cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional and landscape-scale variability of Landsat-observed vegetation dynamics in northwest Siberian tundra

Widespread increases in Arctic tundra productivity have been documented for decades using coarse-scale satellite observations, but finer-scale observations indicate that changes have been very uneven, with a high degree of landscape- and regional-scale heterogeneity. Here we analyze time-series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) observed by Landsat (1984–2012), to assess landscape- and regional-scale variability of tundra vegetation dynamics in the northwest Siberian Low Arctic, a little-studied region with varied soils, landscape histories, and permafrost attributes. We also estimate spatio-temporal rates of land-cover change associated with expansion of tall alder (Alnus) shrublands, by integrating Landsat time-series with very-high-resolution imagery dating to the mid-1960s. We compiled Landsat time-series for eleven widely-distributed landscapes, and performed linear regression of NDVI values on a per-pixel basis. We found positive net NDVI trends (‘greening’) in nine of eleven landscapes. Net greening occurred in alder shrublands in all landscapes, and strong greening tended to correspond to shrublands that developed since the 1960s. Much of the spatial variability of greening within landscapes was linked to landscape physiography and permafrost attributes, while between-landscape variability largely corresponded to differences in surficial geology. We conclude that continued increases in tundra productivity in the region are likely in upland tundra landscapes with fine-textured, cryoturbated soils; these areas currently tend to support discontinuous vegetation cover, but are highly susceptible to rapid increases in vegetation cover, as well as land-cover changes associated with the development of tall shrublands.
Effects of area change and friction on acoustic propagation in compressible flow through long ducts

An analytical study of the effects of area change and friction on the sound propagation through the fluid which flows steadily in a long duct is made in this paper. The sound wave originating at the entrance of the duct is carried by the fluid flowing through ducts at velocities which are large enough to influence the sound wave transmission. The problem is analysed by using the governing differential equations in the unsteady one-dimensional gas dynamics and the transmission of the sound wave is treated as a perturbation to the otherwise steady main flow. As a result, an analytic expression of the sound pressure level as a function of the axial distance is obtained in this paper. A family of numerical solutions are presented.
Calculations for plane-parallel ion chambers in 60Co beams using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code

The EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulation system is used to obtain, for 10 plane-parallel ionization chambers in 60 Co beams, the correction factors K comp and P wall that account for the nonequivalence of the chamber wall material to the buildup cap and the phantom material, respectively. A more robust calculation method has been used compared to that used in previous works. A minor conceptual error related to the axial nonuniformity correction factor, K an , has been identified and shown to have an effect of about 0.2%. The assumption that P wall in-phantom is numerically equal to K comp calculated for a water buildup cap is shown to be accurate to better than 0.06%, thereby justifying the use of K comp calculations which are much more efficient. The effect on the calculated dose to the air in the cavity of the particle production threshold and transport energies used in the simulations is studied. Uncertainties in the calculated correction factors due to uncertainties in the photon and electron cross-section data are studied. They are 0.14% and 0.24%, respectively (1 standard deviation), for K comp factors. The uncertainties on K wall factors are 0.03% from photon cross-section uncertainties and negligible from electron cross-section uncertainties. A comparison with previous EGS4/PRESTA calculations shows that present results are systematically higher by an average of 0.8%, ranging from 0.4% up to 1.4%. The present results are in better agreement with reported experimental values.
Becoming a ''Model Minority'': Acquisition, Construction and Enactment of American Identity for Korean Immigrant Students

While the “model minority” stereotype of Asian Americans and its negative effects has been documented elsewhere, relatively little attention has been paid to how recent Asian immigrant students begin to embrace the stereotype while in schools. This study explores the identity formation process for a group of recent Korean immigrant students as “model minority” in an urban high school to empirically document the process. Through interviews and observations, I learned that the immigrants acquired an unauthentic American identity as a racial minority, constructed their status as “model minority” in response, and enacted the stereotype as they sanctioned those who couldn’t live up to the stereotype. The aim is to add to the body of knowledge on the school experiences of recent Asian immigrants.
Brief investigation of tests of variability in the two-sample case

Several robust methods for testing variability have been reported in previous literature. An examination of these procedures for a wide variety of populations confirms their general robustness. Shoemaker's improvement of the F-test extends its use to a realistic variety of population shapes. However, some combination of the Brown–Forsythe and O'Brien methods is needed to cover the full range of population shapes.
Neuropsychological testing defines the neurobehavioral significance of neuroimaging-identified abnormalities

Three cases are presented in patients all of whom sustained focal left frontal traumatic injury to the brain. Although each case was selected because of a neuroimaging-identified frontal lesion, the point is made that the behavioral significance of such lesions is defined by the neuropsychological examination process, and not the specific size, location, or type of lesion. While neuroimaging information is critical to the comprehensive evaluation of the neurologic patient, neuroimaging findings alone have only limited predictive ability with regard to neurobehavioral syndromes. The key role of information from neuropsychological test data, combined with neuroimaging findings to fully evaluate the neurologic patient, is made.
Stabilization of inter-area oscillation modes through excitation systems

This paper presents new analysis and design methods, based on transfer function residues to: (a) classify oscillation modes as either local or interarea; (b) determine feasibility of a given control structure such as conventional decentralized power system stabilizers (PSSs) or PSSs with remote input signals; (c) identify optimal locations for PSSs; and (d) design robust PSSs. A two-area four-generator power system is used to illustrate the proposed algorithms. >
The utterance from the east: The sense of hwt in psalms 52:4, 9; 91:3

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present alternative renditions of the Biblical word hwt (hwwt) as it appears in Psalms 52:4, 52:9, 91:3. Modern dictionaries and commentators explain or translate the term variously as ‘threat’, ‘menace’, ‘ruin’, ‘destruction’ or ‘poisonous’. Some even try to emend the word(s) in order to make the verse more intelligible. Yet, contrary to the current explanation, a thorough linguistic analysis will show that hwt (sg)/ hwwt (pl) in these verses, and in others as well, should be understood as ‘word(s)’ and in the derived meanings of ‘thought(s)’ or ‘incantations(s)’. Since many difficult or obscure Biblical words have, in many cases, been clarified via comparative Semitic evidence, an attempt is made to demonstrate how Biblical ‘hwt’ owes its origin to its sister vernaculars, Akkadian awatu and Ugaritic hwt . The same word, hwt , later surfaces in the Arabic with the identical meaning. Although Arabic was written long after the close of the Bible, its linguistically conservative nature makes it valuable for our comparative study. Accordingly, the paper advances a more exact meaning of hwt in Psalms based on the legacy of awatu/hwt/hwwt in Semitic languages and literature: Akkadian, Ugaritic, Qumran sectarian writings culminating with Arabic. The proposed rendition of Biblical hwt allows for a more accurate and coherent translation of the verses in the Psalms. Further, the implications of the above explanation are not limited to Psalms but rather shed light on all the verses in the Bible that contain this word.
Oxidation-reduction components of a reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide dehydrogenase.

Abstract DPNH dehydrogenase, solubilized from a particulate DPNH oxidase by treatment of the latter with ethanol at pH 4.8 and 43 °, has been further purified by precipitation with ammonium sulfate at pH 7.8 and by filtration through Sephadex G-25. The enzyme migrates as a single band when subjected to electrophoresis on starch gel or polyacrylamide. Based upon a molecular weight of 70,000 (determined by filtration through Sephadex G-200), each molecule of protein contains 1 FMN, 2 nonheme irons, 1 labile sulfide group, and 7 thiol groups. The latter are determined by titration of the protein with DTNB in the presence of 4 M urea. When the enzyme is reduced by DPNH under anaerobic conditions and in the absence of an external electron acceptor, the flavin appears to be fully reduced rather than at the semiquinone level; under these conditions, each mole of enzyme oxidizes approximately 3 moles of DPNH. Removal of the bound FMN by passage of the enzyme through Florisil or Bio-Gel does not affect the DPNH-ferricyanide activity while completely abolishing activity with cytochrome c or 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol; cytochrome c activity can be largely restored by the addition of FMN. p-Chloromercuribenzoate (pCMB) inhibits the dehydrogenation of DPNH coupled to ferricyanide, indophenol, or cytochrome c; inhibition of the DPNH-ferricyanide activity is a biphasic function of pCMB concentration. Preincubation of the enzyme with DPNH increases the sensitivity toward pCMB when ferricyanide and cytochrome c are used as acceptors.
Involvement of Protein Kinase C-β and Ceramide in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-induced but Not Fas-induced Apoptosis of Human Myeloid Leukemia Cells

The role of protein kinase C-β (PKC-β) in apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb) in the human myeloid HL-60 leukemia cell line was studied by using its variant HL-525, which is deficient in PKC-β. In contrast to the parental HL-60 cells, HL-525 is resistant to TNF-α-induced apoptosis but sensitive to anti-Fas mAb-induced apoptosis. Both cell types expressed similar levels of the TNF-receptor I, whereas the Fas receptor was detected only in HL-525 cells. Transfecting the HL-525 cells with an expression vector containing PKC-β reestablished their susceptibility to TNF-α-induced apoptosis. The apoptotic effect of TNF-α in HL-60 and the transfectants was abrogated by fumonisin, an inhibitor of ceramide generation, and by the peptide Ac-YVAD-BoMK, an inhibitor of caspase-1 and -4. Supplementing HL-525 cells with exogenous ceramides bypassed the PKC-β deficiency and induced apoptosis, which was also restrained by the caspase-1 and -4 inhibitor. The apoptotic effect of anti-Fas mAb in HL-525 cells was abrogated by the antioxidantsN -acetylcysteine and glutathione and by the peptide z-DEVD-FMK, an inhibitor of caspase-3 and -7. We suggest that TNF-α-induced apoptosis involves PKC-β and then ceramide and, in turn, caspase-1 and/or -4, whereas anti-Fas mAb-induced apoptosis utilizes reactive oxygen intermediates and, in turn, caspase-3 and/or -7.
Spatial Narrative and Postfeminist Fiction: Margaret Drabble's The Radiant Way

Although Margaret Drabble's tenth novel, The Radiant Way (1987), has been almost exclusively interpreted in the context of feminist criticism, the author's use of spatial narrative trope to give vo...
Teaching Basic Adaptive Skills to Young Children with Disabilities

This article focuses on methods of teaching the basic adaptive skills of toileting and independent eating to young children with disabilities. The early interventionist needs to understand which skills are priorities for the family and involve the family members in their instruction as much as desired. Toileting is a major developmental milestone as it signals independence for the child and less demands on the caregivers. The methods described for teaching toileting skills were: timed toileting, schedule toileting, and the rapid technique. Instruction in self feeding requires a team effort and a knowledge of the sequence of typical development. Methods reviewed for teaching self‐feeding were systematic instruction, positioning techniques, and adaptive modifications. Acquisition of self‐feeding and toileting skills enables children with special needs to be more independent and facilitates their acceptance in inclusive settings.
Optical tweezers study life under tension

Optical tweezers have become one of the primary weapons in the arsenal of biophysicists, and have revolutionized the new field of single-molecule biophysics. Today's techniques allow high-resolution experiments on biological macromolecules that were mere pipe dreams only a decade ago.
TSQ (6-Methoxy-8-p-Toluenesulfonamido-Quinoline), a Common Fluorescent Sensor for Cellular Zinc, Images Zinc Proteins

Zn(2+) is a necessary cofactor for thousands of mammalian proteins. Research has suggested that transient fluxes of cellular Zn(2+) are also involved in processes such as apoptosis. Observations of Zn(2+) trafficking have been collected using Zn(2+) responsive fluorescent dyes. A commonly used Zn(2+) fluorophore is 6-methoxy-8-p-toluenesulfonamido-quinoline (TSQ). The chemical species responsible for TSQ's observed fluorescence in resting or activated cells have not been characterized. Parallel fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorometry of LLC-PK(1) cells incubated with TSQ demonstrated punctate staining that concentrated around the nucleus and was characterized by an emission maximum near 470 nm. Addition of cell permeable Zn-pyrithione resulted in greatly increased, diffuse fluorescence that shifted the emission peak to 490 nm, indicative of the formation of Zn(TSQ)(2). TPEN (N,N,N'N'-tetrakis(-)[2-pyridylmethyl]-ethylenediamine), a cell permeant Zn(2+) chelator, largely quenched TSQ fluorescence returning the residual fluorescence to the 470 nm emission maximum. Gel filtration chromatography of cell supernatant from LLC-PK(1) cells treated with TSQ revealed that TSQ fluorescence (470 nm emission) eluted with the proteome fractions. Similarly, addition of TSQ to proteome prior to chromatography resulted in 470 nm fluorescence emission that was not observed in smaller molecular weight fractions. It is hypothesized that Zn-TSQ fluorescence, blue-shifted from the 490 nm emission maximum of Zn(TSQ)(2), results from ternary complex, TSQ-Zn-protein formation. As an example, Zn-carbonic anhydrase formed a ternary adduct with TSQ characterized by a fluorescence emission maximum of 470 nm and a dissociation constant of 1.55 × 10(-7) M. Quantification of TSQ-Zn-proteome fluorescence indicated that approximately 8% of cellular Zn(2+) was imaged by TSQ. These results were generalized to other cell types and model Zn-proteins.
Inflammatory diseases of the lung causing false-positive 131iodine whole body scans in the evaluation of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Two case reports.

The 131 I whole body scan is commonly used to establish the presence of metastatic disease in papillary thyroid carcinoma. False-positive scans are rare, but have been reported. We present two cases of aberrant uptake of radioiodine after thyroidectomy and 131 I ablation due to inflammatory conditions of the lung, aspergilloma, and respiratory bronchiolitis.
Molecular specializations at nodes and paranodes in peripheral nerve

In the peripheral nervous system, nodes of Ranvier are formed by interactions between myelinating Schwann cells and axons. Nodes have an intricate ultrastructure, and their molecular architecture is similarly complex. A growing list of molecules have been found that are selectively localized to different parts of the nodes. Neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), L1/ Ng-CAM, and tenascin/cytotactin are enriched in the nodal basal lamina; hyaluronic acid, versican/ hyaluronectin, N-CAM, L1/Ng-CAM, tenascin/cytotactin, and the ganglioside GM1 are enriched in the nodal gap; myelin-associated glycoprotein, oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein, connexin32, E-cadherin, actin, the gangliosides GQ1b and GD1b, the potassium channel KV1.5, and alkaline phosphatase are enriched in the paranodal region of the Schwann cell; voltage-dependent sodium channels and the cytoskeletal proteins spectrin and ankyrin are enriched in the nodal axolemma. Many of these molecules are probably essential for the proper functioning and stability of nodes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Union Decline and the Political Demands of Organized Labor

With the acceleration in the rate of U.S. union membership decline since 1970, organized labor has issued legislative demands for redistributing wealth and for protecting unions as organizations. Yet research on labor political action has de-emphasized not only the development of labor's legislative agenda, but also the forces, such as socioeconomic status and class conflict, which cause diverse occupational and industrial sectors of unions to issue different legislative demands. Analysis of resolutions passed at the 1981-87 AFL-CIO conventions shows that declining and/or predominantly white, male unions in construction and manufacturing tended to issue organizational legislative demands, while growing, service-industry unions with large minority and women memberships tended to issue redistributive legislative demands. The findings suggest that unevenness in class conflict across unions affects which unions issue organizational demands and that inter-union diversity in socioeconomic status affects which u...
Inter-disciplinary contradictions and the influence of science on policy

Policy conclusions of two or more disciplines often appear to contradict one another, and so cancel out one another's influence on policy. This article investigates the degree to which the contradiction is only apparent, in the sense that the disciplines answer different questions. In many instances the disciplines are complementary; some measure of reconciliation can be obtained by defining more sharply the assumptions and data that lie behind their questions, and hence the theoretical domains over which their answers are valid. By showing that those domains are non-overlapping, disputes can often be understood and opposing views reconciled.
Forces between polymer brushes: Monte Carlo simulation of a continuous-space model.

We present results of numerical simulations of a three-dimensional off-lattice model for polymer brushes end grafted to parallel planar surfaces, for several values of the surface coverage and the chain length. Besides computing the density profiles, we determine the force between the brushes, using an extension of a method originally devised for lattice systems. The results are compared with predictions of self-consistent field theory.
Growth of the inferior cavopulmonary pathway in patients with a lateral tunnel fontan connection: quantification from serial magnetic resonance images

Background Single ventricle heart defects affect 2 per 1000 live births in the US and are lethal if left untreated. The Fontan procedure used to treat these defects consists of a series of palliative surgeries to create the total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) which bypasses the right heart. In the last stage, the inferior vena cava (IVC) is connected to the pulmonary arteries (PAs) using one of two main approaches: an extracardiac conduit (EC), where a synthetic graft is used as the conduit; and the lateral tunnel (LT), where the atrial wall is used along with a synthetic patch to create the pathway. The LT pathway is anticipated to grow in the long term because it is formed partially with native atrial tissue, as opposed to the EC that retains its original size (contains only synthetic material); however, growth of LT pathways has not been systematically quantified. The objective of this work is to quantify cavopulmonary pathway growth from serial MR images of LT patients.
Evidence of correction of open bitemalocclusion using active vertical corrector treatment

This study used a cephalometric analysis that isolated tipping and bodily tooth movements of the upper and the lower incisors and measured vertical skeletal changes in the anterior region of the maxilla and mandible to evaluate the outcome of two-phase nonextraction treatment for open bite malocclusion. Twenty-nine subjects treated with an active vertical corrector (AVC) followed by fixed 022 orthodontic appliances were selected by one orthodontist from his private practice. All subjects lacked vertical incisor contact at the start of treatment and had adequate initial, end of phase 1, and deband lateral cephalograms. Each subject in the treated group was matched by age and sex with an untreated subject from the Broadbent Bolton Collection, Cleveland, OH. Data were collected for three time intervals; phase 1 treatment with the AVC (T1 to T2), phase 2 fixed-appliance treatment (T2 to T3), and over the total treatment period (T1 to T3). Analysis of the data showed no statistically significant (P < or = .002) changes between treated subjects and controls for any variables during the phase 1 (T1 to T2) or phase 2 (T2 to T3) treatment intervals. However, overbite was significantly improved compared with controls (P < or = .002) during the T1 to T3 time interval. It was concluded that two-phase treatment with the AVC followed by fixed orthodontic appliance treatment results in a statistically significant increase in incisor overbite. The observed increase in overbite was the result of small but clinically significant changes in relative mandibular vertical growth, bodily incisor movement toward the occlusal plane, and lingual tipping of the lower incisors.
Small cell carcinoma of the prostate. II. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies of 18 cases

To evaluate the histogenesis of small cell carcinoma of the prostate, 18 cases of this tumor (9 pure small cell and 9 combined adeno- and small cell carcinoma) were studied using immunohistochemical methods. Seven of the small cell components also were assessed by electron microscopic examination. Using neuron-specific enolase (NSE), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) on tissue sections, three distinctive immunostaining patterns of small cell carcinoma components were identified: staining positive for NSE and negative for PSA and PAP (10 cases), staining positive for PSA and PAP and negative for NSE (3 cases), and negative reaction for all three antigens (5 cases). Electron microscopic study demonstrated neurosecretory granules in two cases. Based on the immunostaining and electron microscopic findings, small cell carcinomas of the prostate appear to be a heterogeneous group of tumors. Some of them are neuroendocrine carcinomas whereas others are poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas or, possibly, reserve cell carcinomas. Differences in immunostaining patterns or presence and absence of adenocarcinoma component do not reflect any differences in the uniformly poor prognosis of small cell carcinomas, in which median survivals is 7.7 months. The authors believe that, because of such heterogeneity, small cell carcinomas of the prostate arise from multipotential prostatic epithelium and that an origin from specific neuroendocrine cells need not be implicated.
Application of a magnetooptic spatial light modulator to white-light optical processing

The application of a programmable magnetooptic spatial light modulator to white-light optical signal processing is presented. We have shown that the magnetooptic device responds to the polarized white light, in which a wide range of color object patterns can be generated. Since the magnetooptic device is a transmitted type spatial light modulator, it is very suitable for real-time programmable spatial filter synthesis and object pattern generation for optical signal processings. Experimental demonstrations of some of the elementary spatial filter syntheses and pseudocolor encodings are provided.
Implications and Outcome of Permanent Coronary Sinus Lead Extraction and Reimplantation

Coronary Sinus Laser Lead Extraction. Objective: We examined the implications and outcome of coronary sinus (CS) lead removal including the feasibility of laser use within the CS. Background: Cardiac anatomy and lead interactions are more complex with the advent of biventricular pacemakers and atrial cardioverters requiring permanent lead/shocking coil placement in the coronary sinus and its branches. Methods: Fifty-five permanent cardiac leads were extracted during 2003 in 28 consecutive patients. Our study population included a 10/55 (18%) subset (all males; age 73 ′ 6 years; EF = 0.24 ′ 0.09) that underwent CS (1/10) or vein branch (9/10) lead extraction. Leads were extracted with an excimer laser sheath (n = 4) or by direct traction (n = 6). Median times between implantation and lead removal were 9.5 months (range 5-59) in the laser group and 3 months (range 3-4) in the direct traction group. Indication for extraction was infection (n = 4), dislodgement (n = 3), diaphragm stimulation (n = 2), and elevated threshold (n = 1). The CS was divided into distal, mid, and proximal segments by venogram. Results: Entry of the laser sheath into the CS was necessary in three of four laser patients. The two distal CS laser cases (left lateral CS coil and anterior-lateral left ventricular (LV) lead) required both 14- and 12-Fr sheaths, separately. The proximal CS laser case (posterior-lateral LV lead) required a 12 Fr sheath. The remaining laser patient required a 12-Fr sheath to pass to the mid SVC. There were no procedural complications as a result of CS lead extraction. Reimplantation of a CS lead was attempted in 7/10 patients at a median of 4 days (range 1-300). CS venograms were available for review in patients before initial implantation (6/10) and after extraction (7/10). The postextraction venograms demonstrated complete occlusion of the vein from which the lead was extracted, and its distal branches, which were unusable in 5/10 (50%). The vein occlusions were present in patients with indwelling leads for greater than 3 months and were independent of extraction method. Conclusions: Laser lead extraction in the coronary sinus appears feasible in carefully selected cases with mandatory indications. However, special intraoperative monitoring and echocardiographic imaging with surgical backup ready is strongly recommended. Target vein selection may be limited for the purpose of reimplantation when leads are indwelling for greater than 3 months.
Fluorine analysis by activation with an isotopic fast-neutron source and counting Nitrogen-16

A rapid, nondestructive method has been developed for determination of fluorine by activation with fast neutrons from a241Am-242Cm-Be source and counting the 6–7 MeV γ rays of the product nitrogen-16. The total neutron output of the source is 4.8·109 unmoderated neutrons per second and the flux is 1.4·108 fast n·cm−2· sec−1. The γ-ray detectors consist of two opposing, matched cylindrical NaI(Tl) crystals 10 cm long and 10 cm in diameter. The sample is irradiated for 30 seconds, cooled for 4 seconds, and then counted for 30 seconds. The sensitivity is 4.8·104 counts nitrogen-16 per gram fluorine, and the limit of detection is 0.4 mg fluorine in a 10-gram sample. A reproducibility of 0.24% is achieved. The relative standard deviation of the specific count rate of nitrogen-16 for 11 fluorine compounds is 1.31%.
Designs to improve polysilicon micromirror surface topology

Many applications for surface micromachined micromirrors require optically flat mirror surfaces. Holographic data storage and optical beam steering for display applications need reflective surfaces free of phase distortion to reduce the signal noise level, minimize cross-talk, and keep the system in focus. Typical micromirror designs may have unintentional embossing on the mirror surface resulting from the top surface conforming to the pattern of underlying layers. The bottom layers may have been shaped to form electrodes to electrostatically move the mirror. The mirror surface may also sag as a result of an imbalance between the stresses in the metal layer and the underlying polysilicon layer. This paper presents a study of the surface of a baseline micromirror, and shows the results of applying smart designs to minimize surface topology defects. The micromirrors presented in this paper were fabricated through the multi-user MEMS processes and categorized with an interferometric microscope.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Boundary effects in woven composites

Two dimensional finite elements were used to study boundary effects in plain weave composite specimens subjected to extension, shear, and flexure laods. Effective extension, shear, and flexural moduli were found to be quite sensitive to specimen size. For extension and flexure loads stress distributions were affected by a free surface, but the free surface boundary effect did not appear to propagate very far into the interior. For shear load the boundary effect appeared to propagate much further into the interior.
Observations of three-dimensional Langmuir wave structure

[1] Measurements of the three-dimensional structure of solar wind Langmuir waves made by the STEREO spacecraft are presented. Langmuir wave structure is studied using hodograms classified as one-, two-, or three-dimensional. Multi-dimensional Langmuir waves are both less-often observed than one-dimensional events and clustered in time. These observations show that a minority of Langmuir waves have electric fields transverse to the local magnetic field direction. We present a new explanation for this transverse structure based on an interpretation of Langmuir waves as eigenmodes of solar wind density cavities. These new observations are compared with previous theories for transverse wave structure and the eigenmode interpretation is found to be consistent with STEREO observations.
Planned neck dissection for advanced primary head and neck malignancy treated with organ preservation therapy: disease control and survival outcomes.

Background. The role of planned neck dissection af- ter organ preservation therapy with radiotherapy or chemo- therapy/radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancers pre- senting with clinically positive neck disease is still being elucidated. The aim of this study is to review the outcomes of such patients treated by organ preservation therapy at our insti- tution. Methods. A retrospective chart review of 33 patients who un- derwent planned neck dissections after organ preservation therapy for advanced primary head and neck malignancy. End- points measured were disease-free survival and local, regional, and distant control. Setting. Tertiary metropolitan medical center. Results. Two-year actuarial disease-free survival was 61%, and neck control was 92%, with only two failures in the neck. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and total dose of radiotherapy did not correlate with neck control or disease-free survival. The presence of pathologically positive nodal disease at the time of neck dissection did not correlate with recurrent neck disease, but was a predictor of local recurrence (p = .0086). Conclusions. Our data suggest that for patients undergoing planned neck dissection after organ preservation therapy, neck control is obtained in almost all cases. The presence of patho- logically positive nodal disease at the time of surgery may have implications for the incidence of local recurrence. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 73-79, 2001.
Single Mode 3D Diffusive Photopolymer Optics for Optical Integrated Circuits

We demonstrate single mode three-dimensional optics fabricated via direct-write lithography in diffusive photopolymers, including uniform waveguides, symmetrical waveguide tapers, 900 sharp waveguide bends and waveguides through thin hybrid subcomponents.
Sulfonamides as selective oestrogen receptor β agonists

A series of p-hydroxybenzenesulphonamides ERβ receptor agonists were discovered and several compounds identified had excellent selectivity over the related ERα receptor. One of these, compound 11, had an interesting binding conformation determined by X-ray and represents an excellent starting point in the quest for further selective ERβ agonists.
Immunotherapeutic effectiveness of BCG inactivated by various modalities.

Factors responsible for the limited effectiveness of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy are completely understood. One limitation is that although the effect is dose-related, high-dose administration increases the risk of BCG toxicity, possibly the result of disseminated BCG infection. In the present study, we compared the relative effectiveness of Tice lyophilized BCG which was inactivated by heat, sonication, irradiation, streptomycin, or isoniazid (INH). The model systems were the 13762A rat mammary adenocarcinoma and the line 10 guinea pig hepatoma. In the 13762A system, tumor were injected on day 7 with living or killed BCG preparations, or with Corynebacterium parvum as a positive control. Tumors were excised on day 20. Rats treated with surgery alone usually died within 40--50 days with extensive metastases to lymph nodes, lungs, and viscera. Guinea pig line 10 hepatoma was treated with vaccine containing irradiated tumor cells and BCG. In both the rat and guinea pig models, BCG inactivated by means of irradiation was effective as viable BCG and heat-killed BCG also had a strong effect. Streptomycin treatment diminished the efficacy of the BCG and sonication destroyed BCG effectiveness even though the organisms were not all killed. The INH treatment of tumor-bearing rats did not alter the benefits of single or repeated injections of high-dose viable BCG, irradiated BCG, or C parvum. We conclude that inacativation of BCG with heat, irradiation, or INH host treatment preserves but does not improve the immunotherapeutic benefits of BCG.
Obesity does not impair walking economy across a range of speeds and grades

Despite the popularity of walking as a form of physical activity for obese individuals, relatively little is known about how obesity affects the metabolic rate, economy, and underlying mechanical e...
Fortschritte in der optischen Bildgebung

Eine Reihe optischer Bildgebungsmodalitaten hat in den letzten Jahren deutliche Fortschritte gemacht. Neben technischen Verbesserungen im Bereich der Bilderzeugung und -rekonstruktion sind in jungster Zeit “intelligente” optische Fluorochrome entwickelt worden, die eine sensitive Detektion molekularer Ziele (z. B. endogener Enzyme) in vivo ermoglichen. Die Kombination neuer Bildgebungstechniken mit intelligenten Kontrastmitteln birgt ein groses diagnostisches Potenzial fur zukunftige klinische und experimentelle Anwendungen. Im Folgenden sollen die Grundlagen der optischen Bildgebung erlautert und der aktuelle Stand der Entwicklung dargelegt werden.
Minimum left ventricular coronary vascular resistance in dogs.

Abstract The transmural distribution of minimum left ventricular coronary vascular resistance, and hence the maximum potential for coronary vascular reserve, was calculated in multiple left ventricular layers of perfused, diastolically arrested, metabolically supported, maximally vasodilated dog hearts. With the exception of the apex, where minimum resistance was more uniform, minimum resistance in the inner half of the left ventricular free wall was approximately 65% of, and significantly lower than, subepicardial minimum resistance. These findings indicate that there is significant coronary vascular reserve in the left ventricular subendocardium of the normal dog heart.
A comparative study of the effect of methionine enkephalin upon the stereospecific binding of an opiate agonist and an antagonist in mice and rats.

Abstract The synthetic enkephalins especially methionine enkephalin are more potent in inhibiting the stereospecific binding of 3 H-dihydromorphine than that of 3 H-naloxone in mouse brain homogenates. Methionine enkephalin is a more potent inhibitor of 3 H-dihydromorphine binding in whole mouse brain homogenates than in washed mouse brain membranes. No difference was observed with regard to the inhibitory effect of methionine enkephalin on the binding of 3 H-dihydromorphine in whole rat brain homogenates or washed rat brain membranes. The use of different radiolabelled drugs (agonist versus antagonist), different species (mouse versus rat) and/or the variation in the preparation (brain homogenates versus washed membranes) may account for the difference between the IC 50 of methionine enkephalin versus 3 H-dihydromorphine and versus 3 H-naloxone stereospecific binding. The increased inhibitory effect of methionine enkephalin when the supernatant was added to the washed brain membranes supports the hypothesis that methionine enkephalin may be one part of the real endogenous morphine ligand.
The structure of shear driven mixing with an unstable thermal stratification

A water channel experiment was used to study the turbulent mixing structure of shear and buoyancy. Density differences between fluid layers were produced by thermal stratification. The experiment was statistically steady and provided a long time period to study the mixing behavior and record data. The mixing process was studied using dye and digitized photographs. Individual images gave a two-dimensional view of the mixing structure. An ensemble average of images gave averaged mixing layer growth rate and the distribution of light and heavy fluid in the mixing layer. The experiment gave a space-time transformation in the streamwise direction which permitted a continuous study of the mixing evolution. The structure of the early growth of a compound shear and buoyancy mixing layer is presented. For the range of flows ({Delta}U = 0 to 1 cm/s) and density differences (0.38 to 2.4 kg/m{sup 3}), buoyancy was the dominant mixing mechanism.
Investigating Influenza a M2-Cholesterol Interactions by Oriented Sample Magnetic Resonance

The influenza A M2 protein is a homotetrameric membrane protein that is vital to the viral life cycle. M2 has been shown to interact with cholesterol to induce cell membrane curvature and scission in the production of new virus particles. Previous work from our group used site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (SDSL-EPR) to probe the conformation and dynamics of M2 constructs consisting of the transmembrane and C-terminal domains, revealing multiple conformational states in a cholesterol-modulated equilibrium. The observed conformational changes were proposed to arise from both a direct M2-cholesterol interaction through an amino acid consensus region in the C-terminal domain and indirectly through cholesterol-induced changes to the bilayer environment.We present work using lipid bicelles, which spontaneously orient in a magnetic field, as a membrane alternative to detergent micelles and bilayered vesicles. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and EPR were used to obtain new information describing the specific M2-cholesterol interaction.
Lidar model with parameterized multiple scattering for retrieving cloud optical properties

Abstract Cirrus clouds play an important role in the climate through their optical and microphysical properties. The problem with measuring optical properties of these clouds can be partially addressed by using lidar systems. This paper presents a new model for describing the multiple scattering contribution to the backscatter signal measured by the lidar system. The new lidar equation introduced this way, expresses the backscatter signal in terms of a polynomial function of the cloud scattering coefficient. Cloud optical properties such as the extinction coefficient and lidar ratio can be deduced from the new proposed lidar equation. Moreover, some cloud microphysical properties can also be inferred from these optical properties. The method is applied to lidar data collected by the micropulsed lidar operating at Nauru under the auspices of the US Department of Energy ARM program.
The "lurnaround" Process Factors Influencing the School Success of Urban Youth

This article presents the findings of a research project designed to identify factors that contribute to the ability of at-risk high school students to make the transition from behavior pattems associated with academic failure to academic success. Based on open-ended interviews with 66 students, it describes, in their words, their experiences as elementary, junior high, and high school students; their reasons forfailing; and their motivations and supports for changing.
A new solution of the discrete algebraic Riccati equation

A theoretically interesting and computationally attractive solution of the discrete algebraic Riccati equation is presented. The solution is based on Luenberger's canonical representation of controllable multivariable systems and a result due to Vaughan whereby the solution is written in terms of the eigenvectors of a corresponding Hamiltonian matrix. Concise expressions for these eigenvectors are developed in terms of a much simpler reduced Hamiltonian system.
Synthesis and evaluation of a polyamine phosphinate and phosphonamidate as transition-state analogue inhibitors of spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase

Polyamine analogues such as bis(ethyl)norspermine and N1-ethyl-N11-[(cyclopropyl)methyl]-4,8-diazaundecane (CPENSpm) act as inhibitors of the enzyme spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) in vitro and possess impressive antitumor activity against a number of cell lines. However, the propensity of these compounds to superinduce SSAT in intact cells limits their usefulness in studies aimed at elucidating the role of SSAT in cellular metabolism. The recently synthesized alkylpolyamine analogue N1-ethyl-N11-[(cycloheptyl)methyl]-4,8-diazaundecane (CHENSpm, 3) is also an effective inhibitor of SSAT and has potent antitumor activity, but does not appear to superinduce SSAT. These findings suggest that it is possible to synthesize polyamine analogues that can be used for selective inhibition of the enzyme in cellular metabolic studies. Along these lines, the phosphate-based transition state analogues 4 and 5 were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of isolated SSAT. Phosphonamidate 4 was rapidly hydrolyzed under the assay conditions, and thus did not inhibit the enzyme. However, the phosphinate analogue 5 was an effective inhibitor of purified human SSAT, with a Ki value of 250 microM. The inhibitory activity of 5 was also compared with that of CHENSpm (IC50 = 13 microM), as well as a series of bis-substituted alkylpolyamine analogues. The unsymmetrically substituted polyamine analogue CHENSpm (3) and the phosphinate transition state analogue 5 represent the first functional, nonsuperinducing inhibitors of human SSAT.
On the radius of convergence of Newton’s method under average mild differentiability conditions

We provide a local convergence analysis for Newton’s method under mild differentiability conditions on the operator involved in a Banach space setting. In particular we show that under the same hypotheses and computational cost but using more precise estimates we can provide a larger convergence radius and finer error bounds on the distances involved than before (Huang in Comput. Math. Math. 42:247–251, 2004; Rheinboldt in Banach Ctr. Publ. 3:129–142, 1977; Wang in IMA J. Numer. Anal. 20:123–134, 2000). Some numerical examples are used to further justify the usage of our results over the earlier ones mentioned above.
Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the anti-neoplastic urinary protein (ANUP) and the anti-tumour effect of the N-terminal nonapeptide of the unique cytokine present in human granulocytes.

Abstract The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the anti-neoplastic urinary protein (ANUP), a unique cytokine present in human granulocytes, was determined to be: Pyroglu-Leu-Lys-X-Tyr-Thr-X-Lys-Glu-Pro-Met-Thr-Ser(Thr)-Ala-Ala . . . This sequence showed no significant homology with any other protein when used in database searches. Furthermore, a synthetic nonapeptide corresponding to the first nine residues, with Cys in positions 4 and 7, was found to be a biologically active in vitro anti-tumour agent. An alternate method for the purification of ANUP to that previously reported is also presented. This method involves differential Amicon Diaflo membrane filtration.
A Comparison of Traditional and Technology-Assisted Instructional Methods in the Business Communication Classroom:

In their study of 261 students enrolled in eight sections of a business communication course, three taught in a traditional classroom setting and the others delivered in a hybrid, half-time online ...
Graph-theoretic algorithms for polynomial optimization problems

The objective of this tutorial paper is to study a general polynomial optimization problem using a semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation. The first goal is to show how the underlying structure and sparsity of an optimization problem affect its computational complexity. Graph-theoretic algorithms are presented to address this problem based on the notions of low-rank optimization and matrix completion. By building on this result, it is then shown that every polynomial optimization problem admits a sparse representation whose SDP relaxation has a rank 1 or 2 solution. The implications of these results are discussed in details and their applications in decentralized control and power systems are also studied.
Stopped flow microcalorimetry without adiabatic compression:application to reactions with half-lives between 3 and 50 ms

Abstract A stopped flow apparatus with a thermal sensor has been developed with an uptake syringe mechanically coupled to a set of driving syringes that alleviates the pressure-induced temperature change previously observed at the point of stopping the flow. With this effect eliminated we can now study reactions with total reaction times that are close to the response time of the thermistor (7 ms).
Underestimation of Carotid Stenosis in Bradycardia

Bradycardia may lead to an underestimation of carotid stenosis by duplex ultrasonography. An 83-year-old man with asymptomatic bradycardia was referred to our institution after magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater than 90% stenosis of the proximal left internal carotid artery (ICA). Two separate carotid duplex examinations were subsequently performed at different vascular laboratories within our institution. Both studies showed elevated (but borderline for the highest category of stenosis) peak systolic velocities with relatively low end-diastolic velocities (EDVs). Angiography demonstrated more than 90% stenosis of the left ICA. Carotid endarterectomy was then performed. In conclusion, interpreting physicians and vascular ultrasound technologists should be aware of the spurious decrease in EDV that accompanies bradycardia. Further imaging may be warranted when revascularization is a consideration for bradycardic patients with borderline results on carotid duplex ultrasonography.