cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic India ink injection: a method for preparation, sterilization, and administration

India ink tattooing of the colon has been used to mark lesions for subsequent surgical identificationl -3 and to identify polypectomy sites to facilitate followUp.4 In animal studies, endoscopic injection of dyes in the colon has been shown to be an effective and welltolerated method for mucosal marking.5 Unfortunately, several side effects have been attributed to the injection of India ink. Reports include influenza infection in mice pre-treated with India ink,6 phlegmonous gastritis after injection into the stomach,7 fat necrosis,s inflammatory pseudotumor (which appeared to consist of inflammatory cells and fibroblast proliferation),S and abscess.9 Possible causes of these complications may be an inflammatory reaction to the ink (carbon particles) or diluent (either via a direct irritant effect ofthe undiluted ink or secondary to a hypersensitivity reaction), or inadequate sterilization. For example, in the case of phlegmonous gastritis7 and the cases of infection in mice,5 the ink was not sterilized. In the report of pseudotumor,s the ink (Higgins, Faber-Castell, Lewisberg, Tenn.), comprising about 7 % carbon pigment, 5% propylene glycol, and smaller concentrations of shellac, ammonium hydroxide, and surfactant, was used in a very concentrated form (approximately equal parts India ink and bacteriostatic water). Anyone ofthe multiple diluents or the carbon pigments may have caused this inflammatory response. In addition, post-autoclave contamination of the ink may have occurred. Similar reasons might account for the case offat necrosis,s in which the type of ink was unknown but was injected in concentrated form (approximately equal parts India ink and bacteriostatic water). The same possible causes could account for the abscess9 found incidentally during operative resection for tumor. The India ink used was Pelikan brand (Pelikan, Hanover, Germany), containing ethylene glycol, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, and ammonia in 1:10 dilution with sterile water. This for-
Leisure time, non-leisure time, and occupational physical activity in Asian Americans.

Purpose Asian American immigrants’ risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity increase with duration of residence in the United States (US). Regular physical activity reduces the risk of these diseases, yet little is known about physical activity in Asian Americans and how it changes after immigration. Methods Data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, which oversampled Asian Americans, were analyzed to investigate the effects of ethnicity, nativity, and years in the US on leisure time physical activity (LTPA), non-leisure time physical activity (NLTPA), and occupational physical activity. A total of 4226 Asian Americans and 29,473 US-born non-Asians were included. Results Asian Americans were much less likely to meet recommended levels of LTPA than US-born non-Asians (odds ratio [OR], men = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42, 0.61, OR, women = 0.48, 95% CI, 0.40, 0.57). Foreign-born Asians were least likely to participate in LTPA; LTPA increased as years in the US increased. After accounting for NLTPA, Asian Americans had significantly lower estimated weekly energy expenditure than US-born non-Asians. Conclusions Asian Americans, especially immigrants, are at risk for low levels of LTPA and high levels of physical inactivity. NLTPA does not offset these lower levels of LTPA. Increasing physical activity is key to protecting the health of this rapidly growing population.
A REVIEW OF CRITERIA FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF ANALYTICAL SCALE HPLC SEPARATIONS

Selecting optimum HPLC operating conditions during the development of new analytical separations is difficult due to the high degree of process variable interaction and the lack of robust process models. Traditionally, the methods development strategy in analytical applications involves a trial-and-error grid search method that is both inefficient and costly. Several researchers have investigated more practical and efficient methods for designing optimal HPLC separations at the analytical stage. These strategies typically utilize an efficient design of experiments and response surface optimization techniques. Response or criteria functions are employed to numerically quantify chromatograms and rank them in order of desirability. A crucial step in the optimization problem is the selection of a proper response function. Several such response functions exist and the choice of a proper function is dependent on the overall goal of the separation at hand. The intent of this review is to present and comment on t...
Detection of Mutations in Tumor Suppressor Genes

Defects in vital genes occur in a high percentage of human diseases, including cancer. Defects could be due to the accumulation of mutations in the genes leading to the production of faulty proteins. Although the biological significance of such mutant proteins still remains in question, recent experiments have demonstrated that genes overproducing faulty proteins are often associated with tumor cell growth. Thep53tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene yet identified in human cancer. It is mutated in wide variety of human cancers. Missense mutations are common for thep53gene and are essential for the transforming ability of the oncogene. The wild-typep53gene may directly suppress cell growth or indirectly activate genes that are involved in growth suppression. Thus inactivation of wild-typep53by point mutation may contribute to transformation. Therefore, identification of such mutations have potential clinical implications. Recently, polymerase chain reaction-based advanced molecular techniques had a profound impact on the detection and identification of such mutations. These techniques are sensitive and quantitative tools for the study of the pathogenesis of neoplastic diseases at the single-cell level.
Resonant two-photon detachment of WO2−

Abstract The resonant two-photon detachment spectrum of WO2− in the 1.75–2.41 eV range exhibits at least two electronic transitions near the detachment continuum of WO2−. The states are assigned to valence-bound states of the anion, rather than dipole bound states, in part because the observed bending frequencies are considerably lower than those in the neutral. One band exhibits doublets, which is attributed to spin–orbit splitting in the two E1/2 sub-states of a quartet anion state. A qualitative assignment of the spectrum is made based on comparison with the photoelectron spectrum of WO2−, as well as density functional theory calculations.
A simplified analysis of the effect of microstructure gradient on the stress relief of aluminum plates and extrusions

Many bulk forms of metal products are quenched after heat treatment in order to preserve material characteristics. Rapid quenching results in large thermal stress gradients that lead to high levels of residual stress. For products such as plates and extrusions, stretching by a few percent can reduce these stresses, but the stresses are not completely relieved. This report presents a simplified analytical model of the stress relief process illustrating the effects of through-thickness property gradients on residual stress after stretching. The basic conclusion is that for plates with uniform yield surface shapes through the thickness, the through-thickness residual stress range after stress relief is equal to the strength range in the direction of stretch. In extrusions, the bow after stress relief is proportional to this strength range. Cases are also considered in which the yield surface shapes range from isotropic to anisotropic through the thickness. Plastic anisotropy can perturb the effect of strength range on residual stress.
A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of Zidovudine (AZT) in the Mouse: Model Development and Scale-Up to Humans

After having been used in treating HIV infection for a decade, zidovudine (AZT) continues to be an essential component of antiretroviral regimens. Because antiviral responses and toxicity of AZT seem to be related to cells in specific target tissues, being able to understand and predict the distribution of AZT into different pharmacologically and toxicologically relevant tissues is therefore critically important to improving the efficacy and minimizing the toxicity of AZT therapy. This study was designed to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to help describe and predict the time course of AZT levels in different tissues. The model was developed in the mouse and then scaled up to predict human situations.
EXTRACORPOREAL IMMUNOADSORPTION: INITIAL EXPERIENCE IN HUMAN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Extracorporeal immunoadsorption and filtration was used in treatment of a 29-year-old woman with severe lupus nephritis. For the previous 35 days single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody and immune-complex levels had been continuously raised with only partial improvement on prednisone therapy. Levels of immune complexes and ssDNA antibodies were substantially reduced by extracorporeal plasma filtration and adsorption of DNA collodion charcoal. There were no major clinical complications. After perfusion, the reduction of ssDNA binding and immune complexes in serum was sustained, serum C'3 became normal, and serum creatinine and proteinuria improved. 28 days after perfusion, subendothelial glomerular deposits were much reduced compared with those in a pre-perfusion biopsy specimen. Selective immunoadsorption is a promising new approach to persistent lupus nephritis refractory to drug therapy alone.
A Practical Hybrid-ARQ Protocol Using Noncoherent Orthogonal Modulation

This paper considers hybrid-ARQ under the constraints of noncoherent orthogonal modulation and hard-decision decoding. Information theoretic bounds on the throughput for such systems are derived. A practical coding technique based on Reed-Solomon codes is proposed and analyzed. The proposed hybrid-ARQ protocol is modified to allow relay nodes to service retransmission requests. The proposed protocol is suitable for IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee networks using commodity off-the-shelf hardware.
Movement therapy with children who have been sexually abused

This paper reviews the literature on child sexual abuse, discusses treatment issues, and illustrates the use of movement therapy in the diagnosis and treatment of victimized children. The clustering of specific nonverbal exchanges of this population is identified and articulated. Four areas of traumatic impact — relationship patterns, self-esteem, sexual identity, and body image — are described, and effective therapeutic interventions are developed. Case examples are related to each of the traumatic effects. One in-depth case, involving the re-enactment of the sexual abuse within the process, illuminates the viability and value of movement as a modality for psychotherapy with sexually abused children.
WISDOM: an efficient framework of predicting WLAN availability with cellular fingerprints

Mobile devices with both WLAN adapter and cellular capability, which are also known as dual-mode mobile terminals, are facing various challenges and problems in conventional WLAN discovery mechanisms, including inefficiency in network discovery, unavoidable energy consumption for frequent WLAN scanning, and privacy information leaking in network probing. In this paper, we propose a novel framework called WISDOM (Wireless Indicator Supervised Data Offloading Manipulation), which can efficiently predict the availability of appropriate WLAN access points (APs) for mobile device without the need of turning on its WLAN adapter in advance. WISDOM takes advantage of historical cellular fingerprints (i.e., the pairs of Cell-ID and Received Signal Strength Indicator) to directly model the WLAN coverage, and perform WLAN availability prediction based on the models given a query cellular fingerprint. Similarity and Classification methods are introduced to work in the framework as prediction methods. We have developed a WISDOM prototype and performed simulation and real field tests under various situations. The results showed WISDOM along with the proposed predication methods could reach at least an average of 80% in accuracy and saving 60% of power consumption on average for mobile devices.
Particulate associated cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in the brain of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Abstract Particulate associated cAMP-PK constitutes 30% of the total cAMP-PK activity in the pupal brain of Manduca sexta. The synaptosomal and mitochondrial enriched subcellular fractions contain most of this particulate associated activity and have the highest specific activity. The ribosome-enriched microsomal fraction comprises approx. 4% of the total brain cAMP-PK. Several non-ionic and zwitterionic detergents were effective in solubilizing > 90% of the particulate associated enzyme. Particulate cAMP-PK was present as the inactive holoenzyme requiring cAMP for activation ( EC 50 ∼ 2 × 10 −7 M) and preferred histone subfractions H1, H2B and H2A as exogenous substrates over the acidic substrates casein and phosvitin. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of various subcellular fractions revealed that both type I ( ∼ 5%) and type II (95%) cAMP-PK are present in the brain cytosolic and microsomal fractions, whereas only the type II isozyme is found in the synaptosomal particulate fraction. A prominent 55 kDa peptide corresponding to the regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-PK (RII) in cytosol and particulate brain fractions was photoaffinity labeled with 8-N3-[32P]cAMP. A minor 46 KDa peptide corresponding to the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-PK (RI) was labeled in the cytosol but not in synaptosomal particulate fractions. The relative percent of brain type I compared to type II increased 2-fold by day 7 of adult development and declined to almost non-detectable levels by adult eclosion. Measurement of the activation state of cAMP-PK in particulate fractions was complicated by an associated adenylate cyclase which resulted in enhanced cAMP synthesis and subsequent activation of cAMP-PK under kinase assay conditions. Triton X-100 blocked this associated cyclase activity and allowed for an accurate determination of the activation state of the particulate enzyme.
Analysis of Solar Wind Events Using Interplanetary Scintillation Remote Sensing 3D Reconstructions and Their Comparison at Mars

Interplanetary Scintillation (IPS) allows observation of the inner heliospheric response to corotating solar structures and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in scintillation level and velocity. With colleagues at STELab, Nagoya University, Japan, we have developed near-real-time access of STELab IPS data for use in space-weather forecasting. We use a 3D reconstruction technique that produces perspective views from solar corotating plasma and outward-flowing solar wind as observed from Earth by iteratively fitting a kinematic solar wind model to IPS observations. This 3D modeling technique permits reconstruction of the density and velocity structure of CMEs and other interplanetary transients at a relatively coarse resolution: a solar rotational cadence and 10° latitudinal and longitudinal resolution for the corotational model and a one-day cadence and 20° latitudinal and longitudinal heliographic resolution for the time-dependent model. This technique is used to determine solar-wind pressure (“ram” pressure) at Mars. Results are compared with ram-pressure observations derived from Mars Global Surveyor magnetometer data (Crider et al.2003, J. Geophys. Res.108(A12), 1461) for the years 1999 through 2004. We identified 47 independent in situ pressure-pulse events above 3.5 nPa in the Mars Global Surveyor data in this time period where sufficient IPS data were available. We detail the large pressure pulse observed at Mars in association with a CME that erupted from the Sun on 27 May 2003, which was a halo CME as viewed from Earth. We also detail the response of a series of West-limb CME events and compare their response observed at Mars about 160° west of the Sun – Earth line by the Mars Global Surveyor with the response derived from the IPS 3D reconstructions.
The 455 °C tensile and fatigue behavior of boron-modified Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo-0.1Si(wt.%)

Abstract This work investigated the effect of nominal boron additions of 0.1 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, and 1.0 wt.% on the elevated-temperature (455 °C) tensile and fatigue behavior of Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo–0.1Si(wt.%) (Ti–6242S) castings. Boron additions stabilized the orthorhombic TiB phase where the average TiB-phase volume percents were 0.7, 2.3, and 5.4 for the Ti–6242S–0.1B(wt.%), Ti–6242S–0.4B(wt.%), and Ti–6242S–1B(wt.%) alloys, respectively. Larger TiB-phase volume fractions led to larger ultimate tensile strengths. The Ti–6242S–0.1B alloy exhibited the largest elongation-to-failure (ef = 10.3%) while the Ti–6242S–0.4B and Ti–6242S–1B alloys exhibited brittle fracture and ef values of approximately 1%. The fatigue S–N behavior was recorded for maximum applied stresses between 300 and 500 MPa (R = 0.1, 5 Hz). The Ti–6242S–0.1B(wt.%) alloy exhibited the longest average fatigue lives, which was suggested to be related to the ductility of this alloy. The Ti–6242S–1B(wt.%) alloy exhibited the lowest average fatigue lives and this was suggested to be related to the low ef and poor fatigue crack growth resistance. In situ fatigue crack growth experiments revealed that the TiB phase was the locus for cracking. Each alloy exhibited α-phase cracking and environmentally-assisted surface edge cracking. The fatigue behavior of the as-cast Ti–6242S–xB(wt.%) alloy system was comparable with that of the as-cast Ti–6Al–4V–xB(wt.%) alloy system, although the average fatigue lives of Ti–6242S–0.1B(wt.%) alloy were significantly greater than those for Ti–6Al–4V–0.1B(wt.%). Overall, the Ti–6242S–0.1B alloy exhibits the best combination of elevated-temperature tensile and tensile–fatigue properties of all the as-cast α+β TiB alloys studied to date.
The Multi-Staged Process of Judicial Review: Facial and As-Applied Constitutional Challenges to Legislation Before the U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court's decision to invalidate a legislative enactment involves both the choice to strike as well as the choice whether to invalidate the statute on its face or as applied. Both choices implicate the possibility of counteraction by the legislature. In this paper, we evaluate the justices' choices to invalidate a state or federal enactment on its face or as applied using a Heckman probit technique, and find that the justices are responsive to both Congressional preferences over the substance of the challenged enactment, as well as the Court's ideological position relative to the two chambers of Congress. These findings suggest that the Court's exercise of judicial review is significantly influenced by Congress, both as to the choice to strike as well as to the method of constitutional enforcement.
Comparison of the hemolymph proteins in permissive and non-permissive hosts of Euplectrus comstockii

Abstract Parasitism by Euplectrus comstockii arrested larval–larval molting in both permissive (e.g. Helicoverpa zea) and non-permissive hosts (e.g. Diatraea grandiosella, Anagasta kuehniella and Ostrinia nubilalis). Parasitized larvae of both permissive and non-permissive hosts manifested a decrease in total weight gain. However, significant alterations of the putative storage proteins occurred only in the permissive host. Therefore, the venom of Euplectrus causes some, but not all, of the same effects in non-permissive hosts as in permissive hosts. Specifically, the ability of the venom to regulate molting was shown to be distinguishable from the ability of the venom to alter the protein titer in the hemolymph of a host. The fact that parasitoid eggs did not hatch on non-permissive hosts indicated that parasitoid development was impacted prior to feeding on the host and the presence of indigenous storage proteins in the non-permissive hosts supports the concept that storage proteins may not be for the direct use by the parasitoid.
Indomethacin preserves muscle mass and reduces levels of E3 ligases and TNF receptor type 1 in the gastrocnemius muscle of tumor-bearing mice.

Tumor-induced skeletal muscle wasting involves tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway of muscle protein degradation. In this study, growth of the colon-26 adenocarcinoma in mice was associated with diminished gastrocnemius muscle mass and increased muscle levels of actin, ubiquitin-conjugated proteins, free ubiquitin, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and the type 1 TNF receptor (TNFR1). Indomethacin at 1 or 5 mg/kg/day reduced tumor growth and muscle levels of TNFR1. However, only the 5 mg dose of indomethacin reduced muscle wasting and muscle levels of the E3 ligases and actin. These data suggest that the beneficial effects of indomethacin in the treatment of tumor-induced skeletal muscle wasting may involve inhibition of TNF- and ubiquitin-mediated pathways of muscle protein degradation. These data also demonstrate that E3 ligases, which are involved in disuse atrophy, also are associated with tumor-induced skeletal muscle wasting. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 28:56–66, 2005
Oxidation of synthesized sub-micron pyrite (FeS 2 ) in seawater

Abstract Synthesized sub-micron pyrite was oxidized in 0.2 μm-filtered Sargasso seawater in order to investigate the rate of oxidation and reaction end-products. Over the initial phase of the reaction, the sub-micron pyrite behaved as a soluble entity as the initial rate of oxidation was determined to be first order with respect to both pyrite and oxygen concentration, where the rate is described as −dFeS2/dt = k[FeS2][O2] and k, the rate constant, is 7.60 × 10−5 + 6.29 × 10−5 μM−1 day−1 at 25 °C. Oxidation proceeds inward from an initial surface oxidation of the pyrite and the formation of an amorphous mixed valence Fe(II)/(III) oxide surrounding the remaining pyrite core. The oxidation rates obtained through this study are up to two orders of magnitude slower than reported in previous pyrite oxidation studies using ground rather than synthesized pyrite at similar pH values. These results may be applied anywhere seawater and sub-micron pyrite are found, including hydrothermal vents, salt marshes and marine sediments.
The relationship between event representation and linguistic skill in narratives of children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Children and adolescents with Down syndrome present with greater difficulty in expressive language than nonverbal cognitive domains. As narratives involve an understanding of the relationship(s) between events and their verbal expression, this divergence has implications for understanding narrative abilities in persons with Down syndrome. In this project, we investigated the relationship between event representation and linguistic expression in narratives of children and adolescents with Down syndrome (n=31) and groups of typically developing children matched for mental age (n=31), syntax comprehension (n=28), or expressive language (n=27). A short wordless film, the Pear Story (Chafe, 1980), was viewed individually by each participant and then each participant retold the story to an adult who (presumably) had not seen the film. Findings suggest a disparate relationship between linguistic expression and event representation in narratives of children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Participants with Do...
Picosecond Spectral Cars Imaging with Principal Component Analysis

Imaging methods based on vibrational Raman contrast offer label-free chemical imaging of tissues. Video rate imaging acquisition times can be achieved by coherent Raman techniques, however, they do so only at a single vibrational frequency - limiting a more in-depth chemical analysis of the tissue. The most direct solution is to extend the measurement in the vibrational frequency domain, which has been manifested in the development of broadband coherent Raman methods. Unfortunately, the attributed acquisition time renders them to be impractical in examining large tissue areas. In this study, we demonstrate that picosecond spectral coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging combined with principal component analysis (PCA) can be utilized to achieve fast high-resolution maps of lipids in tissues. Spectral CARS data sets were generated by imaging tissue sections at consecutive Raman shifts in the CH2 stretching vibrational range. By avoiding spectral redundancy, the acquisition time was shortened, whereas loss of spectral information was compensated by a much higher information density in the spatial domain via PCA. This resulted in sufficient spectral contrast, which was illustrated in our recent application in characterizing lipids distribution and composition of the meibomian glands in the context of dry eye disease. Spectral differences between CARS spectra obtained from specific regions were confirmed with a Raman microspectroscopic analysis. The resulting multi-component chemical maps revealed a lipid maturation process throughout the gland structure, which was not observed before and may provide important clues toward understanding meibomian gland dysfunction.
High-Resolution Microcoil 1H-NMR for Mass-Limited, Nanoliter-Volume Samples

High-resolution, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of 5-nanoliter samples have been obtained with much higher mass sensitivity [signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) per micromole] than with traditional methods. Arginine and sucrose show a mean sensitivity enhancement of 130 compared to 278-microliter samples run in a 5-millimeter tube in a conventional, commercial probe. This can reduce data acquisition time by a factor of >16,000 or reduce the needed sample mass by a factor of about 130. A linewidth of 0.6 hertz was achieved on a 300-megahertz spectrometer by matching the magnetic susceptibility of the medium that surrounds the detection cell to that of the copper coil. For sucrose, the limit of detection (defined at S/N = 3) was 19 nanograms (56 picomoles) for a 1-minute data acquisition. This technique should prove useful with mass-limited samples and for use as a detector in capillary separations.
A model of a growing, coagulating aerosol

Abstract A continuously reinforced aerosol, undergoing change by particle growth and coagulation, and particle removal at some selected large size, is described by a number balance equation. For the steady state condition, the number balance equation was solved numerically for the distribution of particle concentrations as a continuous function of particle volume. The particle growth rate, Φ(v) , was based on rate data describing the Mn2+, Fe3+, and non-catalyzed aqueous phase conversion of SO 2 (g) to H2SO4(aq). The catalyst and the H2SO4 were assumed to be contained in drops, which grew with acid production, due to the accretion of water vapor. The number balance equation without growth was also solved. Calculations on the Mn2+ catalyzed systems resulted in distributions which reflected detectable effects of both growth and coagulation. For sufficiently large values of Φ(v) (> 10 −10 μ 3 min −1 ) , corresponding to SO 2 (g) concentrations of 0.1–10 ppm. the resulting distributions were found to display two regions, one dominated by growth and the other by coagulation. The particle size distribution in the growth region (small v ) is similar in shape to 1/Φ(v) , while in the coagulation region (large v ) the particle distribution is a straight line on a log-log plot. The shape of the input distribution did not have an effect on the shape of the calculated distribution. The neutralizing effects of NH 3 (g) on the Mn2+ catalyzed aqueous phase reaction were also checked and the resulting distribution has a shape similar to those at high SO 2 (g) concentrations (10 ppm). The Fe3+ catalyzed and non-catalyzed systems (Φ(v) ≦ 10 −12 μ 3 min −1 ) displayed only a coagulation region. At large values of v , calculated distributions for all systems displayed a power law relationship between particle concentration and volume with a slope of − 1.3 to −1.5. The H2SO4 or (NH4)2SO4 composition of the particles was found not to be a function of size.
Measurement of the spatial backscattering impulse-response at short length scales with polarized enhanced backscattering

In this Letter, we describe an easy to implement technique to measure the spatial backscattering impulse-response at length scales shorter than a transport mean free path with resolution of better than 10 μm using the enhanced backscattering phenomenon. This technique enables spectroscopic measurements throughout the visible range and sensitivity to all polarization channels. Through a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements of latex microspheres, we explore the various sensitivities of our technique to both intrinsic sample properties and extrinsic instrumental properties. We conclude by demonstrating the extraordinary sensitivity of our technique to the shape of the scattering phase function, including higher order shape parameters than the anisotropy factor (or first moment).
An extended theory of speech acts: Appropriateness onditions for subordinate acts in sequences

Abstract One of the problems with speech act theory - as it has been developed so far - is that conditions of appropriateness are always formulated with very simple verbal contexts in mind. The question I want to address in this paper is precisely whether the conditions of appropriateness sketched out by Searle can still guarantee the appropriateness of the respective act types, when we consider them as embedded in sequences of speech acts performed in the utterance of sequences of (or complex) sentences, and when we consider the specific speech activity being carried out. In the first section, the basic question will be tentatively answered, namely how being part of a sequence can effect the appropriateness of a speech act. In the next, I will try to deal with the problem of how, along which process, relying on which implicit principles, can a hearer carry out an assessment of the appropriateness of a speech-act-in-sequence; this involves much more than simply comparing context features and requirements for appropriateness, e.g. individuating actions structures, hierarchical relationships among acts or relations among goals. Finally I will try to move further and discuss the question whether “appropriateness” can be meaningfully predicated of whole sequences of speech acts, that is, as a separate notion from the conjunction of the judgments of appropriateness assigned to the component speech acts. In the conclusion, a few considerations are added about the possibility and desirability of having speech act theory transformed into a theoretical framework capable of raising empirical questions about aspects of the social use of language, and about the necessity of an extension of the theory to the treatment of sequences, in this connection.
Price Dynamics in International Wheat Markets

A vector autoregression model is used to evaluate dynamic relationships among international wheat prices. The effects of freight rates and exchange rates are also considered. Forecast error variance decompositions and impulse response functions are used to investigate price dynamics in six important international wheat markets. The results suggest significant dynamic relationships among prices in different international wheat markets and between the prices and exchange rates and transportation costs. On s'est servi d'un modele vectoriel a autoregression pour evaluer les relations dynamiques entre les cours du ble sur le marche international. On a egalement tenu compte de l'inci-dence des couts de transport et du taux de change. La decomposition prevue de la variance de l'erreur et les fonctions de reaction ponctuelle ont egalement permis d'approfondir la dynamique des prix sur six grands marches internationaux du ble. Les resultats suggerent des relations dynamiques notables entre les prix sur differents marches internationaux du ble, de meme qu'entre les prix et le taux du change et les couts de transport.
Estimating microbial survival parameters under high hydrostatic pressure

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing is an emerging food preservation technology with minimal impact on the nutritional and sensory attributes of the food. Kinetic models that describe microbial inactivation under HHP are essential in establishing valid sterilization processes, while their applications rely on the predetermined survival parameters that define those models. In this study, an optimization algorithm was developed to estimate these parameters through finding the best fitting-curves to nonisobaric survival data. Published survival data on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 was used to test the algorithm. The Weibull model was suitable for describing nonlinear E. coli survival curves and the new algorithm provided an accurate estimation of its survival parameters. The obtained survival parameters from either isobaric or nonisobaric data were substantially different, indicating that the accuracy of the parameters could be influenced by the accumulated microbial death during pressure come-up times. Although the algorithm was tested by using the Weibull model, it should be applicable to other inactivation kinetic models since a specific inactivation kinetics model does not need to be assumed.
Alteration in testicular cell components following transiently induced ischaemia in prepubertal bulls

The aim of the present study was to evaluate transient testicular ischaemia (induced using elastrator bands) in Jersey calves on testicular morphology and development. Treatments (at 27 +/- 5 days of age) consisted of control (0 h banding) and banding for 2, 4 or 8 h (n = 4 in each group). After castration (at 60 +/- 5 days of age), the right testis was used for calculation of cell components per testis according to the point-counting method. Bodyweight (59.8 +/- 6.2 kg) and scrotal circumference (SC) at banding (9.1 +/- 0.2 cm) did not differ between groups. Fresh testis weight, scrotal temperature immediately before band removal and daily SC growth were decreased in ischaemic (4 and 8 h) testes compared with controls (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was significantly reduced in the 8 h ischaemic treatment group (P < 0.05). Transiently induced ischaemia significantly decreased the number of germ cells in the 8 h ischaemic treatment group (13 +/- 5 x 10(6) cells) compared with the 0, 2 and 4 h ischaemic treatment groups (38 +/- 6, 32 +/- 6 and 33 +/- 5 x 10(6) cells, respectively; P < 0.05). These results suggest that transiently induced ischaemia for 8 h significantly decreases the number of germ, Sertoli and Leydig cells in prepubertal testis.
Electric Motors Coupled to Hydraulic Motors as Actuators for Hydraulic Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Simulation enables testing of an actual physical component of a system under a variety of conditions without the expense of full scale testing. In hydraulic systems, flows or pressures that interface with the component in question are controlled by a computer running a simulation designed to emulate a complete system under real operating conditions. Typically, servo valves are used as actuators to control the flows or pressures. This paper investigates the use of electric servo-motors coupled to hydraulic gear motors as alternative actuators, and discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages that motors have in comparison to valves. A demonstration HIL simulation involving a mobile proportional flow control valve attached to an emulated backhoe is described, and results are compared to data from a real backhoe.© 2005 ASME
Relationships among nortriptyline, 10-OH(E)nortriptyline, and 10-OH(Z)nortriptyline steady-state plasma levels and nortriptyline dosage

The postulated therapeutic activity of nortriptyline metabolites has prompted investigation of dosage adjustments based on plasma levels of nortriptyline (NT) and its metabolites. The method assumes that metabolite concentrations vary independently of nortriptyline concentrations among patients. This study tests that assumption and investigates different means of obtaining metabolite concentrations. Forty-two psychiatric inpatients were divided into three maintenance dose groups: 50, 100, and 150 mg NT/day. After a 28-day study for each inpatient, steady-state plasma concentrations for days 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28 were determined. Concentrations were averaged for each patient. Nortriptyline concentrations did not correlate well with corresponding 10-OH(E)nortriptyline (p greater than 0.05) or 10-OH(Z)nortriptyline concentrations (r2 = 0.31, p less than 0.05). Concentrations of 10-OH(E)nortriptyline did not correlate well with corresponding 10-OH(Z)nortriptyline concentrations (r2 = 0.236, p less than 0.05). Neither dose/body weight nor obesity were good predictors of individual concentrations of nortriptyline, 10-OH(E)nortriptyline, or 10-OH(Z)nortriptyline or even the sum of the three. In conclusion, optimal drug therapy may involve dosage adjustments according to the combined plasma levels of nortriptyline and metabolites. Assurance of obtaining certain plasma concentrations requires plasma level monitoring.
Formulating and solving parametric design problems involving non-interference constraints

Improvements in computer-aided design (CAD) tools can significantly increase designer productivity, since the ability to explore a variety of possible designs quickly and effectively is essential for a designer. Using an optimization tool, systematic exploration of design spaces can be achieved readily. The general goal of the work presented here is to aid design by combining the strengths of optimization techniques with those of CAD systems. The specific objective of this paper is to introduce goal directed geometry (GDG) as a computational framework for parametric design, aiding the formulation of engineering problems with geometric considerations and their solution with a multi-objective optimization package. Using GDG, ‘What if’ questions can be posed and answered in a systematic fashion. Specific issues to be addressed include the development of a general parametric design problem formulation, development of static and dynamic geometric non-interference constraints for use in this formulation, and investigation of the efficacy of the adaptive linear programming (ALP) multiobjective optimization algorithm in solving such problems. Two examples are presented, one each to illustrate the use of the static and dynamic non-interference constraints. Results demonstrate that the GDG formulation can be applied readily to a wide variety of parametric design problems. Additionally, the ALP algorithm successfully navigates around geometric constraints, although care must be taken when linearizing highly non-linear design spaces.
Finite element analysis of seal mechanism using SMA for Mars sample return

Returning Martian samples to Earth for extensive analysis is of great interest to planetary science community. Current Mars sample return architecture would require leaving the acquired samples on Mars for several years before being retrieved by subsequent mission. Each sample would be sealed securely to keep its integrity. A reliable seal technique that does not affect the integrity of the samples and uses simple low-mass tool is required. The shape memory alloy (SMA) seal technique is a promising candidate. The performances of several primary designs of SMA seal for sample tubes were analyzed by finite element (FE) modeling. The results of thermal heating characteristics had been reported in a previous presentation this paper focus on the preparation and actuation of SMA plugs, the seal pressure, and the stress and strain induced in the sealing procedure with various designs.
Mutational, structural, and kinetic evidence for a dissociative mechanism in the GDP-mannose mannosyl hydrolase reaction

GDP-mannose hydrolase (GDPMH) catalyzes the hydrolysis of GDP-α-d-sugars by nucleophilic substitution with inversion at the anomeric C1 atom of the sugar, with general base catalysis by H124. Three lines of evidence indicate a mechanism with dissociative character. First, in the 1.3 A X-ray structure of the GDPMH−Mg2+−GDP·Tris+ complex [Gabelli, S. B., et al. (2004) Structure 12, 927−935], the GDP leaving group interacts with five catalytic components: R37, Y103, R52, R65, and the essential Mg2+. As determined by the effects of site-specific mutants on kcat, these components contribute factors of 24-, 100-, 309-, 24-, and ≥105-fold, respectively, to catalysis. Both R37 and Y103 bind the β-phosphate of GDP and are only 5.0 A apart. Accordingly, the R37Q/Y103F double mutant exhibits partially additive effects of the two single mutants on kcat, indicating cooperativity of R37 and Y103 in promoting catalysis, and antagonistic effects on Km. Second, the conserved residue, D22, is positioned to accept a hydrog...
Noise can play an organizing role for the recurrent dynamics in excitable media

We analyze patterns of recurrent activity in a prototypical model of an excitable medium in the presence of noise. Without noise, this model robustly predicts the existence of spiral waves as the only recurrent patterns in two dimensions. With small noise, however, we found that this model is also capable of generating coherent target patterns, another type of recurrent activity that is widely observed experimentally. These patterns remain essentially deterministic despite the presence of the noise, yet their existence is impossible without it. Their degree of coherence can also be made arbitrarily high for wide ranges of the parameters, which does not require fine-tuning. Our findings demonstrate the need to reexamine current modeling approaches to active biological media.
Palliative management of gastric cancer

Advanced gastric cancer and its palliative treatment have a long and interesting history. Today, gastric adenocarcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Unfortunately, many cases are not diagnosed until late stages of disease, which underscores the importance of the palliative treatment of gastric cancer. Palliative care is best defined as the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Although endoscopy is the most useful method for securing the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma, computed tomography may be useful to assess local and distant disease. The main indication for the institution of palliative care is the presence of advanced gastric cancer for which curative treatment is deemed inappropriate. The primary goal of palliative therapy of gastric cancer patients is to improve quality, not necessarily length, of life. Four main modalities of palliative therapy for advanced gastric cancer are discussed: resection, bypass, stenting, and chemotherapy. The choice of modality depends on a variety of factors, including individual patient prognosis and goals, and should be made on case-by-case basis. Future directions include the discovery and development of serum or stool tumor markers aimed at prevention, improving prognostication and stratification, and increasing awareness and education.
Deficient 17β-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase Activity in Testes from a Male Pseudohermaphrodite

Abstract 17β-Hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (17β-HOR) activity in testicular tissue from a male pseudohermaphrodite (MP) who had elevated plasma LH and androstenedione (A) levels, and normal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) levels was compared by in vitro studies to that of testicular tissue from a normal man. The 17β-HOR activity from the MP was localized predominantly in the microsomal fraction, as it is in normal testicular tissue. With DHA, A, and estrone as substrates, the 17β-HOR activity of the MP was decreased in the presence of NADPH, but not NADH, in comparison with the normal. NADPH was the preferred co-factor for 17β-HOR from the normal testes, while 17β-HOR activity from the MP testes was less with NADPH than with NADH as cofactor. These results indicate that the inefficient testosterone production in the MP testes may be accounted for by a deficiency of NADPH-dependent 17β-HOR activity. Further studies suggested that 3β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase-isomerase (3β-HOR) was increased in the MP test...
Estimation of incidence and reflection angles from passive polarimetric imagery: extension to out-of-plane scattering

Passive polarimetric imagery conveys information that complements the information contained in intensity and spectral imagery. Passive polarimetric measurements have been exploited in many remote sensing applications such as shape extraction, surface inspection and object detection/recognition. In previous work Thilak et al. proposed an algorithm to estimate the index of refraction and view angle (object surface orientation) from multiple polarization images where the source position changes between measurements. That work relies on a specular polarimetric bidirectional reflectance distribution function (pBRDF) developed by Priest and Meier. The pBRDF incorporates a Mueller matrix that characterizes the polarized reflection properties of a target for any incident Stokes vector. The results in Thilak et al. assumed that scattering occurs in the plane of incidence, which means that the pBRDF matrix contains many zero elements. In this paper, we extend this work to an out-of-plane scattering geometry, which implies that the pBRDF matrix contains more non-zero elements. In the initial work presented here, a nonlinear optimization approach is utilized to estimate the incident and reflection angles from a single polarization measurement assuming knowledge of the surface index of refraction and azimuthal angle between source and receiver. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through computer simulation.
Characterization of an unbalanced de novo rearrangement by microsatellite polymorphism typing and by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Unbalanced de novo rearrangements, difficult to characterize by conventional cytogenetic techniques, may be elucidated by molecular approaches. By dinucleotide repeat polymorphism typing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), we have defined the composition of an unbalanced de novo translocation (46,XX,15p+) in a child with multiple congenital anomalies. Use of a microsatellite repeat D5S208 (localized to 5p15) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed that the extra segment originated from the short arm of chromosome 5. Amplification of the patient`s DNA with primers for dinucleotide repeats D5S350 and D5S118 showed that the entire 5p (from 5pter to 5q11) was present in 3 copies. FISH confirmed the trisomic status of 5p, and further revealed the presence of centromeres of both chromosomes 5 and 15 on the rearranged chromosome thus delineating its dicentric nature. This information allowed us to redefine the de novo rearrangement in this patient as 46,XX,dic der(15)t(5;15)(q11;p11). 19 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
Determination of fatty acids in fish oil dietary supplements by capillary liquid chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin derivatives of 14 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including the omega-3 fatty acids, were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detected by laser-induced fluorescence. Baseline resolution was obtained by using a high-efficiency packed capillary column with 240,000 theoretical plates, together with a systematic optimization of the mobile phase composition. The retention indices of the fatty acid derivatives correlated well with a predictive empirical model, showing accuracy better than 0.46% relative error and reproducibility better than +/- 0.1% relative standard deviation. The physiologically important fatty acids with 12-22 carbon atoms and 0-6 double bonds were determined at the femtomole level in fish oil dietary supplements by using this methodology.