cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new model for the anaerobic fermentation of glycerol in enteric bacteria: trunk and auxiliary pathways in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol in the Enterobacteriaceae family has long been considered a unique property of species that synthesize 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO). However, we have discovered that Escherichia coli can ferment glycerol in a 1,3-PDO-independent manner. We identified 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) as a fermentation product and established the pathway that mediates its synthesis as well as its role in the metabolism of glycerol. We also showed that the trunk pathway responsible for the conversion of glycerol into glycolytic intermediates is composed of two enzymes: a type II glycerol dehydrogenase (glyDH-II) and a dihydroxyacetone kinase (DHAK), the former of previously unknown physiological role. Based on our findings, we propose a new model for glycerol fermentation in enteric bacteria in which: (i) the production of 1,2-PDO provides a means to consume reducing equivalents generated in the synthesis of cell mass, thus facilitating redox balance, and (ii) the conversion of glycerol to ethanol, through a redox-balanced pathway, fulfills energy requirements by generating ATP via substrate-level phosphorylation. The activity of the formate hydrogen-lyase and F 0 F 1 -ATPase systems were also found to facilitate the fermentative metabolism of glycerol, and along with the ethanol and 1,2-PDO pathways, were considered auxiliary or enabling. We demonstrated that glycerol fermentation in E. coli was not previously observed due to the use of medium formulations and culture conditions that impair the aforementioned pathways. These include high concentrations of potassium and phosphate, low concentrations of glycerol, alkaline pH, and closed cultivation systems that promote the accumulation of hydrogen gas.
The Value of Genetic Traits in Purebred Dairy Bull Services

Considerable differences exist among prices for purebred dairy bull services. Much of this variation in prices can be explained by differences in heritable production and offspring physical traits. The specific values associated with individual heritable traits in dairy bull semen are estimated. A total performance index, a production transmitting ability type index, milk production, fat and protein content, production reliability, and certain udder and physical type traits were significant semen price determinants.
Soft Curd Character Induced in Milk by Intense Sonic Vibration

Summary Reduction in the curd tension of milk was accomplished by flowing the fluid in a thin layer over electromagnetically driven diaphragm sources of intense sonic vibration. A study was made of the curd reducing effectiveness of oscillators operating at 1100, 1200, 2160, 3000, 610, and 360 cycles as related to original curd tension of the milk, temperature, time of exposure (velocity of flow), acoustic energy output, and variations in the mechanical features of the apparatus. The percentage reduction in curd tension was greatest in hard curd (60 grams and more) milks. Final curd values approached a constant level in the soft curd range no matter what the original curd texture. No reduction in curd tension was obtained in milk treated below 18° C. and very little at temperatures below the melting point of butter fat. It was found that one of the oscillators (360 cycle) was most efficient when the milk flow was maintained at 250 gallons per hour. With a sound output of about 900 watts more than 50 per cent reduction was attained. With the 360 cycle oscillator the degree of reduction in curd tension was found to bear a direct linear relationship to the power input up to 2000 watts when the velocity was 250 gallons per hour. This represents an output of about 18 watts per one per cent decrease in tension. Other oscillators at different frequencies showed much the same effectiveness with equivalent outputs per unit volume of milk. Hence differences in frequency were found to be negligible within the range explored. A direct relationship was found to exist between degree of fat dispersion and degree of curd tension reduction. The increased number of fat particles was shown to influence curd texture by weakening the curd matrix and by providing increased adsorptive area on which protein was fixed. Since but a small proportion of the total fat in milk need be finely subdivided to reduce the curd tension, a method was devised for producing soft curd milk by vibration without impairing the final cream volume.
Kinetic theory for charge-exchange spectroscopy: Effects of magnetic and electric fields on the distribution function after charge-exchange

In plasmas equipped with neutral beam injection, excitation of atomic spectral lines via charge-exchange with neutral atoms is the basis of one of the standard plasma diagnostic techniques for ion density, temperature, and velocity. In order to properly interpret the spectroscopic results, one must consider the effects of the energy dependence of the charge-exchange cross-section as well as the motion of the ion after charge-exchange during the period when it is still in the excited state. This motion is affected by the electric and magnetic fields in the plasma. The present paper gives results for the velocity distribution function of the excited state ions and considers in detail the cross-section and ion motion effects on the post charge-exchange velocity. The expression for this velocity in terms of the charge-exchange cross-section and the pre charge-exchange velocity allows that latter velocity to be determined. The present paper is the first to consider the effect of the electric as well as the magnetic field and demonstrates that electric field and diamagnetic terms appear in the expression for the inferred velocity. The present formulation also leads to a novel technique for assessing the effect of the energy dependence of the charge-exchange cross-section on the inferred ion temperature.
Photoinduced superconductivity in semiconductors

We show that optically pumped semiconductors can exhibit superconductivity. We illustrate this phenomenon in the case of a two-band semiconductor tunnel-coupled to broad-band reservoirs and driven by a continuous wave laser. More realistically, we also show that superconductivity can be induced in a two-band semiconductor interacting with a broad-spectrum light source. We furthermore discuss the case of a three-band model in which the middle band replaces the broad-band reservoirs as the source of dissipation. In all three cases, we derive the simple conditions on the band structure, electron-electron interaction, and hybridization to the reservoirs that enable superconductivity. We compute the finite superconducting pairing and argue that the mechanism can be induced through both attractive and repulsive interactions and is robust to high temperatures.
Plantinga's transworld depravity: it's got possibilities

Pour echapper au dilemme de l'existence de Dieu incompatible avec l'existence du mal, Alvin Plantinga propose que Dieu ne pouvait pas creer un etre par essence imparfait et non expose au mal. Hugh LaFollette a conteste ce point de vue dans un article de l'Intern. J. Philos. Relig., 11, 1980, pp. 123-132. l'A. refute cet article et donne raison a Plantinga.
OGO satellite wake structure deduced from antenna impedance measurements

Abstract Measurements of the complex impedance of an 18-m monopole antenna at 2·5 MHz are used to study the electron densities in and out of the wake of a large spinning satellite in the Earth's upper ionosphere. Some spacecraft orientation information is also obtained from the impedance data. The ratios of the wake electron densities, averaged over the length of the antenna, to the unperturbed local densities are calculated for all angles of attack of the satellite. Electron density distributions along the antenna are derived.
Magnetic properties of MnAs thin films grown on GaAs (0 0 1) by MOVPE

Abstract The thickness dependence of the in-plane uniaxial anisotropy and coercive field of epitaxial MnAs thin films on GaAs (0 0 1) substrates has been determined from the magneto-optic Kerr effect. The metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy grown films are single α phase at room temperature with a B-type variant orientation. The coercive field of these films increases to a maximum for a film 35 nm thick and then decreases in thicker films. An increase in magnetic anisotropy field with increasing thickness is observed and is attributed to an increasing volume contribution to the anisotropy constant.
Five cases (three in siblings) of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism associated with moniliasis.

VERY little exact information is available on the etiology of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Since there are normally four parathyroid glands, the question arises as to what phathologic influence could exert itself in all four areas. A priori the loss of some trophic hormone, the presence of some circulating toxin with a specific affinity for parathyroid tissue, or the predilection on the part of the parathyroid glands for some infection (cf. adrenal glands and tuberculosis) might produce atrophy or destruction of all four glands. The authors know of on y two cases of undoubted idiopathic hypoparathyroidism to come to autopsy. As recorded in a previous paper from this clinic (1), the post mortem of a boy who died with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism showed complete aplasia of the epithelial cells of all four parathyroid glands with replacement by fat cells but with retention of the capsules. Cantarow, Stewart and Morgan (2) were unable to find parathyroid tissue in a patient with idiopathic hypoparathyroidi...
Behavioral changes in preweaning and adult rats exposed prenatally to low lonizing radiation

Seven behavioral tests were used to evaluate the postnatal behavior of rats after exposure on gestational Day 15 to 0, 25, 50, 75, or 125 r, whole body irradiation of the pregnant rat. Three tests were administered in the first 2 postnatal weeks (righting reflex, negative geotaxis, and reflex suspension); three tests were administered on postnatal Day 21 (modified open field, spatial maze, and continuous corridor). As adults, the rats were retested with the same tests as at 21 days and also in the running wheel. Dose-response decreases in body weight were greater in the younger rats. Some behavioral tests were not altered by irradiation, while others showed clear dose-response relationships, starting as low as 25 r. The early changes were characterized by light body weight, delays in behavioral development and hypoactivity, followed by recovery of some parameters with maturation. Eventually hyperactivity developed in adult rats after gestational irradiation. However, it cannot be concluded that either morphological or behavioral tests are more sensitive than neonatal body weight change for detection of damage from gestational irradiation.
Thorotrast and the liver--revisited.

AbstractBackground: Thorotrast, a radiological contrast medium that was widely used from 1928–1955 is a thorium dioxide colloid that has been neutralized and stabilized by colloid, composed of dextran. The major site of deposition is the reticuloendothelial system where it is retained for a long time. Case Reports: Complications occurring late after exposure to thorotrast are described in two patients. Results: One patients had angiosacoma of liver metastatic to bone and bone marrow failure after a 43 year latency period. The other patient had a thorotrast granuloma and angiosarcoma of the liver after 22 and 28 yare latency periods respectively. conclusions: Complications due to thorotrast appear to represent consequences of chronic alpha irradiation
Performance of an instrumental response under conditions of varying cutaneous afferent activity levels.

Abstract The nictitating membrane response was trained in rabbits by two methods: (a) an instrumental escape-avoidance paradigm, and (b) a yoked classical conditioning paradigm. Performance of the learned response was investigated under conditions of varying magnitude of cutaneous afferent activity (CAA) from the orbital region of the eye. CAA magnitude was controlled using mechanical and chemical means. A direct, monotonic relationship was observed between the magnitude of CAA and the performance of the learned nictitating membrane response in that low, medium, and high levels, of CAA produced low, medium, and high performance levels respectively. It was concluded that the general importance of the role of CAA in performance as well as learning was strengthened.
Non-Orthogonal Fusion Frames

Fusion frames have become a major tool in the implementation of distributed systems. The effectiveness of fusion frame applications in distributed systems is reflected in the efficiency of the end fusion process. This requires the inversion of the fusion frame operator which is difficult or impossible in practice. What we want is for the fusion frame operator to be the identity. But in most applications, especially to sensor networks, this almost never occurs. We will solve this problem by introducing the notion of non-orthogonal fusion frames which have the property that in most cases we can turn a family of subspaces of a Hilbert space into a non-orthogonal fusion frame which has a fusion frame operator which is the identity.
Natural analogues for radwaste disposal: Elemental migration in igneous contact zones

Abstract Chemical studies of various igneous rocks intrusive into many different rocks have been examined to see if elemental transfer has taken place. Systems examined include: granite intrusive into shale and siltstone; basalt intrusive into granodiorite, diorite, rhyolite and dolomite; diabase intrusive into rhyolite and extrusive over arkose; rhyolite extrusive over basalt; lamprophyre intrusive into evaporites; monzonite intrusive into tuff and andesite; and quartz monzonite intrusive into metasedimentary rocks. The mechanism for elemental transport in these systems is due in part to diffusion and in part to chemical reaction between intrusive and host rocks. Evidence for transport of elements from intrusive into intruded rocks is noted for several elements. In some cases, the distribution of some elements is mineralogically controlled, and variations in Co, Cr, REE's, Ni, Cu, Zr, Mn, Ti, Rb, Sr, U and Th can be attributed to more-or-less specific reactions. In a few contact zones, there has been limited migration of Cs, but usually only within 0.5-1.0 m of the igneous rock contact. Thermal effects of the igneous intrusions are to reset some mineral isotopic systematics (loss of 40Ar, redistribution of ★87Sr, 18O), but otherwise the whole-rock chemistry usually remains unchanged. Collectively, the data for elemental behavior in the vicinity of the igneous contacts studied show that elemental migration of redistribution is often restricted to within 0.5-1.0 m of the contact, thus suggesting that for hypothetically stored radioactive waste canisters, emplaced at much lower temperatures, little if any elemental transport would take place in the event of breaching of the waste package.
Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) Trial: carvedilol in severe heart failure

The impact of carvedilol on the survival of patients with severe heart failure was examined in the Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) trial. The trial recruited 2,289 patients with symptoms at rest or on minimal exertion despite therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and a left ventricular ejection fraction of < or = 0.25. After an average follow-up period of 10.4 months, mortality was reduced by 34% in the carvedilol group. Carvedilol also reduced the number of days spent in the hospital for any cause by 27% and the number of days spent in the hospital for heart failure by 40%. Patients in the carvedilol group felt better and were less likely to have a serious adverse event. The benefits of carvedilol appeared early and were detected during the up-titration period.
Cultured epithelial cells of cornea, conjunctiva and skin: absence of marked intrinsic divergence of their differentiated states

Keratinocytes of three different epithelia grown in cell culture express a large number of differentiation markers with either no differences or relatively small differences, depending on the species. Much of the distinctive phenotype of these epithelia in vivo must be due to external modulation and relatively little, at least in the case of the human, to permanent intrinsic divergence during development.
Imidazoline I2 receptors: target for new analgesics?

Abstract Pain remains a major clinical challenge because there are no effective analgesics for some pain conditions and the mainstay analgesics for severe pain, opioids, have serious unwanted effects. There is a dire need for novel analgesics in the clinic. Imidazoline receptors are a family of three receptors (I1, I2 and I3) that all can recognize compounds with an imidazoline structure. Accumulating evidence suggests that I2 receptors are involved in pain modulation. Ligands acting at I2 receptors are effective for tonic inflammatory and neuropathic pain but are much less effective for acute phasic pain. When studied in combination, I2 receptor ligands enhance the analgesic effects of opioids in both acute phasic and chronic tonic pain. During chronic use, patients can develop tolerance to and dependence on opioids. Imidazoline I2 receptor ligands can attenuate the development of tolerance to opioid analgesia and inhibit drug withdrawal or antagonist precipitation induced abstinence syndrome in animals. Taken together, drugs acting on I2 receptors may be useful as a monotherapy or combined with opioids as an adjuvant for treating pain. Future studies should focus on understanding the relative efficacy of I2 receptor ligands and developing new compounds to fill the gap in intrinsic efficacy continuum of I2 receptors.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES MEET INFORMATION EXPLOSION

![Figure][1] J. L. Nation's 2nd edition of `Insect Physiology and Biochemistry', which builds on the 1st edition published in 2002, provides a timely, updated snapshot of modern insect physiology. The book strives to be comprehensive, and the array of topics covered is impressive – from
HIV-1 dynamics in children.

HIV-1-infected children have higher plasma viral loads and progress to disease more quickly than infected adults. To gain insight into the accelerated pathogenesis of HIV-1 in children, viral dynamics were measured following the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and compared with those reported for adults. A biphasic decline in plasma HIV-1 RNA was observed, with a rapid decrease during the first 1 to 2 weeks of therapy (phase I) followed by a slower decline (phase II). The phase I and II decay rates were not significantly different among children of different ages, pretherapy plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, or CD4 cell counts. Estimated phase I decay rates were similar to those previously reported in adults with a mean of 0.43 days(-1) and a half-life of 1.6 days. The phase II decay rates were slower in children compared with adults with a mean of 0.016 days(-1) versus 0.066 days(-1), and a half-life of 43.3 versus 14.1 days, respectively (p < .05). The mean time required to reach viral levels below detection thresholds was also longer in these children compared with that in adults. These data suggest that HIV-1 dynamics may be different in children, and that these differences may necessitate different treatment strategies.
Psychiatric nurses' satisfaction with a patient classification system for staffing.

The nursing literature is replete with patient classification (PC) tools that are reported to be valid and reliable. Most of our knowledge about these tools is derived from studies conducted in general hospitals. Little is known about the few psychiatric PC tools that exist or how satisfied nurses are with them. The purpose of this study was to survey sunrises' satisfaction with the validity, reliability, and general use of a PC tool for psychiatric patients. A convenience sample of nurses at one mental health hospital participated in the study. After selecting a PC system, all subjects received an extensive PC inservice. Content validity was confirmed by a panel of experts. The nurses surveyed indicated they were satisfied with the tool as a valid and reliable assessment of patient staffing needs. Furthermore, they were satisfied with its ease and overall adequacy. The alpha coefficient for the survey questionnaire was high, indicating reliability.
An attenuated total reflectance cell for analysis of small molecule diffusion in polymer thin films with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract A cell is described for characterizing the diffusion of small molecules through thin polymer films using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The cell is designed to be used with precast (commercially extruded) polymer films, removing the need to cast the film directly onto the ATR crystal and allowing the as-processed transport properties of the film to be assessed. Pressurized gas is used to maintain contact between the polymer film and the ATR crystal during the diffusion experiment. Data are presented to demonstrate the use of this cell for measuring the diffusion of a gas (CO2), two liquids (amyl acetate and limonene), and simultaneous diffusion of individual components from a liquid mixture ( 50 50 amyl acetate/limonene) through thin polymer films. In the last case, it was found that pure penetrant transport rates do not necessarily apply to diffusion of the same penetrants from a mixture. Diffusion coefficients obtained from the ATR cell compare favourably with values obtained gravimetrically for the same polymers and penetrants.
Interaction of combustion with the atmosphere

The goal of this paper is to provide the combustion community with some chemical insight into why control of effluents from combustion processes is important. An overview of atmospheric chemistry in the troposphere and stratosphere is presented with emphasis on anthropogenic effects. These effects have large contributions from applications of combustion of fossil fuels. An overview of the makeup of atmospheric regions and some of the background chemistry is followed by consideration of the chemical consequences of release to the atmosphere of chemicals related to combustion processes. A chemical mechanistic explanation for specific atmospheric effects is discussed. These include: photochemical smog—an urban effect; acid rain—a regional problem: stratospheric ozone depletion—a global problem: polar ozone depletion—a corollary to global depletion: and possible climate change—an effect whose dimensions are still being questioned. The chemistry of the “clean” troposphere is a balance between the production and loss of ozone in the process of oxidizing CO to CO 2 . The balance is controlled by the NO x concentration. The addition of hydrocarbons into urban atmospheres starts a chemical process that resembles low-temperature, photochemically driven combustion. Stratospheric ozone depletion is discussed in terms of the chemistry of HO, NO, and Cl, all of which take part in chain processes that catalyze the ozone destruction process represented by the reaction: O+O 3 →2O 2 . The effects of reactions on particulates manifesting in phenomena such as the “antarctic ozone hole” are detailed. The “natural greenhouse effect” is discussed, and the potential for anthropogenic enhancement is considered.
A Cost Effective Solar Tracker and Performance Monitoring System for Utility Scale Photovoltaic Installations

A prototype of an integrated tracking and monitoring system is developed and experimentally tested in the environmental conditions of the desert south-west. This system hardware design incorporates both the tracker control and performance monitoring mechanism. A wireless communication protocol coupled with internet transmits the PV panel performance information collected by the electronic sensors to a remote user who can monitor the system performance. The initial experimental results of this newly developed system performance are presented. Finally, an economic analysis is conducted to evaluate the applicability of the current system to a utility scale installation.The preliminary results suggest that there would be a 25% average increase in solar insolation received by a single-axis tracking surface over a fixed (tilt equal to local latitude) surface during the winter months. Although, limited amount of data is available for typical summer days, results from September days suggest an increase in solar insolation as high as 38%. Also, such an integrated tracking and monitoring system will yield in better monitoring resolution due to monitoring at the string level as opposed to central inverter level in the central inverter type PV power plant topology.The monitoring sub-system design incorporates cutting edge electronic sensors. The measurements using these sensors were compared against the measurement through a programmable D.C load. The difference between both the power measurements is well within a median of 5–12% suggesting a good agreement between both the measurements.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Classical and quantum mechanics of the damped harmonic oscillator

Abstract The relations between various treatments of the classical linearly damped harmonic oscillator and its quantization are investigated. In the course of a historical survey typical features of the problem are discussed on the basis of Havas' classical Hamiltonian and the quantum mechanical Sussmann-Hasse-Albrecht models as coined by the Munchen/Garching nuclear physics group. It is shown how y imposing a restriction on the classical trajectories in order to connect the Hamiltonian with the energy, the time-independent Bateman-Morse-Feshbach-Bopp Hamiltonian leads to thetime-dependent Caldirola-Kanai Hamiltonian. Canonical quantization of either formulation entails a violation of Heisenberg's principle. By means of a unified treatment of both the electrical and mechanical semi-infinite transmission line, this defect is related to the disregard of additional quantum fluctuations that are intrinsically connected with the dissipation. The difficulties of these models are discussed. Then it is proved that the Bateman dual Hamiltonian is connected to a recently developed complex symplectic formulation by a simple canonical transformation. The fundamental commutator is still in error. Therefore it is demonstrated how, either separating the dual oscillators according to a modified version of Bopp's original treatment or reducing classical complex phase space by an integration over the mirror image subspace, a quantum continuity equation is obtained that leads to Dekker's master equation following the usual operator algebra. The dissipation induces additional fluctuations. The same density operator equation is shown to arise in quantum optics in the weak coupling limit. Next, for weak friction. Hasse's pure state condition is used to derive an equivalent nonlinear but normconserving frictional Schrodinger equation. It involves a particular non-Hermitian Finally, this formalism is used to make contact with Kostin's fluid dynamical Schrodinger-Langevin equation.
Assessment of pharmacy studentsʼ and licensed pharmacistsʼ perceived knowledge, application, and interpretation regarding rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for infectious diseases

Abstract Objective Evaluate perceived knowledge of pharmacy professionals regarding physical assessment and point-of-care rapid diagnostic testing techniques for infectious diseases (ID). Methods An electronic survey was distributed to 123 accredited colleges of pharmacy and various pharmacy organizations. Responses were compiled and descriptive statistics were performed. Results A total of 716 responses (522 students and 194 pharmacists) were submitted. Most (>85%) respondents had not received training on ID RDTs. Greater than 65% stated they would not be comfortable performing or discussing results of RDTs. Only 9% of respondents believed that RDTs would not become a routine part of pharmacy practice. A majority (>75%) of respondents indicated that they would attend educational programs or enroll in a certificate program to learn about RDTs. Conclusions Pharmacy professionals report feeling that they do not possess adequate knowledge or familiarity to perform and interpret ID RDTs. This deficit appears to stem from a lack of educational opportunities rather than a lack of interest or perceived value.
Engineering support of target development

Abstract The engineering efforts required by the Isotope Research Materials Laboratory at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory play a major role in the research and production activities required to prepare samples for the research community. The engineering support involves the design, fabrication, and installation of such items as vacuum systems, special fixturing, glove boxes for radioactive and/or inert atmosphere operations, and various other items of specialized or specially modified equipment. Specific examples of engineering support required by the Isotope Research Materials Laboratory are described.
INTRINSIC PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY IN THE ALKALI HALIDES.

Photoconductivity in thin films of RbI, KBr, and KCl has been measured at temperatures of 10 and 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K in the spectral range from 5.5 to 10 eV. The Schubweg of the photoelectrons and the yield of photoelectrons per incident quantum were determined. In the case of RbI the data tend to confirm the existence of exciton states lying between the two components of the familiar spin-orbit doublet, as was recently suggested by Fischer and Hilsch. It is estimated that the band gaps of RbI, KBr, and KCl are 6.37, 8.0, and 8.7 eV, respectively.
On the average genus of the random graph

We obtain an upper bound on the expected number of regions in the randomly chosen orientable embedding of a fixed graph. This bound is ised to show that the average genus of the random graph on v vertices is close to its maximum genus. More specifically, it is proven that the difference between these two parameters is bounded by a function that is linear in v. These bounds are obtained in the context of permutation—partition pairs. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Biological delignification of pulp by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Biological delignification of wood pulp was studied using the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium in liquid cultures. Kraft pulp and chemithermo-mechanical pulp (CTMP) were used as substrates. Both types of pulp could readily be delignified by the shaking cultures of the fungus: the kappa number of kraft pulp decreased from 33 to less than 10 in two weeks and the Klason lignin content of CTMP decreased from 26.5 to 21.3% in the same time. Stationary cultures did not delignify pulps effectively. During the fungal treatment, the strength of CTMP increased substantially. At a freeness level of about 350 ml, the tensile and tear indices increased by 20% and the burst index by 40% as compared to the original pulp. Unfortunately, CTMP turned dark during the treatment. The ISO brightness was originally 52.5, but after the incubation with the fungus it was only 17.9. After peroxide bleaching the brightness was still low, only 41.6.
Vibrational Spectra of Lumazine in Water at pH 2−13: Ab Initio Calculation and FTIR/Raman Spectra

Harmonic vibrational frequencies and transition intensities of lumazine (2,4-(1H,3H)pteridinedione in the neutral state) have been calculated in a self-consistent reaction field of high dielectric medium (e = 78.54) using ab initio Hartree−Fock (HF) and hybrid HF/density functional theory (DFT) methods. For the DFT method, the 4-31G basis set and the three parameter exchange functional of Becke combined with the Lee, Yang, and Parr correlational functional are used. The 6-31+G* basis set is used in the HF calculations. Both the spherical cavity model (SCM) and the self-consistent isodensity polarizable continuum model (SCIPCM) are used to simulate an aqueous environment for the N-protonated lumazines. For the N-deuterated lumazines, only the SCM is used. Simple scaling of the vibrational frequencies resulting from the DFT calculations incorporating the reaction field models of neutral lumazine, lumazine A1/N3-H monoanion, and lumazine A1,A3-dianion compare closely with Raman and Fourier transform infrared...
The Letter of the Law: Administrative Discretion and Obama’s Domestic Unilateralism

In his 2014 State of the Union address Barack Obama pledged to act without Congress on a variety of fronts, following up his "we can't wait" cam- paign of unilateralism before the 2012 election. The partisan furor this engen- dered tended to obscure the longstanding efforts of presidents to "faithfully execute" the law in a manner that aligns with their policy preferences. This paper examines the broad logic of those efforts, and delineates five areas where the Obama administration has been particularly aggressive: in its (1) recess appoint- ments; (2) refusal to defend federal law (notably, the Defense of Marriage Act) in court; (3) use of prosecutorial discretion in declining to pursue violations of immigration and drug laws; (4) use of waivers; and (5) its utilization of the regula- tory process to interpret the meaning of statutes, as with the Clean Air Act and the Affordable Care Act. Presidents do have flexibility in many cases; but this ends where they seek to alter the plain "letter of the law."
Adaptive multi-robot behavior via learning momentum

In this paper, the effects of adaptive robotic behavior via learning momentum in the context of a robotic team are studied. Learning momentum is a variation on parametric adjustment methods that has previously been successfully applied to enhance individual robot performance. In particular, we now assess, via simulation, the potential advantages of a team of robots using this capability to alter behavioral parameters when compared to a similar team of robots with static parameters.
Recurrent Bone Tumors

Multimodal approach to treatment has led to the dramatically improved outcome of patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. However, despite intensive therapies and incorporation of novel agents in trials, the therapeutic plateau in recurrent osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma has not yet been overcome. Cure for these patients remain a daunting challenge with dismal survival rate after relapse despite best efforts. Certain clinical factors help prognosticate quality of relapse of these tumors. Because patient characteristics are different upon disease recurrence, therapeutic approach to these patients vary widely.
A Bayesian segmentation approach to 3-D tomographic reconstruction from few radiographs

A MAP (maximum a posteriori) 3-D reconstruction technique for estimating a solid object directly from sparse cone-beam data has been developed. In the present work, emphasis is placed on radiographic flaw detection in solid materials, which can be viewed as a segmentation of the object into a binary-valued reconstruction. Optimization is performed by iterated conditional modes, with deterministic convergence, but a solution dependent on the initial condition. To speed convergence and improve the estimate, an initial condition based on maximum-likelihood estimation of flaw location is used. This MAP tomographic estimation algorithm provides a simple, robust method for segmenting a 3-D object from digitized radiographs. Its output is appropriate for either automated decision-making or visual inspection, but avoids the necessity of making decisions independently on separate radiographs, as its currently typical in application. Although the estimation process is computationally costly in terms of cost per pixel at each iteration, its convergence is very rapid in terms of iteration counts. >
Throughput comparison of random access schemes in 3GPP

Random access channel (RACH) and common packet channel (CPCH) are the two common link transport channels in 3GPP based on random access. Although their design goals were different both access schemes could be used for short message transport. To assist the system engineering of data services in UMTS it is of interest to compare performance of the two schemes. It has commonly been assumed that the normalized RACH throughput is comparable to that of slotted ALOHA and thus bounded by 36%. Additionally, it has been assumed that the collision probability is RACH is significantly higher than in CPCH due to collision detection phase introduced in the latter. In this paper we challenge these two commonly used assumptions. Using the same method we derive the probability of successful transmission for both RACH and CPCH. We then show analytically for a single demodulation resource at node B and under certain set of assumptions, that the maximum normalized throughput is greater than 80% in both cases. We make two main observations: the throughput advantage for CPCH is mainly due to the longer message size and the effect on throughput of the CD phase is not significant. For multiple resources we use simulations to obtain normalized throughput per channel resource.
Attitude control of space vehicles

The problem of sensing and controlling the angular orientation of a space vehicle is discussed. Optical, radio, and inertial methods of angle-sensing are described, and application of control torques by reaction jets, flywheels, radiation pressure, and gravitational gradient are compared. Requirements for angular accuracy likely to be imposed by maneuvering, performing measurements for navigation, making scientific measurements, radio communication, and solar cell orientation are described. Attitude control requirements and techniques for earth satellites and deep-space probes are compared. This discussion will not be published.
Dornase Alfa Reduces Air Trapping in Children With Mild Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease: A Quantitative Analysis

Purpose: To evaluate quantitative air trapping measurements in children with mild cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease during a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) [dornase alfa] intervention trial and compare results from quantitative air trapping with those from spirometry or visually scored high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of the chest. Materials and methods: Twenty-five children with CF randomized to either daily rhDNase or placebo aerosol were evaluated at baseline, and at 3 months and 12 months by spirometertriggered HRCT and spirometry. Outcome variables were percentage of predicted FVC, FEV1, and forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase (FEF25–75%); total and subcomponent visual HRCT scores; and quantitative air trapping measurements derived from chest HRCT images. Results: At baseline, there were no statistical differences between groups in any of the variables used as an outcome. After 3 months of treatment, both groups had improvements in percentage of predicted FEV1 and FEF25–75%, and total HRCT visual scores. In contrast, the rhDNase group had a 13% decrease in quantitative air trapping from baseline (severe air trapping [A3]), compared to an increase of 48% in the placebo group (p 0.023). After 12 months, both groups had declines in percentage of predicted FVC and FEV1, but the rhDNase group retained improvements in percentage of predicted FEF25–75% and quantitative air trapping. The mucus plugging and total HRCT visual scores were also improved in the rhDNase group after 12 months of treatment, with and without significant differences between groups (p 0.026 and p 0.676). Quantitative air trapping (A3) remained improved in the rhDNase group ( 15.4%) and worsened in the placebo group ( 61.3%) with nearly significant differences noted between groups (p 0.053) after 12 months of treatment. Conclusions: Quantitative air trapping is a more consistent sensitive outcome measure than either spirometry or total HRCT scores, and can discriminate differences in treatment effects in children with minimal CF lung disease. (CHEST 2005; 128:2327–2335)
In Situ Toxicological Monitoring: Use in Quantifying Ecological Effects of Toxic Wastes

A series of investigations has focused on the development and evaluation of short-term tests with fish embryo-larval stages for the purpose of estimating chronic effects of aquatic contaminants on biota in freshwater systems. In principle, the procedure involves exposing fish embryos starting at or soon after fertilization and continuing through four days post-hatching. A standardized exposure period of eight days has been adopted for use with the fathead minnow. Usual test endpoints include embryonic and larval mortality and teratogenicity (i.e., abnormal development). Data are expressed as LC50s and toxicity threshold (LC10, LC1) or chronic values. The latter usually have correlated reasonably well with maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations (MATCs) and chronic values developed for selected metals and organic compounds in life-cycle studies. Cadmium and other reference toxicants have indicated good reproducibility of test results using either continuous-flow or static- renewal procedures.
A CheW Homologue Is Required for Myxococcus xanthus Fruiting Body Development, Social Gliding Motility, and Fibril Biogenesis

In bacteria with multiple sets of chemotaxis genes, the deletion of homologous genes or even different genes in the same operon can result in disparate phenotypes. Myxococcus xanthus is a bacterium with multiple sets of chemotaxis genes and/or homologues. It was shown previously that difA and difE, encoding homologues of the methyl-accepting chemoreceptor protein (MCP) and the CheA kinase, respectively, are required for M. xanthus social gliding (S) motility and development. Both difA and difE mutants were also defective in the biogenesis of the cell surface appendages known as extracellular matrix fibrils. In this study, we investigated the roles of the CheW homologue encoded by difC, a gene at the same locus as difA and difE. We showed that difC mutations resulted in defects in M. xanthus developmental aggregation, sporulation, and S motility. We demonstrated that difC is indispensable for wild-type cellular cohesion and fibril biogenesis but not for pilus production. We further illustrated the ectopic complementation of a difC in-frame deletion by a wild-type difC. The identical phenotypes of difA, difC, and difE mutants are consistent and supportive of the hypothesis that the Dif chemotaxis homologues constitute a chemotaxis-like signal transduction pathway that regulates M. xanthus fibril biogenesis and S motility.
Electrode Kinetics and Sensitivity of Nanostructured Electrodes from Different Carbon Fiber Precursor Materials

Correlation of properties of common carbon fiber precursor materials, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and pitch, with kinetics and sensitivity of microdisk electrodes, PAN T650, PAN HCB and Pitch P25, nanostructured by an electrochemical etching method was tested. Sensitivity of PAN electrodes is higher but kinetics are slower than at pitch electrodes due to more defects in PAN. Because of more surface oxides at PAN T650 adsorption of dopamine is greater than at PAN HCB electrodes but for uric acid adsorption is greater at PAN HCB. Uric acid sensitivity is related to high conductivity of PAN fibers, with an inverse relationship observed for dopamine.
Disentangling Public Participation In Science and Biomedicine

Background This article provides a framework for disentangling the concept of participation, with emphasis on participation in genomic medicine. We have derived seven ‘dimensions’ of participation that are most frequently invoked in the extensive, heterogeneous literature on participation. To exemplify these dimensions, we use material from a database of 102 contemporary cases of participation, and focus here on cases specific to science and medicine. We describe the stakes of public participation in biomedical research, with a focus on genomic medicine and lay out the seven dimensions.
Local-Search Strategy for Active Localization of Multiple Invasive Fish

In this paper, we study a problem encountered during our ongoing efforts to locate radio-tagged fish aggregations with robots. The problem lies at the intersection of search-based methods whose objective is to detect a target, and active target localization methods whose objective is to precisely localize a target given its initial estimate. Real-world sensing constraints such as limited and unknown range, large measurement time, and ambiguity in bearing measurements make it imperative to have an intermediate initialization phase to transition from search to localization.We present a local search strategy aimed at reliably initializing an estimate for a single target based on observations from field experiments.We then extend this strategy to initialize multiple targets, exploiting the proximity of nearby aggregated tagged fish to decrease the cost of initialization per target. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm through simulations and demonstrate its utility through a field experiment where the robot successfully detects, initializes and then localizes nearby targets.
Animation of carrier distributions in power semiconductor devices

The authors describe the computer animation of one-dimensional carrier distribution dynamics. The objective is to provide a visualization tool for understanding important phenomena underlying the switching operation of power semiconductor devices. The animation is implemented using a commercially available software package. >
Four suggestions for addressing public concern regarding synthetic biology

The following essay was written by Mr. Alex Hatch, a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biological Engineering at Utah State University. Mr. Hatch submitted a 1000-1200 word essay to the 5th Annual Bioethics Contest sponsored by the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE). A group of professionals in Biological Engineering assessed and ranked the essays in a blinded process. Five semi-finalists were invited to present their essays at a session at the annual meeting of IBE in Cambridge, MA on March 6, 2010. Five judges scored all the presentations and selected Mr. Hatch's contribution as the overall winner (first place).
An efficient active set method for SVM training without singular inner problems

Efficiently implemented active set methods have been successfully applied to Support Vector Machine (SVM) training. These active set methods offer higher precision and incremental training at the cost of additional memory requirements when compared to decomposition methods such as Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO). However, all existing active set methods must deal with singularities occurring within the inner problem solved at each iteration, a problem that leads to more complex implementation and potential inefficiencies. Here, we introduce a revised simplex method, originally introduced by Rusin, adapted for SVM training and show this is an active set method similar to most existing methods with the advantage of maintaining nonsingularity of the inner problem. We compare performance to an existing active set method introduced by Scheinberg and demonstrate an improvement in training times, in some cases. We show our method maintains a slightly simpler implementation and offers advantages in terms of applying iterative methods to alleviate memory concerns. We also show performance of the active set methods when compared to state-of-the-art decomposition implementations such as SVMLight and SMO.
Short Distance GPS Models

Early on in Bossier et al. [1980] it was recognized that receivers that measure the (reconstructed) carrier phase differences between the satellite and receiver precisely would allow for precise recovery of baselines. This observation can be made through the study of equation (5.33). The key ingredients, at least at the introductory stage, are geometry and clock states. It is hoped that other contributors such as troposphere, ionosphere, multipath, and noise are very small or can be removed through calibration and modeling.