cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectra of the Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae

The central stars of planetary nebulae represent seemingly well-defined late stages of stellar evolution. Theoretical investigations with predictions of evolutionary tracks impose difficult requirements for observational data. Measurements of spectral energy distributions, of colors, and of magnitudes, and spectroscopic observations are all urgently needed.
Mechanism of IL-1β-Induced Increase in Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junction Permeability

The IL-1beta-induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) permeability has been postulated to be an important mechanism contributing to intestinal inflammation of Crohn's disease and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. The intracellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate the IL-1beta-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms that mediate the IL-1beta-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability. Specifically, the role of myosin L chain kinase (MLCK) was investigated. IL-1beta caused a progressive increase in MLCK protein expression. The time course of IL-1beta-induced increase in MLCK level correlated linearly with increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability. Inhibition of the IL-1beta-induced increase in MLCK protein expression prevented the increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability. Inhibition of the IL-1beta-induced increase in MLCK activity also prevented the increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability. Additionally, knock-down of MLCK protein expression by small interference RNA prevented the IL-1beta-induced increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability. The IL-1beta-induced increase in MLCK protein expression was preceded by an increase in MLCK mRNA expression. The IL-1beta-induced increase in MLCK mRNA transcription and subsequent increase in MLCK protein expression and Caco-2 TJ permeability was mediated by activation of NF-kappaB. In conclusion, our data indicate that the IL-1beta increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability was mediated by an increase in MLCK expression and activity. Our findings also indicate that the IL-1beta-induced increase in MLCK protein expression and Caco-2 TJ permeability was mediated by an NF-kappaB-dependent increase in MLCK gene transcription.
Treatment of Crohn's disease with infliximab

The role of infliximab in managing Crohn's disease (CD) is described. CD is characterized by chronic transmural inflammation at various sites of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the ileum and colon. The major symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, enterocutaneous and perianal fistulas, and weight loss. Management goals include alleviating symptoms, inducing remission, promoting healing of the intestinal mucosa and fistulas, and modifying the disease process. Drugs traditionally used to manage CD are aminosalicylates, antimicrobials, immunomodulatory agents, and corticosteroids. Infliximab is a chimeric (human-mouse) monoclonal antibody targeted at human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a proinflammatory cytokine important in the pathogenesis of CD. Infliximab antagonizes the biological activity of TNF-alpha by binding to it on macrophage and T-cell surfaces. Clinical trials have shown infliximab to be effective in producing and maintaining a clinical response in patients with refractory, moderate to severe CD. Treatment helps promote healing of intestinal mucosa and closure of fistulas. Infliximab may act more rapidly than most traditional agents and produces less severe adverse effects. The most frequent adverse effects are headache, nausea, and upper-respiratory-tract infections. The recommended dosage is 5 mg/kg i.v. infused over a two-hour period. Infliximab may be given at eight-week intervals for maintenance or management of flare-ups. Infliximab appears useful in the treatment of CD and may improve patients' quality of life.
Small Angle Neutron Scattering Study of Linde 80 RPV Welds

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) results are presented for Linde 80 welds irradiated, as part of the B and W Owners Group Integrated Surveillance Program, at low fluxes ( 1 MeV) at irradiation temperatures from 276 to 292 C. The welds all contain about 0.6 Ni (all composition units are in wt.%), 0.009 to 0.18 P and 0.05 to 0.28 Cu. In the welds with significant amounts of copper (>0.2 Cu) the measured defect scattering cross sections were consistent with either: (a) copper rich precipitates (CRPs) alloyed with manganese and nickel; or (b) dominant CRP scattering, plus a weak contribution from so-called matrix defect features. Similar weak scattering was observed in a low copper (0.06 Cu) weld. The identity of matrix defect features cannot be determined from the SANS data alone, but the scattering is consistent with the presence of subnanometer vacancy cluster-solute complexes. The general character of the CRPs, and the trends in their number density, volume fraction and average radius as a function of fluence and irradiation temperature, are very similar to those observed in a wide range of pressure vessel-type steels more » irradiated in test reactors at intermediate to high flux. The SANS data in the surveillance welds is also in unity with: (a) thermodynamic-kinetic radiation enhanced diffusion models of CRP evolution; (b) mechanical property changes, including predictions of the correlations of the surveillance data base; and (c) an atomic scale, atom probe field ion microscopy study into the nanostructure-chemistry of a CRP. « less
The Permeability and Haemolytic Action of the Fatty Acids and Some of their Halogen Derivatives

The permeability of the red blood corpuscle for fatty acids has been studied by the haemolysis method. It has been found that in spite of certain limitations the method may be applied to the study of various factors, such as the effects of p H, concentration, temperature and buffer content of the corpuscles. If account is taken of the possibilities for error and the experiments are adequately controlled, the results have a quantitative significance. For a given concentration the halogen derivatives are more effective than the fatty acids in producing haemolysis, but no definite relationship of concentration to haemolytic effect has been determined for these compounds. They are apparently taken up by the red cells more readily than the fatty acids, as might be expected from their greater solubility in lipoids. It has not been possible, however, quantitatively to evaluate these differences in permeability.
Alternating cooperative transmissions for a strip-shaped sensor network

We analyze a medium access control (MAC)-free ?alternating sets? transmission strategy for a two-dimensional strip-shaped network. This may be viewed as a broadcast strategy if the entire network has a strip shape, or it may be viewed as a unicast strategy if there is a set of pre-designated cooperators along a conventional multi-hop route, which we refer to as a cooperative route. When there are repeated transmissions, the key advantage of the approach is that it drains the energies of the participating nodes uniformly and in an energy efficient fashion, thereby increasing the network longevity for energy constrained networks. The strategy is based on a very low-overhead form of cooperative diversity called the Opportunistic Large Array (OLA). In the initial transmission, an SNR (?transmission?) threshold is used to define mutually exclusive sets of nodes, such that the union of the sets includes all the nodes in the network or cooperative route. Only one of the sets is used for the first transmission. The next transmission uses the next set, and so on. In other words, for two sets, the proposed Alternating OLA with Transmission Threshold (A-OLA-T) basically alternates the transmitting set of nodes (or OLAs) during each transmission cycle. Previously, we analyzed A-OLA-T under the continuum assumption (very high node density) for disc-shaped networks. In this paper, we analyze the performance of the two-set A-OLA-T for strip-shaped networks.
Kinstate Intervention in Ethnic Conflicts: Albania and Turkey Compared

Albania and Turkey did not act in overtly irredentist ways towards their ethnic brethren in neighboring states after the end of communism. Why, nonetheless, did Albania facilitate the increase of ethnic conflict in Kosovo and Macedonia, while Turkey did not, with respect to the Turks of Bulgaria? I argue that kin-states undergoing transition are more prone to intervene in external conflicts than states that are not, regardless of the salience of minority demands in the host-state. The transition weakens the institutions of the kin-state. Experiencing limited institutional constraints, self-seeking state officials create alliances with secessionist and autonomist movements across borders alongside their own ideological, clan-based and particularistic interests. Such alliances are often utilized to advance radical domestic agendas. Unlike in Albania's transition environment, in Turkey there were no emerging elites that could potentially form alliances and use external movements to legitimize their own domes...
Erythropoietin deficiency and inhibition of erythropoiesis in renal insufficiency.

Abstract Erythropoietin deficiency and inhibition of erythropoiesis in renal insufficiency. The relative importance of erythropoietin (Ep) and inhibition of erythropoiesis in the anemia of chronic renal insufficiency has been investigated. Sixty patients with varying degrees of renal insufficiency, 40 normal subjects and 40 patients with anemia and normal renal function, were studied. Erythroid (CFU-E) and granulocytic (CFU-GM) progenitor cell colony formation were assayed in fetal mouse liver and human bone marrow cultures, respectively. Erythropoietin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Hematocrit and plasma creatinine concentration correlated with the degree of serum inhibition of CFU-E formation (r = 0.69, P Deficit en erythropoietine et inhibition de l'erythropoiese au cours de l'insuffisance renale. L'importance relative de l'erythropoietine (Ep) et l'inhibition de l'erythropoiese lors de l'anemie de l'insuffisance renale chronique ont ete etudiees. Soixante malades avec des degres variables d'insuffisance renale, 40 sujets normaux et 40 malades avec une anemie et une fonction renale normale, ont ete etudies. La formation de colonies cellulaires souches erythroide (CFU-E) et granulocytaire (CFU-GM) ont ete mesurees dans du foie foetal de souris et dans des cultures de moelle osseuse humaine, respectivement. L'erythropoietine a ete mesuree par dosage radioimmunologique. L'hematocrite et la concentration plasmatique de creatinine etaient correlees avec le degre d'inhibition serique de la formation de CFU-E (r = 0,69, P
PERSISTENCE OF MIDDLE EAR EFFUSION AFTER OTITIS MEDIA

To evaluate the outcome of otitis media(OM), we followed 93 children with OM and middle ear effusion(MEE) identified by tympanocentesis. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from the MEE in 63 children: S. pneumoniae(33), H. influenzae(22), S. pyogenes(1), N. meningitidis(1), H.catarrhalis(3), or mixed pathogens(3). Thirty-five were treated with ampicillin(AMP), 58 with trimetho-prim-sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMZ) and all with pseudoephedrine. Middle ear effusion persisting for 4 weeks or longer after presentation (PMEE) occurred in 37.5% of the 93 patients. PMEE was found in 49% of 57 children 2-24 months old and 19% of 36 children 25-144 months old(p < .01). 28.5% of 63 children with bacterial pathogens in initial MEE cultures and 56.5% of 30 with negative cultures had PMEE(p < .01). This relationship was seen in all age groups. No association was observed between PMEE and history of prior middle ear infection, sex, or choice of antimicrobial agent. 3 of 35 AMP and 2 of 58 TMP-SMZ treated patients had persistence of the infecting organism in MEE documented 6-28 days after onset. A new infection occurred during follow-up in 2 AMP and 3 TMP-SMZ treated children. There was no difference in incidence of PMEE between children with bacterial pathogens in MEE(5 of 10) and those with sterile MEE (15 of 29) at follow-up. Identification of children at risk for persistent effusion is important if morbidity of chronic middle ear disease is to be reduced. Children ≤ 24 months old and those with sterile MEE appear to have a significant incidence of PMEE.
Image communication over a distributed multimedia system

The processing of images for use in distributed multimedia systems gives rise to several new issues. In this paper, we identify and address some of these issues. We propose a new method of filtering that can be used to simultaneously compress and de-noise an image. We propose an image transmission scheme that uses the multiresolution structure based on multisplines. We show that this scheme is robust to network congestion and cell loss and also has low coding overhead. We include experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed de-noising algorithm and also of the transmission scheme.
Strength model of adhesive bonded composite pipe joints under tension

A theoretical model is developed to predict the strain of the pipe, coupling, and adhesive under tensile loading of an adhesive bonded joint. The model is found to be within 10 percent of the experimental pipe and coupling strain. Based on the model, several failure modes and their locations are defined and related to the measured data. In this investigation, delamination is the dominating mode of failure. The delamination stress for each test sample is within 7 percent of the average theoretical delamination stress. In addition, the effect of the coupling length, coupling Young's modulus, adhesive shear modulus, and adhesive thickness on the delamination failure are investigated. The model shows that decreasing the modulus of the coupling improves the delamination failure load; however, the coupling strain at the middle of the joint is increased by this variation. Increasing the shear modulus of the adhesive provides the most significant improvement of the joint delamination failure load. Two geometric factors, the joint length and the adhesive thickness also affect the joint failure load. The joint delamination failure load can only be significantly improved by increasing the bonding length up to a certain limit. Increasing the adhesive thickness increases the delamination failure load, however, a large gap between the pipe and coupling may contribute to misalignment during installation which may result in imposed moments under tensile loading. This study can supply the manufacturers with the appropriate design parameters to improve the joint performance significantly under tensile loading.
Pole placement algorithms for multirate-sampled linear systems

Abstract This paper discusses methods for placing poles in multirate-sampled, linear systems. The primary method presented is a periodic variable-gain output feedback technique which accommodates a zero-memory output feedback design approach as a special case. Output feedback gains are chosen to maintain consistent transient response characteristics over all intersampling periods and for any sampling strategy. Thus, different sampling regimes may be investigated while retaining a desired closed-loop pole structure. In this way, one can observe the changes in feedback gains with respect to sampling regime changes. This approach allows simultaneous selection of the sampling regime and the closed-loop poles. An example is included to illustrate the methods presented.
Learned taste aversions in children receiving chemotherapy

Children with neoplastic diseases were offered an unusual ice cream before their drug treatments. Patients experiencing gastrointestinal toxicity due to the drugs were subsequently less likely to choose that ice cream again than controls. This suggests that taste aversions induced by drug-associated symptoms may contribute to the appetite loss experienced by cancer patients.
Analysis of Bonded Joints in Composite Materials Structures Involving Hygrothermal Effects

Abstract : Results of the analyses of stresses, strains and displacements in both the adhesive bond and the adherends of bonded composite material structures and bonded metallic structures are presented. Joint configurations include the single lap, the double lap, the single doubler, the double doubler, and the stepped lap joint. The methods will be useful in designing and analyzing such joints under static, dynamic and thermal loads, as well as accounting for stresses incurred during fabrication as well as hygrothermal histories. Also shown are the effects of important geometric and material parameters on the stress, strain and displacement distributions. (Author)
Effects of Short Term Glucocorticoid Administration in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Comparison to Sarcoidosis

The hypercalcemia of both sarcoidosis and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been associated with increased serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D] and enhanced intestinal absorption of Ca. The hypercalcemia of sarcoidosis responds to short term steroid treatment with an associated reduction in serum 1,25-(OH)2D and intestinal Ca absorption. To gain insight into the lack of suppression of the hypercalcemia of PHPT by steroids, 10 patients with PHPT were studied while kept on a constant diet for 15 days. Days 1– 3 represented the equilibration period, days 4–7 constituted the control period, and days 8–15 made up the treatment period (prednisolone, 50 mg daily in 4 divided doses). In response to prednisolone, patients with PHPT had significant increases in serum Ca [11.5 ± 0.3 to 11.9 ± 0.4 (SEM) mg/ dl[, serum P (2.4 ± 0.2 to 3.1 ± 0.1 mg/dl), and urinary Ca (393 ± 55 to 529 ± 53 mg/day; P < 0.005 for each). The response of serum 1,25-(OH)2D to steroids in the patients with PHPT was variable...
Case Reports: Primary Yolk Sac Tumor of the Prostate in a Patient With Klinefelter's Syndrome

ABSTRACTPrimary yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate is extremely rare with only 2 cases reported in the literature. We describe a case of primary yolk sac tumor of the prostate in a man with Klinefelter's syndrome. Treatment included 4 courses of combination chemotherapy followed by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, cystoprostatectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion. We review the association of Klinefelter's syndrome with extragonadal germ cell tumor along with the management of this rare disease.
Carotid bodies, stimulus interaction, and ventilatory control in unanesthetized goats.

Three goats, trained to wear a face mask and to walk on a treadmill, were studied under resting and exercising conditions, breathing oxygen (PaO2 > 500) or a hypoxic mixture (Pao = 55), and in both cases with CO2 added in graded amounts to bring the end-tidal CO2 tension to a maximal value 20 mm Hg above resting. Expired volume of ventilation, alveolar ventilation and respiratory frequency were the responses measured. The effects of unilateral and of bilateral carotid glomectomy were observed. Positive hypoxic-hypercapnic interaction on ventilation was seen in only one of the animals in the resting state, but during exercise positive interactions became more prevalent. Most positive interactions were lost with unilateral carotid glomectomy and all interactions became negative after bilateral carotid glomectomy. These responses are discussed in terms of the interplay between central and peripheral mechanisms in the interaction phenomena characterizing respiratory control.
Reflectance based object recognition

Neighboring points on a smoothly curved surface have similar surface normals and illumination conditions. Therefore, their brightness values can be used to compute the ratio of their reflectance coefficients. Based on this observation, we develop an algorithm that estimates a reflectance ratio for each region in an image with respect to its background. The algorithm is efficient as it computes ratios for all image regions in just two raster scans. The region reflectance ratio represents a physical property that is invariant to illumination and imaging parameters. Several experiments are conducted to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of ratio invariant. The ratio invariant is used to recognize objects from a single brightness image of a scene. Object models are automatically acquired and represented using a hash table. Recognition and pose estimation algorithms are presented that use ratio estimates of scene regions as well as their geometric properties to index the hash table. The result is a hypothesis for the existence of an object in the image. This hypothesis is verified using the ratios and locations of other regions in the scene. This approach to recognition is effective for objects with printed characters and pictures. Recognition experiments are conducted on images with illumination variations, occlusions, and shadows. The paper is concluded with a discussion on the simultaneous use of reflectance and geometry for visual perception.
The Role of Ductal Anomalies in the Progression of Hereditary Pancreatitis in Children 563

Three pediatric age siblings with hereditary pancreatitis required therapeutic intervention for intractable pain resulting in malnutrition. One had recurrent pseudocysts. The first patient, a 6-year-old girl was status post biliary sphincterotomy and pancreaticojejunostomy. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) demonstrated narrowing proximally and distally within the remaining pancreatic duct. A stent was placed across the pancreatic duct. This relieved her abdominal pain. Serial stents were placed at variable intervals and then removed. The patient experienced prolonged symptom-free intervals, but required additional periods of serial stent placement for 2 recurrences of abdominal pain. Her brother developed pancreatic pseudocysts at 2 years of age. ERCP showed pancreas divisum and multiple pseudocysts. He was treated with external drainage and sphincterotomy. The pseudocysts resolved and he did well. At 5 years of age, he had recurrence of pseudocysts. ERCP with cannulation of the minor papilla demonstrated a large pseudocyst communicating with an irregular pancreatic duct. A stent was placed across the minor papilla and past the origin of the pseudocyst. The pseudocyst resolved within 1 week. The stent was replaced twice and then removed. The patient has been free of abdominal pain with no recurrence of pseudocysts for more than one year. The last patient had ERCP performed at 6 years of age for reoccurence of abdominal pain that demonstrated a dilated pancreatic duct, which bifurcated and ended abruptly in the body of the pancreas. At 9 years of age, she developed intractable abdominal pain. Repeat ERCP showed total occlusion of the dilated pancreatic duct in the head of the pancreas. Biliary sphincterotomy did not relieve her symptoms. She subsequently underwent a 90% subtotal pancreatectomy. The body and tail of the pancreas were shrunken, nodular, and calcified. The patient has remained well in 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Ductal anomalies may play a role in symptomatology and possibly progression of disease in hereditary pancreatitis in children. Endoscopically-placed stents are effective therapy for hereditary pancreatitis. Persistent relief of symptoms may be due to dilating strictures within the pancreatic duct. Pancreas divisum may contribute to disease when present in patients with hereditary pancreatitis.
Plasma lipoproteins of the chicken, Gallus domesticus

Abstract 1. 1. Three major classes of lipoproteins were isolated from chicken plasma by polyanion precipitation followed by flotation in the ultra-centrifuge. 2. 2. With the exception of the high density lipoprotein (HDL, density = 1.063−1.120) the chicken lipoproteins behaved differently on agarose electrophoresis from those of mammalian species. 3. 3. On disc gel electrophoresis of the apoproteins, the major components of the very low density apoprotein (VLDL) and the low density apoproteins (LDL) exhibited similar mobilities which differed from that of the major component of HDL. 4. 4. Immunochemical analysis indicated two identical antigens present in VLDL, LDL and HDL. A third antigenic component was found to occur when apo-HDL was reacted against anti-HDL serum.
Integrin clustering drives phagocytosis coupled to collagenase 1 induction through RhoA GTPase and superoxide production.

Integrin-mediated phagocytosis in fibroblasts is associated to collagenase 1 induction when the particles are coated with high-affinity binding ligands. This study shows that the high density of ligand coating on the particle elicits RhoA-dependent particle uptake coupled to signal transduction. Integrin clustering induced by anti-integrin antibodies or cell surface-binding lectins is sufficient to trigger the pathway. The GTPase RhoA is recruited in response to integrin aggregation at the plasma membrane when uptake is inhibited at 4°C and is necessary for particle engulfment, as function interference with the dominant negative mutant RhoAN19, but not with RacN17, abrogates particle ingestion. Phagocytosis driven by clustering is associated with signal transduction through a transient rise in cellular hydrogen peroxide production to induce a proinflammatory cascade leading to collagenase 1 induction. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 318–326.
Growth profiles and articular cartilage characterization in a goat model of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

Numerous animal species, including the goat, have been evaluated as potential models for human Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD). These models disrupt the vasculature of the femoral head, causing it to collapse, and therefore do not mimic dl the clinical patterns of the human disease. Baseline data regarding the weight and femoral length in the growing goat are not available. This study characterized the goat's normal growth for comparison with that of humans. The growth aberrations in the proximal femur created by surgically ablating the capital Physis were described and compared with the aberrations observed in human LCPD cases. Age, weight, and femoral length (test and control) data were obtained for goats approximately I to 14 months of age. At 4 months of age. a craniolateral surgical approach MUS used to expose the cranial lateral capital physis so that it could be cauterized. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated by graphic analysis to assess the resultant changes in the morphology of the proxim...
Modeling and design challenges and solutions for carbon nanotube-based interconnect in future high performance integrated circuits

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bundles have the potential to provide an attractive solution for the resistivity and electromigration problems faced by traditional copper interconnect as technology scales into the nanoscale regime. In this article, we evaluate the performance and reliability of nanotube bundles for both local and global interconnect in future VLSI applications. To provide a holistic evaluation of SWCNT bundles for on-chip interconnect, we have developed an efficient equivalent circuit model that captures the statistical distribution of individual metallic and semiconducting nanotubes while accurately incorporating recent experimental and theoretical results on inductance, contact resistance, and ohmic resistance. Leveraging the circuit model, we examine the performance and reliability of nanotube bundles for both individual signal lines and system-level designs. SWCNT interconnect bundles can provide significant improvement in delay and maximum current density over traditional copper interconnect, depending on bundle geometry and process technology. However, for system-level designs, the statistical variation in the delay of SWCNT bundles may lead to reliability issues in future process technology. Consequently, if the SWCNT chirality can be effectively controlled and other manufacturing challenges are met, SWCNT bundles potentially are a viable alternative to standard copper interconnect as process technology scales.
Stimulated Emission and Absorption near Resonance for Driven Systems

The rate of absorption of energy from a weak signal field by an atom driven by a strong pump field is evaluated. The pump field and the signal field are assumed to induce transitions between the same pair of states, and their frequencies are both assumed to lie near the atomic resonance frequency for the transition in question. We find that the signal-field absorption line-shape function takes on negative values, representing stimulated emission rather than absorption, even though population inversion does not occur. This amplification of the signal field, which is most pronounced at high pump intensities, is shown to occur primarily at the expense of the pump field, which suffers an increased rate of attenuation. The results are discussed in the context of a theorem which expresses the absorption line-shape function for general atomic systems in terms of a suitable atomic correlation function.
Lessons Learned and Need for Instrumented Liquefaction Sites

Instrumented sites provide essential information for understanding and modeling of ground response and ground deformation. For example, significant new lessons were learned from responses at the Wildlife Liquefaction Array (WLA) including: (1) soil softening led to lengthening of period of transmitted ground motions; (2) soil softening also led to attenuation of short-period spectral accelerations ( 0.7 s) occurred due to liquefaction-induced ground oscillation; and (4) ground oscillation led to a continued rise of pore water pressures after strong ground shaking ceased. A new and expanded instrumented site is being developed 70 m downstream from the old WLA site as part of the NSF Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). The new site has more accelerometers, piezometers and ground deformation measurement devices and the data will be streamed to the NEES-grid in near real time.
Numerical study of multicomponent fuel spray flame propagation in a spherical closed volume

The flame propagation through a fuel spray-air mixture in a spherical geometry is investigated by means of a one-dimensional, unsteady mathematical model with a hybrid Eulerian-Lagrangian formulation. Finite-difference numerical schemes are employed, with non-uniform grid spacing and adaptive time step. The solution applies to the whole extent of the propagation, giving an accurate description of the ignition and flame propagation towards the wall, until combustion is completed. Multi-component and polydisperse sprays are considered. Emphasis is given to: presence and role of diffusion and premixed flames; the movement of the droplets due to expansion of hot gases and the resulting stratification; the effect of rapid vaporization of more volatile components; and the influence of the droplet size on droplet time history in a spray flame. More volatile fuels produce faster flame propagation. Nonuniform vapor fuel composition is generated due to the different volatilities of the components of the liquid fuel spray. Increasing the droplet size causes strong local deviation from the initially uniform equivalence ratio, due to the relative motion of the two phases; fuelrich and fuel-lean zones are present, and both premixed type and diffusion-type flames are observed at the same time.
Visible light induced photocatalytic activity of Fe3+/Ti3+ co-doped TiO2 nanostructures

Black TiO2 nanostructures co-doped with Fe3+ and Ti3+ were synthesized by annealing Fe-deposited TiO2 nanotubes under vacuum. These vacuum-annealed samples exhibited improved visible light absorption and efficient photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination as compared to conventional TiO2 materials. XPS and EPR spectra confirmed the presence of Ti3+ in the bulk and Fe3+ dopant.
The role of functionally distinct helper T lymphocyte subpopulations in the inductionof human B cell differentiation

Human helper T lymphocytes can be dissected into two functionally distinct subpopulations based on expression of the CD45RA (2H4) or CD45R0 (UCHL-1) surface antigens. While both subpopulations are able to induce equivalent levels of B cell activation and proliferation, only the CD4+CD45RA- subpopulation is capable of inducing B cell differentiation in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated cultures. To define the mechanism responsible for the dichotomy between induction of proliferation and differentiation by the two CD4+ subpopulations, we examined the abilities of the purified T cell subpopulations to produce lymphokine mRNA following T cell activation. Northern analysis revealed that both subpopulations produced interleukin (IL) 2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma mRNA following PWM activation. The CD4+CD45RA- subpopulation, however, produced higher levels of IFN-gamma mRNA and the CD4+CD45RA+ cells produced higher levels of IL 2 mRNA. Neither subpopulation elaborated detectable mRNA for IL 4, IL 5 or IL 6. Of greatest significance was that the addition of recombinant or T cell-derived lymphokines could not compensate for the inability of the CD4+CD45RA+ subpopulation to induce B cell differentiation in PWM assays. Direct T-B cell contact was required for the optimal induction B cell differentiation in these assays, suggesting that CD4+CD45RA+ T cells were deficient in their ability to directly deliver the T cell-B cell signals required for B cell differentiation. These results suggest that the differential ability of the two subpopulations of CD4+ T cells to induce B cell differentiation does not result from differences in lymphokines elaborated, but may result from differences in their abilities to interact directly with B cells to initiate differentiation.
Post–Cardiopulmonary Bypass Pulmonary Hypertension in Lambs With Increased Pulmonary Blood Flow: A Role for Endothelin 1

Background After cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), pulmonary hypertension and its associated increased vascular reactivity are a major source of morbidity, particularly for children with increased pulmonary blood flow. Although post-CPB pulmonary hypertension is well described, its mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Plasma levels of endothelin 1, a potent vasoactive substance implicated in pulmonary hypertension, are increased after CPB. The purpose of the present study was threefold: to characterize the changes in pulmonary vascular resistance and vascular reactivity induced by hypothermic CPB; to investigate the effects of preexisting increased pulmonary blood flow on these changes; and to better define the role of endothelin 1 in the pathogenesis of post-CPB pulmonary hypertension. Methods and Results Vascular pressures and blood flows were monitored in 14 1-month-old lambs with increased pulmonary blood flow (after in utero placement of an aortopulmonary shunt) and 6 age-matched control lambs. Dur...
A VLSI view of microprogrammed system design

In this paper, the possible effects of VLSI technology on the design and development process of microprogrammed systems are explored. The function architectures of future microprogrammed VLSI systems are expected to be very complex, and most of them will be implemented as heterogeneous multiprocessors with each processor being microprogrammed to perform specific tasks. Current microprogrammed system design methodologies are examined and are shown to be inadequate. A new design methodology employing a synthetic approach for developing microprogrammed systems is proposed.
Effects of Pax3 modifier genes on craniofacial morphology, pigmentation, and viability: a murine model of Waardenburg syndrome variation.

Waardenburg syndrome type 1 is caused by mutations in PAX3. Over 50 human PAX3 mutations that lead to hearing, craniofacial, limb, and pigmentation anomalies have been identified. A PAX3 mutant allele, segregating in a family, can show reduced penetrance and variable expressivity that cannot be explained by the nature of the mutation alone. The Mus musculus Pax3 mutation Sp{sup d} (Splotch-delayed, Pax3{sup Sd}p), coisogenic on the C57BL/6J (B{sub 6}) genetic background, produces in heterozygotes a white belly spot with 100% penetrance and very few other anomalies. By contrast, many Sp{sup d}/+ BC{sub 1} progeny [F{sub 1} {female} Sp{sup d}/+ ({female} Sp{sup d}/+ B{sub 6} x {male} +/+ Mus spretus) x {male} +/+ B{sub 6}] exhibit highly variable craniofacial and pigmentary anomalies. Of the BC{sub 1} Sp{sup d}/+ progeny, 23.9% are estimated to be nonviable, and 32.1% are nonpenetrant for the white belly spot. The penetrance and expressivity of the Sp{sup d}/+ genotype are controlled in part by the genetic background and the sex of the individual. A minimum of two genes interact with Sp{sup d} to influence the craniofacial features of these mice. One of these genes may be either X-linked or sex-influenced, while the other is autosomal. The A-locusmore » (Agouti) or a gene closely linked to A also plays a role in determining craniofacial features. At least one additional gene, possibly the A-locus or a gene linked to A, interacts with Sp{sup d} and determines the presence and size of the white belly spot. The viability of BC{sub 1} mice is influenced by at least three factors: Sp{sup d}, A-locus alleles or a gene closely linked to the A-locus, and the sex of the mouse. The BC{sub 1} mice provide an opportunity to identify genes that interact with and modify the expression of Pax3 and serve as a model to identify the genes that modify the expression of human PAX3 mutations. 65 refs., 3 figs., 6 tabs.« less
Carrots, sticks and fog during insurgencies

Abstract We formulate a rational choice model of popular behavior during an insurgency. An individual in the population either supports the insurgents or the government depending upon his attitude and the actions taken by each side. We focus on the effect of insurgency actions: benefits, impositions, and coercion. While benefits and impositions are applied uniformly throughout, the insurgents intend to only coerce those actively providing information to the government. However, due to the “fog of war”, which may lead to limited situational awareness, the insurgents may mistakenly coerce their own supporters and potentially drive them to aid the government. We examine how popular behavior varies under different situational awareness scenarios. When the insurgents have little situational awareness, they should take few coercive actions. This implies that the government will be able to foster intelligence sources within the population. If the insurgents have perfect situational awareness, tipping points may occur that result in a significant reduction in active support for the government. In this case the government should take actions to decrease the coercing effectiveness of the insurgents and increase incentives to the population so they continue to provide information.
Treatment of Lymphogranuloma Venereum

Background Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) classically presents with 1 or more genital ulcers or papules, as well as inguinal lymphadenopathy (buboes). Recently reported cases of LGV proctitis in men who have sex with men, many of whom are coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have highlighted the importance of optimal clinical treatment of LGV. Methods A review was conducted of the literature on LGV published between 1998 and 2004, as part of the development of the 2006 sexually transmitted disease treatment guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results Doxycycline (100 mg orally twice daily for 21 days) remains the treatment of choice for LGV. No controlled trials support the use of azithromycin or the use of alternative treatment regimens for persons with HIV infection. Conclusions On the basis of the present literature review, the CDC's treatment recommendations for LGV remain unchanged. LGV clinical care, surveillance, and research are severely hindered by the lack of widely available, rapid, standardized tests for the diagnosis of LGV; therefore, patients with symptoms suggestive of LGV, including LGV proctitis, should be presumptively treated with antibacterial therapy for 3 weeks.
Effects of nitrogen fertilization on young jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and on its suitability as a host for jack pine budworm (Choristoneura pinus pinus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on growth, foliar nitrogen concentration, and monoterpenes were determined on 7- to 11-year-old jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) on two sites in northwestern Wisconsin. One site established after wildfire; the other after clear-cutting. Jack pine budworm (Choristoneurapinuspinus Free.) larvae were caged on fertilized and unfertilized trees on each site. Relations among foliar nitrogen, monoterpenes, larval survival, and adult budworm weight were examined. Foliar nitrogen concentration, needle weight, shoot and diameter growth, and monoterpene production were lower on wildfire site trees than on clear-cut site trees, and were significantly increased on both sites by fertilization. Fertilization increased production of staminate cones on the wildfire site. Height growth differed between sites but was unaffected by fertilization. Contrary to expectations based on the resource availability theory, foliar nitrogen and monoterpene levels were positively related. Survival of jac...
Peptide backbone sampling convergence with the adaptive biasing force algorithm.

Complete Boltzmann sampling of reaction coordinates in biomolecular systems continues to be a challenge for unbiased molecular dynamics simulations. A growing number of methods have been developed for applying biases to biomolecular systems to enhance sampling while enabling recovery of the unbiased (Boltzmann) distribution of states. The adaptive biasing force (ABF) algorithm is one such method and works by canceling out the average force along the desired reaction coordinate(s) using an estimate of this force progressively accumulated during the simulation. Upon completion of the simulation, the potential of mean force, and therefore Boltzmann distribution of states, is obtained by integrating this average force. In an effort to characterize the expected performance in applications such as protein loop sampling, ABF was applied to the full ranges of the Ramachandran ϕ/ψ backbone dihedral reaction coordinates for dipeptides of the 20 amino acids using all-atom explicit-water molecular dynamics simulation...
Le verbe ALLER: L'affranchissement du contexte d'énonciation immédiat

Le verbe aller s'utilise comme verbe de maniere de deplacement (aller vite) ou verbe de deplacement suivi d'un syntagme prepositionnel de lieu (aller devant l'eglise) ou d'un infinitif (aller manger). Dans le premier cas, la preposition introduit le terme anticipe du mouvement (regle R1); dans le second, l'infinitif designe une action anticipee (regle R2). Yvan va manger est ambigu et peut egalement introduire un futur proche qui sera justifie par une extension de la regle R2. L'originalite du verbe aller est d'obliger l'interlocuteur a se detacher du contexte d'enonciation, meme s'il est enonce au moment de l'action. D'autres termes comme hier ont cette propriete mais, en ce cas, toute la proposition est transferee au passe. Au contraire, le verbe aller etablit un lien entre le contexte d'enonciation immediat et son au-dela. Il constitue ainsi une charniere importante entre un langage primitif tributaire de la reference et un langage capable de creer des contextes discursifs fondes sur l'imagination. Une regle unique R definit le verbe aller par son role dans l'evolution du langage. Elle constitue une alternative aux regles R1 et R2 qui rendent mieux compte de la connaissance consciente que le locuteur a du verbe aller
"Fret no more my child ... for I'm all over heaven all day": religious beliefs in the bereavement of African American, middle-aged daughters coping with the death of an elderly mother.

This article examines the ways in which religious beliefs of 30 African American, middle-aged daughters help them cope with the death of their elderly mothers. This qualitative, exploratory study found that daughters use their beliefs to move through states of grief that allow them to prepare, relinquish control, accept death, and maintain a connection to their mothers beyond death. Important themes identified in this study include the belief in an afterlife and the reunification of family members there. Findings suggest that religious beliefs provide a means for adult daughters to cope with the tasks of living in the present yet maintain a tie with their deceased mothers that serves to enhance their religious beliefs and fortitude in daily living.
A three-dimensional boundary-element approach to gas-assisted injection molding

An Eulerian boundary-element approach is implemented for the three-dimensional simulation of the primary gas penetration stage of the gas-assisted injection molding process. The fluid is assumed to be viscous, Newtonian and incompressible. The formation of a solid skin layer due to cooling is neglected. The evolution of the melt front and gas/melt interface is obtained on the basis of mass conservation as the melt flows through a fixed (three-dimensional) mesh of the cavity. At each time step, the boundary integral equations are solved over the two front surfaces and part of the cavity walls surrounding the melt region. The front tracking technique combined with an effective boundary-element scheme appears to be quite efficient for handling complex three-dimensional geometries. The method and its potential are illustrated through examples from two- and three-dimensional simple flows.
Conditional inference about a normal mean with known coefficient of variation

SUMMARY For a random sample from the normal distribution with known coefficient of variation, the minimal sufficient statistic includes an ancillary statistic. The effects of conditioning on the ancillary statistic are discussed and related to a recommendation of R. A. Fisher concerning use of the observed second derivative of the log likelihood function in normal approximations.
IMPEDANCE MATCHING OF MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA ARRAYS OVER WIDE SCAN ANGLES

The concept of impedance matching of an infinite microstrip patch array antenna over wide scan angles by means of a coupling circuit in the feed network is investigated. Computed values of input impedance as a function of scan angles were used as input to an optimization program, which minimized the reflection coefficient magnitude over a range of scan angles. The output of the program is the line lengths and coupling susceptances in the E-plane and H-plane. Preliminary studies show that it is possible to realize such coupling networks. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 19: 252–255, 1998.
Measuring the benefits and costs of utility conservation and load management programmes

Abstract We have learned much less than we could have from utility operation of conservation and load management programmes. Our general ignorance concerning the performance (ie benefits and costs) of these programmes exists because we have not devoted sufficient resources to careful evaluations of past and present programmes. We need to build evaluation into the programme planning and implementation process and we should use actual electricity and gas bills to measure programme performance. Finally, we should conduct well designed experiments to learn what does and does not work.