cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Augmentation of suppressed antibody responses in mice during experimental Chagas' disease by T helper cells activated in a time-dependent mode of immunization.

. Mice infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of human Chagas’disease, develop immunosuppressed responses to heterologous antigens. Experiments were performed using infected mice in the acute stage of infection to assess immunoregulatory activities during induction of direct plaque-forming cells (DPFC) to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), hapten-conjugated SRBC (TNP-SRBC), and horse erythrocytes (TNP-HRBC). Studies in vivo demonstrated that anti-SRBC responses were best enhanced when T. cruz-infected mice were injected with primed T cells derived from normal or infected mice immunized four days previously. The presence of enhancing capacities for DPFC responses by T cells from T. cruzi-infected mice were also supported by experiments examining the hapten-carrier effect. Preimmunization of infected mice with SRBC or HRBC four days before injection of hapten-homologous (TNP-SRBC or TNP-HRBC) carrier resulted in markedly augmented anti-hapten antibody responses. These results show that functional help provided by T cells activated during priming and exposed to a challenge dose of antigen (SRBC) in a time-dependent mode can overcome the effect of immunosuppression in T. cruzi-infected mice.
Major selection and persistence for women in STEM

The authors summarize common factors that contribute to women's selection of and persistence in STEM majors. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the utility of this information for institutional researchers and how they might further study issues of gender and STEM on their own campuses.
Lead Burden and Psychiatric Symptoms and the Modifying Influence of the δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD) Polymorphism The VA Normative Aging Study

Alterations in mood among the elderly not only disrupt their regular physical, mental, and social functioning but also may place them at a higher risk of developing clinically relevant mental disorders (1, 2) and cardiovascular disease (3–5). In particular, depressive symptoms are associated with a higher risk of functional decline (6, 7) and self-neglect (8). Lead exposure is associated with increased psychiatric symptomatology in some occupationally exposed adults (9–11). However, the results of other occupational studies are inconsistent with these findings and report that cumulative and concurrent lead burden is not associated with psychiatric symptoms (12, 13). Few studies have addressed the impact of low-level cumulative and concurrent lead burden on psychiatric symptoms among the general population. In our evaluation of lead and psychiatric symptoms in environmentally exposed older men, higher chronic and cumulative lead burden (measured by lead levels in the patella and tibia) was significantly associated with phobic anxiety symptoms and a composite index of depression, anxiety, and phobic anxiety symptoms (14). In the same study, higher levels of concurrent lead exposure (measured by lead levels in blood) were also significantly associated with the composite symptom index, suggesting that even modest levels of lead exposure may increase the risk of developing psychiatric symptoms. For this study, we expanded upon our earlier work by incorporating newly available data from up to two additional assessments of both psychiatric symptoms and lead burden. In addition, we evaluated the influence of a polymorphism in the gene encoding δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) on the relation of lead to mood. This ALAD polymorphism (rs1800435) encodes three distinctively charged erythrocyte isoenzymes in the heme synthesis pathway: ALAD 1-1 (52.1 mIU/g hemoglobin), ALAD 1-2 (49 mIU/g hemoglobin), and ALAD 2-2 (54.6 mIU/g hemoglobin) (15). In comparison with ALAD 1-1 carriers, ALAD 1-2/2-2 carriers have been reported to have a higher percentage of lead bound to the ALAD protein (16), potentially altering the kinetic distribution of lead to target organs (17, 18). However, ALAD genotype modulation of lead toxicokinetics is poorly understood, and prior studies on the relation between ALAD genotype, lead, and neurologic outcomes have reported inconsistent findings (19–21). We anticipated that the dose-response association between biomarkers of lead burden and psychiatric symptoms would be steeper among men with the wild-type genotype (ALAD 1-1) in comparison with men with a variant allele (ALAD 1-2/2-2), reflecting a potential increase in the retention of lead in blood among this latter group and therefore decreased bioavailability for crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Biochemical Mechanisms in Chemical-Induced Lung Injury: Roles of Metabolic Activation

(1980). Biochemical Mechanisms in Chemical-Induced Lung Injury: Roles of Metabolic Activation. CRC Critical Reviews in Toxicology: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 103-176.
The effect of injections of testosterone propionate and cortisone acetate on glycogen depletion induced by epinephrine in different skeletal muscles.

It has been shown that under a wide variety of conditions the following hormones increase the deposition of glycogen in the skeletal muscles of the rat; insulin (Bridge, 1938); growth hormone (Illingworth and Russell, 1951); testosterone (Leonard, 1952; Bowman, 1953); adrenal cortical hormones (Long, Katzin and Fry, 1940; Leonard, 1953); and estradiol (Leonard, 1953). Injection of epinephrine, on the other hand, rapidly depletes muscle glycogen which subsequently returns to normal (Cori and Cori, 1928; Strand and Gordon, 1952). Therefore the question arises whether or not the glycogenolytic effects of epinephrine on muscle glycogen will be altered if the animals are pretreated with one of the above glycopexic hormones. In this study, only testosterone and cortisone were employed to elevate the muscle glycogen levels prior to epinephrine treatment. Since there are marked differences in the ability of a number of skeletal muscles to store glycogen under the influence of these steroids (Leonard, 1952, 1953; ...
Federal Agencies and the Supreme Court: An Analysis of Litigation Outcomes, 1953-1988

This article examines differences in support among federal agencies appearing before the Supreme Court. The author reports that there are significant differences in levels of support, among the agencies, when we control for agency type and the directionality of the agency's decision over time. The findings of the analysis indicate that the Supreme Court is more likely to support agencies that are independent in nature and perform a quasi-judicial role in the bureaucracy. Although executive type agencies are supported to a high degree, they are significantly less likely to be supported when compared with independent agencies. Examining the success of agencies over time, the author also finds that the success of federal agencies is dependent on the directionality of the agency's decision and the ideology of the Court. The Warren Court was more likely to support an agency when its decision was liberal than when it was conservative, whereas the Burger Court responded in an opposite manner. The conclusion from...
Use of multidisciplinary rounds to simultaneously improve quality outcomes, enhance resident education, and shorten length of stay.

BACKGROUND Hospital-based clinicians and educators face a difficult challenge trying to simultaneously improve measurable quality, educate residents in line with ACGME core competencies, while also attending to fiscal concerns such as hospital length of stay (LOS).
Influence of donor and recipient age in lung transplantation.

Background No restrictions exist for allocating donor lungs according to age in the United States. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed of lung transplant recipients from 1987 to 2013 through a query of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) thoracic database. Age thresholds used were recipients (R) aged 60 years (R60 group) and 65 years (R65 group) and donors aged 50 years; each sub-group was analyzed, totaling 8 groups. Results Of 23,905 lung transplants, 23,704 were used for Kaplan-Meier analysis, 8,851 for multivariate Cox, and 3,206 for the R60 group and 3,212 for the R65 group propensity score-matching analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test statistic indicated significant differences across binary measure of donor age with a threshold of 60 years (log-rank test: chi-square 1 = 12.9558, p = 0.0003) and 65 years (log-rank test: chi-square 1 = 15.5053, p = 0.0001). Multivariate Cox models demonstrated that donors aged p p = 0.011) and p p = 0.583) and ≥65 years (HR, 0.938; 95% CI, 0.705, 1.249, p = 0.662). Conclusions Older donor lungs did not negatively affect survival in older recipients but limited outcomes in younger recipients.
Industrial electronic glaziometer using linear array detector

A digital electronic glaziometer instrument for measuring the thicknesses of a glass panel and its constituent sheets and gaps is proposed. There is currently no reliable method or instrument for determining the thickness of individual glass plates or the distance between plates of an installed glass panel. A new device is proposed which uses a linear array detector to detect the positions of light beams reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of glass sheets. A breadboard model was built and experimental testing on a multi-glazed panel shows favorable results. Factors affecting instrument accuracy are discussed.
Investigation of Low Angle Grain Boundaries in Hexagonal Silicon Carbide

Interaction between basal plane dislocations and single or well-spaced threading dislocations is discussed based on synchrotron white beam X-ray topographic studies carried out on physical vapor transport grown hexagonal silicon carbide single crystals. The basal plane dislocations are able to cut through single or well-spaced threading edge dislocations even if the formation of kinks/jogs is energetically unfavorable while threading screw dislocations were mostly observed to act as effective pinning points. However, basal plane dislocations can sometimes cut through a threading screw dislocation, forming a superjog and which subsequently migrates on the prismatic plane via a cross-slip process. Threading edge dislocation walls act as obstacles for the glide of basal plane dislocations and the mechanism by which this occurs is discussed. The character of low angle grain boundaries and their dislocation content are discussed.
Abstract LB-274: Mode of breast cancer detection: Do markers of tumor aggressiveness predict which tumors are “missed” at screening

Screening mammography reduces breast cancer stage at diagnosis by detecting it early before symptoms develop. Nonetheless, a breast cancer can arise as a lump despite a recent prior negative screen (“missed detection”). In the Breast Cancer Care in Chicago study, Non-Hispanic (nH) Black and Hispanic women were more likely than their nH White counterparts to report a missed detection despite a recent prior screening mammogram. We examined whether breast cancer subtype and immunohistochemical (IHC) markers of tumor aggressiveness predicted missed detection and whether they could explain racial/ethnic disparities in missed detection, in a subsample of 198 patients with a recent prior screening mammogram (63 Non-Hispanic White, 78 Hispanic and 57 African American). Missed detection was defined as symptomatic awareness despite a negative screen in the prior 24 months. IHC analyses were conducted for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, EGFR and CK5/6, Ki67 and p53 expression. Breast cancers were classified as Luminal A (ER+/PR+/HER2-), Luminal B (ER+/PR+/HER2+), HER2 enriched (ER-/PR-/HER2+), and triple negative (TN) (ER-/PR-/HER2-). Missed detection was highest for more aggressive TN and HER2 enriched subtypes (61% and 60%) and lowest for luminal A and B tumors (37% and 38%). Greater Ki67, EGFR and p53 expression were each associated with missed detection (p In this multi-ethnic sample of breast cancer patients, markers of tumor aggressiveness were strongly associated with missed detection at screening but they did not explain racial/ethnic disparities in missed detection. Citation Format: Abeer Mostafa Mahmoud, Virgilia Macias, Jacob K. Kresovich, Andre Kajdacsy-Balla, Elizabeth L. Wiley, Garth H. Rauscher. Mode of breast cancer detection: Do markers of tumor aggressiveness predict which tumors are “missed” at screening. [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 LB-274. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-274
The speed of consumption of prothrombin and of inactivation of thrombin in human native plasma.

Mit neuartigen Methoden wurde die Geschwindigkeit untersucht, mit der das Prothrombin verbraucht und das Thrombin nach Beedigung der Gerinnung frischen menschlichen Plasmas inaktiviert wird. Die Geschwindigkeit des « Prothrombinverbrauchs » hangt von der Zahl der vorhandenen Blutplattchen ab. Sie wachst kritisch bei optimaler Blutplattchenzahl zwischen der 8. und 14. Minute nach Beendigung der Gerinnung. Die Inaktivierung des wahrend der Gerinnung gebildeten Thrombins wird nur sehr wenig von den im Plasma verbliebenen Plattchen beeinflust. Sie geht rasch in den ersten 15 Minuten nach Beendigung der Gerinnung vor sich. Bei krankhaften Zustanden zeigt die Thrombininaktivierungskurve Veranderungen, die vielleicht diagnostisch bei der thrombotischen Diathese nutzlich sein konnten. Die Resultate des Prothrombinverbrauchtests werden durch das restliche Thrombin des Serums nicht beeinflust, wenn die Bestimmung 30 bis 60 Minuten nach Beendigung der Gerinnung vorgenommen wird.
Locating the Semiotic Power of Writing in Science

This article explores how a doctoral student in theoretical physics constructs computational simulations and reports his work within the constraints of an academic dissertation. The author specifically identifies principal elements of the work ensemble that the student deployed to complete different tasks and analyzes two dissertation chapters in order to examine the semiotic resources that the student used to warrant the outcomes of his research. The study finds that these are not instrumental procedures in which the researcher represents material objects in a mimetic sense; they are epistemic practices through which he generates digital objects that do not have an experimental counterpart and must therefore be justified through references to technical production. Based on these findings, the author argues that theorizing writing as coextensive with the practical work of science demonstrates what makes it powerful as a semiotic resource and constructive rhetorical activity.
Simulation of sedimentary rock deformation: Lab‐scale model calibration and parameterization

[1] Understanding the mechanical behavior of rock is critical for researchers and decision-makers in fields from petroleum recovery to hazardous waste disposal. Traditional continuum-based numerical models are hampered by inadequate constitutive relationships governing fracture initiation and growth. To overcome limits associated with continuum models we employed a discrete model based on the fundamental laws of contact physics to calibrate triaxial tests. Results from simulations of triaxial compression tests on a suite of sedimentary rocks indicate that the basic physics of rock behavior are clearly captured. Evidence for this conclusion lie in the fact that one set of model parameters describes rock behavior at many confining pressures. The use of both inelastic and elastic parameters for comparison yields insight concerning the uniqueness of these models. These tests will facilitate development and calibration of larger scale discrete element models, which may be applied to a wide range of geological problems.
FIRE IN THE URBAN FOREST: LONG-TERM EFFECTS IN OLD GROWTH STANDS

Summary In the old growth forests of New York City parks, fires contributed to black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), sassafras (Sassafras albidum Nutt.), and oaks (Quercus spp.L.) having large increases in tree density over the past half-century and attaining dominance among saplings and seedlings. An old growth urban forest in Cleveland, which showed no evidence of fire, had little change in tree density since 1935. Urban forest management practice would benefit from including fire related activities such as planting fire tolerant species in locations that direct travel within the urban forests and increasing public interest in protecting the forests from fire.
Transactional Analysis in OD: Applications Within The NTL Model

The National Training Laboratories (NTL) model emphasizes process consultation within the framework of the Lewinian model of change. Transactional Analysis (TA) appears useful if applied within the context of the Lewinian model. Appropriate and inappropriate applications are examined, and a conceptual framework and propositions for effective integration are proposed.
A Comparative Analysis of Pausing in Child and Adult Storytelling.

The goals of the current study were (a) to assess differences in child and adult pausing and (b) to determine whether characteristics of child and adult pausing can be explained by the same language variables. Spontaneous speech samples were obtained from 10 5-year-olds and their accompanying parent using a storytelling/retelling task. Analyses of pause frequency, duration, variation in durations, and pause location indicated that pause time decreased with retelling, but not with age group except when child and adult pausing was considered in its speech and language context. The results suggest that differences in child and adult pausing reflect differences in child and adult language, not in the cognitive resources allocated to language production.
Religion as A Context of Reception: The Case of Haitian Immigrants in Miami, Montreal and Paris

In this article, I use cross-national comparative and ethnographic methods to explore how religion influences the incorporation of Haitian immigrants into the US, Quebec and France. First, I explore the ideological, legal and institutional forces that shape religion-state differentiation in the US, Quebec and France. Using census and immigration data from each site as well as interviews with Haitian leaders and government officials in Miami, Montreal and Paris, I show that the general pattern of consensual differentiation between religion and state in the US favours the more successful symbolic and socio-economic incorporation of Haitians in Miami, whereas secular nationalism in Quebec and assertive secularism in France weaken the incorporation of Haitian immigrants in Montreal and Paris, respectively.
Sugeno model, fuzzy discretization, and the EM algorithm

Abstract This paper develops a novel approach to building Sugeno-type models. This approach consists of two steps: First, a fuzzy discretization technique is used to determine the membership functions of input variables, which is the most difficult aspect in constructing a Sugeno-type model. Second, an iterative algorithm, known as the EM algorithm, is used to estimate the parameters of linear regression models in the consequent part of the model. The approach has two salient features: (1) The premise identification and the consequence identification of the model can be separated through the use of the fuzzy discretization technique, while these are mutually related in previous methods. This greatly simplifies the process of model construction. (2) The complex multiparameter optimization problem essential for building the model can be decomposed into L smaller-scale optimization problems by means of the EM algorithm, where L is the number of fuzzy rules. Hence, the complexity of this approach is essentially unaffected by the number of fuzzy rules in the model. Moreover, because of the clear separation in algorithmic structure, the proposed approach can also be easily implemented on a parallel computer.
Bilateral keratectasia after unilateral laser in situ keratomileusis: a retrospective diagnosis of ectatic corneal disorder.

We present a case of iatrogenic keratectasia in the left eye after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with 14 μm of stromal ablation. Preoperative evaluation did not show significant evidence of keratoconus or forme fruste keratoconus in either eye. Twenty months postoperatively, in addition to postoperative ectasia in the left eye, the right eye developed mild changes in manifest refraction and on corneal topography. A retrospective diagnosis of ectatic corneal disorder was made in a patient who had no obvious findings of corneal pathology prior to LASIK.
Analysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and its transformation products in soils and plant tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Previous studies have failed to provide an acceptable mass balance for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in soils and plants due to deficiencies in analytical methodology. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for soil analysis is reported which allowed for a mass balance in excess of 88% during a 2-month study. A method for plant analysis was developed which involved fractionation of organic extracts on Florisil adsorbent, to remove interfering pigments, followed by HPLC analysis of TNT and the primary metabolites, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrololuene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene. Chromatographic recovery of TNT from spiked tissues was 85 ± 6%. The methodology was utilized to investigate TNT uptake and metabolism in plants grown in TNT hydroponic solutions.
Radiology Order Decision Support: Examination-Indication Appropriateness Assessed Using 2 Electronic Systems

Abstract Purpose The goal of the study was to determine the effects of guideline implementation strategy using 2 commercial radiology clinical decision support (CDS) systems. Methods The appropriateness and insurance dispositions of MRI and CT orders were evaluated using the Medicalis SmartReq and Nuance RadPort CDS systems during 2 different 3-month periods. Logistic regression was used to compare these outcomes between the 2 systems, after adjusting for patient-mix differences. Results Approximately 2,000 consecutive outpatient MRI and CT orders were evaluated over 2 periods of 3 months each. Medicalis scored 60% of exams as "indeterminate" (insufficient information) or "not validated" (no guidelines). Excluding these cases, Nuance scored significantly more exams as appropriate than did Medicalis (80% versus 51%, P P Conclusions The chief difference between the 2 CDS systems, and the strongest influence on outcomes, was how exams without relevant guidelines or with insufficient information were handled. Nuance augmented published guidelines with clinical best practice; Medicalis requested additional information utilizing pop-up windows. Thus, guideline implementation choices contributed to decision making and outcomes. User interface, specifically, the number of screens and completeness of indication choices, controlled CDS interactions and, coupled with guidance implementation, influenced willingness to use the CDS system.
Compressive sensing of direct sequence spread spectrum signals

In this paper, Compressive Sensing (CS) methods for Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) signals are introduced. DSSS signals are formed by modulating the original signal by a Pseudo-Noise sequence. This modulation spreads the spectra over a large bandwidth and makes interception of DSSS signals challenging. Interception of DSSS signals using traditional methods require Analog-to-Digital Converters sampling at very high rates to capture the full bandwidth. In this work, we propose CS methods that can intercept DSSS signals from compressive measurements. The proposed methods are evaluated with DSSS signals generated using Maximum-length Sequences and Binary Phase-Shift-Keying modulation at varying signal-to-noise and compression ratios.
Confocal Microscopy and Molecular-Specific Optical Contrast Agents for the Detection of Oral Neoplasia

Using current clinical diagnostic techniques, it is difficult to visualize tumor morphology and architecture at the cellular level, which is necessary for diagnostic localization of pathologic lesions. Optical imaging techniques have the potential to address this clinical need by providing real-time, sub-cellular resolution images. This paper describes the use of dual mode confocal microscopy and optical molecular-specific contrast agents to image tissue architecture, cellular morphology, and sub-cellular molecular features of normal and neoplastic oral tissues. Fresh tissue slices were prepared from 33 biopsies of clinically normal and abnormal oral mucosa obtained from 14 patients. Reflectance confocal images were acquired after the application of 6% acetic acid, and fluorescence confocal images were acquired after the application of a fluorescence contrast agent targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The dual imaging modes provided images similar to light microscopy of hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry staining, but from thick fresh tissue slices. Reflectance images provided information on the architecture of the tissue and the cellular morphology. The nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio from the reflectance images was at least 7.5 times greater for the carcinoma than the corresponding normal samples, except for one case of highly keratinized carcinoma. Separation of carcinoma from normal and mild dysplasia was achieved using this ratio (p<0.01). Fluorescence images of EGFR expression yielded a mean fluorescence labeling intensity (FLI) that was at least 2.7 times higher for severe dysplasia and carcinoma samples than for the corresponding normal sample, and could be used to distinguish carcinoma from normal and mild dysplasia (p<0.01). Analyzed together, the N/C ratio and the mean FLI may improve the ability to distinguish carcinoma from normal squamous epithelium.
THE STRAIN ENERGY OF A DISK-SHAPED GP ZONE

Abstract A simplified form of Khachaturlan′s solution to the problem of determining the strain energl of an arbitrarill-shaped coherent inclusion is found for the case of a disk-shaped inclusion. Specific strain energies are calculated as a function of the orientation of such an inclusion in lattices possessing various elastic properties. Some numerical results are presented. The salient features of the specific strain energl surface are found to depend onll on the elastic properties of the lattice. From this, a relationship betleen an elastic anisotropl parameter, A, and the minimum strain energl orientation of a disk-shaped inclusion is observed. The strain energies of GP lones in Al-Cu and Cu-Be age hardening allols are calculated. The minimum strain energl orientations of GP lones in these allols agree lith experimentalll observed orientations.
Will a warmer and wetter future cause extinction of native Hawaiian forest birds

Isolation of the Hawaiian archipelago produced a highly endemic and unique avifauna. Avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum), an introduced mosquito-borne pathogen, is a primary cause of extinctions and declines of these endemic honeycreepers. Our research assesses how global climate change will affect future malaria risk and native bird populations. We used an epidemiological model to evaluate future bird-mosquito-malaria dynamics in response to alternative climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. Climate changes during the second half of the century accelerate malaria transmission and cause a dramatic decline in bird abundance. Different temperature and precipitation patterns produce divergent trajectories where native birds persist with low malaria infection under a warmer and dryer projection (RCP4.5), but suffer high malaria infection and severe reductions under hot and dry (RCP8.5) or warm and wet (A1B) futures. We conclude that future global climate change will cause significant decreases in the abundance and diversity of remaining Hawaiian bird communities. Because these effects appear unlikely before mid-century, natural resource managers have time to implement conservation strategies to protect this unique avifauna from further decimation. Similar climatic drivers for avian and human malaria suggest that mitigation strategies for Hawai'i have broad application to human health.
Incorporating Daphnia magna into the seven‐day Ceriodaphnia effluent toxicity test method

The experiments reported here describe the incorporation of Daphnia magna into the 7-d Ceriodaphnia toxicity test procedure of Mount and Norberg [1]. The addition of D. magna to the procedure increased the number of parameters on which decisions regarding sublethal effects could be determined without significantly increasing the workload. In addition to the survival and productivity measures of the Mount and Norberg procedure, length and weight of Ceriodaphnia dubia adults and D. magna adults and neonates were evaluated. Methods for the culture and testing of both organisms using Selenastrum capricornutum Printz as the food source were described. An analysis of algal caloric content, chlorophyll a, cell number, mean cell volume, dry weight, number of bacteria, storage time, and time since the algae were “cleaned” was made to determine the characteristics of the feeding suspensions which most influenced the growth and productivity of the cladocerans.
Direct numerical simulation of a transitional supercritical binary mixing layer: heptane and nitrogen

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of a supercritical temporal mixing layer are conducted for the purpose of exploring the characteristics of high-pressure transitional mixing behaviour. The conservation equations are formulated according to fluctuation-dissipation (FD) theory, which is consistent with non-equilibrium thermodynamics and converges to kinetic theory in the low-pressure limit. According to FD theory, complementing the low-pressure typical transport properties (viscosity, diffusivity and thermal conductivity), the thermal diffusion factor is an additional transport property which may play an increasingly important role with increasing pressure. The Peng–Robinson equation of state with appropriate mixing rules is coupled to the dynamic conservation equations to obtain a closed system. The boundary conditions are periodic in the streamwise and spanwise directions, and of non-reflecting outflow type in the cross-stream direction. Due to the strong density stratification, the layer is considerably more difficult to entrain than equivalent gaseous or droplet-laden layers, and exhibits regions of high density gradient magnitude that become very convoluted at the transitional state. Conditional averages demonstrate that these regions contain predominantly the higher-density, entrained fluid, with small amounts of the lighter, entraining fluid, and that in these regions the mixing is hindered by the thermodynamic properties of the fluids. During the entire evolution of the layer, the dissipation is overwhelmingly due to species mass flux followed by heat flux effects with minimal viscous contribution, and there is a considerable amount of backscatter in the flow. Most of the species mass flux dissipation is due to the molecular diffusion term with significant contributions from the cross-term proportional to molecular and thermal diffusion. These results indicate that turbulence models for supercritical fluids should primarily focus on duplicating the species mass flux rather than the typical momentum flux, which constitutes the governing dissipation in atmospheric mixing layers. Examination of the passive-scalar probability density functions (PDFs) indicates that neither the Gaussian, nor the beta PDFs are able to approximate the evolution of the DNS-extracted PDF from its inception through transition. Furthermore, the temperature–species PDFs are well correlated, meaning that their joint PDF is not properly approximated by the product of their marginal PDFs; this indicates that the traditional reactive flow modelling based on replacing the joint PDF representing the reaction rate by the product of the marginal PDFs is not appropriate. Finally, the subgrid-scale temperature–species PDFs are also well correlated, and the species PDF exhibits important departures from the Gaussian. These results suggest that classic PDFs used in atmospheric pressure flows would not capture the physics of this supercritical mixing layer, either in an assumed PDF model at the larger scale, or at the subgrid scale.
Physics of medical imaging with crystal diffraction lenses

A new type of medical imaging system based on crystal diffraction is being developed at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. It is designed to image very small amounts of radioactivity in the human body. The system has very fine spatial resolution (1-3 mm) and very high sensitivity. By combining two or more lenses, one can generate a 3-D image of the cancer. Micro-Curie sources can be detected with relative ease. These features make the system very useful to confirm or reject possible sites for a cancer in the human body following a full body scan. It could also have considerable use as a method of checking for breast cancer.
A point mutation in the MyoD basic domain imparts c-Myc-like properties.

Abstract MyoD and c-Myc, members of the large "basic-helix-loop-helix" family of proteins, regulate diverse aspects of both normal and neoplastic growth and specific gene regulation. These two proteins differ at 9 of the 14 amino acids that comprise the basic domains necessary for DNA binding and transcriptional control. Individual amino acids in the MyoD basic domain were mutated to those found at the analogous positions in c-Myc. Four classes of mutants were obtained: (i) those with no effects on MyoD-site binding or activation of MyoD-responsive genes, (ii) those with no effect on MyoD-site binding but with a loss of activation potential, (iii) those with a loss of both DNA binding and activation potential, and (iv) one mutant (mut 9, Leu122----Arg) that left MyoD-site binding unaffected but imparted a new c-Myc-site binding capability. mut 9 competed with wild-type protein for the activation of MyoD-responsive reporter genes but could, like c-Myc, also suppress the adenovirus major-late promoter, which contains a c-Myc binding site. Our studies thus identify specific amino acid residues in the MyoD basic domain that are important for its activity as a DNA-binding transcriptional activator. Most significantly, our results with mut 9 indicate that Leu122 of MyoD is a critical determinant of specific DNA binding and that mutation at this residue can alter this specificity.
Short-term Effects of Ferulic Acid on Ion Uptake and Water Relations in Cucumber Seedlings

Ferulic acid (FA) is commonly found in soils and is considered an allelochemical. Studies have suggested that FA and other phenolic acids decrease plant growth in part by decreasing the absorption of mineral nutrients and water. However, no studies have examined these parameters in a single experimental system to investigate how FA affected both ion uptake and plant-water relations in whole plants. Using intact cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv.Early Green Cluster) seedlings, we examined short-term effects of FA on ion uptake kinetics, transport promoters and inhibitors, and water relations as indicated by a pressure-volume analysis
Learnings from Durkheim and Beyond: The Economy and Suicide

This empirical study commemorates Durkheim's contribution to suicidology by reviewing his own and his followers' formulation of the relationship between the business cycle and suicide. Three distinctive sociological theories of suicide, including Durkheim's, were identified to link the suicide rate to the socioeconomic environment of the society. A real-income hypothesis of suicide was developed to capture (a) the positive impact of the economy on suicide, (b) the curvilinear impact of the economy on suicide implied by Durkheim's proposition, and (3) the interplay of both economic and sociological variables on suicide. Another implication from the reformulation is that there may exist a positive natural rate of suicide for any society. These two hypotheses were tested using the 1990 census data for the continental states of the United States. Some conclusions and suggestions were drawn for future research.
Analysis of Medications Returned During a Medication Take-Back Event

A medication take-back event was held in Lansing, MI, USA, for four hours in September 2013. The objective was to quantify medication waste by determining the ratio of medication units remaining versus dispensed and to identify therapeutic classes with greater ratios of remaining medication units. Drug name, strength, quantity remaining, quantity dispensed, dispensary source, and brand or generic were recorded from the label of each medication container returned. Out of the over 3600 medication containers collected, this study analyzed 2459 containers, which included 304 controlled substances. On average, 66 percent of the medications dispensed in these containers were unused, and therefore wasted. Immunologic medications had the lowest quantity of waste at 54%, while geriatrics/miscellaneous therapeutic class yielded the highest quantity of waste at 79%. The most common therapeutic classes collected were pain/spasm, cardiovascular, and mental health. Greater emphasis on patient education regarding medication adherence and health care professionals' judicious prescribing habits is warranted to reduce the frequency of unused medications. The increased accessibility to medication return sites may alleviate the prevalence of medication accumulation, environmental damage, and medication misuse.
Lead Poisoning: 20 Years Later

This report compares the clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of children with lead poisoning in the 1950s and the 1970s. During this 20-year period, increasing attention has been given to lead poisoning both at the local and national level. This attention has produced legislation to fund screening programs and to reduce the allowable amount of lead in paint. Greater public awareness, more effective methods for screening both populations and environments, and a reduction in severe sequelae of lead poisoning have also been achieved.
A new implementation of constant-g/sub m/ op amp input stage for CMOS low voltage applications

In this paper we propose a new implementation method for the design of op amp input stage with rail-to-rail constant-g/sub m/. The new implementation is based on processing signal currents rather than handling DC tail currents. As a result, it is universal in that the constant-g/sub m/ can be obtained independent of input transistor types (MOS or bipolar) and their operating regions (weak or strong inversion for MOS and active for bipolar). To demonstrate the idea, a new MOS-type input stage has been designed with a 2-/spl mu/m CMOS process and simulation results of input stage transconductance are provided. The common mode input voltage can even exceed the positive and the negative rails by 300 mV.
Effects of chemical modification on enzymatic activities and stabilities.

The influence of chemical modification on the initial specific activity, residual activity, and deactivation kinetics of various enzymes is analyzed using a series mechanism. This straightforward multistate sequential model presented is consistent with the enzyme deactivation data obtained from different fields. The enzymes are placed in five different categories depending on the effect of chemical modification on initial specific activity and residual activity or stability. Wherever possible, structure–function relationships are described for the enzymes in the different categories. The categorization provides one avenue that leads to further physical insights into enzyme deactivation processes and into the enzyme structure itself.
Manganese suppresses ATP-dependent intercellular calcium waves in astrocyte networks through alteration of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum calcium dynamics.

Abstract The neurotoxicity of manganese [Mn] is due in part to glutamate excitotoxicity. Release of ATP by astrocytes is a critical modulator of glutamatergic neurotransmission, which is regulated by calcium (Ca 2+ ) waves that propagate through astrocytic networks in response to synaptic activity. It was postulated that Mn alters ATP-dependent intracellular Ca 2+ dynamics in astrocytes, thereby suppressing Ca 2+ wave activity. Confluent primary cultures of cortical astrocytes were loaded with the Ca 2+ -sensitive dye fluo-4 and examined by fluorescence microscopy for Ca 2+ wave activity following micropipet mechanical stimulation of a single cell. Mitochondrial Ca 2+ was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy following addition of ATP using the mitochondrial-specific Ca 2+ dye rhod-2-AM. Imaging studies revealed that pretreatment of astrocytes with 1–10 μM Mn significantly reduced the rate, area, and amplitude of mechanically induced Ca 2+ waves. This attenuation was not a result of inhibited mitochondrial calcium uptake because robust calcium waves were still observed following pretreatment of astrocytes with Ru360, an inhibitor of mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, either in coupling or uncoupling conditions. However, determination of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca 2+ levels in cells using the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin indicated that Mn reduced the available pool of releasable ER Ca 2+ at concentrations as low as 1 μM. Examination of ATP-stimulated changes in mitochondrial Ca 2+ indicated that, in cells pretreated with Mn, mitochondria retained high levels of Ca 2+ . It is concluded that exposure of astrocytes to low concentrations of Mn 2+ results in sequestration of Ca 2+ within the mitochondria that reduces the available pool of releasable Ca 2+ within the ER, thereby inhibiting calcium wave activity.
Evaluation and Management of Pill Aspiration: Case Discussion and Review of the Literature

Pill aspiration represents a unique type of foreign body aspiration requiring a distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approach. In many cases, the "foreign body" itself may no longer be present, whereas the airway manifestations may persist for months to years. Limited data exist to guide management decisions. We report two cases of severe airway injury secondary to pill aspiration and provide a review of the literature. Endobronchial surveillance may be important to identify impending airway obstruction via secretions, edema, granulation tissue, or fibrotic stricture. In many cases, the airway sequelae of pill aspiration can be effectively managed with bronchoscopy.
Multiobjective Composite Material Design using the Variable Fidelity Model Management Optimization Framework

Design tool development for multiple phase material design is key to understanding the effect of reinforcement particles on the behavior composites. The increasing computational requirements of advanced numerical tools for simulating material behavior can prohibit direct integration of these tools in a design optimization procedure where multiple iterations are required. One, therefore, requires a design approach that can incorporate multiple simulations (multi-physics with different input variables) of varying fidelity in an iterative model management framework that can significantly reduce design cycle times. In this research, a material design tool based on a variable fidelity model management framework is applied to obtain the optimal size of a second phase, consisting of silicon carbide (SiC) fibers, in a silicon-nitride (Si3N4) matrix to obtain continuous fiber SiC-Si3N4 ceramic composites (CFCCs) with optimal high temperature strength and high temperature creep resistance. To study the trade-offs between these conflicting design objectives and to explore design options, the optimization problem needs to be formulated with multiple objectives. In the variable fidelity material design tool, complex 3 dimensional (3-D) “high fidelity” FEM based analyses are performed only to guide the 2 dimensional (2-D) “low-fidelity” FEM model toward the optimal material design. Traditionally the variable fidelity approach has only been applicable to variable fidelity models with matching input variables and responses. This investigation shows how models with different input design variables can be handled and integrated efficiently by the trust region model management framework in application to the design of multiphase composite materials. Using the variable fidelity material design tool in application to a test problem, a reduction in design cycle times of between 50 and 70 percent is achieved as compared to using a conventional design optimization approach that exclusively calls the 3-D high fidelity model. The pareto optimal design obtained using the variable fidelity approach is the same as that obtained using the conventional procedure.
Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts for treating ejaculatory symptoms

OBJECTIVES To report our experience with transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts (TURED) in infertile men with symptomatic ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO). PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the operative cases of one urologist from 1995 to 2001, identifying 15 patients with symptomatic EDO who underwent TURED. These men had normal hormone levels and no other known genitourinary dysfunction. Investigations included a history, physical examination, semen analysis, semen culture, and high-resolution transrectal ultrasonography. Responses to focused questions and semen analysis were evaluated after surgery. RESULTS Before surgery, all patients complained of a decrease in the volume of their ejaculate, 14 of 15 had a non-projectile ejaculation, nine had a genitourinary infection necessitating antibiotic treatment, and five had pain with orgasm. The mean ejaculate volume and total motile sperm count was 1.1 mL and 8.1 million sperm per ejaculate. After surgery, at a mean follow-up of 2 months, 10 men reported having projectile ejaculation, and eight reported a marked improvement in their sensation of orgasm. Overall, 14 men reported a subjective improvement in their ejaculation. The average postoperative ejaculate volume was 2.3 mL and the total motile sperm count was 38.1 million per ejaculate. CONCLUSIONS Men with symptomatic EDO who underwent TURED showed improvements in their ejaculation, sensation of orgasm, semen analysis values and fertility.
Containment units: a hierarchically composable architecture for adaptive systems

Software is increasingly expected to run in a variety of environments. The environments themselves are often dynamically changing when using mobile computers or embedded systems, for example. Network bandwidth, available power, or other physical conditions may change, necessitating the use of alternative algorithms within the software, and changing resource mixes to support the software. We present Containment Units as a software architecture useful for recognizing environmental changes and dynamically reconfiguring software and resource allocations to adapt to those changes. We present examples of Containment Units used within robotics along with the results of actual executions, and the application of static analysis to obtain assurances that those Containment Units can be expected to demonstrate the robustness for which they were designed.