cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isovolumetric partial exchange transfusion in the management of sickle cell disease in pregnancy.

Abstract A technique that permits isovolumetric partial exchange transfusion is presented, with experience from 10 partial exchange transfusions in five obstetric patients with sickle cell disease. The technique is performed in an outpatient setting and requires less than two hours once blood has been cross matched. A mathematical model of the blood volume is used to predict final hematocrit and final hemoglobin (Hgb) A percentage and to compare this technique with a previously described algorithm. Once the decision to perform a partial exchange transfusion has been made, this technique affords diminished risk to the patient and economy of time and money by permitting prediction of the hematocrit and percentage normal hemoglobin (% Hgb A) resulting from various transfusion/withdrawal volumes.
Qualitative Analysis In Financial Studies: Employing Ethnographic Content Analysis

To the extent that relevant variables are well-defined or readily observable, empirical studies in finance typically employ classical investigative techniques and positivistic methodologies to measure and analyze financial phenomena. Many unanswered questions in modern finance however, rely critically on insight into the behavior or intentions of various agents, for which there may be no easily discernible proxy that lends itself to traditional quantitative analysis. Alternatively then, Patton (1990) notes that qualitative methods may be employed to discover “what people do, know, think, and feel”. A particularly promising qualitative approach, recently introduced into financial studies to discover the encoded investment objectives and activities of fund managers, is Ethnographic Content Analysis (ECA). In this paper, we review the literature on ECA and offer an instructional set on the use of ECA in an analysis of official disclosure documents .
Yeast as a Model Genetic Organism

The budding yeast is an ideal experimental organism for genetic research. The yeast shares a common life cycle and cellular architecture with higher eukaryotes, and as a microorganism it is easily propagated and manipulated in the laboratory. Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; mutagenesis; meiosis; complementation; recombination
Effects of Sleep on Wake-Induced c-fos Expression

We investigated the effects of sleep on wake-induced c-fos expression in the cerebral cortex of rats and c-fos-lacZ transgenic mice. In the cortex of rats, the levels of c-Fos, detected both by immunocytochemistry and Western blot, remained high during 6 or 12 hr of enforced wakefulness but declined rapidly (within 1 hr) with increasing time of recovery sleep. Similarly, in the transgenic mice in which lacZ expression is driven from the c-fos promoter, beta-galactosidase activity was high after enforced wakefulness and declined with increasing amounts of sleep. These results suggest that the decrease in c-Fos protein in cortical neurons during sleep may be attributable to cessation of c-fos expression, activation of a process that degrades the wake-induced c-Fos, or both.
Trenton Group of New York State: ABSTRACT

The carbonate bank deposits of New York state's Trenton Group have been studied for nearly 150 yr. Curiously, it has been only recently that the facies patterns of the unit have been recognized. These facies patterns reveal that Trentonian epeirogeny was closely related to the regional inversions of topography that occurred at the beginnings of the Vermontian and Hudson Valley phases of the Taconic orogeny that was occurring in nearby New England. Each inversion resulted in a subsidence of the Trenton platform and an abrupt westward migration of the black shale facies derived from uplifting source lands. Trentonian deposition began with the Vermontian phase. Carbonate-producing seas flooded onto a subsiding New York. The Napanee, Kings Falls, Sugar River, and lower Denley Limestones represent that transgression. At the same time, the shale facies migrated westward as far as Utica. During the middle Trentonian, downwarping slowed markedly. Deposition was rapid enough to produce a shallowing facies pattern in the upper Denley and lower Steuben Limestones. During this time, the shale facies made no further westward advance. The Hudson Valley phase began with a second, more intense, topographic inversion that would end Trentonian deposition. The upper Steuben and Hillier Limestones record a rapid subsidence. A brief, but puzzling, unconformity overlies the Trenton Group. Then, a final westward migration of the clastic facies buried the Trenton platform. Thus, the upper and lower Trentonian strata were deposited in remarkably similar tectonic settings. The Vermontian phase initiated Trentonian deposition; the Hudson Valley phase brought that carbonate deposition to a close. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1929------------
Impact of ciprofloxacin exposure on Staphylococcus aureus genomic alterations linked with emergence of rifampin resistance

Intensive use of antimicrobial agents in health care settings not only leads to the selection of multiresistant nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus but may also promote endogenous, resistance-conferring mutations in bacterial genes that encode drug targets. We evaluated the spectrum of rifampin resistance-conferring mutations in cultures of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains exposed in vitro to sub-MICs of ciprofloxacin. Growth of ciprofloxacin-susceptible MRSA strain MRGR3 and ciprofloxacin-resistant MSSA strain RA1 (a NCTC 8325 derivative) in the presence of 1/2× or 1/4× MIC of ciprofloxacin led to higher frequencies of rifampin-resistant mutants on agar supplemented with rifampin (0.25 mg/liter) than under ciprofloxacin-free conditions. While rifampin-resistant mutants from ciprofloxacin-free cultures essentially showed single-amino-acid substitutions, a significant proportion of rifampin-resistant mutants from ciprofloxacin-exposed cultures displayed in-frame deletions or insertions in the rpoB gene at several positions of the rifampin resistance cluster I. In-frame deletions or insertions were also recorded in rpoB cluster I of rifampin-resistant mutants from ciprofloxacin-exposed cultures of mutS and mutL DNA repair mutants of ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus strain RA1. Frequencies of rifampin-resistant mutants grown under ciprofloxacin-free medium were higher for mutant strains RA1 mutS2 and RA1 mutL, but not RA1 recA, than for their parent RA1. In conclusion, ciprofloxacin-mediated DNA damage in S. aureus, as exemplified by the wide diversity of deletions or insertions in rpoB, suggests the occurrence of major, quinolone-mediated disturbances in DNA fork progression and replication repair. Besides promoting antibiotic resistance, accumulation of unrepaired DNA replication errors, including insertions and deletions, may also contribute to potentially lethal mutations.
Integration of core sample velocity measurements into a 4D seismic survey and analysis of SEM and CT images to obtain pore scale properties

The Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators Committee (SACROC) field, located in the Permian Basin of West Texas is an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) site into which large volumes of CO2 have been injected. We acquired core samples and 3D seismic surveys from the site in order to better characterize the movement of the CO2 injection plumes. The samples of SACROC reef limestone were used for ultrasonic velocity measurements, detailed mineralogy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization, Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, thin section studies, and porosity measurements. Using a NER AutoLab 1500 at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Core Flow Lab we have measured P and S wave velocities, porosity, and permeability at varying pressures, temperatures, and fluid saturations that simulate reservoir conditions after successive floods. Measurements were also taken with supercritical CO2 at in situ pressures and temperatures. We also modeled the expected velocities for our samples using the standard Gassmann and other rock physics. We created a tool that groups grayscale ranges into three categories, cleans boundaries between groups, and produces a polygon map of the macropores, micropores, mineral grains, and matrix. In addition, the CT and SEM pore maps were analyzed to reveal pore shape statistics. Pore volume, area, and connectivity is essential for chemistry experiments that will emulate time exposure of CO2 to limestone. Further, this analysis technique allows us to obtain pore orientation information, which is important in understanding the anisotropic conditions that may affect seismic data. This multi-scale approach can help to characterize what is occurring inside of the reservoir. Fine scale measurements of how CO2 affects pore-space dissolution can help to inform us of any changes in overall reservoir storage capacity due to changing porosity. Core-scale velocity measurements under in situ conditions will allow us to predict changes in future well log or seismic surveys. Combining microscale, mesoscale, and macroscale information should lead to a better understanding of the various processes at work when CO2 is sequestered in a limestone reservoir.
Tonnages and displacements in the 16th century

Abstract Questions associated with the size of ships suggested in historical documents are relevant to giving an idea of the volume of cargoes, the size of crews, cost of freights, or when trying to evaluate competitive advantages in war and commerce. Good estimates are often difficult to obtain from the written record, although some values concerning basic hull dimensions are sometimes mentioned. The establishment of reliable relations between registered capacity, as expressed in coeval documents, and displacement, as it is defined nowadays, would be helpful to both historical and archaeological research. This paper probes into the relations between a number of known formulas to calculate tonnages in the 16th century, and the reconstructed hull of the Pepper Wreck, an archaeologically excavated shipwreck dated to 1606.
Cob Removal Effect on Sediment and Runoff Nutrient Loss from a Silt Loam Soil

The cob fraction of corn (Zea mays L.) residue has been identified as a potential feedstock for ethanol production. However, the role of the cob in soil and water conservation is largely unknown. A rainfall simulator study was conducted in an irrigated corn field in Nebraska having replicated strips where corn residue was removed (6.0 ± 1.0 Mg ha ―1 residue remaining, 49.5% cover) or retained (12.9 ± 1.0 Mg ha ―1 residue remaining, 77% cover). Duplicate plots were installed in each strip and cobs were removed from one and retained in the other. Simulated rainfall was applied for 30 min at a mean rate of 83 mm h ―1 to plots at antecedent moisture and 24 h later at near saturated soil moisture conditions. Time to initiate runoff, runoff and sediment loss, and water quality parameters were measured. Residue removal reduced the time to initiate runoff (195.9 ± 1.0 vs. 239.5 ± 4.8 s) and increased sediment loss (0.36 ± 0.02 Mg ha ―1 vs. 0.27 ± 0.01 Mg ha ―1 ). Cob removal reduced time to initiate runoff during the antecedent run but not during the saturated run. Residue removal and rainfall treatment (antecedent vs. saturated) affected runoff water quality parameters (NO 3 ―N concentration, pH, soluble P concentration, and NO 3 ―N loss). Cob removal did not affect runoff, sediment loss, runoff pH, NO 3 ―N, NH 4 -N, or soluble P loss. Cob removal when adequate stover was retained did not negatively affect erosion and runoff nutrient loss at this site.
Inefficient dystrophin expression after cord blood transplantation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

We report a boy who received two allogeneic stem cell transplantations from umbilical cord donors to treat chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The CGD was cured after the second transplantation, but 2.5 years later he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Examinations of his DNA, muscle tissue, and myoblast cultures derived from muscle tissue were performed to determine whether any donor dystrophin was being expressed. The boy was found to have a large-scale deletion on the X chromosome that spanned the loci for CYBB and DMD. The absence of dystrophin led to muscle histology characteristic of DMD. Analysis of myofibers demonstrated no definite donor cell engraftment. This case suggests that umbilical cord–derived hematopoietic stem cell transplantation will not be efficacious in the therapy of DMD without additional interventions that induce engraftment of donor cells in skeletal muscle. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Green's functions in the non-stationary theory of elastic shells.

The method of Green's function is extended to the thermoelastic Kirchhoff-Love theory of thin shells. A reciprocity theorem and heat conduction equations appropriate to the Kirchhoff-Love theory are used to derive integral solution formulas for middle surface displacements involving six Green's functions. The equations determining the Green's functions are deduced and compared to those for shallow shells. Both sets of equations are solved by conventional techniques for an infinite circular cylindrical shell. One of the Green's functions is evaluated numerically at the source point for both theories, and a comparison between them is made for various ratios of shell thickness to radius. Die Methode der Greenschen Funktionen wird auf die thermoelastische Kirchhoff-Love-Theorie der dunnen Schalen erweitert. Ein Reziprozitatstheorem und Warmeleitungsgleichungen, die denen der Kirchhoff-Love-Theorie entsprechen, werden benutzt, um Integrallosungsformeln fur die Verschiebungen der Mittelflache mit Hilfe von sechs Greenschen Funktionen abzuleiten. Die Gleichungen, die die Greenschen Funktionen bestimmen, werden hergeleitet und mit denen fur die Schalen verglichen. Beide Gleichungsgruppen werden mit konventionellen Verfahren fur eine unendliche Kreiszylinderschale gelost. Eine der Greenschen Funktionen wird fur beide Theorien am selben Quellpunkt numerisch ermittelt und das Ergebnis fur verschiedene Verhaltnisse Schalendicke/Radius verglichen.
The effect of improved footrope contact measurements on trawl area swept estimates

Abstract Various net monitoring instruments have been used during the evolution of the Gulf of Alaska demersal trawl survey conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in an attempt to reduce haul-to-haul variability in estimates of relative density due to variation in trawl efficiency and swept area. The introduction of a bottom contact sensor greatly enhanced our ability to identify important haul events and has resulted in altered definitions of the start and end of a tow. An unintended consequence of these changed definitions is that the tow distances are longer which, in turn, has affected the time series because no corrections have been made to tow distances of hauls conducted prior to the introduction of the bottom contact sensor. The mean additional distance fished since the introduction of the bottom contact sensor was 223 m, or 8.0% of the total length of a standard 30 min haul. The challenges of correcting the time series, including differences in capture efficiencies during various stages of a tow and the need for further standardization of operating procedures are discussed.
Two siblings with heterozygous phenotype SZ alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and end-stage liver disease

Two siblings with heterozygous phenotype SZ alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and end-stage liver disease
Rate of increase of plasma drug level influences subjective response in humans.

This study addressed the commonly held, but seldom tested, notion that faster rates of increase of drug effects are associated with more positive subjective effects. Sodium pentobarbital was administered to normal healthy volunteers in either a single oral dose or in a series of divided, cumulating doses, and subjective responses were monitored. Twelve subjects participated in three weekly sessions, during which they received capsules containing placebo, 150 mg pentobarbital in a single dose (SIN) or 180 mg pentobarbital administered in six divided doses (DIV) of 30 mg every 30 min. Doses of pentobarbital in the SIN and DIV were selected to produce similar peak plasma levels. Blood samples were obtained at regular intervals for plasma drug level determinations, and throughout the session subjects completed self-report mood questionnaires (e.g., Profile of Mood States, visual analog ratings of drug liking and drug "high") and psychomotor performance tests (e.g., Digit Symbol Substitution Test). As expected, the SIN and DIV conditions yielded similar peak levels of pentobarbital, but the peak was attained more rapidly in the SIN condition. Despite the similarity in peak plasma levels, subjects reached greater peaks in ratings of "high" and wanted more of the drug when they were in the SIN condition. On an end-of-session liking questionnaire they also reported significantly greater liking of the drug in the SIN condition. On other measures of drug effects (e.g., sedation and psychomotor impairment) no significant differences were observed between the conditions. Thus, the rate of increase of the drug's effects specifically influenced subjects' ratings on subjective measures (e.g., "high" and liking) that may be associated with risk for abuse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Crystal Structure of the MATa1/MATα2 Homeodomain Heterodimer Bound to DNA

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MATa1 and MAT alpha 2 homeodomain proteins, which play a role in determining yeast cell type, form a heterodimer that binds DNA and represses transcription in a cell type-specific manner. Whereas the alpha 2 and a1 proteins on their own have only modest affinity for DNA, the a1/alpha 2 heterodimer binds DNA with high specificity and affinity. The three-dimensional crystal structure of the a1/alpha 2 homeodomain heterodimer bound to DNA was determined at a resolution of 2.5 A. The a1 and alpha 2 homeodomains bind in a head-to-tail orientation, with heterodimer contacts mediated by a 16-residue tail located carboxyl-terminal to the alpha 2 homeodomain. This tail becomes ordered in the presence of a1, part of it forming a short amphipathic helix that packs against the a1 homeodomain between helices 1 and 2. A pronounced 60 degree bend is induced in the DNA, which makes possible protein-protein and protein-DNA contacts that could not take place in a straight DNA fragment. Complex formation mediated by flexible protein-recognition peptides attached to stably folded DNA binding domains may prove to be a general feature of the architecture of other classes of eukaryotic transcriptional regulators.
In vitro–in vivo evaluation of supercritical processed solid dispersions: Permeability and viability assessment in Caco-2 cells

In this study improvement in the bioavailability of carbamazepine (CBZ) prepared as solid dispersions by conventional solvent evaporation and supercritical fluid (SCF) processing methods was assessed, along with the elucidation of the mechanism of improved absorption. Solid dispersions of CBZ in polyethylene glycol (PEG) with either Gelucire 44/14 or vitamin E-TPGS (TPGS) were evaluated by intrinsic dissolution. Directional transport through Caco-2 cell monolayers was determined in the presence and absence of TPGS. Cell viability in presence of various concentrations of amphiphilic carriers was seen. In vivo oral bioavailability was determined in rats. The apparent intrinsic dissolution rates (IDR) of both conventional- and SCF-CBZ/PEG 8000/TPGS solid dispersions were increased by 13- and 10.6-fold, respectively, relative to neat CBZ. CBZ was not a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Higher CBZ permeability was seen in presence of 0.1% TPGS. Cell viability studies showed significant cytotoxicity only at or above 0.1% amphiphilic carrier. Supercritical treated formulation (without amphiphilic carrier) displayed oral bioavailability on par with those conventional solid dispersions augmented with amphiphilic carriers. An in vitro-in vivo correlation was seen between IDR and the AUC of the various CBZ solid dispersions. Bioavailability of CBZ was more a function of dissolution as opposed to membrane effects. Although bioavailability from SCF processed dispersions was better than conventionally processed counterparts (except for one formulation containing Gelucire 44/14), an interaction of processing method and inclusion of an amphiphilic carrier, rather by one factor alone contributed to optimal absorption, thus giving contradictory results for Gelucire 44/14 and TPGS formulations.
Blood platelet inventory management with protection levels

Abstract We consider a discrete-time inventory system for a perishable product where demand exists for product of different ages; an example of such a product is blood platelets. In addition to the classical costs for inventory holding, outdating, and shortage, our model includes substitution (mismatch) costs incurred when a demand for a certain-aged item is satisfied by a different-aged item. We propose a simple inventory replenishment and allocation heuristic to minimize the expected total cost over an infinite time horizon. In our heuristic, inventory of the newest items is replenished in fixed quantities and the newest items are protected for future use by limiting some substitutions when making allocation decisions according to a critical-level policy. We model our problem as a Markov Decision Process (MDP), derive the costs of our heuristic policy, and computationally compare this policy to extant “near optimal” policies in the literature. Our extensive computational study shows that our policy leads to superior performance compared to existing heuristics in the literature, particularly when supplies are limited.
Voltage pulsations in photogalvanic crystals as power supply for EO modulator

We have developed the all-optical EO-modulator using a pulsed photogalvanic power supply driven by light illumination (coherent and incoherent). Generated by ferroelectric crystal with the photogalvanic effect (Fe-doped LiNbO 3 ), electrical pulses were used for driving a standard EO-modulator, based on transversal EO effect in Bi 12 SiO 20 (BSO) crystals. Both parallel and serial connections of photogalvanic crystal (LN), BSO and oscilloscope were tested. The depth of EO-modulation was very sensitive to the impedance of the connected cables, which implies the existence of transmission-line resonances. Secondly, a more compact version of EO self-modulation is realized with green (wavelength λ= 532 nm, P = 100mW) solid-state CW laser. In this case, reflection of the CW laser from the LN crystal was modulated in time. Pulsating optical reflection was correlated with the pulsating electrical signals. We report both modes of operation: (1) as pulsed high-voltage power supply, and (2) as compact-pulsed optical modulator. We have described these pulsations using model of photogalvanic effect and ferroelectric emission.
Local and systemic immune response in the cow after intramammary vaccination during lactation.

The local and systemic immune response of the lactating cow during the 10 week period after intramammary (IMM) vaccination with killed Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) was evaluated. Antigen (tuberculin)-reactive lymphocytes were present in the milk as early as 2 weeks post-vaccination, and in the blood at 6 weeks after vaccination. The milk lymphocytes, compared to the blood lymphocytes, were consistently more responsive to tuberculin. Both blood and milk lymphocytes responded in vitro to the lectins, phytohemagglutinin-A (PHA-P) and concanavalin A (Con A), although the milk lymphocytes were consistently less responsive than the blood lymphocytes during the period. Anti-tuberculin antibody was significantly elevated in the milk and blood of the vaccinated animals at 10 weeks post-vaccination. Infusion of tuberculin into the mammary glands of the cows 10 weeks after vaccination resulted in a marked increase in the number of milk leukocytes. The influx of leukocytes initially consisted of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL), and later, mononuclear leukocytes. Intramammary vaccination also resulted in antigen recognition at sites distant from the mammary gland.
Treatment of failed Adult Chiari Malformation decompression with CSF drainage: observations in six patients.

Objective: We report the use of CSF drainage for the management of failed Adult Chiari Malformation (ACM) decompression. Methods: All patients with more than one year follow-up after treatment of their failed ACM were included in this study. They underwent initial decompression between September 1998 and April 2000. Clinical and radiological data were collected initially and at recurrence. Lumbar punctures (LP) were done at recurrence for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Opening pressures and symptomatic relief were recorded. Therapeutic options included intermittent LP and ventriculo-peritoneal shunting (VPS). Results: There were 6 patients (5 females and one male). Their age ranged from 19 to 43 years. Tonsillar descent ranged from 5 to 21 mm. The symptoms recurred 1.5 to 9 months postoperatively (average 5.6 months). Postoperative imaging revealed the presence of CSF flow behind the tonsils and the formation of a retrotonsillar neocistern in all patients. On LP, the opening pressure ranged from 17 to 31 cm of water (average 23 cm). All patients improved after CSF drainage, and four patients underwent VPS. The other patients were treated with repeat LP±Acetazolamide. There was significant improvement in all patients, with 18 months follow-up after CSF drainage (range 16–21 months). Conclusion: Our results suggest a role for CSF drainage in the treatment of some patients with failed ACM surgery. Possible explanations for the failure of ACM surgery in this subgroup include: surgical complications leading to neural hydrodynamic alteration, inadequate initial surgery, and coexistence with another pathology, possibly a mild form of intracranial hypertension. More prospective and hydrodynamic studies are needed to further clarify these issues.
Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of W(VI) alkyl complexes with chelating diamide and imido co-ligands

Abstract The complex W(NPh)Cl2[o-(NSiMe3)2C6H4] 3 was synthesized from PhN = WCl4 · OEt2 and N,N′-(Li2[o-(NSiMe3)2C6H4] and reacts with Lewis bases to form the adducts W(NPh)Cl2[o-(NSiMe3)2C6H4](L) (L = PMe3, THF, 3-picoline, tBuNC, MeCN) 4a–e. Crystals of 4a are triclinic, space group P1¯, with a = 9.562(1), b = 10.277(1), c = 14.920(2) A, α = 82.15(1), β = 80.18(1), γ = 80.41(1)°, and Z = 2. The structure was solved by the heavy atom method and refined to R = 0.0408 for 4224 observed (I > 2σ(I)) reflections. The dialkyl complexes W(NPh)R2[o-(NSiMe3)2C6H4] (R = Me, Et, CH2Ph, CH2CMe3, CH2CMe2Ph) 5–9 are formed through subsequent reactions of 3 with the corresponding Grignard reagent. Crystals of complex 5 are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 10.3545(2), b = 17.9669(1), c = 13.3168(1) A, β = 103.826(1)°, and Z = 4. The structure of complex 5 was solved by direct methods in SHELXTL5 and refined to R = 0.0247 for 4572 observed reflections. Compound 5 has a square pyramidal geometry in which the imido ligand occupies the apical position and reacts with PMe3 to form the adduct W(NPh)Me2[o-(NSiMe3)2C6H4](PMe3) 5a. Crystals of complex 5a are monoclinic, space group C2/m, with a = 13.5336(1), b = 14.4291(1), c = 15.3785(1) A, β = 110.365(1)°, and Z = 4. The structure of compound 5a was solved by direct methods in shelxtl5 and refined to R = 0.0272 for 3057 observed reflections. Crystals of the bis-neopentyl complex 8 are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 10.6992(4), b = 18.3144(7), c = 16.0726(6) A, β = 92.042(1)°, and Z = 4. The structure of 8 was solved by direct methods in shelxtl5 and refined to R = 0.0261 for 5881 observed reflections. Complex 8 has a trigonal bipyramidal geometry with both neopentyl groups and one amido nitrogen in the equatorial plane.
Holes in flames, flame isolas, and flame edges

We examine a simple model problem designed to elucidate how easily a hole in a diffusion flame can close and how easily an isolated region of burning in a mixing region (a flame isola) can grow. With the thickness of the mixing layer/diffusion flame defining the characteristic length, we find that a hole of diameter ≈1 closes for all but a tiny interval of Damkohler numbers above the one-dimensional quenching value: a hole of diameter ≈3 closes for Damkohler numbers that exceed the quenching value by more than 30%–40%, depending on the Lewis number: and a hole of infinite diameter closes for Damkohler numbers that exceed the quenching value by more than ∼70%. Even larger Damkohler numbers are required for isolas to grow, and we calculate these values for different radii. We investigate, the speeds with which hole edges or isola edges advance or retreat and provide evidence that for a shrinking hole or isola, a meaningful speed can be defined that depends only on the combustion parameters and the instantaneous hole/isola radius.
Multiscale modelling of dislocation/grain-boundary interactions: I. Edge dislocations impinging on Σ11 (1 1 3) tilt boundary in Al

Dislocation and grain-boundary processes contribute significantly to plastic behaviour in polycrystalline metals, but a full understanding of the interaction between these processes and their influence on plastic response has yet to be achieved. The coupled atomistic discrete-dislocation method is used to study edge dislocation pile-ups interacting with a Sigma 11-[113] symmetric tilt boundary in Al at zero temperature under various loading conditions. Nucleation of grain-boundary dislocations (GBDs) at the dislocation/grain-boundary intersection is the dominant mechanism of deformation. Dislocation pile-ups modify both the stress state and the residual defects at the intersection, the latter due to multiple dislocation absorption into the boundary, and so change the local grain-boundary/dislocation interaction phenomena as compared with cases with a single dislocation. The deformation is irreversible upon unloading and reverse loading if multiple lattice dislocations absorb into the boundary and damage in the form of microvoids and loss of crystalline structure accumulates around the intersection. Based on these results, the criteria for dislocation transmission formulated by Lee, Robertson and Birnbaum are extended to include the influences of grain-boundary normal stress, shear stress on the leading pile-up dislocation and minimization of step height at the intersection. Two possible yield loci for the onset of GBD nucleation versus compressive stress and relevant shear stresses are derived from the simulations. These results, and similar studies on other boundaries and dislocation characters, guide the formulation of continuum constitutive behaviours for use in discrete-dislocation or strain-gradient plasticity modelling.
Distribution of sensitivity responses to cymoxanil within global populations of Phytophthora infestans

In-vitro and in-vivo results show no decrease in Phytophthora infestans sensitivity to cymoxanil after more than 16 years of intensive use, and that a single, sensitive population exists within the countries sampled. © 1998 SCI
Identification of a X174 coded protein involved in the shut-off of host dna replication

Summary When Escherichia coli is infected with X174, the host cell DNA replication ceases 10 – 12 minutes after infection. This shut-off is prevented by the addition of 30μg/ml chloramphenicol indicating a requirement for post-infection protein synthesis. Some amber mutants in X174 cistron A, which codes for two proteins, do not shut off the host DNA replication. Amber mutants in all other X174 genes shut off host replication. Mutants near the amino-terminal end of cistron A, which still produce the small 35, 000 molecular weight cistron A polypeptide, shut off the host DNA synthesis whereas mutants near the carboxy-terminal end, which do not produce the small A polypeptide do not shut off the host.
Performance improvement: getting an early start.

Background The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and the Surgical Care Improvement Program (SCIP) can be utilized to develop quality initiatives to improve surgical care. Understanding the fundamentals of quality measures provides insight to the six Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies. Resident education needs a robust exposure to quality measures, such as NSQIP and SCIP to prepare surgeons for tomorrow's healthcare system. Methods The resident champion (RC) position is a dedicated research year between the PGY-2 and PGY-3 as a way to introduce residents to NSQIP and the importance of quality improvement. The resident partners with the NSQIP clinical reviewer to analyze data, develop quality improvement projects, implement these initiatives, and re-examine quality performance. Results Over the last 24 months, there have been numerous performance improvement initiatives and projects implemented at our facility as a direct result of the RC's efforts and their participation within the performance improvement committees. In addition, the projects led to multiple presentations at national conferences. Conclusions A dedicated year in performance improvement has benefited our residents with a working knowledge of quality measures and our institution with multiple projects that have yielded significant improvements in the quality of patient care.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Reproductive Biology of Oenothera section Kneiffia (Onagraceae)

Abstract Oenothera, the evening primrose genus, is a model system for studying the evolution of flowering plant reproductive biology. Members of this group vary in the species of pollinator that visit their flowers and in breeding systems, including both self-compatible (SC) and self-incompatible (SI) species. Here, we examine the evolutionary relationships among the six species of Oenothera section Kneiffia using sequences from two nuclear and four chloroplast genes. Through field studies we describe the effective pollinators for four species that had not been previously reported, and experimentally test for pollen limitation. Three of the six species are SC, and three are SI. The phylogeny strongly supports three separate transitions from SI to SC. Despite the expectation that SC species evolved the ability to self because of pollen limitation, or that pollen limitation evolves among SC species, we found no significant differences in pollen limitation between the SI and SC species in this study. Our res...
Computationally modeling organizational learning and adaptability as resource allocation: An artificial adaptive systems approach

A framework for and a computational model of organizational behavior based on an artificial adaptive system (AAS) is presented. An AAS, a modeling approach based on genetic algorithms, enables the modeling of organizational learning and adaptability. This learning can be represented as decisions to allocate resources to the higher performing organizational agents (i.e., individuals, groups, departments, or processes, depending on the level of analysis) critical to the organization's survival in different environments. Adaptability results from the learning function enabling the organizations to change as the environment changes. An AAS models organizational behavior from a micro-unit perspective, where organizational behavior is a function of the aggregate actions and interactions of each of the individual agents of which the organization is composed. An AAS enables organizational decision making in a dynamic environment to be modeled as a satisficing process and not as a maximization process. To demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of such an approach, a financial trading adaptive system (FTAS) organization is computationally modeled based on the AAS framework. An FTAS is an example of how the learning mechanism in an AAS can be used to allocate resources to critical individuals, processes, functions, or departments within an organization.
A perspective on the ESVEM trial and current knowledge: Catheter ablation for ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Although an effective and potentially curative technique for treating idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, map-guided transcatheter radiofrequency ablation is far from optimal for ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with advanced ischemic or other types of organic heart disease. First, this technique can be applied only to a minority of patients with structural heart disease, who can tolerate relatively long episodes of induced ventricular tachycardia necessary for mapping and successful ablation. Second, the success rate is lower and recurrence higher in patients with organic heart disease. Finally, for patients who lose consciousness during tachycardia or who present with prehospital cardiac arrest, transcatheter radiofrequency ablation is inappropriate as definitive treatment. At best, it is palliative and may be used to suppress relatively slow, frequent, or incessant ventricular tachycardias but does not obviate the need for other therapies such as cardioverter-defibrillator implantation or antiarrhythmic drug therapy.
Source Credibility and Order Effects.

288 undergraduates formed an opinion about a jury trial, and also formed impressions of the personalities of 10 hypothetical persons. A recency effect occurred for the jury trial, but order effects were inconsistent in the personality impressions. Source credibility also failed to have any consistent effect. Accordingly the study was replicated without intentional modification. Again, the recency effect in the jury trial was significant. This time the personality impression data yielded only recency trends, 4 significant.
Full-field deformation of bovine cornea under constrained inflation conditions

The viscoelastic response of bovine corneas was characterized using in vitro inflation (bulge) experiments combined with spatially-resolved deformation mapping via digital image correlation. A complex fixture conforming to the limbal annulus was developed to hold the attached sclera rigid while allowing deformation only in the cornea. A statistical set of experiments was performed for a pressure range of 3.6-8 kPa (27-60 mmHg), representing nominal bovine intraocular pressure (IOP) to acute glaucoma conditions. A broader pressure range of 0-32 kPa (0-240 mmHg) was also examined to characterize the nonlinear finite deformation behavior of the tissue. Results showed that for pressures near and above IOP, the majority of the deformation was localized in the limbus and peripheral regions, which left the central cornea largely undeformed. This observation was consistent with the known preferred circumferential alignment of collagen fibrils outside of the central cornea. In general, the inflation experiments observed viscoelastic behavior in the form of rate-dependent hysteresis in the pressure-deformation response of the apex of the cornea, creep in the apex deformation at a constant inflation pressure, and relaxation in the pressure response at a constant inflation volume. The 3.6-8 kPa (27-60 mmHg) pressure range produced small viscoelastic deformations and a nearly linear pressure-deformation response, which suggests that for physiological pressure ranges, the cornea can be approximated as a linear viscoelastic or linear pseudo-elastic material.
Bone maturation in the vitamin D, phosphate deficient rat and the response to acid loading.

Vitamin D and phosphate deficiency were produced in rats in order (a) to evaluate the degree of bone mineral and matrix maturation using a bromoform/toluene density gradient technique; and (b) to compare the aforementioned bone maturational changes due to vitamin D and phosphate deprivation to those produced with superimposed severe acidosis. Rats were fed a diet deficient in vitamin D and phosphorus (0.2%) from 3 weeks through 7 weeks of age. To examine the additional contribution of dietary calcium, we gave one-half of the animals either a low (0.06%) or high (1.3%) calcium diet. Following the 4 weeks of vitamin D deficiency, one-half of each group was given 1.8% NH4Cl in the drinking water for 4 succeeding days to induce an acute, severe acidosis. The degree of bone maturation was quantitated via bromoformtoulene density gradient fractionation; total mineral and hydroxyproline (collagen) levels were quantitated as well. The vitamin D-deficient rats deprived of adequate dietary phosphate responded by conserving phosphorus, and as a consequence total bone phosphorus levels were maintained within that level for control rats. This conservation was independent of calcium intake but was extremely sensitive to acute acid loading, where a significant reduction in total bone phosphorus was noted. The bone maturational profile obtained from the vitamin D-phosphate deficient rats, however, revealed a significant accumulation of less mature or dense bone collagen and mineral with a corresponding decrease in the most mature or dense moieties. In contrast to the reduction of the total bone phosphorus content by acute acidosis, the skeletal collagen-mineral maturational profile was not significantly affected by the short-term systemic acidosis. The observed retardations in the bone collagen and mineral maturation of the vitamin D-deficient, phosphate-deprived state provide an additional observation which may well relate to the progressive osteopenia documented in states of chronic, mild acidosis.
Prototype Testing of the Appurtenance for Settleable Solids In-raceway SeparaTion (ASSIST)

Abstract The most common type of rearing unit for rainbow trout produced in the US is the flow-through raceway. A water treatment structure, which can be readily retrofitted into existing raceways, was designed to create rotational currents to aid in the concentration and collection of particulate waste material in situ. The designed structure, referred to as the Appurtenance for Settleable Solids In-raceway SeparaTion (ASSIST), incorporated a drain line which diverts a small fraction of the raceway flow to continuously remove the uneaten feed and fecal material from the collection area located at the effluent end of the raceway. Continuous removal of the collected particulates minimizes the leaching of soluble material from the solids into the water column. Based on scale model tests using analogous waste material, the ASSIST is expected to remove 40–50% of the settleable solids generated in commercial rainbow trout aquaculture while diverting 5–10% of the raceway flow.
Performance Measurements Of Infrared Imaging Systems Used To Assess Thermal Anomalies

An evaluation of various infrared imaging systems was performed to determine their abilities to identify thermal anomalies in buildings. The systems were tested under environmental temperatures from -20°C to 25°C for their minimum resolvable temperature differences (MRTD) at spatial frequencies between 0.03 to 0.25 cy/mrad. The temperature dependence of MRTD was analyzed and compared with the predicted values in ASHRAE standard 101-83 for thermal imaging systems. The temperature dependence of infrared systems' object temperature calibrations was investigated. The signal transfer function (SiTF) of infrared sensors were generated to verify and calibrate the dynamic range of each sensor. Also discussed are the results of measurements of modulation transfer function (MTF) of infrared imaging systems, which are based on Fourier Transforms of the line spread function (LSF). It is shown that the results of the MTF calculations can be correlated with their MRTD measurements.
Infrastructure Decay Modeling With the Input-Output Inoperability Model

Asset management and infrastructure interdependency concepts are found to be useful in the study of infrastructure decay. As such, infrastructure decay is modeled with the input-output inoperabilit...
Regulation of the Readily Releasable Vesicle Pool by Protein Kinase C

Modulation of the size of the readily releasable vesicle pool has recently come under scrutiny as a candidate for the regulation of synaptic strength. Using electrophysiological and optical measurement techniques, we show that phorbol esters increase the size of the readily releasable pool at glutamatergic hippocampal synapses in culture through a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanism. Phorbol ester activation of PKC also increases the rate at which the pool refills. These results identify two powerful ways that activation of the PKC pathway may regulate synaptic strength by modulating the readily releasable pool of vesicles.
An intraosseous sclerosing odontogenic tumor predominantly composed of epithelial cells: relation to (so-called) sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma and epithelial-rich central odontogenic fibroma

We report a case of an asymptomatic sclerosing odontogenic tumor in a 31-year-old woman. Radiologically, the tumor was well circumscribed, was predominantly radiolucent, and had a peripheral sclerotic margin. Histopathologically, the tumor showed small clusters, strands, and cords of small to medium-sized epithelial tumor cells in a sclerotic collagenous stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for broad-spectrum cytokeratins (CKs) (CK7, CK5/6, CK19, and CAM 5.2) and p63. Membranous staining for E-cadherin was present. There was weak to moderate nuclear expression of p16 in 30% of cells. Rare tumor cells were positive for p53. Progesterone receptors were expressed in about 60% of the tumor cells. The proliferative activity (Ki-67) was approximately 2%. A molecular genetic (fluorescence in situ hybridization) study showed no EWSR1 (EWS RNA-binding protein 1) gene rearrangement. No recurrence or metastatic events have been documented at 1-year follow-up. This tumor represents a classification dilemma mainly between epithelial-rich central odontogenic fibroma and the so-called sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma.
Three-group classification with unequal misclassification costs: a mathematical programming approach

Abstract Mathematical programming approaches to the statistical classification problem have attracted considerable research interest since the early 1980s. In this paper a mixed-integer programming model is proposed for the minimization of misclassification costs in the three-group problem. In the proposed model, distinct costs c(h | g) can be assigned to the misclassification of an observation from one group to either of the other two groups. The standard parametric classification procedures (Fisher's linear discriminant function and Smith's quadratic discriminant function), as incorporated in commonly used statistical packages like SAS, SPSS and MINITAB, do not allow the assignment of distinct costs c(h | g) , when the number of groups is three or more. Using MBA admissions data, it is shown that the proposed model may be useful in assisting an academic institution in its screening of MBA applications, once the relative costs of erroneous admission decisions are assessed.
THE EFFECT OF DENERVATION ON INCORPORATION OF 32P AND [3H]GLYCEROL BY THE MUSCLE MEMBRANE

— The incorporation in vivo of 32P1 was significantly increased in all glycerophosphatide of preparations of denervated muscle membrane in frogs. There was no increase in incorporation of 32P1 into sphingomyelin. Disuse induced by tenotomy did not significantly increase incorporation of 32P1 into phospholipids of the muscle membrane. The phospholipid content of muscle membranes remained unchanged as a result of denervation or tenotomy. Denervation produced an increase in the incorporation of [2-3H]glycerol into all glycerophosphatides in parallel with the increase in 32P1 incorporation. Although the stimulated incorporation of 32P1 was increased in the regions of the muscle membrane rich in endplates, the most marked effect was in the endplate-poor region where activity in phosphatidylserine was most markedly increased.