cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Input Variables in Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass Using Multiple Response Surface Methodology

Cellulosic ethanol is an attractive alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, low density of cellulosic biomass (the feedstock for cellulosic ethanol) causes high costs in biomass logistics and hinders large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting can significantly increase the density of cellulosic biomass by compressing raw cellulosic biomass into pellets. Pellet density and durability are two important physical properties of a pellet. In this study, a multiple response surface methodology was employed to optimize the input variables (pelleting time, pressure, and ultrasonic power) in UV-A pelleting of sorghum stalks for simultaneously maximized pellet density and durability. Second-order polynomial models were used to fit the experimental results. Main and interaction effects of the input variables on pellet density and durability were also investigated.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Review finds that bed sharing increases risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Commentary on: Vennemann MM, Hense HW, Bajanowski T, et al. Bed sharing and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: can we resolve the debate? J Pediatr 2012;160:44–8.e2.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains the leading cause of infant mortality in USA and most developed countries. After studies in the late 1980s and early 1990s which identified the prone sleep position as a main risk for SIDS, campaigns to promote back sleeping were initiated, and the number of SIDS declined significantly.1 However, … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DThe%2BJournal%2Bof%2Bpediatrics%26rft.stitle%253DJ%2BPediatr%26rft.aulast%253DVennemann%26rft.auinit1%253DM.%2BM.%26rft.volume%253D160%26rft.issue%253D1%26rft.spage%253D44%26rft.epage%253D8.e2%26rft.atitle%253DBed%2Bsharing%2Band%2Bthe%2Brisk%2Bof%2Bsudden%2Binfant%2Bdeath%2Bsyndrome%253A%2Bcan%2Bwe%2Bresolve%2Bthe%2Bdebate%253F%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.jpeds.2011.06.052%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F21868032%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.06.052&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=21868032&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F15%2F4%2F115.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000298143000014&link_type=ISI
The Inflammatory Cascade in Acute Ischemic Renal Failure

The pathogenesis of human acute ischemic renal failure is complex. Studies in animals have revealed a number of factors that could contribute to the injury associated with acute ischemic renal failure. Despite these discoveries, we have yet to devise a therapeutic regimen that will ameliorate or prevent acute renal failure in humans. Nevertheless we have made great strides in understanding mechanisms that contribute to acute ischemic renal failure. An important component is the contribution of the inflammatory cascade brought about by tissue reperfusion following an ischemic period. This review summarizes recent studies that implicate the inflammatory cells in the development of renal injury associated with acute ischemic renal failure. Because of the complex overlapping pathways involved in the inflammatory cascade, blocking single molecules is unlikely to be successful in reducing renal injury. Rather broadly abrogating the inflammatory cascade is likely to yield the greatest success in the treatment and prevention of acute ischemic renal failure.
Film Thickness Monitoring With A Fiber Optic Realtime Spectrometer

A computer integrated spectral sensor is described that allows simple interfacing with manufacturing and testing devices. Several applications are discussed.
Ionic transport and defect structure of vitreous beryllium fluoride

Abstract Vitreous BeF2 was prepared by two techniques; (1) remelting of a technical grade material, and (2) vacuum distillation/fluoridation. Infrared spectroscopy studies have established that the first material contains about 0.5 wt.% hydroxyl, predicted to be coherently incorporated into the vitreous network as edge-linked [Be(OH)4]2− units. The distilled BeF2 is water-free. The dc electrical conductivity of the remelted BeF2 was measured as σ = (7.9 × 103/T) exp(−24500 cal/mol/RT) ω−1 cm−1 and for the distilled BeF2 as σ = (3.0 × 105/T) exp(−36700 cal/mol/RTω−1 cm−1 at temperatures to 280°C. Ionic transport studies utilizing a dc electrolysis polarization technique with N2−F2 and H2−HF gas electrodes have demonstrated that the fluorine ion is the transport species. A general model for fluorine transport is proposed based upon a modified anti-Frenkel defect model. The difference in the fluorine transport process for the undistilled grade of BeF2 is seen as a consequence of the anti-Frenkel defect pair interaction with the [Be(OH)4[2− groupings.
Pulsed laser powered homogeneous pyrolysis: A computational analysis

The use of the pulsed laser powered homogeneous pyrolysis technique for measuring unimolecular decomposition rate constants under unambiguously homogeneous conditions is investigated by numerical simulation of the experiment. The coupled partial differential equations which govern the gas dynamics and chemical kinetics are solved numerically and the results analyzed. Conditions under which rate constants can be extracted from the experimental data using a simplified analysis are determined. The effects of five sources of error in the simplified analysis are computed. A correlation is presented which may be used to correct for overestimation of the rate constant which is inherent in the simple analysis. Conditions under which the other four sources of error become negligible are presented. Overall, it is expected that this technique will be capable of routinely measuring rate constants within a factor of 2, and will do much better when a high power laser with a uniform beam profile is used and/or a well characterized thermal monitor molecule is available which decomposes with kinetic parameters close to that of the reactant being investigated. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
High-performance raster graphics for microcomputer systems

A frame buffer architecture is presented that reduces the overhead of frame buffer updating by three means. First, the bit-map memory is (x,y) addressable, whereby a string of pixels can be accessed in parallel. Second, the pixel-change operation is performed by hardware in a single read-modify-write cycle. Third, multiple objects in the frame buffer are addressable simultaneously by a set of address registers. The remaining task of generating (x,y) addresses and providing new data can be managed rapidly by current microprocessors or DMA-devices.With a modest expenditure of hardware, this architecture eliminates all the bit-shifting, bit-masking, and bit-manipulation conventionally associated with frame buffer graphics, while retaining the full generality of user-programmable control. The particular implementation described allows raster manipulation at full bit-map memory bandwidth. It can paint a 16×16 pixel character into the frame buffer in 16 microseconds and can modify a 1024×1024 pixel raster in 64 milliseconds.
Representations of Quantum Groups at Even Roots of Unity

Abstract Let g be a finite dimensional complex simple Lie algebra and U( g ) its enveloping algebra. The quantum group of Drinfeld and Jimbo is a Hopf algebra denoted Uq( g ) defined on Chevalley-like generators over C [q, q−1]. Through "specialization" of q at different ϵ ∈ C one obtains a parameterized family of Hopf algebras. When ϵ = 1 one recovers the classical universal enveloping algebra. Moreover, when ϵ is not a root of unity Lusztig (Adv. Math.70 (1988), 237-249) and Rosso, (Comm. Math. Phys. 117 (1988), 581-593) have shown independently that the representation theory of Uϵ(= Uϵ( g )) is analogous to that of U( g ). When we fix ϵ a primitive root of unity the situation changes considerably. At odd roots of unity the representations of Uϵ are partitioned by conjugacy classes of the algebraic group G with Lie algebra g [DC-K]. This paper relates the representations of Uϵ at even roots of unity to conjugacy classes in the group G∨-the Langlands dual of G. The partition is somewhat finer than that at odd roots of unity and requires a more detailed analysis. This correspondence is then used to study the representations at even roots of unity. In particular, we obtain a "triangulability" result which allows us to calculate the degree of Uϵ using a deformation argument.
Reducing bacterial resistance to antibiotics with ultrasound

The effect of erythromycin on planktonic cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with and without application of 70 kHz ultrasound, was studied. Ultrasound was applied at levels that had no inhibitory effect on cultures of Ps. aeruginosa. Ultrasound in combination with erythromycin reduced the viability of Ps. aeruginosa by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared with antibiotic alone, even at concentrations below the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Electron-spin resonance studies suggest that ultrasound induces uptake of antibiotic by perturbing or stressing the membrane. This application of ultrasound may be useful for expanding the number of drugs available for treating localized infections by rendering bacteria susceptible to normally ineffective antibiotics.
Complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophagitis, acid laryngitis, and beyond.

PreviewGastroesophageal reflux can produce numerous diverse complications that may not be immediately attributed to reflux. If left untreated, some reflux-related conditions (eg, erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus) can lead to even more severe complications. The authors of this article describe the most common esophageal and extraesophageal complications of reflux and the various treatment options, emphasizing early, accurate diagnosis.
Injectable, rapid gelling and highly flexible hydrogel composites as growth factor and cell carriers.

Abstract A family of injectable, rapid gelling and highly flexible hydrogel composites capable of releasing insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and delivering mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) were developed. Hydrogel composites were fabricated from Type I collagen, chondroitin sulfate (CS) and a thermosensitive and degradable hydrogel copolymer based on N -isopropylacrylamide, acrylic acid, N -acryloxysuccinimide and a macromer poly(trimethylene carbonate)-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The hydrogel copolymer was gellable at body temperature before degradation and soluble at body temperature after degradation. Hydrogel composites exhibited LCSTs around room temperature. They could easily be injected through a 26-gauge needle at 4 °C, and were capable of gelling within 6 s at 37 °C to form highly flexible gels with moduli matching those of the rat and human myocardium. The hydrogel composites showed good oxygen permeability; the oxygen pressure within the hydrogel composites was similar to that in the air. The effects of collagen and CS contents on LCST, gelation time, injectability, mechanical properties and degradation properties were investigated. IGF-1 was loaded into the hydrogel composites for enhanced cell survival/growth. The released IGF-1 remained bioactive during a 2-week release period. Small fraction of CS in the hydrogel composites significantly decreased IGF-1 release rate. The release kinetics appeared to be controlled mainly by hydrogel composite water content, degradation and interaction with IGF-1. Human MSC adhesion on the hydrogel composites was comparable to that on the tissue culture plate. MSCs were encapsulated in the hydrogel composites and were found to grow inside during a 7-day culture period. IGF-1 loading significantly accelerated MSC growth. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that MSCs maintained their multipotent differentiation potential in hydrogel composites with and without IGF-1. These injectable and rapid gelling hydrogel composites demonstrated attractive properties for serving as growth factor and cell carriers for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications.
Microwave propagation and scattering in a dense distribution of non-tenuous spheres: experiment and theory

Abstract Controlled laboratory experimental results of coherent microwave propagation through a random medium are reported. The medium consisted of layers of styrofoam with spherical glass beads embedded at predetermined random positions generated by computer. The magnitude and phase of the transmitted field was measured over the frequency range 18-20.4 GHz for media with volume fractional densities ranging from 0.5% to 11%. The results are compared with independent scattering, Foldy's approximation, and the quasicrystalline approximation (QCA) using the solution of the Percus-Yevick (PY) equation for the pair distribution function. The effects of a size distribution are included. Experimental results indicate that at low densities, the measured extinction rate increases linearly with concentration in agreement with independent scattering. As concentration further increases, the extinction curve turns convex and is lower than independent scattering. However, it is higher than that predicted by QCA-PY. Usi...
Kinetics of the phase transformation in a Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3AI alloy as studied by X-ray diffraction

The purpose of the study is to make the T-T-T diagram available and to describe the X-ray diffraction techniques used to determine the fraction of transformed phase in the Ti-15Mo-5Zr-3Al metastable beta-alloy which decomposes into the hexagonal alpha-phase and the bcc beta-phase of a higher Mo concentration. The sheet material studied for this study is not ideal for an X-ray examination because of both a rolling and annealing texture as well as grain size problems. These difficulties are overcome using special X-ray techniques. Equations are given that indicate the approximations to be accepted if pole figure data are disregarded. Lattice parameter data from the beta phase enables one to obtain an approximate phase diagram.
Resolution of the Hierarchy of Green's Functions for Fermions

The rigorous evolution equations for the one-body Green's functions (${g}^{g},{g}^{l}$) describing a system of interacting fermions are not closed (an analog of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy for many-body distribution functions). The analysis of these equations is made in terms of proper connected diagrams. It is established that in the bulk limit, $N$ (particle number) $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ (volume) $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ while $\frac{N}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}$ remains finite, these equations can rigorously be transformed into closed equations with respect to (${g}^{g},{g}^{l}$).
Abnormal potassium conductance associated with genetic muscular dystrophy.

DYSTROPHIC diseases not only lead to progressive deterioration of muscle, but alter several properties of the erythrocyte surface1–4, and permeability of various other membranes5–7. Muscular dystrophies are also associated with defects in the nervous system, so that a neurogenic aetiology8 has been suggested, there being reports of peripheral neural dysfunction9, increased frequency of mental retardation10 and defective auditory acuity11.
Magnetic multilayers with (Nb,Mo,Cr) spacer materials.

The properties of Nb, Mo, and Cr as the spacers in magnetic/nonmagnetic multilayers are examined. Utilizing the simple Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida-like response-function theory, one can elucidate not only which features of the bulk band structures are relevant but also discuss the implications of the spacers being inhomogeneously strained. The crucial question proves to be determining which caliper can resist all the broadening effects to appear actually as a macroscopic quantum effect. One mechanism is to minimize scattering by selecting wave functions with substantial [ital s] and [ital p] character. Another is to maximize the effective velocity and thereby minimize dephasing by the existing scattering. In Nb(110) and Mo(100), such considerations select Kohn-anomaly calipers which arise from the [ital N]-centered ellipses. Consideration of resilience to scattering effects is crucial to explaining why the Mo(100) repeat distance appears at three layers instead of at the two layers as seen in Cr. The uniform long repeat distances seen in Cr for the (100), (211), and (110) and the (110) repeat distance in Mo appear to be internally consistent in that they occur from the rim of the [Delta] centered lens surfaces and involve the strong mixing of [ital t][sub 2[ital g]] and [ital e][sub [italmore » g]] [ital d] states. The analysis also suggests several factors which help to understand the systematics observed for spacers across the transition series.« less
Simulation coupled learning for a robotic opponent

This paper presents work in progress on the research and development of a robotic air-hockey opponent. We discuss implementation issues, software design and continuing development goals.
Surface conditions and stability of characteristics in screened-grid tubes

Abstract The characteristics of screened-grid tubes are discussed and the influence of secondary emission is emphasized. The marked change in secondary emission with surface contamination causes instability of characteristics. Experiments with carefully evacuated ′24 tubes indicate that the evaporation of active material from the cathode considerably increases the secondary emission from the plate and that the liberation of “getter” in a completed tube limits the stability attainable.
Poly(l-glutamic acid) Gd(III)-DOTA conjugate with a degradable spacer for magnetic resonance imaging.

The clinical application of macromolecular Gd(III) complexes as MRI contrast agents is impeded by their slow excretion and potential toxicity due to the release of Gd(III) ions caused by the metabo...
Effect of oxide grain structure on the high-temperature oxidation of Cr

Cr was oxidized in 1 aim O2 at 980, 1090, and 1200°C. ElectropolishedCr and some orientations of etched Cr oxidize rapidly and develop compressive stress in the growing Cr2O3; other orientations oxidize slowly, apparently free of stress. SEM examination of fracture sections shows that the thick oxide is polycrystalline whereas the thin oxide on etched Cr is monocrystalline. It is deduced that the monocrystalline oxide grows by lattice diffusion of cations outward, and the polycrystalline layer by the two-way transport of cation diffusion outward and anion diffusion inward along oxide grain boundaries. The consequent formation of oxide within the body of the polycrystalline layer generates compressive stress and leads to wrinkling by plastic deformation. The activation energy for oxidation of Cr by cation lattice transport is 58 kcal/mole. Polycrystalline Cr2O3 forms on Fe-26Cr alloy, whether electropolished or etched; oxidation is accordingly rapid and accompanied by compressive stress.
The role of product development technology group in the global semiconductor foundry business model

This paper describes the major integrated circuit (IC) product development technologies (PDT) and the role of the PDT group (PDTG) for enabling transition of semiconductor foundries from pure-play, manufacturing only to complete solutions provider like an integrated device manufacturer. In the microelectronics industry, a semiconductor foundry provides cost-effective integrated circuit manufacturing technology and wafer fabrication services to fabless IC design companies. However, besides contracting wafer fabrication, fabless companies, also, require new product development (NPD) solutions including design collaboration, technology customization, device models, and customer owned computer-aided-design tooling flow. Therefore, the role of PDTG is extremely critical in providing the required NPD services to customers. In this paper, the organization, functionality, and the role of PDTG in the transition of semiconductor foundries from wafer fabrication-only services to complete solutions provider are discussed.
Authors of TADS study reply to letter raising concerns

EDITOR—We thank Jureidini et al for their interest in the treatment for adolescents with depression study (TADS) study1 but find their critique to lack accuracy, methodological sophistication, scientific rigour, and credibility. TADS does not consist of “two separate randomised studies.” Patients were consecutively randomised to one of the four TADS treatments using a computerised, stratified randomisation algorithm.2 3 Because comparative treatment trials that include both medication and psychotherapy conditions …
Weak coupling between sulfate reduction and the anaerobic oxidation of methane in methane-rich seafloor sediments during ex situ incubation

Abstract We investigated coupling between sulfate reduction (SR) and anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) by quantifying pore water geochemical profiles, determining rates of microbial processes, and examining microbial community structure at two sites within Mississippi Canyon lease block 118 (MC118) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Sediments from the northwest seep contained high concentrations of methane while sediments from the southwest seep contained methane, gaseous n-alkanes and liquid hydrocarbons and had abundant surficial accumulations of gas hydrate. Volumetric (21.5 μmol cm−3 day−1) and integrated (1429 mmol m−2 day−1) rates of SR at MC118 in ex situ incubations are the highest reported thus far for seafloor environments. AOM rates were small in comparison, with volumetric rates ranging from 0.1 to 12.6 nmol cm−3 day−1. Diffusion cannot adequately supply the sulfate required to support these high SR rates so additional mechanisms, possibly biological sulfide oxidation and/or downward advection, play important roles in supplying sulfate at these sites. The microbial communities at MC118 included sulfate-reducing bacteria phylogenetically associated with Desulfobacterium anilini, which is capable of complex hydrocarbon degradation. Despite low AOM rates, the majority of archaea identified were phylogenetically related to previously described methane oxidizing archaea. To evaluate whether weak coupling between SR and AOM occurs in habitats lacking the complex hydrocarbon milieu present at MC118, we compiled available SR and AOM rates and found that the global median ratio of SR to AOM was 10.7:1 rather than the expected 1:1. The global median integrated AOM rate was used to refine global estimates for AOM rates at cold seeps; these new estimates are only 5% of the previous estimate.
An asset approach to increasing perceived household economic stability among families in Uganda

Abstract In this study, we examine whether participating in an asset building intervention leads to higher perceived household economic stability among a group of Ugandans. After controlling for possible selection bias using propensity score matching, perceived household economic stability is tested using difference-in-differences. Results suggest that participating in the asset intervention has a statistically significant positive effect on the treatment group's perceived household economic stability. Policy and research implications are discussed.
The nexus between nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation in transition cows

Increased incidence of several economically important diseases (i.e. mastitis, metritis, displaced abomasum and ketosis) causes significant animal welfare problems and production losses in transition dairy cattle and decreases the availability of safe and nutritious food for a growing global population. A major underlying factor responsible for the development of transition cow disorders is metabolic stress, which occurs when cows fail to adapt physiologically to an increase in nutrient requirements needed for parturition and the onset of copious milk synthesis and secretion. Metabolic stress can be characterised as resulting from the combined effects of altered nutrient metabolism, dysfunctional inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. Together, these factors form destructive feedback loops that exacerbate metabolic stress and cause health disorders in transition cows. A better understanding of how nutrition and immunology interact to influence metabolic stress will facilitate the development of control programs to improve transition cow health. The ability to detect signs of metabolic stress early enough in the dry period to implement needed management adjustments before calving will be the key to successful monitoring and intervention programs.
Failure of “Vitamin K” Excess to Heal Encephalomalacia of Chicks

ConclusionEncephalomalacia of chicks is not prevented by the administration of a “vitamin K” excess.
Evidence of cortical metabolic dysfunction in early Huntington's disease by single-photon-emission computed tomography

We compared perfusion of prefrontal, motor, and sensory cortices and basal ganglia in 29 Huntington's disease (HD) patients and nine controls. We found a significant reduction in perfusion in patients with HD of short ( 10 years, n = 11) compared with controls. Among short-duration patients, we observed decreases in cortical perfusion before evidence of atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging, suggesting that decreases in neuronal activity, as reflected by perfusion levels, precede gross structural changes. As expected, decreased perfusion was marked in basal ganglia. The extent of cortical perfusion correlated with clinical assessments of functional capabilities as well as with the duration of disease. Prefrontal perfusion correlated with cognitive measures, and motor cortical perfusion correlated with physical disability and activities of daily living scores. We found no significant clinical correlations with sensory cortical perfusion. Single-photon-emission computed tomography may be a sensitive method for assessing disease progression in clinical trials and pharmacologic intervention.
On the ethical evaluation of stem cell research: remarks on a paper by N. Knoepffler.

This response to Nikolaus Knoepffler's paper in the same issue of the Journal agrees that if the arguments supporting the first two of the eight human embryonic stem cell research policy options discussed are unsound, as Knoepffler argues, then it seems natural to move to the increasingly permissive options. If the arguments are sound, however, then the more permissive options should be rejected. It is argued that three of the rejected arguments, taken together, consti- tute very good reasons to hold that a human embryo is endowed with dignity from fertilization onward. Thus, countries that want their public policies to match the moral imperative of respect for human beings should refrain from allowing destructive human embryo research and should devote considerable energy and public funds to research and clinical trials using non-embryonic ("adult") stem cells.
Effect of nucleation on rate of precipitation of metal sulphides by thioacetamide

Abstract Observations have shown that the number of nuclei formed in thioacctamide precipitations of metal sulphides is usually dependent on the first power of the thioacetamide concentration, and is essentially independent of pH, temperature and metal ion concentration. Under certain conditions a second nucleation process has been observed, in which the number of nuclei formed is proportional to the third power of the thioacetamide concentration, and to the inverse first power of the hydrogen ion concentration. The rate of the direct reaction between metal ions and thioacetamide is directly proportional to the number of nuclei formed, and the rate expression is otherwise of zero order in thioacetamide. A partial explanation of this effect is proposed.
Access to Health Care for Migrants Returning to Mexico

Continued migration from Mexico over the past several decades has created a large population of elderly Mexicans in the U.S. There is no system in Mexico for those Mexicans who would like to retire there to obtain health insurance during their retirement years. Using a nationally representative dataset of Mexican elders, we explore the current state of health insurance status for Mexican elders with a history of migration to the U.S. We find a robust negative association between years spent in the U.S. and the probability of being insured. Coordination between the U.S. and Mexico on policy options to insure Mexicans migrants may prove beneficial to the social security systems in both countries as well as to migrants themselves.
Comparison of Uranium Release from Spent Fuel and Unirradiated U02in Salt Brine

Spent fuel and unirradiated U0 2 were previously reported [1] to have exhibited a 100-fold difference in the total amount of uranium released during static leach tests in salt brine. Two additional studies designed to investigate that difference have now been completed. The first study involved leach tests with U0 2 pellets that had been doped with plutonium to simulate the alpha activity in spent fuel. The second study consisted of leach tests on spent fuel specimens that originated in the same reactor assembly as those used in previous tests but handled differently following discharge from the reactor. Results from the recently completed tests show that at least 90% of the reported difference between the dissolution behavior of spent fuel and U0 2 can be attributed to an apparent surface oxidation of the spent fuel specimens after their discharge from the reactor. The effect of alpha radiolysis on the leaching of spent fuel and U0 2 in salt brine in the presence of an air atmosphere was found to be relatively small in these tests.
Assurance of Outcome Evaluation: Curriculum Fidelity

Abstract Fidelity measurement has increasing significance when making claims of educational practices being effective in today's classrooms. This study explored the reliability, using multi-informants, and convergent validly, using multi-sources, for curriculum fidelity. There were significant differences between the outside observer and teacher and educational coordinator scores. Observer fidelity scores were moderately related to the observed classroom interactions.
N-Ethylmaleimide inhibition of active chloride absorption in Aplysia gut

Abstract 1. 1. NEM inhibited short-circuit current and transepithelial difference when added to either the mucosal or serosal bathing solution. 2. 2. There is a specific, maximal number of sulfhydryl groups associated with active chloride absorption. 3. 3. The short-circuit current is carried by a net active chloride transfer from the mucosa to the serosa, in the presence and absence of NEM.
Morphology of neuroglia in the hypothalamus of the opossum (Didelphis virginiana), armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus) and cat (Felis domestica).

The hypothalamus of the opossum (Didelphis virginiana), the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus), and the cat (Felis domestica) was studied using Del Rio Hortega's silver carbonate technique, as modified by Scharenberg ('60). This technique demonstrates astrocytes, oligodendroglia, and neuronal perikarya, but does not impregnate microglia. The morphology of macroglia was observed in ten comparable nuclei in each of the three species. The subpial and subependymal areas were also examined. Astrocytes display more cell body angularity and have more processes in most hypothalamic regions of the cat when compared to similar regions of the opossum and armadillo. In the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, the ventromedial and the dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, and the medial mammillary nucleus of all three species, astrocytes send processes to neurons, but neuronal and astrocytic perikarya are usually not directly contiguous. However, oligodendrocytes in a perisomatic position on neurons are a consistent feature in these nuclei. A closer relationship appears to exist between astrocytes and neurons in the neurosecretory nuclei. In the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of all three species a basket-like structure, designated a „pericellular envelope” was observed surrounding neuronal perikarya. This structure is composed of astrocytic and oligodendroglial cell bodies and processes, and is most highly developed in the cat. A dense astrocytic plexus was observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the cat, and in the comparable nuclei of the armadillo and opossum. The most prominent macroglial cell type of the lateral hypothalamic and lateral mammillary nuclei of all three species is the interfascicular oligodendrocyte. The posterior hypothalamic nucleus of each species has many perisomatic oligodendrocytes, and in the armadillo and cat astrocytes are closely related to the larger neurons. A subpial plexus, consisting of a palisade of small glial cells with many processes, is present in the hypothalamus of the three species. Ependymal cells have long projecting processes throughout the length of the third ventricle in the armadillo hypothalamus, but such processes are only apparent in the region of the infundibular nucleus and median eminence in the opossum and cat.
Explosive shock deformation of metallic glasses

Abstract Thin sheets and small wires of Fe80B20 and thin sheets of Fe38Ni40Mo4B18 glassy metals were explosively shock loaded together with thin 304 stainless steel sheets in density-compatible stainless steel assemblies to peak pressures of 15, 25 and 35 GPa at a shock pulse duration of 2 μs. An electron microscopy examination of the shock-loaded sheet materials after shock loading did not show any detectable alteration in the structure for the amorphous metals; this is consistent with a negligible change in the initial hardness. Examination of the shock-loaded Fe80B20 wires in the field ion microscope confirmed this response. By comparison the shockloaded stainless steel exhibited increased hardening after shock loading as a result of the production of dislocations and other crystal lattice defects. Simple isochronal annealing experiments suggested that shock loading of amorphous metals might only have an effect when the associated shock heating is sufficient to cause crystallization to occur, and this might also require a sufficiently long shock pulse duration. For the glassy metals studied, the requisite peak pressure would probably be in excess of 90 GPa. An attempt is made in this paper to provide a crude phenomenological comparison between the shock loading of an amorphous material and a crystalline (or polycrystalline) material.
Manufacturing cell: Analytical setup times and part sequencing

The optimal sequencing of parts through a two-operator, gear manufacturing cell is discussed. Because of lack of data, it was first necessary to develop an analytical technique to determine the sequence-dependent setup times. With these setup times, the travelling salesman routine and the clustered travelling salesman modification were used to find the optimal sequence. Finally, an existing simulation model of the cell was employed to test the validity of the analytical sequencing approach.
Parallel Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation by Pre-Fetching

In recent years, parallel processing has become widely available to researchers. It can be applied in an obvious way in the context of Monte Carlo simulation, but techniques for “parallelizing” Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are not so obvious, apart from the natural approach of generating multiple chains in parallel. Although generation of parallel chains is generally the easiest approach, in cases where burn-in is a serious problem, it is often desirable to use parallelization to speed up generation of a single chain. This article briefly discusses some existing methods for parallelization of MCMC algorithms, and proposes a new “pre-fetching” algorithm to parallelize generation of a single chain.
Triggered reverse fault and earthquake due to crustal unloading, northwest Transverse Ranges, California.

A reverse-right-oblique surface rupture, associated with a ML 2.5 earthquake, formed in a diatomite quarry near Lompoc, California, in the northwesternmost Transverse Ranges on April 7, 1981. The 575-m-long narrow zone of ruptures formed in clay interbeds in diatomite and diatomaceous shale of the Neogene Monterey Formation. The ruptures parallel bedding, dip 39°–59°S, and trend about N84°E on the north limb of an open symmetrical syncline. Maximum net slip was 25 cm; maximum reverse dip slip was 23 cm, maximum right-lateral strike slip was about 9 cm, and average net slip was about 12 cm. The seismic moment of the earthquake is estimated at 1 to 2 × 1018 dyne/cm and the static stress drop at about 3 bar. The removal of an average of about 44 m of diatomite resulted in an average load reduction of about 5 bar, which decreased the normal stress by about 3.5 bar and increased the shear stress on the tilted bedding plane by about 2 bar. The April 7,1981, event was a very shallow bedding-plane rupture, apparently triggered by crustal unloading.
Fabrication of Hollow, Spherical Polymeric Micropillows Using a Dual Layer Spinneret

Hollow, spherical, millimeter diameter scale polymer “micropillows” (MPs) were fabricated via nonsolvent-induced phase separation/extraction, using a dual layer spinneret extrusion system. Wall thicknesses in the 45–350-μm range were achieved via the extraction of the n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) polymer solvent into a high-molecular weight poly(propylene glycol) nonsolvent. Introduction of heptane into the core of the particles and vaporization of that heptane at elevated temperatures enabled moderate particle expansion and avoided particle collapse after extraction of the NMP solvent. For the most dilute polymer solution feed, the final product was an imidized MP particle with a diameter of about 1.5 mm, a wall thickness of about 45 μm, and a geometric compression ratio of about 6.0. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Behavioral effects of MK-801 in the rat

Several experiments were conducted to study the effects of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801, on learning and memory in the rat. Rats displayed impaired performance on several sensorimotor tests and appeared grossly intoxicated when treated IP with 0.2 mg/kg MK-801, but not when treated with lower doses (0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg). Postacquisition performance on two spatial learning tasks involving working memory protocols (reinforced alternation and radial arm maze) was impaired by MK-801 at intoxicating doses (greater than or equal to 0.2 mg/kg) but not at lower doses (0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg). Using a position habit reversal task, we found that rats could learn to reverse a position habit while under the influence of a nonintoxicating dose of MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg), but when tested on the following day performed as if they did not recall what they had learned. Thus, acute administration of a nonintoxicating dose of MK-801 disrupts the retention of new information learned under the influence of the drug but does not interfere with the performance of tasks that are well learned before the drug is administered. Whether the performance deficits on the spatial learning tasks observed only following intoxicating doses of MK-801 reflect an effect on memory is not clear.
Background Modeling Based on Subpixel Edges

We propose an approach to model the background of images in a video sequence based on subpixel edge map. This work is motivated by the observation that intensity based background models are sensitive to changes in illumination and camera parameters, e.g., gain control. In addition, the false positive rate is higher due to accidental alignment of figure intensities with the background model. Background models of edge maps, however, are more localized and thus reduce the likelihood of accidental alignment. We argue that the discretization error in pixel-level background models is also responsible for some of the false positives and develop a method based on subpixel edges whose background is thus highly selective. This method models the edge position and orientation using a Mixture of Gaussians model. This approach has been tested on a wide range of videos and the resulting background models are a much more selective figure-ground segregation.
Applications of Spatial Autocorrelation in Ecology

The methods of spatial auto correlation analysis for both continuous and nominal variable are explained. Spatial correlograms depict autocorrelation as a function of geographic distance. They permit inferences from patterns to process. The Mantel test and its extensions are special ways of detecting autocorrelation in ecology. The methods are applied to the spatial distributions of ecological variables in two under story plants in the genus Aralia.
Spontaneous Stratospheric QBO-like Oscillations Simulated by the GFDL SKYHI General Circulation Model

Abstract The tropical stratospheric mean flow behavior in a series of integrations with high vertical resolution versions of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) “SKYHI” model is examined. At sufficiently high vertical and horizontal model resolution, the simulated stratospheric zonal winds exhibit a strong equatorially centered oscillation with downward propagation of the wind reversals and with formation of strong vertical shear layers. This appears to be a spontaneous internally generated oscillation and closely resembles the observed quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in many respects, although the simulated oscillation has a period less than half that of the real QBO. The same basic mean flow oscillation appears in both seasonally varying and perpetual equinox versions of the model, and most of the analysis in this paper is focused on the perpetual equinox cases. The mean flow oscillation is shown to be largely driven by eddy momentum fluxes associated with a broad spectrum of vertically pr...
Image de-fencing

We introduce a novel image segmentation algorithm that uses translational symmetry as the primary foreground/background separation cue. We investigate the process of identifying and analyzing image regions that present approximate translational symmetry for the purpose of image forground/background separation. In conjunction with texture-based inpainting, understanding the different see-through layers allows us to perform powerful image manipulations such as recovering a mesh-occluded background (as much as 53% occluded area) to achieve the effect of image and photo de-fencing. Our algorithm consists of three distinct phases- (1) automatically finding the skeleton structure of a potential frontal layer (fence) in the form of a deformed lattice, (2) separating foreground/background layers using appearance regularity, and (3) occluded foreground inpainting to reveal a complete, non-occluded image. Each of these three tasks presents its own special computational challenges that are not encountered in previous, general image de-layering or texture inpainting applications.
Existence of a Free Form of a Specific Membrane Lipoprotein in Gram-Negative Bacteria

The existence of a free form of a specific lipoprotein of molecular weight 7,200 was examined in the envelopes of several gram-negative bacteria. When the envelope proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, distinct peaks were observed in Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the same position as the free form of the lipoprotein of Escherichia coli. However, the peak was not observed in Proteus mirabilis. The protein at the peak in S. typhimurium was shown to contain little or no histidine as expected from the amino acid composition of the lipoprotein. Furthermore, antiserum against the highly purified lipoprotein from E. coli was shown to react with the proteins from S. typhimurium and S. marcescens and to form the specific immunoprecipitates. In contrast, the protein from P. aeruginosa did not react with the antiserum at all. Thus, it is concluded that S. typhimurium and S. marcescens have the free form of the lipoprotein in their envelopes as does E. coli. P. aeruginosa contains a protein of the same size as the lipoprotein, but it is not certain whether the protein is the same structural protein as the lipoprotein from E. coli. P. mirabilis may not have any free form of the lipoprotein, may have it in a very small amount, or may have a lipoprotein of different molecular weight serving the same function.
Alloy corrosion and erosion in coal preparation plants

Abstract Piping and other hardware in coal preparation plants are susceptible to degradation by dissolved salts and suspended coal in the process water. Because the coal mined underground in Appalachia and the Midwest is now increasing in chlorine content, there could be an adverse impact on materials performance. In-plant tests were conducted to determine the effect of chlorine concentration in process water on corrosion and erosion rates and to explore methods of corrosion control. The results showed an inverse dependence of corrosion rate on chloride ion content of the process water. Supplementary experiments conducted in the laboratory showed that the corrosion rate of 1018 steel goes through a maximum as a function of the chloride plus sulfate concentrations in water. Also in the plant tests, cupronickel alloys not considered previously for this application performed well, but metal wastage of the cupronickels was greater than for 304 stainless steel. Success was achieved in cathodically protecting t...
Hemorrhagic Syndrome of Chicks Produced by Penicillium citrinum AUA-532 Contaminated Corn

Abstract Rations containing 0%, 6.2%, and 62% Penicillium citrinum contaminated corn were fed to White Leghorn chicks for 5 weeks. The 62% ration induced hemorrhaging throughout the digestive tract which resembled the lesions observed in acute cases of the poultry hemorrhagic syndrome. The 6.2% ration caused atrophy of lymphoid tissue, anemia, leucopenia, and fatty bone marrow which resembled the lesions observed in chronic cases of the poultry hemorrhagic syndrome. The syndrome was reproduced in chicks using ethanol and chloroform extracts of the P. citrinum contaminated corn.
A nonparametric software-reliability growth model

The authors (Proc. Eighth Int. Conf. Software Eng., London, England, p.343-4, 1985) previously introduced a nonparametric model for software-reliability growth which is based on complete monotonicity of the failure rate. The authors extend the completely monotone software model by developing a method for providing long-range predictions of reliability growth, based on the model. They derive upper and lower bounds on extrapolation of the failure rate and the mean function. These are then used to obtain estimates for the future software failure rate and the mean future number of failures. Preliminary evaluation indicates that the method is competitive with parametric approaches, while being more robust. >
Duration of ductal shunting in healthy preterm infants: An echocardiographic color flow doppler study

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the duration of ductal shunting after birth in healthy preterm infants (30 to 37 weeks gestational age) without evidence of respiratory distress. Thirty-six infants were evaluated in the first 12 hours of life by means of two-dimensional echocardiography and color flow Doppler techniques, and then once daily until no ductal flow was detected (defined as functional closure). Preterm infants were subdivided into two groups by gestational age: group 1=30 to 33 weeks (n=12); group 2=34 to 37 weeks (n=24). Sixteen full-term infants (38 to 41 weeks) were similarly evaluated as control subjects (Group 3). One infant from each group had a closed ductus at the time of the first study (performed at a mean of 7.7±3.2 hours). Subsequent studies for the entire group were performed at a mean of 31.3±5.4 hours (day 2), 55.0±4.5 hours (day 3), and 80.3±6.1 hours (day 4). For the three groups, the rates of ductal closure ranged from 50.0% to 58.3% on day 2 and 81.3% to 87.5% on day 3. For the entire group, all but one infant had demonstrated closure of the ductus arteriosus by day 4. Within the range of respiratory distress syndrome, does not prolong the initial duration of physiologic ductal shunting.