cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Selenium Intake Results in Lowering of Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein in the Ray

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the role of selenium supplementation on levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein in the rat. Oxidized low density lipoprotein has been identified as a factor which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Two groups of 10 rats each were fed a high cholesterol/cholic acid diet containing adequate selenium (Se) (0.2mg/kg diet) or high Se (4.0mg/kg diet) for five months. After obtaining blood samples, plasma was processed by preparative ultracentrifugation to isolate low density lipoprotein (LDL). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay and the amount of conjugated dienes (CD) formed were measured in LDL as indicators of oxidation. Rats fed the high Se diet had lower levels of LDL oxidation than rats fed diets with adequate Se. In the rats fed th£ high Se diet the oxidation levels were below the detection limit of the assays. In the rats fed the Se adequate diet the lag phase of lipid oxidation as manifested by the TBARS assay was 1.5 hours and by CD was 1.5 hours. It appears that higher dietary levels of selenium than have been considered adequate for the rat will result in lower levels of oxidized LDL. More research is needed to confirm if a similar effect is found in humans before any recommendations for clinical practice can be made. Due to the toxic nature of selenium precaution regarding Se supplements is advised.
Oxygen-16 by the Method of Generator Coordinates

Dilatational and collective quadrupole excitations of the nucleus 0/sup 16/ are treated by the method of generator coordinates described in the preceding paper. In this method, one starts from assumed two-body forces and calculates the stiffness, inertia, and frequency of the collective motion. Numerical results are presented for these quantities. Experimental data relative to collective 0+ and 2+ states in O/sup 16/ are summarized, and other theoretical treatments of this problem are discussed. It is noted that collective models all imply too large a matrix element for the decay of the 6.06-Mev (0+) state. One concludes that this state is not primarily a dilatational excitation. Similar considerations apply to the 6.91-Mev (2+) state. (auth)
Hybrid structural health monitoring for in-service highway bridges using wireless multiscale sensors

With the rapid development of electrical circuits, Micro electromechanical system (MEMS) and network technology, wireless smart sensor networks (WSSN) have shown significant potential for replacing existing wired Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems due to their cost effectiveness and versatility. A few structural systems have been monitored using WSSN measuring acceleration, temperature, wind speed, humidity; however, a multi-scale sensing device which has the capability to measure the displacement has not been yet developed. In this project, a new highaccuracy displacement sensing system has been developed combining a high resolution analog displacement sensor and MEMS-based wireless microprocessor platform. The wireless sensor is calibrated in the laboratory to get the high precision displacement data from analog sensor. The developed multi-scale sensing system is evaluated in a laboratory bridge structure to check its performance. Finally, the developed hybrid multi-scale displacement sensing system was deployed on in-service highway bridge for SHM.
Charge selective properties of the glomerular capillary wall influence antibody binding in rat membranous nephropathy.

Abstract IgG antibodies, eluted from kidneys of rats with Heymann nephritis were separated into cationic and anionic fractions. labeled with 125I and 131I, respectively, mixed in equal amounts, and then injected in incremental doses into 10 rats. Glomerular antibody binding was highly correlated with blood concentration of antibody at 24 hr, however, significantly more cationic antibody bound to glomeruli than did anionic antibody at all blood levels studied. The differences were not due to greater antibody content and/or avidity of the cationic preparation, as measured by binding to isolated glomeruli in vitro. These studies demonstrate the influence of glomerular permselectivity and antibody charge on subepithelial antibody deposition.
Bedform migration on Mars: Current results and future plans

Abstract With the advent of high resolution imaging, bedform motion can now be tracked on the Martian surface. HiRISE data, with a pixel scale as fine as 25 cm, shows displacements of sand patches, dunes, and ripples up to several meters per Earth year, demonstrating that significant landscape modification occurs in the current environment. This seems to consistently occur in the north polar erg, with variable activity at other latitudes. Volumetric dune and ripple changes indicate sand fluxes up to several cubic meters per meter per year, similar to that found in some dune fields on Earth. All “transverse aeolian ridges” are immobile. There is no relationship between bedform activity and coarse-scale global circulation models, indicating that finer scale topography and wind gusts, combined with the predicted low impact threshold on Mars, are the primary drivers. Several techniques have been developed to measure bedform changes and are largely dependent on dataset availability and the type of questions being pursued. Qualitative visual inspection can determine whether or not changes have occurred. Offsets registered to fixed tie points yield approximate migration rates of nearby crests and dune lee fronts. To compute volumetric sand flux requires precise orthorectification and registration using a digital elevation model base. Using this technique combined with sophisticated change detection software has the potential to detect changes as fine as 1/3 of a pixel (∼8 cm) or less.
Kris—A computer program for the least-squares resolution of gamma-ray spectra by half-life and gamma-ray energy

KRIS offers the capability of resolving complex γ-spectra, even when spectra of the individual components are quite similar. A scheme is employed which allows for the use of half-lives as well as γ-ray energies in the least-squares resolution of γ-spectra. Options are also supplied for averaging of repetitive counts, least-squares smoothing of the data, iterative improvement of the weighting factors used in the least-squares solution, and use of either live or clock time counts. The number of control cards required for each sample has been minimized to simplify input. KRIS is written in FORTRAN IV and is being run under Fortran G and the Watfor compiler on the IBM 360/65.
Toxicity of High Levels of Zinc-65 to Avian Embryos

Abstract THE problems of specific reactor-produced radionuclides from water used for cooling reactors are expected to increase as the use of nuclear power increases. Radioanalyses of fish sampled from the Columbia River and from the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon Coast indicate that 65 Zn is one of the most abundant radionuclides identified (muscle tissue of the Columbia River whitefish averaged 38 pCi./g. in 1963). While 1,000 times the levels found did not affect trout, 105 μCi. 65 Zn at the rate of 10 μCi./g. fish per day produced leucopenia and apparent damage to the gill filaments (Nakatani et al., 1965). Since fish and shellfish are important sources of food for wild birds, as well as domesticated ones, a knowledge of the effect of prolonged or continuous irradiation from 65 Zn in the avian species is needed. The chick embryo is particularly suited for this study as it is completely divorced from maternal considerations…
Genetic characterization of Kenai brown bears (Ursus arctos): microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA control region variation in brown bears of the Kenai Peninsula, south central Alaska

We collected data from 20 biparentally inherited microsatellite loci, and nucleotide sequence from the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, to determine levels of genetic variation of the brown bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758) of the Kenai Peninsula, south central Alaska. Nuclear genetic variation was similar to that observed in other Alaskan peninsular populations. We detected no significant inbreeding and found no evidence of population substructuring on the Kenai Peninsula. We observed a genetic signature of a bottleneck under the infinite alleles model (IAM), but not under the stepwise mutation model (SMM) or the two-phase model (TPM) of microsatellite mutation. Kenai brown bears have lower levels of mtDNA haplotypic diversity relative to most other brown bear populations in Alaska.
Factors influencing the predicted performance of advanced propeller designs

The assumptions on which conventional propeller aerodynamic performance analyses are based can be seriously violated when advanced high speed propellers are analyzed. Studies were performed using a lifting line representation for the propeller to determine the sensitivity of predicted propeller performance to various assumptions in the analysis. Items studied include the method of determining blade section lift and the effects of blade section drag, camber and blade sweep. The effects of nonuniform flow into the propeller and compressibility were also studied. Comparisons of analytical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the overall validity of the results.
Three Dimensional Rough Surface Contact Model for the Anisotropic Half-Plane

By applying the line integral of Barnett-Lothe tensors on oblique planes, the three-dimensional rough surface contact problem for a semi-infinite anisotropic elastic half-plane in contact with a rough rigid sphere is formulated. The steady-state heat transfer condition is assumed and the technique of analytical continuation is employed. The general solutions due to varying degrees of anisotropy and mechanical boundary conditions are obtained.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Using Correlation Integrals to Characterize Three-dimensional Stellar Orbits

In an effort to more fully understand the variety of stellar distribution functions that can be used to construct models of realistic galaxies, the correlation integral method for orbit characterization introduced previously in 1983 by Grassberger & Procaccia and in 1984 by Carnevali & Santangelo is examined in considerable detail. The broad utility of the method is validated and demonstrated by applying it to orbits in a number of different, previously studied test cases (one-, two-, and three-dimensional; nonrotating and rotating). At the same time, the correlation integral method is compared and contrasted with other more traditional characterization tools, such as Lyapunov exponents and surfaces of section. The method is then extended to orbits in a previously unexamined rotating, three-dimensional bar potential. The correlation integral method is found to be a simple and reliable way to quantitatively categorize orbits in virtually any potential. It is recommended that it be broadly adopted as a tool for characterizing the properties of orbits and, by extension, stellar distribution functions, in all Hamiltonian dynamical systems.
Recent developments in angle-resolved electron-stimulated desorption of ions from surfaces☆

Abstract The current status of research in angular distributions of ions desorbed from surfaces resulting from electron beam impact is reviewed. Topics discussed include theory, instrumentation, and selected examples. The present treatment is intended to augment previous reviews, emphasizing some recent developments, and should prove useful to both “seasoned” researchers and newcomers to the field of ESDIAD, electron-stimulated desorption ion angular distributions. Theoretical work discussed includes work on electronically excited states, image potential interactions of the desorbing species with the surface, and reneutralization effects. A complete review of instrumentation used since the first measurements in the early 1970's is presented including state-of-the-art methods which allow for detailed angular measurements of the mass and kinetic energy of desorbing ions. Selected examples are described which demostrate the utility of ESDIAD to determine local structure of adsorbate/surface complexes, to investigate the dynamical behavior of adsorbed species, and to examine highly insulating surfaces.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple resection) in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis

The armamentarium of the pancreatic surgeon must include multiple operative techniques, to be adapted to the clinical and anatomical findings in the patient with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an essential component of this armamentarium. Its indications and limitations require continued refinement.
Synergy between PPARγ Ligands and Platinum-Based Drugs in Cancer

PPARgamma is a member of the nuclear receptor family for which agonist ligands have antigrowth effects. However, clinical studies using PPARgamma ligands as a monotherapy failed to show a beneficial effect. Here we have studied the effects of PPARgamma activation with chemotherapeutic agents in current use for specific cancers. We observed a striking synergy between rosiglitazone and platinum-based drugs in several different cancers both in vitro and using transplantable and chemically induced "spontaneous" tumor models. The effect appears to be due in part to PPARgamma-mediated downregulation of metallothioneins, proteins that have been shown to be involved in resistance to platinum-based therapy. These data strongly suggest combining PPARgamma agonists and platinum-based drugs for the treatment of certain human cancers.
Plasma membrane calcium-ATPase in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium.

Abstract The present work demonstrates the presence of plasma membrane (Ca2++Mg2+)-ATPase (PMCA) activity in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE). Whole-cell HRPE homogenates exhibited Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity that was inhibited with high affinity (IC50=60 n M) by eosin, a potent inhibitor of the erythrocyte PMCA. This activity was not inhibited by thapsigargin, a selective inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). A PMCA-specific monoclonal antibody exhibited staining in attached HRPE monolayers. By Western blot analysis of SDS-PAGE separations of whole cell lysates of HRPE, this antibody identified a single band at ∼145 kD. Finally, a Ca2+-dependent, La3+-augmented phosphoprotein, which comigrated with anti-PMCA immunoreactivity, was also detected. Taken together, these results show that cultured HRPE express PMCA activity.
Intracellular injection of apamin reduces a slow potassium current mediating afterhyperpolarizations and IPSPs in neocortical neurons of cats.

Abstract Electrophysiologic effects of intracellularly injected apamin, a Ca 2+ -dependent K + channel blocker, were investigated in neurons of the motor cortex of awake cats. Single-electrode voltage clamp techniques were used to measure changes in membrane currents including those that were synaptically activated. All changes occured within 2–4 min after pressure injection of apamin with partial recovery observed within 8–15 min. Apamin selectively abolished an outward current that mediated a slow afterhyperpolarization (AHP) following intracellular depolarizing current pulses and action potentials without influencing the time course of the action potentials or an associated fast AHP component. In addition apamin increased the number and frequency of spike discharges evoked by the depolarizing current pulses and produced a small increase in the rate of background firing activity. The baseline resting potential and input resistance were essentially unchanged by apamin. Apamin also diminished a late, slowly decaying component of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) and currents (IPSCs) elicited by stimulation of the ventrolateral thalamus or the pyramidal tract. The apamin-induced changes were concomitant with a decrease of the decay time constant of both IPSPs and IPSCs and a positive shift in their reversal potential. The results suggest that the late, slowly decaying component of these inhibitory postsynaptic responses is generated by an apamin-sensitive Ca 2+ -dependent K + conductance which is also responsible for the slow AHP.
Vitamin activity of coenzyme Q in nutritionally deficient hamsters as evident from effect on proteolytic and autolytic enzymes.

Abstract The serum levels of creatine phosphokinase in nutritionally dystrophic hamsters on an antioxidant or vitamin E deficient diet were elevated (P
Dynamical and geometrical aspects of NO chemisorption on transition metals: Rh, Pd, and Pt

The technical relevance of Rh, Pd, and Pt as catalysts used to reduce ${\mathrm{NO}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ pollutants has stimulated great interest in a detailed understanding of the chemisorption process of these systems. While experiment indicates Rh to be a better catalyst than the other transition metals, theory still does not give a satisfying explanation for this behavior. We have examined the c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2) atop chemisorption of NO on Rh, Pd, and Pt substrates with our full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave method for thin films. Simultaneous relaxation of the NO bond length and the distance between the metal and N, as well as surface relaxation of the metal, was performed. Various vibration frequencies were determined from the dynamical matrix of the system. The analysis of the dynamical matrix shows stronger bonding of NO to Pd and Pt compared to the Rh surface. We find the metal surface to be strongly affected by NO chemisorption, including a buckling that is about 50% larger on Pd and Pt than on the Rh surface. While the calculated electronic properties, such as density of states, give very similar results for the three systems the geometric and dynamical properties may explain the observed higher efficiency of Rh as a catalyst.
Motives to drink or not to drink: longitudinal relations among personality, motives, and alcohol use across adolescence and early adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent selective intervention programs for alcohol have focused on the identification of youth at risk as a function of personality and associated alcohol-related cognitions. Research into the role of personality, drinking motivations, and alcohol-related outcomes has generally focused exclusively on motives to drink. We expand on this literature by focusing on both motives to drink and motives not to drink across time from adolescence to early adulthood in a community sample. METHODS: Using 3 waves of data from 3 cohorts from the Rutgers Health and Human Development Project (n = 1,380; 49.4% women), we modeled the influence of baseline alcohol consumption, disinhibition (DIS), and harm avoidance (ages 15, 18, and 21 years) on drinking motives and motives not to drink 3 years later (ages 18, 21, and 24 years) and alcohol use and drinking-related problems 7 years subsequently (ages 25, 28, and 31 years). RESULTS: Path analytic models were relatively invariant across cohort. Across cohorts, DIS and baseline alcohol consumption related to later positive reinforcement drinking motives, but less consistency was found for the prediction of negative reinforcement motives to drink. While positive reinforcement motives were associated with greater alcohol consumption and problems 7 years later, negative reinforcement motives were generally associated with problems alone. Positive reinforcement motives for drinking mediated relations between baseline consumption and later consumption. However, results were mixed when considering DIS as a predictor and drinking problems as an outcome. Similarly, personality and baseline consumption related to later motives not to drink and such motives predicted subsequent alcohol-related problems. However, mediation was not generally supported for pathways through motives to abstain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study replicate and extend previous longitudinal findings with youth and add to the growing literature on motivations not to engage in alcohol use. Language: en
Pharmacy technology: are you an enthusiast or a luddite?

Technology is here to stay in both our professional and personal lives. Our challenge is to make the appropriate selection and optimize the technologies that we use. This month, we address the pervasiveness of technology, especially in the pharmacy department’s efforts to achieve its mission.
Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the brain mimicking hemorrhage: case report

BACKGROUND Computerized tomography (CT) of metastatic adenocarcinoma to the brain usually shows low-to-moderate attenuation. However, mucinous adenomas may appear with high attenuation, mimicking hemorrhage. CASE DESCRIPTION A 68-year-old man with a history of metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma presented to the emergency room complaining of a chronic, progressive right occipital headache. A head CT demonstrated a moderate-to-high attenuation, homogenous mass in the right cerebellar hemisphere consistent with an intracerebral hemorrhage. There was no frank calcification in the mass by CT criteria. An emergent posterior fossa craniectomy revealed nonhemorrhagic metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION Moderate-to-high attenuation, noncalcified brain masses should raise the possibility of mucin-containing neoplasm.
Contemporaneous bilateral postero-ventral pallidotomy for early onset juvenile type Parkinson's disease. Case Report

Early onset “juvenile type” Parkinson's disease is commonly associated with disabling bilateral levodopa-induced dyskinesias. We report here a successful contemporaneous bilateral postero-ventral pallidotomy performed on a 46-year-old male with juvenile type Parkinson's and associated levodopa incited symmetric dyskinesias. A comparison of various surgical alternatives is included. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation, operative method and postero-ventral pallidotomy's therapeutic mechanism are presented.
Application of a semi-detailed soot modeling approach for conventional and low temperature diesel combustion – Part I: Model performance

Abstract In the present study a previously developed soot model has been tested extensively for conventional and low temperature diesel combustion engine simulations. The soot model framework, which was implemented in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code KIVA-CHEMKIN, is based on four fundamental steps, viz., soot inception through a four ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon species, soot surface growth through acetylene and benzene, soot coagulation, and oxygen and OH-induced soot oxidation. The proposed model can be used not only for soot mass predictions, but also for soot number density and soot particle diameter predictions. Diesel combustion was simulated using reduced n-heptane/primary reference fuel (PRF) chemistry mechanisms and a reduced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) chemistry mechanism, while the n-heptane chemistry mechanism was used for modeling constant volume n-heptane combustion. Soot model performance was evaluated by comparing the model predictions with available constant volume combustion chamber optical diagnostic experiments, optical engine in-cylinder soot data, and a light-duty single cylinder metal engine-out smoke data. In particular, a variety of combustion regimes were tested, including conventional diesel, premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI), and high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) low temperature combustion (LTC). In general, the model was able to predict well the trends in soot mass over the range of operating conditions. With increasing degree of premixing, the model was able to predict relatively lower soot concentrations compared to diffusion combustion. In terms of soot particle diameter, the model computed particle size was seen to increase with increasing simulated EGR when the ambient oxygen concentration was varied from 21% to 8% by volume and with increasing in-cylinder density (14.8 kg/m3 vs. 30 kg/m3 at the same in-cylinder O2 level) under steady-state constant volume combustion conditions. It is also observed from the optical and metal engine studies that the soot particle size is larger for high temperature combustion conditions that are marked with high soot formation rates during the combustion process and may or may not lead to smaller particles at exhaust valve opening (EVO) depending on the oxidation rates. The soot size for LTC is generally lower through-out the combustion process including EVO conditions. All but one data-point show uni-modal type soot particle size distribution with respect to both soot mass and particle number.
Effects of compound or element preexposure on compound flavor aversion conditioning

Two experiments with rat subjects examined conditioning of an aversion to a compound flavor stimulus after preexposing the compound, its constituent elements, or no explicit flavor stimulus. Experiment 1 used a short-term procedure in which preexposure and conditioning treatments occurred on the same day; Experiment 2 used a long-term procedure in which more extensive preexposure was administered several days before conditioning. In both experiments, preexposure of the elements slowed conditioning to the compound more than did preexposure of the compound itself. These effects were apparently not mediated by changes in pseudoconditioned or neophobic responses. The results were related to Lubow’s conditioned attention theory of stimulus preexposure effects.
Acousto-optic null-steering adaptive photonic processor architectures for phased arrays

Two novel all-optical acousto-optic processor designs are introduced for antenna null steering applications. Both designs use an acousto-optic point modulator and a multi- channel acousto-optic deflector in a unique in-line arrangement to form a write/read two color system. One processor is a forward light flow optical design, while the other is a reversible light flow optical architecture. A write-only acousto-optic multichannel correlator processor design is also introduced using a counter-propagating signal correlator design. This processor also uses a time integrating detector such as a two dimensional charge coupled device or a high dynamic range photorefractive crystal for bias free correlation signal detection.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Application of minimal subtraction renormalization to crossover behavior near the 3 He liquid-vapor critical point

Parametric expressions are used to calculate the isothermal susceptibility, specific heat, order parameter, and correlation length along the critical isochore and coexistence curve from the asymptotic region to crossover region.
Diisopropyl fluorophosphate labeling of sperm-associated proteinases.

Proteinase inhibitors have been shown to be capable of preventing various aspects of fertilization. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) is an irreversible inhibitor of trypsin-like enzymes that is commercially available in a radiolabeled form. The experiments described herein were designed to determine if DFP would prevent sperm function in live, motile sperm and to identify the sperm proteins bound with DFP. DFP at 5 mM concentrations had no observable effect on sperm motility, but inhibited the penetration of zona-free hamster ova by human sperm (5.5%) compared to controls (33.5%). Acid extracts of motile sperm that had been incubated with radiolabeled DFP and collected by the swim-up procedure demonstrated the presence of radiolabeled DFP, and the autoradiography of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels of these extracts localized the uptake of radiolabeled DFP to proteins in the molecular weight region of the proacrosin-acrosin system. Acid-extracted proteinases from semen samples incubated with DFP demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of both esterolytic hydrolysis of benzoyl-arginine ethyl ester on spectrophotometric analysis and proteolytic activity on gelatin SDS-PAGE zymography. DFP-labeled proteins were precipitated by highly specific antibodies to proacrosin. These results demonstrated that DFP is capable of inhibiting sperm function, and that it associates with themore » proacrosin-acrosin system in live motile sperm.« less
Pseudologia fantastica and factitious disorder: Review of the literature and a case report

Pseudologia fantastica is sparsely defined in the psychiatric literature, and has not been reviewed in the English-language psychiatric literature since 1988. To redefine the role of pseudologia fantastica in factitious disorder, the case of a 56-year-old man with factitious disorder is discussed.
Energetics and osmoregulation in the catfish, Ictalurus nebulosus and I. Punctatus

Abstract 1. 1. Groups of brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) and channel catfish (I. punctatus) were acclimated to different concentrations (6, 120, 200 mOsm/kg) of either diluted artificial seawater (DASW) or MgSO4 solutions in order to derive the metabolic costs of osmotic and ionic regulation in fresh water. 2. 2. Oxygen consumption declined when the osmotic and/or ionic gradient between the external medium and internal body fluids decreased. In the DASW solutions the reductions were 16.8% and 28.6% in the 120 and 200 mOsm/kg solutions, whereas in MgSO4 solutions the reductions were 13.2% and 27.1%, respectively, indicating that the cost of living in a dilute medium is largely that of osmotic regulation. 3. 3. Both urine flow rate and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased greatly (83 % and 93 % in the 200 mOsm/kg DASW amd MgSO4 solutions, respectively) as the medium concentration decreased. 4. 4. We propose that the major portion of the measured decreases in oxygen consumption is a result of the reduction in the active reabsorption of Na+ and K+ by the kidney due to the reduced GFR.
Steady-State and Dynamic Effects of Design Alternatives in Heat-Exchanger/Furnace/Reactor Processes

Feed-effluent heat exchangers (FEHE) are widely used in industry to preheat the feed to adiabatic tubular reactors. The hot reactor effluent is passed through a FEHE to recover heat. The positive feedback of energy introduces the potential for open-loop instability. Heat-exchanger bypassing is typically used to control the reactor inlet temperature. Previous papers1-4 have explored the control of this type of process. A furnace or heater following the FEHE may or may not be required under normal operation but is always needed for startup. Therefore, a design alternative exists in which both the reactor inlet temperature and the furnace inlet temperature are controlled, using the two manipulated variables: heat-exchanger bypassing and furnace firing rate. This paper explores the impact of these alternative designs on both the steady-state economics and the dynamic controllability. The exothermic, irreversible, gas-phase reaction A + B → C occurs in an adiabatic tubular reactor. A gas recycle returns uncon...
Cloning and Characterization of the Human Factor XI Gene Promoter TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR HEPATOCYTE NUCLEAR FACTOR 4α (HNF-4α) IS REQUIRED FOR HEPATOCYTE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF FACTOR XI

Factor XI is the zymogen of a plasma protease produced primarily in liver that is required for normal blood coagulation. We cloned ∼2600 base pairs of the human factor XI gene upstream of exon one, identified transcription start sites, and conducted a functional analysis. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrate that the 381 base pairs upstream of exon one are sufficient for maximum promoter activity in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The removal of 19 base pairs between −381 and −363 results in a nearly complete loss of promoter activity. This region contains the sequence ACTTTG, a motif required for binding of the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α) to the promoters of several genes. Gel mobility shift assays using HepG2 or rat hepatocyte nuclear extract confirm HNF-4α binds between bp −375 and −360. Scrambling the ACTTTG motif completely abolishes promoter activity in luciferase assays. The factor XI promoter functions poorly when transfected into HeLa carcinoma cells, and gel mobility shift experiments with HeLa nuclear extracts demonstrate no HNF-4α binding to the ACTTTG sequence. When a rat HNF-4α expression construct is co-transfected into HeLa cells, factor XI promoter activity is enhanced ∼10-fold. We conclude that HNF-4α is required for hepatocyte-specific expression of factor XI.
Home sodium monitoring in patients with diabetes insipidus

Abstract Objective: To determine whether home care givers can accurately measure plasma sodium in children with diabetes insipidus (DI) by using an I-STAT portable clinical analyzer (PCA) and to collect preliminary data on home PCA use. Study design: Care givers of 4 children with DI and impaired thirst or inability to access water freely were instructed in PCA use. During an initial preclinical phase, the accuracy of sodium concentration measured by care givers was assessed by comparison to simultaneous analysis in a clinical laboratory. Participants were subsequently randomly assigned to daily home PCA monitoring or routine care. All participants crossed over from their original randomized group assignment to the alternate group. Results: After a single education session, all care givers were able to perform PCA testing. There was good correlation between PCA and laboratory sodium (r = 0.92). On the basis of Error Grid Analysis, use of the PCA sodium would have resulted in treatment decisions identical to those made based on the laboratory sodium value in 62 of 66 instances. Four minor differences in treatment would have occurred. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical outcome during daily monitoring versus routine care. Conclusions: Results obtained by care givers using the PCA are sufficiently reliable for assessment of fluid status and making treatment decisions. (J Pediatr 2002;141:618-24)
Behavioral therapy for "apathy" of hospitalized schizophrenics

20 chronic schizophrenic adult female patients in a ward of a hospital for the mentally ill were placed on schedules of reinforcement designed to establish or strengthen behaviors incompatible with...
MODELING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SPIN-BASED QUANTUM COMPUTATION

Quantum computation is a revolutionary new paradigm that has experienced tremendous growth since the mid 1990s and has inspired a number of ingenious schemes whose long-term goal is to realize a large-scale, fast, parallel, and easily fabricated quantum computer (QC). Silicon-based solid-state proposals using spins of dopants, such as phosphorus, as qubits are attractive because of the long spin relaxation times and the potential for scaling the device to a large number of qubits and integrating the QC with existing silicon technology. We propose a modified Kane1 architecture in which we address the difficult fabrication and addressing problems by simplifying the device structure and utilizing an existing, reliable optical detection method. The device consists of linear arrays of P atoms, which will be entangled through their exchange interactions. Scanning tunneling microscopy is used to fabricate the device and an external magnetic field and a large field gradient enable individual spin addressability. The lone P electron spin is used to control the nuclear spin qubit orientation. Excitons, generated in the substrate via a laser, are used to probe the spin states. A He-3 cryostat-based spin manipulation and readout system has been developed but many challenges exist in making a nano-scale quantum device in a real materials system.
L + 2 , an improved line of sight guidance law for UAVs

This paper describes a new guidance law that extends the pursuit guidance law previously developed by Park et. al. Several improvements are presented that allow operation in the real world. A stability analysis accounts for the dynamic response of the bank angle commands which leads to the definition of regions of instability. Another extension accounts for situations where the pursuit aim point is not defined by the previous work. A third extension changes the pursuit distance-to-go from a constant to a constant time-to-go so that the linearized transient response is independent of ground speed. Yet another extension defines a “homing” mode in which the UAV flies to a goal point without a defined path, commonly used as a “return-to-base,” either as a safety measure or as an end-of-mission order. Since there is no constraint that the goal point be stationary, we demonstrate that the new law can be used to follow a moving target whose location is known, such as a mobile ground control station. Simulations with a 6 degree-of-freedom aircraft model demonstrate these features.
Molten-globule like partially folded states of human serum albumin induced by fluoro and alkyl alcohols at low pH.

Abstract Human serum albumin (HSA) exists in a molten-globule like state at low pH (pH 2.0). We studied the effects of trifluoroethanol (TFE) and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) on the acid-denatured state of HSA by far-UV circular dichroism (CD), near-UV CD, tryptophan fluorescence, and 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS) binding. At pH 2.0, these alcohols induced the formation of α-helical structure as evident from the increase in mean residue ellipticity (MRE) value at 222 nm. On addition of different alcohols, HSA exhibited a transition from the acid-denatured state to the α-helical state and loss of ANS-binding sites reflected by the decrease in ANS fluorescence at 480 nm. However, the concentration range required to bring about the transition varied greatly among different alcohols. HFIP was found to have highest potential whereas methanol was least effective in inducing the transition. The order of effectiveness of alcohols was shown to be: HFIP > TFE > 2-chloroethanol > tert -butanol > isopropanol > ethanol > methanol as evident from the C m values. The near-UV CD spectra and tryptophan fluorescence showed the differential effects of halogenated alcohols with those of alkanols. A comparison of the m values, showing the dependence of Δ G H on alcohol concentration, suggests that the helix stabilizing potential of different alcohols is due to the additive effect of different constituent groups present whereas remarkably higher potential of HFIP involves some other factor in addition to the contribution of constituent groups.
Crystal-Filled Cavities in Granitic Pegmatites: Bursting the Bubble

In November 1991, Louis B. Spaulding Jr. (deceased 2013) invited me to his Little Three pegmatite mine near Ramona, California, to view the last of a string of crystal-filled miarolitic cavities th...
Differences in erythrocyte membrane proteins and glycoproteins in sickle cell disease.

Abstract Erythrocyte membrane proteins obtained from individuals with sickle cell anemia show an SDS polyacrylamide gel pattern that differs in five regions from the normal pattern. These membranes when compared with membranes from normal individuals also show a marked decrease in sialic acid content which correlates with a marked reduction of the periodic acid-Schiff staining of the three major glycoprotein components. The observed membrane protein and glycoprotein changes are a characteristic of all the red cells in sickle cell anemia and do not correlate with the proportion of irreversibly sickled cells.
Isolation and purification of the Rh(D) blood group receptor component from human erythrocyte membrane.

Abstract The Rh(D) antigen of human red blood cell membranes has been isolated as a homogeneous immunologically intact component. The method of preparation was as follows: Red cell membranes were prepared free of hemoglobin and components were solubilized using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) followed by sodium chloride. Diaflo® ultrafilter membranes were used to separate solubilized membrane components into different molecular weight classes. The Rh(D) activity was demonstrated in the molecular weight class between 10 000 and 20 000. This fraction, which had six components by disc gel electrophoresis, was further purified by isoelectric focusing on a pH gradient of 3 to 10, followed by a pH gradient of 5 to 8. The Rh(D) antigen was eluted as a single component, migrated as a discrete band on disc gel electrophoresis, and inhibited the agglutination of anti-Rh(D) antibody. When the Rh(D) antigen was injected into guinea pigs, a high titer of anti-Rh(D) antibody was obtained.
Detection and Mode Identification of Axial Cracks in the Steam Generator Tube of the Nuclear Power Plant Using Ultrasonic Guided Wave

For those people who are involved in NDE, there is a growing concern regarding the significant traveling distance of a guided wave in a structure, which ensures the inspection of a large area of the structure from a single location. A significant number of studies on the guided wave have therefore been made to apply the foregoing to a nondestructive evaluation in many different industries and resulted in an increase in the efficiency of practical guided wave inspection. Unlike the previous studies based mainly on the detection of circumferential flaws, this study is focused on the axial flaw detection in the steam generator tubes of Korean standard nuclear power plants by generating the guided wave by changing frequency and selecting the applicable mode from the dispersion curve for the steam generator tube calculated in this study, where the dispersion-based short-time Fourier transform (D-STFT) algorithm is used to enhance mode identification. In conclusion, the L (0,1) mode at 2.25MHz is found to be mo...
DIFFERING POLYAMINE RESPONSES DURING TERATOGENESIS WITH DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN AND FOLIC ACID ANTAGONIST

Polyamine content is correlated with nucleic acid synthesis in rapidly growing tissue and may serve as an indicator of damage by toxins, including teratogens. This report concerns the alterations in embryonic polyamine content after exposure to teratogens. Primagravid Swiss albino mice were injected intraperitoneally on day 9 with diphenylhydantoin (DPH), 88 mg/kg body weight; embryos were recovered on day 11. Pregnant Long-Evans rats were intubated on day 10 and a modified diet was supplemented with 9-methyl pteroylglutamic acid (9-methyl PGA) on days 10-13. Spermidine, spermine and putrescine were quantitated on a Durrum D-500 amino acid analyzer, and are reported as nmoles/mg of embryonic protein. Rat embryos from pregnancies treated with 9-methyl PGA had unaltered polyamines. Mouse embryos whose mothers were exposed to DPH had significant reductions in spermidine and spermine, but putrescine levels remained comparable. Growth during polyamine accumulation is attributed to their stimulation of dihydrofolate reductase, the enzyme antagonized by 9-methyl PGA. Since polyamines were unchanged during this antagonism, they may play no direct role in the reactivation of this enzyme system. Following DPH treatment embryonic DNA was lowered proportionally more than protein content, suggesting a block in DNA synthesis. Folate deficiency has been suggested as the mechanism of DPH teratogenesis. However, the differing polyamine responses to the 9-methyl PGA and DPH teratogenic regimens indicate different mechanisms may exist.
A colour mutation in the Rhode Island red fowl

The recessive Red-Splashed White mutant from the Rhode Island Red is a gold. It is differentiated from the Rhode Island Red by thepp genes and from the other two recessive whites byGG andOO. The expression of black and red pigment in day-old chicks is affected similarly by thepp genes, the chicks being white. In many instances the white chicks having black or red pigment appeared with a black or red head spot respectively. The adult plumage of the Red-Splashed White chicks did not show any distinctive red head spot, although in most instances they developed some red and red-splashed feathers throughout their plumage. The adult plumage of the chicks with the black head spot was in conformity with the down colour of the chick, there being no black or black-splashed feathers. All the other white and coloured breeds used in the crosses with the Red-Splashed Whites carriedPP.
Thermodynamics of Forming a Parallel DNA Crossover

The process of genetic recombination involves the formation of branched four-stranded DNA structures known as Holliday junctions. The Holliday junction is known to have an antiparallel orientation of its helices, i.e., the crossover occurs between strands of opposite polarity. Some intermediates in this process are known to involve two crossover sites, and these may involve crossovers between strands of identical polarity. Surprisingly, if a crossover occurs at every possible juxtaposition of backbones between parallel DNA double helices, the molecules form a paranemic structure with two helical domains, known as PX-DNA. Model PX-DNA molecules can be constructed from a variety of DNA molecules with five nucleotide pairs in the minor groove and six, seven or eight nucleotide pairs in the major groove. A topoisomer of the PX motif is the juxtaposed JX1 molecule, wherein one crossover is missing between the two helical domains. The JX1 molecule offers an outstanding baseline molecule with which to compare the PX molecule, so as to measure the thermodynamic cost of forming a crossover in a parallel molecule. We have made these measurements using calorimetric and ultraviolet hypochromicity methods, as well as denaturing gradient gel electrophoretic methods. The results suggest that in relaxed conditions, a system that meets the pairing requirements for PX-DNA would prefer to form the PX motif relative to juxtaposed molecules, particularly for the 6:5 structure.
Coronary bypass in left heart failure.

Abstract Clinical experience is accumulating that coronary artery bypass grafting is of great benefit in patients with advanced ischemic cardiomyopathy. At Yale University, we have analyzed short- and long-term results in 188 consecutive patients with an ejection fraction (EF) of 30% or less undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting by a single surgeon. This experience permits the following conclusions: (1) Surgery can be performed safely (mortality 2.8% in elective patients); (2) Major improvement in left ventricular (LV) function is objectively demonstrable (EF change from 23.3% to 33.2%); (3) Symptomatic improvement is noted by patients (NYHA class change from 3.1 to 1.4); and (4) Good long-term survival is realized, relative to expectations with medical management alone (88%, 77%, and 60% at 1, 3, and 5 years). If coronary artery disease is severe and proximally situated and there are adequate target arteries, we do not deny patients surgery based on EF or LV size criteria, nor do we require objective demonstration of reversible ischemia. In fact, hearts in the largest size range (left ventricular end-systolic volume index > 100 mL) actually showed beneficial reverse remodeling subsequent to coronary artery bypass grafting. Surgical revascularization is recommended strongly for patients with advanced ischemic cardiomyopathy. Results rival those of transplantation. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
The utility of portable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the wrist in patients referred to a bone health clinic: a pilot study.

Abstract Fifty white female patients referred to a bone health care clinic were studied. Patients with a history of fracture were excluded. At the time of hip and spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), those willing underwent portable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDXA) of the wrist. The mean age of the patients was 57 yr. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment was performed on each patient at four different sites: posterior-anterior lumbar spine, nondominant hip, the distal radius and ulna, and the proximal radius and ulna of the nondominant arm. Comparison of the pDXA results with that of the conventional DXA results showed the highest correlation between pDXA of the distal radius and ulna (DR + U) and the DXA of the femoral neck and lumbar spine. By defining a pDXA (DR + U) T -score ≤ −1 as a positive test and DXA T -score ≤−1 as the presence of disease, we obtained a specificity of 93% and a sensitivity of 82% for decreased lumbar spine bone density (positive predictive value 97% and the negative predictive value 70%) and a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 83% (positive predictive value is 100% and the negative predictive value is 70%) for decreased femoral neck bone density.