cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric CO2 concentration effects on N partitioning and fertilizer N recovery in field grown rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract Lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) responds positively to increased atmospheric CO2 concentration. However, the efficiency of the canopy depends on the N status of the plant, which could vary with the change in uptake and partitioning of N with increased atmospheric CO2. A field experiment was conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to determine changes in N requirement of the rice crop and to propose suitable management strategies to overcome tissue N dilution with increased CO2 concentration. Rice variety IR72 was grown inside open top chambers at ambient (about 350 μmol mol−1) or elevated (700 μmol mol−1) atmospheric CO2 in combination with three levels of applied N (0, 90, or 200 kg N ha−1). Rooting of rice was linearly related to tillering, and the relationship did not change with CO2 concentrations, but with age of the crop. When adequate N was not supplied, rice plants grown at high CO2 became inferior to plants grown at ambient CO2. N uptake and fertilizer N recovery was higher in plants grown in high CO2 until maximum tillering, but the partitioning of N towards leaves decreased by 9%. Acclimation to high CO2 by rice may, therefore, be dependent on the N uptake. Increased N uptake under high CO2 environment was related to its larger root system, which was due to increased unproductive tillering. This suggests that if tillering is limited, rice plants at high CO2 may suffer from N limitation due to changes in both uptake and partitioning. It is concluded that management of the rice crop grown at high atmospheric CO2 should be different to that under current conditions.
Solidarity or Survival?: American Labor and European Immigrants, 1830-1924

Tables Acknowledgments Introduction Atrisans, Ideology, and Nativism in Pre-Civil War American The Developing Response of Urban Labor to Immigration, 1860-1873 The Knights of Labor and Solidarity The American Federation of Labor, Induced Immigration, and the Literacy Test Labor and Immigration in the 1890s: A Reassessment The Undermining of Solidarity in the Labor Movement, 1880-1914 Labor's Debate on Immigration: Restrictionists versus Internationlists 1900-1917: The Turning Point in Labor's Immigration Policy The Eclipse of Solidarity, 1917-1924 Conclusion Bibliographical Essay Index
Suppression of growth of mouse neuroblastoma and A-10 adenocarcinoma in newborn mice treated with the ganglionic blocking agent chlorisondamine

Abstract Chlorisondamine, an agent which blocks postnatal maturation of the sympathetic nervous system, markedly suppressed growth of C- 1300 neuroblastoma and A- 10 breast adenocarcinoma in newborn mice. Tumor growth in adult mice was not affected by treatment with chlorisondamine.
A Programmed Audiovisual Orientation to an Outpatient Clinic

A programmed audiovisual introduction to a large obstetric-gynecologic clinic was developed for and evaluated by nursing students who spent one or two weeks in the facility. This orientation is geared toward active learning and progress at each individual's rate. Data show that this orientation is an effective and efficient substitute for faculty presentation of repetitive information. In six of eight tasks evaluated, students in a programmed audiovisual group required fewer days to acquire skill in performing the tasks than did students in a control group. Faculty are released to help the student with the more sophisticated aspects of nursing care.
Thermal behavior of the two-exciton bands in MnF 2 and RbMnF 3

Temperature dependence of the oscillator strength f and the line position E for several ${d}^{n}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${d}^{n}$ absorption bands of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ in ${\mathrm{MnF}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{RbMnF}}_{3}$ is reported between 300 and 10 K. For the \ensuremath{\alpha} and \ensuremath{\beta} two-exciton bands, the f values increase below ${T}_{N}$, whereas for the parent A and B bands, the f values decrease below ${T}_{N}$. For the \ensuremath{\alpha} and \ensuremath{\beta} bands, the temperature dependence of f follows very well the prediction of Fujiwara et al. throughout the whole temperature range. The line positions of A, B, \ensuremath{\alpha}, and \ensuremath{\beta} bands are fitted with the equation E(T)=E(0)+${A}^{\mathrm{*}}$/[exp(${T}^{\mathrm{*}}$/T)- 1], with ${A}^{\mathrm{*}}$ and ${T}^{\mathrm{*}}$ being constants. It is shown that ${T}^{\mathrm{*}}$ corresponds to a characteristic frequency ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{t}$ of odd-symmetry phonon which assists in the two-exciton absorption. For ${\mathrm{RbMnF}}_{3}$, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{t}$=369 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for the A, B, \ensuremath{\alpha}, and \ensuremath{\beta} bands, and for ${\mathrm{MnF}}_{2}$, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{t}$=295 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for A and \ensuremath{\alpha} bands and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{t}$=158 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for the B and \ensuremath{\beta} bands. These magnitudes agree with the known frequencies of some phonon modes in ${\mathrm{MnF}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{RbMnF}}_{3}$.
Adhesion measurement of zirconium nitride and amorphous silicon carbide coatings to nickel and titanium alloys

Abstract Polycrystalline ZrN and amorphous Si 0.57 C 0.43 coatings were deposited by cathodic arc evaporation and by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) respectively on Incoloy 825 (Inc. 825), Hastelloy C22 (Hast. C22) and Titanium Grade 12 (Ti. 12) substrates. Scratch tests were employed to assess the critical load for interfacial failure and fracture mechanisms for the various coating systems. Critical loads, characterized by continuous delamination of the coating, occurred at 41.2 N, 44.1 N and 29.4 N for ZrN deposited on Hast. C22, Inc. 825 and Ti. 12 respectively. Interfacial failure of the Si 0.57 C 0.43 -coated metallic substrates was dominated by brittle fracture of the Si 0.57 C 0.43 coating. Critical loads of 2.9 N, 3.9 N and 6.8 N were obtained for Si 0.57 C 0.43 deposited on Inc. 825, Hast. C22 and Ti. 12 respectively. Work of adhesion values were calculated from two well-known models, namely the Bull–Rickerby and Laugier models, and from a model that incorporates elastic–plastic indentation. The ranking of the adhesion for the coating–metal substrate combinations is (from best to worst): ZrN–Inc. 825, ZrN–Hast. C22, ZrN–Ti, Si 0.57 C 0.43 –Ti, Si 0.57 C 0.43 –Hast. C22 and Si 0.57 C 0.43 –Inc. 825.
First Report of Nemesia ring necrosis virus in North America in Ornamental Plants from California.

During the last several years, two California propagators have detected what was believed to be the tymovirus Scrophularia mottle virus (ScrMV) in several ornamental plant species on the basis of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a ScrMV antibody system. Symptoms were generally mild, ranging from nonsymptomatic to a mild mosaic. Our laboratory confirmed the presence of a tymovirus in one Verbena sp. and two Diascia spp. cultivars on the basis of dsRNA analysis that showed bands of approximately 6,400 and 300 nucleotides representing the genomic and coat protein subgenomic RNAs, respectively. While these plants and those that were experimentally infected (Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii) also tested positive for ScrMV by ELISA, the host range did not match that published for ScrMV, notably the lack of symptoms in Chenopodium quinoa and the lack of systemic infection in Datura stramonium. A similar host range result was reported in Europe for another tymovirus that cross reacts with S...
Familial Lewy Body Diseases

Lewy body disease includes clinically and pathologically defined disorders in which Lewy bodies occur in the nervous system. In recent years, the molecular features of these disorders have been emerging. Several genetic loci have been identified in association with familial Lewy body disease; however, the genetic risks underlying most cases of familial Lewy body disease remain to be discovered. The fact that Lewy bodies stain strongly with antibodies to asynuclein and that mutations in the alpha-synuclein gene lead to syndromes in which parkinsonism and dementia occur gives us important clues regarding the biologic processes leading to disease. Pursuit of additional mendelian causes of familial Lewy body disease and study of the factors contributing to the complex phenotypes associated with Lewy body disorders will elucidate underlying disease pathways and, thus, possible targets for therapeutic intervention.
Enzymatic formation of prostaglandin D2 by rat basophilic leukemia cells and normal rat mast cells

It has been shown that the major cyclooxygenase product in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells and in normal rat mast cells is prostaglandin D2. In RBL-1 cells, prostaglandin D2 is isomerase activity was found in the 150 000 X g microsomal pellet as well as the supernatant fraction. Incubation of RBL-1 microsomes with arachidonic acid without cofactors yielded 17.5 +/- 2% prostaglandin E2 and 9.1 +/- 1.4% prostaglandin D2. The cyclooxygenase activity was enhanced (25%) by epinephrine and the addition of reduced glutathione led to a marked increase in prostaglandin D2 synthesis (3-fold). Incubations with arachidonic acid, glutathione and epinephrine gave the maximum conversion to prostaglandin D2, yielding 7 +/- 0.4% prostaglandin E2 and 35.6 +/- 3.5% prostaglandin D2. Incubations with [14C]prostaglandin H2 to bypass cyclooxygenase confirmed the presence and glutathione dependence of the prostaglandin D2 isomerase in the microsomal fraction and also revealed the presence of the same enzyme in the 150 000 X g supernant. In contrast to RBL-1 cells, incubations of microsomes and supernatant from normal rat mast cells with [14C]-arachidonic acid and [14C]prostaglandin H2 localized the prostaglandin D2 isomerase activity in the soluble fraction. Similar to the enzyme in the RBL-1 cells, the mast cell enzyme was glutathione dependent.
On the Application of the Generalized BiConjugate Gradient Method

For a non-Hermitian operator A , the conjugate gradient method, instead of solving for the operator equation directly, solves the normal equations A*AX = A*Y , where A* is the adjoint operator. Even though in actual computations A*A is never formed, the condition number of the original operator equation is squared in the solution of A*AX = A*Y. One possible way to reduce the condition number is through preconditioning which in some cases either require some a priori information on the distribution of the eigenvalues of the operator, or requires additional preprocessing of the operator equation. In the generalized biconjugate gradient method one solves a non-Hermitian operator equation AX = Y directly. The application of the new method results in faster convergence. The generalized biconjugate gradient method does not minimize the residual or the error in the solution at each iteration, but reduces some power norm. This method however requires an additional 2N storage locations for a nonsymmetric operator,...
Three-Dimensional Chromatin Model of α-Globin Gene Locus in Differentially Activated States

The global architecture of cell nucleus and the spatial organization of chromatin play important roles in gene expression and nuclear function. By measuring the frequency of physical proximity between pairs of chromosomal regions on a locus scale, Chromosome Conformation Capture Carbon Copy (5C) technique revealed a wealth of information about the spatial organization of chromatin. However, the three-dimensional structure of the chromatin and how it changes at different activation states are largely unknown. We have developed an algorithm to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of α-globin gene locus, which is expressed in K562 cell line and inactive in GM12878 cell line based on publicly available 5C interaction data [1]. Our reconstructed three-dimensional chromatin models show an open conformation in the active cells, whereas they fold into more compact conformations in inactive cells. Furthermore, our models not only can capture known long-range interactions, but can also predict new interactions that were not in the 5C data, but were experimentally observed in an independent study. Analysis of ensemble of model chromatin chains reveals an activation mechanism of α-globin gene that is highly influenced by the folding landscape and the spatial organization of the locus. Clusters of interacting regions suggest that the accessibility of specific regions of regulatory elements in three-dimensional space is essential for cells to maintain the necessary long-range interactions for gene activation.[1] Bau, D. et al. The three-dimensional folding of the α-globin gene domain reveals formation of chromatin globules. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 18, 107-114 (2011)
Electrically assisted friction stir welding for joining Al 6061 to TRIP 780 steel

Abstract An electrically assisted friction stir welding (FSW) system has been developed, which enables a local electrical current field moving with the FSW tool without requiring the tool to be one of the electrodes. The effectiveness of electro-plastic effect, which describes a material softening phenomenon during plastic deformation induced by high density current, was investigated for FSW of dissimilar Al 6061 to TRIP 780 steel. Measured temperature results indicate that the electro-plastic effect could hardly be separated from resistance heating for this process. The relative significance of these two factors depends on welding parameters. Axial welding force can be effectively reduced with application of current and the phenomenon is more pronounced under a lower rotating speed and a smaller tool offset into aluminum. Microstructure analysis has been performed for cross sections perpendicular to weldline both at beginning and middle position of the weld. Enhanced formation of thin layer of intermetallic compounds and micro-interlock features at the Al–Fe interface can be observed in electrically assisted welding conditions, which are believed to be beneficial for joint quality.
Dose as a function of liver volume and planning target volume in helical tomotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy-based stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatic metastasis.

Purpose: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been shown to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for local control of tumors metastatic to the liver. Multi-institutional Phase II trials are examining 60 Gy in 3 fractions delivered by linac-based, 3D-conformal IMRT. HiArt Helical TomoTherapy is a treatment unit that delivers co-planar helical IMRT that is capable of image-guided SBRT. We hypothesized that the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) delivered to a lesion by Helical TomoTherapy-based SBRT could be predicted based on the planning target volume (PTV) and liver volume. Methods and Materials: To test this, we performed inverse treatment planning and analyzed the dosimetry for multiple hypothetical liver gross tumor volumes (GTV) with conventional PTV expansions. Inverse planning was carried out to find the maximum tolerated SBRT dose up to 60 Gy to be delivered in 3 fractions based on the dose constraint that 700 cc of normal liver would receive less than 15 Gy. Results: Regression analysis indicated a linear relationship between the MTD, the PTV and the liver volume, supporting our hypothesis. A predictive equation was generated, which was found to have an accuracy of ±3 Gy. In addition, dose constraints based on proximity to other normal tissues were tested. Inverse planning for PTVs located at varying distances from the heart, small bowel, and spinal cord revealed a predictable decrease in the MTD as the PTV increased in size or approached normal organs. Conclusions: These data provide a framework for predicting the likely MTD for patients considered for Helical TomoTherapy liver SBRT.
Impact of a Program of Tai Chi Plus Behaviorally Based Dietary Weight Loss on Physical Functioning and Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Community-Based Study in Obese Older Women

This study employed a quasi-experimental design in a community-based study translating the results of our recent findings on the combined effects of Tai Chi and weight loss on physical function and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. A 16-week intervention was conducted to assess the impact of Tai Chi plus a behavioral weight loss program (TCWL, n = 29) on obese (body mass index [BMI] = 35.4 ± 0.8 kg/m²) older (68.2 ± 1.5 yr.) women compared to a control group (CON, n = 9, BMI = 38.0 ± 1.5 kg/m², 65.6 ± 2.7 yr.), which was asked to maintain their normal lifestyle. The TCWL group lost weight (1.6 ± 2.9 kg, P = 0.006) while the CON group did not (1.2 ± 1.9 kg, P = 0.106). Physical functioning as measured by the short physical performance battery improved in TCWL when compared to the CON group (β = 1.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.76, P < 0.001). TCWL also improved in sit-and-reach flexibility (β = -2.27, 95% CI: -4.09, -0.46, P = 0.016), body fat mass (BMI, β = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.03, -0.26, P = 0.002), waist circumference (β = -1.78, 95% CI: -2.83, -0.72, P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (β = -16.41, 95% CI: -21.35, -11.48, P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (β = -9.52, 95% CI: -12.65, -6.39, P < 0.001). Thus, TCWL intervention may represent an effective strategy to improve physical function and ameliorate CHD risk in the older adult population.
Agents of Destruction? Applying Principal-Agent Analysis to State-Sponsored Terrorism

This article evaluates state-sponsored terrorism as a principal-agent issue. More often applied to the study of licit national or international institutions as a way to improve their governance, we argue that applying principal-agent analysis to illicit relationships such as those between states and terrorist agents is an equally fruitful application, though one with different objectives. Rather than being used as a tool to improve governance, applying principal-agent analysis to illicit relationships such as state-sponsored terrorism may point to areas of susceptibility and thus inform more effective counterterrorism strategies. In this article, we explain why states delegate to terrorist groups, how they seek to control their agents, and the tensions in the relationship, both generally and through specific reference to Iran’s sponsorship of Hizballah, Syria of various Palestinian groups, and the Taliban of al-Qa’ida. This analysis yields propositions about the conditions under which states are likely to delegate to terrorist groups and specific recommendations on how principal-agent problems of these illicit relationships may be used in practice to combat terrorism.
Japanese biological warfare experiments and other atrocities in Manchuria, 1932–1945, and the subsequent United States cover up: a preliminary assessment

Japanese microbiologists and other scientists, as early as the 1930s, used humans for test purposes in their quest for a viable offensive biological warfare system. Thousands of men, women and children were tested with a host of pathogens to determine the appropriate dose required to kill. Those who survived the initial tests were subjected to other experiments. No one left the test sites alive. They were either killed in the experiments, or they were “sacrificed” when they outlived their usefulness. Field tests in China unleashed plagues that killed tens of thousands, and possibly hundreds of thousands. American intelligence in early 1942 discovered that Japan had a large biological warfare enterprise in Manchuria and China. By the end of the war, Intelligence was in possession of a comprehensive outline of Japanese operations. American scientists at Fort Detrick, Md., home of the American biological warfare program, learned of the Japanese research. They sent emissaries to Japan to negotiate with those scientists who escaped from Manchuria and returned home. After two years of negotiations, a deal was made. The Japanese would turn over to the Americans their research data. The Americans would not prosecute the scientists as war criminals. Not one Japanese scientist under American jurisdiction was ever prosecuted, but, instead, was permitted to live a normal life in post-war Japan.
Modeling and Characterization of Cantilever-Based MEMS Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators

Piezoelectric materials are used in a number of applications including those in microelectromechanical systems. These materials offer characteristics that provide unique advantages for both sensing and actuating. Common implementations of piezoelectric transduction involve the use of a cantilever with several layers, some of which are piezoelectric. Although most analyses of such a cantilever assume small piezoelectric coupling (SPC), the validity of this assumption has not been fully investigated. This paper presents closed-form expressions for the voltage developed across a piezoelectric layer in an N-layer cantilever used as a sensor (e.g., as a microphone) and for the displacement profile of an N-layer cantilever used as an actuator. This represents the first time these closed-form expressions have been presented without making the SPC assumption and are used to determine the validity of the this assumption. Furthermore, a new, more robust experimental technique for identifying the piezoelectric coefficient is demonstrated using an aluminum nitride (AlN) cantilever beam. The developed expressions are also used to predict the voltage across a piezoelectric layer in a beam containing AlN layers in response to a pressure excitation and are shown to be in close agreement with experimental results.
An inductively coupled plasma carbon emission detector for aqueous carbohydrate separations by liquid chromatography

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer is used to detect carbon-containing compounds following separation by high-performance liquid chromatography. A calcium form ligand exchange column with distilled and deionized water as the mobile phase is used to separate carbohydrates. The eluting species are detected by monitoring the carbon atomic emission line at 193.09 nm. The mass detection limits using a photomultiplier tube for sucrose and glucose are 50 ng, while that for fructose is 60 ng. The carbon emission detector should provide the same detection limit for any compound with a similar mass percent of carbon, whether or not the compound exhibits appreciable absorption characteristics. While the carbon emission detector will universally detect any organic compound, it will discriminate against species with high molar absorptivity that may be present at low concentration. Such species may act as interferences in chromatograms generated with conventional UV-visible absorption detectors. To demonstrate the utility of the carbon emission detector, three sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) are determined in apple, crangrape, and orange juice.
TIF1γ Controls Erythroid Cell Fate by Regulating Transcription Elongation

Summary Recent genome-wide studies have demonstrated that pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occurred on many vertebrate genes. By genetic studies in the zebrafish tif1γ mutant moonshine we found that loss of function of Pol II-associated factors PAF or DSIF rescued erythroid gene transcription in tif1γ -deficient animals. Biochemical analysis established physical interactions among TIF1γ, the blood-specific SCL transcription complex, and the positive elongation factors p-TEFb and FACT. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in human CD34 + cells supported a TIF1γ-dependent recruitment of positive elongation factors to erythroid genes to promote transcription elongation by counteracting Pol II pausing. Our study establishes a mechanism for regulating tissue cell fate and differentiation through transcription elongation.
The enthalpies of formation of technetium heptaoxide and pertechnetate ion

Abstract The enthalpy of solution of Tc 2 O 7 (c) in distilled water was measured using an LKB 8700-1 solution reaction calorimeter. The value obtained is ΔH soln o (Tc 2 O 7 , c, 298.15 K) = −(45.80±1.21) kJ mol −1 . The enthalpies of solution of Tc 2 O 7 (c), Hg(l), Tc(c), and HgO(c), in an aqueous perchloric acid + ceric perchlorate solvent were also measured. These results were combined with the standard enthalpy of formation of HgO(c) from the literature to obtain the standard enthalpy of formation of Tc 2 O 7 (c). The key result of these measurements is Δ f o (Tc 2 O 7 , c, 298.15 K) = (1127.6±7.7) kJ mol −1 .
Synthesis, characterization, and chemical sensitivity of self-assembled bilayers composed of polydiacetylenes and Calix[4]arenes chemically modified on the upper rim

The authors report the synthesis, characterization, and sensor-related chemistry of self-assembled polydiacetylene (PDA)/calix[4]arene-X (CA[4]-X; X = -H, -phenylazo, and -dibenzylamino) bilayers on Au surfaces. Surface infrared spectroscopy indicates that acid chloride-terminated PDA self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) react with hydroxyl groups present on the lower rim of the calixarenes to yield ester-linked bilayers. Nanogravimetric titrations of unreacted PDA acid groups with n-butylamine indicate that the three CA[4]-X derivatives cover an average of 69% of the PDA surface. The mass titration serves a secondary purpose by passivating voids between calixarenes with n-butylamine. The response of the bilayers to four aromatic analytes: anisole, benzene, chlorobenzene, and toluene, was determined using surface acoustic wave (SAW) mass balance. The results indicate that the upper-rim functional groups of CA[4]-X have a significant effect on the sensitivity and selectivity of the bilayer toward the vapor-phase analytes. Increased sensitivity and selectivity are observed for the CA[4]-dibenzylamino bilayers relative to CA[4]-H or a simple methyl-terminated n-alkylthiol SAM. The authors interpret these results in terms of the large -phenylazo and -dibenzylamino functional groups, which enlarge the calixarene cavities and enhance their ability to interact with aromatic analytes by {pi} - {pi} stacking interactions.
A comparison of sensitivity to ozone in seedlings and trees of Quercus rubra L.

SUMMARY Assessments of ozone sensitivity in tree species have been based primarily on studies of Seedlings without any knowledge of the similarities between seedling and mature tree responses. To determine if seedlings and trees responded similarly to ozone, 2-yr-old seedlings and 30-yr-old trees of Quercus rubra L. were fumigated with subambient, ambient and twice-ambient ozone for one growing season (cumulative doses of 18, 45 and 87 ppm h−1, respectively). Carboxylation efficiency, apparent quantum yield and light-saturated net photosynthesis of leaves from the lower canopy of the 30-yr-old trees were reduced by ambient and twice-ambient ozone treatment. However, physiological characteristics of leaves from the upper canopy of trees showed no signs of ozone injury. Canopy leaf dry weight of trees was reduced by the twice-ambient ozone treatment through reductions in leaf area rather than specific leaf weight, but bole diameter and branch growth of trees were unaffected by ozone treatment. In contrast, ozone did not influence leaf physiology of second flush leaves, stem diameter, and height and biomass growth of 2-yr-old seedlings. These results indicate that for deciduous hardwood species, studies of seedlings may underestimate the ozone sensitivity of larger and more physiologically mature trees. For large trees with developed canopies, leaf position within the canopy may influence the sensitivity of physiological processes to ozone.
Measurement of jitter frequency variations in communication signals

Theoretical and experimental studies in this paper show that wavelet transform can clearly illustrate jitter frequency variation time trend in time/frequency domain, which gives a new analysis and visualization tool for jitter analysis. The proposed method in this paper that employs Morlet wavelet transform, combining with conventional Jitter separation method, can measure jitter frequency variations that correlate to original signal phase and frequency variations in communication signals.
Protein powders for encapsulation: a comparison of spray-freeze drying and spray drying of darbepoetin alfa.

Purpose. To evaluate spray-freeze drying and spray drying processes for fabricating micron-sized particles of darbepoetin alfa (NESP, Aranesp®) with uniform size distribution and retention of protein integrity, requirements for encapsulation. Methods. Darbepoetin alfa was spray-freeze dried using ultrasonic atomization at 120 kHz and 25 kHz and spray dried at bench-top and pilot scales. Reconstituted powders were evaluated by size exclusion chromatography and UV/VIS spectroscopy. Powder physical properties were also characterized. Results. Spray-freeze drying resulted in aggregation of darbepoetin alfa. Aggregates (primarily insoluble) formed on drying and/or reconstitution. Particle size distributions were broad (span ≥ 3.6) at both nozzle frequencies. Annealing before drying reduced aggregate levels slightly but increased particle size over 5-fold. Spray drying at inlet temperatures up to 135°C (and outlet temperatures up to 95°C) showed little impact on integrity. Integrity at bench-top and pilot scales was identical, with 0.2% dimer and no high molecular weight or insoluble aggregates detected. Particle size was small (≤ 2.3 μm) with uniform distribution (span ≤ 1.4) at both process scales. Conclusions. Under the conditions tested spray drying, conducted at bench-top and pilot scales with commercially available equipment, was superior to spray-freeze drying for the fabrication of darbepoetin alfa particles for encapsulation.
Fluid flow in pachuca (air-agitated) tanks: Part I. Laboratory-scale experimental measurements

Gas-agitated reactors are used in a number of process industries, including the metallurgical industry, where they are known as “Pachuca” tanks. In spite of the fact that it is the circulation (i.e., velocity and turbulent kinetic energy distribution) within these tanks that governs the main process requirements,i.e., mass transfer and particle suspension, very little attention has been paid to the question of fluid flow. In the present study, velicity measurements made in a laboratory-scale Pachuca tank have suggested the importance of the fluid flow pattern in governing the performance of air-agitated tanks and have shed some light on the efficient operation of these tanks. Full-center-column tanks with large tank height-to-diameter ratios have a “near-stagnant zone” in the lower section of the annulus. The stagnant zone is a region of low turbulent kinetic energy and is undesirable, since it costs energy and is likely to provide very little in return in terms of mass transfer. An increase in the draft tube diameter, for a given tank diameter, leads to higher velocity and turbulence levels in the annulus, which, in turn, should promote mass transfer. Free-airlift tanks seem to be more vigorously agitated than full-center-column tanks. The present study shows that operating a full-center-column Pachuca tank with the liquid surface at or below the same level as the draft tube top would be disadvantageous in terms of particle suspension and mass transfer and also illustrates that it is erroneous to correlate the turbulence on the liquid surface with the turbulence level within the tank.
Towards a Specialized Search Engine for Language Learners [Point of View]

The internet serves a paradoxical role in language learning. Providing a fertile ground for neologisms and redefinitions, the web incubates a growing translation gap between one's native tongue and his or her target foreign language. However, the internet can also be used to bridge languages even as they change, because it contains a vast and ever expanding set of human-translated web pages. In this paper, we propose that search engines that mine high-quality human translations can unlock the Web's pedagogical potential, and form the basis for next-generation language learning tools. We introduce Engkoo, an English learning search engine for Chinese speakers, to demonstrate the effectiveness of this concept in practice.
Nonequilibrium in the transport of heat and reactants in combustion in porous media

Abstract Combustion in inert, catalytic and combustible porous media occurs under the influence of a large range of geometric length scales, thermophysical and thermochemical properties, and flow, heat and mass transfer conditions. As a result, a large range of phenomenological length and time scales control the extent of departure from local thermal and chemical nonequilibrium. The use of intraphase and interphase nonequilibria have allowed for the design of new combustion processes and systems, such as, catalytic reactors and converters, porous radiant burners, direct energy and gas conversion devices and systems, chemical sensors, and material synthesis processes. Improvement of current and design of yet newer and more innovative systems requires further investigations into the gas-phase and surface chemistry, solid-state and condensed-phase physics, transport in disordered structures, and mathematical and numerical methods. Here we summarize the processes leading to thermal and chemical nonequilibrium, their role in the combustion in porous media, their innovative uses and effects on applications, the current modeling of these processes and the modeling techniques that may allow for further improvements and developments.
On the Performance of Local Density Approximation in Describing the Adsorption of Electron Donating/Accepting Molecules on Graphene.

Abstract In order to asses performance of the LDA in describing physisorption on graphene, adsorptions of TCNE, TCNQ, TNF, TTF, and DMPD as well as four benzene derivatives on C54H18 and C110H30 were explored with a variety of DFTs such as MPWB1K, M06-2X, PBE-D and LSDA. Although it is well known that the LDA considerably overestimate non-covalent interaction, the LSDA predicted adsorption energies except for TCNE on C110H30 are systematically lower than those from the M06-2X by 0.4–3.2 kcal/mol, and they are more significantly lower than those from the PBE-D for all the molecules by 3–6 kcal/mol. However, the LSDA adsorption energy sequence is consistent with that from the PBE-D, TNF ∼ TCNQ > TCNE ∼ DMPD > TTF. Moreover, the domain interaction between the electron donor and acceptor molecules with graphene through cooperative π⋯π, C–H⋯π and N–H⋯π were visualized with sign(λ2) × ρ, and the relationships between the binding energy with London force, molecular electronegativity, and frontier orbital level were extensively discussed.
Synoptic forcing of precipitation in the Mackenzie and Yukon River basins

The relationship between near-surface atmospheric circulation, as characterized by sea level pressure patterns, and precipitation in the Mackenzie and Yukon River basins is presented. A synoptic climatology of sea level pressure patterns based on daily sea level pressure anomalies from the ERA40 reanalysis dataset was created using the method of self-organizing maps. This objective analysis identified all major near-surface atmospheric circulation patterns in the region and illustrated the change in dominant circulation patterns throughout the seasons, with strong Aleutian low patterns dominant in the winter and patterns characterized by low pressure over land areas and the Beaufort/Chukchi Seas in the summer. These synoptic patterns were then related to daily precipitation in the Mackenzie and Yukon River basins. The largest daily precipitation values, for both the Mackenzie and Yukon basins, were associated with patterns that occur most frequently in the summer, likely associated with increased frequency of cyclones and convective events that occur over land in that season. During winter, the largest positive precipitation anomalies were along the coastal mountain range in southeastern Alaska associated with Aleutian lows bringing warm, moist flow from the south resulting in upslope flow on the windward side of these mountains. These patterns were responsible for many of the large precipitation events in the winter in the Mackenzie basin. The largest precipitation events in the winter in the Yukon basin occurred with patterns that have a low pressure centre to the southwest of the basin. This synoptic pattern results in southerly flow advecting moisture into the basin to the west of the higher topography which bounds much of the southern boundary of the Yukon watershed. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
The viscoelastic relaxation of cross-linked polymer networks

Theoretical interpretations of the viscoelastic relaxation behavior of cross-linked elastomers are discussed. The dangling chain retracing mechanisms of deGennes and Pearson-Helfand, which assume that the stress contribution of a dangling chain decreases as it assumes successively lower entropy configurations, are replaced by an alternative relaxation mechanism, based on the hopping model of hindered diffusion.
Effect of t- and b-lymphocyte mitogens on interactions between lymphocytes and macrophages.

Abstract The mitogenic response of murine T cells 2 to Con A, S-Con A and PHA was found to be macrophage-dependent. Optimal mitogenic responses were obtained when macrophage-depleted T-cell populations were reconstituted with 5% normal peritoneal macro-phages. Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of T- and B-cell mitogens on in vitro physical interactions between murine lymphocytes and macrophages. This was done by determining the number of T- or B cells binding to macrophages in the absence and in the presence of T- and B cell mitogens, and comparing the results of these experiments with the induction of lymphocyte proliferation. Con A increased the binding of T cells to macrophages when used in mitogenic doses (1–5 μg/ml). Dose response experiments showed that the same dose of Con A which produced maximal mitogenic stimulation also induced the greatest number of T cells to bind to macrophages. Nonmitogenic doses of Con A (20–50 μg/ml) did not enhance the binding of T cells, while identical doses of S-Con A both induced T cell mitogenesis and increased the number of T cells bound to macrophages. Similar results were obtained with PHA. None of the B-cell mitogens tested (LPS, EPO 127 and LAgl) increased the binding of either T or B cells to macrophages. PWM, which is mitogenic for both T and B cells, increased the binding of T cells to macrophages, but not that of B cells. In brief, the four T-cell mitogens tested (Con A, S-Con A, PHA, and PWM) induced specific physical interactions between T cells and macrophages, while none of the B-cell mitogens had any effect on the physical interactions between either B or T cells and macrophages when used in mitogenic doses.
Response time service level agreements for cloud-hosted web applications

Cloud computing is a successful model for hosting web-facing applications that are accessed by their users as services. While clouds currently offer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) containing guarantees of availability, they do not make performance guarantees for deployed applications. In this work we present Cerebro -- a system for establishing statistical guarantees of application response time in cloud settings. Cerebro combines off-line static analysis of application control structure with on-line cloud performance monitoring and statistical forecasting to predict bounds on the response time of web-facing application programming interfaces (APIs). Because Cerebro does not require application instrumentation or per-application cloud benchmarking, it does not impose any runtime overhead, and is suitable for use at cloud scales. Also, because the bounds are statistical, they are appropriate for use as the basis for SLAs between cloud-hosted applications and their users. We investigate the correctness of Cerebro predictions, the tightness of their bounds, and the duration over which the bounds persist in both Google App Engine and AppScale (public and private cloud platforms respectively). We also detail the effectiveness of our SLA prediction methodology compared to other performance bound estimation methods based on simple statistical analysis.
Rhodium paddlewheel dimers containing the π···π stacking, 1,8-naphthalimide supramolecular synthon

Abstract The bifunctional ligand 3-(1,8-naphthalimido)propanoate (LC2−), which contains a carboxylate group linked to the robust π···π stacking 1,8-naphthalimide supramolecular synthon, has been used to prepare two new rhodium carboxylate dimer complexes, [Rh2(LC2)4(DMF)2] (1) and [Rh2(LC2)4(py)2]·3DMF (2). Both complexes have been structurally characterized and contain the Rh2(O2CR)4 paddlewheel core, but have different axial ligands. The four naphthalimide side arms in the carboxylate ligands are arranged in the square shape imposed by the SBU in complex 1, but are bent in 2. In both cases, the supramolecular structure is organized into one-dimensional chains by strong π···π stacking interactions between only two of the 1,8-naphthalimide moieties on each dimeric unit. In 1, the other naphthalimide units do not interact strongly and in 2 they intramolecularly π···π stack with the adjacent axial pyridine molecules.
Building a Research Program Focused on Vulnerable People

The center is playing an important role in facilitating research by providing resources and an interchange of ideas to help researchers target the methodological and conceptual issues with which they are currently faced in working with elder, young, poor, rural, and minority participants. Through activities and collaborations, the center can advance the science beyond what individual studies can provide and continue to build our knowledge of the prevention and management of chronic illness in vulnerable people. The center is ideally positioned to explore interventions that draw on nursing's historic role in the care of the chronically ill while also addressing the health needs of the most vulnerable people in the state and in the Southeast.
An asymptotic expression for the critical-region “bird’s beak” isotherm and adjacent isotherms on the vapor–liquid phase diagram of a simple binary mixture

Abstract For a binary mixture of a dilute nonvolatile solute in a volatile solvent, an asymptotic expression is derived for isothermal dew-bubble curves in the region just above the solvent critical point. The expression depends only on the solvent coexistence properties and the initial slopes of the continuous critical locus, with no adjustable parameters. It clarifies the mathematical behavior of these curves and shows why, for this situation, classical critical exponents can be used with relatively small error. For supercritical extraction applications, the expression does not apply to solutes with large, complex molecules, since the critical locus with carbon dioxide is usually discontinuous, but it should apply to carbon dioxide+cosolvent mixtures. The formula is in good quantitative agreement with experiment for three simple nonpolar mixtures and for carbon dioxide+acetone, but shows only qualitative agreement for carbon dioxide+ethanol.
Revised Stratigraphy, Depositional Systems, and Hydrocarbon Exploration Potential for the Lower Cretaceous Muddy Sandstone, Northern Denver Basin

The reservoir sandstones of the Lower Cretaceous Muddy Sandstone, the major hydrocarbon-producing reservoir in the northern Denver basin, are restructured into six informal members (MS-1 to MS-6) based on sedimentary structures, ichnofacies, geophysical logs, bounding discontinuities, and sediment distribution patterns. Bounding discontinuities defining allostratigraphic units are used to assign these six informal members to three major depositional systems that may be used to redefine hydrocarbon reservoirs, leading to new exploration targets in this "mature" basin.
Comparative study of TiO2 particles in powder form and as a thin nanostructured film on quartz

Abstract A sol–gel method was employed to prepare TiO2 particles in the powder form and on a flat quartz (SiO2) support. Calcination at progressively higher temperatures caused morphological and structural changes, which were followed by XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, AFM, and SEM microscopy. In particular, it was found that annealing at 500 °C leads to the formation of the anatase phase for both TiO2 on SiO2 and TiO2 in the powder form (self-supported). However, after annealing at 800 °C the TiO2 particles on SiO2 remained in the anatase form, whereas the anatase phase of self-supported TiO2 particles was easily converted into the rutile form. TiO2 particles on SiO2 remained as individual crystallites even at 800 °C despite the growth of their size, whereas annealing TiO2 powders at 500 and 800 °C led to bigger crystallites with their eventual sintering to very big particles of micrometer size. Examination of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 on SiO2 and TiO2 in the powder form in the reaction of acetaldehyde oxidation demonstrated the TiO2 on SiO2 superiority with quantum yields significantly higher than that of TiO2 powder.
Measurement of cardiac output using improved chromatographic analysis of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Abstract A constant current variable frequency pulsed electron capture detector has been incorporated into the gas Chromatographic analysis of trace amounts of sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) in water and blood. The resulting system offers a broader effective operating range than more conventional electron capture units and has been utilized for measurements of cardiac output employing constant-rate infusion of dissolved SF 6 . The SF 6 technique has been validated against direct volumetric measurements of cardiac output in a canine right-heart bypass preparation and used subsequently for rapidly repeated measurements in conscious animals and man.
Overweight individuals are at increased risk for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Our understanding of the pathophysiology of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, TTP, has increased dramatically in the past few years with the identification of the role of ADAMTS13. Nonetheless, risk factors for the development of acute TTP are few. Informally, obesity was felt to be common in patients with TTP and so a formal study was undertaken to further define this association. We report our data in 105 patients with classical TTP as defined by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. We found that marked obesity is a previously unrecognized risk factor with an associated odds ratio of 7.6. Interestingly, despite this increased risk, obesity might well be associated with lower mortality, although this did not reach statistical significance.