cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adhesion/atomistic friction surface interaction model with application to interfacial fracture and nanofabrication

Abstract A novel adhesion/atomistic friction (Ad/AF) surface interaction model has been developed for solid materials interacting through van der Waals dispersive forces. This model was motivated by friction force microscopy data that suggest that in at least some cases a pressure-independent interfacial shear strength can be used to describe molecular-level friction. The Ad/AF model has two elements. Adhesion is defined by a traction–separation relationship, where the key parameters are interfacial strength and the work of adhesion. The second element of the Ad/AF model defines the nature of interfacial shear stress in a way that is consistent with a pressure-independent interfacial shear strength. The model assumes friction acts only when the opposing materials are in contact. The Ad/AF model, which has been implemented within an explicit dynamics finite element code, has been applied to several problems where adhesion and atomistic friction are expected to play an important role. Illustrative results from interfacial fracture and nano-embossing simulations are presented. The fracture simulation shows that the Ad/AF surface interaction model generates a strongly mode-dependent effective interfacial toughness (i.e., depends on the relative level of the applied shear). The nano-embossing simulations indicate that even low levels of adhesion and atomistic friction can have a significant effect on nanofabrication processes.
Multicenter Study of Predictors of Disease Course in Alzheimer Disease (the “Predictors Study”). II. Neurological, Psychiatric, and Demographic Influences on Baseline Measures of Disease Severity

The "Predictors Study" is a prospective cohort study of the natural history of Alzheimer disease (AD), the aim of which is to identify milestones in disease progression and to develop a model to predict disease course in individual patients. The empirical background to this study is based on previous reports that the presence of extrapyramidal signs (EPS), myoclonus, and psychosis in AD may signify greater disease severity at any given stage and a more rapid course of the disease over time. The present analyses were conducted to determine whether these independent "predictor" variables were associated with greater disease severity at baseline within a new cohort of 224 mild AD patients recruited from three different medical centers (in New York, Baltimore, and Boston). Measures of disease severity were provided by the modified Mini-Mental State Examination (mMMSE) and the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale (BDRS), which measures functional capacity. Independent variables were EPS, delusions, and slowing of the posterior dominant EEG rhythm. The frequency of myoclonus and hallucinations was too low to permit adequate statistical assessment of their effects at this time. EPS and EEG slowing were associated with low mMMSE scores, whereas delusions were primarily associated with impaired functional capacity. These effects were independent of the influence of age and disease duration. These results indicate that the effects of these independent variables can be detected at mild stages of AD and that these effects can be generalized across different geographical regions.
Predictors of stroke risk in coronary artery bypass patients.

Abstract Background . Stroke occurs after coronary artery bypass grafting with an incidence ranging between 0.8% and 5.2%. To identify factors associated with stroke, we prospectively examined a study cohort and tested findings in an independent validation sample. Methods . The study cohort comprised 456 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting only, and the validation sample comprised 1,298 patients. Stroke was detected postoperatively by the study team and confirmed by neurologic consultation and computed tomographic scanning. Results . Five factors taken together were correlated with stroke: previous stroke, presence of carotid bruit, history of hypertension, increasing age, and history of diabetes mellitus. The only significant intraoperative factor was cardiopulmonary bypass time. Probabilities were calculated, and patients were placed into low, medium, and high stroke-risk groups. In the validation sample, this model was able to rank the majority of patients with stroke into the high-risk group. Conclusions . These five factors taken together can identify the risk of stroke in patients having coronary artery bypass grafting. Recognition of the high-risk group will aid studies on the mechanism and prevention of stroke by modification of surgical procedures or pharmacologic intervention. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:516–21)
Outdoor chamber measurements of biological aerosols with a passive FTIR spectrometer

Outdoor measurements of dry bacillus subtilis (BG) spores were conducted with a passive Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer using two types of chambers. One was a large open-ended cell, and the other was a canyon of similar dimensions. The canyon exposes the aerosol plume to downwelling sky radiance, while the open-ended cell does not. The goal of the experiments was to develop a suitable test methodology for evaluation of passive standoff detectors for open-air aerosol measurements. Dry BG aerosol particles were dispersed with a blower through an opening in the side of the chamber to create a pseudo-stationary plume, wind conditions permitting. Numerous trials were performed with the FTIR spectrometer positioned to view mountain, sky and mixed mountain-sky backgrounds. This paper will discuss the results of the FTIR measurements for BG and Kaolin dust releases.
Electrostatic Forces and Stored Energy for Deformable Dielectric Materials

An isothermal energy balance is formulated for a system consisting of deformable dielectric bodies, electrodes, and the surrounding space. The formulation in this paper is obtained in the electrostatic limit but with the possibility of arbitrarily large deformations of polarizable material. The energy balance recognizes that charges may be driven onto or off of the electrodes, a process accompanied by external electrical work; mechanical loads may be applied to the bodies, thereby doing work through displacements; energy is stored in the material by such features as elasticity of the lattice, piezoelectricity, and dielectric and electrostatic interactions; and nonlinear reversible material behavior such as electrostriction may occur. Thus the external work is balanced by (I) internal energy consisting of stress doing work on strain increments, (2) the energy associated with permeating free space with an electric field, and (3) by the electric field doing work on increments of electric displacement or, equivalently, polarization. For a conservative system, the internal work is stored reversibly in the body and in the underlying and surrounding space. The resulting work statement for a conservative system is considered in the special cases of isotropic deformable dielectrics and piezoelectric materials. We identify the electrostatic stress, which provides measurable information quantifying the electrostatic effects within the system, and find that it is intimately tied to the constitutive formulation for the material and the associated stored energy and cannot be independent of them. The Maxwell stress, which is related to the force exerted by the electric field on charges in the system, cannot be automatically identified with the electrostatic stress and is difficult to measure. Two well-known and one novel formula for the electrostatic stress are identified and related to specific but differing constitutive assumptions for isotropic materials. The electrostatic stress is then obtained for a specific set of assumptions in regard to a piezoelectric material. An exploration of the behavior of an actuator composed of a deformable, electroactive polymer is presented based on the formulation of the paper.
Carbon monoxide, a cyclic GMP-related messenger, involved in hypoxic bronchodilation in vivo.

Recent reports indicate the presence of two carbon monoxide (CO)-inducing enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and -2 in airway smooth muscle. Generally HO-2 is considered to be a constitutive enzyme associated with various neuronal structures, whereas HO-1 can be induced by several factors, including hypoxia. Recent functional data indicate that exogenous CO can induce bronchodilation via a NO-independent, cyclic GMP-related mechanism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of CO as an endogenously produced airway messenger using an in vivo model of airway hypoxia. HO-1 and HO-2-like immunoreactivities were seen in airway smooth muscle along the bronchus and in the respiratory epithelium. The staining for HO-1 was relatively weak but consistent in all animals investigated. In contrast, the HO-2 staining was intense at all locations. After hypoxic stimulation, the staining for HO-1 and HO-2 was equally intense, indicating an up-regulation of the HO-1 expression. In another set up, anaesthetized, ventilated guinea-pigs were given a continuous infusion of histamine to increase total pulmonary resistance (RL). Hypoxic stimulation, induced by inhalation of 180 breaths of pure nitrogen (N2), resulted in a subsequent reduction in RL. Pretreatment with Rp-8Br-cGMPs, a cyclic GMP antagonist abolished more than 75% of this reduction, whereas L-NAME, an antagonist of NO synthesis, was without effect. Zinc protoporphyrin-IX (ZnPP), an inhibitor of HO, mimicked the effects of Rp-8Br-cGMPS. In conclusion, the present findings suggest a possible role for CO in the hypoxic regulation of airway tone.
Prevalence of unfavorable angiographic characteristics for percutaneous intervention in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with left main coronary disease (LMCD) with unfavorable characteristics for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background: Published series suggest that LMCD can be treated percutaneously, however, the proportion of patients in whom PCI is an option based on angiographic criteria is unknown. Methods: In 13,228 consecutive coronary angiograms, 476 (3.6%) patients had ≤60% stenosis of the left main. In 232 patients with unprotected LMCD, the clinical characteristics and angiograms were reviewed with six features chosen as “unfavorable” for PCI: (1) Bifurcation LMCD, (2) occlusion of a major coronary, (3) ejection fraction <30%, (4) occlusion of a dominant RCA, (5) left dominant circulation, and (6) coexisting three-vessel disease. Treatment modality and 1 year mortality were determined. Results: The mean age was 69 years and 68% were male. Unfavorable characteristics were common with at least one unfavorable characteristic seen in 80%. Bifurcation disease was the most common unfavorable characteristic observed (53%) and coexisting three-vessel disease was seen in 38%. Treatment consisted of CABG in 205 (88%), medical therapy in 24 (10%) and PCI in 3 (1%). Among patients referred for CABG, 1 year survival was 88% with similar rates of survival for those with favorable characteristics (86%) compared to those with at least one unfavorable characteristic (88%). Conclusions: Most patients with LMCD have at least one unfavorable characteristic for PCI suggesting that PCI may be a technically difficult option for most patients with LMCD. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cascade estimators for systems on a partial order

In this work, the problem of estimating the state in systems with continuous and discrete variables is considered. A cascade state estimator on a partial order is constructed and conditions for its existence are provided. This work has two main contributions. First, it extends existing state estimation algorithms on a partial order to estimate also the continuous variables. Second, it shows that the proposed construction is general.
ECT in Patients With Psychopathology Related to Acute Neurologic Illness

Psychiatrists are occasionally called upon to assist in the management of patients with severe psychopathologic syndromes resulting from acute neurologic illness. In the absence of other options for treating the underlying neurological disorder or with persistence of the psychopathology after resolution of the neurologic illness, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered. The authors treated four such patients, two of whom experienced no benefit and two of whom experienced dramatic benefit. The authors provide recommendations for the approach to acutely ill neurologic patients with regard to the use of ECT.
Computer-aided analysis of metal flow and stresses in plate rolling

Abstract A computer-aided design (CAD) system for predicting metal flow and roll stresses in plate rolling was developed. This CAD system utilizes information on material flow stress and interface friction and is capable of predicting: (i) The lateral spread, elongation, boundaries of the deformation zone, and the location of the neutral plane. (A modular upper-bound method was utilized for this purpose.) (ii) The stresses, roll-separating force and roll torque in rolling of plates. (The slab method of analysis was utilized for this purpose.) The validity of the computerized models was evaluated by conducting plate-rolling experiments with mild-steel (AISI 1018) plates in the laboratory under cold- and hot-working conditions. The predictions of the metal flow, the stresses, load, and torque were found to be in good agreement with the measured values. Thus, the CAD system is considered to be valid for practical engineering purposes and can be utilized in design and analysis of the process for plate-rolling mills.
Magnetic particles in ultrasensitive biomarker protein measurements for cancer detection and monitoring

Introduction: Devices for the reliable detection of panels of biomarker proteins facilitated by magnetic bead-based technologies have the potential to greatly improve future cancer diagnostics. The reason for this review is to highlight promising research on emerging procedures for protein capture, transport and detection featuring magnetic particles. Areas covered: The review covers applications of magnetic particles in protein immunoassays in emerging research and commercial methods, and stresses multiplexed protein assays for reliable future cancer diagnostics. Research literature over the past dozen years has been surveyed and specific examples are presented in detail. Expert opinion: Magnetic particles are important components of emerging protein detection systems. They need to be integrated into simple inexpensive systems for accurate, sensitive detection of fully validated panels of biomarker proteins to be widely useful in clinical cancer diagnostics.
Helping women to resolve the home‐career conflict

Counselors can no longer dodge the special demands of vocational decision-making with women by saying either “Sooner or later she will settle down and get married” or “A woman can do anything a man can do.” Counselors and educators can help to clarify the factors involved in the vocational choice process with high school and college girls, particularly where these factors differ from those affecting men. There is no need to wait for a woman to seek counseling in order to expose her to these factors; such clarification should be built into high school and college guidance programs for girls. Society will gain if women choose careers at a level commensurate with their potential.
Isolation and characterization of chicken β-catenin

Abstract β-catenin interacts with a number of proteins in different important biological processes, including cell adhesion through cadherins, actin organization through fascin, body axis determination through Wnt signaling, tumor suppression through APC, and transcriptional activation through LEF-1. To examine its function in chicken embryogenesis, we isolated the chicken homolog of β-catenin from a chicken embryo cDNA library. The sequence is highly conserved at the amino acid level between chicken, mouse (99%), human (99%) and Xenopus (97%). In-situ hybridization and immunostaining showed that in the developing limb, it is specifically expressed in the apical ectodermal ridge, suggesting a role in epithelial–mesenchymal interactions.
Maternal Theophylline Consumption and the Risk of Stillbirth

Women in the Collaborative Perinatal Project who received theophylline during pregnancy were no more likely to be delivered of a stillborn infant than were women who did not receive theophylline. These findings add to the safety record associated with maternal receipt of theophylline during pregnancy.
Moving towards Personalized Geospatial Queries

Geospatial datasets are typically available as distributed collections contributed by various government or commercial providers. Supporting the diverse needs of various users that may be accessing the same dataset for different applications remains a challenging issue. In order to overcome this challenge there is a clear need to develop the capabilities to take into account complicated patterns of preference describing user and/or application particularities, and use these patterns to rank query results in terms of suitability. This paper offers a demonstration on how intelligent systems can assist geospatial queries to improve retrieval accuracy by customizing results based on preference patterns. We outline the particularities of the geospatial domain and present our method and its application.
Thermodynamic and Extrathermodynamic Studies of Enantioseparation of Imidazolinone Herbicides on Chiralcel OJ Column

A homologous series of chiral imidazolinone herbicide was previously resolved on Chiralcel OJ column in high performance liquid chromatography. However, the mechanism of the chiral separation remains unclear. In this study, chromatographic behaviors of five chiral imidazolinone herbicides were characterized by thermodynamic and extrathermodynamic methods in order to enhance the understanding of the chiral separation. Thermodynamic parameters of this study were derived from equilibrium constant () that was estimated from the moment analysis of the chromatographic peak. Van't Hoff plots of ( versus ) were linear at a range of 15–50°C, only nonlinear at a range of 5–15 °C with n-hexane (0.1%, trifluoroacetic acid)-2-propanol 60/40 (v/v) mobile phase. The enantiomer retention on the chiral column was entropy-driven at a lower temperature (5°C) and enthalpy-driven at a higher temperature (10 to 50°C). Enantioseparations of four of the five imidazolinone herbicides were enthalpy-driven, only entropy-driven for imazaquin. Enantioseparation mechanisms were different in between 5–10°C and 15–50°C probably due to the conformational change of the OJ phase. Enthalpy-entropy compensation showed similar mechanisms in retention and chiral separation for the five or enantiomers. Several extrathermodynamic relationships were able to be extracted to address additivity of group contribution.
Por La Vida & ldquo;darnos Cuenta”

Abstract Meeting the Healthy People 2000 objectives for cancer education may be particularly challenging for Latinas. Latinas are at an increased risk for mortality from cancer because of poor diets and low use of cancer screening tests. The "Darnos Cuenta" program on cancer prevention for Latinas was developed and implemented in San Diego, California. The bilingual Spanish/English curriculum included sessions on diet and cancer, preventive exams and overcoming barriers. Thirty-six lay community workers ( "consejeras" ) were recruited and trained to conduct educational group sessions. Half of the consejeras were randomly assigned to a control group, in which they participated in an equally engaging program entitled "Community Living Skills". Dietary information was collected through face-to-face interviews conducted pre and post intervention using the Southwest Food Frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The FFQ was designed for use in Mexican-American populations to categorize individuals by intake of selected nutrients hypothesized to affect the occurrence of cancer and heart disease, including energy, protein, total fat, dietary fiber, vitamin A and beta-carotene. Preliminary analyses reviewed dietary fiber and fat consumption patterns. Comparisons before and after participation in the Por La Vida "Damos Cuenta" program revealed behavioral changes in the experimental group. In the cancer prevention groups, the percentage of calories from fat decreased from 31.38% to 29.01%. The percentage of calories from fat in the control groups remained relatively similar (pre: 30.81g; post: 30.09g). Despite a reduction in total calories in the experimental groups from pre to post test (pre: 2413.8cals; post: 2228.9cals), the amount of dietary fiber slightly increased (pre: 29.33g; post: 29.68g). The dietary results indicate that the Por La Vida cancer intervention decreases the percentage of calories from fat and increases the amount of dietary fiber in comparison to a community living skills control group. This intervention based on the Por La Vida model mobilized social networks to transmit knowledge and foster advantageous dietary changes for cancer prevention. Theoretical considerations and the feedback provided by the consejeras and participants suggest that the knowledge and skills acquired by consejeras and participants of the experimental group will persist in the community after the project has been completed.
Speed, Power, and Level in the Revised Minnesota Paper form Board Test

(1944). Speed, Power, and Level in the Revised Minnesota Paper form Board Test. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 93-97.
Empirical models of stem growth and vasculature differentiation processes

Abstract A new notation for leaf trace patterns was developed which is consistent with contemporary contact paratichy phyllotaxis notation. New computer-aided methods for generating accurate stem tissue maps were developed. Study of the tissue maps for the various leaf trace patterns exhibited by Linum stems through ontogeny generated a set of observations which permits more rigorous definition of the developmental rules for vascular pattern formation. Changes in Linum stem growth through ontogeny was defined by empirical models generated by computer-aided analysis of scanning electron micrographs. Linum stems undergo progressive changes from low order to higher order patterns of leaf trace interconnections and phyllotaxis through ontogeny. Positional relationships between interconnected leaf traces is found predictable using long-known geometric principles of phyllotaxis.
Diffuse optical tomography of rat brain function

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) can image spatial variations in highly scattering, tissue-like optical media. We have built an inexpensive and portable continuous-wave DOT system containing 32 laser sources (16 at 780nm and 16 at 830nm) and 16 detectors, which can acquire 288 independent measurements in less than 1 second. These data can then be processed using a variety of imaging algorithms. Preliminary studies have shown that this system can image brain bleeds in piglets, modulation of cerebral hemodynamics in rats, and brain function in both neonate and adult humans. The technical challenges involved in performing DOT over large optode areas is discussed. We describe the instrument and discuss a number of the technical issues which influenced its design. We then present a study of rat brain functional response to electrical forepaw stimulation measured with DOT, and compare it to functional MRI (fMRI). fMRI can separately measure blood volume, blood flow, and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration, and is thus a good benchmark for DOT. The relative performance of DOT and fMRI will be discussed. Our comparison shows similar temporal and spatial trends in blood volume and oxygen saturation following functional activation. These results clearly demonstrate the capabilities of DOT and set the stage for advancement to quantitative functional brain imaging.
Behavioral interventions for agitation in older adults with dementia: an evaluative review

BACKGROUND: Older adults with dementia commonly exhibit agitated behavior that puts them at risk of injury and institutionalization and is associated with caregiver stress. A range of theoretical approaches has produced numerous interventions to manage these behavior problems. This paper critically reviews the empirical literature on behavioral interventions to reduce agitation in older adults with dementia. METHOD: A literature search yielded 23 articles that met inclusion criteria. These articles described interventions that targeted wandering, disruptive vocalization, physical aggression, other agitated behaviors and a combination of these behaviors. Studies are summarized individually and then evaluated. RESULTS: Behavioral interventions targeting agitated behavior exhibited by older adults with dementia show considerable promise. A number of methodological issues must be addressed to advance this research area. Problem areas include inconsistent use of functional assessment techniques, failure to report quantitative findings and inadequate demonstrations of experimental control. CONCLUSIONS: The reviewed studies collectively provide evidence that warrants optimism regarding the application of behavioral principles to the management of agitation among older adults with dementia. Although the results of some studies were mixed and several studies revealed methodological shortcomings, many of them offered innovations that can be used in future, more rigorously designed, intervention studies. Language: en
A Completeness Theorem for Straight-Line Programs with Structured Variables

A program scheme which models straight-line code admitting structured variables such as arrays, lists, and queues is considered. A set of expressions is associated with a program reflecting the input-output transformations. A basic set of axioms is given and program equivalence is defined in terms of expression equivalence. Program transformations are then defined such that two programs are equivalent if and only if one program can be transformed to the other via the transformations. An application of these results to code optimization is then discussed.
An exploration of substance abuse course offerings for students in counseling and social work programs.

ABSTRACTBackground: Counseling and social work programs educate future practitioners who are likely to be engaged in direct practice with individuals impacted by substance use disorders. Recent changes to policy and practice, including the Affordable Health Care Act and DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), contribute to the ongoing need to develop substance abuse competencies among mental health professionals at all educational levels and across multiple disciplines. Methods: The authors reviewed programs of study and course catalogs identified and accessed online for counselor education, Bachelor of Social Work, and Master of Social Work programs to identify offered and required courses focused on substance abuse, as determined by course title and description. Results: Of the 97 master's-level counseling programs reviewed, 67 required at least 1 course in substance abuse and 12 offered at least 1 elective in substance abuse. Of the 89 Bachelor of Social Work program...
Adherence of stem cell transplant recipients receiving glucocorticoid therapy to an exercise-based rehabilitation program

The high acuity of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients receiving glucocorticoid (GC) therapy for acute graft vs. host disease (aGVHD) may limit their adherence to an exercise-based rehabilitation program and hence, slow their recovery. To make this determination, the medical records of 59 subacute outpatient stem cell transplant recipients receiving methylprednisolone (MP) were reviewed for demographic, anthropometric and medical information. Performance on the repeated sit-to-stand, 50-ft walk and 6-min walk tests were determined before and after completing a 4-week progressive exercise rehabilitation program and outcomes were compared by a paired t-test (P 0.05). However, a subgroup of 40% of these patients did experience clinically significant improvements in their physical performance.These findings 1) support the feasibility of having HSCT recipients receiving GC therapy to participate in an exercise-based rehabilitation program and 2) suggest that to do so can result in clinically significant improvements in functional capacity.
The art of statistical mechanics: Looking at microscopic spectra and seeing macroscopic phenomena

Simple graphical spectra are presented as visual paradigms for the basic ideas of statistical mechanics. Each spectrum is designed so that the mechanical information can be readily converted into thermal and statistical properties.
Concentric Layout, a New Scientific Data Distribution Scheme in Hadoop File System

The data generated by scientific simulation, sensor, monitor or optical telescope has increased with dramatic speed. In order to analyze the raw data fast and space efficiently, data pre-process operation is needed to achieve better performance in data analysis phase. Current research shows an increasing tread of adopting MapReduce framework for large scale data processing. However, the data access patterns which generally applied to scientific data set are not supported by current MapReduce framework directly. The gap between the requirement from analytics application and the property of MapReduce framework motivates us to provide support for these data access patterns in MapReduce framework. In our work, we studied the data access patterns in matrix files and proposed a new concentric data layout solution to facilitate matrix data access and analysis in MapReduce framework. Concentric data layout is a hierarchical data layout which maintains the dimensional property in large data sets. Contrary to the continuous data layout adopted in current Hadoop framework, concentric data layout stores the data from the same sub-matrix into one chunk, and then stores chunks symmetrically in a higher level. This matches well with the matrix like computation. The concentric data layout preprocesses the data beforehand, and optimizes the afterward run of MapReduce application. The experiments show that the concentric data layout improves the overall performance, reduces the execution time by about 38% when reading a 64 GB file. It also mitigates the unused data read overhead and increases the useful data efficiency by 32% on average.
A coupling model for macromolecule transport in a stenosed arterial wall

A mathematical model is developed for the coupled analysis of the transport of macromolecules, such as low-density lipoproteins (LDL), in the blood stream and in the arterial walls. The advection–diffusion equations in porous media are used to model the species field in the arterial wall layers. The physical parameters needed are computed based on the available data from in vivo and in vitro measurements. The computed parameters are compared to those provided by other models and the differences are discussed. The advantage of the current model is that its set up is based on in vivo/vitro measurements and the calculated exact solutions of concentration field, leading to more reliable results. The model is used to simulate the LDL transport in a stenosed artery with various area reductions and stenosis numbers. The effects of hypertension and geometrical variation on the LDL accumulation within the wall are studied and discussed. This work provides essential information for studying atherogenesis. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
SATURATION DEPENDENCE OF TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA PREDICTED BY PERCOLATION AND EFFECTIVE MEDIUM THEORIES

Accurate prediction of the saturation dependence of different modes of transport in porous media, such as those due to conductivity, air permeability, and diffusion, is of broad interest in engineering and natural resources management. Most current predictions use a "bundle of capillary tubes" concept, which, despite its widespread use, is a severely distorted idealization of natural porous media. In contrast, percolation theory provides a reliable and powerful means to model interconnectivity of disordered networks and porous materials. In this study, we invoke scaling concepts from percolation theory and effective medium theory to predict the saturation dependence of modes of transport — hydraulic and electrical conductivity, air permeability, and gas diffusion — in two disturbed soils. Universal scaling from percolation theory predicts the saturation dependence of air permeability and gas diffusion accurately, even when the percolation threshold for airflow is estimated from the porosity. We also find that the non-universal scaling obtained from the critical path analysis (CPA) of percolation theory can make excellent predictions of hydraulic and electrical conductivity under partially saturated conditions.
Infrared thermography studies of unsteady-state processes during co oxidation on supported catalysts

Abstract The catalytic oxidation of CO under unsteady feed conditions was studied by infrared thermography on supported Rh and Pt catalysts and on a piece of metallic catalytic converter. On the Rh supported catalyst, self-sustained oscillations were suppressed by vibrating the feed which resulted in an increase in average conversion. Vibrating the feed decreased the ignition and extinction temperature thus extending the stable region of the high state for both catalysts. On the metallic converter piece, no oscillatory regime was observed under various conditions in which self-sustained oscillations are normally observed. Similar studies with 1% Pt/γ-Alumina wafers indicate that the oscillatory behavior occurs when a region with a highly concentrated spot of Pt exists on the wafer. It is speculated that the communication between crystallites plays an important role in the synchronization of oscillations.
A CASE OF INTRAOPERATIVE OUTER SHEATHING DAMAGE CAUSING LEAKING OF BLOOD INSIDE THE LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE DRIVELINE

With the growing use of ventricular assist devices to support patients with advanced heart failure, percutaneous drivelines continue to be the source of complications including infections, fractures and electrical failure. Disruption of the driveline (DL) integrity is a potentially life-threatening
Standard protecting groups create potent and selective κ opioids: Salvinorin B alkoxymethyl ethers

Protection of salvinorin B as standard alkoxyalkyl ethers yielded highly potent κ opioid receptor agonists. Ethoxymethyl ether 6 is among the most potent and selective κ agonists reported to date. Fluoroethoxymethyl ether 11 is the first potent, selective fluorinated κ ligand, with potential use in MRI and PET studies. Further enlargement of the alkoxy group, alkylation of the acetal carbon, or heteroatom substitution all reduced activity. These protecting groups may prove useful in related work not only by enabling the use of harsher synthetic conditions, but potentially by optimizing the potency of the products.
Evidence for the phosphorylation of the type II insulin-like growth factor receptor in cultured cells.

Abstract The ATP pools of monolayer cultures of rat embryo fibroblasts and rat liver cells (BRL-3A2) were labeled with [32P]H3PO4. The type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor was purified by affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-Sepharose and IGF-II-Sepharose columns. A phosphorylated species having the expected size of the type II receptor (Mr=220,000 without reduction, Mr=260,000 with reduction) was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. IGF-II stimulated phosphorylation of the type II receptor in BRL-3A2 rat liver cells. Lability of the receptor phosphate bonds to alkaline pH suggests that the bulk of phosphorylation was occurring on serine residues.
Machine learning for on-line hardware reconfiguration

As computer systems continue to increase in complexity, the need for AI-based solutions is becoming more urgent. For example, high-end servers that can be partitioned into logical subsystems and repartitioned on the fly are now becoming available. This development raises the possibility of reconfiguring distributed systems online to optimize for dynamically changing workloads. However, it also introduces the need to decide when and how to reconfigure. This paper presents one approach to solving this online reconfiguration problem. In particular, we learn to identify, from only low-level system statistics, which of a set of possible configurations will lead to better performance under the current unknown workload. This approach requires no instrumentation of the system's middleware or operating systems. We introduce an agent that is able to learn this model and use it to switch configurations online as the workload varies. Our agent is fully implemented and tested on a publicly available multi-machine, multi-process distributed system (the online transaction processing benchmark TPC-W). We demonstrate that our adaptive configuration is able to outperform any single fixed configuration in the set over a variety of workloads, including gradual changes and abrupt workload spikes.
Reversal of Iatrogenic Punctal and Canalicular Occlusion

Purpose: Significant epiphora occasionally develops after therapeutic punctal occlusion. When this complication occurs from combined scarring of the upper and lower proximal canaliculi, correction usually requires a conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy. Methods: The authors describe a new microsurgical technique for reversing iatrogenic occlusion of both the upper and lower canaliculi. The relatively straightforward reconstruction uses the remaining canalicular system to create new tear outflow sites. Results: This procedure has been used successfully to repair eight of nine consecutive cases of iatrogenic canalicular occlusion, with an average follow-up of 2 years. Conclusion: Iatrogenic canalicular occlusion can be reversed microsurgically without a conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy. Ophthalmology 1996,103:1493-1497
Determining Residual Stresses in Thin-Walled Ceramic/Ceramic Composite Pipes

Fiber-reinforced ceramic materials exhibit excellent strength, toughness, and resistance to high temperatures and thermal shocks. To determine the service stress limit of a material, it is very important to determine residual stresses that are developed during the manufacturing processes. This work uses the laser speckle technique as a sensitive, noncontact, quantitative tool to determine residual stresses in thin-walled pipes made of ceramic/ceramic composite. The laser measurement is combined with an elastic solution to obtain both the radial and the tangential stress distributions along the thickness of the pipe. The proposed approach, suitable only for thin-walled cylinders, possesses different advantages with respect to simplicity and sensitivity. The results obtained show that this approach is more reliable and accurate than the strain gauge method.
Pharmacological Interactions of Mesuximide with Phenobarbital and Phenytoin in Hospitalized Epileptic Patients

In order to study the pharmacological interactions of the anticonvulsant drugs mesuximide (MSM), phenobarbital (PB), and phenytoin (PHT), serum concentrations of N-desmethyl-mesuximide (N-DESM-MSM, the main metabolite of MSM), PB, and PHT were determined in 94 hospitalized patients suffering from petit mal epilepsy. When MSM was administered to patients on stable PB or primidone therapy, the mean concentrations of PB increased by statistically significant amounts of 38 and 40%, respectively. Similarly, the additional administration of MSM caused the mean concentration of PHT to rise by 78%. The data also indicate that patients with PB and/or PHT comedication have higher N-DESM-MSM serum concentrations than patients without comedication. The pharmacological reasons for these interactions are discussed. These studies demonstrate that the disturbing side effects of MSM are often due to the co-medication. A carefully planned therapeutical dose procedure with regular serum level determinations is proposed to avoid or at least reduce the adverse effects of MSM.
ESE-1/EGR-1 pathway plays a role in tolfenamic acid-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to prevent colorectal tumorigenesis. Although antitumor effects of NSAIDs are mainly due to inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity, there is increasing evidence that cyclooxygenase-independent mechanisms may also play an important role. The early growth response-1 (EGR-1) gene is a member of the immediate-early gene family and has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene. Tolfenamic acid is a NSAID that exhibits anticancer activity in a pancreatic cancer model. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of tolfenamic acid in human colorectal cancer cells. Tolfenamic acid treatment inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis as measured by caspase activity and bioelectric impedance. Tolfenamic acid induced EGR-1 expression at the transcription level, and analysis of the EGR-1 promoter showed that a putative ETS-binding site, located at -400 and -394 bp, was required for activation by tolfenamic acid. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed that this sequence specifically bound to the ETS family protein epithelial-specific ETS-1 (ESE-1) transcription factor. Tolfenamic acid also facilitated translocation of endogenous and exogenous ESE-1 to the nucleus in colorectal cancer cells, and gene silencing using ESE-1 small interfering RNA attenuated tolfenamic acid-induced EGR-1 expression and apoptosis. Overexpression of EGR-1 increased apoptosis and decreased bioelectrical impedance, and silencing of endogenous EGR-1 prevented tolfenamic acid-induced apoptosis. These results show that activation of ESE-1 via enhanced nuclear translocation mediates tolfenamic acid-induced EGR-1 expression, which plays a critical role in the activation of apoptosis.
Bioavailability of phenanthrene sorbed to mineral-associated humic acid

Abstract Phenanthrene, a 3-ring aromatic hydrocarbon, was used as a model substrate to analyze the effect of sorption on the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study focused on sorption to mineral-associated humic acid (HA). Batch sorption analyses of phenanthrene to mineral-HA complexes were performed as integral part of the bioavailability experiments to account for the sorbed fraction under the various experimental conditions. A mixed culture that was enriched from a coal tar contaminated soil dominated by Pseudomonas sp . served as an inoculum. Phenanthrene mineralization was substantially enhanced upon sorption to mineral-HA complexes and the degree of enhancement was positively correlated with the fraction of sorbed phenanthrene. This stimulation is thought to be related to sorption of both the microorganisms and phenanthrene to the colloidal surfaces. This study suggests that when sorbed contaminants are still bioavailable, the presence of surfaces may stimulate mineralization.
Basic research in space science: Meaningful collaboration with developing countries

The U.S. Air Force looks world-wide to bring cutting edge basic research into its portfolio. In years past, this research primarily came from Western Europe. Since the early 1990's, however, the Air Force has expanded its collaborations significantly, and works with countries made accessible following the Cold War; countries that have developed new world-class capabilities; and countries with new and emerging scientific promise. Space weather, for example, is an emerging area of international interest, and is developing quickly in regions such as Africa. Other research, such as materials, also has significant pockets of excellence in developing countries, and is pervasive to include space applications. For applied space science and space hardware, however, U.S. export control regulations are a significant consideration in any collaboration. In addition, many developing countries require external funding sources to develop their scientific infrastructure. To that end, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the National Science Foundation are exploring ways to work collaboratively in these regions.
EPR spectroscopy in surface chemistry: recent developments

Abstract A review is presented of some recent applications of EPR spectroscopy in surface chemistry. Emphasis is placed on new developments in the field: application to photocatalysis, spin trapping methods, mobility of adsorbed species, pulsed EPR experiments, and studies on well-defined surfaces.
Influenza virus activates inflammasomes via its intracellular M2 ion channel

Influenza virus, a negative-stranded RNA virus that causes severe illness in humans and animals, stimulates the inflammasome through the Nod-like receptor NLRP3. However, the mechanism by which influenza virus activates the NLRP3 inflammasome is unknown. Here we show that the influenza virus M2 protein, a proton-selective ion channel important in viral pathogenesis, stimulates the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. M2 channel activity was required for the activation of inflammasomes by influenza and was sufficient to activate inflammasomes in primed macrophages and dendritic cells. M2-induced activation of inflammasomes required its localization to the Golgi apparatus and was dependent on the pH gradient. Our results show a mechanism by which influenza virus infection activates inflammasomes and identify the sensing of disturbances in intracellular ionic concentrations as a previously unknown pathogen-recognition pathway.
Sound Vibrations, Pure Tones, and the Perception of Pitch

We hear a “sound” when the eardrum is set into a characteristic type of periodic motion called vibration. This vibration is caused by small pressure oscillations of the air in the auditory canal associated to an incoming sound wave. In this chapter we shall first discuss the fundamentals of vibratory motion in general and then focus on the effects of eardrum vibrations on our sensation of hearing. We shall not worry at this stage about how the eardrum is set into motion. To that effect, let us imagine that we put on headphones and listen to tones generated therein. In the lower frequency range the eardrums will follow very closely the vibrations of the headphone diaphragms. This approach of introducing the subject is somewhat unorthodox. But it will enable us to plunge straight into the study of some of the key concepts associated with sound vibration and sound perception without spending first a long time on sound waves and sound generation. From the practical point of view, this approach has one drawback: the experiments that we shall present and analyze in this chapter necessarily require electronic generation of sound rather than natural production with real musical instruments. Whenever possible, however, we shall indicate how a given experiment could be performed with real instruments.