cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SAT0280 ESOPHAGEAL DYSMOTILITY AND PULMONARY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH SCLERODERMA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease with pulmonary involvement seen in 75% of patients and esophageal involvement in 90% of the patients. Pulmonary disease has overtaken renal disease as the leading cause of death (1). There is conflicting evidence about the association between esophageal dysmotility and lung involvement (Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Pulmonary Artery Hypertension (PAH)). Objectives Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between esophageal dysmotility and lung disease by correlating the results of Echocardiogram and Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) with Esophageal Transit Study (ETT). Methods Charts of SSc patients fulfilling 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria seen in Rheumatology clinic from 2004 to 2015 were reviewed. Patient demographics, ETT result, FVC and DLCO data from PFT as well as pulmonary pressures from echocardiogram were collected at baseline, years 1, 3, 5 and 10. Patients were divided based on their initial ETT findings into normal and abnormal ETT groups. Using logistic regression models, we compared elevated PASP with ETT status at baseline, and years 3 and 5. Linear mixed effects model was used to adjust for covariates (disease subtype, smoking, obesity, use of immunomodulator) when analyzing PFT outcome with time period and ETT status Results 130 patients were identified with either Limited Cutaneous SSc (109) or Diffuse Cutaneous SSc (21) with a mean age of 52.65 years ± 12.59. ETT was normal in 67(52%) and abnormal in 63(48%) patients. Number of patients with abnormal PASP was not statistically different between the two groups (p values 0.104, 0.178, 0.653 at baseline, years 3 and 5 respectively). Likewise, the odds ratio for abnormal PASP was 2.75 in patients with abnormal ETT compared to normal ETT, but the results were not statistically significant (p: 0.428), and the odds ratio did not vary with time (p: 0.731). Sample size was too small to conduct separate longitudinal analysis for adjusted models. The mean DLCo was statistically worse in abnormal ETT patients [p value Conclusion Esophageal dysmotility was associated with increased pulmonary involvement in the form of abnormal DLCo with worsening progression rates per year. Interestingly, neither PASP nor FVC were statistically different even though progression rate for FVC was worse in adjusted models. We postulate that the small sample size for Echo and differences in the factors determining DLCo vs. FVC and PASP explains the disparity in the results. Larger prospective trials are needed to investigate if there is a causal relationship between esophageal dysfunction and pulmonary involvement. Reference [1] Mathai, S. C., Hummers, L. K. (2009), Survival in pulmonary hypertension associated with the scleroderma spectrum of diseases: Impact of interstitial lung disease. Arthritis & Rheumatism,60: 569-577. doi:10.1002/art.24267 Disclosure of Interests None declared
Aging-associated alterations in the mammary gland revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

Abstract Aging of the mammary gland is closely associated with increased susceptibility to diseases such as cancer, but there have been limited systematic studies of aging-induced alterations within this organ. We performed high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiling of mammary tissues from young and old nulliparous mice, including both epithelial and stromal cell types. Our analysis identified altered proportions and distinct gene expression patterns in numerous cell populations as a consequence of the aging process, independent of parity and lactation. In addition, we detected a subset of luminal cells that express both hormone-sensing and alveolar markers and decrease in relative abundance with age. These data provide a high-resolution landscape of aging mammary tissues, with potential implications for normal tissue functions and cancer predisposition.
Characterization of coherent structures in turbulent wake of a sphere using partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) simulations

The large-scale coherent structures in the wake of a sphere at subcritical Reynolds number (Re = 3700) are examined at different degrees of resolution (filter size) using scale-resolving simulations (SRS) of turbulence. The Partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS)-SRS method is employed to compute the wake flow at four levels of resolution marked by unresolved-to-total kinetic energy ratios: fk = 0.5, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1. The results from the four simulations are used to compute one-point statistics, frequency spectra, and spatio-temporal POD (proper orthogonal decomposition) modes. One-point statistics are reasonably well reproduced (in comparison with existing data) at all degrees of resolution. However, the frequency spectra and POD modes exhibit some degree of dependence on the level of resolution. It is demonstrated that accurate depiction of coherent structures is contingent upon adequately resolving key underlying instabilities. The finest resolution PANS simulation (fk = 0.1) is then used to characterize the large-scale coherent structures in the near-wake of the sphere. The main features of this wake, specifically azimuthal mode shapes, modal energy, and frequency content, are compared with experiments and numerical simulations of wakes of other axisymmetric bodies resulting in good agreement. Overall, the study demonstrates that PANS-SRS can capture key one-point statistics and coherent structure features of complex flows in a cost-efficient manner.
Cervical spondylosis is a risk factor for localized spinal cord lesions in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Objectives To answer the question whether cervical spondylosis would increase the incidence of cord lesions in MS patients, we investigated the statistical association between the two pathologies. Methods We extracted demographics, basic disease characteristics and MRI data of a cohort of 304 consecutive MS patients. For a subset of 176 patients, a detailed analysis independently assessed for each cervical level the co-existence of spinal canal narrowing from spondylosis and corresponding cord signal abnormalities. Results The cohort had typical demographics and in over 80 % of cases there was at least one cord lesion. EDSS correlated with age, disease duration, cerebral lesion burden and spinal cord lesions. After adjusting for either age, disease duration, central lesion burden, or EDSS, the presence of spinal spondylosis was not significantly associated with spinal cord lesions (p > 0.05). In the subset of 176 subjects with the level-by-level spine data, we found a highly statistically significant association (Pearson’s χ2 = 23.7, p Conclusions The data from our cohort of MS patients suggest an indirect contribution of cervical spondylosis to disability by increasing the risk of developing localized cord lesions. While further studies are needed to confirm the findings and clarify disease mechanisms, closer attention should be paid to worsening spondylosis in patients with MS.
A Performance Comparison Study of Quasi-Dynamic State Estimation and Static State Estimation

With the increasing number of installed phasor measurement units and other intelligent electronic devices, dynamic state estimation has become a possibility for power systems. This paper presents a comparative performance study between quasi-dynamic state estimation (QSE) and static state estimation (SSE). In this study, generators are modeled with governor, turbine, and exciter models, which capture the slow dynamics. The QSE adopts the full model of the generator incorporating the slow dynamics from the electromechanical transients in the rotor, control of the turbine, etc. SSE utilizes frequency domain models without dynamics, so it employs a simplified generator model. State estimation is applied to these two different modeling approaches, and an illustrative example is used to present the performance difference between these two state estimation methods. The results indicate that QSE is capable of providing more accurate information of the monitored system compared with SSE.
Meeting the challenge of teaching information literacy: Michelle Reale. ALA Editions, 2020, ix + 112 pp., $57.99, ISBN 978-0-8389-4684-8

In typical fashion, Reale has provided a book that can easily be used in a variety of ways: a guideline for a new librarian to delve into self-assessment, a conversation starter with an instruction...
Creating a More Diverse Workforce: How the AALL George A. Strait Minority Scholarship & Fellowship Program Is Supporting Future Minority Law Librarians

The recent addition of a fellowship to the George A. Strait Minority Scholarship offers future minority law librarians a paid internship and mentorship as they embark on a career in law librarianship.
Spatial heterogeneity analyses of pore structure and mineral composition of Barnett Shale using X-ray scattering techniques

Abstract The spatial heterogeneity of pore structure and mineral composition at μm to mm scales in mm to cm-sized shale samples complicates the laboratory measurements of porosity & pore size distribution and consequently reservoir quality evaluation. Traditional fluid invasion characterization methods typically take hours to days to get data and can only test relatively small samples (usually 2.54 cm diameter core plugs and mm-sized rock chips). The X-ray scattering techniques at the Advanced Photon Source of the Argonne National Laboratory have the capability to non-destructively determine the pore structure and mineral composition of mm × mm area in a short time of seconds and to hold several to hundreds of mm2 sized sample to conduct large area heterogeneity analysis in the short duration of hours. With the use of ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), the porosity, surface area and pore size distribution of two Barnett Shale samples have been mapped out and the mineral compositions are determined qualitatively. Overall, the porosity and pore surface area of the Barnett Shale Sample A over a 36 cm2 area ranges from 1.70 % to 8.13 % and 8.87 m2/g to 40.2 m2/g respectively. The porosity and surface area of Sample B over a 24 cm2 area varies from 3.15 % to 11.7 % and 18.3 m2/g to 60.2 m2/g. In Sample A, the mineral composition shows a shift from carbonate-rich to siliciclastic-rich over a distance of several millimeters. For Sample B, the mineral compositions are mainly siliciclastic and do not show an obvious lithological change. The direct observations of high spatial heterogeneity of pore structure and mineral composition in shale illustrate the utility of integrated X-ray scattering techniques to provide valuable insights into shale studies and reservoir evaluation.
Habit and Performative Privacy

Garfield Benjamin’s provocative paper, “From Protecting to Performing Privacy” (2020), challenges us to think differently. Where many scholars seeking to reinvigorate privacy do so through new definitions and conceptualizations (Solove 2008; Strahilevitz 2005; Richards and Hartzog 2016; Nissenbaum 2009; Waldman 2018), Benjamin pushes us to think about privacy not as something we protect, but as something we do. To do so, he bridges privacy and performance theory to take the first steps toward a robust conception of privacy in a world that seems downright hostile to it. In this Reply, I challenge Benjamin to think about how performing privacy practices inside tech companies can subordinate rather then liberate.
Discharge Computations at River Control Structures

A procedure has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to calibrate regulating control structures and determine continuous records of stream-flow on highly-regulated rivers. The hydraulic theory assumes steady unform flow within a computational interval, usually 1 hr. To date, five different types of control have been analyzed, including tainter gates, turbine wicket gates, fixed or emergency spillways, locks, and crest gates. Field variables recorded include headwater stage, tailwater stage, gate positions, turbine scroll case pressure drops, number of lockages, and number of crest gates open. Instrumentation was developed for monitoring the necessary variables. A generalized software package has been developed to compute the continuous streamflow records at these multipurpose structures by utilizing calibration results and in-situ variables recorded by digital recorders. Two typical calibration procedures showing the general accuracy of the computational methods are presented.
Assessment and Principles of Treatment

Initiate blood product transfusion in patients who fail to respond to 2 l crystalloid bolus
Essential veterinary education in the cultural, political and biological complexities of international trade in animals and animal products

Globalisation has changed the veterinary profession in many ways and academic institutes may need to re-tool to help future professionals deal with the changes in a successful and productive way. The remarkably expanded and expanding volume of trade and traffic in animals and animal products means that to be effective veterinarians must grasp some of the complexities inherent in this trade. Being able to engage productively in cross-cultural dialogue will be important in negotiations over livestock shipments and also within the context of the delivery of medical services to companion animals in societies that are becoming increasingly diverse. Understanding the political landscapes that influence trade decisions will help to expedite agreements and facilitate the transfer of goods and materials that involve animal health. Disease emergence will continue to occur, and an awareness of the factors responsible and the response measures to undertake will help to contain any damage.
Influence of the supply network on the availability of healthy foods in small food stores of urban, low-income settings (384.4)

Disparities in healthy food access commonly exist in urban low-income neighborhoods, where small food stores predominate. What is not commonly understood is the supply network of these small food s...
Suppression of acoustic oscillations in hearing aids using minimum phase techniques

Minimum phase equalization techniques used to suppress acoustic oscillations in hearing aid systems are described. Minimum phase equalization techniques cancel a substantial fraction of the open loop phase delay and make it easy to use other techniques to suppress acoustic oscillations. Some design examples, together with computer simulation results, are presented. >
Summum and the Establishment Clause

This Symposium Essay assesses the compatibility of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Free Speech Clause-based decision in Pleasant Grove v. Summum with extant Establishment Clause jurisprudence. The Essay first examines why, based on prior state and federal decisions, a free speech challenge to Pleasant Grove's policy of retaining a Ten Commandments monument while excluding the alternative display Summum wished to erect may have seemed more likely to succeed than a religious liberty one. It then posits that the Supreme Court's resulting neglect of the Establishment Clause implications of the case may result in future conflicts between the religion clauses -- and, in particular, the emerging emphasis on equality in religion clause adjudication -- and the position on government speech that the Court staked out in Summum.
Old Problem, New Medium: Deception in Computer-Facilitated Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

This piece examines the prevalence of deception in the emerging areas of computer-facilitated negotiation and dispute resolution, and offers coping strategies for attorneys to safeguard their clients' interests. This piece won First Prize in the 2013 Writing Competition of the Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York.
A 435-MHz 24-dBm class AB power amplifier in 0.5-/spl mu/m standard CMOS

A UHF CMOS class AB power amplifier (PA) at 435MHz is presented. The amplifier was fabricated in 0.5/spl mu/m standard CMOS process. The amplifier is able to deliver an output power of 24dBm to a 5/spl Omega/ load from a 2.5-V supply with power added efficiency (PAE) of 41 %.
Historia y cultura política de la participación ciudadana en la Ciudad de México: entre los condicionamientos del sistema y el ensueño cívico

En este trabajo se aborda la historia de la participacion ciudadana institucionalizada de la Ciudad de Mexico, sin la pretension de hacer un recuento exhaustivo de los hechos, mecanismos, instancias e instrumentos juridicos que, desde 1928 hasta nuestros dias, precedieron y caracterizaron su conformacion y desarrollo formal en la ciudad capital. Lo que en particular se pretende con este breve repaso historico es mostrar como, a traves de la construccion y funcionamiento de sus “distintas” moda- lidades institucionales a lo largo de su historia, se originaron un conjunto de relaciones, practicas y percepciones caracteristicas de una determinada cultura politica que, hoy por hoy, forma parte del universo simbolico, de las costumbres y tradiciones que explican, en gran medida, los alcances y limitaciones de la participacion ciudadana en la Ciudad de Mexico.
Recurrent pendunculated osteochondroma of the tibia

Osteochondromas have been widely reported in the literature. Surgical management can be a successful primary treatment option, but tumors can occur again in the presence of open epiphyseal growth plates. This case reports a recurrent pedunculated osteochondroma in a 15-year-old female.
Analysis of microstrip open-end and gap discontinuities in a substrate-superstrate configuration

A study of microstrip open-end and gap discontinuities in a two-layer structure is presented. The analysis is based on the method-of-moments solution of a full-wave integral equation. A combination of semi-infinite modes and subdomain modes is used. The transverse dependence of the expansion functions is obtained through a two-dimensional infinite analysis. A parametric study of the material effects on the radiation and surface-wave losses, and the fringing fields at the discontinuities is also performed. The analysis shows good agreement in the limiting case with the quasistatic method. >
Maintenance of reinforcement to address the chronic nature of drug addiction.

Background Drug addiction can be a chronic problem. Abstinence reinforcement can initiate drug abstinence, but as with other treatments many patients relapse after the intervention ends. Abstinence reinforcement can be maintained to promote long-term drug abstinence, but practical means of implementing long-term abstinence reinforcement are needed.
The Rosetteless gene controls development in the choanoflagellate S. rosetta

The origin of animal multicellularity may be reconstructed by comparing animals with one of their closest living relatives, the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta. Just as animals develop from a single cell-the zygote-multicellular rosettes of S. rosetta develop from a founding cell. To investigate rosette development, we established forward genetics in S. rosetta. We find that the rosette defect of one mutant, named Rosetteless, maps to a predicted C-type lectin, a class of signaling and adhesion genes required for the development and innate immunity in animals. Rosetteless protein is essential for rosette development and forms an extracellular layer that coats and connects the basal poles of each cell in rosettes. This study provides the first link between genotype and phenotype in choanoflagellates and raises the possibility that a protein with C-type lectin-like domains regulated development in the last common ancestor of choanoflagellates and animals.
Season of birth of schizophrenics in Mississippi, USA

Prior reviews indicate that schizophrenics tend to be born in the winter, relative to non-psychiatric controls. This conclusion has been criticized, however, as the association between birth seasonality and schizophrenia may be the result of a statistical artifact, the age-incidence effect. To examine this possibility, we studied the birth seasonality of 2892 schizophrenics, controlling for the age-incidence effect. Both before and after instituting these controls, we found excesses for the months of December and March. We conclude that the age-incidence hypothesis does not provide any general explanation of the season-of-birth effect in schizophrenia.
Generals in the Palacio: The Military in Modern Mexico

While there is considerable literature on civilian-military relations worldwide, there is as yet no study of the Mexican military. Despite their intense desire to remain unexamined, Camp's portrait of the Mexican military from 1946 to 1990 takes us inside their world to examine their values, relationships, backgrounds, education, and promotion patterns, and considers these findings in the context of Mexican society and politics. Camp provides fresh empirical data for testing claims concerning civil-military relations worldwide.
Changing patterns in public expenditure management : an overview

Significant changes with far-reaching impact have taken place during recent years in public expenditure management. These changes which are being implemented in a few industrial countries are likely to be emulated by other industrial and developing countries. The content of these changes is enumerated in some detail, and their impact is assessed in terms of specified criteria. Other continuing problems that are not addressed by these advances are also considered in detail.
Kinetics of the reactions of Cu(0) and Cu2O in hexanes or condensed carbon dioxide by tert-butyl peracetate and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione

The oxidation and removal of copper(0) foil and copper(I) oxide (Cu2O) powder were studied in hexanes or condensed CO2 (at a constant density of 0.8 g/cm3) using excess tert-butyl peracetate (t-BuP...
Short‐ and long‐run effects of changes in exchange rates on United States imports of paper from Finland and Sweden

United States imports of paper from Finland and Sweden were examined, to determine to what extent they were affected by changes in the values of the two countries’ currencies with respect to the U....
The effect of rock type, grain size, sorting, permeability, and moisture on measurements of radon in soil gas: A comparison of two measurement techniques

Soil surveys of radon conducted in the Coastal Plain of New Jersey, Alabama and Texas indicate that soil composition and grain size exert the strongest control on the concentration of radon measured. Soil-gas radon was measured in-situ using two techniques; one developed by G. Michael REIMER of the U. S. Geological Survey; the other developed by Rogers and Associates Engineering Corp. for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Reimer technique aquires a small-volume, grab sample of soil gas, whereas the Rogers and Associatess technique acquires a large-volume, flow-through sample of soil gas. The two techniques yield similar radon concentrations in well-sorted sands, but do not correlate as well for poorly sorted soils and clays.
Identification of some plasma metabolites of 6, 7-3H-estrone glucosiduronate in male dogs

Abstract Following the constant infusion of 6, 7- 3 H-estrone glucosiduronate in male dogs for a period of 120 minutes, the radioactive metabolites present in the plasma were separated by solvent partition, DEAE-Sephaphadex, Celite partition and thin layer chromatography. The identities of the individual estrogens and estrogen conjugates were confirmed by specific activity determinations after chromatography in several different solvent systems, enzyme hydrolysis and chromatography of the unconjugated steroids and their derivatives. Most of the radioactivity in the plasma was identified as estrone glucosiduronate. The major metabolite present was estradiol-17β-3-glucosiduronate. Small amounts of estradiol-17α-3-glucosiduronate and free estrone were also identified. Three other minor conjugates were separated, but positive identification could not be made.
A DNA-based cancer vaccine enhances lymphocyte cross talk by engaging the NKG2D receptor

The NKG2D receptor is a stimulatory receptor expressed on NK cells and activated CD8 T cells. We previously demonstrated that engaging the NKG2D receptor markedly improved the efficacy of a survivin-based DNA vaccine. The combination vaccine, encoding both the NKG2D ligand H60 and survivin, activates innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and results in better protection against tumors of different origin and NKG2D expression levels. Here we demonstrate that the enhanced vaccine efficacy is in part attributable to increased cross talk between lymphocytes. Depletion of CD8 T cells during priming reduces the vaccine-induced activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and NK cell activity. Depletion of NK cells during priming leads to reduced DC activation and CTL activity. However, depletion of CD4 T cells results in the activation of DCs, NK cells, and CD8 T cells and enhances NK cell activity. The pH60/Survivin vaccine also increases DCs and NK cells but decreases CD4 T cell homing to Peyer patches, presumably as a result of changes in the homing receptor profile. Thus, by preferentially activating and attracting positive regulators and reducing negative regulators in Peyer patches, this dual-function DNA vaccine induces a microenvironment more suitable for NK cell activation and T cell priming.
Dissociation of MSH and ACTH release in man.

Plasma levels of MSH, ACTH, and cortisol were measured in three men pretreated with dexamethasone before undergoing surgical operations for fusion of cervical vertebrae. In each case increased plasma levels of MSH were found which were not associated with increased plasma levels of ACTH or cortisol. The results demonstrate that MSH and ACTH secretion do not always occur in parallel.
Social Work Involvement in End of Life Planning

Abstract This cross sectional study examined the factors associated with social workers' involvement in end-of-life (EOL) planning using a random sample of NAS W members in health and aging. Of the 390 social workers who worked in EOL planning, the majority were involved in health care proxy discussions and counseling with patients. Respondents tended to see barriers to proxy completion as client-related. However, some system barriers were correlated with overall involvement. Factors that predicted social workers' involvement with the health care proxy included age, attitudes, perceptions of barriers, and perceived physician support. Social workers need to attend to the systems in which they operate as well as to client concerns.
Concordance among self-regulated responses: Is self-regulatory ability a psychophysiological “trait”?

The purposes of this study were to examine whether or not self-regulation of physiological responses demonstrates day-to-day reliability, to determine the degree of individual subject consistency (or concordance) in the ability to self-regulate across several different physiological responses, and, finally, to explore the impact of biofeedback training on interresponse concordance. Twenty normal subjects participated in six bidirectional self-regulation sessions—the first and last sessions involving instructions only, and the remainder, biofeedback. Self-regulation scores consisted of the absolute difference between increase and decrease trial means. The average test-retest reliability coefficients (rs) for the self-regulation scores, across the four biofeedback sessions, were a highly significant .50, .68, .30, and .47 for EEG, EMG, HR, and SCL, respectively. By contrast, the average concordance among the self-regulation scores for the four feedback sessions, estimated by Kendall's coefficient of concordance, was a marginally significant 39% of the possible variance of the rank sums. This corresponds to an average between-responsers value only of .19. The concordance level from the initial no-feedback (i.e., instructions only) session was not significant. Multivariate concordance levels did increase during the first three feedback sessions, but declined at the fourth, and again was nonsignificant during the final no-feedback session. Among the individual self-regulation response pairings, only the EEG/EMG combination was consistently associated during the no-feedback sessions. The present results suggest that self-regulatory ability is neither a highly unitary “trait”-like phenomenon nor an entirely response-specific event, but may vary considerably as a function of subject factors, or the situational circumstances, under which it is measured.
Lessons from Praxis

(1997). Lessons from Praxis. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 315-318.
Automatic Differentiation of Advanced CFD Codes for Multidisciplinary Design

Automated multidisciplinary design of aircraft and other flight vehicles requires the optimization of complex performance objectives with respect to a number of design parameters and constraints. The effect of these independent design variables on the system performance criteria can be quantified in terms of sensitivity derivatives which must be calculated and propagated by the individual discipline simulation codes. Typical advanced CFD analysis codes do not provide such derivatives as part of a flow solution; these derivatives are very expensive to obtain by divided (finite) differences from perturbed solutions. It is shown that sensitivity derivatives can be obtained accurately and efficiently using the ADIFOR source translator for automatic differentiation. In particular, it is demonstrated that the 3-D, thin-layer Navier- Stokes, multigrid flow solver called TLNS3D is amenable to automatic differentiation in the forward mode even with its implicit iterative solution algorithm and complex turbulence modeling. It is significant that by using computational differentiation, consistent discrete nongeometric sensitivity derivatives have been obtained from an aerodynamic 3-D CFD code in a relatively short time, e.g., O(man- week) not O(man-year). DOE
The use of high pressure NMR for the determination of phase behavior for select binary solvent systems

Abstract High pressure NMR has proven itself to be a valuable technique for the study of supercritical fluid solutions. In this manuscript, we describe the extension of high pressure NMR to the investigation of the phase behavior for two binary solvent systems; ethylene–methanol and propane–methanol. The phase behavior was investigated as a function of pressure and temperature, with the molar composition of both phases being determined simultaneously, in situ, in a high pressure capillary NMR cell. The hydrogen bonding behavior of the alcohol in both phases determined in these experiments, provides important physicochemical information regarding solvent interactions occurring in both the liquid and vapor phase. High pressure NMR proves to be an efficient method for obtaining vapor liquid equilibrium data and critical conditions of binary solvent systems. This methodology should also be applicable to ternary systems as well as to more extreme solvent systems, such as, supercritical water.
Studies of bisphenol-A polycarbonate aging by Raman difference spectroscopy

Abstract Raman difference spectroscopy (RDS) has been used to measure small frequency shifts (up to ±3 cm−1) in the Raman frequencies of the bisphenol-A–polycarbonate polymer when subjected to elongation or thermal aging. While only minor shifts were observed upon thermal treatment, the elongation treatment resulted in shifts of −2.51±0.23 cm −1 for the C–O stretching band at 1235 cm−1 of −0.78±0.15 cm −1 for the CH out-of-plane wag at 885 cm−1. Smaller shifts were also observed for the 1606 and 1111 cm−1 bands. This work demonstrates that conformational processes can be monitored using RDS.
Affine Disagreement and Asset Pricing

Models of heterogeneous beliefs can generate rich implications for trading and asset pricing (see Suleyman Basak 2005 for a recent survey). When studying such models, aggregation often leads to difficulty in computing equilibrium outcomes. In this paper, we introduce a flexible framework to model heterogeneous beliefs in the economy, which we refer to as “affine’’ disagreement about fundamentals. Affine processes (see Darrel Duffie, Jun Pan, and Kenneth Singleton 2000) are appealing as they provide a large degree of flexibility in modeling the conditional means, volatilities, and jumps for various quantities of interest while remaining analytically tractable. Our affine heterogeneous beliefs framework allows further for stochastic disagreement among agents about growth rates, volatility dynamics, as well as the likelihood of jumps and the distribution of jump sizes. Disagreement about rare disasters provides an interesting case study for our framework. Research by Thomas A. Rietz (1988), Francis Longstaff and Monika Piazzesi (2004), Robert J. Barro (2006) and others show that the possible occurrence of rare disasters that result in severe losses in consumption can have large impact on asset prices. However, the relatively short sample period and lack of historical precedents of disaster events (at least in the United States) make it difficult to precisely measure the frequencies of disasters or the size of their Asset Pricing: new risk chAnnels †
Infectivity of preserved Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for immunosuppressed adult mice

The present study was undertaken to determine the infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for immunosuppressed adult C57BL/6N mice after the oocysts had been stored from 1-48 months at 4 degrees C in 2.5% potassium dichromate. All mice inoculated with oocysts 1-18 months old developed patent infections, while mice inoculated with older oocysts remained uninfected. The prepatent period was extended from 2 to 6 or 7 days as the storage time for oocysts increased. The finding that C. parvum oocysts remain infective for mice for at least 18 months offers important economic and time-saving advantages for investigators who frequently require large numbers of oocysts that must be painstakingly purified from calf manure.
The role of hydrophobic surfaces in altering water-mediated peptide-peptide interactions in an aqueous environment.

Using Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics within the density functional framework, we calculated the effective force acting on water-mediated peptide-peptide interaction between antiparallel β-sheets in an aqueous environment and also in the vicinity of a hydrophobic surface. From the magnitude of the effective force (corresponding to the slope of the free energy as a function of the inter-peptide distance) and its sign (a negative value indicating an effective attraction whereas a positive value an effective repulsion) we can elucidate the fundamental differences of the water-mediated peptide-peptide interactions in those two environments. The computed effective forces indicate that the water-mediated interaction between peptides in an aqueous environment is attractive in the range of inter-peptide distance d=7-8 A when hydrophobic surfaces are not nearby. Due to the stabilization of the water molecules bridging between the two β-sheets, a free energy barrier exists between the direct and indirect (water-mediated) inter-peptide interactions. However, when the peptides are in the proximity of hydrophobic surfaces, this free energy barrier decreases because the hydrophobic surfaces enhance the inter-peptide attraction by the destabilization and ease-to-libration of the bridging water molecules between them. This work was supported by the Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, USmore » Department of Energy. Battelle operates the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy.« less
A theoretical evaluation of the sheer-to-normal stress ratio at the soil-wheel interface

Abstract An attempt is made to theoretically assess the variation of the shear-to-normal stress ratio τ/σ along the soil-wheel interface without referring to shear-displacement relations, believed to be irrelevant. Based on recent investigations of the soil rupture pattern beneath rigid wheels on cohesionless material, the total soil-wheel interface is subdivided into three zones of different soil behaviour. Simple assumptions are made of the soil-to-wheel movements within these zones to evaluate τ/σ. Experimental checks showed the approach developed herein to be in better agreement with the test data than were previously developed theories.
Characteristics of surface reaction and heat transfer in a catalytic heat exchanger

The characteristics of a catalytic heat exchanger which can integrate heat generation and heat exchange were numerically investigated. The catalytic heat exchanger was modeled in a three-dimensional, steady state and laminar flow system, including the surface reaction on catalytic fins. The surface reaction was modeled with one-step reaction incorporating the diffusion effect on the catalysts. The surface reaction on catalytic fins was significantly influenced by the heat transfer rate in fin tubes. In order to achieve both the complete conversion of the mixture and the efficient recovery of heat generated, the results suggest that the surface reaction should be completed in the first stage of the catalytic heat exchanger and the second stage should function only as a heat recovery. The effects of the catalytic fin configuration on the catalytic combustion performance were also investigated at a variety of operating conditions.
Designing a SCADA system powered by Java and XML

New Web technologies will improve Internet-based SCADA systems. Using Java and XML, we propose a software design for a Web-integrated SCADA system using the standard UML designs approach. The objective of this paper was to design and develop a Java-based control system that will enable the control of some laboratory equipment from remote locations.
Hypolipidemic activity of in vitro inhibitors of hepatic and intestinal sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase.

Abstract A number of agents including a series of 1,3-bis (substituted phenoxy)-2-propanones were screened in vitro for their ability to inhibit hepatic and intestinal microsomal sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase. Effective inhibitors reduced in vivo hepatic and intestinal glycerolipid production and with one exception also lowered serum triglyceride levels, suggesting that agents which inhibit potential rate-limiting steps of glycerolipid biosynthesis may be effective hypolipidemic agents. Two compounds, 1-methyl-4-piperidyl bis ( p -chlorophenoxy) acetate (Sah 42-348) and 1,3-bis ( p -methylphenoxy)-2-propanone were the best inhibitors of glycerolipid biosynthesis and lipid-lowering agents. The lipid-altering effects of both drugs were compared to chlorophenoxyisobutyrate during high fructose intake in rats. Each agent reduced fructose induced glycerolipid biosynthesis and serum triglyceride levels to similar degrees.
Evidence for acyl transfer reactions between neutral glycerolipids in dogfish (Squalus acanthias) serum.

Radioactively labeled triacylglycerols, 1,3-dioleoyl-2-[1-14C]-palmitoylglycerol and 1,3-[9,10-3H]-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol, were incubated with dogfish (Squalus acanthias) serum for periods of up to 10.0 hr. Changes in the positional distributions of carbon-14 and tritium within the triacylglycerols in 5.0 hr and 10.0 hr indicate that intermolecular and intramolecular shifts occur among the fatty acids. In addition, a maximum of 8.3% of the carbon-14 and 5.9% of the tritium was incorporated into 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerols; essentially all of this incorporated radioactivity was associated with the acyl chains in the 1.5 and 5.0 hr incubations. In the 10.0 hr incubations, however, 25% of the tritium incorporated into the 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerols was associated with the 0-alkyl chains. Radioactivity was not incorporated significantly into free fatty acids in the 1.5 and 5.0 hr incubations. These results indicate that acyl transfer reactions take place among molecular species of triacylglycerols, as well as between triacylglycerols and 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerols. In the latter case, the conversions appear to be operative in the virtual absence of net biosynthesis.
Challenges in Predicting Child Outcomes from Different Family Structures1

Abstract Many studies purport to reveal the effects of family structure upon child outcomes. Important limitations in such research are discussed. First, many studies rely on current family structure, which overlooks the past environment to which a child was exposed. Therefore, little can be said about the “dose” of family structure(s) received by the child or how such exposures might have occurred at important developmental turning points in the child's life. Studies involving heterosexual and/or same-sex (LGBT) parent families often must deal with such limitations, and so are a good model for assessing how duration of exposure to different types of family structures and the child's developmental situation(s) during such exposures might affect outcomes. Literature examples are discussed, and one study is assessed in detail to demonstrate that in some cases, more information about how long a child spent in different family structures can be found through careful statistical detective work.
Abductive signal interpretation for nondestructive evaluation

An account is given of how knowledge-intensive explanatory reasoning can be used to construct an interpretation of ultrasonic signals indicating the existence of cracks and similar defects in solid materials; this AI 'abductive' reasoning is able to simultaneously inspect and classify the material sample in question. The abduction (logic-programming-based) engine used is implemented in the PROLOG code AMAL, and conducts backward chains that reduce observations to known facts via general laws. AMAL is capable of making assumptions in ways comparable to those recently explored in truth maintenance and logic programming frameworks.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
SOME RECENT ADVANCES IN ECONOMIC PROJECT EVALUATION

This paper attempts to summarize some of the ways in which the field of economic project evaluation has advanced since the great explosion of literature on the subject that occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s. That explosion can almost be thought of as the genesis of the field as a subdiscipline of academic economics. It focused on evaluating projects or programs not on the criterion of their financial or commercial profitability but rather on the net benefit that they bring to the “economy as a whole”. Quite obviously, this focus led to questions like: a) how to value benefits and costs that are not reflected in financial flows to the project or program in question, b) how to take into account a project’s general equilibrium effects on the economy, and c) how to recognize the consequences of economic distortions in creating important gaps between the direct financial benefits and costs of a project and its true economic benefits and costs. From the outset in the 1960s, the literature of economic project evaluation pursued these questions. Important items of discussion during the “explosion” period were: i) the choice of the appropriate discount rate for deriving present value of benefits and costs, ii) the choice of an “economic opportunity cost of foreign exchange” (EOCFX) that reflected the full economic cost of a project’s buying foreign exchange (and the full economic benefit of generating it), and iii) the appropriate way to recognize circumstances where the economic opportunity cost of labor (EOCL) differed significantly from the market wage rate. Methodological controversies centered on three points. First was the issue of how capital market distortions were to be reflected. One group, to which I belong, advocated incorporating these intertemporal costs in the discount rate. The discount rate would ask that “our” project yield a rate of return sufficient to cover the future productivity that was lost, as other investments were displaced by our project’s drawing funds from the capital market. The other view advocated the use of a lower rate of discount, based on the net returns received by savers in the economy. It used this rate to get a present value of the future productivity of displaced investments, and employed this present value as a “shadow price of investible funds” (SPIF). A simple example shows the difference between the two approaches. Suppose that the typical investment yields 12% per year and that, owing to corporate, property and personal taxes the typical saver receives 4%. Suppose, too, that funds drawn from the capital market come 3/4 from displaced investment and 1/4 from newly stimulated savings. These facts would lead the Cuadernos de Economia, Ano 40, No 121, pp. 579-588 (diciembre 2003)
The effect of age and long-term low-level DDT exposure on the response to enzyme induction in the rat☆

Abstract Some investigations suggest there is an age-dependent susceptibility to enzyme induction in animals, while other work indicates that the apparent lack of response in older animals may be the result of an induction lag period. The existence of such an induction lag in rats as well as the effect of long-term low-level DDT exposure on the response to enzyme induction by dieldrin were investigated in this study. Adult and weanling rats were sacrificed at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hr after ip administration of 2.5 mg/kg of dieldrin. Twenty-four hours before the rats were sacrificed, 10 mg/kg of lindane in peanut oil was administered po. Within 24 hr after the administration of dieldrin, there were significant increases in the in vitro activity of various hepatic microsomal enzymes from the weanling rats. Dieldrin did not produce a consistent increase in the enzyme activity of the adults and increases that did occur were much smaller than those in the weanlings. In general, throughout the study, the weanlings had the highest enzyme activity, the DDT-fed adults were intermediate and the control adults had the lowest activity. Weanlings metabolize more lindane to chlorophenols by 72 hr after receiving dieldrin and store less lindane by 96 hr after dieldrin administration than either adult group of rats. Data from this experiment does not support the existence of an induction time lag in adult rats.
Simulating the Response of Composite Reinforced Floor Slabs Subjected to Blast Loading

The threat of terrorist attack against civil infrastructure in the US and other countries has led to the need to better understand the response of structures and structural components to an impulsive air blast overpressure. One scenario that is present in many cities is delivery trucks entering basement or street level loading/unloading areas. A bomb present in one of these delivery trucks could cause considerable damage to the floor slab (and consequently the building) above the blast by causing a vertical uplift, a condition that the slab was not designed to resist. Traditional methods to retrofit floor slabs to resist an upwards blast pressure require that additional tension sustaining reinforcing bars (rebars) be placed near the slab upper surface. This reinforcing method is costly, difficult to produce, and adds additional weight to the overall structure in building retrofit situations. Another approach to reinforcing the slab is to bond light-weight, high strength fiber composite material to the slab upper surface as a means of resisting the tensile forces from the slab upward motion. This paper presents results from an effort to simulate the response of a reinforced concrete floor slab with a fiber composite retrofit subjected to a blast overpressure. The simulations were performed using the Weidlinger Associates’ FLEX [1] finite element code for structural response calculations. The MAZ [2] computational fluid dynamics code was used to generate blast pressure. This paper will discuss the modeling effort used to predict the response of fiber composite retrofitted slabs and compare the computational analysis to test results1 .Copyright © 2003 by ASME