades caused an average downtime of 57% over a 12-month period. Lost interface and interface malfunction were reported for centralized and decentralized ADSs, with an average downtime response of 34% and 29%, respectively. The average downtime response was 31% for software malfunctions linked to clinical decision-support systems. Although patient harm did not result from 30 (54%) medication errors, the potential for harm was present for 9 (16%) of these errors. Conclusion. Medication errors occurred during CIS and ADS downtime despite the availability of backup systems and standard protocols to handle periods of system downtime. Efforts should be directed to reduce the frequency and length of down-time in order to minimize medication errors during such downtime.
Spreadsheet-Enhanced Problem Solving in Context as Modeling

This paper is prompted by a recent call by the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) for the study of mathematical modeling as technology-enhanced didactic inquiry into relations between mathematics and the real world. It reflects on activities designed for a teacher education course that focuses on the computer spreadsheet as a tool for concept development through situated mathematical problem solving. Modeling activities described in this paper support the epistemological position regarding the interplay that exists between the development of mathematical concepts and available methods of calculation. The spreadsheet used is Microsoftr °Excel 2001.
The Stereodynamics of a Gas-Surface Reaction

Measurements of the influence of reactant alignment on the rates of chemical reactions provide direct information concerning the atomic motions necessary for chemical transformation. Data presented here show that at low collision energy, the dissociative adsorption of deuterium (D2) on the (111) surface of copper has a much higher probability for broadside than for end-on collisions. Furthermore, this steric preference is sensitive to the kinetic energy of the incident molecule, almost disappearing as the energy increases to 0.8 electron volt. This study shows that the dynamic conditions of a surface chemical reaction can profoundly influence the associated steric requirements.
Advanced Image-Processing Architectures For Machine Vision

A large number of computer system designs for image analysis have been proposed, and many have been or are being constructed. Although many of them share similar features, the use of proprietary terminology and lack of detailed standardized processing examples in descriptive documentation makes understanding and comparison difficult. Consequently, the a priori estimation of algorithm performance on a given system becomes a combination of ad hoc guesses and somewhat idealized extrapolation. Also, in concentrating on only a portion of the overall data flow, many of these designs have optimized only a part of the system and have reduced the overall price/performance ratio. This paper identifies the fundamentally distinct primitive types of image transformations used in image processing and discusses the characteristics of typical applications and missions. Next, a taxonomy of architectures is presented which enables the various approaches to be unambiguously categorized and evaluated. Several existing designs are used as examples, and the relative merits of each are discussed.
Hierarchical preprocessing for improving the blotch detection performances

In this work, we are interested in detecting a special type of degradation called blotch in old films. More precisely, our goal is to improve the detection performances by simultaneously increasing the correct detection rate and reducing the false alarmrate achieved by some conventional detectors. The detection procedure consists of mainly two steps. The regions that are likely to be corrupted are firstly located. Then, a conventional detector is applied only on these candidate regions to locate the blotched pixels. The novelty of our contribution is to detect the candidate regions at different resolution levels. This allows to handle both the different blotch sizes and the varying motion magnitudes of the objects. Experimental simulations carried out on real degraded sequences indicate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
The antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory effects of calcium antagonists.

Calcium-channel antagonists are widely used in the treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The potential benefits of these agents in the management of ventricular arrhythmias, however, are not widely appreciated. Ventricular arrhythmias result from abnormalities of impulse generation and/or impulse conduction. The calcium ion has been implicated in both mechanisms. Myocardial cytosolic calcium increases during ischemia and sympathetic nervous system activation. Elevations in cytosolic calcium provoke oscillatory depolarizations of the cardiac membrane, triggering sustained action potential generation and extrasystoles
Impediments to the successful use of anabolic agents in clinical care.

Growth factors represent one of the next important steps in providing efficient and effective nutrition to catabolic patients. However, several issues will need to be addressed in order to optimize their use. These include the effects of these agents in malnourished patients, the influence of nutritional deficiencies on anabolic effects, the effect of inflammation on growth factor-stimulated protein synthesis, and concerns with safety and cost. Adequate training of physicians and changes in our present approach in caring for patients may be the greatest obstacles to overcome if full application of this biotechnology to patient care is to be realized. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition23:S210-S213, 1999)
Finite Groups of Seitz Type

We show that a useful condition of Seitz on finite groups of Lie type over fields of order q > 4 is often satisfied when q is 2 or 3. We also observe that various consequences of the Seitz condition, established by Seitz and Cline, Parshall, and Scott when q > 4, also hold when q is 3 or 4.
Clearance and re-expression of a myeloma cell's antigen-binding receptors induced by ligands known to be immunogenic or tolerogenic for normal B lymphocytes: a model to study membrane events associated with B cell tolerance.

We have previously reported that the immune response of BALB/c mice to α(13) linkage groups of dextran B1355 and the in vivo growth of MOPC 104E tumor cells were specifically suppressed by the administration of oxidized dextran B1355. In the present study, we report on membrane events that occur after 104E cells are incubated with either the native dextran B1355 or the oxidized dextran B1355. The 104E cells, which possess membrane-associated receptors that are specific for the α(13) linkage groups of dextran, were monitored for the clearance of receptor-antigen complexes, and the subsequent re-expression of receptors that follow the interaction of cells with either the native ligand, dextran, or the suppressor ligand, oxidized dextran. Following incubation of 104E cells with the native ligand, complexes of dextran plus receptors aggregate and are gradually cleared (2–4 h) from the membrane. Subsequent to the receptor-antigen clearance induced by the native ligand, a second set of dextran-binding receptors is observed. The second set of receptors appears to be derived from a presynthesized precursor pool of receptors within the cell and not from the synthesis of new receptors. These receptors appear diffusely over the entire surface of the cell membrane as opposed to a single discrete area within the membrane. The receptors remain within the membrane for at least 48 h unless perturbed again by antigen. Re-expression of receptors is not observed following a second perturbation with the native ligand. The membrane events which succeed the incubation of the 104E cells with the suppressor ligand differ significantly from those which are observed following incubation with the native ligand. Exposure to the suppressor ligand results in a rapid (10–30 min) and complete clearance of the complexes of oxidized dextran plus receptor from the membrane of the 104E cell, and the clearance of these complexes occurs without any detectable receptor aggregation. The most significant difference observed following the pulse with the suppressor ligand is the complete absence of a receptor re-expression. Thus, 104E cells, following a brief pulse with oxidized dextran, fail to incorporate the presynthesized second set of receptors into the plasma membrane. This apparent suppressive signal occurs without any detectable change in cell viability. The inability of the 104E cell to express a second set of antigen-binding receptors following a suppressor antigen-induced clearance of the first set is presented as a possible link of a membrane event with an alteration in cell function (i.e. suppression of proliferation of the 104E cell in vivo by this antigen). The possible relationship of the 104E cell membrane events to normal B cell membrane events associated with immunity or tolerance is discussed.
Energy partitioning in an inductively driven rail gun

The equations describing the performance of an inductively driven rail gun are analysed numerically. Friction between the projectile and rails is included through an empirical formulation. The equations are applied to the experiment of Rashleigh and Marshall to obtain an estimate of energy distribution in rail guns as a function of time. It is found that only 15% of energy delivered by the inductor to the gun is transformed into the kinetic energy of the projectile. This study provides an insight into the nature of nonlinear coupling involved in the electromechanical interactions in a rail gun.
Stable vector bundles and instantons

Methods of abstract algebraic geometry are used to study rank 2 stable vector bundles on ℙ3. These bundles are then used to give self-dual solutions, called instantons, of the Yang-Mills equation onS4.
Molybdenum in marine deposits

Abstract The distribution and rates of accumulation of Mo in marine deposits have been determined and compared with the same parameters for U and Mn. High concentrations of Mo are associated both with oxidizing environments represented by the presence of ferro-manganese oxide-rich sediments (where Mo/U ∼- 3) and with reducing environments (where Mo/U is about unity). The supply of Mo by streams is more than adequate to balance the measured removal rate in normal deep-sea deposits and no submarine volcanic ‘emanations’ need be involved. On an ocean-wide basis, 4 · 3 μg Mo/cm 2 /1000 yr is supplied in solution by streams. Of this, 2·0 μg Mo/cm 2 /1000 yr is removed in deep-sea sediments and manganese nodules. The remaining 2·3 μg Mo/cm 2 /1000 yr is probably removed in primarily (but not exclusively) near-shore reducing sediments. The average Mo accumulation rate in these environments is about 1000 μg Mo/cm 2 /1000 yr; thus only 0·23 per cent of the world ocean area need be such reducing sites.
Breaking through: Using educational technology for children with special needs

Barbara Albers Hill markets the book, Breaking Through: Using Educational Technology for Children with Special Needs, as a tool providing assistance with use of educational technology as it relates to children with special needs. The mention of specific special needs, such as children with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), leads readers to believe the book will provide detailed information on how educational technology will assist a child according to each specific need. Hill organizes the book in two parts. The first part provides an overview of tablet technology and how to use it to enhance learning for children with special needs. Part two of the book provides the reader with information that will assist a consumer with purchasing the right tablet for the special need. Upon review of the content, the book is less about detail and more about a shopping guide for the consumer as to the best tablet to select for children with special needs.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease

One feature of the end-stage pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of numerous inflammatory markers associated with the amyloid β protein (Aβ) deposits in the brain. Experimental data strongly suggests that Aβ aggregates can incite an inflammatory response, but there are also data suggesting that inflammation can promote Aβ production and deposition. Thus, antiinflammatory drugs may have some role in AD therapy. This idea is supported by epidemiologic data, which shows that long-term use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) confers protection from the development of AD. Significantly, oral salicylates have not been consistently shown to confer protection. Such studies have raised questions regarding the target or targets of NSAIDs that account for their apparent protection from AD. We have recently found that some NSAIDs have a novel mechanism of action, namely, selective lowering of the pathogenic Aβ42 peptide, that could contribute to their efficacy in AD. Further study will be needed to determine if the classic antiinflammatory properties of NSAIDs, the Aβ42-lowering property, another known or unknown property, or a combination of these contributes to NSAIDs apparent ability to protect individuals from the development of AD. Drug Dev. Res. 56:415–420, 2002. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
FRIEDEWALD FORMULA SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERESTIMATES LDL CHOLESTEROL COMPARED TO PREPARATIVE ULTRACENTRIFUGATION BELOW 70 MG/DL LEADING TO OVERESTIMATION OF THE LDL CHOLESTEROL REDUCTION FOR NEW DRUGS IN DEVELOPMENT

Calculated LDL-C by Friedewald formula has been the basis for clinical and regulatory decision making for 40 years. The validity has recently been questioned as clinical guidelines and new therapeutic agents reduce LDL-C levels to below levels originally validated by Friedewald. We compare LDL-C by
Flattening of the sea-floor depth-age curve as a response to asthenospheric flow

THE flattening of sea-floor depths from the √age dependence predicted by considering the cooling plate as a growing thermal boundary layer is a fundamental constraint on the evolution of oceanic lithosphere1. Previous explanations for the flattening have included reheating from convective instabilities that form beneath lithosphere older than ∼80 Myr (ref. 2), thermal rejuvenation of lithosphere that passes over stationary hotspots3–5, or a whole-mantle flow forced by two converging plates6. We suggest here that the flattening of old ocean floors can perhaps best be explained as a dynamic phenomenon reflecting flow in asthenosphere underlying the oceanic lithosphere. Applying the model to the Pacific plate, we show that a solution for flow in an asthenosphere low-viscosity channel which is 'consumed' by plate accretion and the subduction of lithosphere at trenches, and replenished by near-ridge upwelling and near-ridge hotspots, generates the observed ∼ 1 km of sea-floor flattening for asthenospheric viscosities of 2 × 1018 Pa s and an absolute Pacific plate motion of 100 mm yr−1. Our model can also explain the asymmetric subsidence of the South American and African plates away from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Using Single Quantum States as Spin Filters to Study Spin Polarization in Ferromagnets

By measuring electron tunneling between a ferromagnet and individual energy levels in an aluminum quantum dot, we show how spin-resolved quantum states can be used as filters to determine spin-dependent tunneling rates. We also observe magnetic-field-dependent shifts in the magnet's electrochemical potential relative to the dot's energy levels. The shifts vary between samples and are generally smaller than expected from the magnet's spin-polarized density of states. We suggest that they are affected by field-dependent charge redistribution at the magnetic interface.
Arterial pulse modulated activity is expressed in respiratory neural output.

Although it is well-established that sympathetic activity is modulated with respiration, it is unknown whether neural control of respiration is reciprocally influenced by cardiovascular function. E...
Informal caregiving for chronic lung disease among older Americans.

Study objective To obtain nationally representative estimates of the additional time, and related cost, of unpaid family caregiving (informal caregiving) associated with chronic lung disease among older Americans. Design Multivariable regression models using data from the 1993 Asset and Health Dynamics Study, a nationally representative survey of people ≥ 70 years old (n = 7,443). Participants National population-based sample of the community-dwelling elderly. Measurements Weekly hours of informal caregiving, and imputed cost of caregiver time, for community-dwelling elderly who reported the following: (1) no lung disease, (2) lung disease without associated activity limitations, or (3) lung disease with associated activity limitations. Results After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, potential caregiver network, and comorbid conditions, individuals with chronic lung disease and associated activity limitations (n = 403) received an additional 5.1 h/wk of informal care when compared to those with no lung disease (n = 6,593; p $2 billion. Conclusions The quantity and associated economic cost of informal caregiving for elderly individuals with chronic lung disease are substantial. These costs to families and society must be accounted for if the full societal costs of chronic lung disease are to be calculated. Pulmonary physicians caring for elderly individuals with chronic lung disease should be mindful of the importance of informal care for the well-being of their patients, as well as the potential for significant burden on those (often elderly) individuals providing the care.
Effect of nanotube-nanotube coupling on the radial breathing mode of carbon nanotubes

We study the radial breathing mode (RBM) of resonant single walled carbon nanotubes within individual bundles. As strain is applied, significant debundling of the nanotubes occurs, causing an upshift in the RBM frequency. The RBM frequency is found to change irreversibly with strain, correlating more strongly with the total number of strains and relaxations than with absolute strain, indicating that debundling is the dominant cause of the observed changes. The RBM upshift of semiconducting nanotubes is 70% larger than that of metallic nanotubes. We also observe a large drop in the Raman intensity as the nanotubes are debundled. This drop is not due to a change in the resonant electronic transition energies of the nanotube and indicates that neighboring nanotubes within a bundle play an important role in the resonant nanotube's Raman signal.
Acute iritis associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome and high-titer anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies. Treatment with combination immunosuppressive therapy.

Objective. We describe a patient with primary Sjogren's syndrome who developed severe, acute, anterior uveitis (iritis), an uncommon complication in this setting. Methods. We present the case report of the clinical findings, course, treatment, and resolution of the acute uveitis. Titers of anti—SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies were assessed (by immunodiffusion), as were fluorescent antinuclear antibodies (on HEp-2 cells) and cryoglobulins. Results. Initial treatment with topical steroids, oral prednisone (20 mg/day), and oral methotrexate was unsuccessful. The iritis resolved after combined treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide (1,500 mg/month), high-dose prednisone (60 mg/day), and cyclosporine (5 mg/kg/day). Conclusion. An uncommon, severe complication of primary Sjogren's syndrome is acute uveitis. Combination immunosuppressive therapy may be needed to control this condition.
Software reliability analysis: a systems development model

Implementation and utilization of the software reliability analysis model (SRAM) provides analysts, software engineers, and systems analysts and developers (SAD (2) balance users' needs for competitive price, product reliability, and timely delivery; (3) determine when the software is ready to be released to the users, thereby minimizing the risks of releasing software with serious problems; and (4) avoid excessive time-to-market of the system due to system overtesting. Although the SRAM uses sophisticated statistical concepts, available software tools allow SA&D and developers to readily apply the model without difficulties.
Stability Criteria for the Energy Storage Bi-directional Dc/Dc Converter in the Toyota Hybrid System II

Distributed DC power systems are becoming increasingly common in advanced electric and hybrid electric vehicles. In these systems, secondary energy storage component is connected to the main high voltage DC bus and consequently traction machine as well as other loads through a bi-directional DC/DC converter. In this paper, it has been shown that, during discharging mode of battery, the traction machine, which is being fed through this converter may act as a CPL. Constant power load (CPL) behavior of tightly regulated DC/DC converters, inverters, and motor drives in distributed DC power systems is equivalent to the dynamic negative impedance, destabilizing the DC bus and consequently the system. We investigate the stability of bi-directional converter of the energy storage systems of a Toyota hybrid system II. Stability of converter in presence of loss components is analyzed and design criteria are presented.
Stable mixed moving averages

The class of (non-Gaussian) stable moving average processes is extended by introducing an appropriate joint randomization of the filter function and of the stable noise, leading to stable mixed moving averages. Their distribution determines a certain combination of the filter function and the mixing measure, leading to a generalization of a theorem of Kanter (1973) for usual moving averages. Stable mixed moving averages contain sums of independent stable moving averages, are ergodic and are not harmonizable. Also a class of stable mixed moving averages is constructed with the reflection positivity property.
Recreating Life: Toward a Theory of Relationship Development in Acute Home Care:

The aim of this research was to explain some processes used by family caregivers and care recipients with acute conditions to develop and maintain satisfying care relationships in home settings. Grounded theory method was used to develop a beginning theory of individual and relationship growth and development. From a sample obtained through two home health agencies, 9 dyads (e.g., care recipient and family caregiver) were interviewed once, 4 dyads twice, and 1 dyad three times. The substantive theory that emerged--recreating life--suggests that caregivers and care recipients respond to disrupted realities caused by illness through redefining self and redefining the relationship. Four mitigating factors affecting the developmental process were identified: (a) prognosis, (b) progress, (c) social support, and (d) professional support.
Fodor, modularity, and speech perception

Abstract Fodor argues that speech perception is accomplished by a module. Typically, modular processing is taken to be bottom‐up processing. Yet there is ubiquitous empirical evidence that speech perception is influenced by top‐down processing. Fodor attempts to resolve this conflict by denying that modular processing must be exclusively bottom‐up. It is argued, however, that Fodor's attempt to reconcile top‐down and modular processing fails, because: (i) it undermines Fodor's own conception of modular processing; and (ii) it cannot account for the contextually varying top‐down influences that characterize speech perception.
THE ETHICS OF BURDEN-SHARING IN THE GLOBAL GREENHOUSE

The Kyoto Protocol on global warming has provoked great controversy in part because it calls for heavier burdens on wealthy countries than on developing countries in the effort to control climate change. The U.S. Senate voted unanimously to oppose any agreement that does not require emissions reductions in low-income countries. The ethics of this position are examined in this paper which shows that there are good moral reasons for supporting the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. Such a conclusion follows easily from considerations of distributive justice but can also be supported by more narrowly self-interested arguments.
Characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Transcriptional Response to Phenylalanine and Tyrosine

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen often associated with chronic infections in the lungs of individuals with the heritable disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that aromatic amino acids within CF lung secretions (sputum) not only serve as carbon and energy sources but also enhance synthesis of the cell signaling molecule Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS). The present study investigates the role of the aromatic amino acid-responsive regulator PhhR in mediating these phenotypes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PhhR controls four putative transcriptional units (phhA, hpd, hmgA, and dhcA) involved in aromatic amino acid catabolism; however, genes involved in PQS biosynthesis were unaffected. The phhA, hpd, hmgA, and dhcA promoters were mapped by primer extension, and purified His(6)-PhhR was shown to bind the phhA, hpd, and dhcA promoters in vitro by use of electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Our work characterizes a transcriptional regulator of catabolic genes induced during P. aeruginosa growth in CF sputum.
Transport of Relational Structures in Groups of Diffeomorphisms

This paper focuses on the issue of translating the relative variation of one shape with respect to another in a template centered representation. The context is the theory of Diffeomorphic Pattern Matching which provides a representation of the space of shapes of objects, including images and point sets, as an infinite dimensional Riemannian manifold which is acted upon by groups of diffeomorphisms. We discuss two main options for achieving our goal; the first one is the parallel translation, based on the Riemannian metric; the second one, based on the group action, is the coadjoint transport. These methods are illustrated with 3D experiments.
Electronic transition moments of 6-methyl isoxanthopterin—a fluorescent analogue of the nucleic acid base guanine

Fluorescent nucleic acid base analogues are important spectroscopic tools for understanding local structure and dynamics of DNA and RNA. We studied the orientations and magnitudes of the electric dipole transition moments (EDTMs) of 6-methyl isoxanthopterin (6-MI), a fluorescent analogue of guanine that has been particularly useful in biological studies. Using a combination of absorption spectroscopy, linear dichroism (LD) and quantum chemical calculations, we identified six electronic transitions that occur within the 25000– 50000cm � 1 spectral range. Our results indicate that