cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inertial effects in dispersion in porous media

[1] In this work we develop the macroscale transport equation for dispersion of a nonreactive chemical species, with a particular focus on the influence of inertial contributions at moderate Reynolds numbers. Our starting point is the continuum level description of transport written at the subpore scale. Volume averaging is used to upscale these equations to develop the macroscale solute balance that applies at the Darcy scale. We develop a fully transient version of the ancillary closure problem that predicts the total dispersion tensor, and we solve the closure using finite Fourier transforms. The result of this effort is a nonlocal macroscale transport equation, where the nonlocal dispersion depends upon the microscale geometry of the pore space and the physical characteristics of the fluid. Both the longitudinal and transverse components of the total dispersion tensor are computed for a simple three-dimensional unit cell. The computational results indicate that a simple three-dimensional periodic unit cell is able to capture the correct behavior for the longitudinal dispersion in the range 101 < Pep < 2.5 × 105, although the magnitude of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient is underpredicted by up to a factor of about 4. For the transverse dispersion coefficient, the simple unit cell provides much less satisfactory results when compared with experimental data. The inertial effects for the longitudinal dispersion coefficient were relatively small, but for the transverse dispersion coefficient, inertial effects were predicted to increase the transverse dispersion coefficient up to 40 times that which would be predicted for Stokes flow.
H+ Permeation and pH Regulation at a Mammalian Serotonin Transporter

The rat serotonin transporter expressed in Xenopus oocytes displays an inward current in the absence of 5-HT when external pH is lowered to 6.5 or below. The new current differs from the leakage current described previously in two ways. (1) It is ∼10-fold larger at pH 5 than the leakage current at pH 7.5 and reaches 1000 H + /sec per transporter at extremes of voltage and pH with no signs of saturation. (2) It is selective for H + by reversal potential measurements. Similar H + -induced currents are also observed in several other ion-coupled transporters, including the GABA transporter, the dopamine transporter, and the Na + /glucose transporter. The high conductance and high selectivity of the H + -induced current suggest that protons may be conducted via a hydrogen-bonded chain (a “proton-wire mechanism”) formed at least partially by side chains within the transporter. In addition, pH affects other conducting states of rat serotonin transporter. Acidic pH potentiates the 5-HT-induced, transport-associated current and inhibits the hyperpolarization-activated transient current. The dose–response relationships for these two effects suggest that two H + binding sites, with pK a values close to 5.1 and close to 6.3, govern the potentiation of the 5-HT-induced current and the inhibition of the transient current, respectively. These results are important for developing structure-function models that explain permeation properties of neurotransmitter transporters.
Copy rate synchronization with performance guarantees for work consolidation in storage clusters

As storage in data centers is increasing rapidly, it has become critical to find ways to operate efficiently this important component of a data center. Often, it has been proposed to consolidate the storage workload into a subset of storage devices and shutdown the unused ones with the purpose of preserving power. In many cases storage workload consolidation requires some amount of data to be copied from one device or set to the next. While storage workload consolidation techniques focus on extending power savings with minimal penalty in the performance of a data center, less attention is paid to the process of seamlessly integrating the data copy phase into the overall storage workload consolidation technique. Specifically, in this paper, we propose an analytic framework that synchronizes the pace of copying data between two storage devices (or nodes) such that performance is maintained within predefined targets. As such, we avoid either undesired performance degradation caused by aggressively scheduling the data copy task or a slow copy process caused by conservative scheduling. We show with extensive experimentation that the framework is robust and that it provides an important step toward automating storage consolidation and high power savings.
Brief motivational intervention at a clinic visit reduces cocaine and heroin use.

Background:Brief intervention is effective for alcohol misuse, but not adequately tested in the clinical setting with drug using patients. This study tested the impact of a single, structured encounter targeting cessation of drug use, conducted between peer educators and out-of-treatment cocaine and heroin users screened in the context of a routine medical visit. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in inner-city teaching hospital outpatient clinics with 3 and 6 months follow-up by blinded observers. Drug abstinence was documented by RIA hair testing. Analysis was limited to enrollees with drug-positive hair at baseline. Results: Among 23,669 patients screened 5/98–11/00, 1232 (5%) were eligible, and 1175 enrolled. Enrollees (mean age 38 years) were 29% female, 62% non-hispanic black, 23% hispanic, 46% homeless. Among those with positive hair at entry, the follow-up rate was 82%. The intervention group was more likely to be abstinent than the control group for cocaine alone (22.3% versus 16.9%), heroin alone (40.2% versus 30.6%), and both drugs (17.4% versus 12.8%), with adjusted OR of 1.51–1.57. Cocaine levels in hair were reduced by 29% for the intervention group and only 4% for the control group. Reductions in opiate levels were similar (29% versus 25%). Conclusions: Brief motivational intervention may help patients achieve abstinence from heroin and cocaine. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Time-efficient patient-specific quantification of regional carotid artery fluid dynamics and spatial correlation with plaque burden

Purpose: Low wall shear stress (WSS) and high oscillatory shear index (OSI) influence plaque formation, yet little is known about their role in progression/regression of established plaques because of lack of practical means to calculate them in individual patients. Our aim was to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of patients with carotid plaque undergoing statin treatment to calculate WSS and OSI in a time-efficient manner, and determine their relationship to plaque thickness (PT), plaque composition (PC), and regression. Methods: Eight patients (68±9yr, one female) underwent multicontrast 3 T MRI at baseline and six-month post statin treatment. PT and PC were measured in carotid segments (common–CC, bifurcation–B, internal–IC) and circumferentially in nonoverlapping 60° angles and correlated with CFD models created from MRI, ultrasound, and blood pressure. Results: PT was highest in B (2.42±0.98 versus CC: 1.60±0.47, IC: 1.62±0.52mm, p<0.01). Circumferentially, plaque was greatest opposite the flow divider (p<0.01), where the lowest WSS and highest OSI were observed. In B and IC, PT was inversely related to WSS (R=−0.28 and −0.37, p<0.01) and directly related to OSI (R=0.22 and 0.52, p<0.05). The total plaque volume changed from 1140±437 to 974±587mm3 at six months (p=0.1). Baseline WSS, but not OSI, correlated with changes in PT, necrotic tissue, and hemorrhage in B and IC, but not CC. CFD modeling took 49±18h per patient. Conclusions: PT and PC correspond to adverse WSS and OSI in B and IC, and WSS is modestly but significantly related to changes in PT after short-term statin treatment. Regional hemodynamics from CFD can feasibly augment routine clinical imaging for comprehensive plaque evaluation.
Relating the type of ambiguity of finite automata to the succinctness of their representation

We consider the problem of how the size of a nondeterministic finite automaton (nfa) representing a regular language depends on the degree of ambiguity of the nfa. We obtain results for the unary and bounded inputs, and partial results for the unrestricted inputs. One of the main results of this paper shows that for unrestricted inputs, deterministic, unambiguous and nondeterministic machines form a hierarchy with respect to the number of states, solving an open problem of Stearns and Hunt. We also propose a new approach to the study of the succinctness of representation through regularity preserving closure properties and obtain some results in this direction.
Racial and gender income inequality in the American states

Abstract The purpose of this article is to uncover the political factors associated with greater income parity for black men, black women, and white women relative to white men in the American states. Variables are constructed for federal, state, and local government employment, state electoral competition, federal procurement, black state legislators, and women state legislators along with a number of socioeconomic factors. It is discovered that the political variables carry less weight than the socioeconomic ones. These findings raise questions about the future prospects for increased earnings parity for minorities and women as previous federal efforts to eliminate racial and gender discrimination appear to have been weakened and state political factors have little relationship with greater income equality.
Implementation of a Multi-Layered Fuzzy Controller on an FPGA

This paper describes the development and implementation of a multilayered fuzzy controller on an FPGA for the navigational control of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR). The navigational algorithm assists the AMR to traverse through unknown environment and reach a set destination point avoiding all the obstacles in its path. The AMR consists of three modules: sensor module, motor driver module, and the supervisor module. The FPGA implementation of the control algorithm which is divided into three layers: Orientation Layer, PD Layer, and Obstacle Avoidance Layer results in a compact design, and improved performance of the robot system.
Measured forces and moments on a delta wing during pitch-up

A series of low-speed wind tunnel tests on a 70-deg, sharp, leading-edge delta wing undergoing ramp pitching motion of high amplitude were performed to investigate the aerodynamic forces and moments. Forces and moments were obtained from a six-component interanl balance. Large amplitude oscillatory motion was produced by sinusoidally oscillating the model over a range of reduced frequencies. Ramp motion was produced by pitching the model through a half cycle of sinusoidal motion at a root chord Reynolds number of 1.54 million. The effect of ramp and oscillatory motions on the forces and moments are almost identical at matched pitch rates. Pitch rate had strong effect on the magnitude of the aerodynamic forces and moments. Upon completion of the model motion, some time is required for the forces and moments to decay to their static values. This convergence of the dynamic values to the static ones was a function of the pitch rate.
Large-scale probabilistic forecasting in energy systems using sparse Gaussian conditional random fields

Short-term forecasting is a ubiquitous practice in a wide range of energy systems, including forecasting demand, renewable generation, and electricity pricing. Although it is known that probabilistic forecasts (which give a distribution over possible future outcomes) can improve planning and control, many forecasting systems in practice are just used as “point forecast” tools, as it is challenging to represent high-dimensional non-Gaussian distributions over multiple spatial and temporal points. In this paper, we apply a recently-proposed algorithm for modeling high-dimensional conditional Gaussian distributions to forecasting wind power and extend it to the non-Gaussian case using the copula transform. On a wind power forecasting task, we show that this probabilistic model greatly outperforms other methods on the task of accurately modeling potential distributions of power (as would be necessary in a stochastic dispatch problem, for example).
Exceptional Lie Algebras and Related Algebraic and Geometric Structures

Certain algebraic structures, most notably associative, alternative, and Jordan algebras are strongly linked via construction and classification to simple Lie algebras and to interesting geometries. These geometries are in turn linked to simple Lie algebras via their groups of collineations. These linkages serve to illustrate how various notions of exceptionality in algebra and geometry (e.g., non-classical Lie algebras, non-associative alternative algebras, non-special Jordan algebras, and nonDesarguian projective planes) are just different manifestations of the same phenomenon. It is the intent of this survey to discuss briefly the general classes of structures in which the exceptional objects occur, to describe the linkage between the exceptional objects, and to illustrate the utility of these linkages in understanding the nature of these diverse exceptional structures.
Escherichia coli Regrowth in Disinfected Sewage Effluent: Effect of DOC and Nutrients on Regrowth in Laboratory Incubations and Urban Streams

This study examined the potential for regrowth of Escherichia coli in laboratory-incubated microcosms spiked with ultraviolet (UV)-disinfected sewage effluent and extracts derived from turfgrass or leaf litter. A second part of the study examined the potential of nutrients for predicting E. coli in two urban streams with point source effluent. Microcosms containing effluent and vegetation extracts were incubated for 72 h, samples were withdrawn over six time periods for measurement of E. coli. Streams were sampled every 2 weeks and E. coli and nutrients measured. E. coli counts in the microcosms exceeded the Texas state secondary contact recreation standard for surface water quality within 12 h for the turfgrass and within 18 h for leaf litter extracts. Univariate analysis of variance found that the interaction between vegetation extract source and concentration was more important than source of vegetation or concentration of extract alone. In the two streams sampled downstream of a point source effluent discharge, between 82 and 92 % of the variance in annual E. coli during high stream flow and between 55 and 57 % of the variance in annual E. coli during low stream flow was described by stream water-dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), NH4-N, NO3-N, or PO4-P. Once effluent is discharged to surface water, particularly during high flow conditions, DOC and DON derived from the landscape and nitrogen and PO4-P derived from the effluent will provide ideal conditions for E. coli regrowth in surface waters downstream of the point source discharge.
On the limit cycle structure of threshold boolean networks over complete graphs.

In previous work, the limit structure of positive and negative finite threshold boolean networks without inputs (TBNs) over the complete digraph Kn was analyzed and an algorithm was presented for computing this structure in polynomial time. Those results are generalized in this paper to cover the case of arbitrary TBNs over Kn. Although the limit structure is now more complicated, containing, not only fixed-points and cycles of length 2, but possibly also cycles of arbitrary length, a simple algorithm is still available for its determination in polynomial time. Finally, the algorithm is generalized to cover the case of symmetric finite boolean networks over Kn.
Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Management and Prevention

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was a rare phenomenon until the past decade; now CA-MRSA is endemic in many communities and is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections presenting to emergency rooms. CA-MRSA is distinct from its hospital-acquired counterpart, and has caused devastating infections in many healthy individuals. The epidemiology of CA-MRSA continues to evolve, and the challenge is to use the most appropriate and effective therapeutic and preventative strategies against this pathogen. This article reviews the current epidemiology of CA-MRSA, its definitions, and common clinical manifestations in the community. The article also summarizes current therapeutic options for CA-MRSA as well as strategies to reduce the transmission and the impact of CA-MRSA in both community and health care settings.
Study of a Minature Thermoacoustic Refrigerator

A thermoacoustic refrigerator (TAR) of miniature scale, aimed for low-capacity cooling, was numerically and experimentally investigated. DeltaE (Ward and Swift, 1994) was used to model and optimize the TAR design. MEMS stacks, along with several other materials, were used to produce cooling. The precise control over dimensions and geometry that MEMS technology provides can be critical to cooler performance. A commercial PZT driver was used in this study to deliver acoustic power for heat pumping. The cooler is 1/4λ long in standing-wave configuration and operated at 4 kHz, where the acoustic resonance resides. TAR in other geometry and using in-house drivers were also developed but are not included in this paper (Chen et al., 2002). A pressurized version, aimed for higher power density and efficiency using inert gas mixtures, is under development. The performance, challenges, and a system test bed using LabVIEW are reported.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
I-Vote: an audience voting system

In this paper, we describe the I-Vote system for audience response voting at the Olympic Games. The audience members vote by using a $2 handheld device that they can keep as a souvenir. The devices are simple to use, come in multiple designs, and are tradable. These devices do not hold any personal information so privacy is never an issue. The vote results are presented on a large public display, which is loaded with information in the form of graphs that are quickly understood. People can retrieve their personal votes later on the Internet. The system was designed through a process involving brainstorming, creating scenarios, searching for information, doing cognitive walkthroughs, developing prototypes, and revising and refining ideas.
Institutional Change and Projections: A Comment

ARTHUR L. STINCHCOMBE [*] ABSTRACT. This comment is in response to Frederic L. Pryor (2000). "The Millennium Survey: How Economists View the U.S. Economy in the 21st Century." The American Journal of Economics and Sociology. 59 (January), pp. 3-33. The problem with projections of time series is that they can only be about those things the series is about. Consider the deregulation of interest rates that made savings and loans banks pay high short term interest rates to get the money to sustain low rate long term mortgage loans, and the resulting "socialism for the rich" that used taxpayer money to sustain them. There is no index of socialism for the rich. Or consider the reorganization of saving involved in pension funds, where saving is strongly connected to buying an annuity that uses up all the savings by the time of death of the pensioner. This institutional innovation greatly lowers the aggregate savings rate in the U. S. Americans save a lot, but then they take it back out in order to leave the labor market; entrepreneurial saving with an estate that still earns money at death is disappearing. We have no index of annuity conversions of savings. Or consider a side effect of this, the radical increase of age-grading of the labor market, so that peop le mostly do not enter the full time labor market until after 18 years of age, and leave again shortly before or after 65. But each family in the "working years" produces a much higher supply of hours per week, leaving hours supplied per capita about steady, No index of age-grading. Or consider the higher rate of productivity growth in farming than in other industries, largely sustained by government-supported RD since the income-elasticity of food at the farm is well below 1.0, as productivity grows, about five out of six sons of farmers do not become farmers. We have taken away most other subsidies to farmers so this R&D support is precarious (this in turn because we have destroyed the farm vote by destroying farms). No index of R&D support for farms driving them out of existence. Or, to turn to international institutions, consider our imposition of a more or less constantly declining dollar on the world system. No index of U. S. pressure for reflation of the Japanese yen. The U. S. has almost completely destroyed vocational education producing skilled manual workers. This shows up sharply in our declining exports of complex machinery as compared to Germany and Japan, which then shows up in their positive trade balances and our negative ones. All of these are, I believe, institutional changes that are "not necessarily trend like," and could fairly easily be undone. Some of them are undoings of previous institutions, and since the previous institutions were once created, they could be created again. It is possible that someone worrying about American wealth becoming foreign-owned because pensioners are eating up their savings might change the policies that favor pension saving over direct holdings of mutual funds. …
Carbocation-π interaction: the 1,1-dimethylallyl cation and benzene

Abstract Computational studies of the interaction of 1,1-dimethylallyl cation with benzene reveal that its potential energy surface has a rich complexity. The lowest energy π-complex, which involves binding of both ends of the cation to the benzene ring, is calculated to be 4.5 kcal mol −1 lower in energy than its related σ-complex. The results provide further support for the idea that π complexation of carbocations is stronger over the periphery of aromatic systems, and offer insight into why biological reactions involving this type of carbocation do not lead via σ-complex formation to electrophilic substitution of the aromatic rings in proteins.
Silicon Volatility From Alumina and Aluminosilicates Under Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Operating Conditions

Thermodynamic equilibrium modeling indicates that the introduction of H2O in oxidizing environments decreases Si stability due to formation of volatile hydroxide and oxy hydroxides. 3Al2O3·2SiO2 mullite bond offers only slight improvement over pure silica as the thermodynamic activity of silica in mullite is near unity. In reducing atmospheres Si stability is improved by the presence of H2O and Al2O3, transitioning from SiO and silane as the dominant volatile species to hydroxides, oxy hydroxides, and SiO with increasing water vapor partial pressure. Empirical studies reveal initial rapid releases of Si from stationary solid oxide fuel cell refractory materials followed by slower solid-state diffusion limited release.
Modification of the cycle of an automatic nitrogen analyzer

Summary By a simple mechanical modification, the auxiliary timer of the Coleman Nitrogen Analyzer can be utilized as many times as desired in the course of a cycle. The electrical circuitry is not disturbed and additional components are not required. Use of the auxiliary timer during the purge and sweep phases of the cycle is recommended.
Concept mapping. Navigating the learning process

Critical thinking, meaningful learning, and concept synthesis are key phrases pervading nursing literature as educators strive to promote optimal learning and improve clinical instruction and problem solving across levels of nursing education. Concept mapping offers a state-of-the-art metacognitive approach to achievement of these important goals. The author explores concept mapping from the perspective of cognitive theory, analyzes its strengths and drawbacks, presents examples of various concept maps and graphic organizers, and suggests pragmatic applications to nursing clinical, classroom, curriculum, and research situations.
Asymptotic properties of equilibrium forecasts in Bayesian learning models

Abstract In an earlier paper [Shah Journal of Mathematical Economics , 1995, 24(5), 461–495], we studied Bayesian learning in an intertemporal, stochastic setting. The results stated in the present paper are significant generalizations and simplifications of the earlier results. We study a sequence of games in which the stochastic kernel that links the state variable is unknown. Successive stage games are played by successive generations of identical players. Each generation makes a rational forecast of the state, given their belief about the true kernel and the equilibrium implemented by the players. Beliefs are updated by Bayes' rule after observing the actual state. Our present results concern the dynamic behavior of the forecasts process. We show there is partial learning in the sense of being able to (asymptotically) predict the future as well as an omniscient modeler who knows the true transition structure and understands the stochastic evolution of the state and players' actions. Moreover, we characterize the limiting behavior of the forecasts process in terms of the set of full information rational expectations forecasts.
Disaccharidase activities in dyspeptic children: biochemical and molecular investigations of maltase-glucoamylase activity

ABSTRACTBackgroundMaltase-glucoamylase enzyme plays an important role in starch digestion. Glucoamylase deficiency is reported to cause chronic diarrhea in infants, but its role in dyspeptic children is unknown.MethodsGlucoamylase and other disaccharidase specific activities were assayed from duoden
Software Validation Strategies for Clinical Trials Systems

A structured technique for software validation is discussed for the three major categories of software used in clinical trials systems: data capture, data management, and report generation. The technique emphasizes structured, modular software design; algorithmic validation; single-thread system design; and the use of database structures (including meta-data structures) to increase software reliability.
A default hierarchy for pronouncing English

The authors study the principles governing the power and efficiency of the default hierarchy, a system of knowledge acquisition and representation. The default hierarchy trains automatically, yet yields a set of rules which can be easily assessed and analyzed. Rules are organized in a hierarchical structure containing general (default) and specific rules. In training the hierarchy, general rules are learned before specific rules. In using the hierarchy, specific rules are accessed first, with default rules used when no specific rules apply. The main results concern the properties of the default hierarchy architecture, as revealed by its application to English pronunciation. Evaluating the hierarchy as a pronouncer of English, the authors find that its rules capture several key features of English spelling. The default hierarchy pronounces English better than the neural network NETtalk, and almost as well as expert-devised systems. >
Study of heat transfer from condensing steam to a moving film of mineral oil

1. Heat transfer during the condensation of saturated low pressure steam and a moving laminar-wave flow of a thin film of mineral oil was studied experimentally under conditions of significant change in viscosity. 2. The nature of change of heat transfer over the height of the heat-transfer surface was studied with change in the irrigation rate and oil viscosity. It was found that reducing the height of the heat-transfer surface considerably increases the mean heat-transfer coefficient\(\bar \alpha _e \). 3. Shadow photography and visual observation confirmed that the motion of the film of oil and steam condensate is of laminar-wave nature. 4. A generalized relationship was obtained in criterial form for the mean heat-transfer coefficient\(\bar \alpha _p \). The limits of validity of the equation were determined. 5. It was found that calculated values of heat-transfer coefficient\(\bar \alpha _p \) have satisfactory standard deviation from experimental values\(\bar \alpha _e \).
Company Self-Assessment of Lean Enterprise Maturity in the Aerospace Industry

This study investigates the use of Lean Enterprise self-assessment in the aerospace industry. Senior enterprise leaders from 31 enterprises in the U.S. and U.K. aerospace industries utilized the MIT Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) as a means for measuring their current state of leanness in leadership/transformation processes, life-cycle processes, and enabling infrastructure as defined by the LESAT. The empirical results suggest that the companies sampled from the aerospace industry in this study exhibit the lowest maturity in practices related to establishing and deploying a lean enterprise vision, even in the presence of high maturity in lean production within the organizations. Based on the self-assessment, a clear opportunity related to lean enterprise transformation exists in raising the maturity of these enterprises in understanding their current value streams and defining their future value streams. A framework for incorporating LESAT results into formal information feedback mechanisms...
Multiple quantum NMR excitation with a one-quantum Hamiltonian

Abstract Excitation of multiple quantum coherence in dipolar coupled spin systems is usually accomplished with a two-quantum multiple pulse sequence which can be time reversed by means of a 90° phase shift. The application of such an excitation scheme to a spin system in thermal equilibrium excites only even orders of multiple quantum coherence. We demonstrate here time reversible pulse sequences that excite all orders of coherence by creating a pure one-quantum average hamiltonian. We also describe pulse schemes which can be used to create pure one- or two-quantum average hamiltonians with variable scaling between +1 and −1. These excitation schemes are relevant to the study of spin clustering by multiple quantum NMR.
Solution properties of polyoxymethylene

Light scattering and viscosity have been measured at 25°C. for dilute solutions of six unfractionated polyoxymethylene samples in the mixed solvent hexafluoroacetone–water (mole ratio 1/1.7) slightly buffered with triethylamine. Dialysis equilibrium through porous Vycor glass thimbles indicates that the polymer is strongly solvated by the hydrate (CF3)2C(OH)2, and this must be taken into account in evaluating weight-average molecular weights from the light-scattering data. Over the molecular weight range 23,000–185,000, the intrinsic viscosities (in deciliter per gram) follow the relation The corresponding unperturbed dimensions are σ = 2.3 ± 0.2 or r02/nl2 = 10.5 ± 1.5.
RNA synthesis specific for an integrated adenovirus genome during the cell cycle

WHEN adenovirus transforms a cultured mammalian cell, substantial portions of the viral genome can be integrated into the host cell chromosomes and at least a fraction of this integrated genome is transcribed1. Approximately 50% of the early sequences observed in the lytic infections are synthesised in the transformed cell2. In randomly growing transformed rat embryo cells, the virus transcripts in the nucleus are in the large molecular weight, heterogeneous RNA covalently linked to cellular RNA3. These transcripts are apparently processed before they appear on cytoplasmic polyribosomes3. To date, there has been little evidence concerning the synthesis and post-transcriptional modifications of viral transcripts during the cell cycle in the transformed cells. The first question to be asked is, is there continuous synthesis of viral transcripts from at least some portion of the integrated genome, or is synthesis limited to one phase of the cell cycle? We have investigated this question in synchronised rat embryo cells transformed with adenovirus type 2 (Ad2-T)4. The synthesis of viral RNA transcripts was correlated with the life cycle of the cell which can be defined as consisting of a period of DNA synthesis (S phase) followed by a period of growth before mitosis (G2), mitosis (M), and another growth period following division prior to DNA synthesis (G1). Our data indicate that virus-specific RNA was transcribed throughout the cell cycle along with cellular RNA synthesis. Viral RNA transcription was restricted during mitosis coincident with the restriction of cellular RNA synthesis.
Monitoring Crude Oil Mineralization in Salt Marshes: Use of Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios

In laboratory microcosms using salt marsh soils and in field trials, it was possible to monitor and quantify crude oil mineralization by measuring changes in CO2 δ13C signatures and the rate of CO2 production. These values are easy to obtain and can be combined with simple isotope mass balance equations to determine the rate of mineralization from both the crude oil and indigenous carbon pool. Hydrocarbon degradation was confirmed by simultaneous decreases in alkane−, isoprenoid−, and PAH−hopane ratios. Additionally, the pseudo-first-order rate constants of alkane degradation (0.087 day-1) and CO2 production (0.082 day-1) from oil predicted by the δ13C signatures were statistically indistinguishable. The addition of inorganic nitrogen and phosphate increased the rate of mineralization of crude oil in aerated microcosms but had no clear effect on in situ studies. This procedure appears to offer a means of definitively quantifying crude oil mineralization in a sensitive, inexpensive, and simple manner in en...
Age-related changes in calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in renal afferent nerve soma in the rat. Association with afferent renal nerve activity

Abstract Renal afferent neurons were retrogradely labeled with FluoroGold in Sprague-Dawley rats at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 130 and 200 days of age. Recordings of afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA) and immunofluorescent assessment of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) and substance P (SP)-LI in spinal ganglia T10-L1 were obtained in the same rats. The frequency of renal afferent neurons positive for CGRP-LI declined abruptly from 88% in animals younger than 100 days of age (342 of 388 total cells) to 63% in rats older than 100 days of age (223 of 353 total cells). The intensity of CGRP-LI (scaled 1–3) in renal afferent CGRP-positive neurons also declined significantly from a mean of 2.23±0.04 before 100 days to 1.48±0.05 in older rats (P
Settlement Size, Real Income, and the Rural Turnaround

In previous work examining wages and incomes in metropolitan areas (Hoch 1976, 1977), I found that wage rates for the same work increased by about 9% per order of magnitude of population size, and that per capita incomes increased by about 16% with each magnitude of population size. Both the wage and income differentials showed strong persistence over time. I interpreted the wage differential as a compensatory payment, and the income differential as Pncompassing both the wage differential and differences in factor mix by size of place. The cost-of-living, as measured by a conventional market-basket index, increased by roughly 4.5% per order of magnitude of population, and the remaining wage differential was explained as the net of bads over goods with population size-pollution and congestion costs net of the benefits of increased specialization, such as greater availability of specialized medical services. (Some hedging of these interpretations is necessary. Although considerable effort was devoted to establishing homogeneity in the wage comparisons, some residual heterogeneity of work force may remain. Again, disequilibrium can be a problem in both wage and income comparisons.) This paper extends the analysis of wage and income differentials to rural occupations and the nonmetropolitan population, thus attempting to bridge the work of some classic studies comparing farm and nonfarm income (e.g., Hathaway) and those relating urban wages and incomes to population size (e.g., Fuchs). In addition, the work is seen as useful in analyzing the rural turnaround, which has received considerable recent attention (e.g., Beale 1975). Results are interpreted as reflecting long-run compensatory payments as modified or distorted by short-run disequilibria.
On Superpolylogarithlnic Subexponential Functions (Part I)

A superpolylogarithmic subexponential function is any function that asymptotically grows faster than any polynomial of any logarithm but slower than any exponential. We present a recently discovered nineteenth-century manuscript about these functions, which in part because of their applications in cryptology, have received considerable attention in contemporary computer science research. Attributed to the little-known yet highly-suspect composer/mathematician Maria Poopings, the manuscript can be sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from the musical Mary Poppins. In addition, we prove three ridiculous facts about superpolylogarithmic subexponential functions. Using novel extensions to the popular DTIME notation from complexity theory, we also define the complexity class Super PolyLog/SubExp, which consists of all languages that can be accepted within deterministic superpolylogarithmic subexponential time. We show that this class is notationally intractable in the sense that it cannot be conveniently described using existing terminology. Surprisingly, there is some scientific value in our notational novelties; moreover, students may find this paper helpful in learning about growth rates, asymptotic notations, cryptology, and reversible computation.
Software-Defined IDS for securing embedded mobile devices

The increasing deployment of networked mobile embedded devices leads to unique challenges communications security. This is especially true for embedded biomedical devices and robotic materials handling, in which subversion or denial of service could result in loss of human life and other catastrophic outcomes. In this paper we present the Learning Intrusion Detection System (L-IDS), a network security service for protecting embedded mobile devices within institutional boundaries, which can be deployed alongside existing security systems with no modifications to the embedded devices. L-IDS utilizes the OpenFlow Software-Defined Networking architecture, which allows it to both detect and respond to attacks as they happen.
The American Society of Neuroradiology. Neuroradiology research: the opportunities and the challenges.

The next decade will witness an explosion of research and development in the neurosciences. The imaging of physiologic and functional processes--the frontier today--will become the norm. There are huge populations of patients with neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases that require nonanatomic diagnostic evaluation. Radiologists must cease being just readers of morphologic images. They must broaden their scope and their areas of expertise. Imaging-guided therapy of all forms will alter the types of interventions we perform on patients. These new techniques will increase the efficacy of neuro-interventions while decreasing their morbidity and mortality. Resources, both human and financial, will be conserved. Radiologists can participate in this wonderful future if they broaden their training. Information management and the use of imaging for procedural guidance are the bases of our profession, but we are weak in the clinical applications of the technology. We must realize that our clinical colleagu...
Coordination Polymers Based on Bis(bipyridyl)alkane Ligands: Film Preparation and Charge-Transport Characteristics

Electroactive coordination polymers have been prepared by reacting Fe 2+ and Co 2+ with bis(bipyridyl)-alkane (bba) ligand films that have been spin coated onto glassy carbon electrodes. The resulting films exhibit redox characteristics similar to those of electropolymerized vinyl(bipyridyl) metal complexes. The stability of the electrode-bound films increases as the length of the linking alkyl chain decreases. Better stability is also obtained with Fe 2+ films than Co 2+ films and with the alkyl-linking group attached at the 4-position rather than the 5-position. Charge-transport measurements using chronoamperometry have been conducted on poly-Fe II /bba films in which the alkyl linker consists of 2, 4, and 6 methylene groups. Values of D 1/2 C (D = charge-transfer diffusion coefficient; C = concentration of redox sites) range from 9.5 × 10 -8 to 2.3 × 10 -8 mol/cm 2 s 1/2 at 298 K and follow a trend of decreasing D 1/2 C with increasing alkyl chain length for the 4-position-linked Fe II /bba polymers. No such trend is observed for the analogous 5-position-linked systems. Activation parameters E a and ΔH range from 22 to 31 kJ/mol, whereas ΔS ranges from -30 to -75 J/mol K. The results are consistent with a mechanism in which the increase in methylene chain length causes a decrease in the rate of charge transport due to the lower frequency of electron-transfer collisions between neighboring redox sites. However, polymer segmental motion is also believed to play a secondary role in this mechanism.
Presenilins Function as ER Calcium Leak Channels: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease

ISSN 1990-7478, Biochemistry (Moscow) Supplement Series A: Membrane and Cell Biology, 2009, Vol. 3, No. 3, p. 301. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2009. 301 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Mutations in presenilins are responsible for approximately 40% of all early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) cases in which a genetic cause has been identified. FAD mutations and genetic deletions of presenilins have been linked with calcium signaling abnormalities, but mechanistic basis for these results has not been clearly determined. Presenilins are highly conserved transmembrane proteins that support cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein by gamma-secretase. In our studies we discovered that in addition to acting as a gamma-secretase, presenilins also function as passive endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -leak channels. We demonstrate that wild type PS1 and PS2 proteins form low conductance divalent cation-permeable ion channels in planar lipid bilayers. In experiments with PS1/2 double knockout (DKO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) we discovered that presenilins account for ~80% of passive Ca 2+ leak from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER Ca 2+ -leak function of presenilins is independent from their gamma-secretase function. In additional experiments we demonstrated that ER Ca 2+ -leak func
Metal-nitroxyl interactions. 28. EPR studies of spin-labeled nickel(II) complexes in fluid solution

Abstract Three spin-labeled four-coordinate nickel(II) complexes were prepared. In these complexes the nickel(II) was diamagnetic and the EPR spectra in fluid solution were typical nitroxyl spectra. Coordination of pyridine or 2,2′-bipyridyl to the spin-labeled nickel(II) complexes produced high-spin nickel(II) and a disappearance of the nitroxyl EPR signal. Similarly when a spin-labeled bidentate ligang coordinated to a nickel xanthate with diamagnetic ligands, no EPR signal was observed for the six-coordinate complex in fluid solution. The nickel-nitroxyl distances in these complexes were 6 to 10 A.
The urethrodetrusor facilitative reflex in women: results of urethral perfusion studies.

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to describe the effects of urethral perfusion on bladder activity, urethral pressure, and sensation in patients with either incontinence or prolapse or both of these. Study Design: Among 76 consecutive patients who were seen for urodynamic evaluations, 63 had vesical, abdominal, and urethral pressures measured while the urethra was perfused with fluid. A perfusion study result was considered positive if the perfusion provoked a detrusor contraction. Results: Of the 63 women 9 (14%) had a positive urethral perfusion study result, and all of them had detrusor instability independent of perfusion. Among the women with detrusor instability 53% (n = 9/17) had positive study results, versus none of the 46 women without detrusor instability ( P = .000001). Women with mixed incontinence were more likely to have a positive perfusion test result (n = 4/7; 57%) than were those without mixed incontinence (n = 5/56; 10%; P = .006), although urethral hypermobility was not significantly associated with a positive test result. Among the subjects 60% experienced urgency during perfusion, and in half of these urethral pressure was concurrently increased. Among those who had no urgency 84% demonstrated decreased urethral pressure ( P = .01). Conclusions: Positive perfusion study results were more common among women with detrusor instability but did not discriminate any patient with detrusor instability whose condition was not diagnosed by standard urodynamic studies. The association of positive perfusion study results with mixed incontinence seems primarily related to poor central inhibition of detrusor activity rather than to urethral stimulation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:794-804.)
Computer assisted error bounds for linear approximation of (un)stable manifolds and rigorous validation of higher dimensional transverse connecting orbits

Abstract This paper presents a method for computing validated error bounds on the truncation error associated with the linear approximation of an (un)stable invariant manifold by its eigenspace. The method is based on studying a certain functional equation which describes a chart map for the invariant manifold. The truncation error is represented as a bounded analytic function on an explicitly given neighborhood. Moreover studying this functional equation leads to a method for bounding derivatives of the truncation error as well. The methods developed in the present work are well suited for studying higher dimensional invariant manifolds, and validated numerical results are provided for manifolds of dimension up to one hundred. As an application of these ideas we present some computer assisted proofs of transverse homoclinic connecting orbits.
Selectivity Targets for Batch Reactive Distillation

Reactive distillation has proved to be an important process alternative to the conventional reactor−separator configuration. Advantages of reactive distillation and flexibility of a batch process can be combined in batch reactive distillation. We present a simple method to estimate the advantage of using batch reactive distillation over conventional technology. For the examples studied, we determine yield and selectivity targets for a batch reactive distillation device. This method also determines the effect of operating parameters on yield and selectivity. We show that the advantage of using batch reactive distillation equipment is more significant for systems with fast side reactions. Comparison of these estimates with those for conventional reactors is useful for quick screening of process alternatives during process synthesis.
A goal-oriented method for establishing an electronic college

Abstract This paper presents a goal-oriented method for establishing an electronic college. The method is outlined in a milestone plan, adapted from goal-directed project management. The paper advocates commitment to training, support, and motivation of people, as well as technological expertise. The method comprises the following steps: define your aim, procure the necessary management support, define the usergroups involved, determine the users' need: information and activities, decide on which host computer to use, decide on which software to use, decide on the type of network, decide on the type of workstation, design the framework in terms of a matrix, design a training, support and motivation program. This paper describes each of these steps in detail and uses a case description, “TowerNet”, originating from the Adult Education Department of Pennsylvania State University.