cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Have Adirondack Stream Fish Populations Changed in Response to Decreases in Sulfate Deposition

Abstract Fish populations in 36 Adirondack headwater streams were surveyed by electrofishing in fall 1979 and 1999; water chemistry samples were collected during spring 1980 and 2000. The surveys were designed to evaluate impacts of acidity on stream fish populations and also to document any changes that had occurred between the two studies. The acid-neutralizing capacity and pH of the streams were not significantly different between 1980 and 2000, although in a different grouping of 37 Adirondack streams, calcium levels were significantly lower in spring 2000 than in spring 1982. More fish and fish species were collected in 1999 than 1979. However, because changes occurred in streams with relatively high pH (>6.0) as well as in low-pH streams, increases in fish caught may have been partly the result of improved electrofishing efficiency in 1999. In both 1999 and 1979, streams with spring pH less than 5.0 supported fewer fish, fewer salmonids, and fewer fish species than streams with higher pH. No young-o...
Desistance from problematic alcohol use without treatment among active heroin and cocaine users

Previous literature has examined natural remission rates from problematic drinking in the general population, but not in heroin and cocaine users. This study is a cross-sectional, retrospective study of the baseline data from the Baltimore site of the NEURO-HIV Epidemiologic Study focusing on self-reported substance use. It is one of the first efforts to identify levels of drinking severity and natural recovery in this population and explores possible rationales for the differences between conditions from non-clinical samples. The sample consisted of 338 participants who reported active heroin and/or cocaine use and having had a period in their lives when they engaged in problematic drinking behavior. Active heroin and cocaine users were divided into three groups based on current levels of alcohol use: abstainers, moderate, and problematic alcohol users. In this study, 69.2% of current heroin and/or cocaine users reported that at one time in their lives they engaged in problematic drinking behavior, but c...
Radiation entropy flux and entropy production of the Earth system

[1] The study of the Earth's radiation entropy flux at the top of the atmosphere is reviewed with an emphasis on its estimation methods. Existing expressions for calculating radiation entropy flux scattered in different disciplines are surveyed, and their applicabilities are examined. It is found that the Earth's net radiation entropy flux estimated from these various expressions can differ substantially, more than the typical value of the entropy production rate associated with the atmospheric latent heat process. Comparison analysis shows that the commonly used expression of radiation entropy flux as the ratio of radiation energy flux to absolute temperature underestimates the Earth's radiation entropy flux by >30%. Theoretical analysis reveals that the large difference in the Earth's reflected solar radiation entropy flux among the different expressions arises mainly from the difference of the Earth's reflection properties (i.e., Lambertian or specular) assumed in these expressions. For the Earth system with typical shortwave albedo of 0.30 and longwave emissivity between 0.50 and 1.00, the Earth's net radiation entropy flux derived from the most accurate Planck's spectral expression ranges from 1.272 to 1.284 W m−2 K−1, amounting to the overall Earth's entropy production rate from 6.481 × 1014 to 6.547 × 1014 W K−1.
A Bayesian framework for automatic concept discovery in image collections

This paper develops a Bayesian framework for automatic hidden semantic concept discovery to address effective semantics-intensive content-based image retrieval. Each image in the database is segmented to regions associated with homogenous color, texture, and shape features. By employing self-organization map learning, a uniform and sparse region-based representation is obtained. With this representation a probabilistic model based on the statistical-hidden-class assumptions of the image database is developed, to which expectation-maximization technique is applied to analyze semantic concepts hidden in the database. An elaborated retrieval algorithm is designed to support the probabilistic model. The semantic similarity is measured through integrating the posterior probabilities of the transformed query image, as well as a constructed negative vector, to the discovered semantic concepts. The proposed approach has a solid statistical foundation and the experimental evaluations on a database of 10,000 general-purposed images demonstrate its promise of the retrieval effectiveness.
Synthesis of various glycosides of 2-amino-3-O-D-1-carboxyethyl)-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (muramic acid)

Abstract Methyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α- D -glucopyranoside, and methyl, benzyl, and p-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β- D -glucopyranoside were condensed with DL -2-chloropropionic acid to give, in preponderant yields (64, 46, 68, and 25%, respectively), the respective 3-O-( D -1-carboxyethyl) derivatives, separated as their methyl esters. Only from the condensation of the methyl α- D -glucoside was the separation of a significant proportion (11% yield) of the 3-O-( L -1-carboxyethyl) derivative achieved. Acetolysis of methyl 2-acetamido-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-[( D -1-methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-α- D -glucopyranoside gave an oxazoline; this was treated with hydrobromic acid in acetic acid, and then with silver oxide and methanol, to give a methyl β- D -glucoside derivative identical with that obtained from methyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β- D -glucopyranoside. Benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-3-O-[ D -1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-β- D -glucopyranoside was also obtained by condensation with pure L -chloropropionic acid. Benzyl and p-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-3-O-( D -1-carboxyethyl)-2-deoxy-β- D -glucopyranoside were resistant to the action of egg-white lysozyme.
A generalized transition network representation for interactive systems

A general method for describing the behavior of an interactive system is presented which is based on transition networks generalized enough to describe even very complex systems easily, as shown by an example description of a word processor. The key feature is the ability to easily describe hierarchies of modes or states of the system. The representation system is especially valuable as a design tool when used in a simulation of a proposed user interface.In order to characterize the interaction between a user and a system, an explicit and formal representation of the behavior of the system itself is needed. To be of value in the design of user interfaces, the representation should be independent of the actual implementation of the system, but also reflect the structural properties of the system's behavior, such as its hierarchical form, the possible modes, and the consistent patterns of interaction. At the same time, the representation must be easy to define and understand. This paper presents a representation notation with these properties.
Isotherms for hydrogen adsorption on platinum electrodes in sulfuric acid solution

Abstract The applicability of a Langmuir type isotherm and of a Frumkin type isotherm to each of the different regions of hydrogen adsorption on smooth platinum in 1 N H2SO4 was tested between 0° and 70° by comparing experimental and computed current-potential curves at anodic potentials in the region of hydrogen adsorption. The values of the parameters used in the computation were taken from the experimental data. While the Langmuir isotherm yields acceptable results only for T 50° is interpreted as a tendency to hydride formation.
Ligand receptor interactions in the WNT signaling pathway in drosophila

Secreted Wnt proteins have numerous signaling functions during development, mediated by Frizzled molecules that act as Wnt receptors on the cell surface. In the genome ofDrosophila, seven Wnt genes (includingwingless; wg), and five frizzledgenes have been identified. Relatively little is known about signaling and binding specificities of different Wnt and Frizzled proteins. We have developed an assay to determine the strength of binding between membrane-tethered Wnts and ligand binding domains of the Frizzled receptors. We found a wide spectrum of binding affinities, reflecting known genetic interactions. Most Wnt proteins can bind to multiple Frizzleds and vice versa, suggesting redundancy in vivo. In an extension of these experiments, we tested whether two different subdomains of the Wg protein would by themselves bind to Frizzled and generate a biological response. Whereas these two separate domains are secreted from cells, suggesting that they form independently folded parts of the protein, they were only able to evoke a response when co-transfected, indicating that both are required for function. In addition to the Frizzleds, members of the LRP family (represented by the arrow gene in Drosophila) are also necessary for Wnt signal transduction and have been postulated to act as co-receptors. We have therefore examined whether a soluble form of the Arrow molecule can bind to Wingless and Frizzled, but no interactions were detected.
War of the Worlds: History Versus the Law in Charles Wilkinson's American Indians, Time and the Law

At a recent conference of academics and practicing attorneys, both Indian and non-Indian, I witnessed an exchange that typifies the relationship between the worlds of historical research and lawyering. It also illuminates the critical reaction to Charles Wilkinson's pivotal new book, American Indians, Time and the Law. In a discussion of federal Indian policy, the historians and anthropologists present argued forcefully that contemporary tribal governments need more statutory protection. They warned that hostile interests threaten modern tribes and can only be deterred by tough new laws. The lawyers present were polite but unsympathetic. Laws, they explained, accomplish very little. They answered the academics with a call for better education and fresh supplies of accurate information. In short, they responded to requests for new laws with a call for more books. The incident revealed a perfectly mirrored skepticism in the two groups: lawyers doubted the law, academics doubted the word. Each side saw power in the other group's weapons. It was an illustration in miniature of the chasm that separates history and the law. Despite their many common interests, it should not be surprising that
Critical current densities of hot pressed YBa2Cu3O7−δAg thick film

Abstract Composite thick films of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (YBCO) containing 15wt% Ag have been prepared on partially stabilized zirconia substrates using screen printing and uniaxially pressured sintering. The increase of the sintering pressure decreases the electrical resistance in the normal conductive region and increases the critical current density in the superconductive region. The critical current density was 4.2×10 4 A/cm 2 at 50K. The YBCO grain size decreased as the sintering pressure increased, The c-axes of YBCO grains oriented preferentially in parallel to the pressure direction.
Enalapril and hydroxyurea therapy for children with sickle nephropathy

Proteinuria in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an early sign of sickle nephropathy, and portends the development of nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure. Enalapril has been shown to reduce proteinuria in adult patients with SCA, but the potential benefits of hydroxyurea in this clinical setting have not been reported. A single institution retrospective analysis was performed. Children with sickle nephropathy were identified, and the laboratory effects of enalapril and hydroxyurea therapy were evaluated in children with substantial proteinuria. Three children developed proteinuria at 8 ± 1 years of age. Pre-treatment laboratory studies included a low serum albumin (2.8 ± 0.8 g/dl) and a highly elevated urine protein/creatinine ratio (6.9 ± 3.7, normal <0.2). Enalapril treatment for 3.0 ± 1.3 years normalized serum albumin (3.9 ± 0.3 g/dl) without significant changes in serum potassium, serum creatinine, or systolic blood pressure. However, urine protein/creatinine remained elevated in the nephrotic range (1.6 ± 0.7). The addition of hydroxyurea therapy for 3.5 ± 1.2 years increased fetal hemoglobin levels (7.0 ± 3.6% to 21.0 ± 3.2%) and was associated with a near-normal urine protein/creatinine ratio (0.5 ± 0.1). Enalapril therapy for children with sickle nephropathy reduces urinary protein excretion and normalizes serum albumin. Hydroxyurea therapy may further normalize the urine protein/creatinine ratio. Combination therapy should be tested prospectively in children with sickle nephropathy. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Manual microdissection technique in a case of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma: a case report and review.

Demonstration of T-cell receptor gene monoclonality often plays an important role in the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma. When a test to detect monoclonality is performed on whole tissue sections, the presence of a reactive lymphocyte population may reduce sensitivity. This may be especially true for early or borderline cases of lymphoma. Microdissection techniques may be utilized to more readily identify a clonal population of lymphocytes. Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma represents a cutaneous lymphoid neoplasm whose clinical course may vary from an indolent, waxing and waning course to an aggressive course resulting in death. We report the first case of a microdissection technique used to facilitate diagnosing a case of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lympoma. Hoffman D, Chaffins M, Cankovic M, Maeda K, Meehan S. Manual microdissection technique in a case of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma: a case report and review.
Chronobiologic Considerations in Pharmacologic and Toxicologic Studies: Fact or Fancy:

Previous studies showing circadian variation in pharmacologic response to drugs in man and experimental animals have been reviewed. The chronobiologic response is discussed in terms of the pharmacologic factors that determine drug action. The importance of internal markers in chronopharmacologic studies is emphasized and is illustrated by our studies with the antihypersive drugs. Identification of chronobiologic variations in the therapeutic and toxic response to drugs, when present, along with an understanding of their mechanisms, would permit the design of optimal therapeutic regimens for these drugs.
Contractile properties of enteric smooth muscle after small bowel transplantation in rats

BACKGROUND : The effects of small bowel transplantation (SBTx) on the function of enteric smooth muscle are not understood. PURPOSE : To study the contractile properties of enteric smooth muscle after SBTx in rats. METHODS : Five groups of inbred Lewis rats (n ≥8 each group) were studied : unoperated, naive controls ; operated controls 1 week (OC1) and 8 weeks after intestinal transectionlreanastomosis of the proximal jejunum and distal ileum ; and 1 week (TX1) and 8 weeks (TX8) after syngeneic orthotopic SBTx. Contractile activity of circular muscle strips of jejunum was evaluated in tissue chambers. Spontaneous contractile activity (force per wet weight tissue) increased in TX1, TX8, and OC1 rats (P <0.01). Frequency of contractions doubled in OC1 rats (P ≤0.001) but was unchanged in the other groups. In the presence of nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) blockade, spontaneous contractile activity increased in TX1 and OC1 (P <0.005) without a change in frequency of contractions. Inhibition of neural activity with tetrodotoxoin increased amplitude and frequency in all groups. Bethanechol (3 x 10 -6 to 3 x 10 -4 mol/L) increased, and norepinephrine (1 x 10 -6 to 1 x 10 -4 mol/L) dose-dependently decreased the amplitude and frequency of contractions in all groups ; equi-effective concentrations, however, did not differ among groups. CONCLUSIONS : The increase in contractile activity after intestinal transection/reanastomosis is secondary to an increase in frequency of contractions and not amplitude. SBTx increases contractile amplitude of circular muscle due, in part, to downregulation of NANC nerves but not via muscarinic or adrenergic hypersensitivity. These alterations in enteric physiology of intestinal contractile activity may have important implications in clinical SBTx.
Street fight: The impact of a street sign campaign on voter turnout

Abstract Over the past two decades, there has been a resurgence in the use of field experimental methods to examine the impact of a range of get-out-the-vote tactics (Green and Gerber, 2008), continuing a tradition that dates as far back as Gosnell (1927). Scholars have investigated the impact of face-to-face canvassing, direct mail, phone calls, leafleting, and mass media (Green and Gerber, 2008), yet no field experiment of which we are aware has tested the impact of a street sign campaign on voter mobilization. This study reports the first randomized field experiment gauging the effects of a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote street sign campaign. The experiment we describe is essentially a matched-pair, cluster-randomized design conducted in the context of the November 2005 municipal elections in New York City. We identified 14 pairs of poll sites (voting locations) that were closely matched in terms of past voter turnout. One poll site in each pair was randomly assigned to be exposed to the treatment that encouraged voters to vote on the day before Election Day. The street sign intervention is found to produce higher turnout.
Development And Guidance Of A Mobile Robot With Object Avoidance Properties

In this work we had developed an autonomous mobile robot with capabilities of object avoidance as well as finding the minimum path among two dimensional polygonal objects. The mobile unit moves on wheels and it can be controlled by the main control software loaded to the machine. A remote controller activates and stops the operation of the main controller. The vehicle can find its way among static polygonal objects with the help of a vision sensor. The main controller is responsible from the execution of the main navigation software as well as commanding the driving circuits for motors of wheels and the vision system. The vision system consists of a microdigital camera used as the vision sensor for object detection. There is a stepper motor which aligns the camera on the direction of motion along the path of the mobile robot. The software package consists of a main navigation program which is written in C language and functional subroutines which are written in Assembly for fast execution and easy access to hardware control. The autonomous mobile robot is a self guiding unit and it does not need teleoperators or other guidance units.
The relative stability of selected herpes simplex virus type 1 mRNAs

Abstract The relative stability of herpes simplex virus type 1 mRNAs was investigated by examination of the decay rates of selected viral transcripts. The synthesis of mRNA was inhibited by the addition of dactinomycin to HSV-1 infected cells, and the abundance of individual transcripts was determined at subsequent times by RNA blot hybridization. For two immediate-early mRNAs, those encoding the 110 and 63 kilodalton immediate-early proteins, RNA synthesis was inhibited at 3 h post-infection and mRNA half-lives of 5–7 h were found. Examination at 5 h post-infection of the early mRNA encoding thymidine kinase as well as the late mRNA encoding glycoprotein H revealed half-lives of 8–11 h. In contrast, at 12 h post-infection, the late mRNAs encoding the glycoproteins C, E, as well as H were found to have half-lives of 14–29 h. These findings suggest that the relative stability of viral mRNA increases late in infection and is dependent upon the time after infection rather than being strictly a property of the mRNA itself.
Modeling GHG emissions and carbon sequestration in Swiss agriculture: An integrated economic approach

Abstract For the economic evaluation of soil carbon sequestration and GHG mitigation in Swiss agriculture, we developed the Swiss INTegrated AGricultural ALlocation model (S_INTAGRAL). This is a recursive-dynamic linear optimization model which maximizes the aggregate annual income (labor income plus land rents) of Swiss agriculture under consideration of various constraints and dynamic properties of the system. It provides an analytical tool for economic analyses of GHG abatement strategies in the agricultural sector and to assess marginal GHG abatement costs. The model includes the most important activities of Swiss agriculture with regard to revenue, land use, livestock production and GHG emissions. It is divided into three major production zones (plains, hills and mountain area) and consists of the three production modules “livestock”, “grassland” and “cropland” that are integrated through the forage–manure cycle. With this integrated and recursive-dynamic formulation, the model does not have the extreme behavior which is characteristic for linear programming models. It provides an analytical tool for the assessment of future GHG emissions and mitigation costs from an agricultural system perspective.
A comparison of brittle deformation models for the Gorda plate

Abstract The Gorda plate is an actively deforming subplate of the Juan de Fuca system, located off the west coast of North America. The site of intense seismicity and unusually curved magnetic lineations, the Gorda has defied rigorous explanation since it was originally mapped in 1961. A variety of models for its deformation mechanism have been proposed, two of which are analyzed in depth here. The right-lateral shear and flexural-slip models are compared using constraints imposed by geometry, seismicity, stress, and basement fabric. Also examined are the questions of convergent motion between the Pacific and Gorda plates at the Mendocino Transform Fault and shortening by means of pure shear of the magnetic lineations. While both deformation models fit most of the constraints, neither fits all, but the flexural-slip model best fits the most well-known of the constraints. If, in fact, flexural-slip is the preferred deformation mechanism, lineation shortening must be ruled out in favor of convergent motion.
Petrographic variation in the Springfield (No. 9) coal in Western Kentucky

Abstract The Springfield (Western Kentucky No. 9) coal of the Carbondale Formation (Middle Pennsylvanian) in the Western Kentucky Coal Field of the Illinois Basin was sampled in eleven mines from one to three channels of three equal benches. The rank of the coal is high-volatile C bituminous in the Moorman Syncline and in the Henderson Basin and high-volatile B bituminous in the Webster Syncline. The percentage of total vitrinite macerals and of total vitrinite plus liptinite was found to decrease significantly from the bottom bench through to the top bench. In a comparison of the sources of variation within the set of maceral data it was found that the only significant variation in the vitrinite and vitrinite plus liptinite percentages was between the benches. Both the rank of the coal and the maceral percentages are varying in a predictable manner.
Topographic influence on overflow dynamics: Idealized numerical simulations and the Faroe Bank Channel overflow

[1] Properties of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) depend on mixing that occurs in the Denmark Strait (DS) and the Faroe Bank Channel (FBC) overflow regions. How the sill's topography in those regions may affect mixing processes and downstream variability is thus investigated using a high-resolution terrain-following ocean model. Model results agree with observations that show enhanced mixing and entrainment downstream from the sill; however, mixing seems to occur over a longer distance downstream from the FBC sill and more abruptly downstream from the DS sill. Sensitivity experiments with various FBC sill widths demonstrate that the narrow sill is responsible for the enhanced mixing. The downstream flow variability, eddy propagation, and deep water properties are affected by sill width and background stratification. Similar to the laboratory overflow experiments of Cenedese et al. (2004), three distinct mixing regimes (characterized by the Froude number) are identified in the FBC simulations: a steady subcritical flow regime upstream from the sill, a supercritical wave-like flow regime downstream from the sill, and an irregular eddy-dominated regime farther away from the sill. Satellite altimeter data near the FBC show cyclonic anomalies propagating along the northern slope of the channel, resembling the surface eddies associated with the overflow variability in the model. A cross-channel circulation over the FBC sill, driven by frictional bottom boundary layers, resulted in convergence/divergence zones near the southern/northern slopes and pinching/spreading of isotherms across the channel, similar to the observation-based mechanism proposed by Johnson and Sanford (1992).
Biological Rhythms and the Timing of Death

Factors affecting the timing of death have long been of interest to both scholars and laypersons. Within the last several decades there has been a proliferation of research in the area of biological rhythms associated with death. In this paper biological rhythms are considered in both the rigorous chronobiological and the popularized biorhythmic senses. Current literature shows strong evidence that rhythms with biological bases are a determinant of deaths, though the mechanisms underlying such rhythms remain a mystery. Implications of the information and needs for research of a cross-disciplinary nature are discussed. The study of biological rhythms is seen as holding much promise for insights into the desire of humans to understand and control the timing of death.
Community and organizational awareness of and preparedness for acute chemical emergencies

Abstract An open system model is used to analyze field data from a study of organizational and community preparedness for acute chemical emergencies. In particular, findings are presented on perceptions of threat, social climate and social or interorganizational linkages. It is shown that the awareness of a need for preparedness is not translated into preparedness activities and practices unless there are supportive social factors or conditions.
Oligomeric structure and the anion transport function of human erythrocyte band 3 protein

Evidence from many laboratories using several different techniques strongly suggests that, in the intact red cell, band 3 exists as dimers which can associate with other dimers to form tetramers. The kinetics of anion transport inhibition by stilbenedisulfonates indicate that irreversible inhibition of one subunit does not detectably affect anion transport by the other subunit. This does not imply that monomeric band 3 could necessarily transport anions; the native conformation of each subunit may require stabilizing interactions with another subunit, as indicated by the recent work of Boodhoo and Reithmeier [10]. A more detailed understanding of the structure of the band 3 dimer/tetramer will require information on which specific segments of the primary structure are involved in subunit-subunit contact. The combination of chemical cross-linking with proteolysis [136] is a promising approach to this problem.
Surgical Treatment of the Cardiac Manifestations of Relapsing Polychondritis: Overview of 33 Patients Identified Through Literature Review and the Mayo Clinic Records

OBJECTIVES To analyze the cardiac findings that necessitate surgery in patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP) and to compare our results to cases in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic overview of the literature was completed with the addition of cases of RP from the Mayo patient population that necessitated cardiac surgery. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were identified (25 from the literature and 8 from the Mayo patient population). Nine patients (27%) were female, 22 (67%) were male, and sex was not stated for 2 patients (6%). The patient age ranged from 17 to 69 years (mean ± SD, 42.5±15.7 years). At operation, 30 patients (91%) had aortic regurgitation, 21 (64%) had aortic root disease, and 13 (39%) had mitral regurgitation. The most common surgical procedure performed was aortic valve replacement in 12 patients (36%). The most common complications were death in 12 patients (36%) and prosthetic valve dehiscence in 4 patients (12%). CONCLUSIONS Cardiac involvement is more prominent in the male population and requires more invasive procedures. Aortic valve replacement with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta along with coronary artery ostial reimplantation should be considered in these patients. Postsurgical valvular complications include prosthetic dehiscence, paravalvular leakage, mediastinitis, and heart failure, and these complications are associated with postoperative corticosteroid therapy. Initiation of second-line immunosuppressive therapy should be substituted for corticosteroids after cardiac surgery.
Optimal multi-scale capacity planning for power-intensive continuous processes under time-sensitive electricity prices and demand uncertainty. Part II: Enhanced hybrid bi-level decomposition

Abstract We describe a hybrid bi-level decomposition scheme that addresses the challenge of solving a large-scale two-stage stochastic programming problem with mixed-integer recourse, which results from a multi-scale capacity planning problem as described in Part I of this paper series. The decomposition scheme combines bi-level decomposition with Benders decomposition, and relies on additional strengthening cuts from a Lagrangean-type relaxation and subset-type cuts from structure in the linking constraints between investment and operational variables. The application of the scheme with a parallel implementation to an industrial case study reduces the computational time by two orders of magnitude when compared with the time required for the solution of the full-space model.
High frequency microbubble-switched oscillations modulated by microfluidic transistors

Creating high frequency two-phase oscillations (HF-TPOs) remains an important goal in advancing microscale fluidic logic devices, micro-mixers, micro-actuators, and flow controls. However, thermally driven TPO frequency has been hindered by confinements of compressible vapor bubbles and low thermal diffusivity in microfluidic systems. In this study, a mechanism creating high frequency microbubbles growth/collapse cycle has been developed to achieve HF-TPOs. A “microfluidic transistor” was conceptualized and fabricated to passively sustain and modulate HF-TPOs. Three orders of magnitude higher TPO frequency has been achieved compared to TPOs reported in literatures under similar working conditions.
Remarkable similarities of peptide fingerprints of histone 2A and nonhistone chromosomal protein A24.

Protein A24 is of interest because of the rapid reduction in its content in hypertrophic liver nucleoli. Although its amino acid composition is similar to that of histone 2A, protein A24 has a higher molecular weight and a higher content of glutamic acid, threonine and proline. Inasmuch as the tryptic and chymotryptic peptide fingerprints of protein A24 contain almost all the peptides of the corresponding fingerprints of histone 2A, protein A24 may be either a unique protein composed in large part of amino acid sequences of histone 2A or a “prohistone” for histone 2A.
The Dynamics of Local Service Delivery Arrangements and the Role of Nonprofits

Abstract This article examines the relationship between “contract failure” (the bringing “in-house” of previously contracted services) and service characteristics. The connection between contract failure and nonprofit and for-profit status is also explored. The analyses are performed using International City/County Management Association data and three service typologies constructed by previous scholars. The findings indicate that: 1) contract failure is more common than anticipated, and is actually relatively more common than privatization; 2) while service characteristics are associated with the frequency of contract failure, the nexus is tenuous; 3) nonprofit entities are less prone to contract failure than their for-profit counterparts.
Discrimination Analysis when the Variates are Grouped and Observed in Sequential Order

Suppose that measurements Math', i = l,....,k, are consecutively taken on an individual at the prescribed costs Ci, i = l,....,k. the individual comes from one of the two populations H1 and H2, and it is desired to detect which population the individual belongs to. Given the loss incurreed in selecting population Hr when in fact it belongs to Hs, the prior probability Pr of Hr (r = 1,2), and assuming that Hr has the normal distribution N(µr, V), r = 1,2, we derive the sequential Bayesian solution of the discrimination problem when µ1, µ2 and V are known. When µr, V are unknown and must be estimated, we propose a solution which is asymptotic Bayesian with exponential convergence rate.
Studies on Chromium(0)-Mediated Three Component Cycloaddition Reactions

Abstract A novel chromium(0)-promoted three-component alkyne–triene higher-order cycloaddition process is presented. The transformation features tethered alkynes participating in a tandem [6π+2π], [6π+2π] cycloaddition event with cyclic trienes serving as the third reactant. Isomerically homogeneous products possessing five rings and six stereogenic centers are isolated from this reaction in good to excellent yield.
Costs of landscape silviculture for fire and habitat management

Abstract In forest reserves of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, management objectives include protecting late-seral habitat structure by reducing the threat of large-scale disturbances like wildfire. We simulated how altering within- and among-stand structure with silvicultural treatments of differing intensity affected late-seral forest (LSF) structure and fire threat (FT) reduction over 30 years in a 6070-ha reserve. We then evaluated how different financial requirements influenced the treatment mix selected for each decade, the associated effects on FT reduction and LSF structure in the reserve, and treatment costs. Requirements for treatments to earn money (NPV+), break even (NPV0), or to not meet any financial goal at the scale of the entire reserve (landscape) affected the predicted reduction of FT and the total area of LSF structure in different ways. With or without a requirement to break even, treatments accomplished about the same landscape level of FT reduction and LSF structure. Although treatment effects were similar, their associated net revenues ranged from negative $1 million to positive $3000 over 30 years. In contrast, a requirement for landscape treatments to earn money ($0.5 to $1.5 million NPV) over the same period had a negative effect on FT reduction and carried a cost in terms of both FT reduction and LSF structure. Results suggest that the spatial scale at which silvicultural treatments were evaluated was influential because the lowest cost to the reserve objectives was accomplished by a mix of treatments that earned or lost money at the stand level but that collectively broke even at the landscape scale. Results also indicate that the timeframe over which treatments were evaluated was important because if breaking even was required within each decade instead of cumulatively over all three, the cost in terms of FT reduction and LSF structure was similar to requiring landscape treatments to earn $0.5 million NPV.
Incident long-term warfarin use and risk of osteoporotic fractures: propensity-score matched cohort of elders with new onset atrial fibrillation

Association between warfarin use and fracture risk is unclear. We examined the association between long-term warfarin use and fracture risk at the hip, spine, and wrist in elders. No significant association was found between long-term warfarin use and fracture risk, despite biological plausibility. Prior studies examining the association of warfarin use and osteoporotic fractures have been conflicting, potentially related to methodological limitations. Thus, we examined the association of long-term warfarin use with risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures among older adults with atrial fibrillation, attempting to address prior methodologic challenges. We included men and women ≥65 years of age with incident atrial fibrillation and without prior history of fractures from The Health Improvement Network followed between 2000 and 2010. Long-term warfarin use was defined in two ways: (1) warfarin use ≥1 year; (2) warfarin use ≥3 years. Propensity-score matched cohorts of warfarin users and nonusers were created to evaluate the association between long-term warfarin use and risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures separately as well as combined, using Cox-proportional hazards regression models. Among >20,000 participants with incident atrial fibrillation, the hazard ratios (HR) for hip fracture with warfarin use ≥1 and ≥3 years, respectively, were 1.08 (95%CI 0.87, 1.35) and 1.13 (95 % CI 0.84, 1.50). Similarly, no significant associations were observed between long-term warfarin use and risk of spine or wrist fracture. When risk of any fracture was assessed with warfarin use, no association was found [HR for warfarin use ≥1 year 0.92 (95%CI 0.77, 1.10); HR for warfarin use ≥3 years 1.12 (95%CI 0.88, 1.43)]. Long-term warfarin use among elders with atrial fibrillation was not associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and therefore does not appear to necessitate additional surveillance or prophylaxis.
Impact of temperature on drinking water biofilter performance and microbial community structure

Seasonal changes in removal of natural organic matter (NOM) by drinking water biofilters are often attributed to temperature differences. Bench-scale sand biofilters treating NOM isolated from a surface water source were operated in parallel at 5, 20, and 35 °C to isolate the effect of temperature from other water quality and operational parameters, which also vary seasonally. The biofilter operated at 5 °C achieved significantly lower removal of NOM and the NOM fraction that reacts with disinfectants (disinfection byproduct precursors) compared to the filters operated at 20 and 35 °C, which had similar performance levels. Viable biomass, measured as lipid phosphate, was significantly higher at the top and bottom of the filter operated at 20 °C. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles indicated an increasing gradient in markers for Gram-negative bacteria and microeukaryotes as biofilter operation temperature decreased, replacing general fatty acids and markers for Gram-positive bacteria and sulfate-reduci...
Thermo-economic analysis of steady state waste heat recovery in data centers using absorption refrigeration

This paper addresses the technical and economic issues associated with waste heat recovery in data centers through the use of absorption cooling machines. The theoretical possibility of utilizing the heat dissipated by a server, or a number of servers, to power an absorption system, which in turn produces cooling for other servers in the data center, is investigated. For this purpose, a steady-state thermodynamic model is developed to perform energy balance and exergy analyses for a novel configuration of an on-chip two-phase cooling system and an absorption refrigeration system. This combination is created by replacing the condenser in the on-chip cooling circuit with the generator of an absorption refrigeration cycle. The performance of the developed model in simulating both LiBr–water and water–ammonia absorption cooling systems is examined through verification of the model results against the reference data available in the literature. The verification indicates the superiority of LiBr–water absorption system for data center/server operating conditions. Therefore, a LiBr–water absorption refrigeration system is modeled in the novel combined heat recovery system. For these systems it is shown that the traditional definition for the coefficient of performance (COP) is not appropriate to evaluate the performance and, in its place, introduce a new figure of merit. Through a sensitivity analysis, the effects of server waste heat quality, server coolant type, solution peak concentration, solution heat exchanger effectiveness, evaporator temperature, and operating pressures on the performance of the novel system are investigated. Finally, using the thermodynamic model and cost information provided by the absorption refrigeration industry, an economic analysis is carried out to calculate the payback period when this technology is used for data center waste heat recovery.
Attenuated effect of chlorpromazine on conditioned avoidance as a function of rapid acquisition.

Four groups of rats were trained to avoid electric shock by responding to an initially neutral stimulus in four different test situations: 1) by turning a wheel in presence of a buzzer stimulus, 2) by turning a wheel in presence of a small light, 3) by crossing a hurdle in presence of a buzzer stimulus, and 4) by depressing a lever in presence of a tone stimulus. The facility with which the four groups acquired the conditioned avoidance response (CAR) corresponded to the order of their description above. It is postulated that what retards CAR acquisition is a competitive, conditioned crouching-freezing response. After training, all animals were tested under 1 and 2 mg/kg of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ). The degree of CAR inhibition under CPZ was a function of the acquisition history, the fastest learners being least affected. It is suggested that the additive effects of depressed arousal and disinhibition of crouching-freezing account for the differential effects of CPZ on the CAR.
Prediction of Aqueous Solubility for a Diverse Set of Heteroatom-Containing Organic Compounds Using a Quantitative Structure−Property Relationship

The primary goal of a quantitative structure−property relationship (QSPR) is to identify a set of structurally based numerical descriptors that can be mathematically linked to a property of interest. The types of descriptors fall into three categories: topological, electronic, and geometric. In this study, 140 organic compounds with diverse structures were split into a training set, a cross-validation set, and a prediction set. The training set was used to build multiple linear regression and computational neural network models, the cross-validation set was used to prevent overtraining of the neural network, and the prediction set was used to validate the mathematical models. A set of nine descriptors was found that effectively linked the aqueous solubility to each structure. However, the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) had a large root-mean-square (rms) error associated with them. Therefore models were also built using a training set that contained no PCBs. A set of nine descriptors was found with a si...
Chirp scaling algorithms for SAR processing

The chirp scaling SAR processing algorithm is both accurate and efficient. Successful implementation requires proper selection of the interval of output samples, which is a function of the chirp interval, signal sampling rate, and signal bandwidth. Analysis indicates that for both airborne and spaceborne SAR applications in the slant range domain a linear chirp scaling is sufficient. To perform nonlinear interpolation process such as to output ground range SAR images, one can use a nonlinear chirp scaling interpolator presented in this paper. >
LQR-type distributed linear iterative averaging strategies

A new LQR-type optimal distributed linear averaging (ODLA) problem is presented in this paper. This problem is motivated from the distributed averaging problem which arises in the context of distributed algorithms in computer science and coordination of groups of autonomous agents in engineering. The aim of the ODLA problem is to compute the average of the initial values at nodes of a graph through an LQR-type optimal distributed algorithm in which the nodes in the graph can only communicate with their neighbors. Optimality is given by a minimization problem of an LQR-type quadratic cost functional under finite horizon. We show that this problem has a very close relationship with the notion of semistability. By developing new necessary and sufficient conditions for semistability of linear discrete-time systems, we convert the original ODLA problem into two equivalent optimization problems. One of them is a convex optimization problem and can be solved by using semidefinite programming methods.
A highly interpretable form of Sugeno inference systems

We present a form of fuzzy inference systems (FISs) that is highly interpretable and easy to manipulate. The form is based on a judicious choice of membership functions that have strong locality and differentiability properties and on a modification of the Sugeno and generalized Sugeno forms of the consequent polynomials so as to make them rule centered. Under these conditions, the coefficients in the consequent polynomials can be exactly interpreted as Taylor series coefficients. Besides the intuitive interpretation thus bestowed on the coefficients, we show that the new form allows easy design, manipulation, testing, training, and combination of the resulting fuzzy inference systems. The rudiments of a calculus of fuzzy inference systems are then introduced.
Production dynamics of some arctic Chironomus larvae

Production and standing stock were determined for a two-species population of Chironomus larvae in a tundra pond near Barrow, Alaska, from 1975 through 1977. These larvae take 7 years from recruitment to adult emergence, and a multicohort population was always found. Cohort-specific values for standing stock and annual production were calculated from size and abundance data for seven cohorts found in each sample. Total standing stock ranged from 6.7 to 12.3 g·m−2 (dry wt), and total annual production values were 5.4, 3.6, and 3.4 g·m−2 in the 3 years. Low temporal variation in both standing stock and annual production results from the multicohort structure of the population. Life table methods were used to estimate a value of 4.5 g·m−2 for cohort production over a 7-year life cycle. Cohort P:B was 3.6, which is typical for Chironomus. Annual P:B values averaged only 0.49 because annual standing stock is about seven times greater than average cohort biomass over the life cycle, while annual production is comparable to cohort production.
A Review of DOE ECUT Tribology Surveys

Experts estimate that in 1978 over four quadrillion Btu of energy were lost in the United States because of simple friction and wear. The Energy Conversion and Utilization Technology Program (ECUT) in the U.S. Department of Energy commissioned six surveys from various experts in the field of tribology to learn about the causes of these energy losses and how to reduce them. The surveys included: 1) identification of typical tribology energy sinks in industry, 2) reduction of tribological losses in utilities and transportation, 3) tribological research needed for advanced heat engines, 4) energy conservation potential of new surface modifications, 5) identification of current tribology work sponsored by the government, and 6) an assessment of industrial research needs. A summary of the major findings of each survey is included in this paper.