cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation of metal ion buffers for biological experimentation: a methods approach with emphasis on iron and zinc.

Transition metal ions are a challenge to study in physiology because of problems associated with solubility, oxidation, binding, and attaining appropriate free activities in solution. This review discusses these problems and potential ways of accommodating them. Special attention is given to iron and zinc ions, but many of the concepts can be applied for studying other transition metals. Selection of reagents appropriate for metal work (including water, salts, noncomplexing pH buffers) is briefly discussed. Calculation of the solubility product (K(sp)) for common iron and zinc precipitates is covered, as well as techniques used to solubilize Fe(3+) with organic chelates. Factors that affect Fe(2+) oxidation are mentioned, and the use of ascorbate as a reducing agent is considered. Measurement of the rate of Fe(2+) oxidation (or Fe(3+) reduction) with the Fe(2+) chromophores ferrozine and BPS is also discussed. Generation of a free metal ion activity through use of metal buffers (chelators) is discussed. Theoretical problems associated with this technique are explored, and selected shareware metal ion buffer calculators are described. Finally, techniques for measuring and minimizing nonspecific binding of iron and zinc ions to biological membranes are considered.
The most-cited scholars and works in critical criminology

Previous studies that reported the most-cited scholars and works in criminology and criminal justice journals and textbooks neglected the contributions of critical criminologists to crime and justice scholarship. This paper extends citation analysis to the study of critical criminology. Through an examination of 18 books published from 1980 to 1997 and three journals published from 1991 to 1995, we list the 50 most-cited scholars in critical criminology, the 50 most-cited critical criminologists, and the 25 most-cited works. The most-cited scholars and works in critical criminology are compared to similar lists from mainstream criminology. The paper concludes with some thoughts about the importance of citation analysis in critical criminology.
A numerical investigation on the ignition of JP-8 surrogates blended with hydrogen and syngas

A numerical study is conducted to characterize the hydrogen- and syngas-assisted ignition of two JP-8 surrogates, a two-component surrogate and a six-component surrogate. The six-component surrogate has previously been found to accurately simulate the smoke point, volatility, flame temperature profiles, and extinction limits of JP-8, while the two component surrogates has been shown to reproduce the flame structure predicted with the six-component surrogate. CHEMKIN 10101 software along with the CRECK-0810 kinetic mechanism, involving 341 species and 9,173 reactions, is used to simulate ignition in a closed homogenous reactor under adiabatic and isobaric conditions. While the mechanism has been previously validated against various targets involving JP-8 surrogates, additional validation is provided herein for the ignition of H2, syngas, and n-dodecane. Results focus on the effects of H2 and syngas on the ignition of JP-8 surrogates at engine relevant conditions. For 650 1,000 K, the addition of H2 reduces ignition delay due to reactions: H2O2 + M = 2OH + M, H2 + OH = H2O + H, H + O2 = OH + O, and H + HO2 = OH + OH, which produce ample OH radicals, and accelerate the ignition process. The presence of CO reduces the effectiveness of reaction: H2 + OH = H2O + H, and thus decreases the ignition delays of JP8/syngas blends in the low temperature and NTC regions. For the conditions investigated, the ignition characteristics of JP-8 surrogates, including the two-stage ignition and NTC behavior, can be well represented qualitatively by n-dodecane. Although the two surrogates studied here represent the JP-8 fuel, results are also relevant for other liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuels, which generally contain straight-chain (n- and iso-), branched-chain, and cyclo-paraffins, and aromatics.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication Principles Modified Syntactic Method to Recognize Bengali Handwritten Characters

Several approaches have been proposed to recognize handwritten Bengali characters using different curve-fitting algorithms. The syntactic methods that are used to recognize printed Bengali alphabetic characters tend not to be suitable enough to properly distinguish Bengali handwritten characters. The proposed curve-fitting algorithm helps accurately recognize various strokes of different patterns (e.g., line and quadratic curve), thus drastically reducing the error elimination burden. As compared to existing approaches, the proposed modified syntactic method demonstrates significant improvement in recognizing Bengali handwritten characters.
Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia in the Elderly

Pneumococcal pneumonia is an increasingly important disorder of the elderly. We reviewed, retrospectively, the clinical and laboratory manifestations of 29 elderly patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia during a five year period and surveyed the capsular serotypes of all blood isolates. Pneumococcal pneumonia frequently presented with subtle manifestations in these elderly patients: 50% lacked historical features suggestive of pneumonia at the time of diagnosis. A common presentation was fever, altered mental status and dehydration. Recognizing this will allow earlier diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Sixty percent of patients had potential pulmonary pathogens other than pneumococcus in cultures of sputum at the time of pneumococcal bacteremia. Reversible abnormalities of liver function were frequent. Sixty-nine percent of pneumonias were caused by serotypes included in the commercially available vaccine. Continued surveillance of pneumococcal serotypes is important to determine if the widespread use of the vaccine will result in an increased incidence of infection by serotypes which are not in the vaccine. The high mortality associated with pneumococcal pneumonia (31% in this series), particularly in the elderly, emphasizes the need for an effective vaccine.
Absorption of Pellets of Progesterone

PROGESTERONE is utilized effectively by the body when administered intramuscularly in oily solution, when applied sublingually in the form of hard, easily soluble tablets (1, 2) or when implanted subcutaneously as compressed cylindrical pellets. The latter method presents clinical possibilities which have not been exploited (3) and it seemed advisable at this time to record our data on the absorption rates in humans of pure crystalline progesterone pellets. In 1938 Deanesly and Parkes (4) reported their results of implantation into rabbits of progesterone tablets 5.1 mg. in weight. Five days after implantation they found full progesterone effect in the uterus of the immature animal which had been sensitized with estrone previously. Lipshutz and Maas (5) gave further proof to the effective utilization of subcutaneously implanted progesterone pellets. Regression of abdominal and uterine fibroids, produced in the female guinea pig by estrogens, was obtained when a tablet of synthetic progesterone was implanted.
P.M.R. evidence for the conformations of 1,2-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucofuranose derivatives

Abstract Proton coupling constants and chemical shifts of two 1,2- O -benzylidene- and four 1,2:3,5-di- O -benzylidene-α- d -glucofuranose derivatives have been measured by p.m.r. spectroscopy at 100 MHz. From these parameters, it is deduced that the furanoid rings of the mono- and di-benzylidene acetals exist mainly in symmetric and non-symmetric twist conformations, respectively. The m -dioxane ring of the dibenzylidene acetals adopts that chair conformation in which C-6 of the sugar is axially attached.
Exploring potential inequities between burdens and benefits of climate change abatement policies

Although the connection between the storms along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 and global climate change is still being debated, the fact that low-income communities are more likely to bear the greatest burden and are more vulnerable to potential future climate change and rising sea levels is widely acknowledged. Adding to this problem, greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming are income dependent: people with the highest incomes, both globally and within specific communities, tend to pollute more than those with the lowest incomes. A policy dilemma thus arises when abatement strategies involve regressive financing or when the benefits of such strategies are concentrated within higher-income groups. Low-income communities are in effect subsidizing the pollution abatement of higher-income communities. This paper reviews a range of evidence showing the unequal vulnerabilities, responsibilities, benefits, and costs from climate change and climate change policies. A framework for t...
Successful use of the B-Lynch brace suture in early pregnancy.

(2004). Successful use of the B-Lynch brace suture in early pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Vol. 24, No. 7, pp. 841-842.
A review of the biology of the gold-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica (amphibia: Salamandridae)

Abstract Chioglossa lusitanica is a small salamander confined to forested ravines in the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Expanded agriculture is reducing habitat suitable for larvae and adults. Records of former and present occurrence document the decreasing range and suggest that Chioglossa receive international protection.
Damping the Hearing Aid Frequency Response

Damped hearing aid frequency responses were compared with undamped responses to determine the effect of response smoothing on speech clarity and on gain received when the hearing aid was adjusted t...
Preference for Consistent and Inconsistent Information in Impression Formation.

Summary.-An attempt was made to extend Dustin and Baldwin's (1966) model of impression formation to sets of six traits. Ss rated the probability that three undesirable traits (U) would describe a person, given that he possessed three desirable traits (D). Ss then rated their liking for the person, assuming that he actually did possess all six traits. The results showed a curvilinear relationship between probability ratings and liking ratings, thus only partially supporting the model. When the perceived relation between D and U traits was relatively improbable, the greater the improbability, the greater the liking. When the perceived relation was relatively probable, the greater the probability, the greater the liking. The results supported both a need for novelty and a need for consistency hypothesis. Recently Hendrick (19G9) found that Ss rated negatively correlated trait pairs more favorably than positively correlated trait pairs in an impression formation task. This result supported Dustin and Baldwin's (1966) model which predicts an inverse relationship between the evaluation of trait pairs and the degree of correlation between the two traits in pairs. The present study was conducted to see if the inverse prediction would hold for sets of larger size. Method.-Forty-four Ss in an introductory psychology class made two ratings of several persons. Each person was described by six traits, three of which were high and three were low in social desirability. One question asked the Ss to rate the probability on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (impossible) to 1.0 (certain) that the person possessed the three undesirable traits, given that he possessed the three desirable traits. The second question asked the Ss to assume that the person in fact possessed all six traits and to rate how much they would like such a person on a scale ranging from -4 (Dislike very
Hydrogen bonds between short polar side chains and peptide backbone: prevalence in proteins and effects on helix-forming propensities.

A survey of 322 proteins showed that the short polar (SP) side chains of four residues, Thr, Ser, Asp, and Asn, have a very strong tendency to form hydrogen bonds with neighboring backbone amides. Specifically, 32% of Thr, 29% of Ser, 26% of Asp, and 19% of Asn engage in such hydrogen bonds. When an SP residue caps the N terminal of a helix, the contribution to helix stability by a hydrogen bond with the amide of the N3 or N2 residue is well established. When an SP residue is in the middle of a helix, the side chain is unlikely to form hydrogen bonds with neighboring backbone amides for steric and geometric reasons. In essence the SP side chain competes with the backbone carbonyl for the same hydrogen-bonding partner (i.e., the backbone amide) and thus SP residues tend to break backbone carbonyl-amide hydrogen bonds. The proposition that this is the origin for the low propensities of SP residues in the middle of alpha helices (relative to those of nonpolar residues) was tested. The combined effects of restricting side-chain rotamer conformations (documented by Creamer and Rose, Proc Acad Sci USA, 1992;89:5937-5941; Proteins, 1994;19:85-97) and excluding side- chain to backbone hydrogen bonds by the helix were quantitatively analyzed. These were found to correlate strongly with four experimentally determined scales of helix-forming propensities. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.72 to 0.87, which are comparable to those found for nonpolar residues (for which only the loss of side-chain conformational entropy needs to be considered).
Expanded Followup of Intravesical Oxybutynin Chloride Use in Children with Neurogenic Bladder

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated the long-term results of intravesical oxybutynin chloride use in children with neurogenic bladders who could not tolerate or whose conditions were refractory to oral therapy.Materials and Methods: We reviewed our experience with 28 children (myelomeningocele in 27 and imperforate anus in 1) who presented with urinary incontinence and/or elevated bladder pressures refractory to intermittent catheterization and oral anticholinergic medication. Intravesical oxybutynin was administered to each child by instillation of 5 mg. crushed oxybutynin chloride in 10 cc sterile saline 2 times daily during catheterization.Results: Seven patients (25 percent) could not tolerate intravesical oxybutynin secondary to anticholinergic side effects. The remaining 21 children have been followed on intravesical oxybutynin for a mean of 35 months (range 3 to 67). Of these 21 children 12 (57 percent) became completely dry day and night, 5 (24 percent) achieved daytime continence between catheterizatio...
Influence of preparation design and existing condition of tooth structure on load to failure of ceramic laminate veneers.

Statement of problem Although investigators have evaluated the effect of ceramic veneer preparation design, limited information is available regarding preparation design in association with the condition of existing tooth structure. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of preparation design and the amount of existing tooth structure on the fracture resistance of pressable ceramic laminate veneers. Material and methods Thirty-two extracted human maxillary central incisors were allocated into 4 groups (n=8) to test for 2 variables: (1) the preparation design (a 2 mm incisal reduction shoulder finish line with or without palatal chamfer) and (2) the existing amount of tooth structure (non-worn tooth or worn tooth). Measurement of the remaining enamel thickness on the inciso-occlusal surface was made after the tooth was prepared. All prepared teeth were restored with pressable ceramic (IPS Empress) veneers, and the veneers were luted with resin cement (Rely-X Veneer). These luted specimens were loaded to failure in a universal testing machine, in the compression mode, with a crosshead speed of 0.05 mm/min. The data were analyzed using a 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD multiple comparison test (α=.05) Results Preparation design and the amount of existing tooth structure had a significant effect on the load to failure value ( P P =.702). Mean (SD) load to failure values were as follows: a preparation design with a palatal chamfer margin with a non-worn tooth (166.67 N (28.89)) revealed a significantly higher failure load than the group with a shoulder finish line alone (131.84 N (18.88)) ( P P P Conclusions Preparation design and the amount of existing tooth structure had a significant effect on load to failure for ceramic veneers. This study revealed that using a palatal chamfer margin design significantly increased the load to failure compared to a shoulder finish line.
Foreign acquisition and post-privatization exit of state-owned firms

This paper analyzes the impact of foreign and domestic ownership on the exit rates of privatized state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in transitional countries. The exit of privatized SOEs can have a profound impact on employment and on the development of local economies of transitional countries. An oligopoly model that incorporates country-level trade costs and individual SOE's productivity is developed to assess the exit of SOEs under either foreign or domestic ownership. The model shows that market competition between firms can lead to liquidation of the SOE by a domestic firm when trade costs increase. When the productivity of SOE is high, neither foreign nor domestic firm will liquidate. The predictions of the model are tested using firm-level privatization data from Central and Eastern Europe. By controlling for productivity, trade costs, and other attributes of SOEs after privatization, it is found that foreign ownership significantly reduces the probability of SOE's exit as compared to domestic ownersh...
Selective neurohormonal interactions in islet cell secretion in the isolated perfused human pancreas

To investigate the effects of stimulant interactions on α- and β-cell secretions, the differential effects of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and cholinergic stimulation (CS) on insulin (IRI) and glucagon (IRG) release were examined during euglycemic, single-pass perfusion in the isolated human pancreas. Pancreata obtained from 12 cadaver organ donors were perfused for 15-min test periods with (a) 1 nM GIP (b) intrinsic CS via bipolar electrical stimulation (10 V, 5 msec, 10 Hz) of the splanchnic neural fibers during simultaneous perfusion with 4 μM phentolamine and 6 μM propranolol, or (c) GIP and CS. The integrated response of IRI and IRG demonstrated that IRI release was stimulated 308 ± 52 μU/g-min by GIP, 366 ± 73 μU/g-min by CS, and 560 ± 50 μU/g-min by GIP and CS (P < 0.05). IRG release was stimulated 111 ± 33 pg/g-min by GIP, 34 ± 12 pg/g-min by CS, and 90 ± 36 pg/g-min by GIP and CS. Combined hormonal and cholinergic stimulation was additive for IRI release, but not for IRG release. We conclude that the interaction of neural and hormonal islet cell stimuli is cell-type specific. This may result in selective impairment of hormone release after pancreatic denervation.
Incoherence of resonant and non-resonant amplitudes in reactions A(x,y)B∗(z)C

Abstract Previous results on particle-transfer reactions populating particle unstable states have been extended to include non-resonant contributions. It is shown that on resonance, the resonant and non-resonant amplitudes contribute incoherently to the one-particle angular distribution d 2 σ/ d k y d E y , where y is the first emitted particle in the reaction A(x,y)B ∗ (z)C. The results are discussed in the framework of the doorway-state model of intermediate resonances, and some relevant particle-transfer experiments are suggested.
Assessment of Different Biofilter Media Particle Sizes for Ammonia Removal Optimization

Pressure drop along compost medium (particle size range: 1.30mm – 4.75mm) was measured as preliminary work to design the air distribution for three pilot scale biofilters in which ammonia removal and pressure drop will be monitored and determined for different particle sizes. Pressure drop as high as 6350 Pa.m-1 was found for air flux rate of 1461 m.h-1 and 65% wet-basis (s=0.32) of media moisture content, while pressure drop as low as 98.1 Pa.m-1 was found for air flux rate of 279 m.h-1 and 5.5% wet-basis (s=0.01) of media moisture content. Based on these results, a plenum was built to distribute static pressure evenly to the biofilters and a variable speed blower was selected. The proposed experiment is currently in progress; therefore its results are going to be presented in future publications.
Effect of carbon substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-(B,C) nanocomposite magnets

Abstract The purpose of the present work is to study the effect of carbon substitution for boron on the magnetic and structural properties in nanocomposite Nd 10 Fe 82 B 8− x C x , ( x =0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7) ribbons in correlation with their crystallization behavior. Four different structural states were observed in as-spun ribbons depending on the carbon content x and the wheel speed: (i) Nd 2 Fe 14 (B,C)+α-Fe, (ii) Nd 2 Fe 14 (B,C)+Nd 2 Fe 17 C x +α-Fe, (iii) Nd 2 Fe 17 C x +α-Fe and (iv) amorphous. In annealed ribbons, the 2:17:C x phase transforms into the 2:14:1, whereas the amount of α-Fe phase increases with x . The coercivity has a maximum of 8.7 kOe for x =2, followed by a gradual decrease with further increase of carbon concentration. The deterioration of the magnetic properties with x can be associated with the change in the crystallization behavior and the coarsening of the microstructure for x >4.
Serotonin depolarizes type A and C primary afferents: an intracellular study in bullfrog dorsal root ganglion

Intracellular recordings were obtained from the somata of type A and C primary afferents in the isolated bullfrog dorsal root ganglion (DRG) preparation. Bath application of serotonin (5-HT) in concentrations of 0.25-1.0 mM led to slow and fast depolarizing responses. Slow, maintained 5-HT depolarizations were observed in 47% of type A and 70% of type C neurons. These slow depolarizations were associated with an underlying increase in input resistance (Rin). In some type A neurons, the Rin increase was masked by a decrease in Rin due to depolarization-induced rectification. The slow 5-HT depolarization of type A, but not type C neurons showed pronounced tachyphylaxis to repeated 5-HT applications. In type C afferents, serotonin's slow action was often accompanied by spontaneous firing. Manganese decreased slow 5-HT depolarizations of both cell types. A slow depolarization and excitation of type C afferents by methysergide and cinanserin was also observed. Fast transient 5-HT depolarizations accompanied by a rapid decrease in Rin were observed in 7% of type A and 24% of type C neurons. In some DRG cells the fast and slow depolarizations combined to form a biphasic response. The actions of 5-HT reported here resemble in some ways 5-HT responses recorded extracellularly from the spinal terminations of primary afferents.
Static and dynamic analyses of tensegrity structures. Part II. Quasi-static analysis

Linearized Lagrangian equations developed in the first part of the paper were employed for static analyses of cyclic cylindrical tensegrity modules. Linearized equilibrium equations at natural configurations were used to investigate initial shape, static and kinematic indeterminancy, pre-stress and infinitesimal mechanism modes, and the sensitivity analysis of initial geometry. Linearized equilibrium equations at pre-stressed initial configurations were utilized to investigate pre-stress stiffening and to distinguish first-order mechanisms from higher-order mechanisms. To estimate critical loads for bar buckling and cable slacking, nonlinear equilibrium equations were employed to compute element forces. Further, the equivalence between the twist angle theorem obtained from a geometrical consideration and the equilibrium analysis was established for cyclic cylindrical tensegrity modules. It is concluded that infinitesimal mechanism modes and pre-stresses characterize the static and dynamic response of tensegrity structures.
Novel functional view of the crocidolite asbestos-treated A549 human lung epithelial transcriptome reveals an intricate network of pathways with opposing functions

Although exposure to asbestos is now regulated, patients continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, fibrosis and lung carcinoma because of the long latent period between exposure and clinical disease. Asbestosis is observed in approximately 200,000 patients annually and asbestos-related deaths are estimated at 4,000 annually[1]. Although advances have been made using single gene/gene product or pathway studies, the complexity of the response to asbestos and the many unanswered questions suggested the need for a systems biology approach. The objective of this study was to generate a comprehensive view of the transcriptional changes induced by crocidolite asbestos in A549 human lung epithelial cells. A statistically robust, comprehensive data set documenting the crocidolite-induced changes in the A549 transcriptome was collected. A systems biology approach involving global observations from gene ontological analyses coupled with functional network analyses was used to explore the effects of crocidolite in the context of known molecular interactions. The analyses uniquely document a transcriptome with function-based networks in cell death, cancer, cell cycle, cellular growth, proliferation, and gene expression. These functional modules show signs of a complex interplay between signaling pathways consisting of both novel and previously described asbestos-related genes/gene products. These networks allowed for the identification of novel, putative crocidolite-related genes, leading to several new hypotheses regarding genes that are important for the asbestos response. The global analysis revealed a transcriptome that bears signatures of both apoptosis/cell death and cell survival/proliferation. Our analyses demonstrate the power of combining a statistically robust, comprehensive dataset and a functional network genomics approach to 1) identify and explore relationships between genes of known importance 2) identify novel candidate genes, and 3) observe the complex interplay between genes/gene products that function in seemingly different processes. This study represents the first function-based global approach toward understanding the response of human lung epithelial cells to the carcinogen crocidolite. Importantly, our investigation paints a much broader landscape for the crocidolite response than was previously appreciated and reveals novel paths to study. Our graphical representations of the function-based global network will be a valuable resource to model new research findings.
Investigation of transonic region of high dynamic response encountered on an elastic supercritical wing

Unsteady aerodynamic data were measured on an aspect ratio 10.3 elastic supercritical wing while undergoing high dynamic response above a Mach number of 0.90. These tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. A previous test of this wing predicted an unusual instability boundary based on subcritical response data. During the present test no instability was found, but an angle of attack dependent narrow Mach number region of high dynamic wing response was observed over a wide range of dynamic pressures. The effect on dynamic wing response of wing angle of attack, static outbound control surface deflection and a lower surface spanwise fence located near the 60 percent local chordline was investigated. The driving mechanism of the dynamic wing response appears to be related to chordwise shock movement in conjunction with flow separation and reattachment on both the upper and lower surfaces.
Export uncertainty in centrally planned economies and administered protection

Abstract The paper examines the price decision making process of a state foreign trade organization under threat of antidumping tariffs. Given the peculiar application of the antidumping law to centrally planned economy exporters, the paper formally outlines the parameters guiding the state exporter's price decision and attempts to estimate the degree of uncertainty it faces. The exporter's optimal price is shown to depend on its subjective probability distributions of numerous foreign prices and alternative methodologies for calculating a centrally planned economy exporter's “fair price.”
The Public University's Performance in State Arts Policy: Lessons from Virginia

This article investigates the extent to which public higher education institutions participate in state-level arts policy through a history of selected budgets and a textual analysis of performing arts presenting centers at public higher education institutions in Virginia. Evidence from this research suggests that the arts policy field is altered by the emergence of public higher education institutions as policy actors. The findings have financial and decision-making implications for arts policy makers, university administrators, and arts agencies as the participation of public higher education institutions affords new opportunities and challenges for the state encouragement of the arts.
Thin film thickness variation measurement using dual LEDs and reflectometric interference spectroscopy model in biosensor

The potential of thin film thickness variation measurement method, reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS), for a compact label-free biosensor is investigated. A model to estimate thickness variation is built based on RIfS. A set-up of the sensor having dual Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and one photo detector are introduced. To verify the model, sample chips with different thicknesses of silica film layers ranging from 2 to 20nm are used in the experiment. The estimated values are compared with their reference values which are measured by an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Since the chosen LEDs' wavelength is not an ideal one, the comparison shows that the model underestimates the thickness variation. By using dual LEDs and a photo detector with the reliable model, the handheld device for transparent thin film measurement will become practical.
A spatially-explicit optimization model for long-term hydrogen pipeline planning

One of the major barriers to the deployment of hydrogen as a transportation fuel is the lack of an infrastructure for supplying the fuel to consumers. Consequently, models are needed to evaluate the cost and design of various infrastructure deployment strategies. The best strategy will likely differ between regions based on the spatial distribution of H2 demand and variations in regional feedstock costs. Although several spatially-explicit infrastructure models have been developed, none of the published models are capable of optimizing interconnected regional pipeline networks for linking multiple production facilities and demand locations. This paper describes the Hydrogen Production and Transmission (HyPAT) model, which is a network optimization tool for identifying the lowest cost centralized production and pipeline transmission infrastructure within real geographic regions. A case study in the southwestern United States demonstrates the capabilities and outputs of the model.
Characterization of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus 3C Protease Expressed in Escherichia coli

We have constructed a clone encoding the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 3C protease gene (p3C) using the polymerase chain reaction. The construct was engineered to contain initiation and termination codons and cloned into a plasmid under the control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter. The p3C gene was expressed both in an in vitro transcription-translation system and in vivo in an Escherichia coli system containing an inducible T7 RNA polymerase gene. In both systems the expressed products were of the appropriate molecular weight and immunologically reactive with bovine convalescent serum. E. coli-expressed 3C protein was mainly found in the insoluble fraction of cell lysates. The E. coli-expressed protease was assayed in an in vitro system with radiolabeled P1 capsid precursor protein and P2 precursor protein as substrates. E. coli-expressed 3C completely processed the P1 and P2 precursors into mature capsid and nonstructural proteins, respectively. The kinetics of processing of P1 by E. coli-expressed 3C revealed the following order of cleavage: VP3-VP1, VP0-VP3, VP1-2A.
Si–Ca species modification and microwave sintering for NiZn ferrites

Abstract NiZn ferrite particles were precoated with Si–Ca precursor by sol–gel method. Thus convention-sintered particles exhibited small grain size about 2 μm and lowered magnetic permeability as well as increased coercive magnetic field effectively. Microwave sintering could suppress grain growth as the same result of conventional sintering specimens with SiO 2 –CaO precoating. In microwave process, the grain growth inhibition expressed more obviously for the SiO 2 –CaO precoated specimens. The magnetic permeability (∼300) after SiO 2 –CaO precoating became lower than original ferrite (∼800) without SiO 2 –CaO precoating in conventional sintering. However, the magnetic permeability was lowered no matter whether SiO 2 –CaO precoating in microwave process. On the other hand, microwave sintering possessed short processing time, for example, 1250 °C/5 min, to prohibit ZnO volatilization in accompanied with grain size reduction. Therefore, such contribution increased resistivity to about 12×10 6 Ω cm compared to 3×10 6 Ω cm of original NiZn ferrite. The large coercive magnetic field ( H c) was ascribed to the superposition of small grain size and stress induced by microwave sintering.
Silicon-29 NMR Structural Characterization of Two Novel Germanosilicate Cages in a Tetramethylammonium Germanosilicate Solution

We have identified two novel germanium-substituted silicate cages in an aqueous tetramethylammonium germanosilicate solution by means of high-field (1 1.7 T) silicon-29 NMR spectroscopy, with 29Si isotopic enrichment. Our results indicate that these anions exist in the form of a double four-membered ring (cubic octameric cage) and a double three-membered ring (prismatic hexameric cage), in which a single silicon site is replaced by germanium. Introduction of chemical shift nonequivalence by means of heteroatom incorporation leads to complex spinspin splitting patterns, which may, however, be readily interpreted by means of two-dimensional homonuclear correlated spectroscopy (2D-COSY) or by spectral simulation. The zJ couplings are 7.5 Hz in the double four-membered ring and 4.3 Hz in the double three-membered ring. A 45 coupling of - 1 .O Hz is also deduced for the double three-membered ring. These results represent the first solution NMR observation of heteroatom incorporation into silicate cages and provide a novel means for investigating the structures and stabilities of such species.
Role of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in the management of uveitis

Abstract Objective To discuss and illustrate the role of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) in the diagnosis and management of peripheral retinal vasculitis. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Four consecutive patients in whom UWFFA showed far peripheral vasculitis were included. All patients were seen between May 2011 and May 2012 at the Doheny Eye Institute. Methods Conventional fluorescein angiogram (FA) images or areas determined by the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group protocol for imaging the posterior pole and peripheral retina were superimposed on the UWFFA images. The ability to detect the extent and severity of vasculitis and vascular occlusion using both conventional FA and UWFFA was compared by 2 investigators, and any discrepancies were adjudicated by a third investigator. Results In none of the cases was the full extent of vasculitis and capillary occlusion visible in the fields normally portrayed by conventional FA. In contrast, capillary nonperfusion and peripheral vasculitis were detectable by UWFFA in all cases. In 2 cases, the posterior extent of vasculitis could have been detected by conventional FA. Conclusions Detection and depiction of the extent and severity of peripheral vascular changes are enhanced with UWFFA, aiding in the management of vasculitis in the retinal periphery.
"Basal durotomy" to prevent massive intra-operative traumatic brain swelling.

¶Objective. Massive intraoperative swelling (IOS) is a potential complication of intracranial surgery for traumatic hematomas. We present a novel design of dural opening to minimize the risks of IOS. Methods. Over the last eight years, we have used and evaluated a “reversed U-shaped” durotomy incision, which leaves the dura intact in the parasagittal region. Accordingly, the dura should be opened initially over the fronto-basal eminence of the frontal lobe anterior to the middle meningeal artery and sylvian region. The incision is then carried across the middle meningeal into the temporal region. Additional slit incisions may be made, as needed, around the circumference of the craniotomy in order to obtain sufficient access to remove a subdural hematoma. Results. We have employed this technique in 220 trauma craniotomies without any case of uncontrolled IOS. In all patients a complete dural closure was obtained. Conclusion. When IOS is suspected, basal durotomy proved to be an excellent technique to prevent it, without compromising the total evacuation of the traumatic intracranial hematoma.
From the footnotes to the headlines: Sterilization apologies and their lessons

Between 1929 and 1975, North Carolina’s eugenic sterilization program authorized more than 7,600 sterilizations. A 2003 newspaper series in the Winston Salem Journal about this history led North Carolina governor Mike Easley to apologize for the program. Recently, the North Carolina legislature considered a restitution bill for sterilization victims, making North Carolina the first state in the nation to consider any kind of restitution for victims of state eugenic sterilization programs. Media characterization of eugenic sterilization programs as racial genocide added a political salience to the story that contributed to the potential for restitution but also distorted a program less concerned with improving racial quality than with controlling the reproduction of welfare recipients. While considerations of restitution to welfare recipients who suffered sterilization as a result of having children outside marriage might be politically unpalatable, restitution to victims of racial genocide seemed politically much more acceptable.
Analysis of scalar pdf models for turbulent non-premixed combustion

Thermo-chemical scalar pdfs measured in non-premixed hydrogen and methane turbulent jet flames are compared apriori with a sophisticated conventional assumed shape pdf model, as well as a recent constructed pdf model. The constructed pdf, by incorporating the underlying physics of advection by all unsteady eddies, molecular diffusion and chemical reaction, displays consistent and substantial a-priori improvement over the conventional assumed shape pdf. In addition, the constructed pdf model is parameterized by considerably fewer lower moments, and in particular, first moments, promising affordable and accurate implementation in a moment equation solver.
A framework for finite strain elastoplasticity based on maximum plastic dissipation and the multiplicative decomposition: part I. continuum formulation

Abstract A strain-space formulation of elastoplasticity at finite strains is developed based on a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. The notion of covariance—which embodies material frame indifference as a particular case—is systematically exploited to uniquely determine reduced forms of the free energy and yield condition that do not preclude anisotropic response. It is shown that the structure of the associative flow rule is uniquely defined as the Kuhn-Tucker optimality condition emanating from the principle of maximum plastic dissipation. Specialization is made to deviatoric plasticity. The isochoric constraint is treated through the exact multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into volume-preserving and spherical parts. As an application, a hyperelastic extension of J 2 - flow theory is presented with poly-convex hyperelastic uncoupled stored energy function. Computational aspects and large-scale simulations are examined in Part II of this work.
Extraspecific imposition of social grouping among surgeonfishes (Pisces: Acanthuridae)

The Manini is a widely distributed surgeonfish that is often abundant on reefs. It has two modes of existence, scattered individuals or dense column-forming schools, which may be seen on the same day at different places on the reef. In Hawaii schooling is a tactic used for getting to the bottom to feed when the bottom is held by territory-holding food competitors. Mixed-species “flocks” are an extension of this tactic. In atoll situations habitat partitioning exists, with the Maninis feeding in the intertidal area away from competitors; there, schooling is anti-predator behaviour.
Long-term results of carpal tunnel release

To determine the long-term results of carpal tunnel release, we retrospectively reviewed 60 cases, an average of 5.5 years after surgery. 87% reported a good or excellent overall outcome; the average time to maximum improvement of symptoms was 9.8 months. However, 30% reported poor to fair strength and long-term scar discomfort, and 57% noted a return of some pre-operative symptoms, most commonly pain, beginning an average of 2 years after surgery. We found no correlation between pre-operative symptoms or extent of surgical dissection (internal neurolysis) and outcome. Carpal tunnel syndrome was job related in 42%; of these, 26% changed from heavy to lighter work following surgery. Although occupational cases were slower to improve and remained off work longer, the long-term subjective results were the same for both groups. We found significant morbidity from the surgical scar and decreased strength, and often considerable delay until ultimate improvement, especially in patients with job-related carpal tunnel syndrome.
A wide-bandwidth W-band LNA in InP/Si BiCMOS technology

This paper presents the development of high-gain, wide-bandwidth, W-band LNA integrated circuits utilizing a novel 0.25 μm InP/Si BiCMOS process with Ft/Fmax of 330/270 GHz. A 4-stage microstrip LNA achieves a minimum NF of 5.7 dB at 92 GHz and remains less than 7.2 dB (6.4 dB avg.) across a 75-100 GHz bandwidth. The LNA also exhibits a peak gain of 27.7 dB, a 3-dB bandwidth of 18 GHz (80-98 GHz), gain > 20 dB over 75-110 GHz, while consuming only 19.2 mW of DC power from a 1.2V supply. Additionally, individual bias control for each device has been incorporated to vary gain, including a version with two 3-bit current steering DACs to control base currents. The 0.42 mm 2 (w/o pads) LNA is suitable for many emerging W-band applications including radar, communications, and imaging and provides superior performance compared to published LNAs developed in available SiGe BiCMOS technologies.
Physical design issues in biofluidic microchips

Biotechnologists have started to exploit the semiconductor industry's planar microfabrication technology. This talk reviews the state of the art in planar biofluidic microdevices. Design aids needed for this emerging area are motivated. A place and route approach that simultaneously considers both the physical design of the chip as well as the physical constraints on device performance is introduced. Capillary electrophoretic separation based bioanalysis subsystems such as those needed for DNA sequencing are designed using this approach. The focus is on chips that integrate multiple parallel analysis subsystems to improve biosensing specificity and sensitivity. A roadmap for extending this to fully integrated biofluidic microchips that contain mixing, reaction, injection and detection subsystems is described
Dissipative transport of a Bose-Einstein condensate

We investigate the effects of impurities, either correlated disorder or a single Gaussian defect, on the collective dipole motion of a Bose-Einstein condensate of {sup 7}Li in an optical trap. We find that this motion is damped at a rate dependent on the impurity strength, condensate center-of-mass velocity, and interatomic interactions. Damping in the Thomas-Fermi regime depends universally on the disordered potential strength scaled to the condensate chemical potential and the condensate velocity scaled to the speed of sound. The damping rate is comparatively small in the weakly interacting regime, and, in this case, is accompanied by strong condensate fragmentation. In situ and time-of-flight images of the atomic cloud provide evidence that this fragmentation is driven by dark soliton formation.
Chromatin-bound kinase activity and phosphorylation of chromatin non-histone proteins during early kidney regeneration after folic acid.

Abstract Chromatin-bound kinases in rat kidneys transfer 32 P phosphate from γ- 32 P-ATP into the phenol-soluble chromatin proteins 10 times more efficiently than into the histones. The phosphate transfer increases linearly for the first 8 min under optimal incubating conditions (pH 8.0, 20 mM Mg 2+ , 100 mM NaCl). Under these conditions the transfer is not stimulated by adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate in concentrations from 1.0 × 10 −8 M to 1.0 × 10 −2 M. The activity of these protein kinases rises within 1 h after the injection of folic acid with a simultaneous increase in the amount of 32 P activity incorporated into certain phenol-soluble chromatin proteins. The template activity of kidney chromatin and the nuclear RNA synthesis also begin to rise at this time. As judged by electrophoretic analysis, the folic acid injection 1 h before removal of the kidneys stimulates the phosphorylation of several chromatin non-histone proteins without any noticeable changes in their qualitative distribution.
OpenMP for Networks of SMPs

In this paper, we present the first system that implements OpenMP on a network of shared-memory multiprocessors. This system enables the programmer to rely on a single, standard, shared-memory API for parallelization within a multiprocessor and between multiprocessors. It is implemented via a translator that converts OpenMP directives to appropriate calls to a modified version of the TreadMarks software distributed shared-memory (SDSM) system. In contrast to previous SDSM systems for SMPs, the modified TreadMarks system uses POSIX threads for parallelism within an SMP node. This approach greatly simplifies the changes required to the SDSM in order to exploit the intranode hardware shared memory. We present performance results for seven applications (Barnes-Hut, CLU, and Water from SPLASH-2, 3D-FFT from NAS, Red-Black SOR, TSP, and MGS) running on an SP2 with four four-processor SMP nodes. A comparison between the thread implementation and the original implementation of TreadMarks shows that using the hardware shared memory within an SMP node significantly reduces the amount of data and the number of messages transmitted between nodes and consequently achieves speedups that are up to 30% better than the original versions. We also compare SDSM against message passing. Overall, the speedups of multithreaded TreadMarks programs are within 7?30% of the MPI versions.
RNA-directed DNA methylation

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism for silencing transposons and other repetitive elements, and for stable repression of specific transgenes and endogenous genes. Plants can utilize small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to guide de novo DNA methyltransferases for the establishment of sequence-specific DNA methylation. Genetic and biochemical approaches have identified many components involved in RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). These components function in one or more of the following three aspects: biogenesis of siRNAs, production of scaffold RNAs, and the assembly of an effector complex that involves the complementary pairing between the guide siRNAs and nascent scaffold RNAs and that recruits the DNA methyltransferases. Recent studies not only unveiled new molecular players and novel interactions, but also suggested spatial and temporal segregation of the RdDM process within the nucleus.