cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations of annual ambient PM2.5 components with DNAm PhenoAge acceleration in elderly men: The Normative Aging Study.

Abstract Current studies indicate that long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is related with global mortality, yet no studies have explored relationships of PM2.5 and its species with DNAm PhenoAge acceleration (DNAmPhenoAccel), a new epigenetic biomarker of phenotypic age. We identified which PM2.5 species had association with DNAmPhenoAccel in a one-year exposure window in a longitudinal cohort. We collected whole blood samples from 683 elderly men in the Normative Aging Study between 1999 and 2013 (n = 1254 visits). DNAm PhenoAge was calculated using 513 CpGs retrieved from the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Daily concentrations of PM2.5 species were measured at a fixed air-quality monitoring site and one-year moving averages were computed. Linear mixed-effect (LME) regression and Bayesian kernel machine (BKM) regression were used to estimate the associations. The covariates included chronological age, body mass index (BMI), cigarette pack years, smoking status, estimated cell types, batch effects etc. Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate at a 5% false positive threshold was used to adjust for multiple comparison. During the study period, the mean DNAm PhenoAge and chronological age in our subjects were 68 and 73 years old, respectively. Using LME model, only lead and calcium were significantly associated with DNAmPhenoAccel. For example, an interquartile range (IQR, 0.0011 μg/m3) increase in lead was associated with a 1.29-year [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47, 2.11] increase in DNAmPhenoAccel. Using BKM model, we selected PM2.5, lead, and silicon to be predictors for DNAmPhenoAccel. A subsequent LME model showed that only lead had significant effect on DNAmPhenoAccel: 1.45-year (95% CI: 0.46, 2.46) increase in DNAmPhenoAccel following an IQR increase in one-year lead. This is the first study that investigates long-term effects of PM2.5 components on DNAmPhenoAccel. The results demonstrate that lead and calcium contained in PM2.5 was robustly associated with DNAmPhenoAccel.
Ames Research Center Life Sciences Payload Project for Spacelab Mission 3

The Research Animal Holding Facility, developed to support rodent and squirrel monkey animal husbandry in the Spacelab environment, is to be tested during the Spacelab Mission 3 flight. The configuration and function of the payload hardware elements, the assembly and test program, the operational rationale, and the scientific approach of this mission are examined. Topics covered include animal life support systems, the squirrel monkey restraint, the camera-mirror system, the dynamic environment measurement system, the biotelemetry system, and the ground support equipment. Consideration is also given to animal pretests, loading the animals during their 12 hour light cycle, and animal early recovery after landing. This mission will be the first time that relatively large samples of monkeys and rats will be flown in space and also cared for and observed by man.
Temperature Compensation Schemes for In-Memory Computing using Phase-Change Memory

The explosive growth in data-centric artificial intelligence related applications necessitates exploration of non-von Neumann computing paradigms such as in-memory computing. The ability to perform certain computational tasks within the memory unit will reduce dramatically the time and energy that is spent into shuttling the data from the memory to the processing unit. However, the nanoscale resistive memory devices that are useful for these technologies suffer from non-ideal characteristics. In this work we deal with the computational precision loss due to the strong and inhomogeneous temperature dependence of resistive devices and in particular phase-change memory. We describe a temperature compensation method that applies to resistive crossbar arrays and its realization as a peripheral circuit. We derive array-level temperature compensation functions that are remarkably effective for projected phase-change memory devices. We simulate the system and experimentally validate its efficacy in the task of matrix-vector multiplications. The computational precision is found to be equivalent to an 8-bit multiplier at elevated temperatures.
A Personal Salutation to a Dear Friend, Robert F. Lusch

This manuscript is a personal tribute to a dear friend, a leading marketing researcher, theorist, scholar and educator of our time, Robert F. Lusch. For many, professionalism, leadership, conceptua...
What is a Healthy Body? A Biodemographer’s View

A formal definition of disease defines by its absence, a formal definition of health. This may have been a productive concept in the early twentieth century when many of the diseases we faced were acute and fatal, but in today’s world it’s evident that how we define disease and disability—and by extension, a healthy body—should be determined not just by the presence of a disease, but also by how any given disease influences physical and psychological functioning. Complicating the definition of a healthy body is a set of events we willingly brought on ourselves—life extension caused by advances in public health and medicine, and population aging caused by lower fertility and declining old-age mortality. Technology has managed to transform many conditions that in previous generations would have been either completely debilitating or fatal, into little more than nuisances that are often no longer perceived. A biodemographic perspective of the definition of a healthy body is one based on a more complete understanding of the various ways in which humans adapt to inevitable changes in our bodies that occur with the passage of time.
Vitamin D in Toddlers, Preschool Children, and Adolescents.

Background: Vitamin D supplementation is known to both prevent and treat rickets, a disease of hypomineralized bone. Childhood is a period of great bone development and, therefore, attention to the vitamin D needed to optimize bone health in childhood is imperative. Summary: Observational studies have pointed to a vitamin D status, as indicated by a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, of 50 nmol/L to ensure avoidance of rickets and of 75 nmol/L to optimize health. However, the benefits of achieving these levels of vitamin D status are less evident when pediatric randomized, controlled trials are performed. In fact, no specific pediatric vitamin D supplementation has been established by the existing evidence. Yet, study of vitamin D physiology continues to uncover further potential benefits to vitamin D sufficiency. This disconnection between vitamin D function and trials of supplementation has led to new paths of investigation, including establishment of the best method to measure vitamin D status, examination of genetic variation in vitamin D metabolism, and consideration that vitamin D status is a marker of another variable, such as physical activity, and its association with bone health. Nevertheless, vitamin D supplementation in the range of 10–50 μg/day appears to be safe for children and remains a promising intervention that may yet be supported by clinical trials as a method to optimize pediatric health. Key Message: Pediatric vitamin D status is associated with avoidance of rickets. Randomized, controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation for pediatric bone health are limited and equivocal in their results. Beyond bone, decreased risk for autoimmune, infectious, and allergic diseases has been associated with higher vitamin D status. The specific vitamin D supplementation to optimize toddler, child, and adolescent outcomes is unknown, but doses 10–50 μg/day are safe and may be beneficial.
Brief of Professor Kevin Lapp, et. al., as Amici Curiae in Support of Rehearing en banc, C.J.L.G. v. Sessions, No. 16-73801

This brief explains how the 9th Circuit panel opinion in CJLG v. Sessions refusing to recognize a right to appointed counsel for juvenile respondents in removal (deportation) proceedings creates an anomaly in the legal landscape for juvenile litigants. It argues that the same fairness concerns that have led state and federal courts and legislatures to provide juvenile litigants with appointed counsel in various civil proceedings (some of which do not involve the dire consequences of deportation, and some of which are not even adversarial) demand appointed counsel for juveniles in immigration removal proceedings.
Integrating transit systems with ride-sourcing services: A study on the system users’ stochastic equilibrium problem

Abstract Ride-sourcing services are continuously gaining popularity among urban travelers. Due to their flexibility and responsiveness, transit agencies spot chances of collaborating with Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) in order to improve service quality, promote transit usage, and meanwhile lower their operational cost. In this paper, we studied an integrated transit system where ride-sourcing services complement the transit service as an efficient and economical access mode. The users of the integrated system consist of not only transit riders but also drivers for TNCs. Riders maximize their utilities by choosing whether and how to use the integrated system, and drivers maximize their payoffs by deciding how to serve riders. More importantly, in this two-sided system, their decisions are unfolded to each other and mutually influence one another such that an equilibrium is reached where no one can improve their outcome. We modeled the stochastic mode choice of riders and zone choice of drivers and captured the interactive attributes in a fixed-point problem. The existence of such an equilibrium was proved, and an iterative solution algorithm that utilizes network algorithms was proposed to find an equilibrium pattern of the stochastic demand-supply problem. A real-world case study using the Twin Cities’ data was carried out, and insights into the mechanism of the integrated transit system were developed. Various aspects of the system including user perception, demand estimation, pricing strategy, and subsidy strategy were investigated through the proposed model. These research outcomes contribute to a better comprehension of this promising mobility system and provide valuable knowledge on the planning and design of such systems.
Uncovering a Role for SK2 in Angelman Syndrome

Angelman syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in UBE3A. Sun et al. (2015) report SK2 as a UBE3A substrate and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that might underlie impaired neuronal function in individuals affected by Angelman syndrome.
Role of Electric Field, Defects and Radiation Damage in Determining Reliability in AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors are gaining commercial acceptance for use in high power and high frequency applications, but the degradation mechanisms that drive failure in the devices are not completely understood. Since some of these mechanisms are current or field driven, reliability studies must go beyond the typical Arrhenius accelerated life tests. In this chapter we summarize recent work on electric field or current driven degradation in devices with different gate metallization, device dimensions, electric field mitigation techniques (such as source field plates), and the effect of defects either already present or introduced by exposure to ionizing radiation. Some of the mechanisms now established include gate or Ohmic metal reaction, hot carrier trap generation, stress-induced crack generation and oxidation reactions involving the AlGaN layer.
Modeling and recovering non-transitive pairwise comparison matrices

Pairwise comparison matrices arise in numerous applications including collaborative filtering, elections, economic exchanges, etc. In this paper, we propose a new low-rank model for pairwise comparison matrices that accommodates non-transitive pairwise comparisons. Based on this model, we consider the regime where one has limited observations of a pairwise comparison matrix and wants to reconstruct the whole matrix from these observations using matrix completion. To do this, we adopt a recently developed alternating minimization algorithm to this particular matrix completion problem and derive a theoretical guarantee for its performance. Numerical simulations using synthetic data support our proposed approach.
Nodulation of Glycine max by Six Bradyrhizobium japonicum Strains with Different Competitive Abilities.

The root nodule locations of six Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains were examined to determine if there were any differences which might explain their varying competitiveness for nodule occupancy on Glycine max. When five strains were added to soybeans in plastic growth pouches in equal proportions with a reference strain (U.S. Department of Agriculture, strain 110), North Carolina strain 1028 and strain 110 were the most competitive for nodule occupancy, followed by U.S. Department of Agriculture strains 122, 76, and 31 and Brazil strain 587. Among all strains, nodule double occupancy was 17% at a high inoculum level (10 CFU pouch) and 2% at a low inoculum level (10 CFU pouch). The less competitive strains increased their nodule representation by an increase in the doubly occupied nodules at the high inoculum level. Among all strains, the number of taproot and lateral root nodules was inversely related at both the high and low inoculum levels (r = -0.62 and -0.69, respectively; P = 0.0001). This inverse relationship appeared to be a result of the plant host control of bacterial infection. Among each of the six strains, greater than 95% of the taproot nodules formed at the high inoculum density were located on 25% of the taproot length, the nodules centering on the position of the root tip at the time of inoculation. No differences among the six strains were observed in nodule initiation rates as measured by taproot nodule position. Taproot nodules were formed in the symbiosis before lateral root nodules. One of the poorly competitive strains (strain 76) occupied three times as many taproot nodules as lateral root nodules when competing with strain 110 (nodules were harvested from 4-week-old plants). Among these six wild-type strains of B. japonicum, competitive ability evidently is not related to nodule initiation rates.
Cruveilhier-Baumgarten Syndrome: Report Of Case

Summary An example of the Cruveilhier-B aumgarten syndrome has been presented with a sound tracing of the murmur and a photograph showing the collateral circulation in the anterior abdominal wall. Although this condition is largely a medical curiosity it is well for one to be aware of this manifestation of extensive collateral circulation in the abdominal wall as there is increased danger of hemorrhage in doing paracentesis, peritoneoscopy, or biopsy of the liver in a patient with this condition.
Specifications of a knowledge-based environment for VLSI system architectural design

Specifications for the development of a knowledge-based environment (SHEDIO) for VLSI system architectural design are discussed. The SHEDIO environment is a multilevel frame that evaluates and optimizes the topology of the components that compose a digital system by examining a predefined set of algorithms, which the system must execute efficiently. The SHEDIO environment attempts to minimize the length of the connections among the system components, and at the same time, minimize the occupied chip area by optimizing the placement of the system components. >
Action of Testosterone and Prolactin on the Corpora Lutea of the Rat.

SummaryThe administration of testosterone to rats, provided the initial injection is given during late estrus, leads to an enhanced and prolonged function of the corpora lutea, so that deciduomata can be produced by trauma tization of the uterus. The minimal total dosage necessary to produce this effect is between 2.5 and 5.0 mg, given over a period of 10 days. If it is increased to 20 mg there is, in addition, a marked hypertrophy of the corpora lutea cells, similar to that of normal pregnancy.A similar administration of prolactin in total dosages of from 600 to 2400 I.U. produces active corpora lutea, as shown by deciduoma formation, but there occurs no hypertrophy of the luteal cells.
Three-particle correlations from PHENIX to investigate the properties of the QGP at RHIC

There is now a consensus of opinion that in heavy ion collisions at RHIC energies a strongly interacting state of matter resembling a near-perfect liquid (termed sQGP) is formed. Attention is now being focused on elucidating the properties of this medium e.g. size, shape, collectivity, viscosity, closeness to the critical point etc. In this work we describe the efforts in the soft and hard sectors to quantify these properties. In particular, the study of jet-medium interactions are described via correlation based studies. Details of three particle correlation studies of RHIC data will be discussed. Such studies are important as they provide an avenue for estimates of the viscosity and the sound speed of the medium.
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Peruvian Andean hispanics: The PREVENCION study

Data regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MTS) in Andean populations are limited. We evaluated the prevalence of MTS according to American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute criteria among 1878 subjects in the PREVENCION study in Peru. In women, the most common component was low HDL cholesterol (60.9%) followed by abdominal obesity (36.9%). In men, the most common component was elevated triglycerides (52.0%) followed by low HDL cholesterol (32.5%), whereas the prevalence of abdominal obesity was 14%. Abnormal fasting glucose was the least common component in men (5.4%) and women (5.0%). The prevalence of MTS was significantly higher in women compared to men (23.2% versus 14.3%) and increased steeply with age, particularly in women (p or=30kg/m2) instead of waist circumference as a component of the MTS lead to equivalent prevalence estimates of MTS in men but significantly underestimated the prevalence in women. The MTS is highly prevalent among Peruvian Andeans, particularly in older women. The pattern of MTS components in this Andean population is characterized by a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and a relatively low prevalence of elevated fasting glucose. Further studies are required to characterize genetic and environmental determinants of these patterns.
Podophyllotoxin and VP-16-213: a review of their divergent mechanisms of action

VP-16-213 (Etoposide), a semi-synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin, has been shown to be an effective antitumor agent in the treatment of lung cancer, a variety of leukemias, and other solid tumors. Although VP-16-213 and podophyllotoxin possess similar chemical structures, each drug expresses different biological properties. Structure-activity relationship studies have identified some of the chemical sites responsible for each of their biological properties and has offered insights into their respective mechanisms of action.
Metabolic bases of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption: a review

The classical "oxygen debt" hypothesis formulated by Hill and associates in the 1920s was an attempt to link the metabolism of lactic acid with the O2 consumption in excess of resting that occurs after exercise. The O2 debt was hypothesized to represent the oxidation of a minor fraction (1/5) of the lactate formed during exercise, to provide the energy to reconvert the remainder (4/5) of the lactate to glycogen during recovery. In 1933 Margaria et al. modified this hypothesis by distinguishing between initial, fast ("alactacid"), and second, slow ("lactacid"), O2-debt curve components. They hypothesized that the fast phase of the post-exercise O2 consumption curve was due to the restoration of phosphagen (ATP + CP). It is now probable that the original lactic acid explanation of the O2 debt was too simplistic. Numerous studies on several species have provided evidence demonstrating a dissociation between the kinetics of lactate removal and the slow component of the post-exercise VO2. The metabolism of lactate, a readily oxidizable substrate, following exercise appears to be directed primarily toward energy production in mitochondria. The elevated concentration of lactate present at the end of exercise may be viewed as a "reservoir of carbon," which may serve as a source of oxidative ATP production or as a source of carbon skeletons for the synthesis of glucose, glycogen, amino acids, and TCA cycle intermediates. The metabolic basis of the elevated post-exercise VO2 may be understood in terms of those factors which directly or indirectly influence mitochondrial O2 consumption. Included among these factors are catecholamines, thyroxine, glucocorticoids, fatty acids, calcium ions, and temperature. Of these, elevated temperature is perhaps the most important. As no complete explanation of the post-exercise metabolism exists, it is recommended that the term "O2 debt" be used to describe a set of phenomena during recovery from exercise. The terms "alactacid debt" and "lactacid debt," which suggest a mechanism, are inappropriate. Use of alternative terms, e.g., "excess post-exercise oxygen consumption" (EPOC) and "recovery O2," will avoid implication of causality in describing the elevation in metabolic rate above resting levels after exercise.
Nurse practitioner and physician communication styles.

No empirical studies of nurse-patient relationships have focused on interpersonal communication and its effects on patient outcomes. In this study, 124 provider-patient interactions of five nurse practitioners (NPs) and four physicians (PHYs) were audiotaped. Communication patterns were examined to determine whether the practitioner's predominant style was informational or controlling and whether style affected patient satisfaction and perceived autonomy support. All providers used predominantly informational styles of communication. Significant differences in communication styles existed between provider groups (F = 5.90, df = 1/8, p =.05) and among individual providers (F = 4.28, df = 8/123, p <.0001). All providers were more controlling in their communication patterns when attempting to make decisions and plan patient care. Examination of communication styles can help NPs develop the skills necessary to provide patient-centered care.
Pioneer ACO 3-Day SNF Waiver: CMS Offers Another Chance in a Shared Savings Model

Nearly 50 years ago, Medicare created a 3-day inpatient hospitalization requirement for the Medicare Part A eligibility of the post-acute care Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Benefit. The practice of Medicine in 1965 when the SNF benefit was created was completely different than care in today’s world. Multiple attempts at waiving this 3-day requirement have come and gone with variable and sometimes poor results. The original intent of the Health Care Financing Administrations’ (HCFA) 3-day requirement was to ensure appropriate utilization of resources for patients who truly needed skilled care in the post-hospitalization period. Inpatient hospitalizations in 1965 of greater than 3 days were the norm for a multitude of diagnoses that are now routinely cared for with less than 3-day inpatient hospitalizations and often even as an outpatient. Thus, with modernization of medicine, an increasing cohort of patients requiring SNF level of care are precluded from receiving this Medicare benefit due to inability to qualify for lack of a 3-day inpatient hospitalization. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a new 3-day waiver for Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations in April 2014. Presumably, in an arena of capitated payments, this will incentivize clinicians to send patients to the appropriate level of care based upon clinical assessment, thus avoiding costly and unnecessary hospitalizations.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Duocarmycin O-Amino Phenol Prodrugs Subject to Tunable Reductive Activation

A series of N-acyl O-amino derivatives of seco-CBI-indole(2) are reported and examined as prototypical members of a unique class of reductively activated (cleaved) prodrugs of the duocarmycin and CC-1065 family of antitumor agents. These prodrugs were designed to be potentially preferentially activated in hypoxic tumor environments which carry an intrinsically higher concentration of "reducing" nucleophiles (e.g., thiols) capable of activating such derivatives by nucleophilic cleavage of a weak N-O bond. A remarkable range of stabilities and a resulting direct correlation with in vitro/in vivo biological potencies was observed for these prodrugs, even enlisting subtle variations in the electronic and steric environment around the weak N-O bond. An in vivo evaluation of several of the prodrugs demonstrates that some approach the potency and exceed the efficacy of the free drug itself (CBI-indole(2)), suggesting the prodrugs may offer an additional advantage related to a controlled or targeted release.
A photochemical source of real alkylcarbenes

Abstract Treatment of 7,7-dibromodibenzo[a,c]bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane with di-tert-butylcuprate or dibutylcuprate, followed by quenching with water, led to exo- and endo-7-monoalkyldibenzo-[a,c]bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes. Photolysis through either quartz or Pyrex gave the products of intramolecular reactions of the corresponding alkylcarbenes. The temperature dependence of the products formed from tert-butylcarbene was verified, and butylcarbene was trapped intermolecularly.
Identification of two oligodeoxyribonucleotide binding proteins on plasma membranes of human cell lines

Abstract Two oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligodN) binding proteins of approximately 100–110 kDa were identified in the plasma membranes of human HL-60, HepG2, H1, and KB cells by a photolabeling technique. Solubilization of cellular membranes with a nonionic detergent did not interfere with the binding of these two proteins to oligodNs, and both proteins were susceptible to serine protease action. The binding affinities of these two proteins to oligodNs were found to be similar; Scatchard plot analysis revealed the K d for phosphodiester (PO) 21-mer oligodeoxycytidine to be 60 nM and binding sites numbered approximately 1.2 × 10 6 /cell for HepG2 cells. Both phosphorothioate (PS) and PO oligodNs could bind to these two proteins with the binding affinity for PS oligodNs being much stronger than that for PO oligodNs. The binding to oligodNs was affected by the ionic strength of the reaction. Dextran sulfate, tRNA, and double-stranded DNA inhibited the binding of oligodNs, whereas ATP, ADP, AMP, and TTP had no effect. Given their high affinity for oligodNs, these membrane proteins may play an important role in the action of oligodNs.
A Regenerable Calcium-Based Core-in-Shell Sorbent for Desulfurizing Hot Coal Gas

A regenerable calcium-based sorbent was prepared by pelletizing either powdered limestone or calcium sulfate hemihydrate and then coating the pellets with an optimum mixture of powdered alumina and limestone. The pellets were subsequently calcined and treated at high temperature to produce pellets with a calcium oxide core surrounded by a strong, inert porous shell. The crushing strength of the core-in-shell pellets was directly proportional to the shell thickness. The performance characteristics of the sorbent were determined by employing a thermogravimetric analysis system to measure the rate of reaction of individual pellets with small concentrations of H2S at high temperature. The reaction was rapid and directly proportional to H2S concentration. The reaction rate was not affected greatly by the thickness of the pellet shell or by temperature in the range of 840−920 °C. However, the rate was more rapid for hemihydrate-based pellets than for limestone-based pellets. The hemihydrate-based pellets also h...
Planetary Mission Capability of Small Low Power Solar Electric Propulsion Systems

There is currently a vigorous investigation underway of low-cost planetary missions using small, inexpensive spacecraft. In order to keep the total mission costs down either a medium class launch vehicle such as a Delta II or an intermediate class launch vehicle such as an Atlas IIA or Atlas IIAS would be required for these planetary missions.
Interleukin-1 in disease.

As outlined in this review, the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) mediates a number of pathological processes associated with disease. To prove a role for IL-1, a variety of modalities have been used to block the production and/or activity of IL-1. These include agents which inhibit or reduce 1) IL-1 transcription and/or synthesis, 2) the processing of pro-IL-1β into its mature forms, 3) the secretion of IL-β, 4) the activity of IL-1 using neutralizing anti-IL-1 antibodies or 5) soluble (extracellular) IL-1 receptors, 6) the ability of IL-1 to bind to its receptors using receptor blockade, 7) the availability of surface receptors using agents which down-regulate receptor expression or (8) agents which affect IL-1-mediated signal transduction. Some of these modalities have already entered clinical trials. Clearly, the therapeutic advantage of reducing the activity of IL-1 resides in preventing its deleterious biological effects without interfering with host defense and homeostasis. For example, blocking IL-1-induced prostaglandins is one target in treating inflammatory diseases. Drugs inhibiting cyclooxygenase have well-known toxicities because they block the normal physiologic synthesis of prostaglandins in many tissues such as platelets and gastric lining cells. Blocking IL-1, in contrast, reduces only that portion of prostaglandin synthesis due to elevated IL-1, sparing the synthesis of prostaglandins necessary for physiologic homeostasis. A similar case can be made for endogenous nitric oxide. Thus, there is a unique pharmacological advantage to blocking IL-1 in disease.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMULSION DROP SIZE AND SOLIDIFIED DROP (CELL) SIZE

ABSTRACT It is verified that a 1:1 correspondence exists between the sizes of a stable emulsion droplet prior to and subsequent to solidification through a chemical reaction.
Durability and leaching behavior of mine tailings-based geopolymer bricks

Abstract Disposal of mine tailings (MT) in impoundments may have adverse environmental impacts such as air pollution from dust emissions and release of heavy metals to surface and underground water. Geopolymerization as an environmentally-friendly and sustainable method has been used to stabilize MT so that they can be used as construction material. In this paper, the durability and leaching behavior of MT-based geopolymer bricks are studied by measuring unconfined compression strength (UCS), water absorption, weight loss, and concentration of heavy metals after immersion in pH = 4 and 7 solutions for different periods of time. Microscopic/spectroscopic techniques, SEM, XRD and FTIR, are also employed to investigate the change in microstructure and phase composition of MT-based geopolymer bricks after immersion in the solutions. To describe the leaching behavior of MT-based geopolymer bricks, the first order reaction/diffusion model (FRDM) is used to analyze the leaching test data. The results indicate that although there is a substantial strength loss after immersion in pH = 4 and 7 solutions, the water absorption and weight loss are small. The strength loss is mainly due to the dissolution of geopolymer gels as indicated by the microscopic/spectroscopic analysis results. The leaching analyses show that the heavy metals are effectively immobilized in the MT-based geopolymer bricks, which is attributed to the incorporation of heavy metals in the geopolymer network. The FRDM can satisfactorily describe the leaching behavior of heavy metals in the MT-based geopolymer bricks and the analysis results indicate that the solubility or reaction rate is an important factor controlling the leaching behavior.
A new method of peptidase assay and the separation of three leucylglycinases of renal tissues.

Abstract A method of peptidase assay based upon a differential effect of cupric ion on the reaction of trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TNBS) with amino acids and peptides has facilitated the separation and characterization of renal peptidases. Three such peptidases, all active in the hydrolysis of leucylglycine, were separated and further characterized; these peptidases were the leucine aminopeptidase of the soluble fraction and the leucyl-β-naphtyhlamidase and the “solubilized aminopeptidase” of the endoplasmic membranes of renal tissue. The solubilized aminopeptidase appears to be identical with the renal iminodipeptidase (prolinase).
Misinterpretation of interaction effects: a reply to Rosnow and Rosenthal.

The structural model of analysis of variance for multiway tables, with main effects and interaction parameters, is overspeeified. Only the set of estimable functions of the cell means is useful. The individual estimates of the parameters are artificial as regards the underlying scientific process. Rosnow and Rosenthal (1989a) stated that it is "absolutely necessary" (pg 146) that interactions should be interpreted by examining the usual estimates of the interaction parameters. This is incorrect. Rosnow and Rosenthal (1989a) stated that it is an error to report cell means to interpret the pattern of an observed interaction. Because I suspect that several people will be concerned with this statement, especially when Rosnow and Rosenthal (1989b) stated that interaction effects are "the universally most misinterpreted empirical results in psychology" (p. 1282), I felt this reply was in order. As an aside, I find it fascinating that a four-page article was published explaining how to interpret four numbers---more than 50 years after R. A. Fisher (1935) explained the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Reviewers of a previous version of this article called my attention to a number of articles also discussing interaction effects in the ANOVA: Marascuilo and Levin (1970, 1976), Levin and Marascuilo (1972, 1973), Games (1973), and Boik (1979). The same lack of sensitivity to the principal point of the present article is evident in some of these articles. Rosnow and Rosenthal (1989a) present an "algorithm" for obtaining two-way interaction effects "corrected" for main effects. They are seemingly unaware that their algorithm is nothing more than the solution for the estimates of the interaction parameters in the usual linear model for a two-way table of means:
Optimal difference schemes for 2-D transport problems

Abstract An optimality condition which addresses “solution quality” is proposed for difference schemes approximating transport problems in 2-D. It is shown that the optimal positive type schemes are particularly simple. These schemes are constructed, and one reasonable way to combine them with second-order schemes is exhibited.
Computerization of tool-replacement decision making in flexible manufacturing systems: a human-systems perspective

In this article, a framework is proposed for computerization of tool-replacement decision making in flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). Specifically, a procedure is outlined that addresses the decision of whether a tool should or should not be replaced prior to its processing of a workpart. The proposed procedure attempts to minimize the tool-related economic losses associated with these decisions while maximizing part throughput. The limitations of both the human and the computer at achieving both of these system performance objectives are discussed and form the basis to the proposed procedure. Based on a simulation study examining human capabilities at making tool-replacement decisions, various heuristics employed by humans who were successful at performing this task were identified. These heuristics as well as other considerations were incorporated into the procedure in an effort to maintain a balance between the more direct local consequences and less direct global consequences of tool-replacement ...
TURBULENT CASCADES IN ANISOTROPIC MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS

The cascade behavior of turbulent magnetohydrodynamics with a strong background magnetic field is examined and compared with direct numerical solutions at high Reynolds number. Resonant interactions give rise to qualitatively different behavior for modes below a characteristic wave number ${k}_{L}$ defined in terms of the background field. Modes with parallel wave number above ${k}_{L}$ are passively driven by the longer wavelength modes, even when the majority of the energy is contained in the passive wave numbers. The passive modes do not cascade to higher parallel wave numbers, so the parallel wave number spectrum is not a power law and does not extend to dissipation scales. Energy is cascaded normally to small perpendicular scales, but more rapidly in the case of the passive modes, so an anisotropic spectrum develops from isotropic initial conditions. For a finite system with minimum wave number $g{k}_{L},$ the only dynamically controlling mode is the vertical average, or mean mode. The mean mode evolves with two-dimensional dynamics, forming coherent current structures which are mirrored by the passive modes. Because of the differential decay rates, the mean mode dominates at long times. Quantitative comparisons are made to numerical solutions of reduced magnetohydrodynamics.
Long-term functional implications of the iatrogenic rotational malalignment of healed diaphyseal femur fractures following intramedullary nailing.

Abstract Background The long-term functional implications for patients with iatrogenic femoral malrotation following femoral intramedullary nail fixation remain unclear. This study examined the extent and direction of rotational alignment of the femur treated with intramedullary nail fixation and its long-term functional effects on patients' standing, walking, and subjective outcome. Methods Rotational alignment was measured using a CT-based protocol. Foot alignment while standing or walking was determined bilaterally using a pressure mat. Subjective functional outcome was assessed using a questionnaire. Findings Sixteen patients (5 F, 11 M; age: mean 44.3 years, range 24–75 years) with a healed femur fracture were included. Femur alignment demonstrated internal rotation in five patients (mean 6°; range 2–13°), and external rotation in 11 (mean 18°; range 3–32°). Static foot rotation demonstrated neutral rotation in two patients, internal rotation in four (mean 13°; range 5–22°), and external rotation in 10 (mean 15°; range 5–24°). Dynamic foot rotation demonstrated neutral rotation in two patients, internal rotation in two (mean 11°; range 4–26°), and external rotation in 12 (mean 11°; range 3–22°). There was a trend for increasing dynamic malrotation with femoral rotation (r2 = 0.27; p = 0.055). In half the patients, dynamic foot rotation correlated with the extent of femoral malrotation. There was no association (p = 0.6) between overall patient satisfaction (10 fully satisfied; 5 partially satisfied; and 1 dissatisfied) and foot alignment. Interpretation Patients can compensate for even significant femoral malrotation and tolerate it well. External femoral malrotation appears to be better compensated/tolerated than internal malrotation.
Myt1: A Membrane-Associated Inhibitory Kinase That Phosphorylates Cdc2 on Both Threonine-14 and Tyrosine-15

Cdc2 is the cyclin-dependent kinase that controls entry of cells into mitosis. Phosphorylation of Cdc2 on threonine-14 and tyrosine-15 inhibits the activity of the enzyme and prevents premature initiation of mitosis. Although Wee1 has been identified as the kinase that phosphorylates tyrosine-15 in various organisms, the threonine-14-specific kinase has not been isolated. A complementary DNA was cloned from Xenopus that encodes Myt1, a member of the Wee1 family that was discovered to phosphorylate Cdc2 efficiently on both threonine-14 and tyrosine-15. Myt1 is a membrane-associated protein that contains a putative transmembrane segment. Immunodepletion studies suggested that Myt1 is the predominant threonine-14-specific kinase in Xenopus egg extracts. Myt1 activity is highly regulated during the cell cycle, suggesting that this relative of Wee1 plays a role in mitotic control.
What kind of governance for what kind of equity? Towards a theorization of justice in water governance

This article critically reviews literatures related to the core concepts of this special issue: water and hydrosocial relations; water governance and spatial scale; and equity, justice and rights. It argues that only by viewing water and society as simultaneously social and natural can we address both ecological governance and environmental justice. It argues that the institutional arrangements we employ for governing water must address issues of democratization, human welfare and ecological conditions. The article illustrates these arguments with reference to the social and environmental effects of mining activity and associated water contamination on the Bolivian Altiplano.
Lubricating Oil Contamination Drawback in Coal Burning Diesel

Abstract Investigation is described to determine whether or not pulverized coal with low ash content will burn in the cylinder of a Diesel engine and what effects it would have on engine performance, operation and wear. 7.1
Phenotypic expression of maternally inherited deafness is affected by RNA modification and cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins

The homoplasmic mitochondrial A1555G mutation in the 12S rRNA gene leads to a mitochondrial translation disorder associated with deafness. The absence of disease in non-cochlear tissues in all patients, and in the cochlea in some patients, is not well understood. We used a system-based approach, including whole genome expression and biological function analysis, to elucidate the pathways underlying tissue specificity and clinical severity of this condition. Levels of over 48K RNA transcripts from EBV-transformed lymphoblasts of deaf and hearing individuals with the A1555G mutation and controls were obtained. Differentially expressed transcripts were functionally grouped using gene set enrichment analysis. Over 50 RNA binding proteins were differentially expressed between deaf and hearing individuals with the A1555G mutation (P-value of 2.56E-7), confirming previous genetic data implicating this pathway in the determination of the severity of hearing loss. Unexpectedly, the majority of cytoplasmic ribosomal genes were up-regulated in a coordinated fashion in individuals with the A1555G mutation versus controls (P-value of 3.91E-135). This finding was verified through real time RT-PCR, and through measuring of protein levels by flow cytometry. Analysis of expression levels of other differentially expressed genes suggests that this coordinated over-expression of cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins might occur through the Myc/Max pathway. We propose that expression levels of RNA binding proteins help determine the severity of the cochlear phenotype, and that coordinated up-regulation of the cytoplasmic translation apparatus operates as a compensation mechanism in unaffected tissues of patients with maternal deafness associated with the A1555G mutation.
Response of canine oral carcinomas to heat and radiation

Abstract Thermal enhancement of radiation response improved the probability for local tumor control without increasing the risk for late complications in this study of relatively advanced stage tumors. Thirty-eight dogs with naturally occurring oral carcinomas were randomized to two radiation dose response groups to receive radiation alone or combined with local hyperthermia. Radiation was delivered in 10 fractions over 22 days. Heating was done 3 hours after seven of the radiation doses. The objective was to maintain a minimum tumor temperature of 42°C and a maximum normal tissue temperature of 40°C for 30 minutes. Normal tissue temperatures were usually 40°C or less but there was great heterogeneity in tumor temperatures. Temperatures at tumor margins never exceeded 41.5°C. The TCD 50 for radiation was 38 Gy (32–46 Gy, 95% C.I.) and for radiation and heat it was 33 Gy (30–36 Gy, 95% C.I.). The slope of the dose response was much steeper for radiation and heat than for radiation alone indicating that the heterogeneity of tumor response was decreased with heat. All tumors were controlled at 40 and 45 Gy with heat whereas only 57% and 75% were controlled with 40 and 45 Gy radiation only. There were no late necroses for radiation and heat. The tumor control enhancement might be improved with different sequences, number of heatings or other time temperature relationships. It is not possible to predict the optimum treatment scheme because of the lack of knowledge of the influence of hyperthermia on subsequent heat or radiation treatments. That influence could be affected greatly by changes in tumor microcirculation, pH, and oxygenation as well as development and decay of thermotolerance in tumor and normal tissue.
The crucial decade: modern neurosurgery's definitive development in Harvey Cushing's early research and practice, 1900 to 1910

When Harvey Cushing announced his full-time commitment to neurological surgery in 1904, it was a discouraging and discouraged enterprise. Other surgeons' mortality rates for patients with brain tumors were 30 to 50%. By 1910 Cushing had operated on 180 tumors; he had a thriving practice, with a patient mortality rate of less than 13%. The three essential ingredients of his success were: 1) a new surgical conceptualization of intracranial pressure (ICP); 2) technical innovations for controlling ICP; and 3) establishment of a large referral base. In the years 1901 through 1905, the implications of his research on the "Cushing reflex" were quickly translated into surgical techniques for controlling ICP. In the period between 1906 and 1910, Cushing built up his referral practice by publishing widely, and especially by lecturing to medical audiences throughout the United States and Canada. His scientific work on ICP was essential to his clinical success, but without his professional and social ability to build a thriving practice, there would have been insufficient material for him to use to improve his approaches.
Time delay estimation in gene regulatory networks

Gene regulation studies reveal unknown biological functions in disease progression. As more time-course datasets become available, interactions among the regulators and their associated target genes may better describe the evolution of gene regulatory networks. Currently in many research studies, interaction delay is not considered. Such delay is embedded in the network due to the intrinsic temporal process of gene expression. In this paper, a time delay regression model is developed to identify and predict time-dependent interactions. To estimate the model parameters, Average Square Difference Function and Least square estimation methods are applied. The time-course gene expression dataset in this paper was obtained for mice post-myocardial infarction. The simulation results show better performance of proposed method compared with no-delay and cross correlation-based methods.
Detailed interpretation of photoconductivity decay response for lifetime determination

Abstract Photoconductive decay provides a method for estimating the recombination lifetime in semiconductors. It often exhibits a single characteristics time. For samples having large densities of recombination centers, previous experiments indicate that this characteristic time can considerably exceed the steady state lifetime. We present apparently the first explanation of these results. The explanation involves the effect on the overall photoconductive decay of the multiple characteristic times that describe trapping and recombination through bound states for variations in the electrochemical potentials that are small relative to the thermal voltage.