cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diphasic ceramic composites via a sol-gel method

Abstract A sol-gel process is described for the preparation of diphasic composite materials. The method involves the growth of extremely fine crystalline or non-crystalline materials inside a pre-made gel structure (of SiO 2 ) by soaking the gel in metal nitrate solution and subsequent precipitation of the metal with the selected anions (using mineral acids) followed by a densification step.
Effect of xylene exposure on the performance of electret filter media

Abstract Performance degradation of electret filter media when exposed to xylene was investigated using a custom-made exposure apparatus. Three types of electret filter media were exposed to xylene in liquid and gas phases. Experimental data indicated that the penetration percentage of di-octyl-phtalate (DOP) aerosols through electret filter media was not influenced by exposure to xylene vapors for periods up to 8 h. The filtration performance for all three types of electret filter media decreased over 30% when the samples were exposed to liquid xylene. Pressure drop changes of the filter media prior and after exposure to liquid xylene were statistically negligible. Neither morphological changes nor degradation of the polymer fibers were observed after exposure of the filter media samples to liquid xylene. Thermodynamic simulations were performed to determine the molar flux of liquid and gas phases through the filter media specimens. Experimental results obtained via capillary gas chromatography were within 4% of the predicted values. The decrease in performance was attributed to changes in the density and spatial distribution of the electret charges on the surface of the polymer fibers.
Predicting phonetic transcription agreement: Insights from research in infant vocalizations

The purpose of this study is to provide new perspectives on correlates of phonetic transcription agreement. Our research focuses on phonetic transcription and coding of infant vocalizations. The findings are presumed to be broadly applicable to other difficult cases of transcription, such as found in severe disorders of speech, which similarly result in low reliability for a variety of reasons. We evaluated the predictiveness of two factors not previously documented in the literature as influencing transcription agreement: canonicity and coder confidence. Transcribers coded samples of infant vocalizations, judging both canonicity and confidence. Correlation results showed that canonicity and confidence were strongly related to agreement levels, and regression results showed that canonicity and confidence both contributed significantly to explanation of variance. Specifically, the results suggest that canonicity plays a major role in transcription agreement when utterances involve supraglottal articulation, with coder confidence offering additional power in predicting transcription agreement.
Hydrolysis of Thymidine Boranomonophosphate and Stepwise Deuterium Substitution of the Borane Hydrogens. 31P and 11B NMR Studies

The α-P-boranophosphate nucleosides comprise a new class of modified nucleotides that may find use as therapeutic and DNA diagnostic agents. Hydrolysis of thymidine 5‘-boranomonophosphate, d(pBT), has been studied in H2O and D2O using 1H, 31P, and 11B NMR spectroscopies. Although d(pBT) is quite stable at 25 °C, it hydrolyzes slowly at higher temperatures. At 50 or 60 °C, d(pBT) hydrolyzes first into thymidine (dT) and boranophosphate (O3P−BH33-), followed by subsequent hydrolysis of the O3P−BH33- to produce phosphonate and boric acid. A three-step deuterium substitution of the borane hydrogens in O3P−BH33- was detected in D2O by the presence of a 31P isotope shift. The 31P resonances shifted downfield by 0.14 ppm upon substitution of each of three 1H atoms by 2H. Exchange of the borane hydrogens with D2O occurs as sequential processes superimposed upon hydrolysis of O3P−BH33-. The hydrolysis and deuteration steps were characterized in terms of pseudo-first-order rate constants. Hydrolysis of O3P−BH33- is...
Elementary derivation of the universal attractive coulomb term in the interquark potential

Abstract We provide a simple derivation of the universal 1 R term in the interquark potential at large distances. We discuss a physical analogy which makes the existence of such a universal term easier to understand. We go on to briefly treat the behavior of the Wilson loop in other regimes, to further illustrate this analogy.
Norms of 300 general-information questions: Accuracy of recall, latency of recall, and feeling-of-knowing ratings.

Normative data were collected on 300 general-information questions from a wide variety of topics, including history, sports, art, geography, literature, and entertainment. Male and female undergraduates at two different universities made a one-word response to each question either in a response booklet or at a computer console. The reported data include the following for each question: (a) probability of recall for all 270 undergraduates, for males versus females, and for University of Washington subjects versus University of California, Irvine, subjects, (b) latency of correct recall, (c) latency of errors, and (d) feeling-of-knowing ratings for nonrecalled items. Correlations among these dependent variables, along with measures of reliability, are also reported.
Model for Forecasting Expressway Fine Particulate Matter and Carbon Monoxide Concentration: Application of Regression and Neural Network Models

Abstract The Borman Expressway is a heavily traveled 16-mi segment of the Interstate 80/94 freeway through Northwestern Indiana. The Lake and Porter counties through which this expressway passes are designated as particulate matter 0.90. For CO predicti...
Relative performance evaluation of pattern recognition models for nondestructive damage detection

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the relative performance of several Bayesian distance-based pattern recognition models and two non-Bayesian models for non-destructive damage detection (NDD). A theory of damage localization, which yields information on the location of the damage directly from changes in mode shapes, is formulated. Next, the application of pattern recognition for NDD is established. Expressions for pattern classification using discriminate functions based on Bayes' Rule, Neyman-Pearson criteria, and neural networks are generated. A set of criteria for the evaluation of the pattern recognition models is then established. Damage localization is applied to a finite element mode of a structure which contains simulated damage at various locations using the pattern recognition and neural network models. Finally, the evaluation of the pattern recognition models is carried out using the established criteria.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hormonal regulation of L-type pyruvate kinase in rat liver cells in culture

Abstract An immortalized rat liver cell line (RLC) expresses two isozymes of pyruvate kinase, the adult liver or L-type isozyme and an M-type isozyme presumed to be the M 2 -type. In RLC cells incubated in serum-free medium, the addition of 0.1 μ m insulin maintained the initial level of L-type pyruvate kinase when it was high and induced the L-type isozyme when it was low. The addition of 1.0 m m dibutyryl cAMP and 0.5 m m theophylline decreased the L-type isozyme, even in the presence of insulin. The amount of M 2 -type isozyme was relatively constant under the conditions used. Regulation of the amount of L-type pyruvate kinase by both insulin and cAMP occurred primarily through changes in the rate of L-pyruvate kinase protein synthesis and translatable mRNA levels. These results are consistent with the in vivo observations that both insulin and glucagon regulate the rate of L-pyruvate kinase gene transcription and that cAMP is the dominant regulator of L-pyruvate kinase gene expression.
Extrusion conditions and properties of vapor grown carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene

Vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) is a new and inexpensive carbon fiber produced by vapor deposition of hydrocarbons on metal catalysts. The ability to fabricate VGCF reinforced thermoplastic composites by extrusion provides the potential to exploit VGCF into new commercial markets. This study investigates the extrusion conditions and properties of VGCF reinforced polypropylene. Extrusion was carried out using a Leistritz twin-screw extruder. Polypropylene reinforced with 0% to 12.5% volume fraction VGCF was extruded successfully at temperatures ranging from 215°C to 250°C. The extrusion pressure increased and the flow rate decreased as the percentage of fiber was increased. Increases in tensile strength and modulus were observed by the addition of VGCF. However, the void content of the composite samples increased with fiber content.
Comparison of two-sensor tracking methods based on state vector fusion and measurement fusion

There are two approaches to the two-sensor track-fusion problem. Y Bar-Shalom and L. Campo (ibid., vol.AES-22, 803-5, Nov. 1986) presented the state vector fusion method, which combines state vectors from the two sensors to form a new estimate while taking into account the correlated process noise. The measurement fusion method or data compression of D. Willner et al. (1976) combines the measurements from the two sensors first and then uses this fused measurement to estimate the state vector. The two methods are compared and an example shows the amount of improvement in the uncertainty of the resulting estimate of the state vector with the measurement fusion method. >
Transabdominal Cerclage: A Laparoscopic Approach

Abstract Background: The placement of a transabdominal cervical cerclage has been regarded as considerably more morbid than a transvaginal cerclage, in part due to the need for two laparotomies. We describe a technique for the laparoscopic placement and removal of a transabdominal cerclage. Cases: Two cases of women with insufficient cervical tissue to place a transvaginal cerclage were managed with a transabdominal cerclage. In one case, the cerclage was placed laparoscopically; in the other, the band was removed, facilitating uterine evacuation following the diagnosis of a missed abortion. In both cases a laparotomy was avoided. Conclusion: Laparoscopic placement and removal of a transabdominal cerclage are promising options in the treatment of an incompetent cervix.
Studies on the Accumulation of 5(4)-Amino-4(5)-imidazolecarboxamide by Escherichia coli in a Shaking Culture

Various attempts were made to accumulate 5 (4) -amino-4 (5) -imidazolecarboxamide (abreviated as AICA; in this paper, separate analyses for the riboside forms were not attempted, and hence AICA and AICA-riboside will be presented as total AICA) in a shaking culture medium by Escherichia coli strain B. The accumulation of non-acetylatable, diazotizable amines was accomplished by the addition of 0.01% of sulfadiazine, 0.2% of glucose, and 2% of peptone in the medium for sixteen hours at 30°C. E coli strain B was able to accumulate the amines in the pepton medium, even when glucose and the sulfonamide inhibtor were omitted. Although paper chromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses proved the accumulation of AICA and AICA-riboside by E. coli train B in the medium, another substance colored by the Bratton and Marshall method was also accumulated.
The Effect of Turbulence on Mixing in Prototype Reaction-Diffusion Systems

The effect of turbulence on mixing in prototype reaction-diffusion systems is analyzed here in the special situation where the turbulence is modeled ideally with two separated scales consisting of a large-scale mean flow plus a small-scale spatiotemporal periodic flow. In the limit of fast reaction and slow diffusion, it is rigorously proved that the turbulence does not contribute to the location of the mixing zone in the limit and that this mixing zone location is determined solely by advection of the large-scale velocity field. This surprising result contrasts strongly with earlier work of the authors that always yields a large-scale propagation speed enhanced by small-scale turbulence for propagating fronts. The mathematical reasons for these differences are pointed out. This main theorem rigorously justifies the limit equilibrium approximations utilized in nonpremixed turbulent diffusion flames and condensation-evaporation modeling in cloud physics in the fast reaction limit. The subtle nature of this result is emphasized by explicit examples presented in the fast reaction and zero-diffusion limit with a nontrivial effect of turbulence on mixing in the limit. The situation with slow reaction and slow diffusion is also studied in the present work. Here the strong stirring by turbulence before significant reaction occurs necessarily leads to a homogenized limit with the strong mixing effects of turbulence expressed by a rigorous turbulent diffusivity modifying the reaction-diffusion equations. Physical examples from non-premixed turbulent combustion and cloud microphysics modeling are utilized throughout the paper to motivate and interpret the mathematical results. c 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hydrocarbons in the Sargasso Sea surface microlayer

Abstract Small particles of weathered pelagic tar are suggested as a major source of hydrocarbons found in surface microlayer and subsurface water samples collected in the Sargasso Sea.
Selective destruction of individual single walled carbon nanotubes by laser irradiation

Abstract We demonstrate selective burnout of individual carbon nanotubes that are electronically resonant with the incident laser energy. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy are used to quantify the burnout of nanotubes. The threshold laser power for rapid burnout is found to occur between 0.4 and 0.9 W/μm 2 . At lower laser powers of 80 mW/μm 2 , the burnout depends linearly on time, over tens of minutes. Non-resonant nanotubes could not be burned out even with high laser power or long exposure times. This preferential burnout of resonant nanotubes demonstrates the possibility of selective removal of metallic nanotubes from an inhomogeneous sample.
Estimate of absolute specific infectivity of wound tumor virus purified with polyethylene glycol.

Abstract Purification of wound tumor virus (WTV) was made simpler and quicker and a much greater proportion of active virions were obtained in the purified preparations of this labile virus by precipitating it with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 before using density gradient centrifugation. Adjustment of clarified extracts to pH 5.7 gave the best yield of total (active plus inactive) virus and the highest specific infectivity. An optimal NaCl concentration (0.3 m ) was important in obtaining good separation of the virus from host components during subsequent zonal density gradient centrifugation and maximal yields. NaCl at 0.2 m yielded purified virus of somewhat greater specific infectivity. Maximal yields of total virus were obtained with the use of 4% PEG for 2 hr although 3% PEG gave virus of about 1.5 times greater specific infeetivity. A histidine-MgCl 2 buffer solution for resuspending virus precipitated by PEG resulted in at least 50% greater total virus yields than did a glycine-MgCl 2 solution. WTV purified under the optimal conditions determined in this investigation yielded 3–5 times more total virus and at least 50 times more infective virus than did the standard method used previously. The purified virus had an absolute specific infectivity of about 25–30%, that is, it contained about 2 or 3 inactivated virions to each infective one. Purified preparations containing about 3 × 10 11 total virions per ml could be quick-frozen and stored at −80 ° for at least a year without detectable loss of infectivity.
Thrombolytic therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis: how much is enough?

Abstract Twenty-eight patients treated with thrombolytic therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis were monitored prospectively with non-invasive testing every 12–24 h during treatment to evaluate thrombus response and whether duration of therapy was appropriate. Some 75% (21 of 28) of patients demonstrated improvement with lytic therapy with 36% (10 of 28) demonstrating complete lysis; 95% of responders (20 of 21) initiated lysis within 24 h. Some 33% (7 of 21) of all responders and 64% (7 of 11) of those having partial lysis had treatment terminated during thombus resolution but before maximal lysis. Non-invasive testing indicated that thrombolytic therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis is frequently terminated before maximal lysis of the thrombus. Monitoring thrombus response with venous duplex imaging should be part of the treatment strategy of deep venous thrombosis if thrombolytic therapy is used. This approach should increase efficacy and potentially reduce complications of thrombolytic therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis.
Modeling current-programmed buck and boost regulators

A general small-signal model for current-programmed switching power stages is used for design-oriented analysis of a 150 W buck regulator and a 280 W boost regulator. The model, into which the current-programming minor feedback loop is absorbed, exposes the desired tendency towards 'constant' output current. The regulator voltage loop remains the only explicit feedback loop, allowing the regulator closed-loop properties to be easily obtained from those of the open-loop current-programmed power stage. The design-oriented analytic results allow easy inference of the effects of element changes on the regulator performance functions. Results are obtained for the regulator line-to-output transfer function (audio susceptibility) and output impedance. >
Resonantly enhanced, three-photon ionization of Xe: Optically pumped rare-gas laser

Three-photon ionization of xenon, resonantly enhanced by the $\mathrm{Xe}6p{[\frac{1}{2}]}_{0}$ state at 80 119 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is observed when a xenon atom simultaneously absorbs one ArF (51733-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) and two XeF (28 482-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) photons. For ArF and XeF laser intensities in the 1-100-MW ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ range, the peak electron density is more than an order-of-magnitude larger than that obtainable by the nonresonant, two-photon ionization of Xe by ArF. The spontaneous radiative lifetime of the $6p{[\frac{1}{2}]}_{0}$ level and the rate constant for quenching of the state by background Xe atoms were measured to be 29\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 ns and 4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, respectively. Excitation of the $6p{[\frac{1}{2}]}_{0}$ state is both selective and intense and has resulted in lasing on the $6p{[\frac{1}{2}]}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6s{[\frac{3}{2}]}_{1}$ transition at 828.0 nm, which represents the first optically pumped rare-gas laser.
Skin-related quality of life in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Background:The overall health status and survival of HIV-infected patients has changed with the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). With this improved survival, there is a great...
Blood in the Village: A Local-Level Investigation of State Massacres

Although policymakers, NGOs, and academics have all expressed interest in accounting for mass killing, it is still unclear why states perpetrate massacres against their citizens. The present article identifies how strategic incentives can motivate states to commit massacres in particular settings. The article contends that massacres are committed to pursue two strategic goals: threat removal and projecting state control over territory. This theory is tested using local-level data from Guatemala’s Commission for Historical Clarification. The results have significant implications for how we understand as well as attempt to reduce mass killing.
Blending foundry sands with soil: Effect on dehydrogenase activity

Each year U.S. foundries landfill several million tons of sand that can no longer be used to make metalcasting molds and cores. A possible use for these materials is as an ingredient in manufactured soils; however, potentially harmful metals and resin binders (used to make cores) may adversely impact the soil microbial community. In this study, the dehydrogenase activity (DHA) of soil amended with molding sand (clay-coated sand known as "green sand") or core sands at 10%, 30%, and 50% (dry wt.) was determined. The green sands were obtained from iron, aluminum, and brass foundries; the core sands were made with phenol-formaldehyde or furfuryl alcohol based resins. Overall, incremental additions of these sands resulted in a decrease in the DHA which lasted throughout the 12-week experimental period. A brass green sand, which contained high concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn, severely impacted the DHA. By week 12 no DHA was detected in the 30% and 50% treatments. In contrast, the DHA in soil amended with an aluminum green sand was 2.1 times higher (all blending ratios), on average, at week 4 and 1.4 times greater (30% and 50% treatments only) than the controls by week 12. In core sand-amended soil, the DHA results were similar to soils amended with aluminum and iron green sands. Increased activity in some treatments may be a result of the soil microorganisms utilizing the core resins as a carbon source. The DHA assay is a sensitive indicator of environmental stress caused by foundry sand constituents and may be useful to assess which foundry sands are suitable for beneficial use in the environment.
TH-C-144-02: Experimental Study of Discrete Prompt Gamma Lines for In-Vivo Proton Range Verification

Purpose: A novel method for in vivo proton beam range verification is presented, using energy‐resolvable proton‐induced prompt gamma lines. Methods: Prompt gamma‐rays emitted near the end‐of‐range of a clinical proton beam originate from transitions between the lower states of excited nuclear reaction products. We developed a prompt gamma‐ray detection system with the aim of resolving the resulting discrete gamma lines. The ability to quantify the strength of these lines can provide valuable information for in vivo range verification: known cross sections may be used as prior knowledge, and uncertainties resulting from differences in tissue composition could be reduced. A LaBr3:Ce scintillation detector was used, which provides high energy resolution. The pulses from the photomultiplier tube were acquired with analog‐to‐digital converters at high sampling rates, synchronized to the cyclotron radiofrequency to separate the quasi‐continuous neutron‐induced background from the prompt gamma signals of interest. Results: Preliminary measurements were performed with a 150 MeV proton pencil‐beam targeted on the center of a water phantom with a 15 cm diameter. A 1 cm lead slit collimator was used perpendicular to the beam direction, centered at the end‐of‐range. The acquired gamma spectra show the 6.13 MeV gamma line from oxygen‐16, and its escape peak, can be clearly resolved with an energy resolution of ∼1% FWHM. Conclusion: Our results show the feasibility of measuring discrete prompt gamma lines using a practical detection system. These gamma lines can be attributed to specific nuclear reactions with established properties, potentially enabling accurate proton range verification using a small number of measurement points. Experiments with different collimators and proton energies are currently being performed to determine an optimal configuration for range verification.
Mobility-based communication in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are proposed to deliver in situ observations at low cost over long periods of time. Among numerous challenges faced while designing WSNs and protocols, maintaining connectivity and maximizing the network lifetime stand out as critical considerations. Mobile platforms equipped with communication devices can be leveraged to overcome these two problems. In this article existing proposals that use mobility in WSNs are summarized. Furthermore, a new approach to compute mobile platform trajectories is introduced. These solutions are also compared considering various metrics and design goals.
The Role of Amine Surface Density in Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on Functionalized Mixed Oxide Surfaces

Supported amines are considered as adsorbents to replace aqueous amines for carbon capture and for CO(2) capture/conversion into chemicals. Here, amines are grafted to SiO(2) or Ti-SiO(2) by using aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) or (3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-tert-butylcarbamate (TESPtBC) and then removing the carbamate group introduced by the latter by mild heating to 'deprotect' the amine. Structures are verified by using (13) C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy, acid titration, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. Diffuse reflectance UV/Visible spectroscopy shows that amines from APTES coordinate directly to Ti cations, whereas Ti cations remain coordinatively unsaturated after grafting of TESPtBC and deprotection. CO(2) chemisorption is studied as a function of amine precursor, average surface density, and the presence of Ti. CO(2) uptake increases from <0.02 CO(2) per amine for as-synthesized TESPtBC materials to only approximately 0.05 CO(2) per amine for the isolated amines present after deprotection. In contrast, clustered amines from APTES chemisorb up to approximately 0.35 CO(2) per amine. Cooperative ammonium carbamates form preferentially above an apparent local density of 0.6 amines per nm(2) from APTES, but do not form even up to 0.9 amines per nm(2) for TESPtBC-derived materials. This suggests that the true local surface density form APTES is underestimated by as much as 150 %. CO(2) uptake falls to <0.01 CO(2) per amine for ATPES on TiSiO(2), but uptake is less affected for the 'protected' TESPtBC precursor. These results show that TESPtBC may be a viable precursor for applications in acid-base cooperative CO(2) conversion catalysts, and that variation in the local amine surface density and the chemistry of the underlying support may account for some of the large variability in reported CO(2) capacities of supported amine materials in literature.
Foals are interferon gamma-deficient at birth

The increased vulnerability of foals to specific pathogens such as Rhodococcus equi is believed to reflect an innate immunodeficiency, the nature of which remains poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that neonates of many species fail to mount potent Th1 responses. The current research investigates the ability of circulating and pulmonary lymphocytes of developing foals to produce interferon gamma (IFNgamma). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were prepared from up to 10 horse foals at regular intervals throughout the first 6 months of life. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were collected at 1, 3 or 6 months of age from three groups of five foals. The PBMC and BAL cells were stimulated in vitro and IFNgamma production was measured by intracellular staining. In addition, RNA was extracted from freshly isolated and in vitro stimulated PBMC and BAL cells for quantitation of IFNgamma gene expression by real time PCR. Newborn foals exhibited a marked inability to express the IFNgamma gene and produce IFNgamma protein. This deficiency was observed in both circulating and pulmonary lymphocytes. However, IFNgamma gene expression and protein production increased steadily throughout the first 6 months of life, reaching adult levels within the first year of life. These findings suggest that foals are born with an inherent inability to mount a Th1-based cell mediated immune response which may contribute to their susceptibility to intracellular pathogens.
Structural design, analysis, and performance evaluation of a new semi-direct drive robot arm: theory and experiment

This paper reports the mechanical design, structural analysis, and experimental verification of a new high-performance semi-direct drive robot arm. A design-optimization methodology employing finite element analysis (FEA) is reviewed, and a resulting arm design is reported. FEA simulations of the final design predict high structural vibration frequencies throughout the arms workspace. Extensive structural vibration experiments with the completed manipulator confirm the predicted structural vibration characteristics throughout the arm's workspace. Position-tracking experiments show that the manipulator accurately tracks fast time-varying reference trajectories-peak tip velocities greater than 6 m/s and peak tip accelerations greater than 7 g.
Acute bacterial meningitis in infants and children

Bacterial meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates and children throughout the world. The introduction of the protein conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis has changed the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis. Suspected bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and needs empirical antimicrobial treatment without delay, but recognition of pathogens with increasing resistance to antimicrobial drugs is an important factor in the selection of empirical antimicrobial regimens. At present, strategies to prevent and treat bacterial meningitis are compromised by incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis. Further research on meningitis pathogenesis is thus needed. This Review summarises information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, new diagnostic methods, empirical antimicrobial regimens, and adjunctive treatment of acute bacterial meningitis in infants and children.
Adipocyte-derived serum amyloid A3 and hyaluronan play a role in monocyte recruitment and adhesion

Obesity is characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy and macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a role in macrophage recruitment into adipose tissue. However, other adipocyte-derived factors, e.g., hyaluronan and serum amyloid A (SAA), can facilitate monocyte adhesion and chemotaxis, respectively. The objective was to test the potential involvement of these factors in macrophage recruitment. Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes made hypertrophic by growth in high glucose conditions were used to study SAA and hyaluronan regulation in vitro. Two mouse models of obesity were used to study their expression in vivo. Nuclear factor-κB was upregulated and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)γ was downregulated in hypertrophic 3T3-L1 cells, with increased expression of SAA3 and increased hyaluronan production. Rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, reversed these changes. Hypertrophic adipocytes demonstrated overexpression of SAA3 and hyaluronan synthase 2 in vitro and in vivo in diet-induced and genetic obesity. SAA and hyaluronan existed as part of a complex matrix that increased the adhesion and retention of monocytes. This complex, purified by binding to a biotinylated hyaluronan binding protein affinity column, also showed monocyte chemotactic activity, which was dependent on the presence of SAA3 and hyaluronan but independent of MCP-1. We hypothesize that adipocyte hypertrophy leads to increased production of SAA and hyaluronan, which act in concert to recruit and retain monocytes, thereby leading to local inflammation in adipose tissue.
Gestural musical improvisation and programming

We present a human-centered gestural system for musical improvisation, MIND. We demonstrate the relationship between music composition and programming. Preliminary field data from contextual inquiries in an elderly care setting suggest that the MIND system would be accessible to this population. A benefit of the system is the multimodal interaction technique through the invisible interface.
Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and rough sets for decomposition and analysis of cortical evoked potentials

Signal decomposition techniques prove to be useful in the analysis of neural activity, as they allow for identification of supposedly distinct neuronal structures (i.e., sources of activity). Applied to measurements of brain activity in a controlled setting as well as under exposure to an external stimulus, they allow for analysis of the impact of the stimulus on those structures. The link between the stimulus and a given source can be confirmed by a classifier that is able to "predict" if a given signal was registered under one or the other condition, solely based on the components. Very often, however, statistical criteria used in traditional decomposition techniques turn out to be insufficient to build an accurate classifier. Therefore, we propose to utilize a novel hybrid technique based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEA) and rough sets (RS) that will perform decomposition in the light of the classification problem itself.
Testing Mixture Models of Transitive Preference: Comment on Regenwetter, Dana, and Davis-Stober (2011)

This article contrasts 2 approaches to analyzing transitivity of preference and other behavioral properties in choice data. The approach of Regenwetter, Dana, and Davis-Stober (see record 2011-00732-003) assumes that on each choice, a decision maker samples randomly from a mixture of preference orders to determine whether A is preferred to B. In contrast, Birnbaum and Gutierrez (2007) assumed that within each block of trials, the decision maker has a true set of preferences and that random errors generate variability of response. In this latter approach, preferences are allowed to differ between people; within-person, they might differ between repetition blocks. Both approaches allow mixtures of preferences, both assume a type of independence, and both yield statistical tests. They differ with respect to the locus of independence in the data. The approaches also differ in the criterion for assessing the success of the models. Regenwetter et al. fitted only marginal choice proportions and assumed that choices are independent, which means that a mixture cannot be identified from the data. Birnbaum and Gutierrez fitted choice combinations with replications; their approach allows estimation of the probabilities in the mixture. It is suggested that researchers should separate tests of the stochastic model from the test of transitivity. Evidence testing independence and stationarity assumptions is presented. Available data appear to fit the assumption that errors are independent better than they fit the assumption that choices are independent.
Numerical Analysis of Laminar Mixed Convection in a Lid Driven Square Cavity With an Isothermally Heated Square Internal Blockage

Laminar mixed convection characteristics in a square cavity with an isothermally heated square blockage inside have been investigated numerically using the finite volume method of the ANSYS FLUENT commercial CFD code. Various different blockage sizes and concentric and eccentric placement of the blockage inside the cavity have been considered. The blockage is maintained at a hot temperature, Th, and four surfaces of the cavity (including the lid) are maintained at a cold temperature, Tc, under all circumstances. The physical problem is represented mathematically by sets of governing conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy. The geometrical and flow parameters for the problem are the blockage ratio (B), the blockage placement eccentricities (ex and ey), the Reynolds number (Re), the Grashof number (Gr), and the Richardson number (Ri). The flow and heat transfer behavior in the cavity for a range of Richardson number (0.01–100) at a fixed Reynolds number (100) and Prandtl number (0.71) is examined comprehensively. The variations of the average and local Nusselt number at the blockage surface at various Richardson numbers for different blockage sizes and placement eccentricities are presented. From the analysis of the mixed convection process, it is found that for any size of the blockage placed anywhere in the cavity, the average Nusselt number does not change significantly with increasing Richardson number until it approaches the value of the order of 1 beyond which the average Nusselt number increases rapidly with the Richardson number. For the central placement of the blockage at any fixed Richardson number, the average Nusselt number decreases with increasing blockage ratio and reaches a minimum at around a blockage ratio of slightly larger than 1/2. For further increase of the blockage ratio, the average Nusselt number increases again and becomes independent of the Richardson number. The most preferable heat transfer (based on the average Nusselt number) is obtained when the blockage is placed around the top left and the bottom right corners of the cavity.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Direct Computation of Jet Noise Produced by Large-Scale Axisymmetric Structures

A methodology is presented for directly calculating the noise emission associated with large-scale structures in a supersonic jet. The nonlinear governing equations are solved in a computational domain that encompasses both the jet e ow and the acoustic near e eld. A high-order discretization scheme is used along with careful boundary treatment to capture the disturbance e eld accurately. Nonlinear interactions among the various frequency modes of the e ow structure were found to alter the development of each mode and, hence, ine uence its radiation pattern. Comparingthecalculatedradiationpatterntoexperimentalobservationsindicatesthattheaxisymmetricstructure contributes preferentially in the forward direction, whereas the azimuthal structure is associated with a higher emission angle and with a stronger effect on jet spreading. Sensitivity of the radiated sound e eld to the type of incoming disturbances is studied.
Infections and Infestations

John Snow is remembered for his meticulous study of the 1854 cholera epidemic in Soho, England, culminating in his dramatic removal of the pump handle from the community well that he had deduced to be the source of the disease. Although we no longer see major cholera outbreaks—at least in the developed world—communicable diseases of various types are still with us. As we consider the stories of the various infectious diseases, we should remind ourselves that many more lives have been saved by the introduction of proper hygienic measures, such as hand washing and the development of pure drinking water, than by all the antibiotics ever administered to humankind.
Strike-parallel variations in clay minerals and fault vergence in the Cascadia subduction zone

Clay minerals probably affect the zonation of mechanical properties within a thick unit of abyssal-plain deposits as they enter the Cascadia subduction zone. Landward- vergent thrust faults develop above a deeper decollement because smectite-rich mudrocks within that corridor release more water during clay dehydration, which in turn elevates pore pressure and reduces basal shear stress relative to wedge strength. Conversely, di- lution of smectite by illite and chlorite increases the frictional coefficient, and fluid over- pressure should drop where smectite dehydration is volumetrically reduced. Thus, thrust faults within chlorite-rich segments of the margin are seaward vergent.
Effective web-scale crawling through website analysis

The web crawler space is often delimited into two general areas: full-web crawling and focused crawling. We present netSifter, a crawler system which integrates features from these two areas to provide an effective mechanism for web-scale crawling. netSifter utilizes a combination of page-level analytics and heuristics which are applied to a sample of web pages from a given website. These algorithms score individual web pages to determine the general utility of the overall website. In doing so, netSifter can formulate an in-depth opinion of a website (and the entirety of its web pages) with a relative minimum of work. netSifter is then able to bias the future efforts of its crawl towards higher quality websites, and away from the myriad of low quality websites and crawler traps that litter the World Wide Web.
What to teach? What is learned? Astronomy as an amalgam of new and old

The tension between contemporary astronomy and traditional topics as subjects for general astronomy courses or fundamental science courses is healthy, but one must worry if either type crowds out the other. Too often only topics understood hundreds of thousands of years ago (such as gravity, tides, phases, and seasons) take up such a large fraction of the astronomy content that few or none of the fascinating and important discoveries of recent centuries not to mention recent years or months are included. I discuss aspects of this problem. Including topics of contemporary interest often motivates students to concentrate their attention and study time on the entire range of topics in the course. Practitioners of the new field of Astronomy Education Research seem often to attack their subject in perpendicular fashion to the methods of practitioners of communicating astronomy to the public. I also discuss some of the content of our International Astronomical Union's Commission on Education and Development's special session from 2003 on Effective Teaching and Learning of Astronomy , and of the forthcoming volume of the same title to be published by Cambridge University Press. I further discuss the role of inspiring events, such as George Ellery Hale's inspiration from the 1882 transit of Venus and the potential from the widespread observation of the 2004 transit of Venus and of solar eclipses.
Response of Broiler Chicks to a Single Dose of Aflatoxin

Abstract 270, day-old broiler chicks (Peterson×Peterson) were divided into 5 groups of 54 birds. Each group was composed of 27 males and 27 females. The five groups of birds received crude aflatoxin administered directly into the gizzard, in doses of 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 mg./kg. body weight, respectively of aflatoxin B1 equivalents. The experiment lasted for 46 days, and the parameters tested were mean body weight gain, mean body weight/liver weight ratio and hepatic microscopic changes. Transitory growth suppression was observed in male chicks receiving 3.2 mg./kg. of the toxin on day 4 and 11, but this was overcome by day 32. The ratio of liver weight to body weight was decreased in birds receiving lower doses of toxin but increased, apparently as a result of congestion and hyperplasia, in birds receiving higher doses of aflatoxin. Two male chicks which received 3.2 mg./kg. of toxin died of icterus and massive necrosis of the liver. The chief microscopic changes observed in the livers of chicks given toxin were hepatic cell degeneration, bile-duct hyperplasia and focal lymphoid nodules. By day 46, chicks in the 3.2 mg./kg. group had no detectable lesions, but livers in the 1.6 and 0.8 mg./kg. groups showed mild residual bile-duct hyperplasia.
Minimum variance beamforming in low-rank interference

We derive methods for linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamforming in low-rank interference. A closed-form expression for all optimal beamformers is derived and minimum-norm and projection beamformers are proposed. In addition to constructing optimal beamformers for a given interference model, we also investigate beamformer optimality under different interference scenarios.
Team Building in the Classroom: Preparing Students for Their Organizational Future:

Group class exercises have the potential to provide important lessons for students. However, in completing these exercises, business students may not be getting all of the benefits from group work that a team experience could provide. The challenge to business educators is to provide a meaningful team experience within the limitations presented by the class environment. This article describes organizational communication and marketing classes that applied team formation and team-building exercises to enrich the team experience and differentiate it from typical group work.
Information Variability Impacts in Auctions

A wide variety of auction models exhibit close relationships between expected revenue and the second-highest order statistic of bidders' expected asset values. Similarly close relationships between the winner's expected profit and the expected difference between the highest and second-highest order statistics of bidders' information are also common. We use stochastic orderings to see when greater environmental variability of bidders' information enhances expected profit and expected revenue.
Tensile characterization of glass FRP bars

The characterization of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars for concrete reinforcement is necessary for design purposes as required by structural engineers, and for quality control/optimization purposes as required by bar manufacturers. This paper reports on a test protocol and the results obtained from a replicated experiment intended to yield a statistically valid estimate of the distribution of tensile strength in FRP bars. Four selected types of glass FRP (GFRP) bars with the same diameter were tested. In total, 32 bars from the same manufacturer were investigated. Instead of a polymeric resin-based anchor, a steel pipe filled with expansive cementitious grout was used as the end restrainer. An experiment based on a randomized complete block design was carried out to obtain data for statistical analysis. The analysis was carried out using a commercially available data analysis software program. This research project indicates that the suggested test procedure provides reliable data for tensile characterization and confirms that a Gaussian distribution can represent the tensile strength of the GFRP bars as tested.
Thermoplastic Elastomers Derived from Menthide and Tulipalin A

Renewable ABA triblock copolymers were prepared by sequential polymerization of the plant-based monomers menthide and α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (MBL or tulipalin A). Ring-opening transesterification polymerization of menthide using diethylene glycol as an initiator gave α,ω-dihydroxy poly(menthide) (HO-PM-OH), which was converted to α,ω-dibromo end-functionalized poly(menthide) (Br-PM-Br) by esterification with excess 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. The resulting 100 kg mol–1 Br-PM-Br macroinitiator was used for the atom transfer radical polymerization of MBL. Four poly(α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone)-b-poly(menthide)-b-poly(α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone) (PMBL-PM-PMBL) triblock copolymers were prepared containing 6–20 wt % PMBL, as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Small-angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and atomic force microscopy experiments supported microphase separation in the four samples. The mechanical behavior of the triblocks was investigated by tensile and elastic recovery exper...
Noise from Aft Deck Exhaust Nozzles: Differences in Experimental Embodiments

Two embodiments of a rectangular nozzle on an aft deck are compared. In one embodiment the lower lip of the nozzle was extended with the sidewalls becoming triangles. In a second embodiment a rectangular nozzle was fitted with a surface that fit flush to the lower lip and extended outward from the sides of the nozzle, approximating a semi-infinite plane. For the purpose of scale-model testing, making the aft deck an integral part of the nozzle is possible for relatively short deck lengths, but a separate plate model is more flexible, accounts for the expanse of deck to the sides of the nozzle, and allows the nozzle to stand off from the deck. Both embodiments were tested and acoustic far-field results were compared. In both embodiments the extended deck introduces a new noise source, but the amplitude of the new source was dependent upon the span (cross-stream dimension) of the aft deck. The noise increased with deck length (streamwise dimension), and in the case of the beveled nozzle it increased with increasing aspect ratio. In previous studies of slot jets in wings it was noted that the increased noise from the extended aft deck appears as a dipole at the aft deck trailing edge, an acoustic source type with different dependence on velocity than jet mixing noise. The extraneous noise produced by the aft deck in the present studies also shows this behavior both in directivity and in velocity scaling.