cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical narrow band frequency analysis of polystyrene bead mixtures

Early pre-cancerous conditions in tissue can be studied as mixture of cancerous and healthy cells. White light spectroscopy is a promising technique for determining the size of scattering elements, which, in cells are the nuclei. However, in a mixture of different sized scatterers, possibly between healthy and cancerous cells, the white light spectroscopy spatial data is not easily analyzed, making it difficult to determine the individual components that comprise the mixture. We have previously found by obtaining spatial limited data by using an optical filter and converting this spatial data into the Fourier domain, we can determine characteristic signature frequencies for individual scatterers. In this paper, we show analysis of phantom tissues representing esophagus tissue. We examine phantom tissue representing pre-cancerous conditions, when some of the cell nuclei increase in size. We also experimentally show a relationship between the particle concentration and the amplitude of the Fourier signature peak. In addition, we discuss the frequency peak amplitude dependency based on the Tyndall Effect, which describes particles aggregating into clusters.
Enzyme stabilization by covalent attachment of carbohydrate.

Abstract Soluble enzyme-carbohydrate conjugates have been prepared by coupling trypsin, α-amylase, and β-amylase to cyanogen bromide activated dextran. All three conjugates are more stable to heat than the respective native enzymes. Loss of trypsin activity by autolytic digestion is also decreased by attachment of carbohydrate.
Absolute piston phasing of segmented-mirror optical systems using depth-modulated white-light interferometry

A method of phasing segmented-mirror systems using a new form of white-light radial-shear interferometer is presented. The device was used in a laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration to phase two elements of an annularly segmented mirror. This co-phasing was achieved both manually and with low-bandwidth closed-loop servo control using a new and perhaps simpler modulation technique than that proposed previously. The configuration used in the demonstration is described, together with some initial results.
Spectral Aperture Code Design for Multi-shot Compressive Spectral Imaging

In this paper, we propose the design of spectral aperture code patterns for CASSI admitting multi-shot measurements, which leads to improve imaging quality, as well as spectral band selectivity.
Serum amylase in peptic ulcer.

In 15 proven and 4 presumptive cases of peptic ulcers, only 2 showed high amylase levels and these were not sufficiently elevated to be confused with those found in acute pancreatitis. These results agree in general with the previously reported cases where the serum amylase was measured by Somogyi’s method.
The effects of polymorphic phase boundaries on vertical and horizontal motions in the earth's mantle

Abstract It is well known that polymorphic phase boundaries interact with vertical convective limbs in the earth's upper mantle. Recent stability analyses are reviewed: it is shown that the latent heat and phase boundary distortion associated with either the olivine—spinel or the spinel—oxides phase transition is insufficient to inhibit whole-mantle convection. However, if the phase boundaries are also chemical boundaries, then an extremely small increase in density (0.1%) will make two-layer convection the preferred mode. Such a small change in density cannot be resolved by current seismological interpretation techniques. It is also possible that upper-mantle phase boundaries are zones of shear weakness due to the phenomenon of transformational superplasticity. Recent laboratory observations of superplasticity in oxide systems are reviewed and an internal stress mechanism applicable to a divarient, mixed-phase zone is developed.
Interaction of bilirubin with albumin.

RECENT electrophoretic investigations using isotopically-labelled pigment1 have confirmed earlier findings that in plasma, unconjugated bilirubin is bound only to albumin. By dialysis with semi-permeable membranes, 1 mole of albumin was found to bind tightly 2 moles of the pigment1. However, equilibration of the two phases could not be achieved in these dialysis experiments because of rapid breakdown of unbound bilirubin. This limited the significance of the data obtained and prevented any comparative examination of pigment interaction with albumin of different species. This difficulty has now been overcome by different experimental approaches.
Characterization of surface defects and determination of overlayer nucleation and growth by surface-sensitive diffraction☆

Abstract The physical properties of crystalline materials are strongly influenced by disturbances of the long-range order. In thin films, the extent and nature of the defects responsible for this loss of order are governed by the interatomic forces of the constituent material and the conditions under which the film is grown. Surface-sensitive diffraction techniques (such as LEED, RHEED and small-angle X-ray diffraction) are sensitive to the degree of order over areas large enough to be statistically representative of the surface conditions. We discuss the usefulness of surface-sensitive diffraction techniques not only in establishing the existence of ordered regions on the surface but in characterizing the nature of the disorder present at the surface. Qualitative features of diffraction patterns are discussed and the applicability of quantitative diffraction techniques are illustrated in determining size distributions of stepped surfaces and in investigations of the mechanism of nucleation and growth of overlayer films. For overlayer islands growing on an ordered substrate, we relate the separation of islands to the nucleation behavior and the distribution of island sizes to the mode of growth. The intensity distribution of diffracted beams is calculated under specific assumptions for the nucleation and growth of two-dimensional overlayer islands and it is shown that such diffraction measurements can differentiate between different modes of growth.
Serum immunoglobulins in patients with prostate cancer.

Immunoelectrophoresis of serum proteins was performed on 16 patients with locally invasive (Stage III) and 20 patients with advanced (Stage IV) prostate cancer. Mean values of Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) was higher in Stage III than in Stage IV prostate cancer, although no remarkable changes were observed in the mean values of Immunoglobulin-A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin-M (IgM). — The percentage of the patients with decreased IgM was found to be higher in Stage IV (12 out of 20) than Stage III (3 out of 16) prostate cancer. Determination of serum immunoglobulins may be a useful, additional parameter in the evaluation of therapetuic responses in patients with prostate cancer.
Theoretical Investigation of Random Noise-Limited Signal-to-Noise Ratio in MR-Based Electrical Properties Tomography

In magnetic resonance imaging-based electrical properties tomography (MREPT), tissue electrical properties (EPs) are derived from the spatial variation of the transmit RF field $(B_{1}^{+})$ . Here we derive theoretically the relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the electrical properties obtained by MREPT and the SNR of the input $B_{1}^{+}$ data, under the assumption that the latter is much greater than unity, and the noise in $B_{1}^{+}$ at different voxels is statistically independent. It is shown that for a given $B_{1}^{+}$ data, the SNR of both electrical conductivity and relative permittivity is proportional to the square of the linear dimension of the region of interest (ROI) over which the EPs are determined, and to the square root of the number of voxels in the ROI. The relationship also shows how the SNR varies with the main magnetic field $(B_{0})$ strength. The predicted SNR is verified through numerical simulations on a cylindrical phantom with an analytically calculated $B_{1}^{+}$ map, and is found to provide explanation of certain aspects of previous experimental results in the literature. Our SNR formula can be used to estimate minimum input data SNR and ROI size required to obtain tissue EP maps of desired quality.
Persistence Length and Nanomechanics of Random Bundles of Nanotubes

A connection between the stiffness of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and their mesoscopic physical behaviour is presented. Persistence lengths of CNT and bundles are calculated and shown to be in macroscopic range (0.03–1 mm for an individual tube), exceeding by many orders of magnitude the typical diameters (around 1–3 nm). Consequently, thermal fluctuations can be neglected when scaling analysis is applied to randomly packed (as produced) CNT network, leading to an approximate equation of state for such material. Beyond the linear elasticity, the outmost CNT are shown to gradually split from the bent bundles; this permits access of solvent or reacting species to the CNT walls, an important mechanism promoting solubilization and chemical functionalization of nanotubes.
Stansfield Localization Algorithm: Theoretical Analysis and Distributed Implementation

In this letter, we focus on the Stansfield localization algorithm, which is a direction-of-arrival (DoA) fusion algorithm with high accuracy and low complexity. We derive the mean square error of the Stansfield algorithm with estimated DoA estimation error variance. Our derivation considers the statistical variation of DoA, as well as the impact of receive signal strength variations and node self-positioning error. In addition, we propose a distributed implementation of the Stansfield algorithm based on diffusion adaptation, which obtains accuracy comparable to its centralized counterpart and saves total transmit power for sufficient node density.
Algorithmic Optimization of Inverse Kinematics Tables for High Degree-of-Freedom Limbs

This work addresses the problem of resolving kinematic redundancy in legged robots, with the dual goals of maintaining a large reachable workspace and of achieving fast end effector motions in task space. In particular, for robots with four or more legs, gait planning allows for considerable flexibility in the orientation of a stance limb with respect to both body orientation and the ground. By appropriately commanding pitch, roll and yaw of the end effector as it moves relative to the body coordinate frame, one can increase the volume of space the feet can reach and thus allow the robot to negotiate larger terrain obstacles. At the same time, motions of the foot in task space should be done rapidly, given the joint velocities of the limbs. In this paper, we focus on RoboSimian, a robot with four identical limbs designed for dual use in manipulation and locomotion tasks, which was designed at Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL) for the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). We present both heuristic guidelines and a novel, gradient-based algorithm for developing rules to set the inverse kinematics (IK) solution for the seven joint angles of a limb, allowing us to prescribe joint solutions rapidly through the use of an IK look-up table.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Electron microscopic analysis of postnatal histogenesis in the cerebellar cortex of staggerer mutant mice

Postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex has been compared in staggerer mutant and unaffected littermate mice. From postnatal day 3 to about day 21 the external granular layer in staggerer mice is decreased in thickness and area, and the number of postmitotic granule cell neurons is reduced. Those granule cells that are generated seem to differentiate normally, with the remarkable exception that they from only primitive junctions with Purkinje cell dendritic shafts. These specialized junctions are not superseded by the normal parallel fiber: Purkinje spine synapses and disappear by the third week. Purkinje cell somata and dendrites are smaller than normal at all stages examined. The dendrites are not confined to the sagittal plane as in the normal and, unique among mutant or other animals described to date, they exhibit virtually no branchlet spines. All other cortical synaptic relations of granule and Purkinje cells, including climbing fiber: Purkinje spine synapses, appear qualitatively normal. However, by 28 days virtually all staggerer granule cells have degenerated. While the primary genetic defect remains unknown, we postulate that the morphological abnormalities may be attributable to a block in the normal developmental relationship between granule cells and Purkinje cells. The small cell size and failure to form branchlet spines suggest that the Purkinje cell abnormality may be closer to the primary effect of the mutant gene than the more flagrant hypoplasia and degeneration of granule cell neurons.
An Approach to Analysis and Design of Emissions Trading Management Systems

In this paper we discuss main elements of greenhouse gases emissions trading processes and policies to manage the processes that enable the reduction of negative effects of global warming. We review and discuss targeted greenhouses gases emissions for main players (six countries) of the Kyoto protocol and the emissions projections of the countries by 2020 year. We analyze existing emissions trading program, mechanisms and policies to manage greenhouse gases emissions trading. We propose a simulation approach for conceptual design of systems for management of emission trading process at national and international levels. Natural resource management, greenhouse gas emissions trading, simulation approach, conceptual design.
Low-Dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Maintains Intratesticular Testosterone in Normal Men with Testosterone-Induced Gonadotropin Suppression

In previous studies of testicular biopsy tissue from healthy men, intratesticular testosterone (ITT) has been shown to be much higher than serum testosterone (T), suggesting that high ITT is needed relative to serum T for normal spermatogenesis in men. However, the quantitative relationship between ITT and spermatogenesis is not known. To begin to address this issue experimentally, we determined the dose-response relationship between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and ITT to ascertain the minimum dose needed to maintain ITT in the normal range. Twenty-nine men with normal reproductive physiology were randomized to receive 200 mg T enanthate weekly in combination with either saline placebo or 125, 250, or 500 IU hCG every other day for 3 wk. ITT was assessed in testicular fluid obtained by percutaneous fine needle aspiration at baseline and at the end of treatment. Baseline serum T (14.1 nmol/liter) was 1.2% of ITT (1174 nmol/liter). LH and FSH were profoundly suppressed to 5% and 3% of baseline, respectively, and ITT was suppressed by 94% (1234 to 72 nmol/liter) in the T enanthate/placebo group. ITT increased linearly with increasing hCG dose (P < 0.001). Posttreatment ITT was 25% less than baseline in the 125 IU hCG group, 7% less than baseline in the 250 IU hCG group, and 26% greater than baseline in the 500 IU hCG group. These results demonstrate that relatively low dose hCG maintains ITT within the normal range in healthy men with gonadotropin suppression. Extensions of this study will allow determination of the ITT concentration threshold required to maintain spermatogenesis in man.
The Human CSB (ERCC6) Gene Corrects the Transcription-Coupled Repair Defect in the CHO Cell Mutant UV61

The human CSB gene, mutated in Cockayne's syndrome group B (partially defective in both repair and transcription) was previously cloned by virtue of its ability to correct the moderate UV sensitivity of the CHO mutant UV61. To determine whether the defect in UV61 is the hamster equivalent of Cockayne's syndrome, the RNA polymerase II transcription and DNA repair characteristics of a repair-proficient CHO cell line (AA8), UV61 and a CSB transfectant of UV61 were compared. In each cell line, formation and removal of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) were measured in the individual strands of the actively transcribed DHFR gene and in a transcriptionally inactive region downstream of DHFR. AA8 cells efficiently remove CPDs from the transcribed strand, but not from either the non-transcribed strand or the inactive region. There was no detectable repair of CPDs in any region of the genome in UV61. Transfection of the human CSB gene into UV61 restores the normal repair pattern (CPD removal in only the transcribed strand), demonstrating that the DNA repair defect in UV61 is homologous to that in Cockayne's syndrome (complementation group B) cells. However, we observe no significant deficiency in RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription in UV61, suggesting that the CSB protein has independent roles in DNA repair and RNA transcription pathways.
Two new species in the genus Poikilogyne (Melastomataceae) from Papua New Guinea

Two new species, Poikilogyne cornuta Cellinese & J. F. Maxwell and P. lakekamuensis Cellinese, are here described. Poikilogyne cornuta is distinct in the genus for the dimorphic anthers and for the peculiar disparity of the connectives and locules. Poikilogyne lakekamuensis is the only vine in the genus having 4-merous flowers. Both species are endemic to Papua New Guinea and known only from a single locality.
Microstructure and Dielectric Properties of a LaAlO3–TiO2 Diffusion Couple

Near-field scanning microwave microscopy was applied to investigate the dielectric properties and microstructure in a polycrystalline LaAlO3–TiO2 diffusion couple, which included three regions containing different phases and microstructures. Relatively low (La2Ti4Al18O38), high (α-La2/3TiO3), and intermediate (La4Ti9O24) dielectric constant phases were distinguished at the inter-diffusion interface in optical, backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy, and scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) images. The relative ranking of dielectric constants based on SMM examination was as follows: TiO2>α-La2/3TiO3>La4Ti9O24>LaAlO3>La2Ti4Al18O38. La2/3TiO3 and LaAlO3 will form solid solutions in the LaAlO3-rich region. The reaction paths leading to phase development are discussed.
Specificity of Gαq and Gα11 gene expression in platelets and erythrocytes. Expressions of cellular differentiation and species differences

G alpha q and G alpha 11, members of the Gq family of G-proteins, transduce signals from receptors to the beta isoenzymes of phosphatidyl-inositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). The receptor specificity of these alpha subunits is unknown. G alpha q and G alpha 11 are ubiquitously expressed in tissues; however, there have been conflicting reports of the presence or absence of G alpha 11 protein in haematopoietic cells. Platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) receptors activate PI-PLC via G alpha q, but the role of G alpha 11 is uncertain. To define their roles in platelet activation we studied G alpha q and G alpha 11 gene expression by immunotransfer blotting and by reverse transcription of mRNA followed by PCR (RT-PCR) and direct sequencing. An antiserum specific for mouse G alpha 11 failed to identify G alpha 11 in dog or human platelets or in dog liver, a tissue known to contain G alpha 11. RT-PCR performed with gene-specific primers demonstrated G alpha q mRNA, but not G alpha 11 mRNA, in normal human and mouse platelets and in thromboxane-sensitive and thromboxane-insensitive dog platelets. Studies of mouse and dog liver and human retina confirmed that the cDNA, primers and probes used could amplify and recognize G alpha 11 in other tissues. However, species-specific oligonucleotide primers and probes were essential to demonstrate G alpha 11, but not G alpha q, mRNA. Compared with mouse cDNA, dog and human G alpha 11 cDNA had twice as many nucleotide substitutions (approx. 12% compared with approx. 6%) as G alpha q, G alpha q mRNA was also found in mature erythrocytes but G alpha 11 mRNA was not identified, whereas both G alpha q and G alpha 11 mRNAs were found in bone marrow stem cells. Therefore G alpha 11 gene expression in haematopoietic cells is linked with cellular differentiation. The lack of G alpha 11 indicates that signal transduction from platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors to PI-PLC occurs via G alpha q, and that G alpha 11 deficiency is not responsible for defective activation of PI-PLC in thromboxane-insensitive dog platelets. Despite the high degree of similarity that exists between G alpha q and G alpha 11, significantly greater species-specific variation in nucleotide sequence is present in G alpha 11 than in G alpha q. Cellular specificity and species specificity are important characteristics of these Gq family G-proteins.
Determination of significant differences in performance of the Bentley BOS-CM 40 hollow fibre membrane oxygenator and the Polystan VT5000 venotherm bubble oxygenator

Ten mongrel dogs were connected to cardiopulmonary bypass by cavoaortic cannulation, classic roller pump and either Bentley BOS-CM 40 hollow fibre membrane oxygenator or Polystan VT5000 Venotherm bubble oxygenator for eight hours, with mean flow rate of 100 ml/kg min. Platelet counts (all values corrected by prebypass haematocrit) were significantly lower in the bubble oxygenator group after two hours of cardiopulmonary bypass (p < 0·01). Plasma haemoglobin production was significantly higher after two hours of cardiopulmonary bypass in the bubble oxygenator group (p < 0·01). Venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) was above 65% during the eight hours perfusion in the membrane oxygenator group. In the bubble oxygenator group, however, SvO2 was below 60% after six hours of cardiopulmonary bypass. After eight hours perfusion the difference in SvO2 between the two groups was significant (p < 0·05). Thus membrane oxygenators such as the Bentley BOS-CM 40 appear to be indicated in cardiopulmonary bypass of more than t...
Regulation of Free Ca2+ Concentration in Hair-Cell Stereocilia

By affecting the activity of the adaptation motor, Ca2+ entering a hair bundle through mechanoelectrical transduction channels regulates the sensitivity of the bundle to stimulation. For adaptation to set the position of mechanosensitivity of the bundle accurately, the free Ca2+ concentration in stereocilia must be tightly controlled. To define the roles of Ca2+-regulatory mechanisms and thus the factors influencing adaptation motor activity, we used confocal microscopy to detect Ca2+ entry into and clearance from individual stereocilia of hair cells dialyzed with the Ca2+ indicator fluo-3. We also developed a model of stereociliary Ca2+ homeostasis that incorporates four regulatory mechanisms: Ca2+ clearance from the bundle by free diffusion in one dimension, Ca2+ extrusion by pumps, Ca2+ binding to fixed stereociliary buffers, and Ca2+ binding to mobile buffers. To test the success of the model, we compared the predicted profiles of fluo-3 fluorescence during the response to mechanical stimulation with the fluorescence patterns measured in individual stereocilia. The results indicate that all four of the Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms must be included in the model to account for the observed rate of clearance of the ion from the hair bundle. The best fit of the model suggests that a free Ca2+ concentration of a few micromolar is attained near the adaptation motor after transduction-channel opening. The free Ca2+ concentration substantially rises only in the upper portion of the stereocilium and quickly falls toward the resting level as adaptation proceeds.
Ipsilateral radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil

The purpose of this study is to update our institution's experience with ipsilateral radiation therapy (RT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar area. Outcome study of 76 patients treated between 1984 and 2012 with ipsilateral RT for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. Patients had either cT1 (n = 41, 54 %) or cT2 (n = 35, 46 %) primaries and cN0 (n = 27, 36 %), cN1 (n = 15, 20 %), cN2a (n = 8, 11 %), or cN2b (n = 26, 34 %) nodal disease. Of these, 32 (42 %) patients underwent a planned neck dissection and 21 (28 %) patients received concomitant chemotherapy. Median follow-up for all patients was 7.1 years (range 0.1-27.2) and 7.8 years (range 2.1-27.2 years) for living patients. The 2- and 5-year control and survival rates were as follows: local control, 98.6 and 96.9 %; local-regional control 95.8 and 92.6 %; cause-specific survival 95.9 and 93.1 %; and overall survival, 92.1 and 83.8 %. One patient failed in the contralateral, non-radiated neck 3 years after primary treatment. Univariate analysis revealed that overall survival was significantly influenced by whether the patient had a primary tumor in the anterior tonsillar pillar versus the tonsillar fossa with the latter performing better. The incidence of severe late complications was 16 %. Ipsilateral RT for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior tonsillar pillar or tonsillar fossa with no base of tongue or soft palate extension is an efficacious treatment that provides excellent control rates with a relatively low incidence of late complications.
Malaria, Protestants, and Google

AbstractDid the Protestant Reformation inadvertently liberate Northern Europe from a long-standing demographic drain exerted by Rome's indigenous P. falciparum malaria? Perhaps, but the existing sc...
PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE OUTCOME BASED PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Su~nmay.-The Outcome Based Performance Measures are widely used to evaluate and accredit organizations providing services to persons uith disabilities. This study evaluated the interrater reliability, levels of f The Council, 1997) to measure organizational quality. Ths measure has been used in more than more 200 accreditation reviews in more than 25 states throughout the United States and Canada (Chapman, 1998). Besides accreditation issues, the state of Nevada, for example, has adopted this measure to annually assess consumer satisfaction among persons with mental retardation. Therefore, the psychometric properties of this instrument warrant scrutiny.
Parents' and Teachers' Perceptions of Children in Counseling and Not in Counseling

Summary This study compared parents' and teachers' Behavior Problem Checklist ratings of 57 children in counseling and 1,300 children not in counseling in a suburban school district. Analysis of variance using the General Linear Model revealed that youngsters in counseling were evaluated as exhibiting more deviant behavior. Duncan's multiple range tests indicated that parents tended to see more maladjustment than teachers. A number of interactions were found with teachers perceiving more socialized delinquency and psychotic signs than parents for the in-treatment group, in contrast to the not-in-treatment group. Correlations between parents and teachers were low to moderate with mother-father coefficients being higher than mother-teacher and father-teacher coefficients. Although a larger sample might have produced more significant results, the relationship between parents' and teachers' observations did not differ when those for youngsters in counseling and not in counseling were compared.
Drying Temperature Effects on Fish Dry Mass Measurements

Analysis of tissue composition in fish often requires dry samples. Time needed to dry fish decreases as temperature is increased, but additional volatile material may be lost. Effects of 10°C temperature increases on percentage dry mass (%DM) were tested against 60°C controls for groups of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus, and alewife Alosa pseudoharengus. Lake trout %DMs were lower at greater temperatures, but not significantly different from 60°C controls. Rainbow smelt and slimy sculpin %DMs were lower at greater temperatures and differences were significant when test temperatures reached 90°C. Significant differences were not found in tests using alewives because variability in %DM was high between fish. To avoid inter-fish variability, 30 alewives were each dried successively at 60, 70, 80, and then 90°C and for all fish %DM declined at each higher temperature. In general, %DMs were lower at greater temperatures and after reaching a stable dry weight, fish did not lose additional mass if temperature remained constant. Results indicate that caution should be used when comparing dry mass related indices from fish dried at different temperatures because %DM was negatively related to temperature. The differences in %DM observed with rising temperature could account for substantial portions of the variability in reported energy values for the species tested. Differences in %DM means for the 60 vs. 80°C and 60 vs. 90°C tests for rainbow smelt and alewife could represent of from 8 to 38% of observed annual energy cycles for Lakes Ontario and Michigan.
A theoretical study of multicomponent radial flow chromatography

A theoretical study of radial flow chromatography was carried out based on a general nonlinear multicomponent rate model which considers radial dispersion. external mass transfer, intraparticle diffusion. and nonlinear multicomponent isotherms. Radial dispersion and mass transfer coefficients were treated as variables which are dependent on the radial coordinate of the radial flow column. The model was solved numerically by using the finite element method and the orthogonal collocation method for the discretization of partial differential equations and Gear's stiff method for the solution of the resulting ordinary differential equation system. Computer simulations were carried out for various multicomponent chromatographic operations. Dispersion and mass transfer effects were investigated. The question of whether radial dispersion and mass transfer coefficients should be treated as variables was discussed. The difference between inward flow and outward flow in radial flow chromatography and the comparison between conventional axial flow chromatography and radial flow chromatography were studied. Langmuir isotherms were used in this work.
Effects of Upper-Level Shear on the Structure and Maintenance of Strong Quasi-Linear Mesoscale Convective Systems

Recent observational studies have shown that strong midlatitude mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) tend to decay as they move into environments with less instability and smaller deep-layer vertical wind shear. These observed shear profiles that contain significant upper-level shear are often different from the shear profiles considered to be the most favorable for the maintenance of strong, long-lived convective systems in some past idealized simulations. Thus, to explore the role of upper-level shear in strong MCS environments, a set of two-dimensional (2D) simulations of density currents within a dry, statically neutral environment is used to quantify the dependence of lifting along an idealized cold pool on the upper-level shear. A set of three-dimensional (3D) simulations of MCSs is produced to gauge the effects of the upper-level shear in a more realistic framework. Results from the 2D experiments show that the addition of upper-level shear to a wind profile with weak to moderate low-level shear increases the vertical displacement of parcels despite a decrease in the vertical velocity along the cold pool interface. Parcels that are elevated above the surface (1–2 km) overturn and are responsible for the deep lifting in the deep-shear environments, while the surface-based parcels typically are lifted through the cold pool region in a rearward-sloping path. This deep overturning helps to maintain the leading convection and greatly increases the size and total precipitation output of the convective systems in more complex 3D simulations, even in the presence of 3D structures. These results show that the shear profile throughout the entire troposphere must be considered to gain a more complete understanding of the structure and maintenance of strong midlatitude MCSs.
Use of a structured kinetic model of antibody synthesis and secretion for optimization of antibody production systems: II. Transient analysis

Steady-state simulations using our previously developed structured kinetic model of antibody synthesis and secretion by hybridoma cells are used here in conjunction with factorial design analysis to identify intracellular parameters important in determining the specific antibody secretion rate and predict the dependence of this rate on cell specific growth rate. Simulation results suggest that the specific growth rate, the assembly rate of the heavy and light chains and the heavy- and -chain gene dosage can significantly affect the rate of antibody secretion. Based on these results, environmental and/or genetic manipulation approaches are proposed for maximizing the specific antibody secretion rate and the antibody volumetric productivity in large-scale antibody production systems.
Thoracic imaging in the intensive care unit.

hysical examination is often diffi-cult in the intensive care unit (ICU)setting and for many years hasbeen complemented by the portable chestradiograph (CXR). The interpretation ofportable ICU radiographs may also be difficult because of the limitations ofapplying optimal radiographic techniquein the ICU setting, as well as the patient’scondition and the presence of monitoringand other devices (either in or on thepatient) that might obscure portions of thechest.Studies have shown a wide range ofutility of these radiographs, and, to date,there have been only limited studiesclaiming to document cost-effectiveness.
The Drosophila pipsqueak gene encodes a nuclear BTB-domain-containing protein required early in oogenesis

Mutations at the pipsqueak locus affect early patterning in the Drosophila egg and embryo. We have cloned pipsqueak and found that it is a large and complex gene, encoding multiple transcripts and protein isoforms. One protein, PsqA, is absent in all of the mutants that we have examined. We show that PsqA is a nuclear protein present in the germ cells and somatically derived follicle cells throughout oogenesis and that it is required prior to stage one of oogenesis. PsqA contains a BTB (POZ) domain at its amino terminus; additionally, we have identified an evolutionarily conserved motif of unknown function present four times in tandem at the C terminus of the protein. PZ pipsqueak mutants produce a putative fusion protein containing the pipsqueak BTB domain fused to sequences resident on the PZ element (H. Horowitz and C. Berg, 1995 Genetics 139, 327-335). We demonstrate here that expression of this fusion protein in wild-type flies has a dominant effect, resulting in infertility and eggshell defects. These dominant phenotypes are discussed in light of current theories on the role of the BTB domain in protein-protein interactions. SUMMARY
An Analysis of the Financial Crisis of 2008: Causes and Solutions

This research evaluates the fundamental causes of the current financial crisis. Close financial analysis indicates that theoretical modeling based on unrealistic assumptions led to serious problems in mispricing in the massive unregulated market for credit default swaps that exploded upon catalytic rises in residential mortgage defaults. Recent academic research implies solutions to the crisis that are appraised to be far less costly than a bailout of investors who made poor financial decisions with respect to credit analysis.
Action of Prolactin on Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity in Mammary Gland Explants of Mice

Prolactin stimulated ornithine decarboxylase activity in mammary gland explants from midpregnant mice. The enhanced enzyme activity occurred in explants which were preincubated for 1 day in medium containing insulin, hydrocortisone, insulin plus hydrocorti-sone, or in medium containing no hormones. The largest prolactin effect was observed in tissues which were pretreated with insulin plus hydrocortisone; a greater than ten-fold increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity was observed when these tissues were incubated with prolactin for 2 hours. An effect of prolactin on ornithine decarboxylase activity was also observed in explants prepared from lactating mouse mammary glands.
Nuclear Fuel, Reprocessing of

The objective of this entry is to give a basic overview of the technology elements behind nuclear fuel reprocessing. It should serve as a starting point for more detailed study with the aid of the Bibliography section to obtain more technical details on this subject. Several more process concepts have been proposed, tested, and demonstrated other than those listed in this entry. For the sake of conciseness, only two fundamentally different technologies have been described here – aqueous and pyrochemical fuel reprocessing. In the case of pyrochemical fuel reprocessing, focus has been placed on the LiCl-KCl electrorefining technology developed originally at Argonne National Laboratory. The overall scope of nuclear fuel reprocessing technology is too broad to cover in this entry.
Clerical discourse and lay audience in late medieval England

Part I: 1. Introduction 2. 'Lewed Clergie': vernacular authorisation in Piers Plowman 3. The 'Publyschyng' of 'Informacion': John Trevisa, Sir Thomas Berkeley, and their project of 'Englysch Translacion' Part II: 4. Answering the twelve conclusions: Dymmok's halfhearted gestures toward publication 5. The Upland Series and the invention of invective, 1350-1410 6. Vernacular Argumentation in The Testimony of William Thorpe.
Notes on the biology, parasites, and inquilines of Pontania pacifica (Hymenoptera : Tenthredinidae), a leaf-gall incitant on Salix lasiolepis

During its 5 (males) or 6 (females) larval instars Pontania pacifica Marlatt develops in a gall in the leaves of Salix lasiolepis Bentham. The last-instar larva molts into the prepupa, which emerges from the gall and drops to the ground where it spins the cocoon in which pupation occurs. The gall is the result of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the mesophyll in the young leaves. This process is probably the response of the plant to mechanical destruction of the cells during oviposition by the sawfly, and to the specific action of the colleterial secretion injected into the wound with the egg. The presence of egg or larva is not essential for formation of a typical gall, whose size and shape depend on the growth rate of the leaf. The sawfly larva and the gall form the nucleus for a community composed of both entomophagous and phytophagous species. The ichneumonids Lathrostizus euurae (Ashmead) and Scambus vcsicarius cnurae (Ashmead) are parasitic on the sawfly larvae. The eurytomid Eurytoma sp. feeds as a larva on the gall tissues, but as a parameter in the population dynamics of the sawfly it has the effect of a parasitoid; Eurytoma sp. is parasitized by the pteromalid Habrocytus borrowi Girault. The cosmopterygid Batrachedra salicipomonella Clemens and the curculionid Anthonomus sycophanta Walsh are inquilines, feeding as larvae on the gall tissues and frequently destroying the gall inhabitant. B. salicipomonella is parasitized by a braconid, Chelonus (Microchelonus) sp., and by an ichneumonid, Pimplopterus sp. The development of the gall is described, and descriptions are given for various life-history stages of P. pacifica, L. euurae, S. v. euurae, B. salicipomonella, and A. sycophanta, together with observations on their biology.
TRENDS IN THE INCIDENCE OF CANCER OF THE CORPUS UTERI IN CONNECTICUT, 1964–1979, IN RELATION TO CONSUMPTION OF EXOGENOUS ESTROGENS

The incidence of cancer of the uterine corpus diagnosed in the localized 1964 and 1969. During the next six years, however, it increased substantially, reaching a peak in 1975, followed by an irregular decline through 1979. Women aged 45-64 years showed both the largest increase and the sharpest decline. The incidence of tumors diagnosed with regional or distant spread has been rising slightly but consistently through the period 1970-1979; this upward trend is statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Rates corrected for hysterectomized women not truly at risk are 40-50% higher than uncorrected rates but trends are the same. Explanations which are considered are changes in diagnostic practices and changes in risk factor prevalence. The use of noncontraceptive oral estrogens, a well documented risk factor for endometrial cancer, increased between 1964 and 1975 and then declined sharply through 1979 in the United States. The importance of these compounds in explaining the observed incidence trends is considered in terms of the major time- and stage-specific features of the exogenous estrogen-endometrial cancer association reported in the case-control studies.
Vascular effects of 2-chloroprocaine and sodium metabisulfite on isolated rat aortic rings.

Neurologic deficits have followed the intrathecal injection of 2-chloroprocaine 3% (10−1 M) with sodium metabisulfite 0.2% (10−2 M) as a preservative. This study evaluated the effects of varying concentrations of 2-chloroprocaine and sodium metabisulfite, as well as the combination of the two, on the vascular reactivity of isolated rings of rat thoracic aorta. Isolated Sprague-Dawley rat thoracic aortic rings were prepared and connected to force transducers for measurement of isometric tension. The tension produced by logarithmically increasing concentrations of 2-chloroprocaine, sodium metabisulfite, and their paired combination was measured. Sodium metabisulfite concentrations below 0.2% (10−2 M) caused a maximum of 40% vasoconstriction compared to control followed by vasodilation with a maximum of 80% at 10−2 M (the concentration in the former clinical preparation). 2-chloroprocaine alone produced a progressive relaxation at 10−3 M or higher concentration with a maximum of 130%. The effects of the mixture of sodium metabisulfite and 2-chloroprocaine were identical to the effects produced by 2-chloroprocaine alone. The relaxation effects of 2-chloroprocaine dominate the vasoconstricting effects of sodium metabisulfite when the two drugs are combined.
Lobbying the European Parliament: Identifying Changing Trends Post-Treaty of Lisbon

This study evaluates the assumption that lobbying at the EP level steadily increased after the Treaty of Lisbon, and also the expectation that there would be no variation in lobbying activity (measured by types of lobbyists) during this period. Research was conducted through the utilization of data from the European Transparency Register as scraped by Friedrich Lindenberg between 2012 and 2014. After categorizing more than 16,000 entries it was determined that the amount of lobbyists targeting the EU has steadily increased, and the primary lobbying group between the researched period was Business—though, there was a significant amount of variation between the types of lobbying groups, with NGOs coming in second. This is indicative of citizens becoming more involved in EU affairs as the deepening of integration and the expansion of supranational authority continues to affect ordinary Europeans.
MO-DE-206-00: Joint AAPM-WMIS Symposium: Metabolic Imaging of Cancer

In this symposium jointly sponsored by the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) and the AAPM, luminary speakers on imaging metabolism will discuss three impactful topics. The first presentation on Cellular Metabolism of FDG will be given by Guillem Pratx (Stanford). This presentation will detail new work on looking at how the most common molecular imaging agent, fluoro-deoxy-glucose is metabolized at a cellular level. This will be followed by a talk on an improved approach to whole-body PET imaging by Simon Cherry (UC Davis). Simon’s work on a new whole-body PET imaging system promises to have dramatic improvement in our ability to detect and characterize cancer using PET. Finally, Jim Bankson (MD Anderson) will discuss extremely sophisticated approaches to quantifying hyperpolarized-13-C pyruvate metabolism using MR imaging. This technology promises to compliment the exquisite sensitivity of PET with an ability to measure not just uptake, but tumor metabolism. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the metabolism of FDG at a cellular level. 2. Appreciate the engineering related to a novel new high-sensitivity whole-body PET imaging system. 3. Understand the process of hyperpolarization, how pyruvate relates to metabolism and how advanced modeling can be used to better quantify this data. G. Pratx, Funding: 5R01CA186275, 1R21CA193001, and Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation. S. Cherry, National Institutes of Health; University of California, Davis; Siemens Medical SolutionsJ. Bankson, GE Healthcare; NCI P30-CA016672; CPRIT PR140021-P5
“Mother of Heroes, Most Beautiful of Mothers”: Mathilda of Flanders and Royal Motherhood in the Eleventh Century

An able administrator and the lynchpin of a royal family, Mathilda of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy and the first Norman Queen of England, was mother to (at least) six children, among these numbered a duke and two kings of England. Throughout the political chaos of the Norman Conquest, Mathilda ruled jointly with Robert Curthose, heir to the dukedom and still a minor. Her role as mother is also evident in the lives of her daughters: Cecelia, abbess of the Benedictine abbey of Holy Trinity, Caen; and Adela, Duchess of Blois and also regent and head of the comital house until her son’s majority. Mathilda’s own mother, Adela of Flanders, doubtless set the blueprint for Mathilda’s life of power, dynastic maneuvering, and monastic and cultural patronage. Three generations of aristocratic medieval ruling mothers changed the political landscape of the Anglo-Norman realm and beyond. Two important sources anchor my analysis of this foundational part of Mathilda’s identity: the Mathildine speech in Orderic Vitalis’ Historia Ecclesiastica and Fulcoius of Beauvais’ Jephthah poem.
A Price of Total Risk for Managing against a Benchmark

A new model for capital budgeting is derived from a manager's optimizing behavior that, unlike the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), prices total risk. Manager risk preferences are characterized by a constraint on the probability of ruin, otherwise known as a Value-at-Risk or Telser constraint. More generally, the manager picks a floor value to the firm or fund, which may be stochastic, and his maximum tolerable probability that the floor value is breached. Subject to this constraint, he maximizes the firm's expected value. The manager uses his reservation price of risk, which is a contract's expected payoff or its expected payoff given that the firm's value equals the floor. This price is applicable to continuous distributions with well-defined expectations and conditional expectations, and the model has a simple pricing formula like the CAPM that reduces to the security market line equation as a special case. However the model differs significantly from the CAPM in eight other ways. For example, a manager using this model need not be classifiable as variance averse; and the model can be used with distributions that have infinite variances. Also unlike models that price only systematic risk, this model does not imply that some significant markets for insurance policies on idiosyncratic events should not exist. Models that price only systematic risk assign risk-neutral prices to policies with idiosyncratic payouts, so unless buying insurance lowers net expected losses, these models imply that markets for policies on idiosyncratic events should not exist.
A 10.01–10.1 GHz bang-bang PD based phase noise filter with 12.6 dB noise suppression

In this paper, a bang-bang phase detector (BBPD) and delay-line frequency discriminator (FD) based phase noise filter (PNF) is presented. With a large gain, BBPD based PNF enhances PNF sensitivity by suppressing charge pump noise. Moreover, the proposed BBPD based PNF features wide noise suppression bandwidth and wide input frequency range. At 1 MHz offset, the PNF demonstrates 12.6 dB phase noise suppression with −117.2 dBc/Hz sensitivity. The PN suppression offset frequency is from 100 KHz to 8 MHz with 10.01–10.1 GHz input frequency range. The chip was fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS technology.