cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of the effect of biodiesel on gas turbine emissions and performance

Abstract A continually growing awareness of the finiteness of fossil fuel availability coupled with an ever better understanding of the negative effects of fossil fuel consumption has motivated a search for fuels that can be used in place of fossil fuels, but which can be derived from sustainable sources such as growable organic matter. The effects of using biodiesel in existing gas turbines has received less attention than the effects of its use in more traditional internal combustion engines, due to the challenges of using this fuel in the typical aviation environment. This paper will provide a basic knowledge of biodiesel production and qualities, some of the limitations of its use, and modeling techniques for determining its performance within certain applications. A significant part of this paper is focused on reviewing the current state of experimental validation of our understanding of biodiesel performance in gas turbines. Particularly the experiments conducted to date that have measured the gaseous emissions of gas turbines operated with biodiesel as a fuel are reviewed and discussed. The outcome of this study is that turbines are shown to operate quite similarly when operated with biodiesel as they do with jet fuel, but there are significant challenges concerning material compatibility, energetic content, and low temperature characteristics that must be overcome when using biodiesel for aviation purposes. These challenges are less substantial when turbines are operated at ground level, since ground level operations are not generally hindered by extremely low temperatures and limited volume and weight requirements. Unfortunately, very few experiments have been conducted and published concerning this subject. The paper also proposes further research to better understand and optimize the application of biodiesel to gas turbines.
‘We dislike to see suffering’: the fight for humane slaughter in the United States in the 1950s

The history of consumption in the United States has long been marked by its political nature though historians have struggled to explain the politics of consumption and food retailing during the 19...
A 500-MS/s 13-Bit SAR-Assisted Time-Interleaved Digital-Slope ADC

This paper presents a successive-approximation-register (SAR)-assisted time-interleaved digital-slope analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which takes advantage of both moderate conversion speed of the SAR ADC and low noise of the digital-slope ADC. A coarse SAR ADC is pipelined with 4 channels of digital-slope fine ADC through passive residue transfer for speed, precision and power optimization. A charge sharing-based implementation of the digital-slope ADC eliminates the need for power-consuming on-chip reference buffers. A compact bootstrapped switch-based chopper is proposed to minimize the hardware overhead. Designed and simulated in a 28 nm FDSOI CMOS technology, the proposed ADC achieves a SNDR of 63.74 dB at 500 MS/s while dissipating 2.4 mW, leading to a FOM of 3.83 fJ/conv.-step.
Fixed-Bed Adsorption Comparisons of Bone Char and Activated Alumina for the Removal of Fluoride from Drinking Water

AbstractFluoride is commonly found at elevated concentrations in groundwaters worldwide and is difficult to remove even with activated alumina (AA) adsorption, the best available technology. Conseq...
Opposed type double stage cell for Mbar pressure experiment with large sample volume

A new opposed type double-stage large volume cell has been developed to compress large volume samples to more than 100 GPa (Mbar) pressure. A pair of second-stage diamond anvils is introduced into ...
Israel’s Apocalyptic Message

OLD TESTAMENT READING: DANIEL The OT book of Daniel will be the focus of our attention in this chapter, and thus we will consider the literary genre of apocalyptic writing. In general, there are two subcategories of apocalyptic writing: historical and otherworldly. The latter is characterized by the transcendence of space and a celestial setting. We have many apocalyptic compositions dating from the mid-second century BCE through the second century CE. As we examine the style and characteristics of this unique form of communication, we will observe that the concept of apocalyptic writing manifests a marked distinction between the spiritual and the physical worlds. Reading such literature appropriately, we will observe its primary purpose of encouraging the reader in faithful endurance and patience, assured that God will ultimately triumph and care for his righteous followers. Although monotheism is not explicitly stated in Daniel’s apocalypse, we will note that his God is the sole deity of the universe. In addition to the OT’s fifteen books of prophecy covered in Chapters 19–21, Israel’s library also includes a distinct type of literature called “apocalyptic.” As we will see, this literature is not altogether different from prophecy. In fact, many readers believe that they are related, one (apocalypticism) as emerging from the other (prophecy). Nevertheless, apocalyptic literature is different enough to require a chapter devoted entirely to it. And the OT includes one book in its repertoire that contains in its chapters a fully developed apocalypse – the book of Daniel. This chapter will introduce the topic of ancient apocalyptic literature and will explore the OT’s examples of such literature, giving special attention to the book of Daniel.
ELAVL1 Exclusively Couples mRNA Stability with the 3'UTRs of Interferon Stimulated Genes

Upon detection of a pathogen, the innate immune system triggers signaling events leading to the transcription of mRNAs that encode for pro-inflammatory and anti-microbial effectors. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) interact with these functionally critical mRNAs and temporally regulate their fates at the post-transcriptional level. One such RBP is ELAVL1, which is known to bind to introns and 39UTRs. While significant progress has been made in understanding how ELAVL1 regulates mRNAs, how its target repertoire and binding affinity changes within an immunological context remains poorly understood. Here, we overlap four distinct high-throughput approaches to define its cell-type and context-dependent targets and determine its regulatory impact during immune activation. ELAVL1 overwhelmingly binds to intronic sites in a naive state, but during an innate immune response, ELAVL1 targets the 39UTR - binding both previously and newly expressed mRNAs. We find that ELAVL1 mediates the RNA stability of genes that regulate the pathways involved in pathogen sensing and cytokine production. Our findings reveal the importance of examining RBP regulatory impact under dynamic transcriptomic events to best understand their post-transcriptional regulatory roles within specific biological circuitries.
Recurrent Vomiting in an Otherwise Healthy Infant.

1. Prashanthi Kandavel, MD, MS* 2. Andrew A.M. Singer, MD* 1. *Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI A 27-day-old previously healthy term boy presents for new-onset frequent nonbilious vomiting. At the time of presentation, he is 30 g below his birthweight despite regularly receiving approximately 3.5 oz of formula or pumped human milk every 2 to 3 hours. Findings from laboratory evaluation, including a complete blood cell count and chemistry, are normal. An abdominal radiograph reveals an apparent filling defect in the region of the stomach (Fig 1), and this filling defect is demonstrated again on an upper gastrointestinal series. The patient is admitted to the general pediatric service, designated to receive nothing by mouth, and started on intravenous fluids. He is given normal saline lavages every 4 hours via nasogastric tube. Lavage output is initially white, semisolid, and curdled, but it clears within 48 hours. A repeated upper gastrointestinal series shows normal anatomy and no residual filling defect in the gastric region. The infant resumes feeds without emesis or other issues, is noted to gain 40 g daily while hospitalized, and is then discharged. Figure 1. Abdominal radiograph at the first emergency department presentation showing a rounded filling defect projecting in the stomach. The patient presents again 20 days later for return of forceful vomiting. He has been asymptomatic, with weight gain of 56 g per day since discharge. Vomitus is “white and curdled” (Fig 2). He is receiving 5 oz of premixed formula 7 times a day (approximately 224 mL/kg per day and 150 calories/kg per day) plus ad lib breastfeeding. An abdominal radiograph shows mottled lucencies in the stomach, (Fig 3) and abdominal ultrasonography shows echogenic material in the gastric region. The patient is admitted to …
Knowledge Translation in Athletic Training: Considerations for Bridging the Knowledge-to-Practice Gap.

As the athletic training profession continues to embrace evidence-based practice, athletic trainers should not only critically appraise the best available evidence, but also effectively translate it into clinical practice to optimize patient outcomes. While previous research has investigated the effectiveness of educational interventions on increasing knowledge of critical appraisal of evidence, little attention has been given to strategies for both researchers and clinicians to effectively translate evidence into clinical practice. The use of knowledge translation strategies has potential to bridge the knowledge-to-practice gap, which could lead to reduced health costs, improved patient outcomes, and enhanced quality of care. The purpose of this paper is to 1) highlight current challenges prohibiting successful translation of evidence into practice, 2) discuss knowledge translation and describe conceptual frameworks behind effectively translating evidence into practice, and 3) identify considerations for athletic trainers as they continue to provide high quality patient care in an evidence-based manner.
Special Invited Paper

Let p* be the maximum of p and q where 1 < p < ∞ and 1/p + 1/q = 1. If d = (d 1 d 2,…) is a martingale difference sequence in real L p (0, 1), e = (e 1, e 2,…) is a sequence of numbers in {–1, 1}, and nis a positive integer, then $$||\sum\nolimits_{k = 1}^n {{\varepsilon _k}{d_k}|{|_p} \leq \left( {p^* - 1} \right)||} \sum\nolimits_{k = 1}^n {{d_k}|{|_p}}$$ and the constant p* – 1 is best possible. Furthermore, strict inequality holds if and only if p ≠ 2 and \(||\sum\nolimits_{k = 1}^n {{d_k}|{|_p} >0}\). This improves an earlier inequality of the author by giving the best constant and conditions for equality. The inequality holds with the same constant if e is replaced by a real-valued predictable sequence uniformly bounded in absolute value by 1, thus yielding a similar inequality for stochastic integrals. The underlying method rests on finding an upper or a lower solution to a novel boundary value problem, a problem with no solution (the upper is not equal to the lower solution) except in the special case p = 2. The inequality above, in combination with the work of Ando, Dor, Maurey, Odell, Olevskii, Pelczynski, and Rosenthal, implies that the unconditional constant of a monotone basis of L p (0,1) is p * – 1. The paper also contains a number of other sharp inequalities for martingale transforms and stochastic integrals. Along with other applications, these provide answers to some questions that arise naturally in the study of the optimal control of martingales.
Arthroscopic Patellofemoral Measurements Can Reliably Assess Patellar Instability.

Purpose To arthroscopically describe patellar position based on lateralization, tilt, and engagement, and compare measurements in normal, medial patellofemoral complex-(MPFC) deficient, and MPFC-reconstructed knees. Methods In 10 cadaveric knees, arthroscopic patellar position was assessed by performing digital measurements on arthroscopic images obtained through a standard anterolateral portal. Lateralization was measured as millimeters overhang of the patella past the lateral edge of the lateral femoral condyle, viewing from the lateral gutter. Patellar tilt was calculated as the difference in medial and lateral distances from the patella to the trochlea, viewing from the sunrise view. Patellotrochlear distance was measured as the anteroposterior distance between the central trochlear groove and patella on the sunrise view. Measurements were obtained at 10° intervals of knee flexion from 0° to 90°, in intact knees (group 1), after arthroscopically transecting the MPFC fibers (group 2), and after MPFC reconstruction (group 3). Optimal cutoff values were identified to distinguish between intact versus MPFC-deficient states. Results When compared to group 1, group 2 demonstrated increased patellar lateralization by 22.5% at 0°-40° knee flexion (P = .006), which corrected to baseline in group 3 (P = .006). Patellar tilt measurements demonstrated no differences between groups. Patellotrochlear distance increased by 21.0% after MPFC transection (P = .031) at 0°-40° knee flexion, with correction to baseline after MPFC reconstruction (P = .031). More than 7 mm of lateral overhang at 20°-30° flexion and >6 mm of patellotrochlear distance at 10°-20° flexion were found to indicate MPFC deficiency. Conclusions Utilizing standardized arthroscopic views, we identified significant increases in patellar lateralization and patellotrochlear distance in early knee flexion angles after MPFC transection, and these changes normalized after MPFC reconstruction. Clinical Relevance Arthroscopic assessments of patellar position may be useful in evaluating patellofemoral stability during patellar stabilization surgery.
Bilateral Distal Radius Fractures in a Patient with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report.

CASE Longitudinal follow-up of a 53-year-old woman with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) Type III and concurrent bilateral distal radius fractures is reported. She had a right-sided displaced fracture and a left-sided minimally displaced fracture. Operative management of the displaced fracture showed adequate healing in 10 weeks. The minimally displaced fracture failed nonoperative management but did adequately heal after operative intervention. CONCLUSION Early surgical intervention of distal radius fractures may be considered in patients with severe OI, even in fractures with minimal displacement. This is likely particularly important with patients who are heavily reliant on their upper extremities for mobility.
Good and bad apples in a Barrel: Opposing ends of within-workgroup safety climate

Abstract Conventional measures of safety climate strength based on variance statistics can be used to monitor and manage the lack of consensus in safety climate perceptions among workgroup members. However, any notable deviations in within-workgroup safety climate perceptions may have more pertinent protective or deleterious effect on workplace safety and health than safety climate strength through the work-related social interaction and mutual influence. The present study, utilizing electrical/utility worker sample, showed that upper- and lower-bound of within-workgroup safety climate perception scores can uniquely moderate the associations between safety climate level and its intended outcomes such as safety behaviors and lost work days due to injury. Moreover, both ends of within-workgroup safety climate perception scores showed significant main effects on motor vehicle accident frequency. For the better practice of safety climate management, both ends of safety climate perceptions within workgroups need to be considered in addition to safety climate level and strength.
Protein Domains: Structure, Function, and Methods

In the three-dimensional structure of proteins, domains are stably folded structural units that retain molecular function independent of the rest of the larger protein. Here we review the basic building blocks of protein structure, provide an overview of molecular functions of protein domains for macromolecular interactions, ligand binding, and catalysis, summarize structural and bioinformatic approaches for identifying and classifying protein domains, and discuss the roles of protein domains as modules in the combinatorial evolution of protein structure and function.
Endovascular treatment of proximal and distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms.

Object Surgical clipping of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms can be challenging and carries a potentially significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Experience with endovascular therapy has been limited to a few studies. The authors assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of endovascular therapy in the largest series of proximal and distal PICA aneurysms to date. Methods A total of 76 patients, 54 with proximal and 22 with distal PICA aneurysms, underwent endovascular treatment at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience between 2001 and 2011. Results Endovascular treatment was successful in 52 patients (96.3%) with proximal aneurysms and 19 patients (86.4%) with distal aneurysms. Treatment consisted of selective aneurysm coiling in 60 patients (84.5%) (including 4 with stent assistance and 4 with balloon assistance) and parent vessel trapping in 11 patients (15.5%). Specifically, a deconstructive procedure was necessary in 9.6% of proximal aneurysms (5 of 52) and 31.6% of distal an...
Systems Engineering: Analysis, Design, and Information Processing for Analysis and Design

This chapter concerns with the engineering of large-scale systems, or systems engineering. It especially concerns with strategic-level systems engineering, or systems management. The chapter first discusses the need for systems engineering and then provides some definitions of systems engineering. It presents a structure describing the systems engineering process. The result of this is a life-cycle model for systems engineering processes. This is used to motivate discussion of the functional levels, or considerations, involved in systems engineering efforts: measurements, systems engineering methods and tools, systems methodology or processes, and systems management. A variety of methods are suitable to accomplish the various steps of systems engineering. Some of the methods described are issue formulation; issue analysis; information processing and interpretation. The chapter discusses several topics relevant to the design and evaluation of systems. To develop the design methodology, it discusses the purpose and objectives of systems engineering and systems design. Keywords: information processing; life-cycle model; systems design; systems engineering; systems management
Moons of Exoplanets: Habitats for Life?

Moon systems exhibit diverse characteristics, and present unique environments. In our own Solar System the majority of giant planet moons harbor substantial water ice mantles. The inferred internal structure, and observed activity, of many suggests the potential for extensive subsurface liquid water, both currently and in the past. Liquid water is vital for all forms of terrestrial life, through its integrated roles in biochemistry and geophysics. By contrast, the thick atmosphere and rich, low-temperature, hydrocarbon chemistry of Titan points towards a highly complex surface environment paralleling some of the conditions on the early Earth, and conceivably offering alternative pathways for complex phenomena such as life.
Neurofunctional changes in adolescent cannabis users with and without bipolar disorder.

Aims To compare regional brain activation among adolescents with bipolar disorder and co-occurring cannabis use disorder. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Cincinnati, OH, USA. Participants Adolescents with bipolar disorder (BP, n = 14), adolescents with cannabis use disorder (MJ, n = 13), adolescents with co-occurring cannabis use and bipolar disorders (BPMJ, n = 25) and healthy adolescents (HC, n = 15). Measurements Cannabis craving, substance use, Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal assessed by the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ), Teen-Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI) and a cannabis cue–reactivity task during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session, respectively. Findings The BP group exhibited significantly greater brain activation than the BPMJ group in the right amygdala (F = 4.14, P = 0.046), left nucleus accumbens (F = 3.8, P = 0.02), left thalamus (F = 3.8, P < 0.05) and the right thalamus (F = 6.2, P = 0.02). The BP group exhibited significantly greater activation than the HC group in the left nucleus accumbens (F = 11.5, P = 0.0001), right thalamus (F = 4.9, P = 0.03) and the left striatum (F = 3.6, P = 0.04). Left amygdala activation of the BPMJ group trended towards being significantly negatively correlated with the number of joints smoked (R = −0.4, P = 0.06). Conclusions Bipolar adolescents with comorbid cannabis use do not exhibit the same over-activation of the regions involved in emotional processing as seen in adolescents with bipolar disorder alone. The absence of these findings in patients with comorbid bipolar and cannabis use disorders suggests that these individuals may have a unique endophenotype of bipolar disorder or that cannabis use may alter brain activation uniquely in bipolar disorder patients who use cannabis.
Theoretical considerations of detergency

Abstract 1. 1. Solid particles are more difficult to remove than oily and fatty dirts. In the case of solid dirts, the smaller the particle size the more difficult is the removal of the dirt, whereas, in the case of oily soils, the surface-active products cause droplet formation followed by soil removal. 2. 2. Looking at a homologous series of any soap, with increasing C-number the optimum wetting action will be reached earlier than the optimum washing action. Branches in the paraffin chain shift both optima to a higher C-number. In this case the absolute value for the wetting action will be increased. A second hydrophilic group in the detergent reduces both wetting action and cleaning action. 3. 3. The C.M.C. of anionic soaps and electroneutral soaps are reviewed because numerous soap properties show a break at or near the C.M.C. There is a break in the detergency curve which is in agreement with the C.M.C. in those cases where the full detergent power is utilized and where the dirt is not of an extremely small particle size. Furthermore, of practical interest is the break in the curves of surface activity, foam characteristics and solubility of oils and Ca-soaps at the C.M.C. 4. 4. In the presence of electrolytes, C.M.C. and critical washing concentration are not necessarily the same. Of basic importance in understanding the detergent action of soap and washing alkalies are the interfacial potentials between the soiled surface, the dirt and the aqueous solution. The kind and the degree of these potentials are dependent on the ions of soap aggregates which are adsorbed preferentially by dirt and substratum. The loosening of the dirt from the substratum takes place because the detergent, due to its polar construction, goes between the dirt and the substratum. Electrostatic forces are the influencing factors which cause the loosening of the dirt; this process will be supported by mechanical movement. In general, the dirt cannot be removed if cationic soaps are used in low concentrations because the surface-active ions produce a positive charge on the dirt. But a cleaning effect with cationic soaps is possible if their concentration is high enough to give the substratum surface a positive charge. 5. 5. The cleaning activity of neutral or alkaline salts is dependent on the charge of their anions. Salts with multivalent cations decrease the cleaning action, because the preferentially adsorbed cations give a positive charge to the dirt as with cationic soaps. At high salt concentrations, agglomeration of the dirt takes place and the pH value also has a very important influence on the cleaning action. Therefore, cleaning action with salts present is dependent on the amount of salt and the kind and degree of charged ion preferentially adsorbed by the dirt and substratum. 6. 6. The increase in cleaning action with concentration of pure soap solutions below the C.M.C. can be explained by the increase in valence of the aggregating soap ions before the C.M.C. is reached and the formation of micelles takes place.
Risk of uterine leiomyomata according to birthplace and geographic region in the black women's health study

Purpose Uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) are a major source of gynecologic morbidity among U.S. black women. We prospectively examined the incidence of self-reported uterine leiomyomata by birthplace and geographic region in the Black Women's Health Study, a nationwide follow-up study of U.S. black women. Methods From 1997 to 2001, we followed 20,451 premenopausal women with intact uteri and no prior diagnosis of leiomyomata. Cox regression models, stratified by age and time period, were used to derive rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of interest while adjusting for potential confounders. Results After 68,580 person-years of follow-up, 2049 ultrasound- or hysterectomy-confirmed cases were reported. Compared with women living in the West, multivariate IRRs for women living in the Northeast, South, and Midwest were 1.20 (95% CI = 1.05–1.38), 1.24 (95% CI = 1.09–1.42), and 1.09 (95% CI = 0.95–1.26), respectively. The multivariate IRR comparing women who were foreign born to U.S. born was 1.21 (95% CI = 1.01–1.45). Among the U.S.-born women, risk did not differ according to parents place of birth. Conclusion Our data are the first to provide evidence that incidence of uterine leiomyomata may vary according to birthplace and geographic region in U.S. black women. Control for Pap smear screening and established risk factors for uterine leiomyomata did not account for these findings.
Transition metal ion complexes of the conjugate base of 3-phenyl-5-methyl-1-hydroxypyrazole 2-oxide

Abstract Transition metal ion complexes of the general formula ML3(M = Cr(III), Fe(III), ML2 (M = Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and ML2(H2O)2 (M = Co(II), Ni(II)) with the conjugate base of 3,5-diphenyl 1-hydroxypyrazole 2-oxide = L have been prepared from aqueous solution. All are non-electrolytes and the ligand based on the IR results acts as a bidentate in all compounds. The Cr(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds approximate octahedral symmetry and ligand field parameters are calculated from the electronic spectra. The Fe(III) solid possesses a strong ligand-to-metal charge transfer band at 20.20 kK and ESR studies show the Cu(II) complex to be dimeric.
Purification of human kidney angiotensin I converting enzyme using reverse-immunoadsorption chromatography.

Abstract A rapid and highly efficient procedure for purification of angiotensin I converting enzyme from human kidney has been developed. Following tryptic solubilization, the enzyme was partially purified by DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The final step consisted of “reverse immunoadsorption” on a column prepared by coupling antisera raised against contaminating proteins to CNBr-activated Sepharose CL-6B. Starting with 600 g kidney tissue, 6.1 mg of enzyme was obtained with a specific activity of 108 U/mg using Hip-His-Leu as substrate, a 3400-fold purification with an overall yield of 26%. The preparation gave a single band on 7.5% SDS-urea gels and a single arc against antisera to impure enzyme in crossed immunoelectrophoresis. A single N-terminal amino acid (leucine) was detected by dansylation. This procedure has allowed the initiation of structural studies with the human enzyme. “Reverse immunoadsorption” may be a generally useful method for protein purification.
Wanted, Dead or Alive: Federated Searching for a Statewide Virtual Library

SUMMARY Federated search solutions have strengths and weaknesses that are appraised by librarians in light of Google. Consortial implementations have unique needs that require solutions to be scalable and flexible. GALILEO, Georgia's Virtual Library, recently selected two federated search solutions in order to meet the needs of its consortium, which includes 400 academic, K-12, and public libraries. GALILEO works with the communities to develop the system collaboratively. Implementations should be based on user behavior. Federated search should be evaluated on its own terms as another tool, not as another Google.
Selectivity and regulation of A-kinase anchoring proteins in the heart. The role of autophosphorylation of the type II regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Abstract Downstream regulation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway is mediated by anchoring proteins (AKAPs) that sequester PKA to specific subcellular locations through binding to PKA regulatory subunits (RI or RII). The RII-binding domain of all AKAPs forms an amphipathic α-helix with similar secondary structure. However, the importance of sequence differences in the RII-binding domains of different AKAPs is unknown, and mechanisms that regulate AKAP-PKA affinity are not clearly defined. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, we measured real-time kinetics of RII interaction with various AKAPs. Base-line equilibrium binding constants (K d) for RII binding to Ht31, mAKAP, and AKAP15/18 were 10 nm, 119 nm, and 6.6 μm, respectively. PKA stimulation of intact Chinese hamster ovary cells increased RIIα binding to AKAP100/mAKAP and AKAP15/18 by ∼7- and 82-fold, respectively. These results suggest that differences in primary sequence of the RII-binding domain may be responsible for the selective affinity of RII for different AKAPs. Furthermore, RII autophosphorylation may provide additional localized regulation of kinase anchoring. In cardiac myocytes, disruption of RII-AKAP interaction decreased PKA phosphorylation of the PKA substrate, myosin-binding protein C. Thus, these mechanisms may be involved in adding additional specificity in intracellular signaling in diverse cell types and under conditions of cAMP/PKA activation.
Vectorially oriented monolayers of detergent-solubilized Ca(2+) -ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum

A method for tethering proteins to solid surfaces has been utilized to form vectorially oriented monolayers of the detergent-solubilized integral membrane protein Ca(2+) -ATPase from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Bifunctional, organic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) possessing "headgroup" binding specificity for the substrate and "endgroup" binding specificity for the enzyme were utilized to tether the enzyme to the substrate. Specifically, an amine-terminated 11-siloxyundecaneamine SAM was found to bind the Ca(2+)-ATPase primarily electrostatically. The Ca(2+)-ATPase was labeled with the fluorescent probe 5-(2-[(iodoacetyl)amino]ethyl)aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid before monolayer formation. Consequently, fluorescence measurements performed on amine-terminated SAM/enzyme monolayers formed on quartz substrates served to establish the nature of protein binding. Formation of the monolayers on inorganic multilayer substrates fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy made it possible to use x-ray interferometry to determine the profile structure for the system, which was proved correct by x-ray holography. The profile structures established the vectorial orientation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase within these monolayers, to a spatial resolution of approximately 12 A. Such vectorially oriented monolayers of detergent-solubilized Ca(2+)-ATPase from SR make possible a wide variety of correlative structure/function studies, which would serve to elucidate the mechanism of Ca(2+) transport by this enzyme.
New developments in the calculation of double beta decay

Abstract I review recent work on computing double beta decay rates. After a discussion of shell model and Quasiparticle Random Phase calculations, I argue for a model based on the notion of generalized seniority that combines the advantages of both earlier approaches.
A controlled study comparing a three times daily dose of chlordiazepoxide with a single night-time dose of Trancopal in the control of anxiety, using a double-blind, double-dummy technique.

A double-blind, double-dummy between-patient study in general practice was carried out to compare the effectiveness of a single, night-time dosage of Trancopal and a three times daily dose of chlordiazepoxide in controlling neurotic anxiety. Ninety-three patients received either 400 mg of Trancopal at night and a chlordiazepoxide placebo capsule three times daily or 10 mg of chlordiazepoxide three times daily and one or two Trancopal placebo tablets at night. Each was treated for four weeks. Three assessments were made using a physicians' rating scale (modified Hamilton Scale). A visual analogue scale was completed by patients initially and at weekly intervals and physicians' and patients' global assessments were made at Weeks 2 and 4.Each treatment group improved considerably over the period of the study both for sleep and anxiety ratings. A statistically significant correlation was found between improvement in day-time fatigue and loss of energy and improvement in sleep disturbance only in the Trancopal...
A stationary stochastic approximation method

Abstract A problem occuring in statistics and econometrics is the minimization (or root-finding) of a function of several parameters expressed as an integral. If the integral cannot be evaluated analytically and numerical integration is required, evaluation can be prohibitively costly when the dimension of integration exceeds two. Since Monte Carlo techniques are natural in such a case, stochastic approximation can be viewed as combining integration and optimization. While these methods require minimal conditions for convergence, implementation as a practical problem solver faces difficulties in verification and stopping. A stationary stochastic approximation method is proposed, which is less sophisticated mathematically. This method is applied to two types of problems: a Bayesian decision problem and the computation of minimum Hellinger distance estimators.
The effects of photosensitive dopants on electron mobility in liquid argon

Abstract The effects of photosensitive dopants on the electron drift velocity in liquid argon is presented. Collection times can be shortened by as much as 24% with the addition of 40 ppm of allene. There is no lengthening of the signal seen due to the slow scintillation component of argon.
Increasing Turn Signal Use by Drivers Exiting a University Parking Garage: A Comparison of Passive and Mediated Prompting.

Abstract The present study attempted to further existing literature on increasing safe driving practices through visual prompts by targeting turn signal use at a 4-way intersection. Drivers exiting a university parking garage were presented with a visual prompt (“Please Signal and Drive Safely”) and then observed for turn signal use while entering an intersection a short time later. In addition, the effectiveness of posted signs (passive prompting) was compared to signs held by a student volunteer (mediated prompting) using a reversal (ABACA) design. The interventions increased turn signal use from a baseline of 68% to 89% and 85% for passive prompts and mediated prompts, respectively.
The controls of gastrointestinal movements: some old and new views.

MOTOR mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract are poorly understood. Their study is difficult because nerve and muscle cells are so minute, the integration of the mechanisms is so complex, the sys...
Railroad Tracks as a Potential Source of Ignition in Hazardous (Classified) Locations

Transporting raw materials and finished products by rail is essential to many industries. Rail car loading and unloading facilities for liquids, gases, and solids may have fire and explosion risks and must be designed to eliminate ignition sources. The rail lines supporting cars at these stations may extend for miles outside of the process area and can conduct electrical energy into the process area due to remote lightning strikes, downed power lines in contact with the track, and power system ground fault currents. The temporary bonding devices commonly used in loading/unloading operations are intended to mitigate the effects of static electricity ignition and are not suitable for suppressing arcing from these possible high current sources. This paper will use a case history to illustrate how railroad tracks are a source of ignition, and will provide a comprehensive overview of industry standards, design requirements and operating procedures to ensure the proper isolation, bonding and grounding of railroad tracks and rail cars at loading/unloading facilities.
Associations and Lags between Air Pollution and Acute Respiratory Visits in an Ambulatory Care Setting: 25-Month Results from the Aerosol Research and Inhalation Epidemiological Study

Particulate matter (PM) has been associated with adverse respiratory outcomes in numerous studies that utilized data from emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and mortality records. This study is unique in its investigation of associations of air pollution measures, including components of PM, with health outcomes in an ambulatory-care setting. Visit data were collected from Kaiser Permanente, a not-for-profit health maintenance organization in the metropolitan Atlanta, GA, area. Kaiser Permanente collaborated on the Aerosol Research Inhalation Epidemiological Study (ARIES), which provided detailed information on the characteristics of air pollutants. The Kaiser Permanente study was a time-series investigation of the possible associations between daily levels of suspended PM, inorganic gases, and polar volatile organic compounds and ambulatory care acute visit rates during the 25-month period from August 1, 1998, to August 31, 2000. For this interim analysis, the a priori 0-2 days lagged moving average, as well as the 3-5 days and 6-8 days lagged moving averages, of air quality measures were investigated. Single-pollutant Poisson general linear modeling was used to model daily visit counts for asthma and upper and lower respiratory infections (URI and LRI) by selected air quality metrics, controlling for temporal trends and meteorological variables. Most of the statistically significant positive associations were for the 3-5 days lagged air quality metrics with child asthma and LRI.
Effects of oxygen, water vapor, argon, air and exposure history on fracture strength of Ti–48Al–2Nb–2Cr notched tensile specimens

Abstract Thin plate notched tensile specimens with 0.14 mm radius 45° notches were deformed in tension with step-wise load increments in 2–3 torr gas environments in-situ in an environmental scanning electron microscope and in air. The load was applied in small increments near the fracture load, resulting in average net area stressing rates near 10 kPa s−1. Fracture occurred at net area stresses near 200 MPa, for all conditions. Contrary to experiments in vacuum, 16 out of 17 specimens in gas environments fractured suddenly without stable crack growth being observed. Specimens in which the grip slipped before fracture were unloaded, exposed to air and reloaded to failure. Specimens deformed with various loading and aging histories in air were evaluated to determine how air can attack TiAl that is slightly damaged. Specimens with prior net area stress history above 100 MPa and exposed to air had a higher probability of failing at lower stress levels. The effects of loading history on damage nucleation and environmental degradation is discussed with the potential to use this effect to help identify stress and/or strain criteria for damage nucleation.
Mass Flows in Cometary Ultracompact H II Regions

High spectral and spatial resolution, mid-infrared fine-structure line observations toward two ultracompact H II (UC H II) regions (G29.96-0.02 and Mon R2) allow us to study the structure and kinematics of cometary UC H II regions. In our earlier study of Mon R2, we showed that highly organized mass motions accounted for most of the velocity structure in that UC H II region. In this work, we show that the kinematics in both Mon R2 and G29.96 are consistent with motion along an approximately paraboloidal shell. We model the velocity structure seen in our mapping data and test the stellar wind bow shock model for such paraboloidal-like flows. The observations and the simulation indicate that the ram pressures of the stellar wind and ambient interstellar medium cause the accumulated mass in the bow shock to flow along the surface of the shock. A relaxation code reproduces the mass flow's velocity structure as derived by the analytical solution. It further predicts that the pressure gradient along the flow can accelerate ionized gas to a speed higher than that of the moving star. In the original bow shock model, the star speed relative to the ambient medium was considered to be the exit speed of ionized gas in the shell.
Diabetic Retinopathy and Insulin Therapy in A Rural Diabetic Population

The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was lower in a rural diabetic population when compared to the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in medical center clinic populations. Adult-onset (Type II) diabetics were at greater risk for developing diabetic retinopathy shortly after diagnosis than newly diagnosed cases of juvenile diabetes (Type I). The use of insulin positively correlated with the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in this rural population.
Pressure alters endothelial effects upon vascular smooth muscle cells by decreasing smooth muscle cell proliferation and increasing smooth muscle cell apoptosis

Abstract Background Although de-endothelialization after vascular intervention is associated with intimal hyperplasia, endothelial cells (ECs) increase smooth muscle cell (SMC) numbers in conventional cocultures. In previously published work, SMCs cocultured with ECs in a chronic high-pressure environment exhibited significantly decreased cell counts compared to monocultured SMCs in the same high pressure. This finding contrasted with SMCs cocultured with ECs in ambient pressure, which exhibited significantly higher cell counts than the monocultured SMCs in ambient pressure. We now hypothesize that extracellular pressure decreases SMC number during coculture with ECs by decreasing SMC proliferation through nuclear protein regulation and by increasing SMC apoptosis. Furthermore, this effect depends on the EC response to pressure. Methods Rat aortic SMCs were cultured independently (SMC/0) or cocultured with EC (SMC/EC) under either atmospheric or increased pressure (130-135 mmHg over ambient, SMC/0-P and SMC/EC-P) for 5 days. We assessed SMC proliferative potential by determining c-myc expression (by protein analysis), apoptosis (by cell counting, staining with acridine orange or TUNEL technique), and topoisomerase IIα levels. Parallel studies measured the effects of conditioned media from monocultured EC and SMC exposed for 5 days to control or increased pressure on recipient SMC growing in conventional culture. Results In high-pressure conditions, SMC/EC-P exhibited 42% less c-myc expression than SMC/0s (P = .00028). Significantly increased apoptotic activity (22 ± 1.8%) in SMC/EC-Ps compared to SMC/0s was coupled with significantly lower topoisomerase IIα levels. Interestingly, pressure (SMC/0-P) and EC coculture (SMC/EC) each separately raised myocyte apoptotic activity to 15 ± 1.3% and 17 ± 2.0%, respectively. Conditioned media from pressurized ECs caused a 20% decrease in cell counts in target SMC compared to conditioned media from ECs in atmospheric pressure. Media from pressurized SMCs did not affect target SMCs. Conclusions In a model designed to study SMC/EC interactions in a dynamic environment, EC exposure to pressure alters the growth characteristics and apoptotic activity of SMCs via a secreted factor. Extracellular pressure may alter EC regulation of SMC behavior and regulate intimal hyperplasia.
Modulation effects of cyclosporine on etoposide pharmacokinetics and CNS distribution in the rat utilizing microdialysis.

In the present study, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide (ET) under steady-state conditions and examined its extent of distribution into the CNS of conscious animals. An i.v. infusion of 15 mg/kg/hr was administered to nine rats. Each of the nine rats also received the potent multidrug resistance (MDR) modulator cyclosporine (CSA). Upon the addition of CSA, the i.v. treated animals demonstrated a 53% decrease in ET clearance. This decrease resulted in a greater than 2-fold increase in the steady-state concentrations of ET> The corrected brain-blood ratio (BBR (corr)) was 0.36 +/- 0.18 prior to CSA treatment, and although CNS concentrations increased upon the addition of CSA, there was no increase in the BBR(corr) (0.24 +/- 0.10). The present study demonstrates that the increase of ET in the CNS following CSA is a result of a decrease in ET systemic clearance and not an inhibition of ET efflux from the CNS.
Haunted measurements in quantum theory

Sometimes it is possible in quantum theory for a system to interact with another system in such a way that the information contained in the wave function becomes very scrambled and apparently incoherent. We produce an example which is exactly calculable, in which a macroscopic change is induced in the environment, and all phase information for the system is apparently lost, so that a measurement has seemingly been made. But actually, although the wave function has been badly scrambled, all the original information is still present. We call this situation one of “latent order.” Subsequently, the system interacts again with the environment, wiping out the macroscopic change, and the wave function once again becomes manifestly coherent. Thus the apparent measurement has been undone, and leaves no aftereffect. Thus, our “measurement” has disappeared without a trace. We call such a measurement a “haunted measurement,” and we believe that until the measurement process is rigorously understood, the concept of measurement is ambiguous. It is just not good enough to say that an amplification stage occurs “somewhere” in the process. We also point out the connection between the haunted measurement and delayed-choice experiments and discuss a haunted version of the “Schrodinger's Cat” experiment and of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment.
PPPS-2013: Characterizing electrical and thermal breakdown of metamaterial structures for HPM applications

The use of metamaterials (MTM's) in high power microwave (HPM) devices has been proposed as a way to improve efficiency and overall performance. However, by nature, MTM's are composed of subwavelength structures, often with sharp features, where high electric field concentrations may occur. Thus these structures may be prone to electrical breakdown. Additionally, some materials - especially dielectrics - proposed for MTM composite structures may have difficulty withstanding the levels heat loading found in typical HPM devices. In order to investigate the survivability of potential MTM structures in an HPM environment, two test stands are being constructed to characterize MTM material response to electric field stress, thermal stress, and charging. This is part of an overall, multi-university effort to develop MTM-based HPM devices with improved performance. The first of these test stands will utilize an existing HPM accelerator (Sinus-6 accelerator at UNM) that operates at ≤ 600 kV, kA current levels, and a 15 ns pulse. MTM's will be placed in close proximity to the beam, and breakdown will be characterized via fast imaging, and survey and high resolution spectroscopy. Additionally, a low current electron gun with Vbeam ≤ 50 kV, that can operate from ns pulsed to steady state, will be used to investigate effects of thermal loading and charging. Ultimately, results of this characterization will be used to develop robust MTM resonant/slow wave structures for HPM applications.