cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microdevices for Microdialysis and Membrane Separations

Microdialysis is a commonly used technique for separating small biomolecules within a complex biological mixture for continuous biochemical monitoring. Microdialysis is based upon controlling the mass transfer rate of small biomolecules diffusing across a semipermeable membrane into a dialysis fluid while excluding larger molecules such as proteins. These small molecules are subsequently sensed using a biosensor. Since many biosensors are extremely susceptible to fouling, their stability and lifetime can be extended if metabolites are filtered through a microdialysis membrane before the dialysis fluid is moved into the sensor. Dialysis is also used commonly in biological laboratories to desalt high ionic strength protein solutions. As biochemical analysis systems become more integrated for μTAS systems there is a need to automate this process. Thus, an on-chip dialysis system is useful for biochemical reaction engineering where very tight control of ionic conditions must be maintained for effective enzymatic activity. This work demonstrates the ability to integrate polymer microdialysis membranes with microfluidic systems. Microchannels are bonded with a regenerated cellulose membrane. After microchannels are produced using standard processing techniques, they are integrated with these membranes. The cellulose is activated in an oxygen plasma followed by a lamination bond to the microchannels at moderate pressure and elevated temperature. Devices were placed in a solution of rhodamine dye, and dialysis fluid was allowed to flow through the microchannels. The outlet dye concentration was measured by fluorescence intensity as a function of flow rate and follows analytically predicted results.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Complete stability of noncooperative games

This paper is concerned with a class of noncooperative games ofn players that are defined byn reward functions which depend continuously on the action variables of the players. This framework provides a realistic model of many interactive situations, including many common models in economics, sociology, engineering, and political science. The concept of Nash equilibrium is a suitable companion to such models.
Transformed human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) alter the growth and morphology of normal human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro.

Normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BE) and adenovirus-12 SV40 hybrid virus transformed, non-tumorigenic human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were cultured for 7 days in a serum free hormone supplemented medium. BE cells after 3 days in culture were exposed to conditioned medium (CMt) from confluent BEAS-2B cells. By day 7, CMt-treated BE cells exhibited a lower colony forming efficiency (CFE), fewer cells per colony, and a reduced mitotic index (MI) and BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) labeling index. CMt also enhanced the expression of a terminally differentiated squamous phenotype in BE cells. Cell free lysates from BEAS-2B cells (CFLt) had effects similar to CMt on the MI and morphology of BE cells. In contrast, CMt and CFLt did not inhibit the growth, or alter the morphology of BEAS-2B cells. Conditioned medium from BE cells (CMn) did not reduce the growth of BEAS-2B cells, and had little effect on the morphology of BE cells. In co-cultures
R-matrix calculation of atomic hydrogen photoionization in a strong magnetic field.

We describe atomic hydrogen diamagnetism within the framework of multichannel quantum-defect theory using an R-matrix approach. The calculated photoionization spectrum in the range of magnetic field B=${10}^{3}$--${10}^{4}$ T shows that the quasi-Landau resonances are broad interlopers that perturb high Rydberg states converging to the Landau thresholds, forming complex resonances. A partial-cross-section analysis indicates that electron population of different Landau channels depends on the azimuthal quantum number and parity of the final states. For odd-total-parity final states with m=1, the photoionized electron is predicted to escape predominantly in the higher Landau channels, while for final states with m=0, it escapes in the lower channels. This property is reflected in the shape of autoionizing resonances, which are more like peaks for m=1, but are more like dips (window resonances) for m=0.
Behavior of a train of droplets in a fluidic network with hydrodynamic traps

The behavior of a droplet train in a microfluidic network with hydrodynamic traps in which the hydrodynamic resistive properties of the network are varied is investigated. The flow resistance of the network and the individual droplets guide the movement of droplets in the network. In general, the flow behavior transitions from the droplets being immobilized in the hydrodynamic traps at low flow rates to breaking up and squeezing of the droplets at higher flow rates. A state diagram characterizing these dynamics is presented. A simple hydrodynamic circuit model that treats droplets as fluidic resistors is discussed, which predicts the experimentally observed flow rates for droplet trapping in the network. This study should enable the rational design of microfuidic devices for passive storage of nanoliter-scale drops.
Modeling the structure of pyrococcus furiosus rubredoxin by homology to other X‐ray structures

The three-dimensional structure of rubredoxin from the hyperthermophilic archaebacterium, Pyrococcus furiosus, has been modeled from the X-ray crystal structures of three homologous proteins from Clostridium pasteurianum, Desulfovibrio gigas, and Desulfovibrio vulgaris. All three homology models are similar. When comparing the positions of all heavy atoms and essential hydrogen atoms to the recently solved crystal structure (Day, M. W., et al., 1992, Protein Sci. 1, 1494-1507) of the same protein, the homology model differ from the X-ray structure by 2.09 A root mean square (RMS). The X-ray and the zinc-substituted NMR structures (Blake, P. R., et al., 1992b, Protein Sci. 1, 1508-1521) show a similar level of difference (2.05 A RMS). On average, the homology models are closer to the X-ray structure than to the NMR structures (2.09 vs. 2.42 A RMS).
Spillovers to foreign market participants: assessing the impact of export strategies on innovative productivity:

Although a substantial body of research has investigated spillovers to FDI, we know very little about whether, and how, firms stand to benefit from spillovers without making such crossborder investments. In this study I investigate this issue by examining the ex-post innovative benefits that accrue to exporting firms. I argue that exporters access diverse knowledge inputs not available in the domestic market.This knowledge spills back to the focal firm and results in increased innovation. I explore how exporters derive such knowledge-based advantages by examining the relationship between export strategies and innovative productivity. Specifically, I contend that firms that export to developed countries will experience increased innovative productivity. Similarly, firms that reach the foreign market directly rather than relying on export brokers should innovate more, as they maintain closer ties with their information conduits.The empirical analysis is conducted using a stratified representative sample of ...
Surface "waves" on Byrd Glacier, Antarctica

Byrd Glacier has one of the largest ice catchment areas in Antarctica, delivers more ice to the Ross Ice Shelf than any other ice stream, and is the fastest of these ice streams. A force balance, combined with a mass balance, demonstrates that stream flow in Byrd Glacier is transitional from sheet flow in East Antarctica to shelf flow in the Ross Ice Shelf. The longitudinal pulling stress, calculated along an ice flowband from the force balance, is linked to variations of ice thickness, to the ratio of the basal water pressure to the ice overburden pressure where Byrd Glacier is grounded, and is reduced by an ice-shelf buttressing stress where Byrd Glacier is floating. Longitudinal tension peaks at pressure-ratio maxima in grounded ice and close to minima in the ratio of the pulling stress to the buttressing stress in floating ice. The longitudinal spacing of these tension peaks is rather uniform and, for grounded ice, the peaks occur at maxima in surface slope that have no clear relation to the bed slope. This implies that the maxima in surface slope constitute a "wave train" that is related to regular variations in ice-bed coupling, not primarily to bed topography. It is unclear whether these surface "waves" are "standing waves" or are migrating either upslope or downslope, possibly causing the grounding line to either retreat or advance. Deciding which is the case will require obtaining bed topography in the map plane, a new map of surface topography, and more sophisticated modeling that includes ice flow linked to subglacial hydrology in the map plane.
Electron transfer reactions from aromatic carbonyl triplets to paraquat dication

Abstract The rate constants for electron transfer reactions from several aromatic carbonyl triplets to paraquat dication leading to the formation of paraquat radical ion have been measured by nanosecond laser flash photolysis and are found to be in the range, 1 – 9 × 10 9 M −1 s −1 .
Effective mass in the barriers of GaAs/AlAs resonant tunneling double barrier diodes

Abstract We have investigated the peak and valley currents for a series of resonant tunneling diodes with AlAs barriers having widths in the range 1.9–5.9 nm and GaAs wells fabricated on GaAs substrates. Using a simple WKB expression that assumes resonant tunneling dominated by transfer through the Γ-Γ conduction band edge, a value for the strength, m b ∗ V b , of our AlAs barriers is found to be 0.069 ± 0.01 eV and the effective mass is found to be m b = (0.068 ± 0.01) m 0 . This agrees to within the measurement error with the result obtained for a series of diodes fabricated on InP by Broekaert et al . 1 with In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As wells and pseudomorphic AlAs barriers. The measured peak currents are compared with the results of self-consistent numerical solutions of Poisson's and Schroedinger's equations using the deduced effective mass.
Far-infrared interband absorption in Hg1−xMnxTe☆

Abstract We have measured the far-infrared reflectivity of samples of zero-gap Hg1−xMnxTe near the onset of the low temperature interband absorption. Using a theory which included band non-parabolicity and a finite heavy hole mass, we were able to fit the general shape and position of the interband term but could not reproduce the behavior of the absorption onset.
Direct monitoring of arterial pressure in the newborn and infant: a difficult procedure made easy.

Abstract Accurate continuous measurement of arterial blood pressure, especially during and following operation, is indispensable for optimal management of the seriously ill newborn or infant. Conventional indirect techniques (flush technique, auscultation, Doppler monitoring device) for assessing the circulatory status in this age group are not reliable, and a direct method would be preferable. Arterial cannulation in such patients has been discouraged by the technical problems related to former techniques. During the past year, a technique for direct cannulation of small peripheral arteries has been developed and successfully employed in 25 patients under the age of 2 years. It has been easy to perform and consistently successful in even the smaller vessels (radial, dorsalis pedis, superficial temporal), has yielded high-quality blood pressure tracings, and has allowed for arterial blood gas determinations. The cannula is stable, does not compromise distal arterial perfusion, and usually functions for several days. The continuity of the artery is frequently preserved following removal of the cannula. Details of the technique are presented.
Pulse-Time Positioning Used for Safety Control of High Speed Tester

The operation and fail-safe features of the safety devices for a high speed bearing and shaft seal testing machine, operating between 10,000 rpm and 110,000 rpm, are discussed in this paper. The machine consists of an air turbine which drives a load through a flexible quill shaft. The safety devices interrupt the turbine air supply by a valve when either a predetermined torque or a preset speed is exceeded. Magnetic pickup signals genrated by magnetic pins attached to the rotating shaft operate the safety devices. An electrical shutoff signal is developed during the first revolution of overtorque or overspeed. These safety devices, including the valve, must be fail-safe and operate in approximately 27 ms to prevent possible turbine disintegration due to centrifugal forces in the event of load removal by quill breakage.
The Interaction of Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Drugs on Plasma Prolactin in Ovariectomized, Estrogen-Treated Rats

Pharmacologic agents that either block or stimulate dopaminergic or block serotonergic receptors were administered intraarterially alone or in combination to ovariectomized, estrogen-treated rats. Prolactin was estimated by radioimmunoassay of plasma collected by serial blood sampling from chronic aortic catheters. Apomorphine (10 mg/kg) depressed, whereas Pimozide (50 and 250 mug/kg) and Methiothepin (50, 500 and 5000 mug/kg) markedly increased prolactin levels. Apomorphine completely blocked the increases induced by the lowest does of Pimozide and Methiothepin, as well as the initial increases at the higher doses. However, at later time intervals after large doses of Pimozide and Methiothepin in apomorphine-pretreated rats there was a marked rebound of prolactin which was greater than the level induced by each drug alone. The serotonin antagonists SQ 10,631 and methysergide reduced the Pimozide-induced elevation in prolactin levels, suggesting that part of the increase in prolactin following dopaminergic blockage may result from the action of a tonically stimulatory serotonin system that is normally masked by the intense tonic inhibition by the dopaminergic system.
Energy balance comparison of sorghum and sunflower

An understanding of the energy exchange processes at the surface of the earth is necessary for studies of global climate change. If the climate becomes drier, as is predicted for northern mid-latitudes, it is important to know how major agricultural crops will play a role in the budget of heat and moisture. Thus, the energy balance components of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), two drought-resistant crops grown in the areas where summertime drying is forecasted, were compared. Soil water content and evapotranspiration (ET) rates also were determined. Net radiation was measured with net radiometers. Soil heat flux was analyzed with heat flux plates and thermocouples. The Bowen ratio method was used to determine sensible and latent heat fluxes. Sunflower had a higher evapotranspiration rate and depleted more water from the soil than sorghum. Soil heat flux into the soil during the daytime was greater for sorghum than sunflower, which was probably the result of the more erect leaves of sorghum. Nocturnal net radiation loss from the sorghum crop was greater than that from the sunflower crop, perhaps because more heat was stored in the soil under the sorghum crop. But daytime net radiation values were similar for the two crops. The data indicated that models of climate change must differentiate nighttime net radiation of agricultural crops. Sensible heat flux was not always less (or greater) for sorghum compared to sunflower. Sunflower had greater daytime values for latent heat flux, reflecting its greater depletion of water from the soil. Evapotranspiration rates determined by the energy balance method agreed relatively well with those found by the water balance method. For example, on 8 July (43 days after planting), the ET rates found by the energy-balance and water-balance methods were 4.6 vs. 5.5 mm/day for sunflower, respectively; for sorghum, these values were 4.0 vs. 3.5 mm/day, respectively. If the climate does become drier, the lower soil water use and lower latent heat flux of sorghum compared to sunflower suggest that sorghum will be better adapted to the climate change.
Developmental Regulation of Mossy Fiber Afferent Interactions with Target Granule Cells

In an in vitro model system based on purified target cerebellar granule neurons and explants of afferents, pontine mossy fiber afferents stop growing through contact-mediated mechanisms when they encounter granule neurons. Here we studied the developmental regulation of the stop signal posed by granule cells and the response of mossy fibers to the stop signal in two culture systems. Granule neurons presented in slices or as dissociated cells from postnatal day (P) 4 and P7 cerebellum were more potent in the arrest of P0 pontine neurites than younger (P0-P2) or older (up to P14) granule neurons. In contrast, pontine neurites at embryonic day (E) 18, during their period of normal growth toward the cerebellum, grew extensively on both cerebellar slices of all ages from P0 to P10 and dissociated P4 granule neurons. When E18 explants were maintained for 2 days before plating in medium conditioned by neonatal cerebellar cells, E18 pontine explants were rendered more responsive to the stop signal from P4 granule cells. These results indicate that the stop signal, and the response of afferents to it, are developmentally regulated. Moreover, factors within the target region may initiate these interactions.
Phasor Diagram Analysis of Telomeric G-Quadruplex Stability and Heterogeneity

Telomeres function to protect the end of linear chromosomes from damage and degradation. Human telomeres consists of several kilobases of the tandem repeat d(TTAGGG), which terminate in a 3′-single stranded overhang capable of forming G-Quadruplex structures. Telomeric G-Quadruplexes have potential roles in the maintenance of telomere integrity and the control of telomerase activity, an enzyme responsible for elongation of the telomeric overhang that is over expressed in a wide variety of cancers. Investigation of intramolecular G-Quadruplexes corresponding to the human telomere is complicated by the formation of multiple rapidly interconverting conformations. The multiple telomere G-Quadruplex conformations are identified by unique folding geometries containing distinct connecting loop regions.Time-resolved fluorescent measurements have been conducted to characterize the stability and heterogeneity of the telomeric G-Quadruplex forming sequence d(AGGG(TTAGGG)3). The fluorescent adenine analog, 2-aminopurine, served as an internal fluorescent probe of G-Quadruplex conformation and was used to specifically monitor loop regions. 2-aminopurine demonstrates a complex fluorescent decay upon incorporation into nucleic acid polymers that can be simplified by transformation of time-resolved data to an (S,G) phasor diagram. Phasor diagrams were used to monitor G-Quadruplex formation upon addition of NaCl or KCl and elucidated a unique KCl-dependent transition. The digestion of G-Quadruplex structure by a single-strand specific nuclease and acrylamide quenching are also evaluated through phasor diagrams. This work demonstrates the utility of phasor diagrams for the study of nucleic acid systems and the ability to sensitively monitor complex fluorescent decays that may complicate analysis through nonlinear regression techniques. Supported by awards RO1CA35635 and RO1GM077422 from the NCI and NIGMS.
Scheduling of panels by integer programming: Results for the 2005 and 2006 New Orleans meetings

This note reports on the successful use of an integer-programming routine, whose details were delineated earlier, to assign panels to time slots in scheduling the annual meetings of the Public Choice Society in New Orleans in both 2005 and 2006. Each panel, or session, consists of three or four papers and belongs to a specific subject area. All submitted papers are grouped into panels in an initial step. The integer-programming routine then assigns these panels to the available time slots so as to satisfy certain constraints and, in addition, spread the panels in each subject area as evenly as possible across the time slots. Problems that arose, and possible solutions, are briefly discussed.
Rule of corresponding Auger spectra

Abstract The normalized core-valence-valence Auger spectra A(ϵ) of the simple metals Be, Mg, and A l , when plotted as a function of ϵ/2λ, where λ is the free-electron Fermi energy, are all nearly the same. Li, with λ=4.1±0.1 eV, also has the same spectrum. This suggests that the Auger spectra of simple metals depend primarily on the electron gas density and are almost independent of details of the band structure.
A PROTOCOL FOR THE DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS INTO DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS USING ONLY CHEMICALLY DEFINED HUMAN ADDITIVES: STUDIES IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

Our ability to use human embryonic stem (hES) cells in cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease depends on the discovery of ways to simply and reliably differentiate a dopaminergic (DA) phenotype in these cells. Although several protocols exist for the differentiation of DA traits in hES, they involve the prolonged use of complex media with undefined components, cell conditioned media and/or co-culture with various cells, usually of animal origin. In this study, several well-characterized (H9, BG01) and several new uncharacterized (HUES7, HUES8) hES cell lines were studied for their capacity to differentiate into DA neurons in culture using a novel rapid protocol which uses only chemically-defined human-derived media additives and substrata. Within 3 weeks, cells from all 4 cell lines progressed from the undifferentiated state to beta-tubulin III positive cells expressing DA markers in vitro. Moreover, transplantation of these cells into the striata of 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats at the neuronal progenitor stage resulted in the appearance of differentiated DA traits in vivo 2-3 weeks later.
Electric shock injuries from static electricity discharges

Most people are aware of electrostatic discharges (ESD) at two extremes - the annoying shock from static accumulation from sliding across an automobile seat or shuffling across a carpet, and the highly dangerous and destructive energy discharge in lightning strikes. Between these two extremes are static discharges from manufacturing operations that can cause shock injuries. Hazards of static electricity in industrial and manufacturing operations are generally viewed as a potential ignition source in flammable and explosive environments, or destructive to semiconductor electronic devices, but not as a source for shock injury. Measures to control the static electricity shock hazard and safeguard people are not addressed in the most visible and applied standards addressing electrical safety in the workplace. This paper describes manufacturing and other industrial scenarios in which the potential for injury from static electricity discharges exist, and discuss methods to prevent, control, and protect personnel from injury.
Asymmetric Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Complicating Hemodynamic Augmentation for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-Associated Cerebral Vasospasm

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare complication of hemodynamic augmentation for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-associated vasospasm. The roles of hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion in the genesis of PRES remain uncertain. Case report. We admitted a 35-year-old woman with Hunt & Hess grade II SAH secondary to rupture of a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm. This was surgically clipped. Beginning on hospital day 3, she developed recurrent symptomatic vasospasm of the right MCA despite hemodynamic augmentation to a MAP as high as 130 mmHg and endovascular therapy. On hospital day 7, after 36 h of sustained MAP 120–130 mmHg, her level of arousal progressively declined, culminating in stupor and two generalized tonic–clonic seizures. MRI showed widespread, yet markedly asymmetric changes consistent with PRES largely sparing the right MCA territory. After the MAP was decreased to 85–100 mmHg, she had no further seizures. 2 days later she was fully alert with mild left hemiparesis. PRES is a rare complication of hemodynamic augmentation that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of delayed neurological decline in patients with aneurysmal SAH-associated cerebral vasospasm. The markedly asymmetric distribution of PRES lesions with sparing of the territory affected by vasospasm supports the hypothesis that hyperperfusion underlies the pathophysiology of this disorder.
Drug discrimination and generalization in pigeons.

Abstract In a three-key operant conditioning situation six pigeons were trained to select the response key which was associated with each of three drug treatment conditions: d-amphetamine (2 mg/kg), pentobarbital (5 mg/kg), and saline. Thus, the drug state served as a discriminative stimulus for food reinforcement. After 20 sessions of discrimination training in each of the three conditions, more than 90% of tthe responses were correctly emitted in the presence of the appropriate drug or saline stimulus. Acquisition of the discrimination progressed at approximately equal rates for the three treatments. Subsequent to discrimination training, generalization gradients were obtained for several doses of the training drugs and for dose ranges of cocaine, morphine, and methocarbamol. The pigeons responded to morphine by choosing the key paired with pentobarbital during training; further, cocaine administration resulted in choice of the amphetamine key. However, methocarbamol, over the doses used, produced responding more characteristic of saline than of the other training drugs. The data suggest that a three-key operant discrimination procedure using pigeons provides a sensitive method for investigating the stimulus properties of relatively low doses of behaviorally relevant drugs.
Podiatry Institute ankle fusion technique

The authors review the ankle and pantalar fusion literature. The authors performed a retrospective review on 42 ankle and pantalar fusions, emphasizing the role of internal fixation. The Podiatry Institute technique for internal fixation of ankle fusions is described and experience with the technique is reviewed. Complications included delayed union and nonunion at the fusion site or the repaired fibular osteotomy site and tibial fractures at screw stress riser sites. Modifications to reduce these complications are discussed. Experience with internal fixation in ankle and pantalar fusions, both in this study and in current literature, has been positive.
Efficient multifaceted screening of job applicants

Built on top of human resources management databases within the enterprise, we present a decision support system for managing and optimizing screening activities during the hiring process in a large organization. The basic idea is to prioritize the efforts of human resource practitioners to focus on candidates that are likely of high quality, that are likely to accept a job offer if made one, and that are likely to remain with the organization for the long term. To do so, the system first individually ranks candidates along several dimensions using a keyword matching algorithm and several bipartite ranking algorithms with univariate loss trained on historical actions. Next, individual rankings are aggregated to derive a single list that is presented to the recruitment team through an interactive portal. The portal supports multiple filters that facilitate effective identification of candidates. We demonstrate the usefulness of our system on data collected from a large organization over several years with business value metrics showing greater hiring yield with less interviews. Similarly, using historical pre-hire data we demonstrate accurate identification of candidates that will have quickly left the organization. The system has been deployed as described in a large globally integrated enterprise.
Determination of iron, nickel, cobalt, calcium, chromium and manganese in stony meteorites by X-ray fluorescence

Abstract The concentrations of total iron, and of nickel, cobalt, calcium, chromium and manganese have been determined by X-ray fluorescence in fifty-seven chondrites, seven carbonaceous chondrites, three enstatite chondrites, fifteen achondrites and in the silicate phase of two pallasites. The high-iron-group chondrites have an average of 27.36 % iron by wt., and the low-iron group has an average of 21.71 % iron by wt. Their nickel and cobalt contents show comparable differences. Significant differences in the concentrations of calcium and manganese are found between chondrites which belong to the low-iron group and those which belong to the high-iron group. The ratios Ca Mn are quite constant between the groups. The ratios Fe:Ca and Ca:Mn for the carbonaceous chondrites of Type II and Type III differ generally from the Fe:Ca and Ca:Mn ratios for the high-iron chondrites as a group. Among the achondrites examined, the Ca-poor achondrites are much more variable in composition than the Ca-rich achondrites.
Evaluation of Coronary Steal in Myocardium Supplied by Coronary Collaterals: The Role of Speckle Tracking Analysis in Resting and Stress Echocardiography

Coronary steal could develop in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) with collateral circulation, and adversely affect ventricular function and long-term clinical outcome. Poorly developed collaterals are more prone than well-developed collaterals to withdrawing their blood support to the collateralized myocardium due to higher collateral pathway resistance and lower vasodilatory reserve of the collateral bed. Even with well-developed coronary collaterals, coronary steal could still occur when perfusion pressure in the donor artery becomes low, or the recipient microvasculature is maximally dilated with exhaustion of vasodilatory reserve. The evaluation of distinctive coronary collateral function with or without steal provides important therapeutic and prognostic information in patients with chronic CAD. However, due to lack of reliable assessment methods, the detection and quantitative measurement of coronary steal remains a challenge. In this article, we present typical clinical scenarios to illustrate the major mechanisms underlying coronary steal in patients with chronic CAD and coronary collateral circulation, and review invasive and noninvasive methods currently available to assess coronary steal in myocardium supplied by coronary collaterals. We specifically focus on recent advances in the resting and stress echocardiography with speckle tracking techniques.
Editorial: Context-Aware Application Integration and Transactional Behaviors

The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) welcomes you to the first issue of the IEEE Transactions on Services Computing in 2010. In this issue, he is pleased to publish six research papers, which include two regular submissions and four papers from a Special Section on Transactional Web Services. In this editorial preface, he introduces these papers in the context of the body of knowledge areas.
Variation in the mineralogical, chemical and physical properties of the Cretaceous Clay Spur bentonite in Wyoming and Montana (U.S.A.)

Abstract The Creataceous Clay Spur bentonite exhibits unique physiochemical properties which make it suitable for a variety of industrial applications. The bentonite is comprised of sodium smectite altered from rhyolitic ash deposited in the Mowry Sea which occupied the Western Interior seaway from Late Albian to Early Cenomanian time. The seaway was zoned with respect to depth, salinity and degree of oxygenation. The ash, therefore, altered under diverse chemical conditions. Bentonite rheological properties vary locally and regionally. Variation in bentonite quality may be attributed, in part, to variations in the structural chemistry and consequently the surface chemistry, of the smectite. Although the bentonite is mineralogically homogeneous, the smectite is zoned, on a regional scale, with respect to major element, trace element, and exchangeable cation chemistry. Inhomogeneities in the chemical and mineralogical composition of the parent ash, conditions of deposition, the environment of alteration, weathering reactions, and diagenesis are responsible for this chemical zonation. Smectite chemistry is most significantly affected by weathering. Weathering generally improves bentonite quality. Associated with weathering is a decrease in pH, loss of exchangable Ca 2+ , decrease in CEC, and a slight reduction in smectite particle size. Changes in surface chemistry are a response to the oxidation of octahedral iron. The plastic viscosity of the Clay Spur bentonite is sensitive to pH, exchangable Ca 2+ concentration and the presence of micron-sized non-clay constituents. Plastic viscosity is weakly dependent on exchangable Mg 2+ and organic matter content. Filter cake permeability is influenced by organic matter content. These factors determine bentonite rheology by enhancing or disrupting the formation of a three-dimensional flocculation card-house network.
Ecdysone and DNA synthesis in cultured wing disks of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella

Abstract The dynamics of ecdysone's action on DNA synthesis in cultured wing disks was investigated. The treatment time and concentration of ecdysone needed to elicit DNA synthesis differ from the conditions required to cause morphological changes in the disks. This supports the view that each component of the metamorphosis of the imaginal disks has its own particular hormonal requirements. Ecdysone retained its capacity to stimulate DNA synthesis after being cultured with wing disks for 72 hr. This observation suggests that ecdysone is not inactivated by primary target organs.
Isosinglet down quark mixing and CP violation experiments

We confront the new physics models with extra isosinglet down quarks in the new $\mathrm{CP}$ violation experimental era with $\mathrm{sin}(2\ensuremath{\beta})$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{'}}/\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ measurements, ${K}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ events, and ${x}_{s}$ limits. The closeness of the new experimental results to the standard model theory requires us to include full standard model (SM) amplitudes in the analysis. In models allowing mixing to a new isosinglet down quark, as in ${\mathrm{E}}_{6},$ flavor changing neutral currents are induced that allow a ${Z}^{0}$ mediated contribution to $B\ensuremath{-}\overline{B}$ mixing and which bring in new phases. In $(\ensuremath{\rho},\ensuremath{\eta}),$ $({x}_{s},\mathrm{sin}(\ensuremath{\gamma})),$ and $({x}_{s},\mathrm{sin}(2{\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{s}))$ plots we still find much larger regions in the four down quark model than in the SM, reaching down to $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\approx}0,$ $0l~\mathrm{sin}(\ensuremath{\gamma})l~1,$ $\ensuremath{-}0.75l~\mathrm{sin}(2\ensuremath{\alpha})l~0.15,$ and $\mathrm{sin}(2{\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{s})$ down to zero, all at $1\ensuremath{\sigma}.$ We elucidate the nature of the cancellation in an order ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{5}$ four down quark mixing matrix element which satisfies the experiments and reduces the number of independent angles and phases. We also evaluate tests of unitarity for the $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3$ Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa submatrix.
High Speed Liquid Adsorption Chromatography in Criminalistics

As part one of a series, this article considers the implementation of high speed liquid adsorption chromatography as a standard analytical practice in the crime laboratory, with primary emphasis placed on the theoretical factors governing both resolution and speed. Also considered are the practical aspects of high speed liquid adsorption systems, and how these systems relate to other chromatographic techniques currently in use.
Direct electron beam writing of electro-optic polymer microring resonators

Electro-optic polymer waveguides in electron beam sensitive polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer matrix doped with organic nonlinear chromophores could be directly patterned by electron beam exposure with high resolution and smoothness. The polymer in the exposed regions was removed with standard electron beam resist developer and without damaging the chromophore containing polymer waveguides. Feature sizes on the order of 100 nm could be clearly resolved. High quality microring resonators made of YL124/PMMA electro-optic polymer were successfully fabricated with this technique. The measured resonance extinction ratios were more than 16 dB and quality factors were in the range of 10(3) approximately 10(4).
Maintenance of remission following cognitive behavior therapy for panic disorder: Possible deleterious effects of concurrent medication treatment

In a prospective, naturalistic study, we examined the long-term outcome of patients with panic disorder who entered remission following cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) alone or CBT plus medications (combined treatment). Similar to previous studies, severity of the panic disorder and agoraphobic avoidance served as predictors of relapse in a survival analysis. However, the most powerful predictor of maintenance of remission was treatment type. Despite ongoing pharmacotherapy, patients who entered remission with combined treatment and continued their pharmacologic treatment relapsed sooner than patients treated with CBT who entered remission medication-free. Consideration of baseline levels of anxiety severity, comorbidity, and history of previous remissions did not account for the prediction afforded by consideration of treatment type. These findings are discussed in the context of other evidence for deleterious effects of concomitant pharmacotherapy on the long-term outcome of patients with panic disorder treated with CBT. Treatment implications are discussed.
Sample size determination for classifiers based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), believed to determine human differences, are widely used to predict risk of diseases. Typically, clinical samples are limited and/or the sampling cost is high. Thus, it is essential to determine an adequate sample size needed to build a classifier based on SNPs. Such a classifier would facilitate correct classifications, while keeping the sample size to a minimum, thereby making the studies cost-effective. For coded SNP data from 2 classes, an optimal classifier and an approximation to its probability of correct classification (PCC) are derived. A linear classifier is constructed and an approximation to its PCC is also derived. These approximations are validated through a variety of Monte Carlo simulations. A sample size determination algorithm based on the criterion, which ensures that the difference between the 2 approximate PCCs is below a threshold, is given and its effectiveness is illustrated via simulations. For the HapMap data on Chinese and Japanese populations, a linear classifier is built using 51 independent SNPs, and the required total sample sizes are determined using our algorithm, as the threshold varies. For example, when the threshold value is 0.05, our algorithm determines a total sample size of 166 (83 for Chinese and 83 for Japanese) that satisfies the criterion.
Congenital cutaneous candidiasis

We report a case of congenital cutaneous candidiasis and review the clinical features and probable pathogenesis of this rarely recognized and infrequently reported condition. The symptoms, physical findings, laboratory results, and risk factors that influence prognosis and choice of therapy are discussed.
Wave properties near the subsolar magnetopause - Pc 1 waves in the sheath transition layer

We study the waves in the frequency range of Pc 1 in the sheath transition layer of the magnetopause from the ISEE 1 and 2 observations. The waves are enhanced in the sheath transition layer, although they are scattered into the magnetosheath when the outer edge of the sheath transition layer is not sharp. The wave frequency is proportional to, and equal to, about 44 percent of the ion gyrofrequency. The waves are left-handed polarized for southward IMF, but linearly polarized for northward IMF. The direction of maximum variation is perpendicular to both the background field and the gradients of the field and density for northward IMF; for southward IMF, the waves are more turbulent. Wave generation mechanisms may depend on IMF orientations rather than the shock geometry. To investigate the free energy generating the waves for northward IMF, a method is developed combining the measurements from the fast plasma experiment and Lepedea to obtain a high time resolution estimate of the temperature anisotropy for strongly northward IMF. The estimated ion temperature anisotropy is enhanced, up to a factor of 2, within the sheath transition layer for northward IMF.
Fuel Composition and Diluent Effect on Gas Transport and Performance of Anode-Supported SOFCs

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with Ni+yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode, YSZ-samaria-doped ceria (SDC) bilayer electrolyte, and Sr-doped LaCoO 3 (LSC)+SDC cathode were fabricated. Fuel used consistedof H 2 diluted with He. N 2 , H 2 O, or CO 2 , mixtures of H 2 and CO, and mixtures of CO and CO 2 . Cell performance was measured at 800°C with the above-mentioned fuel gas mixtures and air as oxidant. For a given concentration of the diluent, cell performance was higher with He as the diluent than with N 2 as the diluent. Mass transport through porous Ni-YSZ anode for H 2 -H 2 O, CO-CO 2 binary systems. and H 2 -H 2 O-diluent gas ternary systems was analyzed using multicomponent gas diffusion theory. At high concentrations of diluent, the maximum achievable current density was limited by the anodic concentration polarization. From this measured limiting current density, the corresponding effective gas diffusivity was estimated. Highest effective diffusivity was estimated for fuel gas mixtures containing H 2 -H 2 O-He mixtures (∼0.55 cm 2 /s), and the lowest for CO-CO 2 mixtures (∼0.07 cm 2 /s). The lowest performance was observed with CO-CO 2 mixture as a fuel, which in part was attributed to the lowest effective diffusivity of the fuels tested and higher activation polarization.
Photorealistic Large-Scale Urban City Model Reconstruction

The rapid and efficient creation of virtual environments has become a crucial part of virtual reality applications. In particular, civil and defense applications often require and employ detailed models of operations areas for training, simulations of different scenarios, planning for natural or man-made events, monitoring, surveillance, games, and films. A realistic representation of the large-scale environments is therefore imperative for the success of such applications since it increases the immersive experience of its users and helps reduce the difference between physical and virtual reality. However, the task of creating such large-scale virtual environments still remains a time-consuming and manual work. In this work, we propose a novel method for the rapid reconstruction of photorealistic large-scale virtual environments. First, a novel, extendible, parameterized geometric primitive is presented for the automatic building identification and reconstruction of building structures. In addition, buildings with complex roofs containing complex linear and nonlinear surfaces are reconstructed interactively using a linear polygonal and a nonlinear primitive, respectively. Second, we present a rendering pipeline for the composition of photorealistic textures, which unlike existing techniques, can recover missing or occluded texture information by integrating multiple information captured from different optical sensors (ground, aerial, and satellite).
Development of Criteria for Lamina Emergent Mechanism Flexures With Specific Application to Metals

This paper develops new design criteria for lamina emergent mechanism (LEM),flexures with particular application to sheet-metal-formed metal flexures. The LEM flexure design criteria are based on the relative performance between the LEM flexure and a section of lamina that is of the same overall length, width, and thickness as the LEM flexure. Novel metal revolute and torsional LEM flexures are presented and evaluated against the LEM flexure design criteria. Both flexures meet the proposed criteria, and their performance is evaluated in the design of a basic crank-slider mechanism. When compared with unformed flexures of the same dimensions, the revolute and torsional metal LEM flexures are found to improve the crank-slider performance.
Characterization of the spatial and temporal variability of surface water in the Soudan‐Sahel region of Africa

[1] Water is a precious resource since the lives and livelihoods of human societies depend on their ability to access this resource. This is particularly true in arid and semiarid regions like the Sahel where permanent surface waters are rare and hydrological solutions (e.g., accessing deep aquifers) are often not feasible. This work is devoted to the determination of the spatial and temporal variations of surface water extent at 250 m over 9 years (2003–2011) for the Soudan-Sahel region using visible and infrared imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from both Terra and Aqua platforms. The methodology is automatic and could be applied to other regions and sensors. We utilized a combination of two MODIS spectral indices: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index. Accuracy assessments carried out on 743 lakes across 37 Landsat images selected in Sahelian Africa on the basis of a stratified sampling show that the new product is (i) reliably able to detect surface water bodies of approximately 50 ha and larger, (ii) improves on existing surface water body products, and (iii) can be used to monitor the seasonal distribution of surface water in semiarid regions.
Structure and crystallization behavior of Nylon 66/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites at low carbon nanotube contents

Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were modified with poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (also known as Nylon 66) via a controlled polymer solution crystallization method. A “nanohybrid shish kebab” (NHSK) structure was found wherein the MWNT resembled the shish while Nylon 66 lamellar crystals formed the kebabs. These Nylon 66-functionalized MWNTs were used as precursors to prepare polymer/MWNT nanocomposites. Excellent dispersion was revealed by optical and electron microscopies. Nitric acid etching of the nanocomposites showed that MWNT formed a robust network in Nylon 66. Non-isothermal DSC results showed multiple melting peaks, which can be attributed to lamellar thickness changes upon heating. The crystallite sizes L100 and L010 of Nylon 66, determined by WAXD, decreased with increasing MWNT contents. Isothermal DSC results showed that crystallization kinetics increased first and then decreased with increasing MWNT contents in Nylon 66. This study showed that the effect of MWNTs on Nylon 66 crystallization is twofold: MWNTs provide heterogeneous nucleation sites for Nylon 66 crystallization while the tube network structure hinders large crystal growth.
Dry Weight and Inorganic Ash Determinations

One of the most frequently needed pieces of information in working with various extracts or fluids is the total dry weight content which includes both organic, inorganic, small and macro-molecular substances. For any quantitative studies, this information is the first one we need. Working with biologically active extracts, one should be aware of the fact that inorganic salts may be present which will contribute to the dry weight of the sample. In such cases, either dialysis against water should precede the dry weight determination or they should be determined as inorganic ash. Part A of this exercise describes a microprocedure for total dry weight determination followed by inorganic ash measurement which is described in Part B. The samples used can be any one of the preparations described in this Manual.