cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Effects in Neutrino‐Nucleus Interactions and the MINERvA Neutrino Nucleus Scattering Program

Nuclear effects of charged current deep inelastic neutrino‐iron scattering have been studied in the frame‐work of a χ2 analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs)1. A set of iron PDFs have been extracted which are then used to compute xBj‐dependent and Q2‐dependent nuclear correction factors for iron structure functions which are required in global analyses of free nucleon PDFs. Upon comparing our results with nuclear correction factors from neutrino‐nucleus scattering models and correction factors for l±‐iron scattering we find that, except for very high xBj, our correction factors differ in both shape and magnitude from the correction factors of the models and charged‐lepton scattering. The MINERvA neutrino‐nucleus scattering experiment at Fermilab, will systematically study neutrino nuclear effects off of He, C, Fe and Pb for a more thorough A‐dependent study of nuclear PDFs and these correction factors.
Pioglitazone and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

ContextPioglitazone is widely used for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but evidence is mixed regarding the influence of medications of this class on cardiovascular outcomes.ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effect of pioglitazone on ischemic cardiovascular events.Data Sources and Study SelectionA database containing individual patient-level time-to-event data collected during pioglitazone clinical trials was transferred from the drug's manufacturer for independent analysis. Trials were included if they were randomized, double-blinded, and controlled with placebo or active comparator.Data ExtractionThe primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary outcome measures included the incidence of serious heart failure. A fixed-effects approach was used to combine the estimates across the duration strata and statistical heterogeneity across all the trials was tested with the I2 statistic.Data SynthesisA total of 19 trials enrolling 16 390 patients were analyzed. Study drug treatment duration ranged from 4 months to 3.5 years. Death, myocardial infarction, or stroke occurred in 375 of 8554 patients (4.4%) receiving pioglitazone and 450 of 7836 patients (5.7%) receiving control therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.94; P = .005). Progressive separation of time-to-event curves became apparent after approximately 1 year of therapy. Individual components of the primary end point were all reduced by a similar magnitude with pioglitazone treatment, with HRs ranging from 0.80 to 0.92. Serious heart failure was reported in 200 (2.3%) of the pioglitazone-treated patients and 139 (1.8%) of the control patients (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.14-1.76; P = .002). The magnitude and direction of the favorable effect of pioglitazone on ischemic events and unfavorable effect on heart failure was homogeneous across trials of different durations, for different comparators, and for patients with or without established vascular disease. There was no evidence of heterogeneity across the trials for either end point (I2 = 0%; P = .87 for the composite end point and I2 = 0%; P = .97 for heart failure).ConclusionsPioglitazone is associated with a significantly lower risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke among a diverse population of patients with diabetes. Serious heart failure is increased by pioglitazone, although without an associated increase in mortality.
Quantification of the Melting Process in a Co-rotating Twin-Screw Extruder: A Hybrid Modeling Approach

In extrusion processes, melting strongly influences the development of product end-use properties such as tensile strength. For effective monitoring and control of these properties, it is essential to describe the melting process quantitatively. Obtaining a high-fidelity quantitative description of the melting process, however, remains a challenging problem. This article proposes and employs a hybrid (physical/empirical) modeling approach to model the melting process. The recently developed “pulse perturbation technique” is used to generate the input/output data, while the model structure is determined from physical considerations. Each parameter of the identified model can therefore be associated with a distinct melting mechanism, thus providing valuable quantitative insight into the melting process. Based on the melting data presented in Wetzel et al. [1], the model is used to analyze the effect of extruder operating conditions on the melting of semicrystalline, amorphous, and rubbery polymers. Pulse experiments are conducted on an example reactive extrusion process and a quantitative relationship between the model parameters and end-use properties is developed. Such a quantitative relationship can be used for fast predictions of infrequently measured end-use properties and therefore has potential applications in monitoring and control of product characteristics in extrusion processes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1040–1051, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Laboratory endurance capacity predicts variation in field locomotor behaviour among lizard species.

I measured locomotor endurance capacities of lizards on a motorized treadmill in the laboratory and compared average values for different species with quantitative measures of their movement in the field (percentage of time moving,N =15 species; moves/min, N=13; daily movement distance, N=11). I hypothesized that endurance would be positively related to all three movement indices. Relationships between log endurance and log movement were computed as conventional Pearson product–moment correlations and as the equivalent with phylogenetically independent contrasts. Endurance was significantly positively related to both the percentage of time moving and the daily movement distance. This is the first study to demonstrate such relationships with phylogenetically based statistical methods. These results suggest that endurance capacities of lizards are coadapted with their typical locomotor behaviour.
Hepatotoxicity from antituberculous therapy in the elderly: A systematic review

Summary Background Elderly persons have the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States compared to all other age groups. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine if older age was a risk factor for hepatotoxicity resulting from treatment with first-line drugs used to treat active (TB) and latent tuberculosis (LTBI). Methods A systematic review of MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trial Registry, CINAHL ® , and Science Citation Index Expanded (from 1970 to 2011) was performed to determine the risk of hepatotoxicity, comparing those over 60 with those under 60. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model along with log odds ratios and the chi-square test. Findings Thirty-eight studies (40,034 participants; 1208 cases of hepatotoxicity) met the selection criteria. For active TB, an overall mean effect of 0.277 ( p = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.037–0.517) was observed, which is equivalent to an odds ratio of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04–1.68). For LTBI, an overall mean effect of 1.42 ( p Interpretation Our analysis revealed that patients older than 60 had significantly more risk of hepatotoxicity. These studies suggest that a gentler regimen of treatment for older individuals could benefit health outcomes in this population of TB patients and minimize risks to the public's health.
Selective degeneration of the parvocellular-projecting retinal ganglion cells in a New World monkey, Saimiri sciureus.

Abstract Selective degeneration of retinal ganglion cells projecting to parvocellular layers of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) was observed in squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri sciureus ) exposed to a range of doses of acrylamide monomer. Similar acrylamide-induced neuronal loss has previously been reported in parvocellular-projecting ganglion cells of macaques, but no such selective degeneration has been found in acrylamide-dosed rats, squirrels, rabbits or cats. The extent of ganglion cell loss observed in the present study suggests that in the squirrel monkey, as in the macaque, a majority of ganglion cells project to parvocellular layers of the LGN. The locus of optic tract degeneration suggests that the squirrel monkey parvocellular pathway passes in dorsolateral optic tract, as does that of the macaque. Patterns of decreases in cytochrome oxidase activity confirm that, in both of these primates, geniculocorticol pathways driven by these vulnerable neurons project to corticol layers 4A and 4Cβ. These results suggest close parallels in the neuroanatomical projections and toxic vulnerability of the parvocellular-projecting pathway in New and Old World monkeys. They indicate that acrylamide intoxication can be used to selectively damage this pathway in order to study the functional roles of parallel visula pathways in both New and Old World monkeys.
SageShift: Managing SLAs for highly consolidated cloud

Maximizing consolidation ratio, the number of virtual machines (VMs) in a physical machine, without violating customers' SLAs is an important goal in the cloud. We show that it is difficult to achieve this goal with existing hypervisor schedulers. The schedulers control only the amount of resource allocation, but not the sequence of VM execution. This sequence can significantly impact the response time when requests arrive concurrently for the VMs sharing the same CPU. We find that the response time can increase as much as 100% for every additional VM in the system, even if the utilization does not exceed the maximum capacity. Therefore, existing schedulers have to reduce the consolidation ratio to meet SLAs. Previous resource-provisioning works rely on existing schedulers that cannot guarantee SLAs without reducing the consolidation ratio. We propose SageShift, a system that can achieve SLAs without penalizing the consolidation ratio. SageShift consists of a VM admission control - Sage, and a hypervisor scheduler - Shift. To admit a VM, Sage assesses feasibility of its SLA based on the patterns of incoming requests. Shift maintains the admitted SLAs by adjusting both the amount of resource allocation and the sequence of VM execution. The dynamic adjustment is based on the observed response time and the SLAs. We modify the KVM scheduler in Linux kernel to implement Shift. We show that Shift can improve the consolidation ratio by 66% without compromising the SLAs. Under bursty incoming requests, Shift maintains all SLAs within 3% of the percentile target. But existing schedulers in VMware ESXi, Xen and KVM fail to meet one or more SLAs with up to 33% below the percentile target. Shift is also work-conserving. It allows best-effort VMs to run in the background in order to maximize hardware utilization without impacting SLAs.
Late Silurian-early Devonian biogeography, provincialism, evolution and extinction

There is increasing marine to continental regression from the latest Silurian until the latter half of the early Devonian, when a major transgressive trend is initiated which achieves its maximum in the later middle Devonian and late Devonian. Data suggest a relatively high climatic gradient, but no evidence favouring continental, sea-level glaciation during the late Silurian-early Devonian. Arid climate evidence (marine evaporites, calcretes) shows a well-developed arid belt. Coal deposits are lacking before the late Devonian. Palaeogeography of the time interval is disputed, largely owing to the use of different classes of data - remanent magnetic, lithological, biogeographical. I employ a pangaeic reconstruction because it fits the available lithological and biogeographical data comfortably, but I am under no illusions about its being the ‘correct’ palaeogeography. Rate of phyletic evolution of marine benthos speeds up during the time interval owing to a steadily increasing level of provincialism, that is, cutting up biogeographical entities into smaller entities with consequent smaller populations. There are no major marine adaptive radiations, nor evidence for any marked extinction events during the interval. Few family level and higher taxa become extinct during this time interval; such units as the halysitid corals, pentamerinid brachiopods, and graptoloid graptolites are exceptional. Few adaptive radiations, such as those of the ammonoids and terebratuloids occur during the interval. The absence of other major biotic events during the interval is consistent with its position well within ecologic—evolutionary unit VI (A. J. Boucot, J. Paleont . 57, 1-30, 1983).
Estimating Kinship in Admixed Populations

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are commonly used for the mapping of genetic loci that influence complex traits. A problem that is often encountered in both population-based and family-based GWASs is that of identifying cryptic relatedness and population stratification because it is well known that failure to appropriately account for both pedigree and population structure can lead to spurious association. A number of methods have been proposed for identifying relatives in samples from homogeneous populations. A strong assumption of population homogeneity, however, is often untenable, and many GWASs include samples from structured populations. Here, we consider the problem of estimating relatedness in structured populations with admixed ancestry. We propose a method, REAP (relatedness estimation in admixed populations), for robust estimation of identity by descent (IBD)-sharing probabilities and kinship coefficients in admixed populations. REAP appropriately accounts for population structure and ancestry-related assortative mating by using individual-specific allele frequencies at SNPs that are calculated on the basis of ancestry derived from whole-genome analysis. In simulation studies with related individuals and admixture from highly divergent populations, we demonstrate that REAP gives accurate IBD-sharing probabilities and kinship coefficients. We apply REAP to the Mexican Americans in Los Angeles, California (MXL) population sample of release 3 of phase III of the International Haplotype Map Project; in this sample, we identify third- and fourth-degree relatives who have not previously been reported. We also apply REAP to the African American and Hispanic samples from the Women's Health Initiative SNP Health Association Resource (WHI-SHARe) study, in which hundreds of pairs of cryptically related individuals have been identified.
The contradictions of identity-work for parents of visibly adopted children:

As the number of families formed through visible adoption continues to increase, so too does the need to understand how members communicatively experience their families. Grounded in the interpretive paradigm and framed by relational dialectics theory, the researcher conducted 31 interviews with 40 parents to investigate what, if any, contradictions parents experience as they engage in identity-work. The researcher describes six contradictions active in parents’ identity-work: (i) similarity and difference, (ii) invisibility and visibility, (iii) integration and distance, (iv) fortune and loss, (v) openness and closedness and (vi) community and privacy. Implications of these findings are discussed to provide insight to researchers and individuals who interact with members of families formed through visible adoption.
Mass singularities in an approximation to single-fermion-loop vacuum polarization

The approximation to ${f}_{1}(\ensuremath{\alpha})$ recently suggested by Johnson and Baker is considered in low-order perturbation theory. Divergences occurring when massless electrons and positrons become parallel are discussed and are shown to make the approximation unusable.
A new approach to the quantitative analysisof children's posture

Summary 1. Rating scales for five variables of children's posture have beenconstructed. The scale points are illustrated by photographs. This method is more objective and more nearly quantitative than other rating methods now in use; it requires very little experience. These scales were used on approximately 1,400 photographs of children between the ages of 2 and 12 years. 2. Figures on the reliability of ratings are presented, and the merits and limitations of the individual scales are discussed. 3. The mean posture of apparently normal children deviates substantially from what is commonly considered desirable posture. At least four of the five variables showed significant age trends. 4. Some factors causing the peculiarities of children's posture aresuggested. The same factors are probably responsible for the common postural defects of children. The problem of normal posture is discussed in the light of these findings.
Determination of the solubility product of CuS in a gel employing the liesegang phenomenon

Abstract The solubility product of CuS in a 3% agar gel has been determined by a technique involving the formation of Liesegang bands. Aqueous solutions of copper (II) and sulfide ions are allowed to diffuse towards one another from opposite ends of a length of gel. The rate of growth of the first (and only) band is followed chemically, and the time corresponding to zero moles of CuS after beginning of diffusion is determined by a simple extrapolation. This value, along with the band position, is substituted into an appropriate solution of Fick's Second Law for each diffusion species, and the concentration product is formed. The value is within the range of values for the Ksp, of CuS in water as reported in the literature. Assumptions are discuseed, as are limitations and generality of the method.
Kinematics of a Spatial Three Degree-of-Freedom Robot With Rolling Contact Joints

A rolling contact joint is formed when two adjacent links roll without slipover each other. When the rolling profiles are circular, the joint can be physically realized by a pair of revolute joints coupled by gears or cables. In this paper, we investigate the forward, inverse, and rate kinematics of a spatial three degree-of-freedom serial chain with rolling contact joints that have equal circular profiles. We show analytically and geometrically that there are 32 inverse kinematic solutions. Singularities occur whenever the point of interest on the end effector lies on either of two planes defined by the lines of contact between the joints.© 2002 ASME
Purification of Solid-Phase Synthesized Peptides on the Coil Planet Centrifuge

Abstract The analytical flow-through coil planet centrifuge, an instrument for countercurrent chromatography, performs the preparative purification of synthetic peptides. Various two-phase solvent systems have been tried with either phase mobile to purify many synthesized peptides. A series of N-terminal fragment peptides of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK 26–33) were synthesized by solid-phase techniques and purified on the coil planet centrifuge. The peptides were sulfated and chromatographed again. For hydrophobic peptides, purification is effected in solvent systems with a mobile aqueous phase. The n-butanol, acetic acid and water system (4:1:5 by volume) with the lower phase mobile was utilized. For sulfated peptides, the neutral system, 0.2 M ammonium acetate and n-butanol was generally applied.
Fire prevention in Delaware: a case study of fire and life safety initiatives.

CONTEXT: : Injuries resulting from residential house fires are a significant public health issue. The fire service is engaged in fire prevention activities aimed at preventing fire-related morbidity and mortality. The fire service in Delaware is regarded by some leaders in the field as a model for fire and life safety education (FLSE). OBJECTIVE: : We identified 3 questions to guide this research. What is the culture and context of fire prevention in Delaware? What prevention programs and policies constitute Delaware's fire prevention efforts? What can be learned from select model programs regarding their impact, sustainability, strengths, limitations, and general applicability? A discussion of the lessons learned from Delaware's experience with FLSE initiatives concludes the article. DESIGN: : We used a single case study design and collected and analyzed data from in-depth interviews, documents, and participant observation notes to address the research questions. SETTING: : Data were collected in Delaware. PARTICIPANTS: : Interviewees included a purposeful sample of members of the Delaware fire service. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: : Descriptions of the context in which fire prevention occurs, the initiatives underway, and the factors associated with successfully supporting fire prevention in the state. RESULTS: : Data from 16 key informant interviews, relevant documents, and direct observations of FLSE events revealed a fire service rooted in tradition, dedication, and community. A compilation of state and local FLSE initiatives illustrates the diversity of FLSE in Delaware. Thematic analysis of the data emphasize the importance of a strategic, comprehensive, and coordinated approach to realizing success in Delaware's approach to FLSE. CONCLUSIONS: : The fire service is an important part of the public health infrastructure. While their role as first responders is evident, their contributions to prevention are also significant. This research suggests ways to support fire service prevention efforts and more fully integrate their FLSE work into the public health infrastructure. Language: en
Kinetics and stability of a fibrous-bed bioreactor for continuous production of lactic acid from unsupplemented acid whey

Abstract The kinetics and long-term stability of the fibrous-bed bioreactor were investigated for continuous lactic acid production from unsupplemented acid whey containing ~ 3.7% (w/v) lactose and ~ 0.8% (w/v) lactic acid, using immobilized cells of Lactobacillus helveticus at pH 5.5 and 42 °C. Depending on dilution rate and lactate concentration, reactor volumetric productivities ranged from 2.6 g l−1 h−1 to 7 g l−1 h−1. These productivities were approx. 10-times higher than those obtained in batch cultivations with free cells. The product inhibition followed noncompetitive kinetics, with the inhibition constant, Kp, equal to 7.9 g l−1 and the maximum volumetric productivity, q′max, equal to 20 g l−1 h−1. Lactate yield from lactose was > 95% (w/w). Reactor performance was stable for continuous, long-term operation for both sterile and nonsterile unsupplemented acid whey feeds for the 6-month period studied. Concentrated acid whey was also found to be an appropriate feedstock to this bioreactor. SEM micrographs showed a dense biofilm covering the fibrous reactor packing. Atypical cell morphology was also observed with the immobilized cells. Total cell density, including suspended cells, within the reactor exceeded 60 g 1−1. The specific cell productivity was lower than for free cells, indicating a relatively low cell efficiency, perhaps due to diffusion limitation.
A heterochromatic homogeneously staining region (HSR) in the karyotype of a human breast carcinoma cell line

Abstract A long heterochromatic region is described in the karyotype of a human breast carcinoma cell line. Cytochemical studies of this region suggest: 1) homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) in human tumor cells may show some heterogeneity in staining, 2) HSRs in human tumor cells may be euchromatic or heterochromatic by C-, G-, and Q-banding methods.
Colonials, Marginals and Immigrants: Contributions to a Theory of Ethnic Stratification

Overt ethnic conflict is frequently accompanied by the observation that the conflict is not essentially rooted in ethnic differences but is primarilyeconomic in origin. Examples are not hard to come by; it has been madein regard to the American Negro situation, the Catholics in NorthernIreland and the Ugandan Asians, to name but three instances. The claim that economic differences underlie ethnic conflict raises the questions of whether all interethnic conflict can be accounted for within the framework of a conflict theory of social stratification, and this in turn raises the broader question of whether all types of interethnic relations, of conflict and harmony, assimilation, integration, separatism and segregation can be subsumed under a more general theory of stratification.
Modulation of hepatic ferrochelatase activity by dietary manipulation of mitochondrial phospholipid fatty acyl groups

Ferrochelatase is an enzyme bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is important in heme biosynthesis. Activity of purified ferrochelatase is affected by the presence of certain fatty acids. In the present study, we examined whether the activity of ferrochelatase is altered by dietary manipulation of the composition of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid fatty acylgroups. Rats were fed diets containing triolein, safflower or menhaden oil as 5% (w/w) of the diet. After 3 weeks, the animals were killed and liver mitochondria were isolated. Phospholipid fatty acid composition and ferrochelatase activity were assayed in the isolated mitochondria. Marked differences were seen. The proportion of oleic acid was highest in the triolein oil-fed group, that of linoleic and arachidonic acid was highest in the safflower oil-fed group and the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid was highest in the menhaden oil-fed group. Ferrochelatase activity was greatest in the triolein oilfed group and lowest in the menhaden oil-fed group regardless of whether the mitochondria were intact, sonicated or sonicated and treated with Tween 20. Mixing of mitochondria from menhaden oil-fed rats with triolein oil resulted in a significant increase in ferrochelatase activity. Membrane fluidity and activities of the mitochondrial membrane enzymes succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase did not differ among the groups. We conclude that dietary manipulation of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid fatty acyl group composition can directly modulate hepatic ferrochelatase activity. This has potential application in the treatment of protoporphyria, the genetic disorder in which ferrochelatase activity is deficient.
Holocene shallow-subtidal dolomitization by near-normal seawater, northern Belize

Calcic dolomite cements compose an average of 5% of the upper 4.3 m of subtidal deposits 18 O (+2‰) compositions of the high-Sr dolomites (mean October 1900 ppm), together with near-normal salinity and inherently normal Mg/Ca ratio of pore fluids, suggest precipitation from near-normal seawater. Tidal and wind-driven circulation of seawater through the sediments supplies most of the Mg for dolomitization, which appears to be promoted by elevated pore-water alkalinity resulting from bacterially mediated oxidation of organic matter and, locally, early stages of methanogenesis. Rapid dolomitization here supports the idea that significant quantities of dolomite can form syndepositionally, from normal seawater, in shallow subtidal deposits.
Angiotensin II mediated acth release in rat pituitary cell culture

Anterior pituitaries from normal rats were enzymatically dispersed and placed into monolayer cell culture in order to determine if and how angiotensin II (Ang II) mediates the in vitro release of ACTH and other pituitary hormones. Ang II stimulated ACTH secretion in a time dependent fashion. This release occurred at physiologic concentrations of Ang II and was linearly correlated with the log dose of Ang II. One hour pretreatment of the cells with cycloheximide, a inhibitor of protein synthesis, significantly decreased the cellular ACTH secretory response to Ang II. Ang 11 did not mediate the release of LH nor of ADH, a proposed stimulator of ACTH secretion.
Centrifugal field relaxation and ionic strength effects on calf thymus DNA gels

The gellike phase formed by DNA on sedimentation to the bottom of a centrifuge cell has been studied as a function of centrifuge speed and of solvent ionic strength. The swelling pressure of the gel was found to be logarithmically related to the DNA concentration and also to the ionic strength of the solvent. The concept of electrostatic persistence length was useful in interpreting the gel-phase volume changes occurring with ionic strength.
Suppression of DNA Repair by Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Tax Is Rescued by a Functional p53 Signaling Pathway

The Tax protein of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 is a viral transactivator and transforming protein. Tax is known to suppress cellular nucleotide excision repair (NER), and this activity has been proposed to play an important role in Tax transformation. In this study we have investigated the mechanism by which Tax suppresses NER with specific focus on the previously characterized ability of Tax to inhibit p53 function. Suppression of NER by Tax was rescued by overexpression of wild-type p53; however, a p53 transactivation-incompetent mutant did not restore NER activity. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, a major transcriptional target of p53, plays an important role in regulating DNA replication and repair. Overexpression of p21 reversed Tax-induced suppression of NER; however, a p21 C-terminal mutant that lacks the proliferating cell nuclear antigen binding domain did not restore NER activity. Thus, p53 and its downstream effector p21 can inhibit Tax-mediated suppression of DNA repair. These results imply that the inactivation of p53 function by Tax contributes to Tax suppression of DNA repair.
DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF METHANATION REACTORS, INTERSTAGE HEAT EXCHANGERS, AND CONTROLLERS

Abstract The RMProcess for methanation of coal syngas, which consists of six fixed-bed, adiabatic, catalytic reactors connected in series with interstage waste-heat boilers and feedwater preheaters to remove the heat of reaction, was successfully simulated dynamically using a mixed ordinary/partial differential equation model. Computer integration of the-model was accomplished using the numerical method of lines. Controls were added to the model to regulate the temperature of the gas feed into the reactors by diverting some gas around the interstage heat-exchangers. It was found that the controller selection and tuning, although generally not a goal in large-scale simulations, was quite important. Conventional methods used to tune the controllers gave controller settings that caused a significant detrimental effect on numerical integration stability and efficiency.
CCA addition to tRNA: implications for tRNA quality control.

The CCA sequence is conserved at the 3′ end of all mature tRNA molecules to function as the site of amino acid attachment. This sequence is acquired and maintained by stepwise nucleotide addition by the ubiquitous CCA enzyme, which is an unusual RNA polymerase that does not use a nucleic acid template for nucleotide addition. Crystal structural work has divided CCA enzymes into two structurally distinct classes, which differ in the mechanism of template-independent nucleotide selection. Recent kinetic work of the class II E. coli CCA enzyme has demonstrated a rapid and uniform rate constant for the chemistry of nucleotide addition at each step of CCA synthesis, although the enzyme uses different determinants to control the rate of each step. Importantly, the kinetic work reveals that, at each step of CCA synthesis, E. coli CCA enzyme has an innate ability to discriminate against tRNA backbone damage. This discrimination suggests the possibility of a previously unrecognized quality control mechanism that would prevent damaged tRNA from CCA maturation and from entering the ribosome machinery of protein synthesis. This quality control is relevant to cellular stress conditions that damage tRNA backbone and predicts a role of CCA addition in stress response. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(4): 251–260, 2010
The electronic spectra of azobenzene derivatives and their conjugate acids

Abstract The absorption spectra of azobenzene, of its m-bromo and p-ethoxy derivatives, of their conjugate acids and of benzalaniline are redetermined and carefully analyzed. Less precise data on the spectra of 9 other monosubstituted derivatives of azobenzene and their conjugate acids are reported. Energy level diagrams calculated by crude LCAO MO theory are used to interpret the observed transitions. The n → π 1 ∗ transition of azobenzene near 440 mμ may consist of two bands ascribed to the n a → π 1 ∗ , and n s → π 1 ∗ transitions. The 320-mμ band is the π 1 → π 1 ∗ transition, and the 230-mμ bands probably the φ → φ ∗ transitions. Buried in the asymmetric short wavelength side of the π 1 → π 1 ∗ transition are the transitions φ → π 1 ∗ . In the conjugate acids, the 420-mμ band is the π 1 → π 1 ∗ transition, the 235-mμ bands the φ → φ ∗ transitions, and the φ → π 1 ∗ transitions are again buried in the short wavelength side of the π 1 → π 1 ∗ transitions. The n a → π 1 ∗ transition is found at about 310 mμ at an intensity corresponding to the n → π ∗ transitions of the cis-free bases, thus confirming the previously postulated cis-conformation of the conjugate acids. The spectra of stilbene and of benzalaniline are reinterpreted in the light of the discussions. Substituent and solvent effects are discussed.
Low-Temperature Reforming of Ethanol over Copper-Plated Raney Nickel: A New Route to Sustainable Hydrogen for Transportation

Raney nickel can be plated with a high loading of copper (28%) to produce a novel copper−nickel catalyst, which retains a Raney-type structure. A simple two-step aqueous procedure was used. The catalyst exhibits high activity for low-temperature (250−300 °C) reforming of ethanol to methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. Stable activity for over 400 h was achieved with no detectable methanation. The catalyst is significantly less active for methanol reforming and has low water−gas shift activity. The kinetics fit a two-step model in which ethanol is dehydrogenated to acetaldehyde in a first-order reaction with an activation energy of 149 kJ/mol followed by the decarbonylation of acetaldehyde, which is also first-order. The low-temperature ethanol reforming pathway has not previously been considered as a route to hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles because it leads to formation of only 2 mol of hydrogen/mol of ethanol versus 6 mol of hydrogen for traditional, high-temperature reforming. We suggest that capturi...
Kinetic and equilibrium effects in the environmental embrittlement of ordered intermetallics

The case of FeAl (36.5 at%Al) will be examined in detail. Tensile elongation of 18% could be achieved in dry oxygen at room temperature with intergranular fracture. When tested in air or water, only 2% elongation was obtained and the fracture is transgranular cleavage. However, this sever embrittlement effect decreases with both increasing and decreasing temperatures. The dip in ductility due to environmental embrittlement of intermetallics can be quantitatively explained by a kinetic effect at low temperatures and an equilibrium effect at high temperatures. This explanation can be used to understand the effects of alloying and of different environments.
Endonasal transsphenoidal removal of tuberculum sellae meningiomas: technical note.

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculum sellae meningiomas traditionally have been removed through a transcranial approach, More recently, the sublabial transsphenoidal approach has been used to remove such tumors. Here, we describe use of the direct endonasal transsphenoidal approach for removal of suprasellar meningiomas. METHODS: Three women, aged 32, 34, and 55 years, each sought treatment for visual loss and headaches. In each patient, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a suprasellar mass causing optic chiasmal and optic nerve compression (average size, 2 × 2 cm). All three patients underwent tumor removal via an endonasal approach with the operating microscope. Suprasellar exposure was facilitated by removal of the posterior planum sphenoidale. Ultrasound was used to help define tumor location before dural opening. The extent of tumor removal was verified with angled endoscopes in all patients, and with intraoperative MRI in one patient. The surgical dural and bony defects were repaired in all patients with abdominal fat, titanium mesh, and 2 to 3 days of cerebrospinal fluid lumbar drainage. Nasal packing was not used. RESULTS: There were no postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks or meningitis. One patient required a reoperation 2 weeks after surgery to reduce the size of her fat graft, which was causing optic nerve compression; within 24 hours, her vision rapidly improved. At 3 months after surgery, all three patients had normal vision, no new enducrinupathy, and no residual tumor on MRI. At 10 months after surgery, one patient had a small asymptomatic tumor regrowth seen on MRI. CONCLUSION: The endoriasal approach with the operating microscope appears to be an effective minimally invasive method for removing relatively small midline tuberculum sellae meningiomas. Intraoperative ultrasound, the micro-Doppler probe, and angled endoscopes are useful adjuncts for safely and completely removing such tumors. Longer follow-up is needed to monitor for tumor recurrence in these patients.
ON THE VIBRATIONAL MODES OF C60

Abstract The vibrational spectrum of C 60 is compared to the spectrum of a classical isotropic elastic spherical shell. We show correlations between the low frequency modes of C 60 and those of the spherical shell. We find the spherical model gives the approximate frequency ordering for the low frequency modes. We estimate a Poisson ratio of σ ≈ 0.30 and a transverse speed of sound of υ s ≈ 1800 m/s for the equivalent elastic shell. We also find that ω( M 1 ) ω( M 0 ) = √ 3 2 for the shell modes M 0 and M 1 , independent of elastic constants. We find that this ratio compares favorably with an experimental value of 1.17.
Elemental composition of individual chondrules from carbonaceous chondrites, including Allende

Abstract Major and trace element analyses of over 180 individual chondrules from 12 carbonaceous chondrites are reported, including individual analyses of 60 chondrules from Pueblito de Allende. Siderophile elements in most chondrules are depleted, compared to the whole chondrite. Correlations of Al-Ir and Ir-Sc among chondrules high in Ca and Al were observed. A Cu-Mn correlation was also found for chondrules from some meteorites. No correlation was observed between Au and other siderophile elements (Fe, Ni, Co and Ir). It is suggested that these elemental associations were present in the material from which the chondrules formed. Compositionally, chondrules appear to be a multicomponent mixture of remelted dust. One component displaying an Al-Ir correlation is identified as Allende-type white aggregates. The other components are a material chemically similar to the present matrix and sulfides-plus-metal material. Abundances of the REE (rare earth elements) were measured in ‘ordinary’ Allende chondrules and were 50% higher than REE abundances in Mokoia chondrules; REE abundances in Ca-Al rich chondrules were similar to REE abundances in Ca-rich white aggregates.
Modeling of lung gas exchange—mathematical models of the lung: The Bohr model, static and dynamic approaches

Abstract The Bohr model of the lung is examined, and all assumptions involved are specified. The weakest assumptions are those required to produce constant alveolar gas concentrations, e.g., simultaneous inhalation and exhalation; these lead to a “static” model. With more realistic assumptions we arrive at a dynamic version of the Bohr two-compartment model. Computed solution of the equations of this model demonstrates two phenomena, i.e., cardiogenic oscillations and increasing carbon dioxide/decreasing oxygen tension in the exhaled gas, not shown by the static model. Experimental results for the changes in exhaled gas concentration are in fair agreement with the model results. It is interesting to observe that the alveolar gas concentrations computed with this lumped parameter model are very similar to the corresponding curves from the distributed parameter model presented by Flumerfelt and Crandall [3].
Weibull statistics applied to fiber failure in ceramic composites and work of fracture

Abstract Fiber failure locations with respect to a given matrix crack are determined for single and multiple matrix cracking in ceramic composites by defining a pointwise failure probability in terms of the Weibull strength theory. The composite is assumed to be reinforced with uniaxially aligned continuous fibers with frictionally constrained interfaces. The average fiber pullout lengths after complete and partial fiber failure are given for both single and multiple matrix cracking. Previous results reported by Sutcu [( J. Mater. Sci. 23 , 928 (1988)] for the work of fracture are refined, and the composite strength beyond matrix cracking is estimated for multiple matrix cracking, assuming that all matrix cracks behave in a similar manner throughout the composite volume. The frictional stress caused by bridging fibers is considered in the strength computation in order to improve the strength prediction, especially beyond the ultimate load. The predicted results are compared to experimental results on LAS-Glass/Nicalon fiber composite.
Chemical processes in the deep interior of Uranus

The unusual magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune are important considerations when developing hydrodynamic models of the planetary interiors. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations are used to study how chemical processes could create the interior structures predicted from the planets' magnetic fields.
Jet-Cooled Phosphorescence Excitation Spectrum of the T1(n,π*) ← S0 Transition of 2-Cyclopenten-1-one

The T1(n,pi*) <-- S0 transition of 2-cyclopenten-1-one (2CP) was investigated by using phosphorescence excitation (PE) spectroscopy in a free-jet expansion. The origin band, near 385 nm, is the most intense feature in the T1(n,pi*) <-- S0 PE spectrum. A short progression in the ring-bending mode (nu'(30)) is also observed. The effective vibrational temperature in the jet is estimated at 50 K. The spectral simplification arising from jet cooling helps confirm assignments made previously in the room-temperature cavity ringdown (CRD) absorption spectrum, which is congested by vibrational hot bands. In addition to the origin and nu'(30) assignments, the jet-cooled PE spectrum also confirms the 28(0)(1) (C=O out-of-plane wag), 29(0)(1) (C=C twist), and 19(0)(1) (C=O in-plane wag) band assignments that were made in the T1(n,pi*) <-- S0 room-temperature CRD spectrum. The temporal decay of the T1 state of 2CP was investigated as a function of vibronic excitation. Phosphorescence from the v' = 0 level persists the entire time the molecules traverse the emission detection zone. Thus the phosphorescence lifetime of the v' = 0 level is significantly longer than the 2 micros transit time through the viewing zone. Higher vibrational levels in the T1 state have shorter phosphorescence lifetimes, on the order of 2 micros or less. The concomitant reduction in emission quantum yield causes the higher vibronic bands (above 200 cm(-1)) in the PE spectrum to be weak. It is proposed that intersystem crossing to highly vibrationally excited levels of the ground state is responsible for the faster decay and diminished quantum yield. The jet cooling affords partial rotational resolution in the T1(n,pi*) <-- S0 spectrum of 2CP. The rotational structure of the origin band was simulated by using inertial constants available from a previously reported density functional (DFT) calculation of the T1(n,pi*) state, along with spin constants obtained via a fitting procedure. Intensity parameters were also systematically varied. The optimized intensity factors support a model that identifies the S2(pi,pi*) <-- S0 transition in 2CP as the sole source of oscillator strength for the T1(n,pi*) <-- S0 transition.
Dioxin inhalation doses from wood combustion in indoor cookfires.

Abstract Approximately 3 billion people worldwide rely on solid biomass fuels for household cooking and space heating, and approximately 50–60% use wood, often indoors in poorly ventilated situations. Daily exposures to high concentrations of smoke from cookstoves inside kitchens create large smoke exposures for women cooks and their small children. The smoke from burning the wood fuel contains hundred of toxic compounds, including dioxins and furans some of the most toxic compounds known to science. Health effects from exposure to dioxins include reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interference with hormones and also cause cancer. This study measured concentrations of dioxins and furans in a typical Guatemalan village home during open cookfires. Measured concentrations averaged 0.32 ± 0.07 ng m −3 over 31 fires. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted using parameter estimates based on 8 years of research experience in the study area. The estimated total daily intake of 17 particle phase dioxin and furans for women, a 5-year-old child and a 6-month-old infant were 1.2 (S.D. = 0.4), 1.7 (S.D. = 0.7) and 2.0 (S.D. = 0.5) respectively. The 46% of babies have and estimated total daily intake (TDI) which exceed the WHO TDI guideline for dioxins and furans, 3% of women and 26% of 5-year-old children based solely inhalation of particle phase dioxins in woodsmoke from an open cooking fire. These values maybe underestimates, as they did not include gas phase concentrations or ingestion of dioxins and furans through food, which is the largest route of exposure in the developed world.
Quantitation of Protein Tyrosine, 3-Nitrotyrosine, and 3-Aminotyrosine Utilizing HPLC and Intrinsic Ultrviolet Absorbance

Abstract Nitrotyrosine has been found in the urine of humans with no known exposure to exogenous nitrating agents. We have shown that peroxynitrite, a nitrating agent formed by the near diffusion-limited reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide, is formed by activated macrophages. Using an antibody which recognizes nitrated tyrosine residues in proteins, we have obtained immunohistological evidence for nitration in a number of pathological conditions amenable to peroxynitrite formation. We have developed an HPLC method as a means of confirming the presence of nitrotyrosine. Quantitation of small amounts of nitrotyrosine in complex protein mixtures presents special problems of sensitivity and specificity which are often exacerbated by traditional amine-derivatization of all amino acids. An HPLC method for proteins hydrolysates is described which relies on intinsic UV absorbance of nitrotyrosine at 280 nm (which is fivefold higher than tyrosine at pH 3.5) for quantitation and on its unique absorbance at 355-365 nm for partial identification. Since only aromatic acids are detected, sample sizes can be increased to permit detection of small amounts of nitrotyrosine without introducing interference. Treatment of BSA with 4mM peroxynitrite resulted in nitration of 12.8% of total tyrosine residues; a small fraction (0.9%) of the total was detected as aminotyrosine. A total of 9.6% of the tyrosine residues in fresh plasma were nitrated as a result of treatment with 4mM peroxytyrosinee during hydrolysis. The advantages of this method over traditional amine-dervatized amino acid analysis are discussed and modifications which would further increase sensitivity to aminotyrosine are presented.