cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pressure falloff testing to characterize CO2 plume and dry-out zone during CO2 injection in saline aquifers

Abstract The fluid mobilities and the lateral extent of the CO2 plume and the dry-out zone are among important unknowns required to effectively manage CO2 storage in saline aquifers projects. These unknowns can be derived from pressure falloff testing which has been widely used to characterize the subsurface. This work provides a three-region analytical solution for falloff pressure during the infinite-acting period of CO2 injection in saline aquifers. The solution is derived using Laplace transformation technique of the governing diffusivity equations and the accompanying initial and boundary conditions. The exact solution is validated against numerical results obtained from a black-oil reservoir simulator for two cases. The solution is approximated into simple forms in real-time domain considering different time periods. Then, a graphical semi-log analysis technique based on the approximate solutions is provided as an interpretation tool of falloff tests where the fluid mobilities and the extents of dry-out zone and CO2 plume can be inferred. The interpretation technique is applied to synthetic falloff test data to investigate its potential and reliability.
AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SUBSIDIZED BREAD AFTER BAKING APPLICATION SYSTEM IN GHARBIA GOVERNORATE

the research aim to idenify the economic impcat of application the new system to distribute the subsidized bread to the consumers and the owners of the bakery, to achiveing that aim by studing the cost of production and the revenu befor and after that system in Gharbia governorate. The data obtained from a sample from the owners of the bakery during the year 2015 in Gharbia governorate.The most important results are: 1.The cost of beacking one of flowr was , about 47.7, 48.1 pounds of balady bakeries and a half autamatic before application the new system respectively, while the total of those costs for bakeries developed 250 pounds. The cost of bag manufacturing after application to about 344.9, 338.8, 342.6 pounds for bakeries balady, half automatic and advanced. 2. Net revenue from bag manufacture of flour was about 7.3, 6.9, 12 pounds for three types of bakeries respectively befor the application, and rosed to 25.6, 31.2, 32.2 pounds for the three types of bakeries. 3. The average number of irregularities monthly reached by the application amounted to about 9, 7, 3 in baldy of the bakeries and half the mechanism and the mechanism developed, respectively, and then decreased after application to 4, 3, 2 in baldy of the bakeries and half the mechanism and the mechanism developed respectively. 4. The rising of production costs were the most important problems facing the owners of bakeries relative importance amounted to about 100%, followed by the problem of the high value of irregularities, then the problem of low capacity and the amount of bread remain without distribution on the cards.Recommendation : 1. A tighten control and continuous monitoring the owners of bakeries and pud a sever punishment for the irregularities. 2. Reappoint in the cost of production for one bag of flour for a period of time to to estimate the real cost of labor fuel, water, and electrictiy. 3. The points of bread in the cards have to review with the grocery to control the price of the commodities which he distribute and its amounts. 4. Establish offices to maintenance the cards of distribution and its communication to the internet.
Mestiçagem and Purity of Blood in Alain Fresnot’s Desmundo

This article analyses how the themes of mesticagem and purity of blood are developed in Alain Fresnot’s filmic adaptation of Desmundo, based on the novel by Ana Miranda. It begins by contextualizin...
Proving the Business Case for Building Analytics

Author(s): Kramer, Hannah; Lin, Guanjing; Curtin, Claire; Crowe, Eliot; Granderson, Jessica
PerkinElmer, Inc.: Modular high-performance UV-Vis-NIR platform for variable angle optical spectroscopy

"1. Lambda 1050 UV-Vis-NIR: LAMBDA 1050+ UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometers are designed to offer the highest performance and flexibility to analyze a wide range of sample types, including analysis of coatings, high performance glass, solar, and advanced materials and components in both research and manufacturing. 2. TAMS: Total Absolute Measurement System (TAMS) unit provides the highest degree of flexibility and accuracy for measurements of angle-dependent optical properties of thin and thick samples, using a concentric rotation stage for sample and detector. A fully automated goniometer design is capable of measuring bi-directional reflectance, transmittance, and angular-resolved scattering of the most challenging samples."
BEHAVIOR OF SINGLE MINERAL SOILS IN TRIAXIAL SHEAR

QUARTZ, FELDSPAR, CALCITE, CHLORITE, AND MICA SOIL SAMPLES ARE LABORATORY-PREPARED, CHARACTERIZED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND TESTED IN TRIAXIAL SHEAR. SATURATED AND AIR-EQUILIBRATED DRY TESTS ARE PERFORMED ON ALL SAMPLES. THE DRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST RESULTS ARE MODIFIED TO ACCOUNT FOR DILATATION AND COMPARED WITH VALUES OBTAINED FROM UNDRAINED-PORE PRESSURE TESTS. THE ANALYSIS DUE TO LADANYI SHOWS GOOD AGREEMENT FOR SUCH A DILATATION CORRECTION. THESE VALUES ARE THEN MINERALOGICALLY COMPARED: (1) ON THE BASIS OF RELATIVE DENSITY AT FAILURE; (2) BY ROWE'S STRESS-DILATANCY THEORY; AND (3) ON THE BASIS OF PHYSICAL (SOLID) FRICTION. THE FLAKY (PLATEY) SOIL SAMPLES CONSISTING OF CHLORITE AND MICA BEHAVE QUITE DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER SOIL TYPES. PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED VALUES OF PHYSICAL FRICTION AS OBTAINED FROM DIRECT SHEAR TYPE TESTS SEEM QUESTIONABLE. QUARTZ SOILS SHOW SLIGHTLY GREATER STRENGTH WHEN SATURATED WHILE ALL OTHER SOLS SHOW GREATER DRY STRENGTHS. /ASCE/
Functional Electrical Stimulation

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a rehabilitative technique where low level electrical voltages and currents are applied to an individual in order to improve or restore function lost to injury or disease. In its broadest definition, FES includes electrical stimulation technologies that, for example, are aimed at restoration of a sense of hearing for the deaf, vision for the blind, or suppression of seizures in epilepsy or tremors for people with Parkinson's disease. Most FES devices and systems are known then as “neuroprostheses” because through electrical stimulation they artificially modulate the excitability of neural tissue in order to restore function. While sometimes used synonymously with FES, the term functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) is most commonly used to describe only those FES technologies that are applied to the neuromuscular system in order to improve quality of life for people disabled by stroke, spinal cord injury, or other neurological conditions that result in impaired motor function (e.g., the abilities to move or breathe). Another technology closely related to FES is that of therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES), wherein electrical stimulation is applied to provide healing or recovery of tissues (e.g., muscle conditioning and strengthening, wound healing). As will be seen, some FES and FNS technologies concurrently provide or rely upon such therapeutic effects in order to successfully restore lost function. For illustrative purposes, much of this article is centered on FNS and related TES devices and technologies. Keywords: functional electrical stimulation; FES; therapeutic electrical stimulation; TES
Prime Time for the Riemann Hypothesis

Prime Obsession Bernhard Riemann and the Greatest Unsolved Problem in Mathematics. by John Derbyshire. Joseph Henry Press, Washington, DC, 2003. 438 pp. $27.95, C$37.95. ISBN 0-309-08549-7. Derbyshire interweaves mathematical exposition intended to lead the lay reader to an understanding of the hypothesis and its importance with historical and bibliographical background material.
A revolving reference odometer circuit for BTI-induced frequency fluctuation measurements under fast DVFS transients

Bias Temperature Instability (BTI) under sub-microsecond DVFS transients manifests as instantaneous frequency degradation and recovery that has been predicted in past literature but has never been experimentally verified due to difficulty in obtaining high quality data. This work demonstrates a new odometer circuit specifically designed to measure the aforementioned effect. The basic idea is to use multiple fresh reference ring oscillators (ROSCs), which alternately take measurements to minimize any degradation in the reference ROSC's frequency and thereby enhancing the sampling time as well as the sampling resolution. Measurements from a 65nm test chip show excellent were taken under different voltage supply, temperature, stress time duration, and supply ramp time.
Tax Practice and Privilege: A Tale of Two Countries

A comparison of the British Morgan Grenfells case with the American KPMG case suggests that tax practitioner privileges are doing well in the UK and poorly in the US. In the UK, conflicts are few, and the privilege is viewed as a fundamental human right. The US, by contrast, is experiencing multi-layered conflicts - between lawyers and accountants, and between IRS and tax shelter promoters. The privilege here is a battle trophy, and is bound to be weakened by the fighting. In Morgan Grenfells, the issue was whether Parliament had abrogated the legal professional privilege (LPP) in a tax statute. Pursuant to the principle of legality, Parliament can abrogate fundamental human rights only if it does so directly, or by necessary implication. Inland Revenue argued that, in protecting the LPP in certain narrow, specific instances, it followed by necessary implication that Parliament had intended to abrogate it in all other cases. Two lower courts agreed. The House of Lords, however, reversed, in a ringing reaffirmation of the LPP as a fundamental human right. In KPMG, the court considered the tax practitioner privilege, IRC Sec. 7525. The statute provides that a communication with an accountant is privileged "to the extent the communication would be considered a privileged communication if it were between a taxpayer and an attorney." As interpreted by the KPMG court, that means that there is no privilege for materials supporting a tax return, and there is no privilege for business advice, as opposed to legal advice. Accountants couldn't possibly be giving legal advice, for, if they were, they would violate the unauthorized practice rules. Therefore, the tax advice given by accountants can't be privileged. Even worse, if tax advice given by accountants is not privileged, then the same tax advice given by lawyers is not privileged either. IRS, which considers itself to be "at war" against tax shelters, will not hesitate to use this argument aggressively. So much for the tax practitioner privilege.
Determination of three-dimensional structure by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction: Current Opinion in Structural Biology 1991, 1:1002–1011

Abstract New opportunities for direct determination of three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules are offered by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction. Recent successes of the method have demonstrated its potential, and the number of problems to which it is being applied is growing rapidly. Experimental considerations are somewhat different for this method than for more familiar crystallographic methods.
Docetaxel for the treatment of bladder cancer

Introduction: Docetaxel has had a significant impact on the management of urothelial carcinoma (UC). Multiple phase II trials have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel in the treatment of metastatic UC. Docetaxel is an accepted community standard for the therapy of platinum-treated patients with metastatic UC.Areas covered: This review focuses on the data supporting a role for docetaxel in the therapy of advanced UC. It also explores the future development of docetaxel and describes the ongoing clinical trials in the treatment of UC.Expert opinion: Docetaxel plays an important role as one of the standard agents used in the comparator arms of randomized trials evaluating new agents as salvage therapy for metastatic UC. Furthermore, biologic agents are being developed in chemo-biologic regimens using docetaxel as the platform. In the context of emerging novel agents such as T-cell checkpoint inhibitors, docetaxel may continue to play a role as a salvage therapy in select patients ineligible ...
An Application of Convergence Theory to Women's Drinking and Driving

Abstract Convergence theory hypothesizes that as the social roles of the sexes equalize, there will be less differentiation in the social behavior of men and women. Fatal Accident Reporting Systems (FARS) data from 1982 through 1991 were utilized to investigate the convergence hypothesis regarding drinking and driving as a possible explanation for women's increased single vehicle crash deaths. Only driver fatalities were studied: N = 125,504 (17.6% female) with a subset, N = 42,129 (15.3% female) selected by quality of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reporting for examining alcohol use. Drinking and driving for both sexes has decreased over the ten-year period. Convergence in drinking and driving behavior is not a viable explanation of women's increased traffic deaths. Women now are as likely as men to have a driver's license and women have also increased their annual mileage. Increased exposure to traffic death may provide a better explanation of women's increasing fatalities.
Quiescent H-Mode Plasmas with Strong Edge Rotation in the Cocurrent Direction

For the first time in any tokamak, quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) plasmas have been created with strong edge rotation in the direction of the plasma current. This confirms the theoretical prediction that the QH mode should exist with either sign of the edge rotation provided the magnitude of the shear in the edge rotation is sufficiently large and demonstrates that counterinjection and counteredge rotation are not essential for the QH mode. Accordingly, the present work demonstrates a substantial broadening of the QH-mode operating space and represents a significant confirmation of the theory.
Network Analysis of Archaeological Data from Hunter-Gatherers: Methodological Problems and Potential Solutions

Network analysis using hunter-gatherer archaeological data presents a number of unique challenges. At the forefront of these challenges are issues associated with the aggregation and fragmentation of archaeological data that influence the size, density, and confidence in network models. These methodological challenges are unfortunate, as the diverse roles of social networks among hunter-gatherers have long been recognized within anthropological research. In order to enhance the research potential of networks constructed from hunter-gatherer archaeological data, this research highlights two data evaluation methods established in social science research to assess the stability of network structure. More specifically, this research constructs network models from the compositional analysis of ceramic artifacts recovered in the Kuril Islands of northeast Asia and evaluates network centrality measures using bootstrap simulation and sensitivity analysis. Results of this research suggest that while archaeologists may never fully identify the “true” network of past relationships, network models that approximate “true” network structure can provide useful metrics in exploring the behavior of past hunter-gatherer populations. Overall, given the challenges associated with hunter-gatherer archaeological data, it is argued here that critically evaluating the structure and stability of network models is an essential first step in developing an archaeological network analysis that is relevant and informative to research on past small-scale societies.
Studies on the survival and infective ability of dicarboximide‐resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea

SUMMARY Few dicarboximide-resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea produce macroconidia either on culture media or on natural substrates, although, the viability of such conidia was similar to those of sensitive strains. The ability of dicarboximide-resistant strains to infect strawberries was similar to that of sensitive strains and most of the resistant strains competed successfully with sensitive strains when inoculated in equal numbers onto detached strawberries and onto flowers of field-grown plants, especially after treatment with dicarboximide fungicides. All resistant strains tested survived for at least 9 months on inoculated strawberry leaf litter although their incidence was ‘diluted’ by wild type sensitive strains. Sporulation and dispersal of resistant strains from the litter was very limited resulting in a low incidence of fruit infection even after treatment with dicarboximides. Consequently, there was no significant increase of resistant strains in the plantation and control of infection was maintained with iprodione and dichlofluanid. Poor sporulation of dicarboximide-resistant strains of B. cinerea is considered to be the single most important factor in limiting their development in the field.
Spectral assessment of new ASTER SWIR surface reflectance data products for spectroscopic mapping of rocks and minerals

Abstract ASTER reflectance spectra from Cuprite, Nevada, and Mountain Pass, California, were compared to spectra of field samples and to ASTER-resampled AVIRIS reflectance data to determine spectral accuracy and spectroscopic mapping potential of two new ASTER SWIR reflectance datasets: RefL1b and AST_07XT. RefL1b is a new reflectance dataset produced for this study using ASTER Level 1B data, crosstalk correction, radiance correction factors, and concurrently acquired level 2 MODIS water vapor data. The AST_07XT data product, available from EDC and ERSDAC, incorporates crosstalk correction and non-concurrently acquired MODIS water vapor data for atmospheric correction. Spectral accuracy was determined using difference values which were compiled from ASTER band 5/6 and 9/8 ratios of AST_07XT or RefL1b data subtracted from similar ratios calculated for field sample and AVIRIS reflectance data. In addition, Spectral Analyst, a statistical program that utilizes a Spectral Feature Fitting algorithm, was used to quantitatively assess spectral accuracy of AST_07XT and RefL1b data. Spectral Analyst matched more minerals correctly and had higher scores for the RefL1b data than for AST_07XT data. The radiance correction factors used in the RefL1b data corrected a low band 5 reflectance anomaly observed in the AST_07XT and AST_07 data but also produced anomalously high band 5 reflectance in RefL1b spectra with strong band 5 absorption for minerals, such as alunite. Thus, the band 5 anomaly seen in the RefL1b data cannot be corrected using additional gain adjustments. In addition, the use of concurrent MODIS water vapor data in the atmospheric correction of the RefL1b data produced datasets that had lower band 9 reflectance anomalies than the AST_07XT data. Although assessment of spectral data suggests that RefL1b data are more consistent and spectrally more correct than AST_07XT data, the Spectral Analyst results indicate that spectral discrimination between some minerals, such as alunite and kaolinite, are still not possible unless additional spectral calibration using site specific spectral data are performed.
Crowding stress inhibits serotonin 1A receptor-mediated increases in corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA expression and adrenocorticotropin hormone secretion in the Gulf toadfish

Stimulation of the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor subtype by 5-HT has been shown to result in an elevation in plasma corticosteroid levels in both mammals and several species of teleost fish, including the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta); however, in the case of teleost fish, it is not clearly known at which level of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis the 5-HT1A receptor is stimulated. Additionally, previous investigations have revealed that chronic elevations of plasma cortisol mediate changes in brain 5-HT1A receptor mRNA and protein levels via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR); thus, we hypothesized that the function of centrally activated 5-HT1A receptors is reduced or abolished as a result of chronically elevated plasma cortisol levels and that this response is GR mediated. Our results are the first to demonstrate that intravenous injection of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, stimulates a significant increase in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) precursor mRNA expression in the hypothalamic region and the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary of teleost fish compared to saline-injected controls. We also provide evidence that cortisol, acting via GRs, attenuates the 5-HT1A receptor-mediated secretion of both CRF and ACTH.
Regulation of genes encoding the major surface protease of Leishmania chagasi via mRNA stability.

Abstract The intercoding regions between many Leishmania sp. genes regulate their mRNA expression. The MSPL mRNA, encoding a subclass of the major surface protease (MSP) of Leishmania chagasi , increases in abundance, when protein synthesis is arrested, while α-tubulin (α-TUB ) mRNA and most other mRNAs do not. We found that the intercoding region between MSPL -coding regions, when cloned downstream of the β-galactosidase reporter gene ( β - GAL ), caused β - GAL mRNA to increase 8- to 10-fold after inhibiting protein synthesis with cycloheximide. Stable L. chagasi transfectants containing hybrid MSPL / α - TUB intercoding regions cloned downstream of β-GAL were made. The α-TUB intercoding region induced high-level baseline β - GAL mRNA that increased only 1.3-fold after incubation with cycloheximide. In contrast, the MSPL intercoding region, as well as constructs containing nucleotides 303–505 from the MSPL 3′UTR, caused steady-state β - GAL mRNA levels in the absence of cycloheximide that were approximately 10% of α-TUB constructs. These levels increased between 4.4- and 13.2-fold after cycloheximide was added. Constructs containing half of this region (303–394 or 395–505) produced intermediate levels of β-GAL mRNA and intermediate levels of cycloheximide induction. The kinetics of cycloheximide induction of β-GAL mRNA was similar with region 303–505 constructs as with constructs bearing the entire endogenous MSPL intercoding region. Furthermore, region 303–505 increased reporter mRNA abundance after cycloheximide by increasing mRNA half-life. Hence, we have identified a 202-nucleotide region within the MSPL 3′UTR that is in part responsible for cycloheximide induction. We hypothesize that this region may interact with labile regulatory protein factor(s).
Multiple Scattering and the Method of Rytov

Rytov’s method (method of smooth perturbations) has been used extensively to solve problems involving wave propagation in weakly inhomogeneous media. Critics of the method have questioned the closure procedure employed in the Rytov theory and have expressed doubt as to the range of validity of the solution. Some of the criticisms have claimed the method fails because it does not treat multiple scattering and that it is limited in applicability to precisely the same region as the Born single-scattering approximation. These criticisms are shown herein to be at fault. A multiple-scattering interpretation of the Rytov solution is given, thus lending support to those proponents of Rytov who claimed an extended range of applicability relative to the Born approximation.
Sediment-transport events on the northern California continental shelf during the 1990–1991 STRESS experiment

Abstract Measurements of currents and light transmission were made at bottom tripods and moorings arrayed across the northern California continental shelf along the Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment (CODE) “C” transect as part of the 1990–1991 Sediment Transport Events on Shelves and Slopes (STRESS) experiment. In combination with meteorological and wave data from the National Data Buoy Center Buoy 46013, these measurements provide information about the physical forcing and resultant resuspension and transport of bottom material between 21 November and 8 March. Sixteen events were identified in the wave, wind and current-meter records for this period. Only two were local storms with southerly winds, but they caused about half of the seasonal net transport. Seven were swell events that combined long-period waves generated by distant storms with local currents. At the 90-m site, swells interacted with the mean northward flow to produce northward transport. During six northerly wind events, upwelling-favorable winds often were sufficient to slow or reverse the mean northward flow and thus caused southward transport. A single current event, which produced moderate southward transport, was observed at the 130-m site. Net transport during the winter experiment was offshore at all sites, northward at the inner- and mid-shelf sites, but southward at the outer-shelf site. The results suggest that local storms with southerly winds may dominate seasonal transport, as on the Washington shelf, but significant transport also can occur during fair weather and during periods of northerly winds.
A MOS-controlled diode (MCD) for power integrated circuits

The performance of the diode is an important factor in achieving good efficiency for a power integrated circuit. In this paper, a MOS-controlled diode (MCD) is proposed on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) for power integrated circuits. The proposed structure utilizes active control to switch the diode between unipolar and bipolar operating modes so that the device can operate at its optimum condition for both static and dynamic performances. The proposed MCD on SOI demonstrated significant advantage over a P-i-N diode or the body diode of an LDMOS. It is found that, with optimum control, it can reduce the diode reverse recovery loss by 10 times and the corresponding switch turn-on loss by a factor of 3, without sacrificing its on-state conduction voltage. The traditional trade-off between on-state voltage and reverse recovery speed can therefore be avoided and significant improvements in overall system efficiency can be achieved. Advantages of an integrated MCD over its discrete version are also discussed.
Doctrine for Cybersecurity

Abstract A succession of doctrines for enhancing cybersecurity has been advocated in the past, including prevention, risk management, and deterrence through accountability. None has proved effectiv...
Twice-daily anesthesia in infants receiving hyperfractionated irradiation.

Abstract Four children ranging in age from 6–30 months were treated with twice-daily (BID) radiation therapy under general anesthesia with a 5–6 hr treatment interval. Anesthesia was accomplished with sodium thiopental administered intravenously (IV) by bolus injection. This as followed by continuous drip infusion of sodium thiopental in a few instances where more prolonged anesthesia was required. Children received an initial formula feeding 6 hr before their first treatment and were subsequently kept NPO (nothing by mouth) until they recovered from their second anesthesia. Recovery from thiopental was rapid and children were ready for a normal feeding within 1−1 1 2 hr of the second treatment. No parenteral feedings were required in any of these patients. Children maintained their weight during courses of radiation therapy which ranged between 19 and 43 elapsed days. There were no radiation-related treatment breaks. One child experienced two hypotensive episodes during anesthesia which responded rapidly to intravenous atropine. No other anesthetic complications occurred. This experience demonstrates that hyperfractionated radiation therapy can be safely delivered in infants requiring general anesthesia for immobilization. We feel that sodium thiopental is the anesthetic of choice in this setting because of the short duration of action and consequently rapid post-anesthesia recovery which makes it possible to achieve adequate nutrition with oral feedings alone.
Caeiro versus Teixeira de Pascoaes: a origem paródica de um sério 'esquema' poético

Mediante a criacao de varias entidades poeticas a que chamou heteronimos e a quem atribuiu distintas e em muitos sentidos conflitivas cosmovisoes, Fernando Pessoa pode atingir aquilo que parece ter...
Optical Properties and Microstructure of Silver-Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Utilizing a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method, silver-copper (Ag-Cu) nanoparticles have been synthesized by changing the surface area ratio of the target (SR = SCu/(SAg + SCu)) from 0 to 30%. The peak absorption attributed to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) increased when increasing SR up to 15%, above which it decreased. The peak shifts seem to be induced by the changes in the conductivity and morphology of the Ag-Cu nanoparticles. Additionally, the interplanar spacings of the Ag-Cu nanoparticles prepared at SR = 15% corresponded to the Ag {111}, {200}, {220}, and Cu {111} planes. However, since the interplanar spacings attributed to the Cu {200} and {220} planes were not detected, the Ag-Cu nanoparticles were believed to possess a lattice constant (a) close not to the Cu phase (a = 3.615 A) but to the Ag phase (a = 4.086 A). Moreover, confirming the presence of Cu atoms in the nanoparticles using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra, Ag-Cu nanoparticles may be a solid solution in which Cu atoms partially replace Ag atoms in the fcc structure.
Neuroprotective potential of erythropoietin and its derivative carbamylated erythropoietin in periventricular leukomalacia.

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is the predominant pathology in premature infants, characterized by prominent cerebral white matter injury, and commonly caused by hypoxia–ischemia and inflammation. Activated microglia trigger white matter damage and play a major role in the development of PVL. Erythropoietin (EPO) and its derivative carbamylated erythropoietin (CEPO) have been shown to be neuroprotective in several brain disease models. Here we investigated whether EPO and CEPO could provide protection in mouse models of PVL induced by hypoxia–ischemia or hypoxia–ischemia-inflammation. We administered EPO or CEPO to mice with PVL, and found that both EPO and CEPO treatments decreased microglia activation, oligodendrocyte damage and myelin depletion. We also noted improved performance in neurological function assays. Inhibited disease progression in PVL mice by EPO or CEPO treatment was associated with decreased poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity. PARP-1 activity was increased dramatically in activated microglia in untreated mice with PVL. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the neuroprotective properties of EPO and CEPO were diminished after PARP-1 gene depletion. The therapeutic doses of EPO and CEPO used in this study did not interfere with normal oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination. Together, our data demonstrate that EPO and CEPO are neuroprotective in cerebral white matter injury via a novel microglial PARP-1 dependent mechanism, and hold promise as a future treatment for PVL and other hypoxic–ischemic/inflammatory white matter diseases.
Can "Withitness Skills" Improve Instruction and Safety for Those Who Coach or Train?.

"Withitness skills" developed by Kounin in the 1970’s have been emphasized as an important classroom tool for student management and instruction. (Kounin, 1970) "Withit" instructors develop the ability to know what is going on in the classroom. Improving awareness in the classroom may reduce misbehavior and improve instruction. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how "withitness skills" may be applied to coaching and personal training to improve coaching methods, training techniques, and safety. “ Withit skills” include withitness, overlapping, momentum, smoothness, group focus, behavior monitoring techniques, and the ripple effect. By improving “withit” skills” the level of skill performance may increase which may lead to more success during competition and fewer injuries.
Contribution of ventral tegmental GABA receptors to cocaine self-administration in rats.

Recent evidence has suggested that compounds affecting GABAergic transmission may provide useful pharmacological tools for the treatment of cocaine addiction. Using a rat model of self-administration, the present study examined the effects of GABA agonists and antagonists injected directly into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on cocaine intake in rats trained to self-administer cocaine (0, 125, 250 and 500 μg/infusion) under an FR5 schedule of reinforcement. Separate groups of rats received bilateral intra-VTA injections of the GABA-A antagonist picrotoxin (34 ng/side, n = 7; 68 ng/side, n = 8), GABA-A agonist muscimol (14 ng/side, n = 8), GABA-B agonist baclofen (56 ng/side, n = 7; 100 ng/side, n = 6), picrotoxin (68 ng/side) co-injected with the GABA-B antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen (100 ng/side, n = 7; 2 μg/side, n = 8) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF, n = 6) to assess the effects of the various compounds on the cocaine self-administration dose-response curve. Both picrotoxin and baclofen reduced responding maintained by cocaine, whereas muscimol had no effect on responding. In contrast, neither picrotoxin (n = 6) nor baclofen (n = 8) affected responding maintained by food. Interestingly, 2-hydroxysaclofen effectively blocked the suppression of responding produced by picrotoxin, suggesting that both picrotoxin and baclofen exert their effects via activation of GABA-B receptors. Additionally, these effects appear to be specific to cocaine reinforcement, supporting current investigation of baclofen as a treatment for cocaine addiction.
Afebrile emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Figure 1 Abdominal CT disclosed much retroperitoneal air accumulation and obscured renal tissue. A 54-year-old woman with obesity and with no known history of diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency room with left flank pain. No fever, or dysuria was present. Biochemistry results showed that blood urea nitrogen concentration was 55 mg/dl and the serum creatinine concentration was 2.4 mg/dl. Laboratory data revealed an elevated white blood cell count (15.75 10/l), blood sugar (248 mg/dl), and severely pyuria. A plain abdominal radiograph revealed left renal stones and localized air accumulation in the left upper abdomen. Non-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed markedly perinephric collection of air in the left retroperitoneal space and obscured renal parenchyma (Figure 1, arrow). Under the impression of emphysematous pyelonephritis, she underwent a left percutaneous nephrostomy, and malordorous pus and air was drained. Cultures of urine, blood, and aspirated pus grew Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The patient received parenteral antimicrobial therapy for 21 days and was after receiving left simple nephrectomy with a serum creatinine concentration of 1.6 mg/dl. She has been followed at the internal medical outpatient clinic for control her diabetes by oral hypoglycemic drugs, blood sugar observation. Conflict of interest: No conflict of interest to declare.
Detection of abdominal abscesses with gallium-67 citrate: correlative studies with computed tomography.

Undiagnosed abdominal abscess is a medical problem of substantial clinical importance. The high morbidity and mortality associated with this entity demand prompt accurate diagnosis. The combined use of gallium scintigraphy and computed tomography provides the imaging tools necessary to accomplish this goal. If the suspected pathology cannot be localized, gallium, scintigraphy is the initial diagnostic imaging procedure utilized. When antecedent events or clinical symptoms suggest a specific site for the suspected inflammatory collection, computed tomography (CT) is used to evaluate the area. The strengths and weaknesses of gallium scanning and computed tomography are explored in depth, and particular emphasis is given to proper technique and the avoidance of pitfalls. A logical approach to the use of these modalities in tandem is presented.
Asymptotically periodic solutions to Volterra integral equations in epidemic models

Abstract Through the use of the limiting equation, conditions are given under which a scalar nonlinear Volterra integral equation, of either convolution or nonconvolution type, has an asymptotically periodic solution. Periodicity can be in either the forcing function or the kernel of the integral equation. The results are applied in several models for the spread of gonorrhea to gain insight into the causes of the observed oscillations in the infective populations.
Temperature Dependent Structural Behavior of Sr2RhO4

Abstract Variations in the structure of Sr 2 RhO 4 as a function of temperature have been investigated using high-resolution neutron powder diffraction. The K 2 NiF 4 -type structure possesses microdomains distinguished by clockwise versus anticlockwise rotation of the RhO 6 octahedra. These domains have nonequivalent sizes which vary with temperature.
Loss of cap structure causes mitotic defect in Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase mutants.

Mutation of the telomeric repeat sequence has severe cellular consequences in a variety of systems. A Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase template mutant, ter1-43AA , displays an acute mitotic chromosome segregation defect. In the study described here we investigated the molecular basis for this lethality. Although cloned ter1-43AA macronuclear telomeres had long tracts of wild-type G4T2 repeats, they were capped by a mixture of G4T3 repeats, shown previously to be non-lethal, and G4T4 repeats, the telomeric sequence normally found in hypotrichous ciliates such as Oxytricha. To test further the functionality of the G4T4 repeat sequence in T. thermophila, we devised a new template mutation, ter1-44+AA, that resulted in more uniform synthesis of this sequence at telomere caps in vivo. The ter1-44+AA mutant displayed the most severe mitotic defect reported to date, with up to 85% of the population having micronuclei in anaphase, providing firm evidence that the hypotrich repeat sequence is not functional in Tetrahymena. Surprisingly, in spite of the telomeric sequence mutation, neither the ter1-43AA nor ter1-44+AA mutant displayed any significant loss of telomere length regulation. These results demonstrate that loss of telomere cap integrity, rather than length regulation, leads to the anaphase defect.
Outcomes from surgical treatment for dissociated horizontal deviation.

Abstract Background and Purpose: Long-term treatment results and recommendations for dissociated horizontal deviation (DHD) are sparse in the literature. We report the results of surgery for DHD with a mean of 48 months postsurgical follow-up. Patients and Methods: Records were reviewed for 33 consecutive patients who underwent surgery to correct DHD between 1991 and 1997. Patient data were recorded, including age at time of DHD operation, initial diagnosis, history of prior surgery, number of operations related to DHD, amount of preoperative DHD for each operation, presence of concomitant esotropia or exotropia (XT), presence of amblyopia, type of operation performed, time interval between operations, and final alignment. Results: Twenty-five patients (78%) underwent a single operation for DHD. Seven patients (22%) underwent 2 operations, and 2 of those 7 patients (6% of the total) underwent 3 operations to control DHD and/or horizontal strabismus accompanying the DHD. Most patients (75%) had a prior history of congenital esotropia, which had been previously corrected with bilateral medial rectus muscle recession. Patients with an XT and DHD required bilateral surgery more frequently to control their deviation. Conclusion: When DHD is prominent and manifests frequently, a surgical plan specific to the horizontal drift of the eyes is needed. Unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession appears to be adequate to control manifest DHD over time in most patients. Bilateral surgery will be needed occasionally for bilateral DHD when alternate fixation is present and frequently when XT and DHD coexist. (J AAPOS 2000;4:94–101)
Electrostatic sequestration of PIP2 on phospholipid membranes by basic/aromatic regions of proteins.

The basic effector domain of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), a major protein kinase C substrate, binds electrostatically to acidic lipids on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane; interaction with Ca2+/calmodulin or protein kinase C phosphorylation reverses this binding. Our working hypothesis is that the effector domain of MARCKS reversibly sequesters a significant fraction of the l-α-phosphatidyl-d-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) on the plasma membrane. To test this, we utilize three techniques that measure the ability of a peptide corresponding to its effector domain, MARCKS(151–175), to sequester PIP2 in model membranes containing physiologically relevant fractions (15–30%) of the monovalent acidic lipid phosphatidylserine. First, we measure fluorescence resonance energy transfer from Bodipy-TMR-PIP2 to Texas Red MARCKS(151–175) adsorbed to large unilamellar vesicles. Second, we detect quenching of Bodipy-TMR-PIP2 in large unilamellar vesicles when unlabeled MARCKS(151–175) binds to vesicles. Third, we identify line broadening in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of spin-labeled PIP2 as unlabeled MARCKS(151–175) adsorbs to vesicles. Theoretical calculations (applying the Poisson-Boltzmann relation to atomic models of the peptide and bilayer) and experimental results (fluorescence resonance energy transfer and quenching at different salt concentrations) suggest that nonspecific electrostatic interactions produce this sequestration. Finally, we show that the PLC-δ1-catalyzed hydrolysis of PIP2, but not binding of its PH domain to PIP2, decreases markedly as MARCKS(151–175) sequesters most of the PIP2.
NASA Advanced Low Emissions Combustor Program

The purpose of this program is to conduct combustion tests on lean, premixed, and prevaporized (LPP) combustor concepts designed for use in commercial aircraft engines to attain improved performance, durability, and lower pollutant emissions levels relative to current technology combustor designs. Four full annular combustors were designed for the CF6-50 engine. These concepts utilize premixing of the fuel and air, variable geometry, and fuel staging to control the equivalence ratios of the burning zone. The testing is being conducted on these four full annular combustors over a wide range of operating conditions at pressures up to actual subsonic cruise (1.16 MPa). The test results for the most promising of these combustor concepts are reported in this paper.
Dietary Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Alters Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a component in cruciferous vegetables, can block chemical carcinogenesis in animal models. Our objective was to determine the effect of treatment with PEITC on gene expression changes in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in order to evaluate potential mechanisms involved in its chemopreventive effects. MCF-7 cells were treated for 48 hours with either PEITC (3 μM) or the vehicle. Total RNA was extracted from cell membrane preparations, and labeled cDNA's representing the mRNA pool were reverse-transcribed directly from total RNA isolated for use in the microarray hybridizations. Two specific human GE Array Kits (Superarray Inc.) that both contain 23 marker genes, related to signal transduction pathways or cancer/tumor suppression, plus 2 housekeeping genes (β-actin and GAPDH), were utilized. Arrays from treated and control cells (n=4 per group) were evaluated using a Student's t-test. Gene expression was significantly induced for tumor protein p53 (p53), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (p57 Kip2), breast cancer Type 2 early onset (BRCA2), cAMP responsive element binding protein 2 (ATF-2), interleukin 2 (IL-2), heat shock 27 KD protein (hsp27), and CYP19 (aromatase). Induction of p57 Kip2, p53, BRCA2, IL-2, and ATF-2 would be expected to decrease cellular proliferation and increase tumor suppression and/or apoptosis. PEITC treatment produced significant alterations in some genes involved in tumor suppression and cellular proliferation/apoptosis that may be important in explaining the chemopreventive effects of PEITC.
A Lesbian Identity Disclosure Assessment: ALIDA Instrument

Background and Purpose: Disclosure of lesbian sexual identity has been associated with greater self-esteem, less anxiety, and greater relationship satisfaction. Nondisclosure interferes with suppor...
EFFICACY OF WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTERS IN SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF PATHOGEN ACTIVITY: A CASE STUDY WITH WEST NILE VIRUS

Surveillance is critical for identifying and monitoring pathogen activity in wildlife populations, but often is cost- and time-prohibitive and logistically challenging. We tested the hypothesis that wildlife rehabilitation centers are useful for monitoring pathogen activity using West Nile virus (WNV) as a case study. We hypothesized that birds submitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers would have a similar prevalence of antibody to WNV as free-ranging birds. From 2008 to 2010, we collected sera from peridomestic birds submitted to the Wildlife Care Clinic (WCC), a wildlife rehabilitation center in central Iowa, and tested them for antibodies to WNV. We also collected and tested sera from free-ranging peridomestic birds in the area from which approximately 50% of WCC submissions historically originated. Prevalences of WNV antibodies in free-ranging birds and in peridomestic WCC birds were 2.3% (44/1,936) and 2.8% (2/72), respectively. However, none of the birds submitted to the WCC from the area where we captured free-ranging birds had antibodies (0/29). Our results indicate that rehabilitation facilities are not likely to be useful for monitoring WNV activity at small spatial scales or over short-time periods due to the low endemic prevalence of WNV, and low and variable submission rates. However, at larger spatial scales (ca. nine Iowa counties) WNV antibody prevalence in peridomestic birds submitted to the WCC was similar to that of free-ranging birds. Although limitations to using rehabilitation birds to monitor WNV must be considered, testing these birds could be useful for monitoring WNV activity regionally, especially with many states limiting surveillance due to budgetary constraints.
On the capacity of the state-dependent cognitive interference channel

We derive the capacity region of two classes of the discrete memoryless state-dependent cognitive interference channels (SD-CICs) with noncausal channel state information known to only the cognitive transmitter: semideterministic SD-CIC and deterministic SD-CIC. We also provide new inner and outer bounds on the capacity region of the general SD-CIC. We prove that the new outer bound is the capacity region of the SD-CIC in the better cognitive decoding regime when both the cognitive transmitter and its corresponding receiver are aware of the channel state information in a noncausal manner.