cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting the processing of sequentially presented form parts

An alternative to McFarland’s (1965) model for the processing of visual form was tested. Form-part configuration, order of sequencing, and amount of change in part orientation within a sequence were investigated as factors affecting the processing of sequentially presented form parts. The results support McFarland’s finding that the visual system takes longer to integrate a sequence of angles than a sequence of sides.
Analytic Queueing Network Models for Parallel Processing of Task Systems

This paper is concerned with the performance evaluation of a realistic model of parallel computations. We present an efficient algorithm to determine the mean completion time and related performance measures for a task system: a set of tasks with precedence relationships in their execution sequence, such that the resulting graph is acyclic. A queueing network (QN) is used to model tasks executing on a single or multicomputer system. In the case of multicomputer systems, we take into account the delay due to interprocess communication. A straight- forward application of a QN solver to the problem is not possible due to variations in the state of the system (composition of tasks in execution). An accurate algorithm based on hierarchical decomposition is presented for solving task systems. At the higher level, the system behavior is specified by a Markov chain whose states correspond to the combination of tasks in execution. The state transition rate matrix for the Markov chain is triangular (since the task system graph was assumed to be acyclic), therefore it can be solved efficiently to compute the state probabilities and the task initiation/completion times. At the lower level, the transition rates among the states of the Markov chain are computed using a QN solver, which determines the throughput of the computer system for each system state. The model and the solution method can be used in performance evaluation of applications exhibiting concurrency in centralized/distributed systems where there are conflicting goals of load balancing and minimizing interprocess communication overhead.
C60 colloid formation in aqueous systems: effects of preparation method on size, structure, and surface charge.

The discovery that negatively charged aggregates of C60 fullerene are stable in aqueous environments has elicited concerns regarding the potential environmental and health effects of these aggregates. Many previous studies have used aggregates synthesized using intermediate organic solvents. This work primarily employed an aggregate production method that more closely emulates the fate of C60 upon accidental release into the environment: extended mixing in water. The aggregates formed via this method (aqu/nC60) differ from those produced using the more common solvent exchange methods. The aqu/nC60 aggregates are heterogeneous in size (20 nm and larger) and shape (facetted to spherical), negatively charged, and crystalline in structure, exhibiting a face centered cubic (FCC) system. Solution characteristics such as aqu/nC60 aggregate size and concentration were found to be dependent upon preparation variables such as initial C60 concentration, initial particle size, and the presence or absence of natural o...
An allergic phenotype and the use of steroid inhalers predict eosinophilic oesophagitis in patients with asthma.

Summary Background Patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) commonly have asthma and atopy. Aims To determine the predictive factors of EoE in patients with asthma. Methods A retrospective analysis of a large database identified 156 asthma patients with EoE and 276 patients without EoE between 2000 and 2010. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were first analyzed in half of each group. Significant differences and modelling were then applied to the other half of each group in a split half analysis. Results Odds ratios and P-values found to predict the presence of EoE in asthma patients were: allergic vs. non-allergic asthma (4.07, <0.01), food allergies (45, <0.01), allergic rhinitis (2.13, =0.01) and peripheral eosinophilia (4.51, <0.01). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was negatively associated with EoE (0.41, <0.01) for asthma patients and (0.37, P < 0.01) for allergic type asthma patients. EoE patients were also younger (27.4 vs. 41.6 years old, P < 0.01). By logistic regression analysis, allergic asthma, presence of peripheral eosinophilia and use of inhaled steroids remained significant. From these parameters, a 3.5-point scoring system model for EoE in asthma was formed with an ROC = 0.787 on split analysis. Conclusions In descending order, peripheral eosinophilia, allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are associated with EoE in patients with asthma. Steroid inhalers appear to have a protective effect against EoE. An accurate and simple scoring system can be used as a screening tool to predict the presence of EoE in patients with asthma and dysphagia. EoE should be viewed as part of a generalised allergic phenotype rather than isolated oesophageal disease.
Estrogen receptor beta expression in invasive breast cancer.

The aim of this work was to determine the extent of estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta) expression in invasive breast cancer (BrCA) and whether ER-beta expression is correlated with response to adjuvant hormonal therapy with tamoxifen (AHTT). Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) and ER-beta was performed on sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue from 47 unselected invasive breast carcinomas (BrCA). IHC for ER-beta was also performed on sections of BrCA from 118 women who were treated with mastectomy and AHTT. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Of the 47 unselected BrCA, 17 (36%) were negative for ER-alpha and of these, 8 (47% of ER-alpha negative cases and 17% of all 47 patients) were ER-beta positive. Five of the 8 ER-alpha negative and ER-beta positive cases were positive for ER biochemically. There was no correlation between ER-beta positivity and overall survival in the unselected group. By contrast, in the group of women treated with AHTT, expression of ER-beta in more than 10% of cancer cells was associated with better survival (P = .0077), even in women with node-negative BrCA (P = .0069). In conclusion, our results show that a significant number of women with BrCA are positive for ER-beta only, and may be determined to be ER-negative when currently available IHC is used. ER-beta status is a significant predictor of response to AHTT in women with BrCA. Larger studies with multivariate analysis are needed to confirm these findings.
National narratives and the conservative nature of collective memory

Using the Russian experience in World War II as an illustration, this article explores some dynamics of collective memory, especially when state authorities seek to employ a particular usable past. Posters, films, and other forms of popular culture are analyzed in an attempt to account for a sudden switch in official Soviet memory during the early phases of World War II. In this context the Soviet leadership reverted to relying on old Russian national narratives after spending years forcibly promulgating an internationalist, anti-nationalist official story. Along with other post-Soviet experience, this suggests that national narratives can be quite conservative and resistant to change. The notion of “schematic narrative templates” is employed to provide insight into how this played out in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia in general, with specific attention given to the “expulsion of foreign enemies” narrative template.
Skin Cancer Education in Transplant Recipients

In the past 20 years, long-term survival for solid-organ transplant recipients has improved dramatically; about 223 000 patients are alive in the United States with organ transplants today. As survival rates improve, however, the morbidity and mortality associated with lifelong immunosuppressive therapy is increasing in significance. Skin cancer is common among recipients of all major organ transplants, including the kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas. Although skin cancer is the most common cancer in transplant recipients, many cases can be prevented by sun protection, skin self-examinations, and physician examinations. Because transplant recipients visit the transplant clinic frequently, clinicians have ample opportunities to teach patients about the importance of prevention and detection of skin cancer. At a routine visit, the clinician should inquire about sun protection practices, especially for tanned, light-skinned, or freckled patients or patients who are planning a warm-weather vacation or ...
Pediatric disaster triage education and skills assessment: a coalition approach.

Objective: This study aims to 1) demonstrate one method of pediatric disaster preparedness education using a regional disaster coalition organized workshop and 2) evaluate factors reflecting the greatest shortfall in pediatric mass casualty incident (MCI) triage skills in a varied population of medical providers in King County,WA. Design: Educational intervention and cross-sectional survey. Setting: Pediatric disaster preparedness conference created de novo and offered by the King County Healthcare Coalition, with didactic sessions and workshops including a scored mock pediatric MCI triage. Participants: Ninety-eight providers from throughout the King County, WA, region selected by their own institutions following invitation to participate, with 88 completing exit surveys. Interventions: Didactic lectures regarding pediatric MCI triage followed by scored exercises. Main outcome measures: Mock triage scores were analyzed and compared according to participant characteristics and workplace environment. Results: A half-day regional pediatric disaster preparedness educational conference convened in September 2011 by the King County Healthcare Coalition in partnership with regional pediatric experts was so effective and well-received that it has been rescheduled yearly (2012 and 2013) and has expanded to three Washington State venues sponsored by the Washington State Department of Health. Emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU) employment and regular exposure to pediatric patients best predicted higher mock pediatric MCI triage scores (ED/ICU 80 percent vs non-ED / ICU 73 percent, p = 0.026; regular pediatric exposure 80 percent vs less exposure 77 percent, p = 0.038, respectively). Pediatric Advanced Life Support training was not found to be associated with improved triage performance, and mock patients whose injuries were not immediately life threatening tended to be over-triaged (observed trend). Conclusions: A regional coalition can effectively organize member hospitals and provide education for focused populations using specialty experts such as pediatricians. Providers working in higher acuity environments and those with regular pediatric patient exposure perform better mock pediatric MCI triage than their counterparts after just-in-time training. Pediatric MCI patients with less than life-threatening injuries tended to be over-triaged.
Potent inhibition of sperm motility by palytoxin.

Abstract Palytoxin, produced by a stationary marine animal and one of the most toxic substances known, was used as a spear poison in ancient Hawaii to cause death by cardiovascular contracture. We report here that the motility of hamster caudal epididymal (HCE) and other sperm can be inhibited by as little as 10 −13 M palytoxin in a time-dependent manner. This inhibition manifested itself as a loss in flagellar amplitude, often accompanied by an increase in beat frequency, resulting in a loss of forward progression and ultimately cessation of movement. Similar effects were observed in sperm from guinea pigs, rabbit, cattle, sea urchins and man. Preincubation with palytoxin did not prevent the induction of motility from quiescence in HCE sperm when free calcium ion was added. However, regardless of the timing of palytoxin addition this very vigorous motility disappeared shortly after it appeared. These, plus earlier observations showing palytoxin did not cause lysis under similar conditions or inhibit the progressive motility of demembranated sperm axoneme preparations, suggest both that this large molecule acts via the plasma membrane to cause its exceedingly toxic effects and that spermatozoa may be useful for the investigation of the mechanism of action of palytoxin.
Changes in collagen metabolism associated with the administration of penicillamine and various amino and thiol compounds.

Abstract D-Penicillamine and BAPN (β-amino propionitrile) were found to be the most active agents able to cause an accumulation of neutral salt-soluble collagen in the skin of rats. Most analogues of penicillamine had very little or no effects. Blocking the α-amino group ( N -acetyl-penicillamine) or removal of the sulfhydryl group (valine) render inactive compounds. A higher homologue (mercaptoisoleucine) was ineffective. It would seem that the structure of D-penicillamine meets all the criteria for effectiveness, such as extracellular distribution, lack of metabolic deamination, sufficient amount of steric hindrance of the sulfhydryl group to retard its oxidation to disulfide, but yet not enough to prevent completely its reactivity. D-Penicillamine totally blocks the crosslinking of newly formed tropocollagen and is able to degrade a certain fraction of the more recently sythesized process insoluble collagen which has not yet completed its maturation D-Penicillamine affects equally both sexes, is more effective in young rats than in older ones and is not antagonized by copper if this metal is administered by a different route. If given simultaneously, mixed in the diet, the effect on collagen is inhibited and the toxicity of copper reduced, probably due to the marked affinity of both compounds and possible inactivation in the gastrointestinal tract. The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline in the D-penicillamine-treated rats falls within normal limits. Only the BAPN-treated animals showed an increase in urinary hydroxyproline. Since BAPN causes severe osseous abnormalities, whereas penicillamine does not, these findings would tend to support the view that an increase in urinary hydroxyproline is primarily a manifestation of abnormal metabolism of bone collagen.
Effects of Finite Lattice Heat Capacity on Spin-Lattice Relaxation

The spin-lattice approach to equilibrium is studied for situations in which the littice heat capacity is not infinite. It is assumed that the spins and the lattice each have a well-defined temperature, and that a bath either has been removed or is only very weakly coupled to the lattice. It is shown that asymptotically the magnetization relaxes exponentially with a relaxation time which can be very much different from ${T}_{1}$ (the spin-lattice relaxation time for an infinite lattice heat capacity), not only in numerical value but in its functional dependence upon temperature, magnetic field, and spin concentration. A general formula yielding the final common temperature in terms of initial conditions is given. Some examples are presented in which the effect of the finite lattice is to "lock" the magnetization in at its initial value for times 1 to 2 orders of magnitude longer than the ultimate relaxation time.
A Child of the Revolution: William Henry Harrison and His World, 1773–1798. By Hendrik Booraem V. (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 2012. Pp. xi, 252. $45.00.)

Hendrik Booraem V has an interesting record as a presidential biographer, having published studies of James A. Garfield, Calvin Coolidge, and Andrew Jackson. The intriguing nature of Booraem's work...
Fault tolerant autonomous rendezvous and docking architecture for spacecraft in presence of control actuator failures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present novel robust fault tolerant control design architecture to detect and isolate spacecraft attitude control actuators and reconfigure to redundant backups to improve the practicality of actuator fault detection.Design/methodology/approach – The Robust Fault Tolerant Control is designed for spacecraft Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) using Lyapunov direct approach applied to non‐linear model. An extended Kalman observer is used to accurately estimate the state of the attitude control actuators. Actuators on all three axes (roll/pitch/yaw) sequentially fail one after another and the robust fault tolerant controller acts to reconfigure to redundant backups to stabilize the spacecrafts and complete the required maneuver.Findings – In the simulations, the roll, pitch and yaw dynamics of the spacecraft are considered and the attitude control actuators failures are detected and isolated. Furthermore, by switching to redundant backups, the guarantee of overa...
The morbidity of DSM-III-R dependent personality disorder

Dependent personality has long been discussed by clinicians, and by empirical researchers more recently. Little empirical evidence so far has been presented as the type and degree of disability with which it is associated. This report provides some empirical data in that regard. To examine this question, those with and without DSM-III-R dependent personality were compared in male veterans drawn from an outpatient psychiatry clinic (dependent and nondependent groups). Standardized interview assessments were used to determine axes I and II disorders and family history. The dependent personality disorder group had significantly lower socioeconomic status and poorer functioning in the family/home sphere. They had significantly more social phobia, borderline traits, and histrionic traits. In relatives, there was significantly more generalized anxiety disorder, simple phobia, drug abuse, and dramatic personality disorder cluster. There are clearly documentable vulnerabilities and morbidities associated with dependent personality disorder.
Interactions between amphibians' symbiotic bacteria cause the production of emergent anti-fungal metabolites.

Amphibians possess beneficial skin bacteria that protect against the disease chytridiomycosis by producing secondary metabolites that inhibit the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Metabolite production may be a mechanism of competition between bacterial species that results in host protection as a by-product. We expect that some co-cultures of bacterial species or strains will result in greater Bd inhibition than mono-cultures. To test this, we cultured four bacterial isolates (Bacillus sp., Janthinobacterium sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Chitinophaga arvensicola) from red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) and cultured isolates both alone and together to collect their cell-free supernatants (CFS). We challenged Bd with CFSs from four bacterial species in varying combinations. This resulted in three experimental treatments: 1) CFSs of single isolates; 2) combined CFSs of two isolates; and 3) CFSs from co-cultures. Pair-wise combinations of four bacterial isolates CFSs were assayed against Bd and revealed additive Bd inhibition in 42.2% of trials, synergistic inhibition in 42.2% and no effect in 16.6% of trials. When bacteria isolates were grown in co-cultures, complete Bd inhibition was generally observed, and synergistic inhibition occurred in four out of six trials. A metabolite profile of the most potent co-culture, Bacillus sp. and Chitinophaga arvensicola, was determined with LC-MS and compared with the profiles of each isolate in mono-culture. Emergent metabolites appearing in the co-culture were inhibitory to Bd, and the most potent inhibitor was identified as tryptophol. Thus mono-cultures of bacteria cultured from red-backed salamanders interacted synergistically and additively to inhibit Bd, and such bacteria produced emergent metabolites when cultured together, with even greater pathogen inhibition. Knowledge of how bacterial species interact to inhibit Bd can be used to select probiotics to provide amphibians with protection against Bd.
Microanatomy Courses in U.S. and Canadian Medical Schools, 1991-92.

BACKGROUND Many medical schools are reevaluating their approaches to teaching the basic and clinical sciences, yet there is little systematic information available about how specific courses are being taught. METHOD A detailed questionnaire was sent to 139 U.S. and Canadian medical schools to obtain information about microanatomy courses in 1991-92. RESULTS Overall, 114 (82%) of the schools responded. The responses showed that microanatomy courses were including more cell biology and related material in their curricula, and that many were coordinating subject presentation with other basic science courses. The courses relied primarily on lecture-based teaching for non-laboratory material and structured laboratory exercises for laboratory material. New approaches, such as small-group, problem-solving sessions, were being introduced slowly; most of the courses used faculty-provided learning objectives. Computer-aided instruction had been introduced at a small number of schools, usually in the form of self-instructional packages or reviews. Multiple-choice written examinations and short-answer practical examinations were usually used to assess student knowledge; computer-based testing was rare. CONCLUSION The microanatomy curricula tended to be relatively conventional. The primary barrier to the introduction of computer-aided instruction may be the wide-spread use of other self-instructional tools that are effective and less expensive to develop and maintain. Because of the trend toward fewer student contact hours, the adoption of problem-based learning at the course level could have a significant negative impact on the amount of microanatomy material that could be covered.
Josephson Effects at High Current Density

Effects of large phase gradients on the Josephson relation have been estimated by a modification of the Aslamazov-Larkin theory. The results are applied to explain the Dayem-Wyatt effect.
Carrier-facilitated bulk liquid membrane transport of iron(III)-siderophore complexes utilizing first coordination sphere recognition

Carrier-facilitated bulk liquid membrane (BLM) transport from an aqueous source phase through a chloroform membrane phase to an aqueous receiving phase was studied for various hydrophilic synthetic and naturally occurring Fe(III)-siderophore complexes using first coordination sphere recognition. Iron transport systems were designed such that two cis coordination sites on a hydrophilic Fe(III) complex are occupied by labile aquo ligands, while the other four coordination sites are blocked by strong tetradentate ligands (siderophores). The labile aquo coordination sites can be "recognized" by a liquid membrane-bound hydrophobic bidentate ligand, which carries the hydrophilic Fe(III)-siderophore complex across the hydrophobic membrane to an aqueous receiving phase. The system is further designed for uphill transport of Fe(III) against a concentration gradient, driven by anti-port H(+) transport. Three tetradentate siderophore and siderophore mimic ligands were investigated: rhodotorulic acid (H(2)L(RA)), alcaligin (H(2)L(AG)), and N,N'-dihydroxy-N,N'-dimethyldecanediamide (H(2)L(8)). Flux values for the transport of Fe(L(x))(OH(2))(2)(+) (x = RA, AG, 8) facilitated by the hydrophobic lauroyl hydroxamic acid (HLHA) membrane carrier were the highest when x = 8, which is attributed to substrate lipophilicity. Ferrioxamine B (FeHDFB(+)) was also selectively transported through a BLM by HLHA. The process involves partial dechelation of ferrioxamine B to produce the tetradentate form of the complex (Fe(H(2)DFB)(OH(2))(2)(2+)), followed by ternary complex formation with HLHA (Fe(H(2)DFB)(LHA)(+)) and transport across the membrane into the receiving phase. Uphill transport of ferrioxamine B was confirmed by increased flux as [H(+)](source phase) < [H(+)](receiving phase). The membrane flux of ferrioxamine B occurs near neutral pH, as evidence that ternary complex formation and ligand exchange are viable processes at the membrane/receptor surface of microbial cells.
Compressibility of Recycled Materials for Use As Highway Embankment Fill

AbstractCompressibility of recycled materials including bottom ash (BA), foundry slag (FSG), foundry sand (FSD), recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled pavement material (RPM), recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), and recycled asphalt shingle (RAS) mixed with glacial outwash sand (GOS) was evaluated using one-dimensional (1D) compression tests. Results showed that except RCA, compressibility of all the compacted recycled materials is higher than that of the compacted GOS. Different compression mechanisms were attributed to each recycled material depending on the type, composition, and morphological characteristics of the particles. Bituminous recycled materials including RAP, RPM, and RAS-GOS mixtures exhibited relatively higher compressibility compared with nonbituminous recycled materials. At a constant vertical effective stress (σv′), compression of the recycled materials increased over time with strain rates that are higher for bituminous recycled materials compared to nonbituminous recycled material...
Crystalline 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-DL-arabinose diethyl dithioacetal: some reactions of acetal derivatives of arabinose.

Acetonation of the diethyl dithioacetals of D- and L-arabinose gives the corresponding 2,3:4,5-diisopropylidene acetals (2a and 2b) as oils having [alpha]D +82 and -81 degrees, respectively; in admixture, the enantiomers form a well crystallized racemate, m.p. 43-45 degrees. The initial product of acetonation is the 4,5-monoisopropylidene acetal. Demercaptalation of 2a with mercury(II) chloride-cadmium carbonate gives 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-aldehydo-D-arabinose (5) in high yield, but the literature procedure employing mercury(II) chloride-mercury(II) oxide affords a mixture of 5 and 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-arabinopyranose (6). A trace of acid readily and completely converts the aldehydo derivative 5 into the cyclic diacetal 6.
A quantum mechanical MO study of the effect of doping on the electronic band structure of a benzodiimidazole polymer

Abstract Electronic band structures were investigated for undoped poly(p-phenylene benzodiimidazole) (PDIAB) and also PDIAB doped with the electron acceptors iodine and bromine. The axial band gap of 1.55 eV calculated for the undoped polymer is close to those calculated for the structurally similar model compounds for polymers, benzobisoxazole and benzobisthiazole. The band structures are well illustrated by the superposition of the bands for the undoped polymer chain and as well as the polymer chain in the presence of dopant based upon the assumption of the rigid band model (RBM). The band structures of the iodine- and bromine-doped PDIAB polymers indicate strong polymer-dopant interactions, and the lowering of the Fermi level indicates semiconducting characteristics to some extent.
Homologous cysteine-containing sequences in tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli and human placentas

The sequence Leu-Ala-Cys-Gly-Ile-Asx-Glx in a nonapeptide isolated from the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli B is homologous to the sequence Ile-Ala-Cys-Gly-Phe-Asx-Asx in a decapep...
A 14-year-old male with asymptomatic proteinuria and hearing loss

IN THE ROUTINE interpretation of renal biopsies, the integration of clinical history, light microscopy, and immunofluorescence leads to a presumptive clinical-pathologic diagnosis in the majority of cases. In most situations, electron microscopy plays a supportive or confirmatory role. However, there are some renal conditions for which ultrastructural examination is essential for diagnosis. Examples in which electronmicroscopy may be required for diagnosis include fibrillary glomerulonephritis, immunotactoid glomerulonephritis, dense deposit disease, thin basement membrane disease, Alport’s syndrome, Fabry’s disease, nail patella syndrome, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase deficiency, and lipoprotein glomerulopathy, among others. We report an example of an increasingly recognized renal disorder for which ultrastructural examination is an indispensable part of the renal biopsy evaluation.
A compact cw free electron laser

Abstract A compact, low-voltage, low-current, cw FEL is under construction at CREOL. With an electron-charge recovery of 99.9%, and depending on the power supply, the laser has the potential to generate up to 1 kW of average power in the 230–640 μm region, at a wall-power efficiency greater than 5%. This laser is also expected to operate in a very narrow bandwidth (single mode).
Structural Basis for Allosteric Coupling at the Membrane-Protein Interface in Gloeobacter violaceus Ligand-gated Ion Channel (GLIC)

Ligand binding at the extracellular domain of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels initiates a relay of conformational changes that culminates at the gate within the transmembrane domain. The interface between the two domains is a key structural entity that governs gating. Molecular events in signal transduction at the interface are poorly defined because of its intrinsically dynamic nature combined with functional modulation by membrane lipid and water vestibules. Here we used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to delineate protein motions underlying Gloeobacter violaceus ligand-gated ion channel gating in a membrane environment and report the interface conformation in the closed and the desensitized states. Extensive intrasubunit interactions were observed in the closed state that are weakened upon desensitization and replaced by newer intersubunit contacts. Gating involves major rearrangements of the interfacial loops, accompanied by reorganization of the protein-lipid-water interface. These structural changes may serve as targets for modulation of gating by lipids, alcohols, and amphipathic drug molecules.
Modeling and Experimental Studies of Aqueous Suspension Polymerization Processes. 3. Mass-Transfer and Monomer Solubility Effects

In the suspension polymerization of monomers with significant water solubility, the process behavior is significantly different from bulk polymerization. The effects of monomer solubility in suspension polymerization have been examined using vinyl acetate and comonomers as model systems. At low monomer to water ratios, suspension polymerization shows an unexpected limiting monomer conversion. For copolymerization, the monomer conversion and copolymer composition results are also different from the bulk model prediction. Factors affecting monomer mass transfer and solubility have been examined. Microgel formation seems to be the major cause. Salts have been used to reduce monomer solubility effects. Good polymer particle size is obtained under the salting conditions so that salting proves to be an effective method of handling monomer solubility problems.
Wedges and Widgets: Liberalism, Libertarianism, and the Trade Attitudes of the American Mass Public and Elites

What are the ideological sources of free trade attitudes? Free trade plays a crucial role in classical liberal theory as a way of increasing the prospects of peace between states. Are liberal individuals more supportive of free trade? The literature on foreign policy beliefs largely neglects the question of trade, and those exceptions that find support for the liberal hypothesis generally rely on faulty conceptualization. Using surveys of the American mass public and American elites, this article finds that the combination of views that marks classical liberalism does not in fact predict support for free trade at either the mass or the elite level. Support for free trade at the mass level has libertarian, not liberal, foundations, predicted by a combination of social and economic libertarianism. At the mass level, the combination of cosmopolitanism and dovishness that constitutes foreign policy liberalism has no effect on trade attitudes. At the elite level, cosmopolitanism is actually generally negatively associated with support for free trade. Free trade is a wedge issue that creates strange alliances at the elite level between cosmopolitans and isolationists generally hostile to one another on foreign policy and at the mass level between social and economic libertarians typically antagonistic to each other's domestic agenda.
Quick test performance by institutional retardates.

For 106 retarded persons correlations between WAIS IQs and IQs for combined forms of the Quick Test were .68 (Verbal scale), .40 (Performance scale), and .64 (Full scale), which values are similar to previously reported ones of Methvin. The QT assesses reliably (.83) functional language ability.
Video Data Conversion and Real-Time Tracking

Recent developments in pattern recognition and image processing are bringing about a new generation of real-time trackers. The RTV system described here is an example.
Micro-PIXE analysis of framboidal pyrite and associated maceral types in oil shale

Abstract The elemental compositions of framboidal pyrite and associated maceral types of a Devonian oil shale were investigated using a micro-analysis particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. The majority of the PIXE analyses were performed using a 750 keV proton beam to investigate sulfur and iron concentrations. Trace metals in the framboids and associated macerals were analysed using a proton bombarding energy of 3 MeV. The S Fe atomic ratios and trace element compositions of the framboids and associated bituminite and alginite macerals are compared and a mechanism of formation of framboids in shales is proposed. It is suggested that the formation of framboids may depend on the elemental concentration in the neighbouring organic phase, in this case the bituminite macerals.
Analytical Relationships Between Conflict Counts and Air-Traffic Density

Semi-empirical random variable models of the expected number of air-traffic conflicts as a function of air-traffic density are derived. Model parameters are determined from analysis and simulation of real air-traffic data. These models are applied to simulated air-traffic scenarios to analyze conflict properties in various conflict resolution strategies. It is shown that under free routing conditions (approximated by great-circle routes in zero-wind conditions) the expected number of conflicts is well represented by a binomial random variable model. Using this model, it is further demonstrated how conflict resolution can cause a chain reaction, leading to an increased number of conflicts for all aircraft, and how the model can be used to predict the airspace capacity for a given conflict resolution strategy. In a separate study, it is shown that for an iterative horizontal-plane conflict resolution strategy, a random variable model with the geometric distribution closely matches empirical data. This model also predicts the aircraft density at which the airspace becomes saturated. It is shown how analysis of conflicts in the horizontal plane can be scaled and applied to the analysis of conflicts in three-dimensional airspace.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Carbon-Carbon Composite Cages on High-Speed Bearing Operating Temperatures

In addition to geometry and environmental factors, operating temperatures of bearings are directly affected by applied load, operating speed, friction torque, and lubricant type and viscosity. Without adequate heat dissipation, bearing temperatures will increase to the point that the lubricant is distressed, ultimately leading to bearing failure. Numerically investigating bearing operating temperatures for specific environment, geometry, and lubricant conditions provides the opportunity to design bearings for improved thermal performance. This is critical for high-speed bearings when using mist or vapor phase lubrication with reduced heat sink capability. For these conditions, heat generation can lead to temperatures too extreme for reliable operation. Interactions between the bearing cage and the bearing races are the primary component of the total heat generation in these bearings. As the loading during these interactions is a function of centrifugal forces, it has been predicted that a lower density ca...
Spectral Distinctions between the Leading and Trailing Hemispheres of Callisto: New Observations

Abstract An analysis of recent telescopic observations of Callisto results in new insights regarding spectral variations from the leading to the trailing hemisphere of Callisto. Examination of data in the wavelength range from 2.0 to 2.5 μm indicates that previous suggestions of spectral differences are most likely the result of experimental uncertainty or error. Slight variations in the slope of this wavelength range are consistent with larger ice grain sizes on the trailing hemisphere. The new observations confirm the presence of an absorption feature centered on 3.4 μm in the spectrum of the leading hemisphere. Theoretical spectral modeling indicates this feature is caused by small amounts of fine-grained water ice. Finally, an absorption feature near 3.1 μm is indicated but cannot be confirmed due to the strong variation in the spectrum of water ice in this region. If this feature is real, rather than an artifact of the reflectance modeling, it is similar in location and bandwidth to a feature seen in the spectrum of Ceres, attributed to NH4-bearing clays.
Image-based detection and obstacle avoidance for mobile robots

In this paper, we use two visible laser points as the measuring ruler for automatically adjusting measurement. It is a breakthrough compared with using double CCD cameras or the measuring method of setting up reference at measuring points. By using a single image, we can realize the non-contact distance measurement. The measuring principle is to produce two bright projection spots on the measuring surface with two parallel lasers projectors. As a result, the pixel value between the spots will change in accordance with the shooting distance. As long as the pixel value between the two bright spots in the image frame can be identified, distance measurement can be obtained for detection and obstacle avoidance for mobile robots by using a single camera image.
Evaluation of the immunotoxicity of orally administered 2-methoxyacetic acid in Fischer 344 rats.

Abstract We previously demonstrated that the glycol ether 2-methoxyethanol (ME) is immunotoxic in the rat. In this study, the immunotoxicity of 2-methoxyacetic acid (MAA), the principal metabolite of ME, was evaluated in adult male Fischer 344 rats. Rats were dosed by gavage with MAA on 10 consecutive days at dosages ranging from 50 to 200 mg/kg/day. Thymic involution, in the absence of body weight loss, was observed at 100 and 200 mg/kg/day MAA. Lymphoproliferative responses to the mitogens concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen were also reduced at these dosages. The in vitro generated cytotoxic T lymphocyte response was reduced at 200 mg/kg/day MAA. The mixed lymphocyte reaction and natural killer cell activity were unaffected by exposure to MAA. Enumeration of splenic lymphocyte populations revealed a reduction in the percentage of W3 25 -positive cells at 100 and 150 mg/kg/day and an increase in the percentage of OX39-positive cells at 200 mg/kg/day; however, no changes in the absolute number of either of these subsets were observed. The plaque forming cell (PFC) response to trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS) was suppressed at 50–200 mg/kg/day MAA, while the PFC response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was elevated at 50 mg/kg/day. Immunization of rats with TNP-LPS or SRBC followed by oral exposure to MAA at 4 and 28 hr postimmunization resulted in the suppression of the PFC response to TNP-LPS and SRBC at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg and 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Equal suppression of the PFC response to TNP-LPS was achieved at equimolar concentrations of ME and MAA. The effects of MAA on the immune system of the rat presented here are very similar to results reported from this lab for ME-induced immune alterations. These results, along with results of experiments in which ME-induced suppression of the PFC response to TNP-LPS was reversed by 4-methylpyrazole, an inhibitor of the oxidation of ME to MAA by alcohol dehydrogenase, indicate that MAA is the proximate immunotoxicant following exposure to the glycol ether 2-methoxyethanol.
Confidence-scoring post-processing for off-line handwritten-character recognition verification

We apply confidence-scoring techniques to verify the output of an off-line handwritten-character recognizer. We evaluate a variety of scoring functions, including likelihood ratios and estimated posterior probabilities of correctness, in a post-processing mode, to generate confidence scores. Using the post-processor in conjunction with a neural-net-based recognizer, on mixed-case letters, receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves reveal that our post-processor is able to reject correctly 90% of recognizer errors while only falsely rejecting 18.6% of correctly-recognized letters. For isolated-digit recognition, we achieve a correct rejection rate of 95% while keeping false rejection down to 8.7%.
Cutting Edge: Mast Cells Critically Augment Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Activity

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are primarily recognized for their immunosuppressive properties in malignant disease. However, their interaction with other innate immune cells and their regulation of immune responses, such as in parasitic infection, necessitate further characterization. We used our previously published mouse model of MDSC accumulation to examine the immunoregulatory role of MDSCs in B16 melanoma metastasis and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. In this study, we demonstrate that the activity of MDSCs is dependent on the immune stimuli and subset induced. Monocytic MDSCs predictably suppressed antitumor immune responses but granulocytic MDSCs surprisingly enhanced the clearance of N. brasiliensis infection. Intriguingly, both results were dependent on MDSC interaction with mast cells (MCs), as demonstrated by adoptive-transfer studies in MC-deficient (Kit(Wsh)(/)(Wsh)) mice. These findings were further supported by ex vivo cocultures of MCs and MDSCs, indicating a synergistic increase in cytokine production. Thus, MCs can enhance both immunosuppressive and immunosupportive functions of MDSCs.
ETAscape: analyzing protein networks to predict enzymatic function and substrates in Cytoscape

Summary: Most proteins lack experimentally validated functions. To address this problem, we implemented the Evolutionary Trace Annotation (ETA) method in the Cytoscape network visualization environment. The result is the ETAscape plugin, which builds a structural genomics network based on local structural and evolutionary similarities among proteins and then globally diffuses known annotations across the resulting network. The plugin displays these novel functional annotations, their confidence, the molecular basis for individual matches and the set of matches that lead to a prediction. Availability: The ETA Network Plugin is available publicly for download at http://mammoth.bcm.tmc.edu/networks/. Contact: ude.mcb@egrathcil
Characteristics of hospitals diverting ambulances in a California EMS system.

Introduction While several reports discuss controversies regarding ambulance diversion from acute care hospitals and the mortality, financial, and resource effects, there is scant literature related to the effect of hospital characteristics. Hypothesis/Problem The objective of this study was to describe specific paramedic receiving center characteristics that are associated with ambulance diversion rates in an Emergency Medical Services system. Methods A retrospective observational study design was used. The study was performed in a suburban EMS system with 27 paramedic receiving centers studied; one additional hospital present at the beginning of the study period (2000-2008) was excluded due to lack of recent data. Hospital-level and population-level characteristics were gathered, including diversion rate (hours on diversion/total hours open), for-profit status, number of specialty services (including trauma, burn, cardiovascular surgery, renal transplant services, cardiac catheterization capability [both interventional and diagnostic], and burn surgery), average inpatient bed occupancy rate (total patient days/licensed bed days), annual emergency department (ED) volume (patients per year), ED admission rate (percent of ED patients admitted), and percent of patients leaving without being seen. Demographic characteristics included percent of persons in each hospital's immediate census tract below the 100% and 200% poverty lines (each considered separately), and population density within the census tract. Bivariate and regression analyses were performed. Results Diversion rates for the 27 centers ranged from 0.3%-14.5% (median 4.5%). Average inpatient bed occupancy rate and presence of specialty services were correlated with an increase in diversion rate; occupancy rate showed a 0.08% increase in diversion hours per 1% increase in occupancy rate (95% CI, 0.01%-0.16%), and hospitals with specialty services had, on average, a 4.1% higher diversion rate than other hospitals (95% CI, 1.6%-6.7%). Other characteristics did not show a statistically significant effect. When a regression was performed, only the presence of specialty services was related to the ambulance diversion rate. Conclusions Hospitals in this study providing specialty services were more likely to have higher diversion rates. This may result in increased difficulty getting patients requiring specialty care to centers able to provide the needed level of service. Major limitations include the retrospective nature of the study, as well as reliance on multiple data systems. Kahn C , Stratton S , Anderson C . Characteristics of Hospitals Diverting Ambulances in a California EMS System. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(1):1-5 .
Testing for Concise Representations

We describe a general method for testing whether a function on n input variables has a concise representation. The approach combines ideas from the junta test of Fischer et al. 16 with ideas from learning theory, and yields property testers that make po!y(s/epsiv) queries (independent of n) for Boolean function classes such as s-term DNF formulas (answering a question posed by Parnas et al. [12]), sizes. decision trees, sizes Boolean formulas, and sizes Boolean circuits. The method can be applied to non-Boolean valued function classes as well. This is achieved via a generalization of the notion of van at ion/row Fischer et al. to non-Boolean functions. Using this generalization we extend the original junta test of Fischer et al. to work for non-Boolean functions, and give poly(s/e)-query testing algorithms for non-Boolean valued function classes such as sizes algebraic circuits and s-sparse polynomials over finite fields. We also prove an Omega(radic(s)) query lower bound for nonadaptively testing s-sparse polynomials over finite fields of constant size. This shows that in some instances, our general method yields a property tester with query complexity that is optimal (for nonadaptive algorithms) up to a polynomial factor.
Organic geochemical studies on kerogen precursors in recently deposited algal mats and oozes

The same kerogen-like residue from the algal mats and oozes at Laguna Mormona, Baja California, is examined following degradation by saponification, alkaline KMnO4 oxidation, and HBr treatment. For comparison, pyrolytic degradation is performed for the residue and five others, two of which are obtained from algal mats at Baffin Bay, Texas. Major conclusions are that (1) Saponification of a residue specimen from the algal-ooze residue results in minor amounts of components bonded to it as esters; (2) Alkaline KMnO4 oxidation reveals that the same residue consists of a cross-linked aliphatic nucleus with additional components attached to it as esters; (3) the major products from pyrolysis of the residue include phytenes, pristenes, sterenes, and triterpenes; and (4) the HBr treatment yielded only one product, indicating the absence of a large number of ether-linkages readily cleaved by HBr.