cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of practical multiband algorithms for estimating land-surface temperature from EOS/MODIS data

A practical multiband, hierarchical algorithm for estimating land-surface temperature from NASA's future Earth Observing System (EOS) instruments Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advance Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is developed through comprehensive, accurate, radiative transfer simulations at moderate spectral steps of 1-5/cm for wide ranges of atmospheric and surface conditions. The algorithm will accept empirical or estimated information about the surface emissivity and reflectivity and the atmospheric temperature and water-vapor profiles. Ground-based and aircraft measurements are necessary to validate and improve the algorithm and to establish its quality. Its accuracy depends on the calibration accuracy of thermal infrared data, uncertainties in surface heterogeneity, and temperature-dependent atmospheric absorption coefficients. Better knowledge of land-surface spectral emissivities and more accurate coefficients for atmospheric molecular band absorption and water vapor continuum absorption are needed to develop global land-surface temperature algorithms accurate to 1-2 K.
Multiple description video multicast in wireless ad hoc networks

Multiple description (MD) coding is a new video coding technique that is uniquely suitable for video transport over wireless ad hoc networks. In this paper, we consider the problem of how to support video multicast with MD video in ad hoc networks. We follow an application-centric, cross-layer routing approach with the objective of minimizing the overall video distortion. We propose an MD video multicast scheme where multiple source trees are used. Furthermore, each video description is coded into multiple layers in order to cope with diversity in wireless link bandwidths. Based on this multicast model, we formulate the cross-layer multicast routing as a combinatorial optimization problem and propose an efficient Genetic Algorithm (GA)-based metaheuristic solution procedure. Performance comparison with existing approaches show significant gains for a wide range of network operating conditions.
Reliability of multicomponent assemblages

Abstract The reliability of multicomponent assemblages is of interest to engineers in many disciplines. It has been shown that the reliability of a multicomponent assembly—a simple frame—may be estimated through the use of a causal network. The causal network approach does not require the modelling of a structure as series or non-series; it only requires that the network of component reliabilities by acyclical. Assumptions about local member influence are implicitly included only through the use of conditional probability matrices throughout the network. These matrices may be generated through the use of a noisy OR gate and/or a rule-based system. It is postulated that the system reliability of any multicomponent assemblage can be estimated in this manner. Testing of the application of the concept to problems of realistic dimensions is currently under way.
Teaching Social Work Research: A Comparison of Web-Based and In-Class Lecture Methods

ABSTRACT Like many other disciplines, Social Work education programs are increasingly including on-line classes in course offerings. Despite the rapid and widespread proliferation of web-based courses there is little data in the social work literature to inform educators about this teaching methodology. Using a quasi-experimental design this study examines the performance of 73 MSW students on objective measures of learning in a social work research course. Findings reveal that performance of students in lecture only and lecture with Blackboard supplement sections of the course was significantly better than performance of students in the on-line course.
Integrated sensor-telemetry system for in vivo glucose monitoring

This paper reports the development of an electronics package designed for use with an implantable amperometric glucose biosensor. The package includes a potentiostat to bias the sensor and a telemetry unit to transmit information from the sensor to an external receiver and data-collection computer. The device components and package have been evaluated in vitro. Initial tests are performed with non-encapsulated electronics and the sensor partly submerged in a glucose solution. To simulate the implantation conditions, tests have been conducted with the electronics encapsulated in plastic (epoxy resin or silicone elastomer matrix) and submerged in a 37 °C water bath. These tests verify that the telemetry system is transmitting through an aqueous solution with a water mass equivalent to a medium sized dog. Calibration curves of the received signal versus glucose concentration in model solutions have been obtained. The correlation between data obtained using a traditional potentiostat and the data obtained via telemetry allows the commencement of in vivo experimentation.
Stimulants and sudden death: what is the real risk?

To the Editor .— The special article in Pediatrics entitled “Stimulants and Sudden Death: What Is a Physician to Do?”1 concludes that the risk of sudden death in children and adolescents treated with stimulants is no different from the risk of sudden death in the general population. Although it is possible that this …
957 STUDIES OF PRE-B CELLS IN HUMAN BONE MARROW

Pre-B cells contain intracytoplasmic IgM but lack surface immunoglobulin (slg) detectable by immunofluorescence and are postulated to be the precursors of sIgM+ B cells in human bone marrow. Studies of the differentiation capacity of pre-B cells have been hampered by their low frequency and by the presence of B lymphocytes in normal bone marrow. I prepared a marrow cell suspension enriched for lymphoid cells by centrifugation over a 15-35% discontinuous sucrose density gradient. B lymphocytes were depleted by incubation on petri dishes coated with anti-Ig or anti-IgM antibodies. The final cell population was deficient in B lymphocytes and enriched for small pre-B cells. Results of preliminary experiments suggest that absolute numbers of sIgM+ cells significantly increase during a brief period of culture under appropriate conditions. Conclusions: These results provide additional evidence that pre-B cells lack stable sIgM molecules. Human bone marrow enriched for pre-B and depleted of B cells could prove useful in exploring the regulatory events involved in bone marrow B lymphopoiesis in vitro.
Approximate solution of ordinary differential equations and their systems through discrete and continuous embedded Runge-Kutta formulae and upgrading of their order

Abstract The eight main contributions of the author to the field of approximate solutions of ordinary differential equations described herein are all application-oriented, with the purposes of simplification and the increase in efficiency and effectiveness of the Runge-Kutta processes generated. They range from the determination of an initial trial step-size to be adopted to expedite the approximation process through embedded Runge-Kutta algorithms to a more recent procedure for upgrading the order of Runge-Kutta processes. These contributions encompass all classes of differential equations of all orders, such as explicit, implicit, single or systems, and their treatment by Runge-Kutta processes of scalar or vector type (with the related equivalence conditions), of discrete or continuous kind, including the computer derivations of nonlinear algebraic equations associated with the Runge-Kutta processes. Specifically, the author developed the first fifth order Runge-Kutta formulae with fourth order embedded and the first C 1 approximate solution through interpolation and Runge-Kutta formulae, which he improved by developing C 1 embeddings with Runge-Kutta formulae without the use of interpolative techniques.
Design, Installation and Operation of a Pressure Maintenance Project: A Case Study

A major concern facing operators in pressure maintenance projects involving gas injection wells and gas compressors is maintaining the safety of the equipment, the people, and the environment in case of a system`s failure. A safety system was designed and installed as one continuous supply gas loop to ensure complete shut down of the plant facility. Compressed air was used for the power-drive of the system. Automatic fire sensors and extinguishers were installed throughout the facilities to decrease the chance of fire. Total cost of installation of this safety system was 60% of the original estimated authorization for expenditure (AFE). This paper discusses the process of designing, installing and operating a cost-effective safety system for a pressure maintenance project operated by Mewbourne Oil Company in the South Higgins Field, Ellis County, Western Oklahoma.
Kinetic studies of iron deposition in horse spleen ferritin using O2 as oxidant

Abstract An optical flow cell provided a means to conveniently measure the rate of successive Fe 2+ oxidation reactions catalyzed by horse spleen ferritin (HoSF) to determine if both ferroxidase and mineral core Fe 2+ oxidation reactions occur. The oxygen concentration and pH were held constant and multiple additions of Fe 2+ /HoSF ratios of 1, 10, 100, 150, 250 and 400 were conducted, creating core sizes ranging from 12 to 2800. During these oxidations, the absence of nonspecific Fe(OH) 3 formation and the presence (>95%) of Fe(OH) 3 deposited within the core of HoSF demonstrated the validity of monitoring iron deposition into HoSF by this procedure. Initial rates for oxidation of 5–50 Fe 2+ /HoSF established that the reaction is overall first order in Fe 2+ concentration. However, when full progress curves were analyzed at a variety of Fe 2+ /HoSF ratios, two first-order reactions ( k 1 ∼0.035 s −1 and k 2 ∼0.007 s −1 ) were found to contribute to the overall Fe 2+ oxidation reaction. The proportion of the fast reaction increased with increasing Fe 2+ /HoSF ratio until at ∼400, it was the dominant reaction. For the Fe 2+ /HoSF ratios examined, the overall rate of iron deposition is independent of the size of the mineral core, a result suggesting that an increasing mineral core size does not enhance the rate of Fe 2+ oxidation. Comparison of successive additions of 1.0 Fe 2+ /HoSF showed that oxidation of the first 8–10 Fe 2+ produced a Fe(III) species with a lower molar absorptivity per Fe(III) than that of the bulk core. Measurement of the H + /Fe 2+ ratio confirmed this difference in behavior by giving an H + /Fe 2+ ratio of ∼1.0 below and 2.0 for ratios >30 Fe 2+ /HoSF. The faster reaction was attributed to ferroxidase catalysis and the slow reaction to nonspecific ferroxidase activity of the HoSF protein shell.
The field effect in amorphous chalcogenides: An investigation of localized states and electronic transport

Abstract The temperature dependence of the field effect response permits an unambiguous determination of the identity of those states responsible for electrostatic screening in the amorphous chalcogenides. We observe (1) in As2Te3, field effect screening by localized states at the Fermi level at low temperatures (∼ 1019 cm−3 eV−1) and by mobile charge carriers (∼ 1018 cm−3 at 300 K) at high temperatures, and a transition from p-type to two-carrier (primarily n-type) conductivity as the temperature is raised above ∼320 K; (2) in As2SeTe2, screening by mobile charge carriers (∼ 1018 cm−3 at 300 K) with strongly type conductivity; (3) in As2Se2Te, screening by localized states at the Fermi level (∼ 1019 cm−3 eV−1) with strongly p-type conductivity; and (4) in Sb2Te3, a very high density of localized states at the Fermi level (∼ 2 × 1020 cm−3 eV−1) with both electron and hole contributions to the conductivity. Correlation with thermoelectric power results suggests that the p-type conductivity in As2Te3 is due to near-equal contributions from two processes: hopping in localized states plus extended state conduction. Aging and annealing behavior is described with the aid of a “chaotic potential model” that appears to be able to account for large changes in mobile carrier density that leave the conductivity unaltered.
Ecosystem type differences in nitrogen process rates and controls in the riparian zone of a montane landscape

Nitrogen (N) inputs to the world's aquatic ecosystems have increased over the past 100 years. Riparian zones and other wetlands are known to remove N from ground and surface waters before they enter lakes and streams. However, the effect of riparian wetlands on water quality has been shown to differ dramatically among sites. Sources of landscape variation in riparian N dynamics have been poorly documented and rarely quantified. Within the Lake Tahoe Basin (LTB), we hypothesized that differences in riparian N dynamics correlate to differences in ecosystem type. To test this hypothesis, we randomly selected 20 plots, four each of five ecosystem types, along a tributary to Lake Tahoe. Throughout the snow-free season, we measured soil N transformations and groundwater chemistry in each plot. We found significant differences in denitrification potential, net mineralization, net nitrification and groundwater nutrient flux among different ecosystem types. These results suggest that classification of riparian zones into ecosystem types might be useful in predicting landscape differences in riparian water quality effects. We also tested for factors expected to directly and indirectly control riparian N process rates using data collected at each study site. Using correlation and multiple regression analysis, we found that N process rates were most highly correlated with different control factors according to ecosystem type. Differences in direct and indirect control factors among ecosystem types indicate that construction of mechanistic, landscape models of riparian processes might be most accurately done by stratifying the riparian zone into ecosystem types rather than by viewing it as a single, homogeneous part of the watershed.
Development, metamorphosis, and natural history of the nudibranch Doridella obscura Verrill (Corambidae: Opisthobranchia)

Abstract The doridacean nudibranch Doridella obscura Verrill was raised through one complete generation in laboratory culture, and spawning behavior monitored for a year at monthly intervals in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. The nudibranch deposited egg masses throughout the year in Barnegat Bay, and the larvae remained viable at temperatures ranging from 1.5 to 28 °C. At 25 °C the eggs hatch 4 days after oviposition, and the planktotrophic veliger larvae swim and feed for 9 days before they metamorphose. Settlement occurs specifically on the bryozoan Electro crustulenta (Pallas). The spirally coiled larval shell grows rapidly until the dorsal mantle fold is retracted from the aperture 5–6 days after hatching. Although starved larvae grow only slightly and do not metamorphose, they resume normal development on introduction of suitable food. Newly metamorphosed juveniles consume algae and debris on the surface of the bryozoan until they grow large enough to attack the living zooids of E. crustulenta . The life cycle of Doridella obscura is short (26 days at 25 °C), allowing the nudibranchs to take advantage of short-lived Electra crustulenta colonies in unstable habitats in bays and estuaries.
Intracerebroventricular administration of neuropeptide Y to normal rats increases obese gene expression in white adipose tissue.

The aim of this work was to determine the possible inter-relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY, a hypothalamic stimulator of feeding) and adipose tissue expression of the ob protein (a novel potent inhibitor of feeding). Such a relationship could be of importance in the maintenance of normal body weight. To this end, normal rats were intracerebro-ventricularly (i.c.v.) infused for 6 days with NPY. NPY infusion resulted in hyperphagia and a marked increase in adipose tissue ob mRNA levels. The effect of NPY on ob expression persisted when hyperphagia was prevented by pair-feeding, and was reversed following cessation of NPY infusion. Basal and glucose-stimulated insulinaemia were increased by i. c. v. NPY infusion compared to control values, regardless of whether animals were ad libitum-fed or pair-fed. Cessation of NPY infusion was accompanied by normalisation of insulinaemia. These changes in insulinaemia produced by i. c. v. NPY infusion paralleled the observed changes in ob expression. When normal rats were made hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic for 24 h, such hyperinsulinaemia also resulted in increased ob mRNA levels in white adipose tissue. This suggested that NPY-induced hyperinsulinaemia could be responsible for the upregulation of ob mRNA levels of NPY-infused rats. It is concluded that central (i. c. v.) NPY infusion increases adipose tissue ob expression, a functional relationship that is linked, at least in part, via NPY-induced hyperinsulinaemia.
Oxidation of water to hydrogen peroxide at the rock–water interface due to stress-activated electric currents in rocks

Common igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks contain dormant defects, which release electronic charge carriers when stressed. Rocks thereby behave like a battery. The charge carriers of interest are defect electrons h•, e.g. electronic states associated with O− in a matrix of O2−. Known as “positive holes” or pholes for short, the h• travel along stress gradients over distances on the order of meters in the laboratory and kilometers in the field. At rock–water interfaces the h• turn into •O radicals, e.g. highly reactive oxygen species, which oxidize H2O to H2O2. For every two h• charge carriers one H2O2 molecule is formed. In the laboratory the battery circuit is closed by running a Cu wire from the stressed to the unstressed rock. In the field closure of the circuit may be provided through the electrolytical conductivity of water. The discovery of h• charge carriers, their stress-activation, and their effect on Earth's surface environment may help better understand the oxidation of the early Earth and the evolution of early life.
Effect of water clarity on the distribution of marine birds in nearshore waters of Monterey Bay, California

The distribution of marine birds relative to water clarity was examined in the nearshore waters of Monterey Bay, California. I conducted nine at-sea surveys in 1999 and 2000 and simultaneously recorded water clarity and the density of five taxa of marine birds. Among plunge-divers, Forster's Terns (Sterna forsten) occurred more frequently than expected over turbid water ( 5 m Secchi depth). Turbidity in Monterey Bay may be caused by suspended organic matter, including phytoplankton, during summer and fall. Forster's Tern may prefer such areas because small fish are likely to occur near this potential food source. Brandt's Cormorants probably rely on vision to catch fish near the bottom and turbid water may reduce available light and limit visual acuity. The distribution of Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), Western/Clark's Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis!clarki?), and Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) did not appear to be influenced by turbidity levels, indicating that some seabirds use marine habitats with a wide range of water clarities.
Effects of cracks on critical current density in Ag-sheathed superconductor tape

Abstract The effect of partial cracking on critical current density ( J c ) has been modelled for Ag-sheathed superconductor tapes. Effects of crack length and density on current-voltage characteristics and J c were evaluated for monofilament and multifilament tapes. The results show that a single long crack is more harmful than numerous small cracks. Multiple small partial cracks (less than 20% of core dimension) can be present in the Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n − 1 Cu n O 2 n +4 (BSCCO) before J c degradation is observed. In general, a multifilament tape can withstand cracks better than a monofilament tape.
Coulombic Free Energy of Polymeric Nucleic Acid: Low- and High-Salt Analytical Approximations for the Cylindrical Poisson−Boltzmann Model

An accurate analytical expression for the Coulombic free energy of DNA as a function of salt concentration ([salt]) is essential in applications to nucleic acid (NA) processes. The cylindrical model of DNA and the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann (NLPB) equation for ions in solution are among the simplest approaches capable of describing Coulombic interactions of NA and salt ions and of providing analytical expressions for thermodynamic quantities. Three approximations for Coulombic free energy G(u,infinity)(coul) of a polymeric nucleic acid are derived and compared with the numerical solution in a wide experimental range of 1:1 [salt] from 0.01 to 2 M. Two are obtained from the two asymptotic solutions of the cylindrical NLPB equation in the high-[salt] and low-[salt] limits: these are sufficient to determine G(u,infinity)(coul) of double-stranded (ds) DNA with 1% and of single-stranded (ss) DNA with 3% accuracy at any [salt]. The third approximation is experimentally motivated Taylor series up to the quadratic term in ln[salt] in the vicinity of the reference [salt] 0.15 M. This expression with three numerical coefficients (Coulombic free energy and its first and second derivatives at 0.15 M) predicts dependence of G(u,infinity)(coul) on [salt] within 2% of the numerical solution from 0.01 to 1 M for ss (a = 7 A, b = 3.4 A) and ds (a = 10 A, b = 1.7 A) DNA. Comparison of cylindrical free energy with that calculated for the all-atom structural model of linear B-DNA shows that the cylindrical model is completely sufficient above 0.01 M of 1:1 [salt]. The choice of two cylindrical parameters, the distance of closest approach of ion to cylinder axis (radius) a and the average axial charge separation b, is discussed in application to all-atom numerical calculations and analysis of experiment. Further development of analytical expression for Coulombic free energy with thermodynamic approaches accounting for ionic correlations and specific effects is suggested.
Proteases that can distinguish among different post-translational forms of tyrosine engineered using multicolor flow cytometry.

We report the isolation of a highly active (kcat/KM ∼ 105 M−1s−1) variant of the E. coli endopeptidase OmpT that selectively hydrolyzes peptides after 3-nitrotyrosine while effectively discriminating against similar peptides containing unmodified tyrosine (160-fold), sulfotyrosine (3600-fold), phosphotyrosine (>8000-fold), and phosphoserine (>8000-fold). The isolation of endopeptidase variants that can discriminate between substrates based on the post-translational modification of Tyr was made possible by implementing a multicolor flow cytometric assay for the screening of large mutant libraries. For the multicolor assay, a desired selection substrate was used simultaneously with multiple counterselection fluorescent substrates to isolate rare enzyme variants that displayed finely tuned substrate specificity. This work demonstrates that enzymes with exquisite selectivity can be isolated from large libraries using appropriate high throughput screening approaches and constitutes a critical step toward the p...
Multiplication Rate of Bluetongue Virus in the Vector Cuucoides Variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Infected Orally

Infectivity titrations (ELD50) of ground bluetongue virus-infected Culieoides variipennis females incubated at 23°C showed that an eclipse phase occurred by day 3 after oral infection. A great increase in titer occurred by day 4 (ELO50 = 104), with a slowing in the growth rate for 6 days through day 10 (ELO50 = 105) followed by a 2nd burst of BTV replication with a 100-fold increase in titer by day 14 (ELO50 = 107). This maximum titer of 107 ELO50/fly was maintained from day 14 until the tests were ended on day 35.
Effect of porcine relaxin and estradiol-17β on the incorporation of tritiated thymidine by fibroblasts isolated from guinea pig uteri

Abstract Fibroblasts isolated from the uteri of 5 guinea pigs were cultured in vitro to determine the effect of relaxin and estradiol. Both relaxin and estradiol increased thymidine uptake by fibroblasts. Thymidine incorporation with 1.5 μg/ml relaxin and no estradiol was 107% of control while 600 pg/ml estradiol and no relaxin gave 112% of control. Thymidine incorporation in the presence of 1.5 μg/ml relaxin and 600 pg/ml estradiol was 128% of control. This indicated a significant interaction between relaxin and estradiol.
Dynamic modelling of power plant turbines for controller design

Abstract A nonlinear dynamic model of a steam turbine is formulated from approximation of fundamental equations, and does not rely on empirical relations. The model can be used as a part of an integrated power system model for dynamic simulation and control system design.
Cannabinoid receptor activation in CA1 pyramidal cells in adult rat hippocampus.

Abstract Intracellular assessments of the physiological actions of cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists on adult hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells in the in vitro slice preparation were performed using current clamp and conventional sharp-electrode intracellular recording procedures. Several manipulations were performed to delineate putative currents and conductance mechanisms affected by the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN-2). This compound produced a tonic hyperpolarization of the pyramidal cell membrane that was bicuculline sensitive, reversed by changing the chloride gradient, and abolished by the addition of TTX to the bathing medium. Instantaneous membrane input resistance, computed from hyperpolarizing current pulses (peak Rin) was also reduced significantly in the presence of WIN-2 and was accompanied by enhancement of a superimposed slow depolarization that reduced steady-state Rin (SSRin); both effects were resistant to barium. Intracellular perfusion of cesium acetate (CsAc) and the sodium/potassium channel blocker, QX314, each blocked the effect of WIN-2 on Rin and SSRin. WIN-2 also reduced input resistance calculated from depolarizing current injections (Rd). This effect was also blocked by atropine, as well as media containing TTX or low Ca2+. Each of the above effects of WIN-2 was blocked by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A, showing a dependence on CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Several known pre- and postsynaptic processes in adult pyramidal cells are discussed which could be responsible for these cannabinoid-produced changes in membrane resistances.
Medial migration of tympanostomy tubes: an overlooked complication.

Summary Background Frequently encountered complications associated with tympanostomy tube placement have been well documented and are globally recognized. The medial migration of tympanostomy tubes into the middle ear space is a rare complication for which pathogenesis, natural history, and management have not been clearly delineated. Objective To describe our experience with the medial migration of tympanostomy tubes into the middle ear space. To propose a simple classification system and define management recommendations. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients with medial tube migration seen in a Pediatric Otolaryngology practice at a tertiary care university hospital between 1995 and 2005. Results Six pediatric patients (ages 3–19) were found to have seven tympanostomy tubes within the middle ear space at various intervals following tube placement. One patient had a migrated tympanostomy tube deep to a large myringotomy incision. Five patients (six ears) had migrated tubes medial to intact, healed tympanic membranes. Fifty percent of the patients had symptoms attributable to the migrated tube. All six patients underwent middle ear exploration with successful removal of the migrated tube. Conclusions This process can be defined as primary, when the tympanostomy tube migrates due to a technical error, or secondary, when the tube is initially seen in the correct position but is later found medial to a healed, intact tympanic membrane. Medial migration is apparently independent of tube type and can occur at various intervals after placement. The process of secondary migration is most likely multifactorial but may in part be the result of persistent negative middle ear pressure. Migrated tubes should be removed surgically unless contraindicated.
Oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by cobalt(III) complexes of macrocyclic ligands supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A class of amido-macrocyclic cobalt(III) complexes along with multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been studied for electro-catalytic activity to reduce oxygen. These complexes are efficient for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in wide range of pH conditions by following ideal fuel cell reduction mechanism. Depending on the stability of complexes in different pH, electrochemical studies were performed to predict the reduction mechanism. Rotating disk electrode and rotating ring-disk electrode studies show that these complexes reduce oxygen via four electron reduction process in mild acidic pH and two step two electron reduction processes in basic conditions, with negligible amount of hydrogen peroxide generation.
Improved explicit radiosity method for calculating non-Lambertian reflections

We present an improved radiosity method for accounting for non-Lambertian reflections. The method explicitly calculates the radiance distribution leaving each non-Lambertian surface. The method differs from previous explicity radiosit methods in two respects. First, non-Lambertian surfaces are discretized adaptively based on their effect on other surfaces, rather than on their own spatial radiance distribution. Second, the callculation of the radiance distribution for surfaces that are neither Lambertian nor mirror-like surfaces is made more efficient using the ideas of hemi-cube pixel groups and the reflectance hemisphere. The method is well suited to being used as the first pass in a multi-pass rendering method.
Differences between intra- and extracellular interleukin-1.

Abstract The intracellular (IC) and extracellular (EC) pools of interleukin 1 (IL-1) of human monocyte cultures were found to differ in their molecular size and charge characteristics. EC activity was found by Sephadex G-75 chromatography to consist mainly of a single peak in the 15,000–17,000 mol. wt range. In contrast, IC activity was distributed in four peaks (mol. wts of approx. 15,000, 26,000, 45,000 and > 70,000). Treatment of a pool of the IC 26,000, 45,000 and > 70,000 mol. wt species with CHAPS, a zwitterionic detergent, yielded a large amount of the 15,000 mol. wt species, thus suggesting that a portion of the larger species consists of aggregates of the 15,000 mol. wt molecule. Both IL-1 pools were found by isoelectrofocusing to be composed of three molecular species with pIs of 5.5, 6.1 and 6.7. However, the proportions of these species differed markedly between the EC and IC pools. The large majority of IC activity (~90%) was found at pI 5.5, while 55–60% of EC activity had a pI of 6.7 and 35–40% had a pI of 5.5. The differences in their biophysical properties support the notion that the IC and EC pools of IL-1 also differ in their functions.
Pancreatic Enzyme Products: What’s New? Updates in Pancreatic Enzymes for Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Copyright © 2011 The Author(s) Abstract: A healthy pancreas produces the enzymes lipase, protease, and amylase that assist in the cleaving of food particles and the absorption of nutrients. Patients with pancreatic insufficiency, commonly seen in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population, are unable to produce these enzymes endogenously. Standard treatment for pancreatic insufficiency is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy administered by mouth. Most endogenous enzymes were developed prior to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938. As a result, they were marketed by companies and used by patients without the thorough investigation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Enzyme manufacturers were given a deadline of April 28, 2010, by the FDA to conduct safety and efficacy studies and to submit New Drug Applications. Currently, there are only 3 FDA-approved enzyme products on the market: Creon, Zenpep, and Pancreaze. This article discusses the changes to pancreatic enzyme products over the past year and the challenges that CF practitioners have faced as a result of the changes.
Research on Fuzzy Information Modeling Process of Quality Function Deployment

In the process of products design, most input information for Quality Function Deployment always possess the characteristics of fuzziness and language, so, various input information of house of quality are regarded as language variable, glossary convene of fuzzy language and fuzzy numeral. The main idea of modeling of fuzzy information with house of quality is explained in detail, and fuzzy integrating of custom needs and fuzzy modeling of products planning with HOQ are proposed. Thus, the fuzzy or qualitative information can be dealt with efficiently, and the significative decision in fuzzy circumstance can be made.
Photo electric nucleus counters for aerosol climatology

Abstract Photo electric nucleus counters are used as aerosol detectors at several observatories which are attempting to establish aerosol climatologies. The photo electric nucleus counter has an advantage over absolute nucleus counters in such applications, as it produces a nearly instantaneous “snap shot” of the integrated aerosol concentration in a relatively large volume of air. The Pollak—Nolan type of photo electric nucleus counter is most frequently used in determining the aerosol concentration at these climatological observatories. Laboratory and field experiments indicate that the response of this instrument is extremely repeatable, even though questions may exist relative to its absolute calibration and the minimum size of particles it detects. The repeatability is sufficiently reliable to permit use of existing data if a more precise calibration is accomplished in the future. Many components used in construction of replicas of the Pollak—Nolan counter have become difficult to obtain. A transfer of Pollak's calibration to a geometric replica of this instrument, using more modern components would insure continuance of high quality climatic aerosol data.
Adsorption of binary gas mixtures in heterogeneous carbon predicted by density functional theory: on the formation of adsorption azeotropes.

Classical density functional theory (DFT) was used to predict the adsorption of nine different binary gas mixtures in a heterogeneous BPL activated carbon with a known pore size distribution (PSD) and in single, homogeneous, slit-shaped carbon pores of different sizes. By comparing the heterogeneous results with those obtained from the ideal adsorbed solution theory and with those obtained in the homogeneous carbon, it was determined that adsorption nonideality and adsorption azeotropes are caused by the coupled effects of differences in the molecular size of the components in a gas mixture and only slight differences in the pore sizes of a heterogeneous adsorbent. For many binary gas mixtures, selectivity was found to be a strong function of pore size. As the width of a homogeneous pore increases slightly, the selectivity for two different sized adsorbates may change from being greater than unity to less than unity. This change in selectivity can be accompanied by the formation of an adsorption azeotrope...
The Uses of Memory

In the essays by Middleton (2002) and Rowe, Wertsch and Kosyaeva (2002), the subject is the indeterminacy of memory and the intertextuality of narratives of history, conceived as nonlinear and contested. These authors offer new perspectives on our understanding of memory, in its official and unofficial narrative forms, as its move between the personal and social in historical consciousness and representation. Both these essays explore the implications of memory as it is traced through experience. They examine the discontinuities, as well as continuities, of memory that emerge in politically and historically situated cultural lives. First, I briefly summarize the major points in each article, discussing their contributions and questions raised, and how they articulate with other relevant works. Then I delineate some common themes they share, and suggest their wider significance.
An immunoaffinity immobilized enzyme assay for neomycin phosphotransferase II in crude cell extracts

An immunoaffinity immobilized enzyme assay for neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) has been developed. This method combines affinity purification with an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The assay is mechanically simple and can be semiautomatable since all steps are performed in a microtiter plate. An immunoaffinity step separates NPT II from endogenous kinases, which may produce false positive results, and from endogenous phosphatases and inhibitors, which decrease the apparent NPT activity. This method thus exploits two modes of specificity: antigen-antibody specificity and enzyme catalysis specificity. This gives a high degree of specificity and allows quantitation of 0.1 ppm NPT in crude plant protein extracts. The catalytic ability of the NPT is not significantly hampered by its attachment to the gel, in the Km values for ATP and neomycin and the catalytic number for immobilized NPT are comparable to those for the NPT in solution.
Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Habits in US Adults, 1988-2006

Abstract Background Lifestyle choices are associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality. The purpose of this study was to compare adherence to healthy lifestyle habits in adults between 1988 and 2006. Methods Analysis of adherence to 5 healthy lifestyle trends (≥5 fruits and vegetables/day, regular exercise >12 times/month, maintaining healthy weight [body mass index 18.5-29.9 kg/m 2 ], moderate alcohol consumption [up to 1 drink/day for women, 2/day for men] and not smoking) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988-1994 were compared with results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2006 among adults aged 40-74 years. Results Over the last 18 years, the percent of adults aged 40-74 years with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 has increased from 28% to 36% ( P P P P P Conclusions Generally, adherence to a healthy lifestyle pattern has decreased during the last 18 years, with decreases documented in 3 of 5 healthy lifestyle habits. These findings have broad implications for the future risk of cardiovascular disease in adults.
The face-name mnemonic strategy from a different perspective

Prior research has demonstrated that the face-name mnemonic strategy is useful for facilitating memory for names in response to true-to-life representations of faces (e.g., photographs). In Experiment 1, we successfully extended this finding to a situation in which the stimuli cuing name memory were caricatures. In Experiment 2, photographs and caricatures alternated as the stimulus materials prompting either name recall or recognition. Students using the mnemonic strategy again outperformed students using their own best method of study on both immediate and delayed tests. Because caricatures exaggerate prominent features, we had anticipated that the mnemonic approach might be relatively more effective with caricatures than with photographs. However, students using the face-name mnemonic strategy derived comparable benefits with both types of material.
Cell-Surface Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Mediates HIV-1 Infection of T-Cell Lines

The role of cell-surface proteoglycans in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of T-cell lines was investigated. HIV-1-susceptible lymphoblastic T-cell lines, MT-4 and H9, were analyzed for proteoglycan synthesis and found to make heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. Enzymatic treatment of these cells with heparitinase, but not chondroitinase, significantly prevented HIV-1(IIIB) infection as measured by inhibition of cytopathicity, reverse transcriptase production, and syncytia formation. Sulfation of glycosaminoglycans HS chains was critical to viral entry as shown by inhibition of viral infection with sodium chlorate and its specific reversal with exogenous sulfate addition. Quantitation of direct virus binding to cells showed that treatment of cells with heparitinase inhibited HIV-1 binding to the T-cell surface. Exogenous HS added to cultures inhibited virus infection in a manner analogous to dextran sulfate, further supporting a functional role for HS in HIV-1 binding. These results provide evidence for participation of cell-surface HS proteoglycans in HIV-cell attachment and virus entry.
Revealing subsurface defects in semiconductors using near-field fluorescence lifetime imaging

Simultaneous near-field fluorescence lifetime imaging and atomic force microscopy identify radiative, interface and subsurface defect recombination sites in GaAs/GaInP heterostructures. Such unique characterization plays a significant role in identifying candidate samples for laser cooling.
Unstable optical resonators for laser applications

A simple geometrical analysis has been developed which describes the lowest-order transverse mode of any large-Fresnel-number optical resonator located in the unstable or high-loss region of the resonator mode chart. Such resonators include, for example, resonators in which one or both of the mirrors are divergent spherical surfaces. The lowest mode in such a resonator is assumed to consist of two oppositely traveling divergent spherical waves which uniformly illuminate the end mirrors. The centers of curvature of these spherical waves do not, in general, coincide with the mirror centers of curvature, but are found by requiring that each center be the image of the other upon reflection from the appropriate mirror. The resonator losses are found from purely geometrical considerations, and are given by simple analytical expressions. These losses turn out to be independent of the mirror sizes, so that hyperbolic universal equiloss contours can be drawn on the resonator mode chart. The losses agree well with more exact results obtained by Fox and Li for a few specific cases. Experimental results in good agreement with the analysis have been obtained using a ruby laser rod having a divergent spherical surface ground directly onto one end of the laser rod. Unstable resonators, particularly the "Cassegrainian" unstable configuration used in the experiments, appear potentially useful for diffraction output coupling applications, and possibly also for transverse mode control, in ruby and other high-gain lasers.
Improvement of manufacturing workcell layout design using weighted isotropy metrics

For decades manufacturing companies have endeavored to develop more versatile, space-efficient, and productive assembly lines. The design of kinematically redundant robotic manipulators and their workcells are a key component in this process and have become an increasingly popular research focus. Redundant manipulators can perform more complex and a greater variety of tasks than their non-redundant counterparts, but this increased utility demands that manipulators be carefully designed and placed to achieve the kinematic fitness levels required to perform their numerous intended tasks.
Encephalitozoon hellem in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Microsporidiosis with concurrent megabacteriosis in budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) chicks contributed to significant economic loss in a commercial pet bird aviary in Mississippi. Three budgerigar chicks, 1-2 weeks old, from the aviary were necropsied. Microscopic lesions in the chicks consisted of heavy infection of enterocytes with microsporidia (2/3; autolysis precluded critical evaluation of the intestine of chick No. 2), multifocal hepatic necrosis and inflammation with intralesional microsporidia (1/3), spherical clusters of microsporidia in the hepatic sinusoids in the absence of inflammation (1/3), and gastric megabacteriosis (3/3). The ultrastructure of the microsporidian spores was consistent with an Encephalitozoon species. The polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis were used to identify the microsporidian as Encephalitozoon hellem, an organism that has only been identified in humans. Encephalitozoon hellem causes keratoconjunctivitis and respiratory infections in humans with...
Robust pointing by XPath language: authoring support and empirical evaluation

In spite of the increasing prevalence of XPath language including its use with XSLT little attention has been paid to empirical study of robust pointing by XPath expressions. The goal of this study is to draw practical implications of the robustness of XPath expressions, taking account of the four kinds of real-life HTML pages. For each DOM node in the sample pages, we created three types of XPath expressions, and investigated to what extent those expressions were able to continue pointing at the same node in the modified pages during the observation period of four months. The types of XPath expressions we used for the investigation include not only absolute expressions that simply follow the hierarchy of a document tree from the root to the target element, but also relative expressions that point to a target element in relation to some stable anchor position. As anchor nodes for the relative addressing expressions, we used elements with an href attribute, because a URL assigned to an href value should not be change too often, and so an href reference should be relatively stable as a semantic descriptor In this paper we briefly introduce an XPath authoring support for an annotation editor, and explain the types of XPath expressions. An empirical evaluation of the XPath expressions is then presented. Finally, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the XPath expressions, taking account of the actual page modifications, and investigate possibilities for further improvement of the addressing method.
The effect of malnutrition on the risk of diarrheal and respiratory mortality in children 2 y of age in Cebu, Philippines

The effects of nutritional status on diarrheal and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) mortality in children < 2 y of age were examined by using data from a 1988-1991 longitudinal study of 9942 children in Metro Cebu, Philippines. Cox regression methods were used to study the strengths of the associations, possible interactions with birth weight and breast-feeding status, and the effect of additional confounding factors. Nutritional status as measured by weight-for-age was a significant risk factor for both ALRI and diarrheal mortality in the first 2 y of life. Poor nutritional status resulted in a 1.6-fold increased risk of diarrheal mortality for each one-unit decrease in weight-for-age Z score. For ALRI mortality, a one-unit decrease in weight-for-age Z score resulted in a 1.7-fold increase in risk, and for mortality associated with ALRI and diarrhea combined, the relative risk was 2.0. This study provides further evidence that malnutrition is a major determinant of mortality in very young children and it is one of the first longitudinal studies to estimate the magnitude of the effect on cause-specific mortality associated with nutritional status.
Symptoms of ADHD and academic concerns in college students with and without ADHD diagnoses.

Objective: Previous research has found ADHD symptoms to be common in the general population but has not compared endorsement of symptoms between ADHD and non-ADHD groups. This study examines self-r...
Circuit design for Brain Stimulation and transmitter sensing

Simultaneous stimulation and sensing of neurochemicals and electrophysiological field potentials is very useful in studying the brain activity. The aim of the paper is to design a prototype circuit board that can be used in in-vitro experiments, and provide medical researchers with capability to simultaneously stimulate brain activity and to sense the reaction as a function of the applied stimulation. This paper will consist of design of a printed circuit board for stimulation (current sources) and sensors (current measurement) using discrete components, such as operational amplifiers.