cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of single helium bubbles rising in FLiNaK molten salt

Abstract An experimental investigation of single helium bubbles rising in a stagnant molten fluoride salt mixture was conducted in a 25.4 mm quartz tube at 600 °C and atmospheric pressure. The fluoride salt chosen for this research was the eutectic mixture of LiF-NaF-KF (46.5–11.5–42%), also known as FLiNaK. The images obtained using a high-speed camera were processed to estimate the bubble size, rising velocity, trajectory and shape. The shape of the bubble showed typical characteristics of wobbling bubble corresponding to published classifications. The trajectory of the rising bubble showed complex path oscillations and combinations of rectilinear, zig-zag and helical motion. The projected area-equivalent diameter and experimental terminal velocity varied from 5.26 to 6.23 mm and 232.35–259.57 mm/s, respectively. Several important dimensionless numbers were calculated and reported based on the experimental results, which are closely related to the phenomena involving a gas bubble rising in liquid. The measured terminal velocity was compared with the predictions of existing correlations that include the dimensionless numbers and showed reasonable agreement. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was applied to complement the experimental data set with high-fidelity measurements of the velocity field of the liquid molten salt surrounding the bubble. The paper presents a unique set of PIV and two-phase experimental data capturing the behavior of rising helium bubbles in molten FLiNaK and its surrounding flow field.
Desensitization and Violent Video Games: Mechanisms and Evidence

Desensitization, the reduction of cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioral responses to a stimulus, is an automatic and unconscious phenomenon often experienced in everyday life. Exposure to violent media, especially violent video games, may cause desensitization to real-life violence. Desensitization to violence blocks empathy which is needed to trigger the moral reasoning process that triggers prosocial responding. Representative research was reviewed to examine links between exposure to violent video games and desensitization to violence in children and adolescents. It was concluded that exposure to violent video games increases the risk of desensitization to violence, which in turn may increase aggression and decrease prosocial behavior. Parents should be counseled to discuss the differences between real and screen violence, to encourage nonviolent problem-solving, and to provide empathy-building experiences for their children.
A network model for the real-time communications of a smart grid prototype

Within a large-scale distributed (or centralized) smart grid, the communication network is designed to connect multiple power management systems and collect data from hundreds or thousands of power sensors over a large geographical area. Due to the ripple effect of inconsistent communication delays, the network performance becomes a major concern to support power system applications. For example, in a large NSF project Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM), we implement a smart grid prototype, called the FREEDM Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbed. The Distributed Grid Intelligences (DGIs) in the prototype can group specific peers to exchange the power among the power demands and supplies. But the grouping sometimes is not successful due to the inconsistent delays. In this paper, we present a queueing model to describe the performance of the grouping network that supports the communications among the DGIs in our smart grid prototype. First, we develop a queueing model to describe the communication traffic among the DGIs in the network with different topologies. Second, based on the network model, we analyze the delay performance and illustrate that the model can be used to predict the grouping delays. Third, we have collected extensive experimental data which is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the model. Finally, we have implemented the HIL testbed with the capabilities of integrated real-time communication and power exchange. The network model is used to investigate the influence of the communication inconsistency on the total cycle time of power operations so that new grouping protocols can be designed in the future.
Environmentalism: Material or Post-Material Need?

Environmentalism in Latin America has become of increasing concern throughout the world from the poor conditions in urban areas that affect the health of the population to the vast destruction of precious areas such as the Amazon. This paper seeks to discover what causes Latin American governments to take environmental actions. Are factors such as economic stability, environmental knowledge and education, or poor health conditions important in influencing the government to join environmental intergovernmental organizations? This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol13/iss1/ 12
Overview of the Fifth Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research, and Training Cancer Control Academy†

The Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research, and Training (AANCART) is dedicated to increasing cancer awareness, conducting research, and providing training to reduce the burden of cancer among Asian Americans. It is comprised of seven regions around the country where approximately one-third of Asian Americans in the United States reside. The Fifth Asian American Cancer Control Academy, which was held in Sacramento in October 2004, was the final Academy to be held during the initial 5-year AANCART project period. At the academy, various speakers addressed the national perspective on reducing and controlling the disparate burden of cancer borne by the ethnic and medically underserved communities of our country and cancer control in Asian-American communities.. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
The crossing number of K4,n on the real projective plane

We show that the crossing number of K"4","n on the real projective plane is n32n-31+n3.We also give an estimate for the crossing number of K"m","n on the real projective plane.
Buddhist Monastic Discipline: The Sanskrit Pratimoksa Sutras of the Mahasamghikas and Mulasarvastivadins

This book contains two Buddhist monastic disciplinary texts, the Sanskrit Pratimoksha Sutras of the Mahasamghikas and Mulasarvastivadins, for the first time, translated into English. Two introductory chapters precede the translated sutras. The translated texts are annotated and grammatical variants in Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit are highlighted.
Chapter 6. Neuronal Calcium Channels

Publisher Summary The understanding of the biology of neuronal calcium channels has developed significantly in recent times with the recognition of at least six subtypes of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) found in the central nervous system (CNS). VDCC belong to a class of proteins that mediate ionic movements across excitable cell membranes in response to the changes in membrane potential. The subtypes of VDCC are commonly referred to as L, N, P, Q, R, and T that are divided into two groups, low voltage activated (LVA) and high voltage activated (HVA), on the basis of requirement of depolarization for activation. Molecular biology studies are revealing the subunit composition of these individual VDCC subtypes and allowing the development of cloned cell lines, expressing single populations of neuronal VDCCs. The chapter discusses the neuronal VDCCs of the N and P-Q families, because of their likely relevance to the neurotransmitter release. N-type channels are uniquely blocked by nanomolar concentrations of a peptide toxin, ω-CgTx-GVIA, found in the venom of a fish hunting mollusc, Conus geographus . Inhibition of a calcium channel by this toxin is widely accepted as being indicative of N type pharmacology. The inhibition is practically irreversible whereas that by another selective toxin, ω-CmTx-MVIIA from Conus magus, is readily reversible. There are known to be at least six a1 genes coding for the pore-forming proteins of HVA VDCCs. Expression of the cloned subunits in oocytes and mammalian cell lines is allowing comparison of the biophysics and pharmacologies of native and engineered channels. All cloned a1 subunits give rise to HVA channels. Expression of α 1A and α 1B gives rise to slowly inactivating channels whereas those expressed by α 1E genes are rapidly inactivating and more akin to R channels. Like R channels, α 1E expression leads to VDCCs that are insensitive to ω-CgTx-GVIA, ω-CmTx-MVIIC, and ω-Aga-IVA.
Trends in Receipt and Timing of Multimodality Therapy in Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is considered a systemic disease at presentation. Therefore, multimodality therapy with surgical resection and chemotherapy is the standard of care for locoregional disease. We described treatment patterns and time trends with regard to age and treatment center in the receipt of multimodality therapy. We used the National Cancer Data Base to identify patients ≥18 years old with stage I and II pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Treatment was defined as no treatment, resection only, chemotherapy only, or multimodality therapy, which consisted of both chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and resection. Trends in the receipt and type of treatment were compared. Of 39,441 patients, 22.8 % of patients received no treatment, 18.5 % received chemotherapy only, 23.0 % underwent surgical resection alone, and 35.8 % of patients received multimodality therapy. Receipt of multimodality therapy increased from 31.3 % in 2004 to 37.9 % in 2011 (p 55 years were less likely to receive multimodality therapy (56–64 years: OR 0.83, 95 % CI 0.78–0.89; 65–75: OR 0.60, 95 % CI 0.55–0.65; ≥76: OR 0.17, 95 % CI 0.16–0.19 compared to patients 18–55). Compared to community hospitals, patients treated at an NCI-designated center were more likely to receive multimodality therapy (OR 1.62, 95 % CI 1.46–1.81) and, if they received multimodality therapy, delivery of chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant compared to adjuvant setting (OR 2.82, 95 % CI 2.00–3.98). Despite increased use of multimodality therapy, it remains underutilized in all patients and especially in older patients. Receipt of multimodality therapy and neoadjuvant therapy is highly dependent on treatment at NCI-designated cancer centers.
VEX: vetting browser extensions for security vulnerabilities

The browser has become the de facto platform for everyday computation. Among the many potential attacks that target or exploit browsers, vulnerabilities in browser extensions have received relatively little attention. Currently, extensions are vetted by manual inspection, which does not scale well and is subject to human error. In this paper, we present VEX, a framework for highlighting potential security vulnerabilities in browser extensions by applying static information-flow analysis to the JavaScript code used to implement extensions. We describe several patterns of flows as well as unsafe programming practices that may lead to privilege escalations in Firefox extensions. VEX analyzes Firefox extensions for such flow patterns using high-precision, context-sensitive, flow-sensitive static analysis. We analyze thousands of browser extensions, and VEX finds six exploitable vulnerabilities, three of which were previously unknown. VEX also finds hundreds of examples of bad programming practices that may lead to security vulnerabilities. We show that compared to current Mozilla extension review tools, VEX greatly reduces the human burden for manually vetting extensions when looking for key types of dangerous flows.
On size and geometry effects on the brittle fracture of ferritic and tempered martensitic steels

Abstract A finite element computation of nonsingular crack tip fields was combined with a weakest link statistics model of cleavage fracture. Model predictions for three point bend specimens with various widths and crack depth to width ratios are qualitatively consistent with a number of trends observed in a 12 Cr martensitic stainless steel. The toughness “benefits” of small sizes and shallow cracks are primarily reflected in strain limits rather than net section stress capacities, which is significant to fusion structures subject to large secondary stresses.
High quality Gaussian basis sets for fourth-row atoms

Energy optimized Gaussian basis sets of triple-zeta quality for the atoms Rb-Xe have been derived. Two series of basis sets are developed: (24s 16p 10d) and (26s 16p 10d) sets which were expanded to 13d and 19p functions as the 4d and 5p shells become occupied. For the atoms lighter than Cd, the (24s 16p 10d) sets with triple-zeta valence distributions are higher in energy than the corresponding double-zeta distribution. To ensure a triple-zeta distribution and a global energy minimum, the (26s 16p 10d) sets were derived. Total atomic energies from the largest basis sets are between 198 and 284 (mu)E(sub H) above the numerical Hartree-Fock energies.
Evaluation of synchrotron X-rays for transvenous coronary angiography

Abstract This study is related to an evaluation of synchrotron radiation for the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease in humans. In vivo canine studies are reported for an imaging system developed for use with synchrotron X-ray beams. The probable configuration of an expanded system for pilot human subject studies is described.
An inverse Sturm-Liouville problem for an impedance

A numerical method for reconstructing an impedance in a Sturm-Liouville operator from finitely many eigenvalues is investigated. The method constructs an impedance that has the given eigenvalues by finding a zero of a nonlinear finite dimensional map. A Newton scheme is investigated and numerical examples are considered.
Application and evaluation of the method of ellipses for measuring the orientation of long, semi-flexible fibers

The method of ellipses (MoE) is a common experimental technique utilized to quantitatively determine the orientation state of a population of rigid fibers within a fiber–polymer composite. In this research, the validity of applying the MoE to long, semi-flexible fiber systems in which the majority of fibers are flexible is discussed. The components of the orientation tensor were first determined for a composite formed by a homogenous, simple shear field. The minimum acceptable image analysis width, or bin width, for the selected geometry was found to be ∼5.5 mm, or 1.4 times the average fiber length. This modified bin width was then used to determine the orientation at multiple percentages of flow within an injection-molded, center-gated disc, and compared to orientation values obtained utilizing the traditional, 0.7-mm bin width. The results show that the traditional, 0.7-mm bin width is sufficient for analysis of the center-gated geometry. This fortuitous result is attributed to the axisymmetric nature of the center-gated geometry, and the highly transverse fiber alignment seen within the samples, especially at moderate to high percentages of flow. In more complex flows, it is expected that the conventional bin width will not apply. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Combining molecular dynamics and chemical process simulation: the SPEAD model

Discontinuous molecular dynamics simulation and thermodynamic perturbation theory have been used to study the thermodynamic and transport properties of a large number of organic compounds. The fundamental basis of the approach relies on a stepwise characterization of the disperse interactions and blister potentials for hydrogen bonding. It has been demonstrated that these types of attractive interactions can be quantitatively treated by thermodynamic perturbation theory (TPT). The vapor pressure is predicted to roughly 10% average error with reduced temperatures generally extending to 0.45 while applying transferable characterizations of the molecular interaction potentials. For branched, aromatic, and naphthenic compounds, it is necessary to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary bonding of the attached group as well as the branched site. One key to this accuracy is the distinction between isomers at the molecular level by the rigorous molecular dynamics simulation of the repulsive part of the potential. The molecular dynamics simulations also permit predictions of transport properties. The transport results account for the repulsive structure, branching, bond angles, etc. through rigorous molecular simulation but there is no theory for transport properties comparable to TPT. Therefore, predictions for transport properties are semiempirical in the sense that attractive forces have been correlated with experimental data. The accuracy for diffusivity is within 30% for non-associative species. Disperse attractions appear to play a significant role in transport properties. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Importance of Vehicle Costs, Fuel Prices, and Fuel Efficiency in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Market Success

Toyota's introduction of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) named "Prius" in Japan and Honda's proposed introduction of an HEV in the United States have generated considerable interest in the long-term viability of such fuel-efficient vehicles. A performance and cost projection model developed entirely at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is used to estimate costs. ANL staff developed fuel economy estimates by extending conventional vehicle modeling done primarily under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. Together, these estimates are employed to analyze dollar costs versus benefits of two of many possible HEV technologies. Incremental costs and fuel savings are projected for a Prius-type low-performance hybrid (14.3-s 0 to 60 mph acceleration, Z60 time) and a higher-performance "mild" hybrid vehicle (11-s Z60 time). Each HEV is compared with a U.S. Toyota Corolla with automatic transmission (11-s Z60 time). The base incremental retail price range, projected a decade hence, is $3,200-$3,750, b...
Evaluation of wash solutions as a preliminary step for copper and zinc determinations in hair

Abstract The ability of various washing agents to extract copper and zinc from human hair is evaluated. Nitric acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and SDS in combination with EDTA were evaluated for their metal-extracting capability as a function of time. It was found that a solution of 0.125% nitric acid removed 95% of the zinc in 30 h. Solutions of a mixture of 5% SDS and 1.25% EDTA exhibited increasing extraction capability with increasing pH. A solution of 5% SDS at pH 6.3 appears to extract very little zinc. An average of 78% of exogenously deposited copper was removed by a 30-min wash with a 5% SDS solution at pH 7.0.
Connective tissue metabolism in muscular dystrophy. Levels of collagen and mucopolysaccharides in embryonic chickens with genetic muscular dystrophy.

Abstract 1. 1. There were marked differences between the levels of collagen (measured as hydroxyproline) and mucopolysaccharides (measured as hexosamine) found in embryonic chicks with genetic muscular dystrophy and their normal controls. 2. 2. The chief differences were that the dystrophic tissues (gastrocnemius muscle and tendon, pectoralis major and skin) had: (a) greater amounts of hexosamine early in embryonic development; (b) hydroxyproline levels that rose at a faster rate, yielding different slopes than their normal controls; (c) relatively greater amounts of hydroxyproline than hexosamine later in embryonic life (day 20). 3. 3. Connective tissue systems in muscles were preferentially affected. 4. 4. The connective tissue system associated with dystrophic tissues appeared to lag behind the normal rhythm pattern of embryological development. 5. 5. The changes in connective tissue metabolism observed in dystrophic chicks suggested that the collagen from dystrophic embryonic chicks may be of a different structure or composition than that found in the normals.
On the damping of gravity waves over a permeable sea bed

The problem of damping of gravity waves over a permeable sea bed of great depth is re-examined, using a more rigorous approach than that employed by Putnam in 1949 It is found that Putnam's approximate method of analysis is justified in view of the smallness of the permeability factors commonly encountered. However, a misinterpretation error was discovered in Putnam's paper which makes his dissipation function too great by a factor of four
A flash Josephson A/D converter constructed with one-junction SQUIDs

A novel approach to the construction of a flash-type Josephson A/D (analog/digital) converter is presented. Simulations show that one-junction SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) comparators can have a greater than fivefold advantage in bandwidth over the two- or three-junction SQUIDs in an A/D circuit. Assuming a Nb junction technology, the simulations show that a 6-bit A/D converter using one-junction SQUID comparators could have a sampling rate of approximately 20 GHz with approximately 5 bits of resolution for a 5-GHz input signal. Detailed analysis and simulations of an A/D converter constructed with one-junction SQUIDs are presented. Further improvement can be made by using a coding algorithm which requires 2N-1 comparators, instead of N, for an N-bit A/D converter. >
Resolution of the Scripps/NOAA marine gravity field from satellite altimetry

The July 1995 declassification of the entire Geosat GM satellite altimeter data set enabled a joint Scripps/NOAA effort to compute a new (version 7.2) marine gravity field on a 2-minute grid. This gravity field covers the world' oceans between 72°N and 72°S, and is derived from a combination of ERS-1 and Geosat GM and ERM data. An earlier NOAA Geosat-only gravity field solution was confined to the southern latitudes because the 1992 declassification was limited to GM data south of 30°S. A simple coherence analysis between accurately-navigated ship gravity profiles and comparable gravity profiles obtained from the gravity grids reveals that the Scripps/NOAA gravity field is coherent with ship gravity down to ∼≥ 23–30 km. This slight increase in resolution over the previous NOAA Geosat-only gravity field (short-wavelength resolution of ∼26–30 km) implies that the increased spatial coverage provided by the ERS-I altimeter, when combined with Geosat, improves the solution. Coherence analyses between satellite gravity and ship topography, and ship gravity and ship topography, show that even shorter wavelength gravity anomalies (∼13 km) are present in sea-surface measurements made by ship. Even so, the Scripps/NOAA marine gravity field does an excellent job of resolving most of the short-wavelength gravity anomalies covering the world’ oceans.
TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM FIELD THEORIES ASSOCIATED TO FINITE GROUPS AND CROSSED G-SETS

Using methods suggested by the work of Turaev and Viro [11, 12], we provide a detailed construction of topological quantum field theories associated to finite crossed G-sets. Our construction of theories associated to finite groups fills in some details implicit in Dijkgraaf and Witten's [3] discussion of topological gauge theories with finite gauge group, while the theories associated to finite crossed G-sets simultaneously extend Dijkgraaf and Witten's [3] results to 3-manifolds equipped with links and Freyd and Yetter's [5] construction of link invariants from crossed G-sets from links in the 3-sphere to links in arbitrary 3-manifolds. Topological interpretations of the manifold and link invariants associated to these TQFT's are provided. We conclude discussion of our results as a toy model for QFT and of their relation to quantum groups.
Prenatal vitamin E treatment improves lung growth in fetal rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia. To discover factors that would accelerate fetal lung growth, the authors developed models of hypoplasia, found that antioxidants improved lung growth in vitro, and then proceeded to in vivo studies. Methods: Timed-pregnant rats were fed nitrofen (100 mg) on gestational day 9.5 (term, 22), and fetal lungs were harvested at day 13.5 and placed in organ culture in serum-free media with (n = 10) or without (n = 9) additional vitamin E (0.134 IU/mL). Camera lucida tracings were made daily on live, unstained lungs for 4 days, scanned, digitized, and analyzed for multiple growth parameters. Similar nitrofen-exposed rats were fed an optimized total dose of 150 IU vitamin E (n = 19) or olive oil (n = 13) from days 16.5 to 20.5, and fetal lungs were harvested at day 21.5, weighed and fixed for histology, or homogenized and biochemically analyzed. Results: Vitamin E accelerated hypoplastic fetal lung growth in vitro as measured by area, perimeter, lung bud count, perimeter over square root area, and fractal dimension. In vivo vitamin E significantly increased lung weights, total DNA, and protein contents. Conclusions: Vitamin E accelerates hypoplastic fetal rat lung growth and complexity in vitro, and prenatal vitamin E treatment in vivo improves pulmonary hypoplasia in fetal rats with CDH.
Lymphocyte-mediated antibody-dependent cytolysis: role in immune hemolysis.

. Peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from normal volunteers were capable of lysing Rh(D)-positive human erythrocytes in the presence of IgG anti-Rh(D) antibodies. The percent cytotoxicity produced by peripheral blood lymphocytes was approximately equivalent to that produced by unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Neither peripheral blood mononuclear cells nor peripheral blood lymphocytes lysed Rh(D)-negative human erythrocytes in the presence of IgG anti-Rh(D) antibody.
Best monotone degree conditions for binding number

We give sufficient conditions on the vertex degrees of a graph G to guarantee that G has binding number at least b, for any given b>0. Our conditions are best possible in exactly the same way that Chvatal's well-known degree condition to guarantee a graph is Hamiltonian is best possible.
A quantitative individual financial planning model with practical implications

This study proposes a state preference-enhanced, Linear Expenditure (LE) system as a framework for household financial planning. Individual (small) investors first identify necessary and discretionary consumption; then, they dedicate fixed income funds to cover expected necessary consumption. The remaining funds are then available for variable income investing. The fixed income component can be implemented by buying a single, corporate bond of the highest quality possible to achieve the cash flows required to cover necessary consumption. With respect to equity, the investor could invest indirectly (index funds, or other equity mutual funds), or directly by buying a portfolio of stocks.
Enantiospecific Orientation of R–3-Methylcyclohexanone on the Chiral Cu(643)R/S Surfaces

The high Miller index planes of metal single crystals are chiral, if they do not lie perpendicular to any of the mirror symmetry planes of the bulk lattice. Such chiral surfaces of face-centered cubic metals expose kinked step edges and have been shown to have enantiospecific interactions with chiral adsorbates. R–3-methylcyclohexanone (R-3MCHO) exhibits enantiospecific differences in its desorption energies from the R and S chiral kinks on the Cu(643)R/S surfaces. This enantiospecific interaction must also manifest itself in the orientations of R-3MCHO adsorbed at chiral kinks and has been probed by examining the intensities of infrared absorption by R-3MCHO adsorbed at the kinks on the Cu(643)R/S surfaces. Fourier transform infrared reflection−absorption spectra show that the interaction of the R-3MCHO occurs through the carbonyl group which exhibits a red-shift in its stretching mode as a result of adsorption on the surface. The absorption intensities also indicate that the molecule is oriented with th...
Innate immunostimulatory properties of allergens and their relevance to food allergy

Food allergy is an increasingly prevalent disease of immune dysregulation directed to a small subset of proteins. Shared structural and functional features of allergens, such as glycosylation, lipid-binding and protease activity may provide insight into the mechanisms involved in the induction of primary Th2 immune responses. We review the literature of innate Th2-type immune activation as a context for better understanding the properties of allergens that contribute to the induction of Th2-biased immune responses in at least a subset of individuals. Th2-priming signals have been largely identified in the context of parasite immunity and wound healing. Some of the features of parasite antigens and the innate immune responses to them are now understood to play a role in allergic inflammation as well. These include both exogenous and endogenous activators of innate immunity and subsequent release of key cytokine mediators such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-33. Moreover, numerous innate immune cells including epithelium, dendritic cells, basophils, innate lymphoid cells and others all interact to shape the adaptive Th2 immune response. Progress toward understanding Th2-inducing innate immune signals more completely may lead to novel strategies for primary prevention and therapy of respiratory and food allergies.
The Rise of Technical Writing Instruction in America

This article traces the history of technical writing instruction in American colleges, concentrating on the major figures in technical writing instruction, the most important textbooks, the forces ...
NOCTURNAL PENILE TUMESCENCE ACTIVITY UNCHANGED AFTER LONG-TERM INTRACAVERNOUS INJECTION THERAPY

Purpose: Anecdotal evidence suggests that some men have restored erectile function after long-term intracavernous injection therapy for erectile dysfunction. We objectively assessed this phenomenon using nocturnal penile tumescence testing.Materials and Methods: In our retrospective study 19 men with a mean age of 53.5 years who had organic erectile dysfunction underwent nocturnal penile tumescence testing before and after prostaglandin E1 based intracavernous injection at least 6 months in duration. The nocturnal penile tumescence parameters measured included the number of erectile episodes, base and tip tumescence, and percent of time with rigidity greater than 70% at the penile base and tip. A 5-item questionnaire was given to all patients after the intracavernous injection period to assess subjective changes in erectile quality.Results: Mean time on intracavernous injection was 2.42 years and mean injection frequency was 3.74 times monthly. Prostaglandin E1 only, and combined prostaglandin E1, phentol...
Phosphorus and pH relationships in an andic soil with surface and incorporated organic amendments

Mission silt loam, (coarse-silty, mixed frigid Andic Fragiochrepts) is a forest soil in the Pacific Northwest which has a weathered ash horizon derived from volcanic eruptions in the Cascade Mountain Range. The major production problem for this soil is P fixation due to the weathered volcanic ash. Alternatives to large additions of fertilizer P are considered important in management of this and related soils.
A new methodology for the purpose of real-time local control of transient stability

A new methodology is introduced solely for use in real-time local control of transient stability. The proposed method is based on localized transient stability of a power system. This is a completely new idea. In this method, the postfault power system is represented by a two-generator localized power system at the site of each individual generator. If each of these localized power systems reaches its stable equilibrium, then the power system reaches its stable equilibrium. Therefore, in terms of real-time local control of transient stability, if each of the localized power systems is driven to its respective stable equilibrium by local control actions with local computations using the locally measured data, then the power system is in stable equilibrium. Thus the method can be easily implemented for real-time local control of transient stability. This paper primarily focuses on the basic concepts of the method and presents some preliminary test results.
Inferior vena cava filters: current best practices

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of inpatient and outpatient morbidity and mortality. While anticoagulant therapy is considered the primary means of prevention and treatment of VTE, inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are often used as an alternative or adjunct to anticoagulation. With the advent of retrievable filters indications have liberalized, to include placement for primary prophylaxis in high-risk patients. However, this practice is based on limited evidence supporting their efficacy in preventing clinically relevant outcomes. Since indiscriminate use of IVCFs can be associated with net patient harm and increased health care costs, knowledge of the literature surrounding IVCF utilization is critical for providers to adopt best practices. In this review, we will provide an overview of the literature as it relates to specific clinical questions that arise when considering IVCF utilization in the prevention and treatment of VTE. Practice-based recommendations will be reviewed to provide the clinician with guidance on challenging clinical scenarios.
Gyroscopic stability of a non-rigid spacecraft

Abstract The gyroscopic stability of spacecraft containing vibrating masses is studied by modal methods. Several simple examples representative of general spacecraft configurations are used to demonstrate how a variety of constrained internal mass motions can destabilize spacecraft through modal resonance. The resonance process is typically more unexpected, rapid and dangerous, as opposed to the slower energy dissipation process. General conditions for stability limits are derived in simple explicit form, which may provide the leading order information for more elaborate studies of the inherent phenomena.
Electrical Coupling in Development

Synopsis. Electrical coupling, the passive spread of charge between cells, is usually char? acterized by microelectrode measurements. It can be mediated by gap junctions, cyto? plasmic bridges or extracellular space enclosed by specialized membranes. The morpho? logical basis affects the classes of molecules that can be transmitted by way of the coupling pathway. Conductance of gap junctions is controllable; it is decreased by a modest increase in intracellular H ions or a much larger increase in Ca ions. In amphibian blastomeres junctional conductance is reduced by transjunctional voltage. Gap junctions form and disappear non-specifically or specifically in different cases, but the origin and fate of junctional material are unknown. The common occurrence of electrical coupling in em? bryos has suggested a role in intercellular transfer of information, but direct evidence is lacking. A number of examples are known where gap junctions are found at specific times appropriate to suggest that a message is transmitted between the coupled cells. The message probably can be a distinct qualitative signal or a quantitative one resulting in a gradient among cells. Gap junctions are clearly absent at some sites of embryonic inter? action, but increasing evidence implicates an informational role at other sites.
Surface coatings determine cytotoxicity and irritation potential of quantum dot nanoparticles in epidermal keratinocytes.

Quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles have potential applications in nanomedicine as drug delivery vectors and diagnostic agents, but the skin toxicity and irritation potential of QDs are unknown. Human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) were used to assess if QDs with different surface coatings would cause differential effects on HEK cytotoxicity, proinflammatory cytokine release, and cellular uptake. Commercially available QDs of two different sizes, QD 565 and QD 655, with neutral (polyethylene glycol (PEG)), cationic (PEG-amine), or anionic (carboxylic acid) coatings were utilized. Live cell imaging and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine that all QDs localized intracellularly by 24 hours, with evidence of QD localization in the nucleus. Cytotoxicity and release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α were assessed at 24 and 48 hours. Cytotoxicity was observed for QD 565 and QD 655 coated with carboxylic acids or PEG-amine by 48 hours, with little cytotoxicity observed for PEG-coated QDs. Only carboxylic acid-coated QDs significantly increased release of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. These data indicate that QD surface coating is a primary determinant of cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity in HEKs, which is consistent across size. However, uptake of QDs by HEKs is independent of surface coating.
Effect of intrapatient dosage escalation of irinotecan on its pharmacokinetics in pediatric patients who have high-grade gliomas and receive enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant therapy.

The authors set out to determine the effect of intrapatient dose escalation of irinotecan on its disposition in pediatric patients with high-grade glioma who received concomitant enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (EIAs). During Course 1, a 60-minute intravenous infusion of irinotecan (20 mg/m2 per day) was administered once daily for 5 days on each of 2 consecutive weeks. The authors measured the concentrations of the lactone forms of irinotecan and its metabolites 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), SN-38 glucuronide, and 7-ethyl-10-[4-N-(5-aminopeptanoic acid)-1-piperidino]-carbonyloxycamptothecin (APC) in serial plasma samples collected on Days 1 and 12 of Course 1. For the 6 patients who received EIAs but whose SN-38 areas under the concentration-time curve (AUCs) on Day 1 were below clinically significant levels, irinotecan dosage was increased, and subsequent pharmacokinetic studies were performed. Thirty-five patients were enrolled. The rate of irinotecan clearance was greater for patients who received EIAs than for those who did not (P = 0.0008), whereas systemic exposure to irinotecan (P = 0.02) and SN-38 (P = 0.0001) was lower for those treated with EIAs than for those who were not. Of the 6 patients whose irinotecan dosages were increased, 3 experienced an increase in the SN-38 AUC between Days 1 and 12. For 1 patient, the SN-38 AUC on Day 12 was lower than on Day 1; this result likely was due to an increased dose of EIAs during the same period. Despite irinotecan dose escalation to 60 and 80 mg/m2, the SN-38 AUCs for 2 patients did not increase to clinically significant levels. The type and grade of toxicity did not differ between the two patient groups. Increasing the dosage of irinotecan increased the SN-38 AUC in some patients who received concomitant EIA therapy. Cancer 2003;97(9 Suppl):2374–80. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10308
Joint optimization of connection-level and packet-level quality of service for wireless multimedia network

Quality of Service (QoS) is an important issue in the next generation wireless networks providing multimedia services. To address this complex problem, we consider QoS in wireless multimedia networks at two levels: connection-level QoS, measured by the connection blocking and dropping probabilities, and packet-level QoS, measured by bandwidth, delay/jitter and loss sensitivity. First, different multimedia applications are classified into three service classes, namely CBR, VBR and UBR, according to their bandwidth, delay/jitter and reliability requirements. Then, network can choose appropriate resource management schemes for different service classes accordingly in order to meet their QoS requirements. CBR traffic requires a constant bit rate available during the entire lifetime of the connection. Both connection-level and packet-level QoS is guaranteed by connection-oriented service. Thus the joint optimization problem can be reduced to optimization of connection-level QoS (handoff dropping probability and new call blocking probability) for CBR traffic. VBR traffic could generally tolerate a certain amount of delay or packet loss, thus improve resource utilization by connection-less service. We formulate the trade-off of the QoS parameters on both levels based on a VBR traffic model, and find the near-optimal solutions for the joint optimization problem. UBR traffic does not have specified requirement on QoS, thus being served by the best-effort service. Network uses whatever the resource not being used to improve the overall system utilizations.
Vps34p differentially regulates endocytosis from the apical and basolateral domains in polarized hepatic cells.

Using a microinjection approach to study apical plasma membrane protein trafficking in hepatic cells, we found that specific inhibition of Vps34p, a class III phosphoinositide 3 (PI-3) kinase, nearly perfectly recapitulated the defects we reported for wortmannin-treated cells (Tuma, P.L., C.M. Finnegan, J.-H Yi, and A.L. Hubbard. 1999. J. Cell Biol. 145:1089–1102). Both wortmannin and injection of inhibitory Vps34p antibodies led to the accumulation of resident apical proteins in enlarged prelysosomes, whereas transcytosing apical proteins and recycling basolateral receptors transiently accumulated in basolateral early endosomes. To understand how the Vps34p catalytic product, PI(3)P, was differentially regulating endocytosis from the two domains, we examined the PI(3)P binding protein early endosomal antigen 1 (EEA1). We determined that EEA1 distributed to two biochemically distinct endosomal populations: basolateral early endosomes and subapical endosomes. Both contained rab5, although the latter also contained late endosomal markers but was distinct from the transcytotic intermediate, the subapical compartment. When PI(3)P was depleted, EEA1 dissociated from basolateral endosomes, whereas it remained on subapical endosomes. From these results, we conclude that PI(3)P, via EEA1, regulates early steps in endocytosis from the basolateral surface in polarized WIF-B cells. However, PI(3)P must use different machinery in its regulation of the apical endocytic pathway, since later steps are affected by Vps34p inhibition.
A new interface tracking method: The polygonal area mapping method

We present a new method, the polygonal area mapping (PAM) method, for tracking a non-diffusive, immiscible material interface between two materials in two-dimensional incompressible flows. This method represents material areas explicitly as piecewise polygons, traces characteristic points on polygon boundaries along pathlines and calculates new material areas inside interface cells via polygon-clippings in a discrete manner. The new method has very little spatial numerical diffusion and tracks the interface singularities naturally and accurately. In addition to high accuracy, the PAM method can be directly used on either a structured rectangular mesh or an unstructured mesh without any modifications. The mass conservation is enforced by heuristic algorithms adjusting the volume of material polygons. The results from a set of widely used benchmark tests show that the PAM method is superior to existing volume-of-fluid (VOF) methods.
Two distinct genes encode two major isoelectric forms of insecticyanin in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

Insecticyanin is a blue pigment found in the epidermis and hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Two distinct full-length cDNA species were isolated and shown to encode the two major isoelectric forms of insecticyanin, the a form (INS-a) and b form (INS-b). Sequence analysis of the two cDNA clones, pE1-I1 and pE3-I2, reveals that both contain an 618-bp open reading frame which predicts an 189-amino-acid protein and an 17-amino-acid signal peptide. Comparison of the deduced INS-a and INS-b proteins show 13 amino acid differences, of which six are conserved. Three amino acid substitutions are also found between the deduced INS-b sequence and the sequenced INS-b protein isolated from the hemolymph. Isolation and characterization of five genomic clones revealed that pE1-I1 and pE3-I2 come from two different genes. Both INS-a and INS-b genes have four exons interrupted by three introns at the same positions. The two genes share 93% nucleotide similarity in the coding region. Moreover, the ‘TATA box’ and ‘CAAT box’ are completely conserved in the putative promoter regions of the two genes. Primer extension revealed that both INS-a and INS-b genes begin their transcription at position – 52 relative to their translation initiation codon, ATG. We conclude that the two genes are the result of gene duplication.
A New Class of Radio Source Spectra

THE flux densities of 35 non-thermal radio sources were measured at 8,000 Mc/s (λ 3.75 cm) with the University of Michigan's 85-ft. reflector. Comparison of these measurements with the spectra of the sources at frequencies less than 3,200 Mc/s (ref. 1) showed that most spectra were either straight (constant spectral index) or curved downward (steepening spectrum) at the high-frequency end of the spectrum. However, the radio source 3C 84 which has been identified with the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1275 (refs. 2 and 3) was found to have a flux density at 8,000 Mc/s which was four times greater than that expected from a straight line extrapolation of the spectrum observed at frequencies less than 3,200 Mc/s. This is the first reported instance of a radio spectrum having such a pronounced upward turn in its spectrum with increasing frequency. (The novel spectrum of NGC 1275 was first reported by us at the International Scientific Radio Union General Assembly in Tokyo, September 9–20, 1963.) Thus NGC 1275 may represent a new class of radio source spectra. The radio source 3C 279 was also investigated because a pronounced upward turn of its spectrum was predicted by J. A. Roberts from measurements up to 2,650 Mc/s; we found its spectrum to be similar to NGC 1275. A third source 3C 273 has a spectral flattening at the high frequency end, but does not have a positive spectral index as do the foregoing two sources.
Microcreep in tin crystals with 0.001% to 0.44% lead

Abstract The variation of the ratio of stress to strain rate for microcreep at room temperature has been measured for tin single crystals as a function of lead concentration between 0.001% and 0.44% by weight. The strains are measured with an interferometer which gives a direct recording of strain as a function of time with a precision of 3 × 10 −8 cm/cm-min. The ratio of stress to strain rate varies from 0.52 × 10 9 g/mm 2 per cm/cm-min for less than 0.001% lead concentration to 3.1 × 10 9 g/mm 2 per cm/cm-min for 0.44% by weight lead concentration. The dislocation density of the specimens is estimated to be 2.2 × 10 6 cm −2 from etch pit counts. The experimental results confirm the Cottrell-Jaswon theory of microcreep both in the linear dependence of stress to strain rate ratio on lead concentration and in the quantitative estimate of the stress to strain rate ratio.
A Real Options Model for Workforce Cross-Training

Abstract In this article, we propose using a real options framework to model and financially value a cross-training policy. The cross-training policy involves a dynamic investment on workforce flexibility. We model it as an approximation of an American call option using binomial lattices. Value stems from the merit of dynamic cross-training compared with the deterministic case using traditional discounted cash flow techniques. This work is discussed in the context of a volatile production system characterized by product dynamics, labor dynamics, task heterogeneity and workforce heterogeneity. Results suggest that cross-training based on the real options approach is dependent on the production capability and the level of workforce heterogeneity. Thus, valuing workforce flexibility using real options has strategic utility beyond that of the net present value approach.