cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous Groups: Methodology for Class Instruction for Post-Secondary Business Education Courses

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of racial and gender diversity on group process and problem solving in an academic setting. The importance of this dynamic is its value in preparing students for the workplace. The supposition is if a group is homogeneous, commitment and performance is improved. Data for the study was collected from upper-level undergraduate male and female students, registered in two sixteen week business courses taught by one instructor, at a large university in a metropolitan city in the northeastern United States. There were five racially mixed groups of seven members in each of the four sections of the two courses. During this period, group members met frequently for class projects, including a series of case analyses. Only balanced heterogeneous groups significantly enhanced their groupsâ€™ performance on complicated problem-solving tasks over time. They exceeded the performance of all homogeneous groups, except that of the black American female homogeneous groups. Ultimately, the academic grades of the balanced heterogeneous groups as well as their individual members were in the upper half of all grades issued.
Hemodynamic Studies Following Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis

Fourteen patients underwent right heart catheterization 5 to 86 months after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Twelve had preoperative catheterizations, all with findings typical of constrictive pericarditis. All patients showed marked hemodynamic and symptomatic improvement after operation. Three patients had persistent mild elevation of right heart and pulmonary artery pressures; one of these had a low cardiac output. Two other patients developed pulmonary hypertension with exercise, and one man showed an inadequate increase in cardiac output with exercise. Twelve patients were asymptomatic postoperatively and two had exertional dyspnea. Patients with incomplete pericardiectomy over the ventricles had abnormal hemodynamic results, while decortication of the atria and venae cavae made no difference in the postoperative findings. A left anterolateral thoracotomy incision provided adequate exposure for pericardiectomy, and continues to be the incision of choice at this hospital. Younger patien...
Horizontal impedance of square foundation in layered soil

This paper presents an extensive investigation into the influence of key mechanical and geometrical parameters on horizontal impedance of square foundations resting on or embedded in a two-layer soil deposit. The parameters investigated are the ratio of shear-wave velocities, the thickness of the top layer, the depth of embedment and the degree of contact between the footing-sidewall with backfill-soil. The results are presented in the form of simple and versatile dimensionless graphs, which should prove to be useful in understanding the steady-state harmonic response of square foundations in layered soils due to horizontal excitation. The investigation was conducted using a rigorous boundary element algorithm incorporating isoparametric boundary elements. Higher order quadratic elements were used since they can model the wavy nature of the dynamic problem investigated more accurately.
Abstract 2266: Investigating the role of the anti-apoptotic protein ARC in breast cancer cell DNA repair

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90% of breast cancer patients who succumb to the condition die as a result of the cancer metastasizing to other areas of the body. Our lab has previously shown that the presence of a chemoresistant invasive subpopulation of breast carcinoma cells is correlated with the prevalence of metastasis. Additionally, we have hypothesized that chemoresistance and survival of these cancer cells which eventually leads to relapse and metastasis following initial treatment with chemotherapeutic agents is achieved by enhanced DNA repair capability in this population. We reported that an anti-apoptotic protein ARC (apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain) is over expressed in the invasive mammary cancer cells that are resistant to standard chemotherapeutic agents. Further, we have shown that ARC over expressing cells are resistant to chemotherapy both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we examined cellular DNA repair signaling pathways in order to delineate the role of ARC in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Utilizing cell lines where ARC was either knocked down or overexpressed, we investigated potential correlations of ARC with DNA repair capability by means of the single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay). The results of these experiments indicated that over expression of ARC leads to increased cellular DNA repair while knocking it down leads to decreased cellular DNA repair. In order to determine the molecular basis of the role of ARC in the DNA repair pathways, we have performed qRT-PCR based gene expression analysis on ARC modified cell lines using techniques previously established in our lab. The results of these experiments indicated that increased levels of ARC are correlated with upregulation of key genes in single stranded DNA repair pathways such as the base excision and nucleotide excision repair pathways. We are working to identify the specific domain of ARC that serves as its effector in the DNA repair pathways. In particular, we are looking at the caspase recruitment domain (CARD) of ARC which is known to be key for ARC`s function in the apoptotic pathways. Once this domain is identified, it may serve as a potential drug target, the silencing of which could result in the disruption of key pathways required for invasive breast cancer cell survival. Such therapy may facilitate the ablation of chemoresistant breast cancer cell populations, prevent metastasis and tumor relapse, and increase long term patient survival. Citation Format: Eli Grunblatt, Evanka Madan, Sweta Roy, Sumanta Goswami. Investigating the role of the anti-apoptotic protein ARC in breast cancer cell DNA repair. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2266. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2266
O Brave New World with Such Games

Blending mathematical clarity and biological intuition, Broom and Rychtař provide a comprehensive introduction to applying game theory to biology.
Thrombin Promotes Release of ATP from Lung Epithelial Cells through Coordinated Activation of Rho- and Ca2+-dependent Signaling Pathways

Extracellular ATP controls key aspects of lung function via activation of epithelial cell purinergic receptors, but how ATP is released from cells remains poorly understood. To identify mechanistic components upstream of ATP release, we examined the effect of selected G protein coupled-receptor activation on ATP release from lung epithelial cells. The protease-activated receptor (PAR) agonist thrombin elicited a rapid Ca2+-dependent release of ATP from A549 cells. In contrast, the P2Y2 receptor agonist UTP caused negligible ATP release, despite promoting a robust Ca2+ response. Agonist-elicited ATP release was associated with Rho activation and was reduced in cells transfected with dominant negative mutants of p115-Rho GEF or RhoA, and by inhibitors of Rho kinase (ROCK). However, RhoA activation alone did not promote ATP release if temporally separated from Ca2+ mobilization. PAR3 was the only PAR subtype detected in A549 cells by reverse transcription-PCR. Transfection of cells with human PAR3 cDNA increased thrombin-promoted ATP release, inositol phosphate formation, and RhoA activation. Conversely, small interference RNA against PAR3 diminished thrombin-evoked responses. Thrombin-elicited ATP release was accompanied by an enhanced cellular uptake of propidium iodide in a Ca2+- and ROCK-dependent manner and was inhibited by connexin/pannexin hemichannel blockers. Our data suggest that thrombin promotes ATP release from A549 cells via Rho- and Ca2+-dependent activation of connexin/pannexin hemichannels. The relevance of these findings is highlighted by the observation that exposure of primary cultures of well differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells to thrombin resulted in robust ATP release, which was inhibited by ROCK inhibitors and by connexin/pannexin hemichannel blockers.
Interpretive Psychology: Stories, Circles, and Understanding Lived Experience

This essay provide an overview of the “interpretive” or “hermeneutic” approach to psychological research. It draws primarily on the work of Wilhelm Dilthey (1833–1911), a philosopher and literary historian who is generally recognized as the “father” of the modern hermeneutic enterprise in the social and human sciences. Dilthey argued that the human world was sufficiently different from the natural world that special methods were required for its study. Hermeneutics, the deliberate and systematic methodology of interpretation, was the approach Dilthey proposed for studying and understanding the human world. This essay summarizes Dilthey's vision of hermeneutics and considers his conception of the so-called hermeneutic circle, which characterizes the complex dynamics involved in the process of interpretation. It then illustrates Dilthey's approach by interpreting a brief interview narrative using a method based on his work. It concludes with an exploration of some of the ethical implications of adopting a hermeneutic approach to psychological research.
Bronchodilator therapy: comparison of acute response to three methods of administration.

Nine men with stable COPD were studied to evaluate any difference in the acute response to aerosol isoproterenol administered by IPPB or by two simpler constant flow nebulizer devices. The responses to isoproterenol of flow rates, airway resistance and diffusion were measured over four consecutive test days. After a control day a different device was used on each subsequent day in a random pattern. All patients showed a beneficial response to bronchodilator in flow rates and airway resistance. No patient had a significant change in diffusion. We concluded that IPPB was no more effective than simpler, and less expensive, constant flow devices in delivering bronchodilator to stable, ambulatory COPD patients.
Religious Freedom in Islam: A Global Landscape

This paper presents a global landscape of religious freedom in Islam, a crucial matter for resolving the contentious contemporary debate over whether Islam is a peaceful or violent religion. The landscape shows a general dearth of religious freedom in Islam. This does not mean, though, that Islam is incompatible with religious freedom, for a large percentage of Muslim countries are governed by regimes inspired by western secularism. The paper also argues that religious freedom is neither synonymous nor co-extensive with electoral democracy. Several democracies with low levels of religious freedom exist in Muslim-majority countries, while authoritarian regimes with relatively high levels of religious freedom exist but are rare.
The psychology of countering terrorism with technology

This article takes a sober approach to what individuals can do to be better prepared to deal with the uncertainty of these times vis-a-vis the terrorist pall and offers realistic considerations of how the complex mechanisms of terrorism may play out, without alarmist hyperbole, and approaches of situation assessment, appropriate content provision, and concomitant information dissemination. Accurate risk assessment when combined with appropriate preparation can go a long way in mitigating unwarranted fears and anxieties, as well as provide a more rational and appropriate use of the technological tools that are (and will be) available.
Programming for microcomputer-based data collection

Abstract Both desktop and laptop microcomputers are convenient data collection instruments for all types of surveys. Either questionnaire software or data base programs configured for data collection can be used to write questions to the screen and store both verbal and numeric data on disks. Data collection programs written in BASIC are an attractive alternative. One advantage is that such programs are relatively easy to write. This article presents several simple programming procedures for writing BASIC programs that will serve a variety of data collection needs. Covered are the storage of verbal and numerical data, skip patterns, error checking, and sequential record numbering. Once written for one project, the program framework can be used again in other surveys.
Optical diagnostics for characterization of electron energy distributions: argon inductively coupled plasmas

The assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium in low-temperature plasmas can lead to errors in determination of electron energy distribution functions (EEDFs) using optical diagnostics. Significant improvements in the accuracy of EEDFs determined using optical diagnostics on argon-containing inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) are possible by fitting an analytic representation of the EEDF with two adjustable parameters (x and Tx) to recorded optical emission spectra. This so-called x-form of the EEDF captures the well-known suppression of the high-energy portion of the EEDF (compared with the Maxwellian form) observed in ICPs. A review of electron kinetics summarizes the physical mechanisms that lead to this form, and explains the weak dependence of x on operating pressure. For the 1–25 mTorr pressure range of argon-containing mixtures in the system examined, the fixed value x = 1.2 is found to represent the EEDF very well, followed by a near linear increase in x with pressure from x = 1.2 to 1.6 in the 25–50 mTorr range. Significantly improved agreement between predictions of effective electron temperature with a global model and both probe and optical measurements when a Maxwellian EEDF is replaced by the x-form further highlights the benefit of the x-form in improved accuracy in determining the EEDF with optical diagnostics.
System Evaluation of Heat Pumps Operated in Both Heating and Air Conditioning Modes

This paper demonstrates the development and application of total system methods for the evaluation of the impacts of heat pumps used in both heating and cooling modes in terms of time-dependent system demand, primary fuel requirements and central electric generating capacity requirements over a generation planning period. A model which breaks down cooling energy requirements into its weather sensitive components is presented. The model is then applied to the 1977 New York State electric power system in order to evaluate the impacts that various penetration levels of heat pumps would have had if they were installed on the system. The longer range impacts of the heat pumps is then evaluated in a set of cases which gradually introduce the heat pumps over a 1981 to 2000 electric power system planning period. Evaluations are made in terms of installed thermal generating capacity, operating strategy and primary fuel requirements.
The relationship between the technical accuracy of stereotactic interstitial implantation for high grade gliomas and the pattern of tumor recurrence.

PURPOSE To correlate the pattern of failure and subsequent survival with the technical accuracy of stereotactic brain tumor implantation. METHODS AND MATERIALS The patterns of failure of 47 consecutive patients with primary or recurrent gliomas after stereotactic implantation delivering 60 Gy via removable high activity 125I sources were reviewed. When the tumor was covered at all levels by the chosen isodose distribution, the implant was considered to be "ideal." If the coverage was not complete, a numerical description of the volume of tumor outside the isodose was assigned. Criteria for "adequate" and "inadequate" implants were defined. Standard radiographic criteria, with pathologic confirmation in 26 cases, were used to categorize the patterns of failure into the following components: central, peripheral, distant (within the brain parenchyma), leptomeningeal, and spinal. A peripheral failure was scored as being in the "direction of error" when the prescribed isodose did not cover the tumor volume and the subsequent tumor progression was in this region. Survival was calculated from the date of implantation. RESULTS Of 47 cases examined, 72% had an element of central and/or peripheral failure and 23% had a component of distant or meningeal failure. Among the patients with "adequate" or "inadequate" ("nonideal") implants who had a component of peripheral failure, only 19% were in the "direction of error." All patients with technically "inadequate" implants progressed in both the central and peripheral region. Among the groups who had "ideal," "adequate," and "inadequate" implants; 37%, 70%, and 75%, respectively, underwent reoperation [p = not significant (NS)]. Patients who underwent reoperation had a longer median survival than those who did not; 521 days vs. 298 days, respectively (p = 0.035). For patients with "nonideal" implants, a median survival of 470 days was found for patients undergoing reoperation vs. 184 days for those who did not (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS (a) Patients with "inadequate" implants failed in both the central and peripheral region in all cases. This pattern, while less common in those with "ideal" or "adequate" implants, occurred in the majority of cases. (b) The technical excellence of the implant had no impact on survival. (c) Patients with "nonideal" implants were more likely to have reoperation than those with "ideal" implants, and this intervention was associated with a significant survival advantage.
Striving to Provide Safety Assistance for Families of Elders: The SAFE House Project

We describe the process of installing a monitoring system in the homes of 19 families who were caring for a relative with dementia, and evaluating the use of the system for 24 weeks. The system is Internet-based and consists of cameras and sensors that are routed through a controller unit via a broadband-connected computer to a web site. From the web site, text messages indicating sensor activity are sent to a cell phone that alerts caregivers to activity in the home. Specifically, we discuss ‘behind the scenes’ issues associated with bundling the various technologies together and installing and maintaining the technologies in caregivers’ homes, describe the challenges that caregivers confronted while using the technology, and summarize caregivers’ experiences with the technologies over the 24-week assessment period. Results indicate that, although the use of technology is not without challenge, it has the potential to facilitate family caregiving.
Isabelle--A progress report

This paper discusses the ISABELLE project, which has the objective of constructing a high-energy proton colliding beam facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The major technical features of the intersecting storage accelerators with their projected performance are described. Application of over 1000 superconducting magnets in the two rings represents the salient characteristic of the machine. The status of the entire project, the technical progress made so far, and difficulties encountered are reviewed.
Water budget and flow patterns in an urban wetland

Abstract The hydrologic budget of a streamside urban peatland in south central Wisconsin, USA, was constructed, and the patterns of groundwater and surface water flow were described over a 2 year period. Precipitation and surface flow comprised over 95% of the inputs to the wetland, while evapotranspiration was the major output. Evapotranspiration was significantly lower in cattail-dominated sections of the wetland. Low piezometric heads in and below the aquitard underneath the peatland created weak downward gradients from the wetland to the aquifer below. Within the peat itself, weak upward or discharge gradients were dominant. Three major patterns of horizontal shallow groundwater flow were seen, but shallow gradients and low hydraulic conductivities prevented large inputs or outputs of water through these pathways. The wetland has a large capacity for flood storage, but it did not make significant contributions to groundwater supplies or to streamflow during the time of this study. Error analysis revealed enormous uncertainties in many of the components of the budget.
'Above All Else': Contexts of the Call for Verbal Integrity in James 5.12

Despite wide-ranging views among commentators, 'above all else' was intended to focus attention on the call for verbal integrity which follows in Jas 5.12. This may be seen by the literary context which shows the call for verbal integrity to be the last in a series of appeals, beginning in 4.11-12, for the readers to control their speech in various ways. The early church context also heightens verbal integrity as an essential principle in Christian behavior. Finally, a survey of the representative literature of Jews, Greeks, and even early Egyptians and Babylonians reveals nine cross-cultural principles regarding verbal integrity and the outlawing of oaths from which Jas 5.12 derives.
The Timothy Syndrome Mutation In Cav1.2 Causes Dendritic Retraction Through Calcium-independent Activation Of The Rhoa Pathway

L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCs) play a key role in neuronal development by activating signaling pathways that regulate neuronal gene expression and morphology. A point mutation in the LTC CaV1.2, which blocks voltage-dependent inactivation (VDI), causes autism in Timothy Syndrome (TS) patients. While it is known how VDI influences the current through LTCs, it is not known how alterations in VDI affect the signalling function of CaV1.2 in neurons and ultimately cause developmental defects that lead to autism. Here we show that CaV1.2 channels containing the TS mutation (TS-CaV1.2) cause dendrite retraction and reduced dendrite branching in cortical neurons in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, we found that TS-CaV1.2 causes dendritic retraction independently of Ca2+ influx through the channel suggesting that the voltage-dependent conformational changes associated with VDI play an important and unexpected role in CaV1.2 signaling. In addition, we found that TS-CaV1.2 causes dendrite retraction by activating the RhoA signalling pathway. We found that the small GTP-binding protein Gem with the channel beta subunit play a critical role in mediating the calcium-independent activation of RhoA by TS-CaV1.2. Our results provide new insight into how LTCs are coupled to cytoskeletal signaling pathways in neurons and shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of TS and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.Supported by NIH RO1 NS48564-01 to RD
Visualization of Force-Mediated Looping Dynamics of a Single DNA Molecule by the E. coli protein FIS

Various experiments have suggested that DNA is “looped” by proteins, such as the E coli nucleoid associated protein FIS, in a concentration- and force-dependent manner. However, there has been no direct evidence that discrete DNA condensation domains are formed by FIS, until now. Using a combined magnetic tweezers/fluorescence microscopy apparatus, we have measured the dynamics and visualized the formation of discrete condensation domains in a single DNA molecule by FIS. Visualization was achieved by binding a gfp-FIS conjugate to lambda-DNA at concentrations higher than 1uM. The force dependence and rate of condensation are demonstrated.
Being Góral: Identity Politics and Globalization in Postsocialist Poland

Being Goral: Identity Politics and Globalization in Postsocialist Poland. Deborah Cahalen Schneider. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2006. 212 pp.
Poly(chloral‐1,3‐dioxolane diol)

Chloral and cyclic formals were copolymerized in the presence of acidic catalysts and controlled amounts of water to diols of varying compositions and molecular weights. Cyclic oligomers were formed irreversibly as by-products from the monomers and were also obtained by depolymerization. Condensation of the diols with diisocyanates yielded linear polyurethanes of improved flame resistance.
The effect of wind on flames

A simplified and improved correlation for the drag coefficient of windblown natural gas flames is given. Experimental results leading to the correlation were obtained in a low-speed wind tunnel specifically designed for such studies at the University of Oklahoma North Campus.
Preferential Localization of Effector Memory Cells in Nonlymphoid Tissue

Many intracellular pathogens infect a broad range of host tissues, but the importance of T cells for immunity in these sites is unclear because most of our understanding of antimicrobial T cell responses comes from analyses of lymphoid tissue. Here, we show that in response to viral or bacterial infection, antigen-specific CD8 T cells migrated to nonlymphoid tissues and were present as long-lived memory cells. Strikingly, CD8 memory T cells isolated from nonlymphoid tissues exhibited effector levels of lytic activity directly ex vivo, in contrast to their splenic counterparts. These results point to the existence of a population of extralymphoid effector memory T cells poised for immediate response to infection.
Impact of 1994 Northridge earthquake on masonry: design and build tall reinforced masonry buildings

The 1994 Northridge earthquake confirmed the fact that it is now possible to design tall masonry buildings that have excellent and predictable earthquake performance. In general, masonry buildings performed well during the Northridge earthquake, and when construction practice was good the structural performance of masonry buildings was excellent. However, since most masonry buildings are stiff, low-rise structures, the amount of non-structural damage was significant. This is because the high floor accelerations that occur in low-rise buildings during earthquakes usually results in increased damage to non-structural components. Tall masonry buildings are more flexible and respond to earthquake shaking with longer periods of vibration than low-rise buildings. This result is lower floor accelerations and consequently less non-structural damage. In addition, tall masonry walls can be designed to respond in flexural limit states that are inherently more ductile and predictable than the behavior of short, squat walls. This means that the structural performance of tall masonry buildings in future earthquakes will be better than that observed in low-rise buildings during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It is thus clear that tall masonry buildings will provide an improvement to the proven earthquake response of masonry structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of membrane-bound aminopeptidases from rat brain: identification of the enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase

Rat brain aminopeptidase activity was solubilized from membranes by incubation with thiols. This novel procedure resulted in the release of the same two aminopeptidases (MI and MII) previously shown to be solubilized by the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. The solubilized aminopeptidases MI and MII were resolved by ion-exchange chromatography and further purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography. Aminopeptidase MI was shown to hydrolyze only the beta-naphthylamides of arginine and lysine whereas aminopeptidase MII exhibited a broad specificity with respect to amino acid beta-naphthylamides. Only aminopeptidase MII hydrolyzed Leu-enkephalin at a significant rate, indicating that this enzyme can account for the membrane-bound enkephalin aminopeptidase activity. The enkephalin-degrading aminopeptidase is potently inhibited by opioid (alpha-neo-endorphin and dynorphin) as well as nonopioid (substance P, somatostatin, and angiotensin I) peptides in the range of 0.2-2.0 microM. The regional distribution of aminopeptidases MI and MII in rat brain are rather different, with aminopeptidase MII distribution more closely paralleling the distribution of opiate receptors.
Polarization effects on oceanographic lidar

A simplified radiative transfer equation yields a simple analytic expression for the co- and cross-polarized return in a linearly polarized oceanographic lidar. This equation agrees well with the lidar data over a wide range of oceanographic conditions. The relationship between depolarization and lidar attenuation shows three distinct relationships corresponding to water within the Columbia River plume, near-shore water outside of the plume, and off-shore water.
Effects of ewe age and season of lambing on prolificacy in US Targhee, Suffolk, and Polypay sheep

Factors affecting ewe prolificacy (number of lambs born per ewe lambing) were evaluated using records on 9705 Targhee, 12,721 Suffolk, and 7231 Polypay lambings from flocks participating in the US National Sheep Improvement Program. Factors considered were ewe age and season of lambing. Prolificacy was affected by age of the ewe (P 8-year-old) ewes was consistently reduced by 0.17-0.20 lambs relative to adult ewes. Within the 1-year-old age class, age in months further affected prolificacy of Suffolk and Polypay but not Targhee ewes. For these two breeds, prolificacy of 15-month-old ewes averaged 0.21 lambs more than that observed for 12-month-old ewes. Seasonal differences in prolificacy were large for Targhee and Polypay (P<0.001) but not for Suffolk (P=0.23) and the distribution of lambings among seasons differed (P<0.001) for all breeds. 22% of adult Polypay ewes, but only 1% of Targhee and Suffolk ewes lambed in summer and autumn. Prolificacy was highest in winter and spring lambings (December through May) and did not differ importantly among months within this period. Average prolificacy of 3- to 6-year-old ewes lambing in winter and spring was 1.75 for Targhee, 1.91 for Suffolk, and 2.13 for Polypay. For age groups with at least 10 observations, prolificacy in autumn (September through November) was reduced by an average of 0.14 lambs in Suffolk and 0.24 lambs in Polypay (very few Targhee lambed in autumn). Prolificacy in summer (June through August) was reduced by an average of 0.18 lambs in Targhee and 0.31 lambs in Polypay (very few Suffolks lambed in summer). Adjustment of prolificacy records for effects of ewe age is therefore necessary in genetic evaluation programs. Seasonal effects on prolificacy are probably best handled by placing ewes that lamb in different seasons in different contemporary groups.
Quantifying absolute water content of minerals using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

reflectance spectra in the 1.3–5.0 mm wavelength region may be used to estimate the absolute or relative amount of water in particulate materials. Laboratory reflectance spectra of five hydrated materials (sodium and magnesium montmorillonite, sulfate, zeolite, and palagonite) with initial water contents ranging from 6 to 20 wt % were measured under decreased relative humidity and heated conditions to control their absolute water content. Relationships between absolute water content and water-related absorptions were quantified using common band parameters (e.g., band depth and mean optical path length). Parameters calculated using fundamental O-H stretching absorptions within the 3 mm region show trends with water content that are consistent among the samples, whereas those calculated using combination O-H stretch and H-O-H bend absorptions in the 1.9 mm region do not. There appears to be no correlation between water absorptions near 1.9 mm and absolute water content that is independent of composition or between these absorptions and their counterparts near � 2.9–3.1 mm. Combination overtone absorptions near 1.9 mm therefore are not expected to be reliable estimators of water content for mixtures of minerals. A parameter we call normalized optical path length (NOPL) exhibits a strong exponential correlation to absolute water content for the 3 mm region. On the basis of our current laboratory data, the NOPL parameter can be used to estimate H2O content within ±1 wt % or better over a wide range of water contents for the five materials examined. In addition to estimating the water content of laboratory samples, these methods can also be used to map the hydration state of planetary surfaces using high-resolution visible-near-infrared spacecraft data. Citation: Milliken, R. E., and J. F. Mustard (2005), Quantifying absolute water content of minerals using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, J. Geophys. Res., 110, E12001, doi:10.1029/2005JE002534.
Fractionation of Orange Peel Phenols in Ultrafiltered Molasses and Mass Balance Studies of Their Antioxidant Levels

Orange peel molasses, a byproduct of juice production, contains high concentrations of phenols, including numerous flavanone and flavone glycosides, polymethoxylated flavones, hydroxycinnamates, and other miscellaneous phenolic glycosides and amines. Extensive fractionation of these phenols was achieved by adsorption, ion exchange, and size exclusion chromatography. Size exclusion chromatography effectively separated the different classes of flavonoids in ultrafiltered molasses, including the polymethoxylated flavones, flavanone-O-trisaccharides, flavanone- and flavone-O-disaccharides, and, finally, flavone-C-glycosides. Mass spectral analysis of the early-eluting flavonoid fractions off the size exclusion column revealed a broad collection of minor-occurring flavone glycosides, which included, in part, glycosides of limocitrin, limocitrol, and chrysoeriol. Most hydroxycinnamates in the molasses were recovered by ion exchange chromatography, which also facilitated the recovery of fractions containing many other miscellaneous phenols. Total antioxidant levels and total phenolic contents were measured for the separate categories of phenols in the molasses. Inhibition of the superoxide anion reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium showed that a significant amount of the total antioxidant activity in orange peel molasses was attributable to minor-occurring flavones. The miscellaneous phenolic-containing fractions, in which a large portion of the total phenolic content in molasses occurred, also constituted a major portion of the total antioxidants in ultrafiltered molasses.
Pulmonary bullet embolism – a safe treatment strategy of a potentially fatal injury: a case report

Background: Vascular embolization of a projectile discharged from a weapon is a rare event. In this report a hunter's errant gunshot struck a farmer in the left chest. Case report: The projectile was lodged between the apex of the heart and the diaphragm. The patient was treated non-operatively and was discharged home only to return to the emergency department with chest pain and subsequent identification of the projectile in the left inferior pulmonary vein. Operative management consisted of a median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and a pulmonary venectomy. Conclusion: He was subsequently discharged home and recovered uneventfully.
Neutron Activation Analysis of Microgram Samples from 364 Gold Objects from a Sican Burial Site in Peru

872 metal rubbings, each weighing about 10 micrograms, were taken from 364 gold objects from an unlooted Middle Sicin (ca. 1000 A.D.) Peruvian burial site and the gold, silver, and copper contents were determined by neutron activation analysis. Almost all objects have contents that are in the range: 35-65% gold, 25-45% silver, and 10-30% copper. Objects of similar style were more uniform in content; for example, the 28 bangles and 90 feathers from the main headdress have gold contents that range only from 46-56% and 37-45%, respectively. Some objects have contents markedly different from the rest of the objects; ear-spools, for example, have very low copper (1-6%) and high gold (56-75%). A high degree of control of the alloy content is evident, with each alloy mixture probably being chosen to have desired color and mechanical properties. The data indicate that very consistent 1.0-1.1 mixtures of gold:silver were used for 136 of the 142 feathers whereas gold:silver mixtures closer to 1.3-1.9 were used for most of the 96 bangles.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of SiSe2 Nanowires

Structural and mechanical behavior of SiSe{sub 2} nanowires is investigated with the molecular-dynamics (MD) method. Nanowires contain finite number of non-intersecting chains of edgesharing Si(Se{sub {1/2}}){sub 4} tetrahedra. The simulations are based on an effective interatomic potential containing both 2- and 3-body interactions. It is found that the nanowires remain highly crystalline and stay in the elastic deformation regime up to a critical strain. Under large uniaxial strain, fracture of the nanowires is initiated by broken bonds in one of the chains at the outermost layer. This induces cross-linking among the neighboring chains, which leads to the presence of corner-sharing tetrahedra and local amorphization. Local amorphization propagates across nanowires while multiple cracks start at the boundaries of the amorphous region. The dynamics of amorphization and fracture are discussed.
An improved variable penalty algorithm for automated structural design

The paper presents refinements in a variable penalty algorithm proposed earlier [1]. The algorithm is an extension of the SUMT procedure where the design requirements are incorporated using a flexible penalty function which changes shape with the pattern of the constraint spectrum encountered during an unconstrained optimization process. The sequence of unconstrained problem is solved using a modified Newton method requiring only the first derivatives. The algorithm possesses inherent mechanism to control the quality of the second derivative matrix of the penalty function (Hessian) which is formulated in terms of the first derivatives of the constraints. The effectiveness of this algorithm is demonstrated on two structural problems: a p-member truss and a plane stress p-node plate, each having a relatively large set of test cases. The efficiency shows up in obtaining a converged minimum design in a small number of iterations, irrespective of the initial starting points or the number of design variables present.
Complex electrical thermal and radiation aging of dielectric films

The effects of electrical, thermal and radiation stresses, singularly or simultaneously, on dielectric films are reviewed. The types of accelerated aging under these stresses and the statistical methods used to evaluate the experimental data for life, including the two-parameter Weibull and the log-normal distributions, are described briefly. The experimental life models currently used for aging are discussed. Recent data on the complex electrical/thermal/radiation aging of dielectric films are described. >
Distinct electrocortical and behavioral evidence for increased attention to threat in generalized anxiety disorder

Background: Neural activity is increasingly used in addition to behavioral measures to study anxiety and attentional biases toward threatening stimuli. Event-related potentials (ERPs) might be particularly useful because of their excellent temporal resolution. In particular, the late positive potential (LPP) reflects increased attention to emotional stimuli—and was recently found to be larger with increasing state anxiety. This study sought to examine the LPP among individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods: Fifteen individuals with GAD and 15 healthy controls (HCs) viewed briefly presented pairs of aversive and neutral pictures that were presented to the left and right of, as well as above and below, fixation on each trial; ERP and behavioral measures were recorded as participants indicated whether the horizontal or vertical image pairs were the same or different. Results: Aversive pictures presented in unattended locations were associated with more errors overall, and this effect was larger in GAD than HC participants. Moreover, aversive targets elicited larger LPPs across all participants; this difference was larger in GAD than HC participants when distracters were neutral. Conclusions: Threatening stimuli presented in both target and distracting spatial locations have a greater impact on GAD than HC participants. Behavioral and ERP measures provide complimentary indices of attention toward threat in GAD. In terms of attentional control theory, behavioral interference indexes impaired processing effectiveness, whereas the LPP might index reduced processing efficiency in GAD. Both measures may provide unique windows onto how increased stimulus-driven attention to threat impacts and characterizes GAD. Depression and Anxiety 27:234–243, 2010. r 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The dynamic North Florida dairy farm model: A user-friendly computerized tool for increasing profits while minimizing N leaching under varying climatic conditions

This paper describes the computer implementation of the Dynamic North Florida Dairy farm model (DyNoFlo Dairy). The DyNoFlo Dairy is a decision support system that integrates nutrient budgeting, crop, and optimization models created to assess nitrogen (N) leaching from North Florida dairy farm systems and the economic impacts resulting from reducing it under different climatic conditions. The decision support system, based on Excel^(R) and Visual Basic^(R) software, responds to dairy-specific environmental (climate and soils) and managerial characteristics (livestock management, waste management, crop systems management) and can be used to study the economic and ecologic sustainability of these systems. The DyNoFlo Dairy model is a dynamic adaptation of the framework ''balance'' of nutrients in dairy farms, commonly used in Florida. The DyNoFlo Dairy model incorporates Markov-chain probabilistic simulation of cow-flows and crop simulation for historical climatic years El Nino southern oscillation (ENSO), automated optimization of managerial options, participatory modeling, and user friendliness. This paper discusses the model components and its computer implementation in a user-friendly application. The model was parameterized for conditions found in North Florida dairy farm systems. It is intended to be a tool for producers, regulatory agencies, and extension services, and because of that, participatory and interdisciplinary work was pursued during model creation, calibration, and validation. A case study for a synthesized North Florida dairy farm using the DyNoFlo Dairy model found substantial differences in the N leaching for different ENSO phases and other managerial factors; and the possibility of decreasing N leaching up to 25% while still maintaining profitability levels.
Vitamin B-12 Status Is Inversely Associated with Plasma Homocysteine in Young Women with C677T and/or A1298C Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphisms

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms may negatively influence one-carbon metabolism and increase health risks in women of reproductive age. The effect of MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphisms at bp 677 and/or 1298 and differences in folate and vitamin B-12 status on plasma homocysteine concentration in women of reproductive age (20-30 y; n = 186) were investigated. From the multivariate regression model, homozygotes (n = 23) for the C677T MTHFR variant had plasma homocysteine concentrations that were higher (P < 0.05) than those observed in the other 5 genotype groups, including those who were heterozygous for both variants (677CT/1298AC; n = 32). Plasma homocysteine was negatively associated with plasma vitamin B-12 concentration (P = 0.015) and serum folate (P = 0.049), with the degree of correlation between plasma vitamin B-12 and homocysteine concentrations dependent on MTHFR genotype. The C677T and A1298C MTHFR polymorphisms were significant predictors (P < 0.05) of plasma homocysteine when regression analysis was used to model plasma homocysteine concentration as a function of genotype, supplement use, serum folate and plasma vitamin B-12 concentration. Plasma homocysteine decreased as vitamin B-12 concentration increased (P = 0.0005) in individuals who were heterozygous for both the C677T and A1298C variants with nonsignificant trends (P = 0.114-0.128) in individuals homozygous for either the C677T or A1298C variants. In contrast, within the group of individuals with the wild-type genotype for both the C677T and A1298C MTHFR variants, homocysteine was not associated with changes in plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations. These data suggest that enhancing vitamin B-12 status may significantly decrease homocysteine in young women with C677T and/or A1298C MTHFR polymorphisms, even when vitamin B-12 concentrations are within the normal range.
MRI of Acute Abdominal and Pelvic Pain in Pregnant Patients

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to show the usefulness of MRI in the evaluation of pregnant women with acute abdominal or pelvic pain.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. All MRI studies of pregnant patients who were referred for examination because of acute abdominal or pelvic pain between June 2002 and May 2004 were included in this study (n = 29). The use of MRI was at the discretion of the clinician. Fetal sonography was performed in all patients before any other imaging. A complete abdominal sonographic examination was performed in six patients before MRI. In the remaining 23 patients, MRI was the choice for primary imaging. Multiplanar multisequence MR images of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained in each patient. Unenhanced images were reviewed by an experienced radiologist to determine whether a diagnosis could be made without the administration of gadolinium. In 22 of 29 studies, gadolinium was not administered. The prospective clinical MR interpretations were compared with follow-up medical, surgical...
Optimizing carry lookahead adders for semicustom CMOS

The authors present a practical method for constructing optimal carry lookahead adders, of width n >
Subnet level network topology mapping

Internet topology at the network layer consists of routers and subnets, i.e., point-to-point or multi-access connections. Network measurement studies have focused on router level maps and derived characteristics of routers such as mean degree, degree distribution, clustering coefficient and betweenness. Considering the fact that subnets are also important building blocks of the Internet topology, this paper introduces a complementary view of network topologies named subnet level maps. Subnet level network topology maps represent subnets as vertices and depict routers as links connecting the vertices/subnets. Additionally, we introduce a tool, called exploreNET, for subnet discovery. Although ExploreNET is based on the same principals as our recent work traceNET [21], it differs from traceNET in its utilization in various domains. Particularly, it allows us discover the underlying subnet level topology map of a network rather than the map dictated by routing dynamics. Finally, we present an evaluation of exploreNET by using it to discover and analyze various subnet characteristics including degree distribution, capacity distribution and utilization for six geographically disperse public Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Correlation of metastasis related gene expression and relapse-free survival in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer treated with cystectomy and chemotherapy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Patients with locally advanced (ie clinically extravesical) transitional cell carcinoma are at high risk for recurrence after cystectomy. Although randomized trials have established an incremental benefit from the addition of chemotherapy in this setting, many patients still have disease relapse, and therefore it is necessary to determine patient and tumor characteristics that correlate with outcome in this setting. We investigated the tumor expression of several metastasis related genes and the association of gene expression with disease specific survival of patients with locally advanced transitional cell carcinoma treated randomized to either neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy.Materials and Methods: Archival paraffin embedded specimens were available for 64 patients enrolled in a clinical trial of the methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and ciplatin regimen and cystectomy. Only samples obtained before exposure to chemotherapy were studied. The expression of ...