cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altimeter-derived surface circulation in the large–scale NE Pacific Gyres.: Part 1. seasonal variability

Abstract The seasonal variability of sea surface height (SSH) and currents are defined by analysis of altimeter data in the NE Pacific Ocean over the region from Central America to the Alaska Gyre. The results help to clarify questions about the timing of seasonal maxima in the boundary currents. As explained below, the long-term temporal mean of the SSH values must be removed at each spatial point to remove the temporally invariant (and large) signal caused by the marine geoid. We refer to the resulting SSH values, which contain all of the temporal variations, as the ‘residual’ SSH. Our main findings are: 1. The maximum surface velocities around the boundaries of the cyclonic Alaska Gyre (the Alaska Current and the Alaska Stream) occur in winter, at the same time that the equatorward California Current is weakest or reversed (forming the poleward Davidson Current); the maximum surface velocities in the California Current occur in summer. These seasonal maxima are coincident with the large-scale atmospheric wind forcing over each region. 2. Most of the seasonal variability occurs as strong residuals in alongshore surface currents around the boundaries of the NE Pacific basin, directly connecting the boundaries of the subpolar gyre, the subtropical gyre and the Equatorial Current System. 3. Seasonal variability in the surface velocities of the eastward North Pacific Current (West Wind Drift) is weak in comparison to seasonal changes in the surface currents along the boundaries. 4. There is an initial appearance next to the coast and offshore migration of seasonal highs and lows in SSH, alongshore velocity and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the Alaska Gyre, similar to the previously-described seasonal offshore migration in the California Current. 5. The seasonal development of high SSH and poleward current residuals next to the coast appear first off Central America and mainland Mexico in May–June, prior to their appearance in the southern part of the California Current in July–August and their eventual spread around the entire basin in November–December. Similarly, low SSH and equatorward transport residuals appear first off Central America and Mexico in January–February before spreading farther north in spring and summer. 6. The maximum values of EKE occur when each of the boundary currents are maximum.
Human BK Polyomavirus—The Potential for Head and Neck Malignancy and Disease

Members of the human Polyomaviridae family are ubiquitous and pathogenic among immune-compromised individuals. While only Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has conclusively been linked to human cancer, all members of the polyomavirus (PyV) family encode the oncoprotein T antigen and may be potentially carcinogenic. Studies focusing on PyV pathogenesis in humans have become more abundant as the number of PyV family members and the list of associated diseases has expanded. BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) in particular has emerged as a new opportunistic pathogen among HIV positive individuals, carrying harmful implications. Increasing evidence links BKPyV to HIV-associated salivary gland disease (HIVSGD). HIVSGD is associated with elevated risk of lymphoma formation and its prevalence has increased among HIV/AIDS patients. Determining the relationship between BKPyV, disease and tumorigenesis among immunosuppressed individuals is necessary and will allow for expanding effective anti-viral treatment and prevention options in the future.
A Performance Study of Modern Web Server Applications

Web server programs are one of the most popular computer applications in existence today. Our goal is to study the behavior of modern Web server application programs to understand how they interact with the underlying Web server, hardware and operating system environment. We monitor and evaluate the performance of a Sun UltraSPARC system using hardware performance counters for different workloads. Our workloads include static requests (for HTML files and images) as well as dynamic requests in the form of CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts and Servlets. Our studies show that the dynamic workloads have CPIs (Cycles Per Instruction) approximately 20% higher than the static workloads. The major factors that we could attribute to this were higher instruction and data cache miss rates compared to the static workloads, and high external (L2) cache misses.
Lubrication of Machine Elements

The understanding of hydrodynamic lubrication began with the classical experiments of Tower and Petrov. Reynolds used a reduced form of the Navier-Stokes equations and the continuity equation to generate a second order differential equation for the pressure in the narrow, converging gap of a bearing contact. Such a pressure enables a load to be transmitted between the surfaces with very low friction since the surfaces are completely separated by a film of fluid. In such a situation it is the physical properties of the lubricant, notably the dynamic viscosity, that dictate the behavior of the contact. The understanding of boundary lubrication is normally attributed to Hardy and Doubleday. In boundary lubrication it is the physical and chemical properties of thin films of molecular proportions and the surfaces to which they are attached that determine contact behavior. The lubricant viscosity is not an influential parameter. Research is devoted to a better understanding and more precise definition of other lubrication regimes between these extremes. One such regime, elastohydrodynamic lubrication, occurs in nonconformal contacts, where the pressures are high and the bearing surfaces deform elastically. In this situation the viscosity of the lubricant may raise considerably, and this further assists the formation of an effective fluid film. The science of these three lubrication regimes (hydrodynamic, elastohydrodynamic, and boundary) are described and the manner in which this science is used in the design of machine elements is examined.
The Speed and Power of Technological Innovation and the Associated Growth of Risk

Globalization is not a single phenomenon, but a broad concept to describe a wide range of forces. Though there are highly diversified ways of defining globalization, following definition provides a broad explanation to the subject. “The intensification of global interconnectedness, suggesting a world full of movement and mixture, contact and linkages, and persistent cultural interaction and exchange”. New technologies and innovations play fundamental part in making globalization possible. It can be seen that there might be a higher globalization even with the same level of internationalization. The global economy is on its way to achieving a historic growth record. With an annual growth rate of nearly 3.2% since 2000, the world economy grew more in the five past years than in any five-year period since the second world war. With a projected increase of nearly 5% in 2007, some says global output could be heading for one of its best decades ever. The ability to conduct technological innovation & conditions of technological innovation is still an issue worth exploring in depth. The notion of globalization of innovation, mainly it has spread over several key areas such as Digitalization and Information technology, Power and Energy, Transportation and Automobile, Finance, Agriculture & Health Care, Education. Scholars, Governments and International organizations have attempted to assess the changes that have occurred in innovative activities due to an ever increasingly globalized society. Below study explores the speed & power of technological innovation and the associated growth of risk.
Spray combustion and emissions in a direct-injection two stroke engine with wall-stabilization of an air-assisted spray

Previous experiments using an air-assisted spray in a impinge two-stroke direct-injected engine demonstrated a significant improvement in combustion stability at part-load conditions when a wide injection spray was used. It was hypothesized caused that the decrease in variability was due to the spray following the combustion chamber wall, making it less affected by variations in the in-cylinder gas flows. For this study, experiments were conducted to investigate engine spray combustion for cases where engine performance was not dominated by cyclic variation. Combustion and emission performance data was collected for a wide range of injection timings at several speed/load conditions. Experimental data for combustion shows that combustion stability is relatively unaffected by injection of timing changes over a 40 to 100 degree window, and tolerant to spark gap projections over a range of 0.7 to 5.2 mm, depending on operating conditions. However, exhaust emissions are much more sensitive to injection timing. Spray characterization data shows that the air/fuel mixture exiting the injector tends to follow the hemispherical chamber walls, concentrating the fuel mass on the perimeter. The range of injection timings used resulted in air/fuel mixtures which should have had significant differences in the state of the mixture at the timemore » of combustion.« less
The Risks of Transboundary Water Cooperation: Conflict, Development, and the Nile Basin Initiative

More than ten years after implementation, the dyanmics around the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), and its ambitious goals of mutually beneficial relationships among all Nile Basin countries, have changed significantly as regional tensions and political conflicts have shifted. With its focus on equitable distribution of the Nile River for development among the Nile riparian countries (Burundi, Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda), the NBI functions as a broad program of international importance. The need for an international agreement aroundz use of the Nile continues because of the ongoing tensions and threats of water-induced conflict in the region. Egypt, in particular, has repeatedly threatened military action against Ethiopia for its use of Nile water. Yet, while the upstream countries of Egypt and Sudan hold development rights to hydroresources from the Nile, downstream countries, specifically Ethiopia, have exerted their sovereign rights to territorial resources, in part due to Egypts domestic political instability. Further, additional challenges to the NBIs success include the involvement of the World Bank, absensce of civil society in policy consideration, and a failure to address the history of Nile basin politics, represent significant challenges to the implementation of the NBI. The historical legacy of the 1959 Agreement for the Full Utilization of the Nile Waters, signed by Sudan and Egypt, as well as World Bank Operational Policy 7.50, which prevents all downstream Nile development without Egypts consent, serve as roadblocks to any real cooperation related to Nile usage. Utilizing primary research gathered from various non-governmental organizations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian government officials, UN and other international development and relief agencies, this paper engages these key obstacles alongside analysis of development projects since NBIs implementation as well as consideration of government upheaval in the region, this paper will explore the evolution of the NBI and its potential to bring about sustainable and just sharing of the Nile River.
A q-analogue of an identity of N. Wallach

N. Wallach has considered an element of the group algebra of the symmetric group S n which is the sum of an n-cycle, an (n − 1)-cycle, . . . , a 2-cycle and the identity. He showed that multiplication by this element has eigenvalues 0, 1, 2, . . . , n −2, n. We prove an analogous result in which the group algebra of S n is replaced by the corresponding Hecke algebra.
Drafting New York Civil Litigation Documents: Part XXXIX — Motions to Vacate a Default Judgment Continued

This article, the 39th in a continuing series on how to draft civil-litigation documents in New York, continues the discussion on vacating default judgments.
Practical evaluation of a data compression algorithm

The idea of using splay trees as the basis of a prefix code for data compression was introduced in 1988. At around the same time, the University of Iowa Physics Department began development of the Visual Imaging System for the ISTP POLAR satellite, to be launched in July 1993. The author reports on the feasibility of using splay-tree based compression for image data transmitted from this satellite. It is concluded that this algorithm is appropriate for use in this and similar contexts. >
A COGNITIVE FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING DEMOGRAPHIC INFLUENCES IN GROUPS

Recent research on group demography demonstrates that an increase in demographic diversity has both positive and negative effects on group effectiveness. These studies have linked increased group diversity with an increase in creative thinking and innovation, a decrease in intra‐group cohesion, and an increase in intragroup conflict. The cognitive processing framework proposed in this paper integrates these results into a coherent understanding of the effects of diversity on groups. The cognitive framework provides an explanation of group diversity effects and it suggests ways to minimize the negative effects of group diversity.
Measurements and Models of Soil Loss Rates

In their Policy Forum “U.S. soil erosion rates—myth and reality” (14 Jul., p. [248][1]), Stanley Trimble and Pierre Crosson discuss sediment budgets and call attention to the large quantitative difference that exists between upland soil erosion and downstream sediment delivery ([1][2]). The
New platform for controlled and sustained delivery of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres.

Inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) reduces tumour growth and metastases and promotes axon regeneration in the central nervous system. Current EGFR inhibition strategies include the administration of reversible small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, to be effective in vivo sustained delivery is required. This study explored the feasibility of encapsulating the tyrphostin 4-(3-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (AG1478) in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres using three different emulsion methods: solid-in-oil-in-water, oil-in-water and oil-in-water with co-solvent. Addition of a co-solvent increased loading and release of AG1478 and significantly (p < 0.001) decreased microsphere size. Co-solvent addition also prolonged AG1478 release from 6 months to over 9 months. Once released AG1478 remained bioactive and inhibited EGFR in immortalized rat fibroblasts and EGFR-amplified human carcinoma cells. These results demonstrate that AG1478 can be enca...
Cloning, expression and crystallization of heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase from Pseudomonas maltophilia.

Heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase (TSOX) is a complex bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of the methyl group in sarcosine (N-methylglycine) and transfer of the oxidized methyl group into the 1-carbon metabolic pool. In addition to four different subunits, TSOX contains three coenzymes (FAD, FMN, NAD) and a binding site for tetrahydrofolate, the coenzyme acceptor of the oxidized methyl group from sarcosine. Based on preliminary success in crystallization of the natural enzyme, the genes encoding the subunits for TSOX from Pseudomonas maltophila (pTSOX) were cloned by functional screening of a genomic library. Recombinant enzyme exhibiting the same specific activity as natural pTSOX could not be isolated using a similar or identical purification procedure. This difficulty was overcome by affinity purification of recombinant pTSOX containing a C-terminal (His)6 tag on the subunit (γ) encoded by soxG, the gene located at the 3′ end of the pTSOX operon. Affinity purified pTSOX could not be crystallized, a problem traced to microheterogeneity in the recombinant enzyme where about half of the FMN is present in a modified form that is not found in the natural enzyme and may be a biosynthetic intermediate. The modified flavin was eliminated by expression of the recombinant enzyme in the presence of sarcosine, the same reagent used to induce expression of the natural enzyme. Homogenous recombinant pTSOX was isolated from cells grown in the presence of sarcosine by chromatography on affinity and hydrophobic interaction matrices. High quality crystals that diffract to 1.85 A resolution have been obtained.
Construction of Migration Policies in the Eastern Neighbourhood of the European Union

This paper focuses on the construction of migration policies in the EU neighbourhood. While realist accounts insist that nation-states are rational actors and policies are based on their needs and interest-based calculations, the constructivist arguments, promoted by World Society theory, emphasize the impact of global political culture on shaping policies of social entities. On the example of migration policy-making in the EU neighbourhood post-Soviet states I argue that migration policies are highly standardized despite diverging geopolitical interests of these nation-states. Population control migration models are promoted under the global cultural theme of economic progress and are highly individual-centred in content, regardless of emigration or immigration concerns of nation-states, their power dynamics and economic standing. These scripted purposes for policy adoption diffuse regardless of imposed conditionality.
Allergy to latex surgical gloves: An unfamiliar cause of intraoperative anaphylaxis

Natural rubber products, including surgical gloves, are known to be associated with contact dermatitis in allergic individuals. These cell-mediated immune reactions are usually not serious. However, an increasing number of reports have appeared recently in the medical literature concerning the association of latex with type I IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions. We report on a patient with a history of cutaneous sensitivity to latex who experienced an intraoperative anaphylactic reaction felt to be secondary to latex surgical gloves. This report is intended to familiarize clinicians with this unexpected cause of intraoperative anaphylaxis.
Application of Shannon Information in image postprocessing

A crucial step in image restoration involves deconvolving the true object from noisy and often poorly sampled image data. Deconvolution under these conditions represents an ill-posed inversion problem, in that no unique computationally stable solution exists. We propose a statistical information based approach to regularize the deconvolution process. Using Shannon Information, one monitors the information about the object that is processed during the deconvolution in order to obtain an optimal stopping criterion and hence the``best' solution to the inversion problem. The optimal stopping criterion is based on how Shannon Information changes in the spatial frequency domain as the deconvolution proceeds. We present results for the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) and Richardson-Lucy (RL) non-linear deconvolution techniques.
Peripheral lymphocyte markers as surrogate measures of immunosuppression and post-transplant clinical states

Abstract Despite significant improvements in organ transplantation, immunosuppression is associated with rejection or drug toxicity in a significant fraction of transplant recipients. Mechanistic immunological markers may enhance the precision with which immunosuppression, post-transplant alloreactivity and graft adaptation are monitored, and thereby enhance the success of post-transplant immunosuppression. The utility of lymphocyte subset distribution and function as monitoring tools in our laboratory is predicated on observations that: stimulated responses of peripheral blood effector and antigen-presenting lymphocytes (sLR) are inhibited by immunosupressants in a concentration-dependent manner; extended phenotypic monitoring suggests that the memory T-helper population may demonstrate increasing expression of activation marker CD25 (IL-2R) upon contact with transplanted antigen; and donor-specific suppression of costimulatory molecule expression may be mediated by recipient CD8+28− lymphocytes, and is more likely to occur in those with graft adaptation than those who may be prone to rejection. Validation of these observations, and other mechanistic markers may identify newer approaches to monitor the immune system, and reduce efficacy failure with immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation.
Near surface modification affected by hydrogen interaction: Global supplemented by local approach

The current study is centered on elastic-plastic solid interaction with hydrogen. Here, the environment is free hydrogen, from either external or internal origins providing as such aggressive effects. In this context, near surface displacement occurred, beside microcracking onset or growth, significant interfacial weakening, as critical forms of mechanical degradation. Metastable austenitic stainless 316L steel was selected, in order to provide a comprehensive study on bulk surfaces. Global findings on hydrogen effects were supplemented by nanoscale information. Only for the nanosection, Ti/Cu thin films were also included, namely an additional small-volume case. Samples have been charged with hydrogen under low fugacity conditions and the outcoming effects have been sorted out by mechanical response tracking assisted by contact mechanics methodology. Nanoindentation and continuous scratch tests were utilized supplemented by Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) visualization. Local resolution provided remarkable input to the global findings, in terms of dislocation nucleation aspects, near surface modification, plastic localization and microfracture onset. In thin layers, the effective work of the adhesion was reduced indicating significant degradation that could be expressed quantitatively. Global/local benefits of the stainless steel system under study made it possible to apply multiscale models describing complex micro-mechanical processes.
Electron microscopy of a rod-shaped noninclusion virus infecting the citrus red mite☆☆☆

Abstract Thin sections of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri , infected with a virus disease contained rod-shaped virions but no rods were found in healthy mites. The rods, which were present in midgut epithelial cells, were ca. 194 × 58 nm and were enclosed in an envelope ca. 266 × 111 nm. Some mites, both healthy and diseased, contained spherical particles, but these particles did not cause symptoms of the virus disease.
Separating Nondeterministic Time Complexity Classes

AaSTancr. A recurslve padding technique is used to obtain conditions sufficient for separation of nondetermlmsttc multltape Turlng machine time complexity classes If T2 is a running time and Tl(n + 1) grows more slowly than T~(n), then there is a language which can be accepted nondetermmlstlcally within time bound T~ but which cannot be accepted nondetermlnlStlcally within time bound T1. If even T~(n + f(n)) grows more slowly than Tz(n), where f is the very slowly growing "rounded reverse" of some real-time countable function, then there is such a language over a single-letter alphabet. The strongest known dmgonalization results for both deterministic and nondetermlmstlc time complexity classes are reviewed and orgamzed for comparison with the results of the new padding technique
Theoretical factors in modeling polarized light scattering by arbitrary particles

The coupled dipole method has been used to model the S(34) scattering matrix element for particles of arbitrary shape. Comparison of the results of the approximate method with the exact theory for a sphere shows that the size of the units required for S(34) is much smaller than the size required for calculating S(11) with similar accuracy. Model calculations for chiral particles show that the S(34) matrix element depends sensitively on the exact shape, size and optical properties of the scatterer.
Helioseismology program for Solar Dynamics Observatory

An overview of the science investigation program for the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) space mission scheduled for launch in 2008 is presented. The HMI investigation encompasses three primary objectives of the Living With a Star Program:.rst, to determine how and why the Sun varies; second, to improve our understanding of how the Sun drives global change and space weather; and third, to determine to what extent predictions of space weather and global change can be made and to prototype predictive techniques. Helioseismology provides unique tools to study the basic mechanisms of the Sun's magnetic activity and variability. It plays a crucial role in all HMI investigations, which include convection-zone dynamics and the solar dynamo; origin and evolution of sunspots, active regions and complexes of activity; sources and drivers of solar activity and disturbances; links between the internal processes and dynamics of the corona and heliosphere; and precursors of solar disturbances for space-weather forecasts. We describe new unique opportunities for helioseismology studies with HMI data, in combination with data from the other SDO instruments, Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and Extreme-ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), and also from various space and ground-based observatories. The complete HMI science investigation and data analysis plan is available at http://hmi.stanford.edu. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
XAFS investigation of the interactions of UVI with secondary mineralization products from the bioreduction of FeIII oxides.

Biogenic Fe(II) phases (magnetite, green rust, siderite, vivianite, etc.) provide a reservoir of reducing capacity in many subsurface environments that may contribute to the reduction of contaminants such as U(VI). We have examined the uptake and reduction of U(VI) in the presence of biogenic green rust (BioGR), magnetite (BioMAG), and siderite (BioSID) formed during the reduction of Fe(III) oxides by Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Within 48 h, total solution-phase U(VI) concentrations decreased from 500 microM to 1.5 microM, 392 microM, and 472 microM in the U-BioGR, U-BioMAG, and U-BioSID systems, respectively. Analysis of the samples by U L(III) extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) indicated that despite a stoichiometric excess of Fe(II), no more than 6% of U(VI) was reduced to U(IV) in the U-BioSID system, and no more than 22% of U(VI) was reduced in the U-BioMAG system. For comparison, in the U-BioGR system, >99% of U(VI) was reduced to U(IV). Uptake of U(VI) by BioGR and BioMAG was accompanied by formation of nanoparticulate uraninite. The U EXAFS data for the U-BioSID system were consistent with partial U(VI)/U(IV) substitution for Fe(II) in the surface layer of siderite particles and adsorption of U(IV).
Localization of overexpressed c-myc mRNA in polycystic kidneys of the cpk mouse.

Localization of overexpressed c- myc mRNA in polycystic kidneys of the cpk mouse. The C57BL/6J- cpk mouse has a form of autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease characterized by the rapid growth of large collecting duct cysts and the development of severe renal failure usually by three to four weeks of age. Previous studies had shown higher steady-state levels of proto-oncogene mRNA in these cystic kidneys. It is now shown using nuclear run-on transcription that the c- fos and c- myc proto-oncogenes are transcribed at higher rates in cystic kidneys, and thus that increased transcription, in part, may account for the increased mRNA levels. c- myc mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization in nephron anlagen and elongating tubules of normal and cystic kidneys during late fetal and early neonatal kidney development. Localization of c- myc expression in the normal kidney decreased with age over the three-week postnatal period. By contrast, c- myc mRNA was found in cysts as early as three days of age, with increased levels at two and three weeks, c- myc expression was also elevated in apparently normal, non-dividing proximal tubules in three-week-old cystic animals. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that c- myc expression is linked to the proliferation of cells engaged in the primary cystogenic process, and that expression of this gene in proximal tubule cells of severely azotemic animals reflects the compensatory response of residual tubular epithelial cells to progressive renal dysfunction.
Estimating cloud water deposition to subalpine spruce-fir forests—I. Modifications to an existing model

Abstract A previously published steady-state model for computing cloud water deposition to a subalpine balsam fir ( Abies balsamea ) forest was modified for more generalized application to spruce-fir forests. One modification provided options for describing the cloud droplet size spectrum using observed relationships, in the vicinity of high elevation forests, between cloud liquid water content and the distribution of droplet size. Another modification implemented an optional experimental droplet collection efficiency parameterization scheme. This scheme computes collection efficiency for the most dense portion of a tree by treating it as a bulk collector rather than a multi-component (stems, branches, etc.) structure for which collection efficiency is determined by the individual collection efficiencies of its components. A study of model sensitivity to various physical parameterizations revealed that computations of gross cloud water flux to a canopy are most sensitive to canopy inhomogeneity, the relationship between cloud liquid water content and droplet size spectrum, and droplet collection efficiency. As expected, sensitivity test results also indicated that computed evaporation (and hence, the computed net cloud water flux) of intercepted cloud water from a canopy is strongly dependent on net radiation. The model modifications and sensitivity studies described here are the prelude to a test of the model described in a companion paper.
Pharmacodynamic Effects of Cangrelor on Platelet P2Y12 Receptor–Mediated Signaling in Prasugrel-Treated Patients

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro P2Y12 receptor inhibitory effects of cangrelor on platelets from patients on maintenance prasugrel therapy treated with 2 reloading dose regimens. Background Despite its more potent and rapid antiplatelet effects compared with clopidogrel, recent studies have shown variability in prasugrel-mediated P2Y12 receptor inhibition, particularly in high-risk settings. Cangrelor is a potent intravenous P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. Methods A total of 60 patients with coronary artery disease on maintenance prasugrel (10 mg/day) therapy were randomized to a 30- or 60-mg reload of prasugrel. The platelet reactivity index (PRI), as assessed by whole-blood vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, was measured with and without in vitro incubation of cangrelor (500 nM) at baseline, and at 1 and 4 h after reload. Results In the absence of cangrelor, prasugrel reloading reduced PRI (p Conclusions In patients on maintenance prasugrel therapy exposed to a reloading dose (30 or 60 mg) of prasugrel, in vitro cangrelor is associated with further platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitory effects.
GRAPHICAL CALCULATION METHOD FOR MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO IN AZEOTROPIC DISTILLATION

In an azeotropic distillation column, the rate of net flow and the composition of net flow for both stripping and rectifying sections can be calculated from the limiting conditions of the separation desired. The pinch points are dotted on the radial lines starting from the point of net flow composition by trial and error, and locus of the pinch points are traced on the triangular diagram by the way of connecting the pinch points. Each minimum reflux ratio of stripping and rectifying sections can be calculated from the quantitative ratio of vapor and liquid of the operating line passing the point of intersection of locus line and feed line, and the larger of the two values shall be defined as the minimum reflux ratio of the system. For example, we illustrate the graphical calculation method for AcOH-H2O-BuOAc system and AcOH-H2O-EtOAc system.
Interaction Between Elementary Particles. Part II

An elementary particle is considered as a mathematical point which under an invariant law of communication involving a universal length α establishes a primary potential in space-time. Due to the peculiar communication law, r 2-c 2 t 2+α2 = 0 or S 2 = 0, in contrast to the light signal law R2 = 0, the primary potential is without singularity at r= 0. It becomes the background of a regular electrodynamic or mesonic field and automatically yields a finite radius α to the charge distribution, with a density failing off as (α/r)5at larger distances. The potentials of different particles are additive so that all quantities obey the superposition law. The total force on the N th particle is produced under the same invariant communication law S = 0 by integration of the force density k N over the volume elements of the instantaneous rest system. K N is the resultant of mutual and self-forces, K N = S M K MN. Only retarded field interaction is admitted between different particles. The original production of the self-charge by the center and its force reaction on the center is derived from a heuristic scheme involving half-retarded, half-advanced potentials, as a substitute for the instantaneous reaction between the “parts” of a charge. In the dynamics of the particle a variable “acceleration mass” of field origin is added to the mechanical mass. An experimental determination of mass differences under various very high accelerations could reveal the unknown ratio between the field mass and the mechanical mass of a charged particle.
Functional ear (a)symmetry in brainstem neural activity relevant to encoding of voice pitch: A precursor for hemispheric specialization?

Pitch processing is lateralized to the right hemisphere; linguistic pitch is further mediated by left cortical areas. This experiment investigates whether ear asymmetries vary in brainstem representation of pitch depending on linguistic status. Brainstem frequency-following responses (FFRs) were elicited by monaural stimulation of the left and right ear of 15 native speakers of Mandarin Chinese using two synthetic speech stimuli that differ in linguistic status of tone. One represented a native lexical tone (Tone 2: T2); the other, T2', a nonnative variant in which the pitch contour was a mirror image of T2 with the same starting and ending frequencies. Two 40-ms portions of f(0) contours were selected in order to compare two regions (R1, early; R2 late) differing in pitch acceleration rate and perceptual saliency. In R2, linguistic status effects revealed that T2 exhibited a larger degree of FFR rightward ear asymmetry as reflected in f(0) amplitude relative to T2'. Relative to midline (ear asymmetry=0), the only ear asymmetry reaching significance was that favoring left ear stimulation elicited by T2'. By left- and right-ear stimulation separately, FFRs elicited by T2 were larger than T2' in the right ear only. Within T2', FFRs elicited by the earlier region were larger than the later in both ears. Within T2, no significant differences in FFRS were observed between regions in either ear. Collectively, these findings support the idea that origins of cortical processing preferences for perceptually-salient portions of pitch are rooted in early, preattentive stages of processing in the brainstem.
PLAID: a public dataset of high-resoultion electrical appliance measurements for load identification research: demo abstract

We introduce the Plug-Level Appliance Identification Dataset (PLAID), a public and crowd-sourced dataset for load identification research consisting of short voltage and current measurements (in the order of a few seconds) for different residential appliances. The goal of PLAID is to provide a public library for high-resolution appliance measurements that can be integrated into existing or novel appliance identification algorithms. PLAID currently contains measurements for more than 200 different appliance instances, representing 11 appliance classes, and totaling more than a thousand records. In this demo we summarize the existing dataset, demonstrate how new records can be added to the library using a web interface and, finally, walk through a live example of how the library can be integrated into an existing non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) algorithm framework.
Spatial Learning and Computer Simulations in Science

Interactive simulations are entering mainstream science education. Their effects on cognition and learning are often framed by the legacy of information processing, which emphasized amodal problem solving and conceptual organization. In contrast, this paper reviews simulations from the vantage of research on perception and spatial learning, because most simulations take a spatial format and the pedagogical intent is to promote learning. Four learning effects help clarify the positive and negative aspects of current simulation designs: picture superiority, noticing, structuring, and tuning.
A hybrid approach for Mechatronics instruction at the University of Tulsa

Mechatronics instruction has evolved into two paradigms: a high-level paradigm and a low-level paradigm. The high-level paradigm concentrates on PC-based (or other workstation-based) instruction using high-level programming languages like C, C++, PASCAL, or BASIC. The low-level paradigm concentrates on board-level microcontroller (typically the Motorola 68HC11 or the Intel 8031)-based instruction and emphasizes the use of assembly or machine language. The various advantages and disadvantages of each paradigm are currently being explored by the Mechatronics education community. Both paradigms are illustrated by examples drawn from the current Mechatronics literature. Classes taught in the Mechanical Engineering program at The University of Tulsa have explored both paradigms. Different classes have been offered using high-level and low-level paradigms. Lessons are drawn from the practical experiences gleaned from these classes. A mixed-level paradigm class, currently under development, is described as a possible combination of the best qualities offered by the high-level and low-level paradigms.
Initial ecosystem restoration in the highly erodible Kisatchie Sandstone Hills

Restoration of the unique and diverse habitats of the Kisatchie Sandstone Hills requires the re-introduction of fire to reduce fuel accumulation and promote herbaceous vegetation, but some soils in the area are extremely erodible, and past fires have resulted in high erosion rates. Overstory and understory vegetation, downed woody fuels, and other stand attributes were measured on sites that received either no management or two prescribed burns after >20 years of fire exclusion. The two burns (one dormant season and one growing season) reduced the live fuel-load (understory biomass) and forest floor (litter and duff mass) by 90 and 71%, respectively, but did not change the downed woody fuel load. Understory plant diversity was not affected by burning, but burning stimu- lated both colonization and sprouting for most plant species. Habitat for Picoides borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpecker) was improved; understory plant height was reduced by 2 m, and herbaceous vegetation was found in 40% of the areas sampled in the burned sites but it was found in only 6.7% of the reference (unburned) sites. Erosion risk was still elevated due to the sparse vegetative cover on the forest floor. Future management should consider erosion prevention, and plan the timing and intensity of additional burns to maximize plant cover on the forest floor and to improve the habitat by converting the woody under- story to an herbaceous understory.
Quantitative analysis of neutral and acidic sugars in whole bacterial cell hydrolysates using high-performance anion-exchange liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract A procedure for analysis of a mixture of neutral and acidic sugars in bacterial whole cell hydrolysates using high-performance anion-exchange liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPAEC–ESI–MS–MS) is described. Certain bacteria (including bacilli), grown under phosphate-limited conditions, switch from producing a teichoic acid (containing ribitol) to a teichuronic acid (characterized by glucuronic acid content). Bacterial cells were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid to release sugar monomers. The solution was neutralized by extraction with an organic base. Hydrophobic and cationic contaminants (including amino acids) were removed using C18 and SCX columns, respectively. HPAEC is well established as a high-resolution chromatographic technique, in conjunction with a pulsed amperometric detector. Alternatively, for more selective detection, sugars (as M−H− ions) were monitored using ESI–MS. In HPAEC, the mobile phase contains sodium hydroxide and sodium acetate, which are necessary for chromatographic separation of mixtures of neutral and acidic sugars. Elimination of this high ionic content prior to entry into the ESI ion source is vital to avoid compromising sensitivity. This was accomplished using an on-line suppressor and decreasing post-column flow-rates from 1 ml to 50 μl/min. In the selected ion monitoring mode, background (from the complex sample matrix as well as the mobile phase) was eliminated, simplifying chromatograms. Sugar identification was achieved by MS–MS using collision-induced dissociation.
View-dependent progressive mesh coding for graphic streaming

A view-dependent progressive mesh (VDPM) coding algorithm is proposed in this research to facilitate interactive 3D graphics streaming and browsing. The proposed algorithm splits a 3D graphics model into several partitions, progressively compresses each partition, and reorganizes topological and geometrical data to enable the transmission of visible parts with a higher priority. With the real-time streaming protocol (RTSP), the server is informed of the viewing parameters before transmission. Then, the server can adaptively transmit visible parts in detail, while cutting off invisible parts. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm reduces the required transmission bandwidth, and exhibits acceptable visual quality even at low bit rates.
Neutral particle transport in plasmas

Abstract A kinetic theory description of neutral hydrogen transport in a hydrogen plasma halfspace is discussed. It is shown that singular eigenfunctions can be obtained for a large class of plasma temperature profiles. A singular integral equation is obtained for the surface neutral distribution, and the F-N collocation scheme is used as a solution method for this equation. An approximate solution method of the kinetic equation is given in terms of a truncated Hermite polynomial expansion in the velocity variable.
Passing of the Last of the Three Who Established 14C Dating: A Historical Footnote

Ernest Anderson, the last of the three scientists responsible for the initial research establishing the validity of the radiocarbon dating method at the University of Chicago in the late 1940s, has died. From early 1947 to the end of 1949, Anderson and James Arnold joined with Willard Libby to undertake three critical experiments, employing what one of them called a “procedure developed in hell” (solid carbon decay counting). They laid the foundation of what has developed over more than 6 decades into the “gold standard” for the chronometric dating of the most recent phases of the technological and cultural evolution of anatomically modern human societies, the geology of the terminal Pleistocene and Holocene, critical events in the history of the Earth’s climate over the last 50,000 yr, and a range of other scientific and historical applications. DOI: 10.2458/56.17978
Natural killer cell immunotherapy for cancer: a new hope.

Recently there has been a substantial gain in our understanding of the role NK-cells play in mediating innate host immune responses. Although NK cells have long been known to mediate antigen independent tumor cytotoxity, the therapeutic potential of NK cell-based immunotherapy has yet to be realized. Manipulating the balance between inhibitory and activating NK receptor signals, sensitization of tumor target cells to NK cell-mediated apoptosis, and recent discoveries in NK-cell receptor biology have fueled translational research that has led to clinical trials investigating a number of novel methods to potentiate NK cytotoxicity against human malignancies.
Nursing Practice Patterns: Timing of Insulin Administration and Glucose Monitoring in the Hospital

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe diabetes nursing practice patterns related to the timing of morning insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, and meal intake for patients w...
Atomic Physics with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. III. Oscillator Strengths for Neutral Carbon

High quality spectra of interstellar absorption from C I toward β1 Sco, ρ Oph A, and χ Oph were obtained with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph on HST. Many weak lines were detected within the observed wavelength intervals: 1150-1200 A for β1 Sco and 1250-1290 A for ρ Oph A and χ Oph. Curve-of-growth analyses were performed in order to extract accurate column densities and Doppler parameters from lines with precise laboratory-based f-values. These column densities and b-values were used to obtain a self-consistent set of f-values for all the observed C I lines. A particularly important constraint was the need to reproduce data for more than one line of sight. For about 50% of the lines, the derived f-values differ appreciably from the values quoted by Morton.
Diapause and polymorphism in California populations of Psylla pyricola (Homoptera: Psyllidae).

Pear psylla, Psylla pyricola Foerster, from Wynola, San Diego County, California (approximately lat 33°5'N), could be induced to enter diapause by exposure to photoperiod of 14 hr light and 10 hr dark; but pear psylla from Danville, Contra Costa County, California approximately lat 37°50'N), required a photoperiod of13.5 hr light and 10.5 hr dark when both were reared identical temperatures. Females that entered diapausehad long forewings; females that did not enter diapause were short to long winged, and no females with short forewings entered diapause. At 16 and 27°C, the critical photoperiod for induction of diapause in females from Wynola differed only slightly. Females did not enter diapause when they were not exposed to the critical photoperiod until they had reached the 5th instar. Females from populations collected from several locations in California, north of Wynola, had similar mean lengths of forewing when reared under a 14.5-hr daily photoperiod. For males, the mean forewing lengths also were similar, but the forewings of males were always shorter than those of females. However, under the same rearing conditions, females and males from the Wynola population always had longer forewings than those from northern populations. In the field, during summer, mean length of the forewings increased much sooner at Wynola than at other locations. The difference may relate to the origin of the Wynola population.
Characterization of small molecule binding. I. Accurate identification of strong inhibitors in virtual screening.

Accurately ranking docking poses remains a great challenge in computer-aided drug design. In this study, we present an integrated approach called MIEC-SVM that combines structure modeling and statistical learning to characterize protein–ligand binding based on the complex structure generated from docking. Using the HIV-1 protease as a model system, we showed that MIEC-SVM can successfully rank the docking poses and consistently outperformed the state-of-art scoring functions when the true positives only account for 1% or 0.5% of all the compounds under consideration. More excitingly, we found that MIEC-SVM can achieve a significant enrichment in virtual screening even when trained on a set of known inhibitors as small as 50, especially when enhanced by a model average approach. Given these features of MIEC-SVM, we believe it provides a powerful tool for searching for and designing new drugs.