cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Commercially Prepared Vaccines for Experimentally Induced Type A/New Jersey/8/76 Influenza Virus Infections in Mice and Squirrel Monkeys

Mice and squirrel monkeys were vaccinated and subsequently challenged at selected times to evaluate the immunoprophylactic value of vaccines against influenza virus type A/New Jersey/76. Mice were challenged with virulent, homologous virus either 17 or 60 days after vaccination with 80 chick cell-agglutinating (CCA) units of whole-virus vaccine. Vaccinated mice showed minimal lesions and virus in lung tissue and had lower lung weights than unvaccinated controls. These mice had titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody in serum of greater than 1:400, but only traces of antibody were found in lung washes. Vaccinated squirrel monkeys had significantly less illness than unvaccinated controls when challenged with virulent virus 30 days after intramuscular immunization with 200 CCA units of whole virus or 400 CCA units of split virus given either once or twice (at 30-day intervals). Equal protection was observed in all monkeys despite the absence of serum HAI antibody in some monkeys after vaccination. Anamnestic reactions were observed only in monkeys vaccinated with whole virus. The possible roles of various immune factors and antibody to neuraminidase are discussed.
Experimental Investigations of the Possible Cause of Liver Appearance During Bone Scanning

Rats were injected with 99mTc-Sn-diphosphonate preparation containing various concentrations of Al+3, ranging from 0 microgram/ml to 60 microgram/ml, and whole-body rat images were obtained at two hours postinjection to assess soft-tissue uptake. Uptake (kidney and liver) occurred at approximately 20 microgram/ml Al+3. [This is the maximum allowed in pertechnetate eluate by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ] Increased soft-tissue uptake and progressive degradation of bone scan images occurred with higher Al+3 concentrations. Chromatographic analysis confirmed the breakdown of the radiopharmaceutical preparation containing 20 microgram/ml or more Al+3. Millipore filtration showed no evidence of large colloid particles (greater than 0.2 micrometer).
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Hypnosis for Burn Wound Care

Purpose/Objective: There have been few randomized controlled studies on the effectiveness of clinical hypnotic analgesia. The authors’ goal was to improve on previous methodologies and gain a better understanding of the effects of hypnosis on different components of pain in a clinical setting. Research Method/Design: This study used a randomized controlled design in which the nurses and data collectors were unaware of treatment condition to compare hypnotic analgesia with an attention-only placebo for burn pain during wound debridements. Data were analyzed on a total of 46 adult participants. Results: The authors found that the group receiving hypnosis had a significant drop in pain compared with the control group when measured by the McGill Pain Questionnaire but not when measured by other pain rating scales. Conclusion: The McGill Pain Questionnaire total score reflects multiple pain components, such as its affective component and various qualitative components, and is not merely a measure of pain intensity. Thus, the findings suggest that hypnosis affects multiple pain domains and that measures that assess these multiple domains may be more sensitive to the effects of hypnotic analgesia treatments.
Embryo structure and storage reserve histochemistry in the palm Washingtonia filifera

The seed of Washingtonia filifera (Lindl.) Wendl. is hemispherical and has a smooth testa. The embryo is located on the rounded side of the seed near the raphe. The embryo consists of a prominent single cotyledon, an epicotyl, and a small root apex. The shoot apex is oriented at a right angle to the long axis of the embryo and possesses 2 to 3 leaf primordia. The cotyledon functions as a storage organ and is composed of three cell types with similar ultrastructure. These three types-the parenchyma, protoderm, and procambium-can be distinguished on the basis of position, size, and shape. The procambial strands in the cotyledon consist of a ring of bundles grouped into two distinct sympodia and extend from beneath the shoot apical meristem to the tip of the cotyledon where they are situated very close to the surface. The most prominent organelles within all cell types are protein bodies, lipid bodies, and crystalline protein fibers. The protein bodies contain small crystalline inclusions which are presumed to be phytin. Protein bodies in the protoderm were smaller, denser-staining, and contained fewer crystalline inclusions than those in the parenchyma or procambium. On a volume basis, the parenchyma was shown to be 43% protein bodies, 25% lipid bodies, 15% cytoplasm, 7% cell wall, 4% intercellular space, 2% nuclei, and 4% other organelles (mitochondria and plastids).
Supercritical CO 2 Cleaning for planetary protection and contamination control

We have designed and built a new Supercritical CO 2 Cleaning (SCC) system1,2 to conduct cleaning efficiency studies using Supercritical CO 2 and liquid CO 2 to remove trace amounts of microbial and organic contaminants from spacecraft material surfaces. The objective of this task is to develop an effective CO 2 cleaning method and to demonstrate and validate its ability to achieve ultra-clean surfaces of sample handling devices, sample storage units, and science instruments. This new capability will meet planetary protection and contamination control requirements for future Astrobiology science missions. The initial cleaning test results using this new cleaning device showed that both supercritical CO 2 and liquid CO 2 could achieve cleanliness levels of 0.01 µg/cm2 or less for hydrophobic contaminants. Experiments under supercritical condition using compressed Martian air mix, which consists of 95% CO 2 , produced similar cleaning effectiveness on the hydrophobic compounds. This opens up the possibility of further development potential for in situ CO 2 cleaning and sterilization using Martian air for future Mars missions. We plan to further investigate the cleaning condition for hydrophilic compounds and bacterial spores, as well as introducing polar co-solvent to the cleaning apparatus.
Erratum: “Cylindrical coordinate-based TG-43U1 parameters for dose calculation around elongated brachytherapy sources”

In 2001, the use of cylindrical coordinates was demonstrated to be more suitable than was the use of polar coordinates for accurate computer calculations during treatment planning for 192Ir intravascular brachytherapy sources. In the present work, we investigated the applicability of cylindrical coordinate-based TG-43U1 parameters for dosimetric evaluation and dose calculations for RadioCoil 103Pd sources (RadioMed Corporation, Tyngsboro, MA) 1.0-cm to 6.0-cm long. For brevity, only the results for sources 1.0-cm, 3.0-cm, and 5.0-cm long are presented here. Dosimetric characteristics of RadioCoil 103Pd sources were calculated in liquid water using the Monte Carlo simulation technique. To demonstrate the suitability of this methodology, the Monte Carlo-simulated dose profiles for a RadioCoil 103Pd source 5.0-cm long at radial distances of 0.5 cm, 0.9 cm, and 1.25 cm were compared with calculated data using TG-43U1 parameters in the polar and cylindrical coordinate systems. In addition, we also used a source 1.0-cm long parameterized using cylindrical coordinates to investigate the application of a linear segmented source (LSS) model originally introduced by our group. The results indicate that, for dose calculation around elongated brachytherapy sources, cylindrical coordinate-based TG-43U1 parameters more accurately represent the dose distribution around an elongated source than the polar coordinate-based parameters. In addition, the LSS model, in conjunction with the cylindrical coordinate-based parameters for a source 1.0-cm long, can be used to replicate the dose distribution around any integral source length. This process eliminates the need to collect and enter data for multiple source lengths into treatment planning systems.
Different Effects on Mitogenesis and Transformation of a Mutation at Tyrosine 1251 of the Insulin-like Growth Factor I Receptor

The wild type insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor has both mitogenic and transforming activities. We have examined the effect of point mutations at tyrosine residues 1250 and 1251 on these two properties of the receptor. For this purpose, we stably transfected plasmids expressing mutant and wild type receptors into R- cells, which are 3T3-like cells, derived from mouse embryos with a targeted disruption of the IGF-I receptor genes, and therefore devoid of endogenous IGF-I receptors. A tyrosine to phenylalanine mutation of either the 1250 or 1251 residue, or both, has no effect on the ability of the receptor to transmit a mitogenic signal. However, the tyrosine 1251 mutant receptor and the double mutant have lost the ability to transform R- cells (colony formation in soft agar), even when the receptors are expressed at very high levels, while the Y1250F mutant is fully transforming. These experiments show that the 1251 tyrosine residue is required for the transforming activity of the IGF-I receptor.
Tim-1 stimulation of dendritic cells regulates the balance between effector and regulatory T cells.

We show that the T-cell immunoglobalin mucin, Tim-1, initially reported to be expressed on CD4+ T cells, is constitutively expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) and that its expression further increases after DC maturation. Tim-1 signaling into DCs upregulates costimulatory molecule expression and proinflammatory cytokine production, thereby promoting effector T-cell responses, while inhibiting Foxp3+ Treg responses. By contrast, Tim-1 signaling in T cells only regulates Th2 responses. Using a high-avidity/agonistic anti-Tim-1 antibody as a co-adjuvant enhances the immunogenic function of DCs, decreases the suppressive function of Tregs, and substantially increases proinflammatory Th17 responses in vivo. The treatment with high- but not low-avidity anti-Tim-1 not only worsens experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in susceptible mice but also breaks tolerance and induces EAE in a genetically resistant strain of mice. These findings indicate that Tim-1 has an important role in regulating DC function and thus shifts the balance between effector and regulatory T cells towards an enhanced immune response. By understanding the mechanisms by which Tim-1 regulates DC and T-cell responses, we may clarify the potential utility of Tim-1 as a target of therapy against autoimmunity, cancer, and infectious diseases.
Reoxidation of Ti O 2 ( 110 ) via Ti interstitials and line defects

The interaction of oxygen with line defects of Ti interstitials on a $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}(110)$ surface is investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements and first-principles calculations. Ab initio molecular dynamics calculations show that an oxygen molecule dissociatively adsorbs on a row of Ti interstitials. Oxygen atoms subsequently surround a Ti interstitial to form the equatorial plane of a partially complete octahedron, a basic building block for single- and double-strand formation. Upon the exposure of single strands to oxygen at room temperature, bright spots preferentially agglomerate on and along strands. The STM images of the bright spots, interpreted with density functional theory, indicate that they are $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{x}$ $(xl2)$ aggregates and that strands may serve as nucleation sites for the surface growth.
Correctional officer perceptions of inmates and overall job satisfaction

Satisfied correctional officers are important for the successful operation of a prison. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMR) was performed on survey data from 501 non-supervisory correctional officers employed in a Southern prison system. After controlling for factors such as demographic variables, role conflict, job stress, peer support, and supervisory support, correctional officers who perceived inmates as devious were less satisfied with their jobs; however, age and supervisory support positively influenced job satisfaction, whereas job dangerousness and role conflict negatively influenced job satisfaction. Although statistically significant, the association of perceptions of inmates on job satisfaction was small relative to the work environment. The results suggest that correctional administrators need to focus on the work environment, especially supervisory support, to improve correctional staff job satisfaction.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae preceding Lemierre's syndrome due to Fusobacterium nucleatum complicated by acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis in an immunocompetent host.

We report an unusual case of Lemierre's syndrome due to a rare species of Fusobacterium, that is, Fusobacterium nucleatum preceded by Mycoplasma pneumoniae pharyngitis and followed later by Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis.
Fluorescent Lifetime Quenching near d = 1.5 nm Gold Nanoparticles: Probing NSET Validity

The fluorescence behavior of molecular dyes at discrete distances from 1.5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles as a function of distance and energy is investigated. Photoluminescence and luminescence lifetime measurements both demonstrate quenching behavior consistent with 1/d(4) separation distance from dye to the surface of the nanoparticle. In agreement with the model of Persson and Lang, all experimental data show that energy transfer to the metal surface is the dominant quenching mechanism, and the radiative rate is unchanged throughout the experiment.
Adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer in wound healing: acute inflammatory response in human skin in the SCID mouse model

The use of an adenoviral vector as a means of therapeutic protein delivery for the treatment of impaired wound healing is a potentially effective application of current gene transfer techniques. This study was designed to investigate the ability of adenovirus to mediate gene transfer in healing wounds in human skin in vivo. The human skin/severe combined immunodeficient mouse chimera model was used to study both the response of human tissue to adenoviral infection and the nature of the acute inflammatory response. The effects of adenoviral infection and transgene expression on the rate and quality of human wound healing were then investigated. Cell- and species-specific monoclonal antibodies were used to characterize the resident skin cell types participating in wound repair, the inflammatory response, and the proliferative potential of adenovirus-treated compared to control skin. Our studies show that, following wounding, normal skin architecture is restored in the presence of adenoviral infection equivalent to noninfected controls. Despite an increased acute inflammatory response after adenovirus injection, no difference in the healing capabilities of wounded skin was observed, suggesting that adenovirus-mediated gene transfer for growth factor-mediated acceleration of wound healing may be feasible.
A novel graph-based invariant region descriptor for image matching

Identification of invariant image descriptors is an integral task for many computer vision applications such as image registration, object recognition, and object tracking. The detected features should be invariant to geometric transformations such as rotation and translation, as well photometric variations due to differing lighting conditions. In this work, we propose a unique and effective region descriptor that couples invariant features and texture information. The descriptor relies on spatial relationships of invariant SURF features to create a graph-based descriptor for image matching. Additionally, a novel method is proposed for matching region descriptors through the definition of an efficient similarity measure that couples invariant features and their spatial relationships. Several examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed region descriptor while the results of the proposed approach outperform SURF feature point matching.
Excitation of Guided Waves in Generally Anisotropic Layers Using Finite Sources

The excitation of guided wave modes in generally anisotropic layers by finite sized strip sources placed on the surfaces of the layer is examined. The general problem of arbitrarily applied harmonic surface tractions is first solved using the normal mode expansion technique in conjunction with the complex reciprocity relation of elastodynamics. This general solution is then specialized to loading situations modelling those commonly used to excite guided waves in layers for use in nondestructive evaluation. The amplitudes of the generated modes are written as the product of an “excitation function” which depends only on the distribution of the applied tractions and an “excitability function” which depends only on the properties of the specific mode(s) being excited and which determines how receptive the modes are to the applied tractions. Expressions are obtained for the −9 dB wave number and phase velocity bandwidths (σβ and σν respectively) which determine the widths of the wavenumber or phase velocity excitation spectra at the −9 dB generation point. Finally, the problem of transient loading is addressed by superimposing time harmonic solutions via an integration over the dispersion curves of the layer.
Challenges for Multilevel Stakeholder Engagement in Public Trust Resource Governance

The trend in wildlife management over the last two decades has been to develop locally based approaches for responsiveness to local conditions, but some state wildlife agencies are finding the amount of staff time required to service this approach prohibitive. Although local engagement strategies have been lauded as assuring that public trust obligations of state government to citizens are met, we can expect that states with a local focus as their operational level of stakeholder engagement may opt to change their approach to reflect their resource limitations. We argue for comprehensive regional level effort to understand stakeholders augmented with local engagement processes where needed to deal with special circumstances in smaller areas within a region. Such an approach can be anticipated to have implications for stakeholder engagement and human dimensions research needs, which we discuss in the context of public trust resource administration and good governance of wildlife resources.
Subsidiary-Task Assessment of age Differences in Attentional Capacity during Real and Simulated Driving: A Preliminary Analysis of the Data

Advances in ITS in-vehicle technologies promise to impose new information-processing demands upon drivers. Potential information “overload” problems may become especially acute among older drivers – the fastest growing segment of the driving population. In this investigation, the efficacy of a subsidiary task technique for detecting and quantifying age-differences in the attentional demands of driving-related tasks was evaluated. Young (mean age = 19.6) and old (mean age = 71.3) licensed drivers participated in a simulated as well as an on-the-road driving task while simultaneously performing a series of simple mental arithmetic computations. Response latencies on the mental arithmetic task slowed significantly for the old — but not young — drivers as the primary task of driving was made more difficult. Steering error did not change under dual-task versus single-task conditions suggesting that the mental arithmetic protocol was minimally intrusive for both young and older adults.
Dedicated segment protection schemes using digital subcarrier in optical networks: A power consumption comparison

This paper presents a comparative study of the network-wide electric power that is required to operate Digital Subcarrier Optical Networks (DSONs) when dedicated segment protection schemes are used. Traffic protection from unexpected network element failures is achieved directly in the optical layer by provisioning a stand-by (secondary) lightpath for every working lightpath required in the network to support the offered traffic. The DSON solution is compared against the currently widely used TDM-based optical transport network (OTN) in terms of both protection scheme options and electric power requirements. The advantage of adopting DSONs is threefold: (1) the inherent digital signal processing capability that is required to implement digital subcarrier channel multiplexing, (2) the ability to switch off the inactive sub-wavelength channels (subcarriers) and (3) the ability to provision protection channels in stand-by mode using low rate signalling channels. Simulation experiments are discussed and used to quantify the potential DSON power savings (up to 40%) when compared to a commercially available OTN based solution.
Natural thinning and environmental change: an ecological process model

Abstract The proposed model of natural thinning is based on ecological processes, which integrate all relevant physiological processes. Within the traditional all-encompassing framework of carbon balance, this study develops a more instrumental framework of the reciprocal relationship between the area occupied by the average tree and the number of trees per unit area. The model includes two other terms reflecting aging of trees and effects of environmental change. Parameters of this model were estimated using data from permanent sample plots established in northern Ontario. The resulting model accurately describes natural thinning of even-aged stands and makes it possible to quantify each of the constituent processes, including the effects of environmental change on forest ecosystems. During the period 1952–1987, this effect has produced 16% increase in number of trees of a given size per unit area.
Modulation of PDT-induced apoptosis by protein kinases and phosphatases

Photodynamic therapy of neoplastic cell lines can lead to the rapid initiation of apoptosis, a mode of cell death that results in a characteristic pattern of cellular and DNA fragmentation. In this study, we examine the effects of protein tyrosine- and serine/threonine phosphatases and kinases on the fragmentation of DNA to 50 kb and photodynamic effects of lysosomal and mitochondrial photosensitizers on murine leukemia P388 cells. The data are consistent with the proposal that maintenance of phosphorylated tyrosine residues is essential for the PDT- induced processing of 50 kb DNA to nucleosomes, while maintenance of serine phosphorylation inhibits such processing. Factors involved in chromatin fragmentation to 50 kb particles have yet to be elucidated. Several agents which mediate membrane photodamage mimic the effect of protein serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors, i.e., they inhibit further processing of the 50 kb DNA formed as a consequence of lysosomal or mitochondrial photodamage. These results indicate that even the rapid initiation of apoptosis by PDT is modulated by phosphatase and kinase activities.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development of a therapist adherence/competence rating scale for supportive-expressive dynamic psychotherapy: a preliminary report.

This paper reports on the development of the Penn Adherence/Competence Scale for Supportive-Expressive (SE) Dynamic Psychotherapy. The rating scale includes 45 items which are rated separately for ...
A confidence interval for treatment component-of-variance with applications to differences in means of two exponential distributions

There is no exact small sample solution for setting confidence intervals for the treatment component in one factor components-of-varience problem, or for the problem of setting confidence intervals for the difference in means of two exponential distributions. A large number of approximate methods have been proposed for the components-of-varience problem. In a published study of nine of these methods, two have shown promise. The properties of these two as well as a third method, proposed by the authors, are investigated and shown to perform surprisingly well in the components-of-varience setting. The problem concerning difference of two exponential means is mathematically similar to the components-of-varience problem except that the parameter about which a confidence interval is to be built may take negative values. One may also wish to require a symmetry in the method so that the solution does not depend on the order in which the two samples are labelled.Adaptations of the above mentioned methods to the e...
Algorithms for range-skyline queries

Let S be a set of n points in Rd where each point has t ≥ 1 real-valued attributes called features. A range-skyline query on S takes as input a query box q e Rd and returns the skyline of the points of q ∩ S, computed w.r.t. their features (not their coordinates in Rd). Efficient algorithms are given for computing range-skylines and a related hardness result is established.
The Effect of Nitroglycerin on Left Ventricular Wall Tension in Fixed Orifice Aortic Stenosis

Symptoms of myocardial ischemia occur in aortic stenosis in the absence of coronary artery disease. Increased left ventricular wall tension, a principal determinant of myocardial oxygen requirements, may contribute to these symptoms. This investigation was undertaken during the course of transseptal left heart catheterization in order to study the effect of nitroglycerin on left ventricular wall tension in eight patients with fixed orifice aortic stenosis. In seven of the subjects, nitroglycerin significantly reduced tension-time index per beat and per minute. In addition, left ventricular size may have diminished as a consequence of lower diastolic filling pressure. In view of the relationship between wall tension and myocardial oxygen consumption, these effects should favorably influence the balance between oxygen availability and oxygen requirements in patients with fixed obstruction to left ventricular outflow. The eighth patient experienced an appreciable increase in tension-time index, suggesting se...
Two membrane-bound proteins associated with alanine resistance and increased A-system amino acid transport in mutants of CHO-K1.

Growth of CHO-K1, a praline auxotroph, is inhibited by amino acids that prevent praline transport. From a hydroxyurea-treated, alanine-resistant, constitutive mutant, alar4, we isolated, in a stepwise fashion, mutants, resistant to higher concentrations of alanine, that have increased velocity of amino acid transport through the A system. Two such mutants, alar4-H2.1 and alar4-H3.9, isolated as resistant to 50 mM and 125 mM alanine, respectively, showed increases in Vmax of praline transport through the A system that are directly proportional to their resistance to alanine. Alar4-H3.9, as compared to alar4 and CHO-K1, has six and 29 times the Vmax of praline transport through the A system and two and five times the velocity of transport through the combined ASC and P systems, respectively, and no change in system L. No doubleminute or homologous staining regions were detectable in alar4-H3.9. A-system activity of alar4-H2.1 and alar4-H3.9, when grown under nonselective conditions, was stable for 20 generations and then declined. The phenotype of alar4-H3.9 is codominant with that of alar4 and partially recessive to that of CHO-K1. Membrane vesicles prepared from alar4-H3.9 show increases mainly in A-system transport. In sodium dodecylsulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of A-system active membrane vesicles and endoplasmic reticulum, two bands of molecular weight of approximately 62–66 kd and 29 kd are present in higher concentrations in alar4-H3.9 than in CHO-K1. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the phenotype of alar4-H3.9 is the result of gene amplification of an A-system transporter structural gene and that the two bands may represent this transporter.
Dynamic sulfur and carbon cycling through the end-Ordovician extinction revealed by paired sulfate–pyrite δ34S

Abstract Geochemical records of the end-Ordovician Hirnantian Stage show parallel positive excursions in the stable isotope compositions of sedimentary pyrite sulfur (δ34Spyr), organic carbon (δ13Corg), and carbonate carbon (δ13Ccarb); these isotope excursions coincide with the end Ordovician glaciation and mass extinction. A relative increase in pyrite burial (fpyr) attributed to marine anoxia has been invoked to explain the sulfur isotope excursion and link oceanic redox conditions to the extinction of marine fauna. An increase in fpyr would necessarily generate a parallel excursion of equal magnitude in the isotopic composition of coeval marine sulfate ( δ 34 S SO 4 ). Here we present new high-resolution paired sulfur isotope data from carbonate-associated sulfate (δ34SCAS) and pyrite from the Hirnantian Stage of western Anticosti Island (Quebec, Canada). These data document a positive 20‰ enrichment in δ34Spyr (comparable in magnitude to previous reports), but no parallel excursion in δ34SCAS. This pattern provides new constraints on the origin of the δ34Spyr excursion and the nature of carbon–sulfur coupling through Hirnantian time. Specifically, these observations preclude enhanced pyrite burial as the cause of the Hirnantian δ34Spyr excursion and suggest the possible role of anoxia in the mass extinction may need to be reevaluated. Rather, the global δ34Spyr excursion is best explained by a transient reduction in the isotopic fractionations expressed during microbial sulfur cycling (epyr). The epyr record shows a strong inverse correlation with δ13C, suggesting a mechanistic link between carbon cycling and processes controlling epyr during the Hirnantian. Changes in sea level or marine redox state associated with glaciation could further impact the expression of the biological fractionation (e.g., through syndepositional sediment reworking and/or chemocline migration and resultant restricted exchange of porewater sulfate). The magnitude of isotopic fractionation during microbial sulfate reduction is partially controlled by metabolic rates, which are sensitive to the abundance, type, and lability of metabolically relevant substrates. Environmental change associated with the end Ordovician glaciation may have elevated the flux of organic material to marine sediments or caused an increase in physical reworking of sediments, leading to increased microbial sulfate reduction rates and reduced epyr. As such, the Hirnantian δ34Spyr excursion may be viewed as a dynamic biological response to global climate change, highlighting the connections between the carbon and sulfur biogeochemical cycles.
VELOCITIES OF A NATURAL MID-OCEAN RIDGE BASALT GLASS

Abstract We report, for the first time, ultrasonic velocity values for a pure (>95%), natural, submarine basalt glass of mid-ocean ridge basalt composition, from 10 to 1000 MPa at room temperature. These new data show that basalt glass, abundant in the upper oceanic crust, has the lowest velocity of any primary solid component of the oceanic crust. In addition, natural basalt glass has a steeper pressure-dependence of velocity than previously measured in more crystalline samples, indicating that cracks in natural basalt glass are weaker than in more crystalline rocks. To obtain values for the pure glass phase, we correct the natural glass data for the low-pressure closure of cracks, and the presence of minor mineralogic components and vesicles. These new data provide a baseline for evaluating the effect of abundant basalt glass and glassy mesostasis in oceanic upper crust on in situ seismic velocities. In addition, data on the elastic and seismic properties of natural glasses are useful for a better understanding of glass structure, and glass relaxation, with potential applications to submarine volcanology.
HB Washtenaw [βT11(A8)VAL-PHE]: An Electrophoretically Silent, Unstable, Low Oxygen Affinity Variant Associated with Anemia and Chronic Cyanosis

Hb Washtenaw [β11(A8)Val-Phe] is a new, low oxygen affinity variant with a previously undescribed substitution, identified in seven members over three generations of a Hungarian-American family. The hemoglobin is mildly unstable and the family members studied are clinically asymptomatic but mildly cyanotic, and some exhibit mild anemia. The index case had severe pulmonary hypertension and some of the family members had increased pulmonary vascular resistance on echocardiography. An association between the inheritance of this abnormal hemoglobin and the pathogenesis of primary pulmonary hypertension is suggested but the mechanism is unclear.
Angular calibration of surface slope measuring profilers with a bendable mirror

Performance of state-of-the-art surface slope measuring profilers, such as the Advanced Light Source’s (ALS) long trace profiler (LTP-II) and developmental LTP (DLTP) is limited by the instrument’s systematic error. The systematic error is specific for a particular measurement arrangement and, in general, depends on both the measured surface slope value and the position along a surface under test. Here we present an original method to characterize or measure the instrument’s systematic error using a bendable X-ray mirror as a test surface. The idea of the method consists of extracting the systematic error from multiple measurements performed at different mirror bendings. An optimal measurement strategy for the optic, under different settings of the benders, and the method of accurate fitting of the measured slope variations with characteristic functions are discussed. We describe the procedure of separation of the systematic error of an actual profiler from surface slope variation inherent to the optic. The obtained systematic error, expressed as a function of the angle of measurement, is useful as a calibration of the instrument arranged to measure an optic with a close curvature and length. We show that accounting for the systematic error enables the optimal setting of bendable optics to the desired ideal shape with accuracy limited only by the experimental noise. Application of the method in the everyday metrology practice increases the accuracy of the measurements and allows measurements of highly curved optics with accuracy similar to those achieved with flat optics. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.
A business case tool for the strategic justification of enterprise technologies

Abstract This paper describes a strategic justification methodology which considers long term strategic costs and benefits in addition to more standard financial considerations. The paper describes the methodology and its deployment tools, specifically the software support system which was developed to aid companies in completing the justification.
Ion Partitioning at the Liquid/Vapor Interface of a Multicomponent Alkali Halide Solution: A Model for Aqueous Sea Salt Aerosols

The chemistry of Br species associated with sea salt ice and aerosols has been implicated in the episodes of ozone depletion reported at Arctic sunrise. However, Br− is only a minor component in sea salt, which has a Br−/Cl− molar ratio of ∼0.0015. Sea salt is a complex mixture of many different species, with NaCl as the primary component. In recent years experimental and theoretical studies have reported enhancement of the large, more polarizable halide ion at the liquid/vapor interface of corresponding aqueous alkali halide solutions. The proposed enhancement is likely to influence the availability of sea salt Br− for heterogeneous reactions such as those involved in the ozone depletion episodes. We report here ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies and molecular dynamics simulations showing direct evidence of Br− enhancement at the interface of an aqueous NaCl solution doped with bromide. The experiments were carried out on samples with Br−/Cl− ratios in the range 0.1% to 10%, the la...
Instability of an area-preserving polynomial mapping

Fixed points and eigencurves have been studied for the Henon-Heiles mapping:x′=x+a (y−y3),y′=y(x′−x′3). Eigencurves of order 21 proceed rapidly to infinity fora=1.78, but as ‘a’ decreases, they spiral around the origin repeatedly before escaping to infinity. Fixed pointsxfon thex-axis have been located for the range 1≤a≤2.4, for ordersn up to 100. Their locations vary continuously witha, as do the eigencurves, and hyperbolic points remain hyperbolic.
Immunity to Heat Shock Proteins and Neurological Disorders of Women

Stress or heat shock proteins are constitutively expressed in normal CNS tissues in a variety of cell types (oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons). Their presence may protect cells from various stresses, such as hypoxia, anoxia, and excessive excitatory stimulation. Increased amounts of hsp are expressed in various cells of the CNS during acute toxic-metabolic states and in chronic degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Increased expression of hsp may lead to immune responses to these proteins. Antibodies to mycobacterial hsp bind to normal human myelin and to oligodendrocytes in regions of MS demyelination. Cellular immune responses to hsp occur with increased frequency and magnitude in persons with MS, especially those with recent onset of disease. In addition, there are populations of T cells expressing gamma/delta T cells in the brains and spinal fluids of persons with MS, suggesting an in situ immune response to hsps. Humoral immune responses to hsp are found in CSF, but no disease specificity has been documented. Some myelin proteins have sequence homology with particular hsps. One instance is the homology between a peptide of mycobacterial Hsp65 and the myelin protein CNP. Our data on EAE suggest that immune responses to either cross-reactive hsp epitopes or whole hsp can modify the course of both acute and chronic relapsing EAE. In addition, the severity and frequency of environmental exposure to infectious agents can modify the course of EAE, possibly by altering the patterns of immune response to hsp. Finally, tolerance to the small hsp, alpha B-crystallin, a putative autoantigen in persons with MS, alters the course of relapsing EAE, supporting its role in chronic, autoimmune CNS disease. Modifying immune responses to hsp may be a potential new treatment option for persons with MS.
Nuclear-Driven Copper-Based Hybrid Thermo/Electro Chemical Cycle for Hydrogen Production

With a worldwide need for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogen gas has become a primary focus of energy researchers as a promising substitute of nonrenewable energy sources. For instance, use of hydrogen gas in fuel cells has received special technological interest particularly from the transportation sector, which is presently dominated by fuel oil. It is not only gaseous hydrogen that is in demand, but the need for liquid hydrogen is growing as well. For example, the aerospace industry uses liquid hydrogen as fuel for space shuttles. The use of liquid hydrogen during a single space shuttle launch requires about 15,000 gallons per minute, which is equivalent to about forty-five hydrogen trailers, each with 13,000 gallons capacity. The hydrogen required to support a single Mars mission would be at least ten times that required for one space shuttle launch. In this work, we provide mass and energy balances, major equipment sizing, and costing of a hybrid CuO-CuSO4 plant with 1000 MW (≈ 30,240 kg/hr) H2 production capacity. With a 90% annual availability factor, the estimated hydrogen production rate is about 238,412 tons annually, the predicted plant efficiency is about 36%, and the estimated hydrogen production cost is about $4.0/kg (not including storage and transportation costs). In addition to hydrogen production, the proposed plant generates oxygen gas as a byproduct with an estimated flowrate of about 241,920 kg/hr (equivalent to ≈ 1,907,297 tons annually). We also propose a novel technology for separating SO2 and SO3 from O2 using a battery of redundant fixed-bed reactors containing CuO impregnated in porous alumina (Al2 O3 ). This technology accommodates online regeneration of the CuO. Other practical approaches for gaseous separation are also examined including use of ceramic membranes, liquefaction, and regenerable wet scrubbing with slurried magnesium oxide or solutions of sodium salts such as sodium sulfite and sodium hydroxide. Finally, we discuss the applicability of high-temperature nuclear reactors as an ideal fit to providing thermal energy and electricity required for operating the hybrid thermochemical plant with high overall system efficiency.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Optically Tuned and FM Modulated X-Band Dielectric Resonator Oscillator

This paper describes results obtained in the optical control of a Dielectric Resonator Oscillator operated at X-band. A commercially available DRO device was modified to facilitate optical control of its output characteristics. The device was found to be optically tunable up to 15 MHz and FM rates up to 130 MHz were observed. Frequency stability with respct to temperature am bias voltage of the device was unaffected, however a 30% degradation of the Qex was noted. No attempt was made to optimize its performance.
Reconciling Berkeley's Microscopes in God's Infinite Mind

A partir de l'episode du microscope de Berkeley ou on distingue deux formes de perception visuelle, l'une assistee et l'autre pas, l'A. fait le lien avec l'idee que le philosophe se fait de Dieu, c'est a dire un etre omniscient. Cela signifie que toutes choses existent et resident dans l'esprit infini de Dieu et que celui-ci choisi de les faire exister dans l'esprit de celui qui manie le microscope
On LDPC codes over symmetric channels

In the past decade, there has been tremendous amount of research on the analysis and design of the Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes with Belief Propagation decoding over different types of Binary-Input Output-Symmetric Memoryless (BIOSM) channels. However, with the exception of the Binary Erasure Channel (BEC), analytical results on LDPC codes over such channels are limited and most results are based on numerical methods and optimization. In particular, systematic design of provably capacity achieving sequences of LDPC code ensembles over general class of BIOSM channels has remained a fundamental open problem. Such sequences have been designed only for the binary erasure channel (BEC). In this paper, we first prove some novel analytical properties of the LDPC code ensembles over BIOSM channels. In particular, we prove a result that generalizes the previously known stability condition over symmetric channels. This suggests that a modified version of the flatness condition, a property which has been shown to be critical for capacity achieving sequences over the BEC, can be used to devise capacity achieving sequences for general class of BIOSM channels. Based on this assumption, we propose a method which could result in the systematic design of such sequences over BIOSM channels. Numerical evidence is promising and provides a consistent convergence behavior to capacity over the considered BIOSM channels as the average check node degree increases.
Optimal control of a moving missile tracking a roving target

This paper presents the formulations for optimizing the control inputs of a specific class of tracking system. In particular, the optimization of a missile-target intercept scenario under various performance constraints is proposed. An analytical solution as well as numerical examples for the developed method are also presented.
Providing Quality of Service in IEEE 802.11 WLAN

This paper aims to provide Quality of Service (QoS) for IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Specifically, we develop a new scheduling algorithm in link layer to support multimedia services with guaranteed QoS in WLAN. The proposed scheduling algorithm makes use of the idle system time to reduce average packet loss of real-time (RT) variable-bit-rate (VBR) services, while satisfying required transmission delay and bandwidth requirements of all RT services. Detailed analysis is given by taking into account several key statistical factors, such as service traffic model, the ratio between the polling period and the contention period (CP), burst generation probabilities. Performance is evaluated through OPNET simulation. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed joint scheme is effective in terms of both system resource utilization and QoS provisioning.
Detecting changes in multilayered orthoimages with spatiotemporal texture blocks

A problem of detecting changes in a region viewed by multiple overlapping cameras is addressed. We are exploring a background change detection method of multilayered orthoimages using spatiotemporal texture blocks. Each camera view is projected to create a spatially aligned multilayered background orthoimages. The multilayered orthoimages are subdivided into non-overlapping blocks, and each block is represented by a 3D texture map. Texture maps are dimensionally reduced with principal component analysis. Motion detection is performed on each block and non-moving texture sections of the block are clustered into N-dimensional hyperspheres to discover changing patterns. The method evaluation is performed on publicly available surveillance video datasets.
Incidence of Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Objective. To determine the incidence of serious bacterial infections in febrile children with sickle cell disease and to describe the outcomes of children discharged from the pediatric emergency department. Methods. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 188 febrile patients with sickle cell disease presenting to our pediatric emergency department over a 10-year period. Serious bacterial infection was defined as bacteremia, meningitis, urinary tract infection, osteomyelitis, or pneumonia. Results. Our overall incidence rate for serious bacterial infections was 16.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.8% to 21.2%). Pneumonia had the highest incidence rate of 13.8% (95% CI = 8.8% to 18.8%). This was followed by bacteremia and urinary tract infections, both with incidence rates of 1.1% (95% CI = 0.0% to 2.5%). We had no cases of meningitis or osteomyelitis in our study group. Conclusion. We had an incidence of 16.0% for serious bacterial infections in febrile children with sickle cell disease, with th...
A New Cloud Screening Algorithm for Ground-Based Direct-Beam Solar Radiation

AbstractCloud screening of direct-beam solar radiation is an essential step for in situ calibration and atmospheric properties retrieval. The internal cloud screening module of a Langley analysis program [Langley Analyzer (LA)] used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) UV-B Monitoring and Research Program (UVMRP) is used for screening the uncalibrated direct-beam measurements and for deriving Langley offset voltages for calibration of the UV version of the Multifilter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (UV-MFRSR). The current LA cloud screening module utilizes data from extended clear-sky periods and tends to ignore shorter periods that typify periods of broken cloudiness, and as a result, fewer values are generated for sites with higher frequencies of cloudy days (cloudy sites). A new cloud screening algorithm is presented that calculates the total optical depth (TOD) difference between a target point and pairs of points, and identifies the target as cloudy if the mean TOD difference exceeds a certai...