cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching electromagnetic compatibility to engineering technology students

In recent years the operating speed of digital electronic systems has increased beyond one GHz. Challenges to the system design are electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity issues. The electrical and computer engineering technology programs offer courses in digital and analog electronics, and communication circuits along with fundamentals of circuit analysis, signals and systems and electromagnetics. An elective course on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) will provide students with knowledge of overcoming challenges of meeting standards and signal integrity issues and knowledge of dealing with electronic systems as a whole to the students. This paper discusses the contents of the curriculum to prepare students in technology major for this important industry relevant topic.
Assessing coastal plumes in a region of multiple discharges: the U.S.-Mexico border.

The San Diego/Tijuana border region has several environmental challenges with regard to assessing water quality impacts resulting from local coastal ocean discharges for which transport is not hindered by political boundaries. While an understanding of the fate and transport of these discharged plumes has a broad audience, the spatial and temporal scales of the physical processes present numerous challenges in conducting assessment with any fidelity. To address these needs, a data-driven model of the transport of both shoreline and offshore discharges is developed and operated in a hindcast mode for a four-year period to analyze regional connectivity between the discharges and the receiving of waters and the coastline. The plume exposure hindcast model is driven by surface current data generated by a network of high-frequency radars. Observations provided by both boat-based CTD measurements and fixed oceanographic moorings are used with the Roberts−Snyder−Baumgartner model to predict the plume rise height...
War of the Worlds to Social Media: Mediated Communication in Times of Crisis

Hayes, J. E., Battles, K., & Hilton-Morrow, W. (Eds.). (2013). War of the Worlds to Social Media: Mediated Communication in Times of Crisis. New York, NY: Peter Lang, 292 pagesAnyone who has taught...
Multiagent AI implementations an emerging software engineering trend

Abstract A model is presented for the design and implementation of software systems using multiagent artificial intelligence (AI) and concurrent software engineering techniques. The stages of conceptualization, design and implementation are defined by AI methods. It is proposed that software systems be designed through knowledge acquisition, specification, and multiagent implementations. Multiagent implementations are proposed here to facilitate a fault-tolerant software-design methodology, applying recent research that has led to fault-tolerant AI systems. A particular approach to, and an AI formulation for designing fault-free and fault-tolerant software is presented, based on the agent models of computation. An approach using object-oriented design, coupled with a novel multi-kernel approach, is presented. A system is defined by many communicating pairs of kernels, each defining a part of the system, as specified by object-level knowledge acquisition. An overview of agent morphisms and algebras is presented and applied to the design.
Pulmonary stenosis: defect-specific diagnostic accuracy of heart murmurs in children.

Abstract Objective: To determine the accuracy of expert examination for pulmonary stenosis (PS) among children with murmur. Study design: Five hundred twenty-one consecutive, previously unevaluated, pediatric patients were enrolled. The investigators prospectively recorded their diagnosis and level of confidence, categorizing any PS suspected as mild or severe. After echocardiography, PS was categorized by severity with peak systolic flow velocity. Receiver operating characteristic curves described accuracy of clinical examination. Results: Sixty-two patients had PS (mild, 29; moderate, 27; and severe, 6). Receiver operator characteristic curve areas were: total, 0.834 ± 0.033; mild, 0.862 ± 0.044; and moderate to severe, 0.809 ± 0.046 (P = .20). Specific difficulties in discrimination of PS from small ventricular septal defect, aortic valve disease, atrial septal defect, and innocent murmur were identified. All cases of severe PS in which PS was suspected were thought possibly severe. Conclusions: Although expert clinical examination is highly accurate for distinguishing PS from non-PS cardiac murmurs in pediatric patients, it is imperfect. (J Pediatr 1999;134:76-81)
Multiple types of nitrogen monoxide synthase-/NADPH diaphorase-containing neurons in the human cerebral neocortex

Abstract Nitrogen monoxide (NO) synthase (NOS)-containing neurons (NOSN) were identified by means of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase histochemistry in nine areas of the human cerebral neocortex from patients 9–74 years og age. Labeled neurons were analyzed according to their disposition in the various layers of the cortical gray and immediately subjacent white matter, and classified according to their cytological features. The vast majority of NOSN (about 80%) are situated in the subcortical white matter and not in the cortical gray proper. Nevertheless, these NOSN extend their processes into the cortical gray and thus appear to participate in intracortical circuits, along with the minority of NOSN situated in all cortical layers. Although many NOSN are small aspiny local circuit neurons, as reported previously, additional distinct cytological types of NADPH diaphorase-positive neurons were also identified, including: (a) local circuit neurons in layer I; (b) granule cells in layer II, and (c) non-pyramidal neurons with densely spinous dendrites in the white matter immediately under the cortical gray. Processes fulfilling light microscopic criteria for axons were seen in many of the above cell types originating from proximal dendrites and, less frequently, from a presumed axon hillock. Taken together, these observations indicate that NOSN belong to several distinct morphological and presumably functional classes, some of which have a unique or restricted laminar location, raising the possibility that some of these various classes of neurons may be selectively affected or spared in neurodegenerative disorders.
CFD analysis of municipal solid waste combustion using detailed chemical kinetic modelling

Nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emissions from the combustion of municipal solid waste (MSW) in waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities are receiving renewed attention to reduce their output further. While NO x emissions are currently 60% below allowed limits, further reductions will decrease the air pollution control (APC) system burden and reduce consumption of NH3. This work combines the incorporation of the GRI 3.0 mechanism as a detailed chemical kinetic model (DCKM) into a custom three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model fully to understand the NO x chemistry in the above-bed burnout zones. Specifically, thermal, prompt and fuel NO formation mechanisms were evaluated for the system and a parametric study was utilized to determine the effect of varying fuel nitrogen conversion intermediates between HCN, NH3 and NO directly. Simulation results indicate that the fuel nitrogen mechanism accounts for 92% of the total NO produced in the system with thermal and prompt mechanisms accounting for the remaining 8%. Results also show a 5% variation in final NO concentration between HCN and NH3 inlet conditions, demonstrating that the fuel nitrogen intermediate assumed is not significant. Furthermore, the conversion ratio of fuel nitrogen to NO was 0.33, revealing that the majority of fuel nitrogen forms N2.
Educational attainment and HIV/AIDS prevalence: A cross-country study

Abstract Using data for a large cross-country sample, a reasonable model is estimated to judge the effect of adult educational attainment on prevalence of HIV. Three main points are noted. First, there is an indication of a significantly negative effect of educational attainment on HIV prevalence. Second, magnitude of the impact appears sizable. Third, a simple test suggests that the model does not have any major specification problem. Three additional aspects may also be interesting. First, the impact of per capita income is negative but statistically weak. Second, the effect of health expenditures lacks significance and does not carry the expected sign. Third, the proportion of population that is Muslim has a significantly negative association with HIV prevalence, perhaps reflecting the widely-shared view that male circumcision lowers acquisition of the disease.
Prosthetic patches for congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair: Surgisis vs Gore-Tex.

Abstract Purpose The sequelae of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) continue well beyond the perinatal period. Up to 50% of these patients have subsequent recurrent herniation or small bowel obstruction (SBO). A recent trend has been toward the use of bioactive prosthetic materials. We reviewed different patch closure techniques used for CDH repair at our institution and their association with these sequelae. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 152 records for patients with CDH. Newborns that underwent patch repair for CDH and survived for at least 30 days were included in the analysis. Primary outcomes evaluated were recurrent herniation and SBO. Two types of prostheses were examined, Gore-Tex, an artificial material, and Surgisis, a bioactive material. Results Twelve (44%) of 27 patients who had Surgisis repair had recurrent herniation. Seventeen (38%) of 45 patients who had a Gore-Tex repair had recurrent herniation. Two additional patients in each group presented with SBO. No significant difference in recurrent herniation rates was observed ( P > .5). The time to recurrence was similar in both groups (log-rank, P = .75), with most recurrences (92% Surgisis, 76% Gore-Tex) occurring in the first year. Conclusion The rates of recurrent herniation and SBO after neonatal prosthetic patch repair of CDH were similar regardless of the prosthetic material used (Surgisis or Gore-Tex).
Rigid-Body Attitude Control

Rigid-body attitude control is motivated by aerospace applications that involve attitude maneuvers or attitude stabilization. The set of attitudes of a rigid body is the set of 3 X 3 orthogonal matrices whose determinant is one. This set is the configuration space of rigid-body attitude motion; however, this configuration space is not Euclidean. Since the set of attitudes is not a Euclidean space, attitude control is typically studied using various attitude parameterizations. Motivated by the desire to represent attitude both globally and uniquely in the analysis of rigid-body rotational motion, this article uses orthogonal matrices exclusively to represent attitude and to develop results on rigid-body attitude control. An advantage of using orthogonal matrices is that these control results, which include open-loop attitude control maneuvers and stabilization using continuous feedback control, do not require reinterpretation on the set of attitudes viewed as orthogonal matrices. The main objec tive of this article is to demonstrate how to characterize properties of attitude control systems for arbitrary attitude maneuvers without using attitude parameterizations.
The direct-voltage calibration of air-gaps in a uniform field and between spheres up to 25 cm in diameter

Direct breakdown voltages of gaps between spherical and plane electrodes in air have been measured under controlled test conditions using 2.0, 6.25, 12.5 and 25cm-diameter spheres. The factors which influence the breakdown voltages have been studied systematically and their effect on the calibration data is discussed. Calibration Tables for sphere-gaps and uniform-field gaps are given, and the results are compared with the new values recently issued by the I.E.C.
Recreational use of phenytoin, marijuana, and alcohol: A case report

The neurologic sequela of recreational abuse of prescription medication and illicit drugs is a significant cause of presentation to emergency departments. Phenytoin is not widely known for its potential as a recreational street drug. I report a case of phenytoin sold as a street drug, which led to phenytoin toxicity after being taken with marijuana. A man aged 19 years smoked marijuana, drank beer, and “sipped syrup” to get “high.” The patient’s mother brought the patient to the emergency department because he could not walk, fell multiple times to the left resulting in mild head trauma, and had slurred speech and vomiting for the past 2 days. On examination, he was …
The effects of repeated shifts in magnitude of food reward upon the barpress rate in the rat

In a four-shift experiment, four independent groups of hungry rats received the following treatments: LLLLL, SSSSS, LSLSL, and SLSLS, with each letter denoting the magnitude of food reward (large or small) received in each of the five phases of the experiment. Contrast effects were not obtained in the second shift. However, significant positive and negative contrast effects were found in the third shift. The effects started to weaken in the fourth shift, as reflected by a much delayed, albeit significant PCE and a graphical but nonsignificant NCE. The use of multiple shifts to assess the effects of learning and motivation factors on contrast was urged.
AlGaAs/GaInAs strained-base pnp heterojunction bipolar transistors

We report the first strained-layer pnp heterojunction bipolar transistors fabricated in the AlGaAs/GaInAs/GaAs system. Despite significant lattice mismatch between the Ga0.9In0.1As base layer and AlGaAs emitter, the current gain was comparable to that of similar AlGaAs/GaAs transistors. A maximum gain of 35 was observed for a device with graded In content across the base.
Neuroadenolysis of the pituitary:Description of a modified technique

Abstract Neuroadenoylysis of the pituitary (NALP) has been found to be an effective technique in relieving pain of malignant origin. This paper describes a modified technique using a single small needle through a needle. This modified technique was used on 15 consecutive patients with intractable diffuse painof malignant origin whose pain was not controlled by conventional treatment modalities. Nine of 15 patients (60%) experienced excellent pain relief, defined as the need for no narcotic analgesics to control their pain. Five of 15 patients (33%) reported good pain relief, defined as complete pain control with adjunctive oral narcotic analgesics given on an around-the-clock basis. One patient (7%) had poor relief of pain, defined as incomplete pain control despite use of narcotic analgesics. No permanent complications were observed. It appears that this modified approach to NALP provides a safe effective means of relievingpain of malignant origin with a decreased incidence of side effects.
Adsorbed Species and Reaction Rates for NO–CO over Rh(111)

We have studied the reaction of NO with CO over a Rh(111) catalyst by monitoring the infrared (IR) intensity of surface CO and NO at various partial pressures of NO (PNO), CO (PCO), and sample temperatures (T). Reaction rates for the products (CO2, N2O, and N2) were previously measured at the same conditions in our apparatus [J. Phys. Chem.99, 16344 (1995)]. Surface coverages were observed both atPNO=8 Torr, where the reaction yields mostly N2O and the selectivity is insensitive to eitherPCO(1 to 40 Torr) orT(<673 K), and atPNO=0.8 Torr, where the major product changes from N2O below 635 K to N2above 635 K. Changes in the surface coverages of NO and CO correlate well with the observed changes in N2O selectivity. Below 635 K, where N2O formation is favored, NO dominates the surface. Above 635 K, where N2formation is preferred, CO is the majority surface species. Our IR data support a model in which product N2O and N2are formed as adsorbed N reacts with either adsorbed NO or N, respectively. In an additional kinetic experiment, we used isotopically labeled N2O to show that gas phase N2O is not an intermediate to N2formation at 648 K—this helps to rule out an alternative model. In our IR experiments, two types of spectra were obtained with a Fourier transform IR spectrometer. Polarization spectra were obtained using two fixed polarizers, one before the sample, oriented to pass approximately equal amounts ofs- andp-polarized light, and one after the sample that selecteds- orp-polarized light. Spectra obtained withs- andp-polarized light were ratioed. We also obtained conventional reflectance absorbance IR spectra. In a separate calibration experiment with NO on Rh(111) in ultrahigh vacuum we observed five IR bands at 1448, 1530, 1590, 1643, and 1693 cm−1. We attribute all of these to bridging NO, most likely at threefold hollow sites. As NO coverage increases up to saturation, the distribution of population among these bands (and their individual frequencies) gradually changes—the average vibrational frequency of the NO increases from ∼1440 to ∼1650 cm−1. From the linear dependence of the integrated IR absorption on NO coverage we find that the vibrational polarizability of the adsorbed NO is 0.20 ± 0.02 A3, a factor 6.5 larger than for free NO. This increase, proportionally larger than for CO on transition metal surfaces, is explained by the facile charge transfer that accompanies donor–acceptor bonding between NO and Rh(111).
Prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and age: a pilot study using functional near infrared spectroscopy in children.

Cerebral hemodynamics reflect cognitive processes and underlying physiological processes, both of which are captured by functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Here, we introduce a novel parameter of Oxygenation Variability directly obtained from fNIRS data —the OV Index—and we demonstrate its use in children. fNIRS data were collected from 17 children (ages 4-8 years), while they performed a standard Go/No-Go task. Data were analyzed using two frequency bands—the first attributed to cerebral autoregulation (CA) (<0.1 Hz) and the second to respiration (0.2-0.3 Hz). Results indicate differences in variability of oscillations of oxygen saturation (SO2) between the two different bands. These pilot data reveal a dynamic relationship between chronological age and OV index in CA associated frequency of <0.1 Hz. Specifically, OV index increased with age between 4 to 6 years. In addition, there was much higher variability in frequencies associated with CA than for respiration across subjects. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the utility of the OV index and are the first to describe the relationship between cerebral autoregulation and age in children using fNIRS methodology.
A history-driven approach at evolving views under meta data changes

Views over distributed information sources, such as data warehouses, rely on the stability of the schemas of underlying databases. In the event of meta data changes in the sources, such as the deletion of a table or column, such views may become undefined. Using meta data about information redundancy, views can be evolved as necessary to remain well defined after source meta data changes.Previous work in view synchronization focused only on deletions of schema elements. We now offer an approach that makes use of additions also. Our algorithm returns view definitions to previous versions by using knowledge about the history of views and meta data. This technology enables us to adapt views to temporary meta data changes by canceling out opposite changes. It also allows undo/redo operations on meta data. Last, in many cases, the resulting evolved views even have an improved information quality. In this paper, we give a formal taxonomy of schema and constraint changes and a full description of the proposed history-driven view-synchronization algorithm for this taxonomy. We also prove the history-driven view-synchronization algorithm to be correct. Our approach falls in the global-as-view category of data integration solutions but, unlike prior solutions in this category, it now also deals with changes in the information space rather than requiring source schemas to remain constant over time.
Magnetic resonance imaging-guided adoptive cellular immunotherapy of central nervous system tumors with a T1 contrast agent.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most effective antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and are used in a variety of immunotherapeutic approaches. Adoptive cellular immunotherapy (ACI) of cancer using DCs has attracted much interest due to their capacity to promote immunity in prophylactic and therapeutic protocols. As one approach, DCs are injected into patients or tumor-bearing animals, to trigger specific antitumor immunity. In that framework, several approaches to DC delivery have been reported, including direct intratumoral injection; this has yielded positive but variable results. The underlying reasons for this have not been fully determined, but major hypotheses include technical difficulties in delivering cells into tumors and tumor-mediated immunosuppression. Image-guided ACI offers the potential to establish that DCs are efficiently delivered to the tumor site, which might eliminate some of the variability. Therefore, we developed highly sensitive methods for monitoring the injection or trafficking of DCs into tumors using a clinically approved formulation of a gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, Gd(III)-HP-DO3A (ProHance™). We determined the labeling efficiency of DCs with this formulation; that labeling DCs with this agent did not inhibit expression of surface markers important for antigen presentation and activation of naive T cells; that their capacity to interact with natural killer (NK) cells was not reduced; and that their migration was not diminished. Further, we determined that ProHance™-labeled DCs can be effectively imaged in vivo in established central nervous system tumors.
New results on linear parameter-varying time-delay systems

Abstract A class of linear parameter-varying time-delay systems where the state-space matrices depend on time-varying parameters and the time-delay is unknown but bounded is considered. Both notions of quadratic stability (using a single quadratic Lyapunov–Krasovskii function) and affine quadratic stability (using parameter-dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions) are investigated. LMI-based delay-independent and delay-dependent conditions are derived for stability testing. Then, state-feedback controllers are designed which guarantee quadratic stability and an induced L 2 -norm bound. We use a parameter-independent quadratic Lyapunov–Krasovskii function for the case of dynamic output feedback control to develop LMI-based solvability conditions which are evaluated at the extreme points of the admissible parameter set. Numerical examples are presented.
The Molecular Basis of Xeroderma Pigmentosum

BACKGROUND Xeroderma pigmentosum is an extremely rare, autosomal recessive disease characterized by a more than 1000- fold increase in nonmelanoma skin cancer. Individuals with this disease can be divided into eight complementation groups: A–G and V for variant. Each one represents a different genetic defect in DMA repair. OBJECTIVE To review the molecular basis of xeroderma pigmentosum. RESULTS Deficiencies in various gene products in the nudeotide excision repair pathway cause xeroderma pigmentosum in complementation groups A–G. The molecular basis of the variant group remains to be elucidated. CONCLUSION Research into the genetic defects underlying xeroderma pigmentosum have led to an increased understanding of nudeotide excision repair.
Agentsheets: a tool for building domain-oriented visual programming environments

Visual programming systems are supposed to simplify programming by capitalizing on innate human spatial reasoning skills. I argue that: (i) good visual programming environments should be oriented toward their application domains, and (ii) tools to build domain-oriented environments are needed because building such environments from scratch is very difficult. The demonstration illustrates how the visual programming system builder called Agentsheets addresses these issues and demonstrates several applications built using Agentsheets.
Rebuilding host-pathogen interaction from the ground up: in vitro reconstitution of the inflammasome.

Summary The inflammasome is a macromolecular complex responsible for the proteolytic processing and activation of the secreted cytokine IL-1β. It is assembled and activated in response to upstream intracellular sensors of microbial components and cell injury. Now, Faustin et al. describe an in vitro cell-free reconstitution of the inflammasome, opening up a new avenue to better understand this innate immune pathway of microbe sensing.
Anticoagulant resistance in wild Norway rats in New York.

Wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from several habitats were tested for their susceptibility and resistance to warfarin. Animals were fed 0·005% warfarin in ground oatmeal for periods varying from 1 to 12 days. Rats having no prior exposure to anticoagulants were shown to be susceptible, none having survived a 6-day feeding period. Resistant rats were found on two farms where anticoagulant materials had been used intensively for about 20 years.
Determining the cause of memory loss in the elderly: From in-office screening to neuropsychological referral

PREVIEWMany of the complaints about memory loss that bring an elderly patient to the office reflect normal aging or effects of a treatable condition, such as depression. But sometimes, the changes are a harbinger of an ominous process, such as Alzheimer's disease. With objective verification of memory loss, physicians can feel more confident in allaying patients' fears or in making a diagnosis of dementia, even in early disease when signs are ambiguous. In this article, the authors describe simple tests to do in the office and situations that are best handled by referral for neuropsychological testing.
Light interception by isolated plants

Abstract Foliage of single plants invariably appears to be nonuniformly distributed when viewed from the direction of the sun. The nonuniformity of foliage in space and its constraint within an envelope should both be considered when analyzing light interception. This study uses a generalized treatment of the distribution of foliage and its projection onto a plane within or below the canopy. Given this projected foliage distribution, the general light penetration law of Mann et al. (1977) can be applied to calculate either the light interception or penetration. The analysis is illustrated by calculation of the sunlight interception of model plants in the shape of ellipsoids. Different distributions of foliage density with height and radial distance give different light interceptions. Comparison of light interceptions by uniform and nonuniform foliage structures show differences as high as 43%.
Sequence-specific DNA binding activity of RNA helicase A to the p16INK4a promoter.

p16INK4a is frequently altered in human cancer, often through epigenetically mediated transcriptional silencing. However, little is known about the transcriptional regulation of this gene. To learn more about such control, we initiated studies of proteins that bind to the promoter in cancer cells that do, and do not, express the gene. We identify RNA helicase A (RHA) as a protein that binds much better to the p16INK4a promoter in the expressing cells. RHA has not previously been characterized to manifest sequence-specific DNA interaction but does so to the sequence 5′ CGG ACC GCG TGC GC 3′ in the p16INK4a promoter. The Drosophilahomologue to RHA, maleless (Mle), functions in the fly for 2-fold activation of male X-chromosome genes. In our experimental setting, RHA induces a similar modest up-regulation of the p16INK4a promoter that is dependent upon its sequence-specific interaction. Mle colocalizes with hyperacetylated H4Ac16 on the X-chromosome and some autosomal loci. The decreased binding of RHA to p16INK4a in our cells, where the gene is transcriptionally inactive, is associated with decreased amounts of RHA that immunoprecipitate with acetylated lysine antibodies. Finally, we show RHA to be a cellular substrate for caspase-3, which decreases its sequence-specific binding to p16INK4a by cleavage of the N terminus. Thus, we have identified a new protein interaction with the p16INK4a promoter that involves an important protein for transcriptional modulation. This interaction is decreased in cancer cells, where this gene is aberrantly transcriptionally silent.
A new ankle laxity tester and its use in the measurement of the effectiveness of taping.

Damage to the lateral ligaments of the ankle, namely the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular (CFL) ligaments, is a frequently reported sports injury. The anterior drawer test is generally used to evaluate whether the ATFL has been torn, while the talar tilt test is used to determine if the CFL has been injured. Although these two manual tests are often utilized for quick diagnosis, they have been criticized because of their subjective nature and their inability to produce quantitative and reproducible results. A prototype ankle tester was manufactured that could measure the input force and torque, as well as the linear and angular deprivations for the anterior drawer test and the talar tilt test, respectively. This device was used to take readings on 10 human volunteers of a mean age of 21.6 years. This device was X-ray compatible, adjustable for varying patient sizes, relatively small, portable, and easy to operate. Testing was performed to determine how the stiffness of the ankle would respond to taping, and the effect of walking on the taped ankle. The overall mean anterior drawer was 5.93 mm and the mean talar tilt was 51.6° for bare ankles using a force of 111 N (25 lbs) for the drawer and a torque of 16 N m for the tilt. Taping provided an average increase in stiffness of 11.3%, demonstrating that it did provide increased stability. However, statistically significant (P<0.05) decreases in the stiffness subsequent to taping were observed between the initially taped ankles and after 20 min of walking, when it was shown that talar tilt had increased. The prototype ankle tester produced repeatable measurements, and results show that the increase in stiffness due to taping did decrease after a short period of time.
Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso, northern India and Tibet

Abstract Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso, one of the largest lakes in Tibet, is supported by the geomorphology of the Tangtse Valley, Ladakh, northern India and cosmogenic 10Be nuclide ages of roche moutonnees, strath terraces, and a flood deposit downstream from the former spillway. The former spillway for Pangong Tso is ~ 20-m-high and likely allowed ~ 18 km3 of water to drain catastrophically down the Tangtse Valley over a period of about 2 days sometime during the latest Pleistocene to early Holocene. The largest flood deposit, composed of imbricated granitic boulders up to 4.5 m in length, is present ~ 33 km downvalley of the spillway. These boulders have a cosmogenic 10Be exposure age of 11.1 ± 1.0 ka, the age of the outburst flood. The minimum calculated discharge was ~ 110,000 m3 s− 1. One set of strath terraces, upvalley of the flood deposit along the flood's drainage path, shows that the rate of fluvial incision 0.3 ± 0.1 mm y− 1 during 122–10.5 ka increased to 1.5 ± 0.5 mm y− 1 during 10.5 ka to the present. The temporal overlap of this increase in the rate of fluvial incision with the main flood deposit suggests that the flood was important in defining the incision along the Tangste valley. A second set of strath terraces shows little change in incision, from ~ 0.6–0.9 to ~ 0.9–1.4 mm y− 1, sometime between 18 and 27 ka. Roche moutonnees, upvalley from strath terraces, yield a cosmogenic 10Be age of 35.8 ± 3.0 ka, defining the time when glaciers last occupied the Tangtse valley. However, the lack of glacial sediment along the Tangste valley suggests that the flood eroded glacial depositional landforms and sediments resulting in high sediment loads in the floodwater, which in turn increased fluvial incision to form strath terraces. Much of the eroded glacial sediment was subsequently redeposited as the main flood deposit. The catastrophic drainage of Pangong Tso may be the result of breaching of the Pangong–Tangste spillway during very high lake levels in a period of intensified monsoon (10.7–9.6 ka) and/or possibly the consequence of seismic activity along the Karakoram Fault that is associated with the initial formation of Pangong Tso.
Constancy of adjoint L-invariant

Abstract We prove that Greenbergʼs (adjoint) L -invariant is constant over a slope 0 p-adic analytic family if and only if the family has complex multiplication.
An Evaluation of the Use of the Marketplace Game in Junior College Economics

In the search for new and better ways of teaching economic concepts, instructors are turning to a wide variety of materials and methods. There is a need to evaluate any new technique, not only in broad general terms but in its use with a specific type of college or student. Furthermore, one cannot generalize about such things as games and simulations but should concentrate on evaluating particular pieces of material or approaches, and the effectiveness of those items with particular kinds of students. This article will raise many questions about the adequacy of the research that has been done in this field and will undoubtedly inspire others to employ similar means of testing and evaluating new materials and methods. Other educational researchers might be especially interested in the authors' use of factor analysis.
A chemical genetic approach to probe the function of PINK1 in regulating mitochondrial dynamics.

A chemical genetic approach to probe the function of PINK1 in regulating mitochondrial dynamics
THE MIDDLE ULTRAVIOLET REACHING THE GROUND

Abstract— We present a semi-empirical analytic formula for calculating the direct, diffuse and global solar middle-ultraviolet radiation (280–340 nm) reaching the ground. The formula accommodates variations in wavelength, solar angle, ozone thickness, aerosol thickness, ground albedo, ground elevation, and cloudiness. Analytic representations of biological action spectra are also presented for use in calculations of effective dose at any time of day. Our purpose is to provide a basis for estimating approximate changes in middle-ultraviolet radiation levels reaching the ground caused by anthropogenic changes in the intervening atmosphere.
The morphologic and molecular genetic categories of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders are clinically relevant

BACKGROUND Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PT-LPDs) are a well-known complication of immunosuppression associated with solid organ transplantation. The clinical course of PT-LPDs is unpredictable; some patients experience regression of all lesions with a reduction in immunosuppression, whereas other patients, despite chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, rapidly die of their disease. In this study, the authors attempted to establish whether the previously described morphologic and molecular genetic categories of PT-LPD-plasmacytic hyperplasia (PH), polymorphic PT-LPD (polymorphic), and malignant lymphoma/multiple myeloma (ML/MM)-are clinically relevant and helpful in predicting the clinical outcome of patients who develop these lesions. METHODS To determine the clinical significance of the morphologic and molecular genetic categories of PT-LPDs, the clinical characteristics of 32 solid organ transplant recipients (26 heart, 5 kidney, and 1 lung), including age, time from transplantation to development of PT-LPD, stage of disease, and clinical outcome, were compared with the morphologic and molecular genetic features of the 41 PT-LPDs that they developed (15 PH in 12 patients, 19 polymorphic in 16 patients, and 7 ML/MM in 6 patients). Clinical outcome was defined by the following categories: 1) regression (after a reduction in immunosuppression) and surgical resolution (by surgical excision, with or without a reduction in immunosuppression); 2) medical resolution (by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy); and 3) no response. RESULTS Although there was no difference in the time from transplantation to PT-LPD development among patients belonging to the three morphologic and molecular genetic categories, there was a significant difference in patient age at the time of PT-LPD development (P < 0.0098). Younger patients developed PH (mean age of 19 years), whereas older patients developed polymorphic PT-LPD (mean age of 35 years) and ML/MM (mean age of 56 years). Patients with PH presented with lower stages of disease (Stages I-II) than patients with ML/MM (P < 0.0004). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant trend between morphologic and molecular genetic category and clinical outcome, with decreased likelihood that lesions categorized as PH, polymorphic, or ML/MM would regress with a reduction in immunosuppression or be resolved by surgery, whereas those classified as ML/MM were more likely to exhibit no response to aggressive clinical intervention (P< 0.00006). Furthermore, no patients with PH died, whereas 20% with polymorphic PT-LPD and 67% with ML/MM died as a direct result of their PT-LPDs. CONCLUSIONS This study strongly suggests that classification of PT-LPDs into the morphologic and molecular genetic categories PH, polymorphic, PT-LPD and ML/MM is clinically relevant. Cancer 1998;82:1978-87. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Cryptococcal thyroiditis: report of a case diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

A 54-yr-old female diabetic presented with a febrile illness and respiratory distress associated with bilateral alveolar infiltration. The left lobe of the thyroid gland was enlarged and failed to concentrate pertechnetate. The patient was euthyroid. Cryptococcus neoformans was recognized in a fine-needle aspirate and was confirmed by culture: it was also grown in blood culture. Death was attributed to the respiratory condition. This report emphasizes the emergence of mycotic infections of the thyroid and presents an efficient method for their identification.
Female drug users and the welfare system: a qualitative exploration

In the United States, much of the public views welfare recipients negatively, as unmotivated, as lazy, as chronic drug users, and as exploiters of the system. Yet, despite a large body of sociological literature regarding welfare recipients and their stigmatized social position, there exists a dearth of information from the individuals themselves, most notably from those engaged in drug use. That is, the voices of welfare recipients are largely absent from published sociological research. The link between drug use and public assistance is seen frequently as absolute, though the reasons for this relationship are chiefly unknown. In this paper we present a qualitative analysis that allows for new understandings of the welfare system and of the lives of the female drug users who are publicly seen as unworthy of assistance. Our in-depth interviews demonstrate that welfare dependency and drug use are symptoms of the women's societal position, largely resulting from barriers including a lack of education, few j...
CO reactions in the afterflame region of ethylene/oxygen and ethane/oxygen flames

The kinetics of carbon monoxide disappearance in the afterflame zone of ethylene/oxygen and ethane/oxygen flames at equivalence ratio of 0.67, 0.80, and 1.0, supported on a water-cooled porous-plate-top, rectangular, flat-flame burner have been investigated. The composition profile of stable species, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, and hydrogen, are obtained by mass-spectrometric analysis of gas samples. The profiles of hydroxyl radical and ratational temperatures are obtained by using ultraviolet-absorption spectroscopy. Theoretical multicomponent diffusion coefficients are used for calculating the net reaction rate for each species from the composition and temperature profiles. The uncertainty in theoretical diffusion coefficients do not significantly affect the reaction-rate profile of major stable species, but result in a high uncertainty for the reaction rates of hydroxyl radical and molecular hydrogen. The measured mole fraction of hydroxyl radical shows consistent disagreement with those calculated from partial equilibration hypothesis. The over-all rates of carbon monoxide disappearance and carbon dioxide appearance may be represented by a simple global first-order rate equation − d [ CO ] / dt = d [ C O 2 ] / dt = K ( overall ) [ CO ] . The value of K(overall) is a function of the nature of the fuel and equivalence ratio. The direct dependence of K(overall) upon hydroxyl-radical concentration supports the postulate that the primary path for disappearance of CO is the reaction CO+OH=CO2+H. The value of kCO+OH to account for the observed rate of disappearance of carbon monoxide in the present study is greater by an average factor of 2.47 as compared to the latest recommended literature value of kCO+OH=(5.6±0.8)×1011 exp[(−1080±500)/RT] cm3 mole−1 sec−1.
Electrocardiographic changes in rats deficient in vitamin B1.

Vitamin B1 deficiency in rats and pigeons has been found to be associated with bradycardia (Birch and Harris1; Drury, Harris and Maudsley2; Carter and Drury3; and Mehes and Peter4,5). Changes in the complexes of the electrocardiograms have not been described. As far as one can ascertain, the electrocardiograms obtained in rats deficient in vitamin B1 were not standardized.Because of the discrepancy between electrocardiographic findings in deficiency states attributed to vitamin B in man (beriberi, pellagra, polyneuritis)6789 and in animals, a study was undertaken on the effect of vitamin B1 deficiency on the heart of the rat, as indicated by the electrocardiogram. Nine rats were placed on diets deficient in B1, consisting of Wesson10 salt mixture 3.5%, starch 55%, butter fat 8.5%, casein 18% and autoclaved bakers' yeast 15%. The casein was washed with alcohol by a method similar to that of Chase and Sherman.11 The yeast was autoclaved for one hour at 20 pounds after the addition of 0.1 normal sodium hydro...
Nontransferable van der Waals potentials: Insulators at high pressure.

For a simple model whose cohesion is dominated by dispersion forces we show that the expansion of the energy in terms of multi-center interactions is ill conditioned at a low density. This density is physically realizable for systems with highly polarizable atoms, and in these circumstances an alternative expression for the internal energy is required. For polarizable systems the requisite densities are readily achievable with the use of modern high pressure capabilities, and have consequences for the interpretation of equation of state data in terms of potential energy functions. 13 refs., 3 figs.
Small firms in Portugal: a selective survey of stylized facts, economic analysis, and policy implications

I survey a number of stylized facts pertaining to the dynamics of firm entry, growth, and exit in competitive industries. I focus particularly on data for Portugal, although I also consider, for comparison purposes, data from other countries. I then present a series of theoretical models that attempt to explain the stylized facts and evaluate the welfare impact of market distortions. Finally, I derive a number of policy implications, all centered around the notion of economic mobility.
Guided inquiry laboratory exercises designed to develop qualitative reasoning skills in undergraduate engineering students

We describe inquiry-based lab exercises designed to develop qualitative reasoning skills. The exercises require students to predict outcomes before making measurements, and to compare predictions to measurements as soon as those measurements are available. The predict-then-confirm process aims to develop both qualitative and quantitative reasoning as a practical engineering skill and as a method of gaining deeper understanding of the material. Qualitative reasoning involves the use of engineering models and formulas to draw conclusions without resorting to numerical computation. In this paper, examples of qualitative reasoning are demonstrated for measurements on a kitchen blender and a toaster. Because this equipment familiar to students and has readily understood operating principles, qualitative reasoning can be introduced as a way to extend common sense ideas about how and why the equipment works.
Herpes B virus, macacine herpesvirus 1, breaks simplex virus tradition via major histocompatibility complex class I expression in cells from human and macaque hosts

B virus of the family Herpesviridae is endemic to rhesus macaques but results in 80% fatality in untreated humans who are zoonotically infected. Downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in order to evade CD8(+) T-cell activation is characteristic of most herpesviruses. Here we examined the cell surface presence and total protein expression of MHC class I molecules in B virus-infected human foreskin fibroblast cells and macaque kidney epithelial cells in culture, which are representative of foreign and natural host initial target cells of B virus. Our results show <20% downregulation of surface MHC class I molecules in either type of host cells infected with B virus, which is statistically insignificantly different from that observed in uninfected cells. We also examined the surface expression of MHC class Ib molecules, HLA-E and HLA-G, involved in NK cell inhibition. Our results showed significant upregulation of HLA-E and HLA-G in host cells infected with B virus relative to the amounts observed in other herpesvirus-infected cells. These results suggest that B virus-infected cell surfaces maintain normal levels of MHC class Ia molecules, a finding unique among simplex viruses. This is a unique divergence in immune evasion for B virus, which, unlike human simplex viruses, does not inhibit the transport of peptides for loading onto MHC class Ia molecules because B virus ICP47 lacks a transporter-associated protein binding domain. The fact that MHC class Ib molecules were significantly upregulated has additional implications for host-pathogen interactions.
Cardiovascular tissues for transplantation.

The use of cardiovascular tissue allografts was pioneered by Alexis Carrel[1] in his work on vascular anastomosis. Toward the end of 1940s, Grossand Hufnagel demonstrated the feasibility of using arterial vascularallografts [2,3]. In the following decade there were many reports of use ofsuch allografts to replace patients’ aorta [4–6]. However, results were dis-appointing due to a high rate of degeneration and graft failure [7,8] with aresulting shift toward using synthetic fabric grafts.The early 1950s also marked the beginning of use of prosthetic heartvalves. Many prosthetic heart valves have been developed since then, andcan be broadly classiﬁed as mechanical or bioprosthetic. Mechanical valvesare composed of metals or composite materials, and have diﬀerent struc-tures like the caged-ball [9], single-tilting [10], or bileaﬂet-tilting-disk valves[11]. Bioprosthetic valves may be human allografts or heterografts usingbovine or porcine tissues mounted on a metal ring.In general, mechanical valves are more thrombogenic, with a highthromboembolic potential, requiring long-term anticoagulation, whilebioprosthetic have a higher risk of structural failure and reoperation[12,13]. Based on this, mechanical valves are preferred in patients who areyoung, or have a life expectancy of more than 10 to 15 years, or need long-term anticoagulation for associated disease, while bioprosthetic valves arepreferred in elderly patients or in patients who cannot take long-termanticoagulation [14].