cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accuracy analysis of the window overlapping technique for velocity measurements using artificial and real signals

Abstract The feasibility of using window overlapping processing technique together with cross-correlation method was investigated for measuring instantaneous particle velocities using a fiber optic system. A pair of artificial signal pulses was generated to yield a known velocity field when they were cross-correlated. A parametric analysis was conducted to determine whether the window overlapping technique enhanced the velocity sampling frequency of the fiber optic probe system. The window overlapping technique was found to be effective in improving the accuracy of the instantaneous velocity calculations for relatively shorter data segments (windows). As the length of the window size increased, the efficiency of the window overlapping method diminished. The window overlapping technique was found to be effective only for window sizes up to four times longer than the minimum window size. The minimum window size contains sufficient number of data points that corresponds to the maximum velocity sampling frequency according to the Nyquist Theory. That is, the window overlapping technique could be beneficial for enhancing the velocity sampling frequency only if the velocity data (or the window size used in the cross-correlation function) were sampled at a frequency of four times lower (or better) than the highest frequency in the flow. Due to the hardware limitations, it is not possible to sample data at frequencies high enough to capture the highest frequency velocity fluctuations in a turbulent flow. Therefore, in this study, it was investigated that the velocity sampling frequency of a fiber optic probe could be enhanced by window overlapping technique using data collected from a highly turbulent particle laden pipe flow. The results indicated that the window overlapping technique slightly improved the accuracy of the instantaneous particle velocity measurements. This is believed to be due to the larger window sizes (or low sampling frequencies) relative to the high frequency velocity fluctuations in the flow. Therefore, the particle velocity fluctuations may not be computed accurately using a fiber optic probe due to the nature of the cross-correlation method which filters the velocity variations during the time period of ΔT. In order to obtain reasonably accurate results for measuring the particle velocity fluctuations in real life applications, the time interval (window size) must be sufficiently small such that it corresponds to the frequencies, at most, four times lower than the highest frequency occurring in the flow.
Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration: indications, techniques and outcomes

Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) refers to retrieval of sperm-containing fluid from optimal areas of the epididymis that are selected and sampled using high-power optical magnification provided by an operating microscope. Retrieved sperm are subsequently used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to induce fertilization and pregnancy. MESA is considered by many experts to be the gold standard technique for sperm retrieval in men with obstructive azoospermia given its high yield of quality sperm, excellent reported fertilization and pregnancy rates, and low risk of complications. However, MESA must be performed in an operating room, requires microsurgical skills and is only useful for reproduction using ICSI. Herein we present an overview of the evaluation of candidate patients for MESA, the technical performance of the procedure and the outcomes that have been reported.
Weavers Unravelled: Comparing Associationalism among Handloom Weavers and Boatmen in Varanasi, India

A comparative study of mobilisation by two lower-class occupational groups in Varanasi, India, presents a puzzle: one group, the boatmen of the Mallah community, have successfully formed and sustained several associations to promote boatmen's occupational interests, whereas another group, the handloom weavers of the Ansari community, have no self-formed, durable, active associations. This paper argues that transformation and decline of the weaving industry and significant class divisions within a community that continues to be highly marginalised have left the handloom weavers particularly vulnerable and pose steep challenges to self-organisation.
The molecular basis of nuclear genetic code change in ciliates.

Abstract Background: The nuclear genetic code has changed in several lineages of ciliates. These changes, UAR to glutamine and UGA to cysteine, imply that eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1), the protein that recognizes stop codons and terminates translation, changes specificity. Here we test whether changes in eRF1 drive genetic code evolution. Results: Database sequence analysis reveals numerous genetic code alterations in ciliates, including UGA → tryptophan in Blepharisma americanum and the distantly related Colpoda. We sequenced eRF1 from four ciliates: B. americanum , a heterotrich that independently derived the same eRF1 specificity as Euplotes , and three spirotrichs, Stylonychia lemnae , S. mytilus , and Oxytricha trifallax , that independently derived the same genetic code as Tetrahymena (UAR → glutamine). Distantly related ciliates with similar codes show characteristic changes in eRF1. We used a sliding window analysis to test associations between changes in specific eRF1 residues and changes in the genetic code. The regions of eRF1 that display convergent substitutions are identical to those identified in a recently reported nonsense suppression mutant screen in yeast. Conclusions: Genetic code change by stop codon reassignment is surprisingly frequent in ciliates, with UGA → tryptophan occurring twice independently. This is the first description of this code, previously found only in bacteria and mitochondria, in a eukaryotic nuclear genome. eRF1 has evolved strikingly convergently in lineages with variant genetic codes. The strong concordance with biochemical data indicates that our methodology may be generally useful for detecting molecular determinants of biochemical changes in evolution.
Using simulation to test the feasibility of robotic assembly

Abstract In this paper we address the use of simulation to test the feasibility of robotic assembly. It is shown that three factors are important in modeling an assembly problem: the geometry of the mating parts, the tolerance of assembly components, and the repeatability of the robot system. The process of developing a simulation model is demonstrated using two generic classes of assembly geometries. Simulation programs are presented and the implications for computer-aided design are discussed.
Metabolic Disposition and Development of New Chemopreventive Retinoids

(1991). Metabolic Disposition and Development of New Chemopreventive Retinoids. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 23, No. 3-4, pp. 413-438.
Mathematical and Experimental Investigation of Thermal Response of an Automobile Passenger With a Ventilated Seat

This paper presents mathematical and experimental models developed for the prediction of thermal interactions of an automobile passenger with the cabin environment and a ventilated seat. The mathematical model developed in this work employs existing and modified human-body heat balance equations along with variable thermo-physical environmental conditions. The model predicts steady-state and transient variations of passenger skin and seat-surface temperatures with time before and after activating the seat ventilation system for the given and selected cabin air conditions and heated seat temperature. In calculating the temperature changes with time after activating the ventilated-seat system, the modified heat balance equation along with the numerical analysis using the CFD package (Fluent, v.6) has been iteratively used, in which appropriate air-side average heat transfer coefficients were determined by using the Reynolds and Nusselt analogies for various system operating conditions. An experimental chamber was built to simulate the vehicle air and seat conditions attainable during a hot summer day. A selected number of individuals have participated in the experiments. Passengers' skin and seat-surface temperatures were measured with time after activating the ventilated-seat system for various chamber conditions. Investigation of the results obtained from the mathematical model and the experimental work showed that the seat ventilation system proposed in this work is able to provide the passenger thermal comfort initiation within about 2-3 minutes after activating the seat ventilation system. It was also found that the mathematical model developed in this work needs to be improved in order to include the non-uniform chamber air and seat conditions. The additional detailed experimental works are also required to quantify the passengers' thermal responses along with various chamber conditions.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Strain energy based equilibrium model of lumbar spine

In this study we have constructed an equilibrium model simulating a manual load handling situation based on experimental data. The load carrying capacity of the low back has been determined based on the concept of strain energy absorption characteristcs. Fresh human male cadaveric lumbar intervertebral joints were subjected to axial compressive loading in an MTS testing apparatus. Load and deformations were recorded as a function of time using a digital oscilloscope. The load deflection response indicated non-linear and sigmoidal characteristics. Based on the instantaneous stiffness (ability to offer resistance) of the structure, the initiation of trauma was defined as the point at which the stiffness begins to decrease for the first time. The total strain energy absorbed by the structure up to the initiation of trauma and up to the maximum load carrying capacity (point of zero stiffness) was computed using the integration principle. To assess the manual load carrying capacity of the lumbar spine, a static equilibrium analysis was performed to determine the normal and shear forces acting on the lumbosacral joint due to a load held in hand. The model accounted for the intra-abdominal pressure, and the force in the erector spinae muscle acting at eccentricities of 200 mm and 5 mm respectively from the center of gravity (C.G.) of the L5-S1 disc. The internal strain energy capacities due to normal and shear forces were computed by incorporating the geometry, and Young's and shear modulus of elasticity for both normal and degenerative spines estimated from finite element analyses. Strength of the spine was assessed by correlating the theoretical limiting strain energy absorbing capabilities with the experimentally determined strain energy absorption capacities at the initiation of trauma. Results indicated that normal spines can resist higher compressive load, trauma initiation load, and stiffness compared to degenerate spines. In addition, they have higher strain energy absorbing capacities. However, the deflection at failure was approximately the same for both types of structures. The range of manual load carrying capacity (load held at a distance of 450 mm from the C.G. of the structure) was found to be 200-500 N. Based on the strain energy criteria, this study has provided experimental limits of injury to an intervertebral joint, and assessed the range of loads that can be held in a manual material handling situation using a midsagittal equilibrium model of the lumbar spine. However, to specify injury tolerances to the low back, the analysis should extend to include the three-dimensional features of the spinal response.
Evidence for essential arginine residues at the active sites of maize branching enzymes

Alignment of 23 branching enzyme (BE) amino acid sequences from various species showed conservation of two arginine residues. Phenylglyoxal (PGO) was used to investigate the involvement of arginine residues of maize BEI and BEII in catalysis. BE was significantly inactivated by PGO in triethanolamine buffer at pH 8.5. The inactivation followed a time- and concentration-dependent manner and showed pseudo first-order kinetics. Slopes of 0.73 (BEI) and 1.05 (BEII) were obtained from double log plots of the observed rates of inactivation against the concentrations of PGO, suggesting that loss of BE activity results from as few as one arginine residue modified by PGO. BE inactivation was positively correlated with [14C]PGO incorporation into BE protein and was considerably protected by amylose and/or amylopectin, suggesting that the modified arginine residue may be involved in substrate binding or located near the substrate-binding sites of maize branching enzymes I and II.
Comparative morphology of the mesosomal 'gland' in male large carpenter bees (Apidae: Xylocopini)

The gross morphology of the reservoir of the mesosomal gland of male large carpenter bees (tribe Xylocopini) was examined in 46 taxa (species and subspecies) in the three genera of the tribe. Males of all but six species of Xylocopa examined possess a cuticle-lined invagination that originates along the suture between the metanotum and propodeum. Size of the reservoir and arrangement of the tubules are consistent within subgenera (with a single exception) but variable among most subgenera. The morphological extremes range from a simple, short invagination that opens medially to a complex set of convoluted tubules that open from paired, laterally-positioned openings and extend forward to the metanotum or scutellum and posteriorly to the propodeal pit. Comparisons of mesosomal shapes between the sexes or between males in taxa with and without this reservoir reveal that structural changes of the posterior elements of the mesosoma are associated with the presence of the large reservoirs. In turn, reservoir size is predictive of male reproductive behaviour. The probable mode of gland function, the potential use and limitations of this structure as a phylogenetic character and the relationship of gland reservoir size to the diversity of mate-locating behaviours found in the Xylocopini are discussed.
Subspace methods for computational relighting

We propose a vector space approach for relighting a Lambertian convex object with distant light source, whose crucial task is the decomposition of the reflectance function into albedos (or reflection coefficients) and lightings based on a set of images of the same object and its 3-D model. Making use of the fact that reflectance functions are well approximated by a low-dimensional linear subspace spanned by the first few spherical harmonics, this inverse problem can be formulated as a matrix factorization, in which the basis of the subspace is encoded in the spherical harmonic matrix S . A necessary and sufficient condition on S for unique factorization is derived with an introduction to a new notion of matrix rank called nonseparable full rank. An SVD-based algorithm for exact factorization in the noiseless case is introduced. In the presence of noise, the algorithm is slightly modified by incorporating the positivity of albedos into a convex optimization problem. Implementations of the proposed algorithms are done on a set of synthetic data.
Advances and Perspectives in Near-Infrared Spectrophotometry

Abstract Near-infrared spectrophotometric analysis is a rapid technique that typically uses the reflectance of a solid sample at several wavelengths to determine the sample's composition. A computerized modeling process is generally used to correct for background and sample-matrix interferences. The modeling process employs a training set of samples to, in effect, “teach” the computer to recognize relationships between minute spectral features and sample composition. The contents of the training-set samples must be determined initially by some other reference method before applying the near-IR technique. The model developed from near-IR spectra and reference values gives the sample composition using a number of linear equations. Each of these equations expresses a particular component concentration as a weighted sum of the signals observed at a number of near-IR wavelengths. Instruments used for near-IR spectrophotometry can be as simple as a filter photometer or a grating monochromator. The broad spectra...
Methane coupling at low temperatures on Ru(0001) and Ru(11¯20) catalysts

The conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons on single crystal Ru catalysts has been investigated using combined elevated-pressure kinetic measurements/surface science studies. The reaction consists of activation of methane on Ru(0001) and Ru(11¯20) surfaces to produce carbonaceous intermediates at temperatures $$\left( {T_{CH_4 } } \right)$$ between 350 and 700 K and rehydrogenation of these species to ethane and propane at $$T_{H_2 } $$ ≈ 370 K. It is found that under the reaction conditions employed, the maximum yield in ethane/propane production occurs at $$T_{CH_4 } $$ ≈ 500 K on both surfaces. Influence of the hydrogenation temperature on the production of ethane and propane is also examined. On Ru(0001), the yields of ethane and propane maximize at $$T_{H_2 } $$ = 400 K, whereas no maximum yield was observed on Ru(11 $$\bar 2$$ 0) in the 300–500 K temperature range. Under optimum reaction conditions, hydrocarbon products consist of 16% ethane and 2% propane. High-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS) has been used to identify various forms of hydrocarbonaceous intermediates following methane decomposition. An effort is made to relate the hydrocarbon intermediates identified by HREELS to the gas phase products observed in the elevated pressure experiments.
Iterative Reconstruction of Coded Source Neutron Radiographs

A coded source facilitates high-resolution neutron imaging through magnification but requires that the radiographic data be deconvolved. A comparison of convolution-based and model-based de-blurring algorithms has been performed. Two convolution-based approaches are assessed, direct deconvolution and an iterative algorithm based on a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE)-like framework. The model-based approach specifies a geometric model of the neutron beam with a least squares formulation of the inverse imaging problem. Simulated data for both uniform and Gaussian shaped source distributions was used to study the impact of non-uniformities present in neutron beam distributions on the reconstructed images. Results indicate that the model based reconstruction method will match resolution and improve on contrast over convolution methods in the presence of non-uniform sources. Additionally, the model based iterative algorithm provides direct calculation of quantitative transmission values while the convolution based methods must be normalized based on known values.
On GMW Designs and a Conjecture of Assmus and Key

We show that a family of cyclic Hadamard designs defined from regular ovals is a sub-family of a class of difference set designs due to B. Gordon, W. H. Mills and L. R. Welch Can. J. Math.14(1962), 614?625]. Using a result of R. A. Scholtz and L. R. Welch IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory30, No. 3 (1984), 548?553] on the linear span of GMW sequences, we give a short proof of a conjecture of Assmus and Key on the 2-rank of this family of designs.
Volcanoes as a source of geothermal energy

Abstract The thermal energy available from high-temperature magma is calculated to be 8 × 10 14 kcal/km 3 and an upper bound for volcanic energy of 3 × 10 18 kcal/volcano is determined. Approximately one-third of the energy may be obtained between about 750 and 1150 °C (i.e. above the solidification temperature of the magma), while the remaining two-thirds is available from magma in the solid state between ambient and around 750 °C. Gas dissolved in the magma possesses about 4% of the thermal energy and a large portion of that energy is potentially available as high-temperature steam. After removal of water, the gas remaining is a low-Btu gas with a heat of combustion of about 0.3 kcal/ l . Utilization of both the thermal and combustion energy is the subject of current research projects.
Competence and quality

The Test Design Project does the unthinkable. It translates SPIDR's rhetorical commitment l to competency-based examination of mediator sk~ls into practice. In doing so, it understandably makes many people nervous. For example, I worry that such testing could promote a single style of mediation when a diversity o f approaches should be encouraged, and I am tmeasy that we will confuse mediator competency with quality of mediation. At the same time, however, I also believe that mediators should be competent and held accountable for their work. Knowing that professional groups often transform self-policing into the creation of entry barriers that protect incompetence and limit competition, I admire both SPIDR's endorsement of performance-based tests rather than educational credentials and the aspirations of the Test Design Project. I believe that if we can claim to know good (or bad) mediation when we see it, then we should identify and articulate the criteria by which we make such judgments. Thus, I sympathize with the Project while worrying about where it might lead.
Magnetic orientation in homing pigeons

Homing pigeons appear to use both a "map" and "compass" system to find their way home. Under sunny skies, the sun is used as a compass. But when the sun is obscured, pigeons appear to use the earth's magnetic field. The sensory basis of the pigeon's map is unknown but the disorientation of pigeons at magnetic anomalies under sunny conditions suggests that the map may be partly based on magnetic cues. Recently small deposits of the mineral magnetite have been found in two regions of the pigeon's head. It is conceivable that this material may somehow be involved in the pigeon's sensitivity to magnetic fields.
Enzymatic regeneration of ATP. I. Alternative routes

Prospects for enzymatic synthesis processes on an industrial scale depend upon development of a practical process for ATP regeneration. The relative merits of various routes to ATP regeneration involving chemical synthesis, whole cells or organelles, or cell free enzymes are evaluated. The most promising route involves one or more enzyme incorporating the reaction catalyzed by acetate kinase for ADP phosphorylation.
Clearance and Processing of Algal Particles by Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)

The exotic zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, has become a dominant member of nearshore benthic communities in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Suspension-feeding bivalves such as the zebra mussel filter algal particles from the water column and either reject them as pseudofeces, digest them, or egest them asfeces. We used laboratory experiments to compare clearance and particle processing of two green algal species by zebra mussels. The effect of algal concentration on clearance rate of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii varied between large and small mussels. When mussels were fed Pandorina morum, clearance rate declined with increasing algal concentration. Mussel size affected clearance of C. reinhardtii but not P. morum. On a diet of P. morum, pseudofeces production was constant across algal concentrations. When fed C. reinhardtii, mussels increased pseudofeces production as algal concentration increased once a threshold was crossed. Below this threshold, no pseudofeces were produced. Measured clearance rates tended to be as high or higher than those previously reported, indicationg that incipient limiting concentrations vary with the types of particle processed. Absorption efficiencies were similar for both algal species. Our results show that particle processing by zebra mussels depends on the types of particles present in the water column and the size structure of the mussel population. To accurately determine the impacts of zebra mussels on the trophic structure of ecosystems and the cycling of contaminants, investigators must use realistic algal assemblages and account for the size structure of mussel populations.
Synthesis and antiviral activity of 6-deoxycyclopropavir, a new prodrug of cyclopropavir.

Abstract Synthesis of 6-deoxycyclopropavir (10), a prodrug of cyclopropavir (1) and its in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity is described. 2-Amino-6-chloropurine methylenecyclopropane 13 was transformed to its 6-iodo derivative 14 which was reduced to prodrug 10. It is converted to cyclopropavir (1) by the action of xanthine oxidase and this reaction can also occur in vivo. Compound 10 lacked significant in vitro activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpes virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), human hepatitis B virus (HBV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), vaccinia virus and cowpox virus. In contrast, prodrug 10 given orally was as active as cyclopropavir (1) reported previously [Kern, E. R.; Bidanset, D. J.; Hartline, C. B.; Yan, Z.; Zemlicka, J.; Quenelle, D. C. et al. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2004, 48, 4745] against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in mice and against HCMV in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice.
An Alternative Field Test for Spot Air Conditioning Units

U.S. governmental standards require that newly produced air conditioners have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of over 13, Federal Register (2001), [1]. This rating is closely tied to the COP (coefficient of performance). In fact, the SEER is 3.792 times the COP. Since COP varies with temperature loads, a standard testing method requires the unit to be tested at standard conditions of temperature and humidity. This requires the use of expensive climate control chambers, where the system can be loaded to the specified temperatures. The scope of this paper proposes a simpler, less expensive method to test spot AC (air conditioning) units, as an alternative field test to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standard 128 (2001), [2]. By taking temperature measurements of the appropriate control volume, the COP can be calculated. To obtain steady state, the control volume will be treated as very large (or infinite), placing the unit to be tested outdoors or in a room big enough so that delta T will remain constant. Themocouples in conjunction with data logging software are used to take the temperature measurements, and the mass flow rate is measured by assuming uniform flow and placing a flow meter in the center of the air exhaust, on the evaporator side. The entire system can be assembled into a portable unit composed of a computer, thermocouples, flow meter and a digital multimeter, alternatively, a handheld relative humidity and temperature sensor can be used, ASHRAE (2003), [3]. This would allow not only testing of units before they go into production, but having technicians in the field test the efficiency of units already in operation. The need may be there since there could be a significant drop in the SEER between factory conditions and installed unit, due to variations in duct sizes, losses due to non-ideal installations. Owing to the fact that the COP varies with loading, and our testing method requires no artificial control over loading temperatures, the current study is being conducted to find if the AC unit can perform up to its rating. The second law COP at environmental loading conditions is also evaluated for each of the five AC units tested. The calculated COPII (based on exergy) of the AC units tested do not vary as much (percentage-wise) as the rated COP. Their relative detrimental effects to the environment are probably not that much different from each other.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Correlates of self-reported quality of life in adults and children with morphea.

Background Determining a disease's impact on life quality is important in clinical decision making, research, and resource allocation. Determinants of quality of life (QOL) in morphea are poorly understood. Objective We sought to ascertain demographic and clinical variables correlated with negative impact on self-reported QOL in morphea. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the Morphea in Adults and Children cohort. Results Symptoms (pruritus and pain) and functional impairment were correlated with decreased QOL in children and adults. This was true in both sexes and was independent of subtype and age. Patient-reported QOL correlated with physician-based measures of disease severity in adults, but not in children. Patients with linear and generalized morphea had the greatest impact on QOL. Limitations Small sample size is a limitation. Conclusion Symptoms and functional impairment were determinants of impaired life quality in both children and adults independent of morphea subtype. These results suggest that clinicians should consider suppressing the accumulation of new lesions (when rapidly accumulating) and symptoms (pain and pruritus) in the treatment of patients with morphea.
On Convergence of Development Costs and Cost Models for Complex Spaceflight Instrument Electronics

Development costs of a few recent spaceflight instrument electrical and electronics subsystems have diverged from respective heritage cost model predictions. The cost models used are grass roots, price-H [1] and parametric model [3]. These cost models originated in the military and industry around 1970 and were successfully adopted and patched by NASA on a mission-by-mission basis for years [2]. However, the complexity of new instruments recently changed rapidly by orders of magnitude. This is most obvious in the complexity of representative spaceflight instrument electronicspsila data system. It is now required to perform intermediate processing of digitized data apart from conventional processing of science phenomenon signals from multiple detectors. This involves onboard instrument formatting of computational operands from row data (for example, images), multi-million operations per second on large volumes of data in reconfigurable hardware (in addition to processing on a general purpose embedded or stand-alone instrument flight computer), as well as making decisions for onboard system adaptation and resource reconfiguration. The conflict between the actual development cost of newer complex instruments and its electronics componentspsila heritage cost model predictions seems to be irreconcilable. This conflict and an approach to its resolution are addressed in this paper by determining the complexity parameters, complexity index, and their use in enhanced cost model. It is expected to facilitate farther enhancements to existing cost models, resulting in smaller difference (convergence) between the electronicspsila developmental and model predicted costs.
1,2-Bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene, a Novel Trans-Chelating Bipyridyl Ligand. Structural Characterization of the Complexes with Silver(I) Triflate and Palladium(II) Chloride

The design, synthesis, and complexation characteristics of the bipyridyl ligand 1,2-bis-(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene are described. The X-ray crystallographic characterization of the 1:1 complexes of 1,2-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene with silver(I) triflate and palladium(II) chloride are described. In the X-ray crystal structure of the silver(I) triflate complex the ligand is essentially planar with negligible distortion compatible with a good fit of the cation in the “cavity” between the pyridine N atoms. Indeed the silver center is almost linear with the N(1)−Ag(1)−N(2) angle of 177.02(10)°. The ligand is also essentially planar in the palladium(II) chloride complex with square planar coordination about the palladium with the N(1)−Pd(1)−N(2), Cl(2)−Pd(1)−Cl(2), and N(1)−Pd(1)−Cl(2) angles at 179.53(7), 177.17(2), and 90.52(5)°, respectively.
The diagnosis and management of empyema in children: a comprehensive review from the APSA Outcomes and Clinical Trials Committee

The aim of this study is to review the current evidence on the diagnosis and management of empyema. The American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Clinical Trials Committee compiled 8 questions to address. A comprehensive review was performed on each topic. Topics included the distinction between parapneumonic effusion and empyema, the optimal imaging modality in evaluating pleural space disease, when and how pleural fluid should be managed, the first treatment option and optimal timing in the management of empyema, the optimal chemical debridement agent for empyema, therapeutic options if chemical debridement fails, therapy for parenchymal abscess or necrotizing pneumonia and duration of antibiotic therapy after an intervention. The evidence was graded for each topic to provide grade of recommendation where appropriate.
Stable variants affecting B cell alloantigens in human lymphoid cells.

THE human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is defined by four loci: HLA-A, B and C are serologically defined and HLA-D was initially defined by the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)1. There is now evidence that a group of HLA-linked, serologically defined B cell-specific alloantigens are the gene products of either the D locus itself or of closely linked genes2,3. Strong associations are seen between alleles of HLA-D and the B cell-specific genotypes, and B cell antisera inhibit the MLR4,5. The D-associated antigens differ from the products of HLA-A, B and C in chemical structure and in tissue distribution6. Human B-cell alloantigens resemble Ia antigens in mice. Analysis of the relationships among Ia antigens, MLC loci and other functions mapping in the I region is limited in both humans and mice by the availability of recombinant individuals7. Because such recombinants are rare, we have begun an analysis of this region by mutation8, using immuno-selection to isolate mutants defective for MHC gene products in human lymphoid cell lines. We describe here the first Ia variants to be isolated and characterised in any species.
Growth of selected bacteria in liquid media containing DDT, dieldrin and heptachlor.

Abstract Growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus aureus in trypticase soy broth was affected by DDT exceeding 50μg per milliliter. This effect was more pronounced after the first day of incubation. No effect on growth was observed in skimmilk containing up to 100μg per milliliter of DDT. Concentration of 3μg per milliliter of heptachlor in trypticase soy broth inhibited the growth of S. aureus up to 18 hours, whereas 15 to 20μg per milliliter prevented growth up to 7 days. Inhibition of S. aureus was not observed in skimmilk or in trypticase soy broth plus 3% whole casein or mixture of α- and β-casein fraction containing up to 100μg per milliliter of heptachlor. Heptachlor epoxide had no inhibitory effect, whereas 72% heptachlor was more inhibitory than 99% heptachlor.
High‐throughput multiplex SNP genotyping with MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry: Practice, problems and promise

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are currently being identified and mapped at a remarkable pace, providing a rich genetic resource with vast potential for disease gene discovery, pharmacogenetics, and understanding the origins of modern humans. High-throughput, cost effective genotyping methods are essential in order to make the most advantageous and immediate use of these SNP data. We have incorporated the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) in our laboratory as a tool for differentiating genotypes based on the mass of the variant DNA sequence, and have utilized this method for production scale SNP genotyping. We have combined a 4 μl PCR amplification reaction using 3 ng of genomic DNA with a secondary enzymatic reaction (mini-sequencing) containing oligonucleotide primers that anneal immediately upstream of the polymorphic site, dideoxynucleotides, and a thermostable polymerase used to extend the PCR product by a single base pair. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of mini-sequencing reactions was performed using a MALDI-TOF instrument (Voyager-DE, Perseptive Biosystems, Framingham, MA). We performed both single and multiplex PCR and mini-sequencing reactions, and genotyped seven different variant sites in a random sample of 989 individuals. Genotypes generated with MS methods were compared with genotypes produced using a 5′ exonuclease fluorescence-based assay (Taqman, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) and a gel-based genotyping protocol. Because multiple polymorphisms can be detected in a single reaction, the MS technique provides a cost-effective and efficient method for high-throughput genotyping. Hum Mutat 17:296–304, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Causes of Tolerance and Intolerance Toward Gentiles in the First Testament

First Testament writers make intolerant statements about Gentiles because they have previously acted against Israel, they pose a religious threat to God's people, and the writers are marginalized and persecuted people. Some prophets deliver oracles against foreign nations for several different reasons, including the fact that offering such sayings is the most traditional part of a prophet's role. FT authors make tolerant assertions about Gentiles as a response to the intolerance of others and because the writers' education has made them better informed about other peoples. Today Christians often have less reason than ancient Israelites for the Christians' intolerance toward other world religions. Education about them in interfaith dialogue could relieve much of the problem.
Tumor-derived recognition factor (TDRF) induces production of TNF-α by murine macrophages, but requires synergy with IFN-γ alone or in combination with IL-2 to induce nitric oxide synthase

A constitutively produced soluble activity, designated tumor-derived recognition factor (TDRF), from L1210, P815 and EL4 tumor targets, was previously shown to synergize with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and subactivating concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to induce murine macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) for cytotoxicity of the target of origin. Another study had suggested that TDRF upregulated both TNF-alpha receptor (TNF-alpha R) and IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R) mRNA synthesis, as well as increased TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma binding to their receptors. In the present study, we have further characterized the concentration-dependent macrophage activating potential of TDRF alone and in synergy with IFN-gamma or IFN-gamma and subactivating concentrations of IL-2. Higher concentrations of TDRF acted independently on inflammatory C3H FeJ mouse macrophage to induce expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and release of TNF-alpha, but failed to induce nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA expression and NO generation. At lower concentrations, TDRF synergized with either IFN-gamma alone or in combination with IL-2 to stimulate a dose-related increase in the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and secretion of TNF-alpha, as well as increased induction of NOS mRNA and cytotoxic NO generation by macrophage. MCA tumor targets which did not produce TDRF activity were killed by macrophage that had been activated by exogenously added L1210-derived TDRF in synergy with IFN-gamma or in combination with subactivating concentrations of IL-2, but not by TDRF alone. Taken together, our results indicate that TDRF acted independently in a dose-dependent fashion to induce macrophage synthesis and release of TNF-alpha, but in the absence of IFN-gamma or in combination with IL-2 failed to induce the NOS enzyme which was necessary for cytotoxic NO generation. Thus TDRF appears to be a sufficient second signal for IFN-gamma-primed macrophage or alternatively a sufficient third signal for IFN-gamma and IL-2 treated macrophage to culminate the activation process for NOS mRNA synthesis and NO-mediated tumor cytotoxicity.
Ordinal relationships of pleurocarpous mosses, with special emphasis on the Hookeriales

Abstract Sequence data from four DNA regions, namely, chloroplast trnL‐trnF and rps4, mitochondrial nad5, and nuclear 26S rDNA, were surveyed from 89 taxa traditionally associated with the Hookeriales, five Hypnales and five outgroups. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed using the maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood optimality criteria and by Bayesian phylogenetic inference. Thirteen morphological characters were optimized on the resulting phylogeny using maximum likelihood. Inferences of character evolution based on the molecular phylogeny suggest that (1) the core of pleurocarpous mosses (i.e. the Hypnanae) is best defined and thus distinguished from the Ptychomnianae by smooth rather than furrowed capsules, (2) a synapomorphy for the Ptychomnianae is the short and double (or absent) costa and (3) the Hookeriales are defined by undifferentiated alar cells. The Ptychomniaceae plus Garovagliaceae are recognized as a single family in its own order, the Ptychomniales ord. nov. and superorder, the...
Free-Carrier Induced Optical Nonlinearities In Semiconductors

HgTe and zero-gap HgCdTe have record, picosecond speed, optical nonlinearities at 10.6μ. They are caused by carrier temperature modulation, which produces large carrier density variations in zero-gap materials. The thermal process is only beginning to saturate at 1 MW/cm2; at that intensity , the dielectric constant of HgTe is modulated by about 10%. Further enhancement of these nonlinearities may be achieved with suitable doping or alloying.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Latent Heating in the South Asian Monsoon Region

Abstract Information from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) level 3 monthly 0.5° × 0.5° Convective and Stratiform Heating (CSH) product and TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) 2A12 datasets is used to examine the four-dimensional latent heating (LH) structure over the Asian monsoon region between 1998 and 2006. High sea surface temperatures, ocean–land contrasts, and complex terrain produce large precipitation and atmospheric heating rates whose spatial and temporal characteristics are relatively undocumented. Analyses show interannual and intraseasonal LH variations with a large fraction of the interannual variability induced by internal intraseasonal variability. Also, the analyses identify a spatial dipole of LH anomalies between the equatorial Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal regions occurring during the summer active and suppressed phases of the monsoon intraseasonal oscillation. Comparisons made between the TRMM CSH and TMI 2A12 datasets indicate differences in the shape of the vertical profi...
Stress Prediction for Cracking of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements, 1925-2000: An Overview

The evolution of analytical methods for the prediction of cracking in jointed plain concrete pavements was traced over the period from the publication of Westergaard's early work until the year 2000. This development was accomplished in parallel with the birth and coming of age of geotechnical engineering and was likewise pioneered by a number of colorful and distinguished personalities. Westergaard's limiting assumptions have defined the task for generations of pavement engineers who, with road tests and laboratory studies, jerry-rigged equipment, and sophisticated electronic tools, have eventually managed to eliminate each one of them. As a new era of mechanistic-empirical pavement design is ushered in, it behooves the profession to undertake a concerted and serious effort to eliminate the most crucial remaining stumbling block to their efforts: Miner's fatigue hypothesis. Fracture mechanics, similitude concepts, and the principles of dimensional analysis hold the brightest promise of a future worthy of...
Improving the slope index as a discrimination measurement

Abstract Background & Purpose: It has been demonstrated that analysis of ROC area can be somewhat insensitive to observed differences in discrimination compared with the Normalized Discrimination Index (NDI) and the Slope Index (SI) (MDM 1999, p524). SI has the most direct relationship to the true probability separation in predictions, but it is unaffected by the variance of predictions. We examine 3 modifications to the SI and compare them with ROC area (in terms of Somer's D) and NDI. Methods: To determine minimum and maximum detectable separation in mean predictions we examine three measures of discrimination, the NDI, Somer's D (a transformation of ROC area), and the SI, each on a 0.0 to 1.0 scale. In addition, to correct the SI for changes in the variance, we used adjustments based on the misclassification rate (MSI), the “Noise” parameter (NSI) and the Pooled variance in predictions (VSI). We generated random datasets consisting of 50 events and 50 non-events. Each observation was assigned a simulated predicted probability of event using small, moderate, and large variance distributions of known separation. To examine separation, the distributions were gradually changed from a mean prediction of 0.5 for each group to 1.0 for events and 0.0 for non-events. For changes in variance, we used a fixed amount of separation and a very tight distribution of predictions, and gradually increased the variance. All six measures were calculated for 1000 bootstraps of these samples as well as confidence intervals based on the 2.5 th and 97.5 th percentiles of these bootstraps. Minimum detectable separations were defined as the smallest difference in mean predictions with CI not including 0.0 (no separation) and maximum detectable separations as the largest such difference whose CI did not include 1.0 (perfect separation). Results: The raw SI exhibits the expected linear increase, as does the NSI. However, MSI is curvilinear and VSI is asymptotic with 1.0. VSI also exhibits a clear maximum detectable separation while the others do not. SI and MSI are relatively constant with respect to changes in variance, while NSI exhibits a slight decrease and VSI displays a marked decrease as the variance around predictions increases. Conclusions: Variance adjusted slope exhibits some of the same maxima as NDI and Somer's D with increasing separation of predictions. MSI has a slightly non-linear relationship with increasing separation of predictions, but displays no relationship to the variance in predictions. NSI has a linear relationship with separation and is penalized for increases in variance. Thus NSI better captures the discrimination ability of a scheme than unadjusted SI.
Computing reflectance ratios from an image

Abstract A photometric invariant called reflectance ratio is presented that can be computed from a single brightness image of a scene. The brightness variation in an image of a surface depends on several factors; the three-dimensional shape of the surface, its reflectance properties, and the illumination conditions. Since neighboring points on a smoothly curved surface have similar surface orientations, their brightness values can be used to compute the ratio of their reflectance coefficients. Based on this observation, an algorithm is developed that estimates a reflectance ratio for each region in the image with respect to its background. The algorithm is computationally efficient as it computes ratios for all image regions in just two raster scans. In the first scan, the image is segmented into regions using a sequential labeling algorithm. During labeling, the reflectance ratio between adjacent pixels is used as a measure of connectivity. In the second scan, a reflectance ratio is computed for each image region as an average of the ratios computed for all points that lie on its boundary. The region reflectance ratio is also a photometric invariant; it represents a physical property of the region and is invariant to the illumination conditions. Several experimental results are included to demonstrate the invariance of reflectance ratios to imaging and illumination parameters. A brief discussion on the application of reflectance ratios to the problems of object recognition and visual inspection is also given.