cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pollution prevention success stories at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center

The goal of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center's (OC-ALC) Pollution Prevention Program is simple, direct, and fundamental: reduce the purchase and use of targeted toxic chemicals. The OC-ALC has become the Air Force leader in introducing new prototype technologies into all maintenance processes and quantifying their environmental benefits. The innovative technologies are reducing the handling of hazardous materials and eliminating hazardous waste. The success of the program lies in coordinating efforts, promoting awareness, transferring technology, obtaining funds, and executing projects. The OC-ALC Pollution Prevention Program involves efforts to reduce the use of toxic chemicals through a hierarchy of actions: source reduction, chemical substitution, recycle and reuse, treatment, and disposal. Pollution prevention first seeks to change processes to eliminate the purchase and generation of undesirable targeted materials (source reduction). Where source reduction is not feasible, environmentally compliant materials may be substituted for the noncompliant products. The next P2 action is to recycle and reuse the hazardous materials. The following P2 actions include the treatment and disposal of wastes and emissions control (abatement) to reduce environmental impacts prior to disposal and only when source reduction and chemical substitution actions are not feasible (cost-prohibitive, immature technology, etc.). At the root of the program is a compliance site assessment that identified four major processes in aircraft depot maintenance activities (painting, depainting, cleaning, and electroplating) that generate the majority of the installation's hazardous waste. Purchase and use of hazardous chemicals are tracked to verify the validity of implemented technologies and monitor trends. The objective of this article is to highlight technologies that have reduced targeted hazardous chemical purchases by 1.5 million pounds, reduced the generation of hazardous industrial waste by 8 million pounds, and reduced the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) by 330,000 pounds, annually. This article will highlight the following technologies: abrasive carbon dioxide blasting, environmentally acceptable chemical depainting agents, radome chemical depainting, medium-pressure water jet knife, high-pressure aircraft component subsystem, advanced vapor degreaser, National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)-compliant wipe solvents, powder coatings, and alternative electroplating technologies (i.e., ion vapor deposition, high-velocity oxygen fuel, electromagnetic particle deposition, etc.). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of digital computers in Project Mercury

Project Mercury (the man-in-space program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has as its objectives: (1) the placing of a manned spacecraft in orbital flight around the earth; (2) the investigation of man's performance capabilities and ability to survive in a true space environment; and (3) the recovery of the spacecraft and man safely. Advance communications, guidance, computer, display and other subsystems have been integrated into the completed Project Mercury system. This paper will discuss and review the use of digital computers as an integral part of the real-time decision-making complex.
Impaired monocyte cytokine production in critically ill patients with acute renal failure

Impaired monocyte cytokine production in critically ill patients with acute renal failure. Background Plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are predictive of mortality in patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Anti-inflammatory strategies are postulated to be beneficial in treatment. However, there are few studies simultaneously examining monocyte cytokine production and plasma cytokine levels in patients with ARF. Methods Study populations consisted of 20 critically ill patients with ARF, 19 critically ill patients without ARF (CRIT ILL), 28 healthy subjects (HS), 19 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 15 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Monocyte intracellular content of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined by flow cytometry in whole blood. Plasma interleukin 6 and TNF-α concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results At baseline, there were no differences in intracellular monocyte cytokine levels between groups. After lipopolysaccaride stimulation, monocyte production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in ARF patients was reduced by 41%, 84%, and 45%, respectively, compared to healthy subjects ( P P Conclusion Critically ill patients with acute renal failure have impaired monocyte cytokine production and elevated plasma cytokine levels in a pattern that closely resembles critically ill patients without ARF, and that is dissimilar to CKD and ESRD patients.
Hypoxia-Selective Nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl Derivatives of 1,2-Bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazines

Some 4- and 2-(nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl)-1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazines (4, 6, and 7) were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to exert preferential toxicity to hypoxic E...
Rapid reduction of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas streams

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) play a major role in the formation of photochemical smog and in acid rain production1. Some progress has been made in reducing NOx emissions through the use of combustion and exhaust control schemes, including three-way catalyst, staged combustion, and ammonia injection. Nevertheless, estimates indicate that the production of nitrogen oxides will continue to increase until the end of the century and beyond, if current trends continue2. We describe here a new chemical process capable of completely removing NOx from the products of combustion. The effectiveness of this process is established in flow tube experiments. Further, we demonstrate the practical feasibility of this method by eliminating NOx from a portion of the exhaust from a single-cylinder diesel engine. Based on these results we conclude that this process for rapid reduction of nitrogen oxides could play a major role in controlling NOx emissions from most combustion devices.
Crystal defects of yttria stabilized zirconia in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and their evolution upon cell operation

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrolytes must be crystallographically and chemically stable in typical operating environments, while also possessing high ionic and low electronic conductivities. Cubic fluorite structured yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), in which ion conduction is provided by oxide ion vacancies, is a proven oxide ion conductor fulfilling such requirements. In the present work, the microstructural and crystallographic defects of YSZ in the anode (Ni/YSZ), cathode (LSM/YSZ), and electrolyte of commercial SOFC cells were studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Comparisons were made between an as-received cell and a cell operated at 800 °C for 550 h using syngas as fuel. Examination of the YSZ electron diffraction pattern of the cathode reveals a typical cubic fluorite crystal structure. However, weak diffraction spots, where diffractions should be absent according to the structure factor of the cubic fluorite phase, are present in the patterns taken from the YSZ in the anode and the electrolyte. The appearance of kinematically forbidden spots in YSZ is unchanged after cell operation. Such weak diffraction spots can be interpreted as arising from a nanoscale (2–10 nm) irregularly-shaped tetragonal YSZ ( t -YSZ) domain that is randomly distributed in the cubic YSZ ( c -YSZ) matrix. However, larger t -YSZ domains with thicknesses of 5–10 nm and lengths of 30 nm are observed by the Ni/YSZ interfaces in cells operated at 800 °C in coal-derived syngas for 550 h. The layered t -YSZ domains are accompanied by the c -YSZ domains, implying the migration of Y along the Ni/YSZ interface in response to cell operation.
MESSENGER Spacecraft In-flight Experiments: Science Return Improvement Techniques

The Mercury surface, space environment, geochemistry, and ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft is on its way to Mercury after a successful August 2004 launch. Upon arrival at Mercury in March 2011, the spacecraft will investigate and return science observations that will dramatically enhance our knowledge of Mercury and thus of the inner solar system. Through a hybrid approach using CCSDS file delivery protocol (CFDP) to enable link margin reductions and date rate optimization during communication contacts, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) performed several in-flight tests and achieved significant science data return improvement while maintaining data reliability for this first Mercury orbital mission.
Stem cells, stress, metabolism and cancer: a drama in two Octs

It is a classic story of two related transcription factors. Oct4 is a potent regulator of pluripotency during early mammalian embryonic development, and is notable for its ability to convert adult somatic cells to pluripotency. The widely expressed Oct1 protein shares significant homology with Oct4, binds to the same sequences, regulates common target genes, and shares common modes of upstream regulation, including the ability to respond to cellular stress. Both proteins are also associated with malignancy, yet Oct1 cannot substitute for Oct4 in the generation of pluripotency. The molecular underpinnings of these phenomena are emerging, as are the consequences for adult stem cells and cancer, and thereby hangs a tale.
Formation of seven- and eight-membered rings by manganese (III)-based oxidative free radical cyclization

Abstract Oxidative free-radical cyclizations of acetoacetates 1 , 8 , 17 , and 20 with Mn(OAc) 3 ·2H 2 and Cu(OAc) 2 ·H 2 O in acetic acid provide cycloheptenes and cyclooctenes in moderate to good yield. Tandem cyclizations of 28 , 35 and 51 provide bicyclo[4.2.1]nonanes, bicyclo[5.2.1]decanes, bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes and bicyclo[6.3.0]undecanes.
Nephrologists as primary care providers: a review of the issues.

Abstract Considering the role of nephrologists as primary care providers for their chronic dialysis patients requires exploration of a number of factors. These factors include the definition of a primary care provider, the time and expertise needed to provide primary care, the expectations of nephrologists and dialysis patients who give and receive primary care, the appropriate preventive care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, and the current and future roles of nephrologists within a changing health care environment. Unfortunately, few studies have addressed these issues, and there is little objective information on which to base guidelines and recommendations about nephrologist-directed primary care of ESRD patients. Most nephrologists spend a significant portion (30% to 35%) of their time caring for dialysis patients, and 90% report providing primary care to dialysis patients. Most dialysis patients view their nephrologist as their primary care provider. The increasingly aged and ill ESRD population will undoubtedly necessitate additional time and expertise for care from an understaffed nephrology work force. The increased use of advanced practice nurses and alliances with health care delivery systems under global capitation programs may develop into effective strategies to provide care for an increasing population of dialysis patients. The nonnephrologic health care needs, including specific and appropriate cancer screening and preventive health care protocols for ESRD patients whose life expectancies are significantly less than the general population, are unclear. The issues involved in considering nephrologists as primary caregivers for ESRD patients include these and other related factors, and will be discussed in this review. (Am J Kidney Dis 1998 Apr;31(4):574-83)
Infinitival Verb Complementation: Theory and Usage as a Basis for Pedagogy.

: The goal of this study is to develop a set of pedagogical priorities for the teaching of infinitival verb complementation to nonnative speakers of English. In the literature review, the foundation for this goal is laid through the development of a classification system for infinitival verb complementation. The next two sections of this paper detail a corpus study and its results, and in so doing provide the basis for a pedagogical adaptation of the previously developed taxonomy. The discussion section of this paper deals with two issues left from the literature review to be handled in the light of the results of the corpus study. The final two sections of this paper present a set of pedagogical priorities for teaching infinitival verb complementation and suggest some areas for further research in this regard.
Oxidation of the capsular polysaccharide of pneumococcal type IV by periodate.

Abstract The immunologically specific capsular polysaccharide of pneumococcal type IV was oxidized with periodate before removal, and after partial and almost complete removal of pyruvic acid residues. Destruction of the D -galactose residues was approximately proportional to the extent of removal of pyruvic acid residues, with relatively little effect on immunological specificity until more than one-third of the D -galactose residues had been affected. The residues of the three amino sugars, 2-amino-2-deoxy- D -galactose, 2-amino-2-deoxymannose, and 2-amino-2,6-dideoxygalactose (fucosamine) were resistant to periodate oxidation and appeared to be separated from each other by one or more residues of (1→4)-linked O -pyruvyl- D -galactose. There was also evidence for nonreducing end-groups of O -pyruvyl- D -galactose. The pyruvyl residues are acetal-linked, possibly to positions 3 and 6 of D -galactose residues.
A characterization of the spatiotemporal variability of non-urban ozone concentrations over the eastern United States

Abstract The spatial and temporal variability of the daily 1-h maximum O 3 concentrations over non-urban areas of the eastern United States of America was examined for the period 1985–1990 using principal component analysis. Utilization of Kaiser's Varimax orthogonal rotation led to the delineation of six contiguous subregions or “influence regimes” which together accounted for 64.02% of the total variance. Each subregion displayed statistically unique O 3 characteristics and corresponded well with the path and frequency of anticyclones. When compared to the entire domain, the mid-Atlantic and south subregions observe higher mean daily 1-h maximum concentrations. Concentrations are near the domain average for the northeast and southwest subregions and are lowest in the Great Lakes and Florida subregions. The percentage of observations exceeding 120 ppb were greates in the mid-Atlantic and southwest subregions, near the domain average in the northeast and south subregions, and lowest in the Great Lakes and Florida subregions. Examination of the time series of the principal component scores associated with the subregions indicated that Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic subregions tend to observe a stronger seasonal cycle, with maximum concentrations occurring during the last week in June and first week in July, respectively. The strength of this seasonality is weakened for the northeast and south subregions and its timing delayed, until the end of July and the first of August, respectively. The southwest subregion experiences a greatly diminished seasonality, with maximum concentrations delayed until the middle of August. The seasonality found in the Florida subregion is unique in both its strength and timing, as the highest concentrations consistently occur during the months of April and May. The time series were then deseasonalized and autocorrelations and spectral density estimates calculated, revealing that persistence is much more prevalent in the Florida (autocorrelation significant to a lag of 4 days), south (3 days) and southwest (3 days) subregions. Conversely, autocorrelations are only significant to a lag of one day in the northeast and two days for the Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic subregions.
Two‐stream modeling of plasmaspheric refilling

Plasmaspheric refilling on an L = 4 flux tube was studied by using a time-dependent, hydrodynamic plasmaspheric flow model in which the ion streams from the two hemispheres are treated as distinct fluids. In the model the continuity, momentum, and energy equations of a two-ion (O(+) and H(+)), quasi-neutral, currentless plasma are solved along a closed geomagnetic field line; diffusive equilibrium is not assumed. collisions between all stream pairs and with neutral species are included. The model includes a corotating, tilted dipole magnetic field and neutral winds. Ionospheric sources and sinks are accounted for in a self-consistent manner. Electrons are assumed to be heated by photoelectrons. The model flux tube extends from a 200-km altitude in one hemisphere to a 200-km altitude in the other hemisphere. Initially, the upwelling streams pass through each other practically unimpeded. When the streams approach the boundary in the conjugate ionosphere, a shock develops there, which moves upward and dissipates slowly; at about the same time a reverse shock develops in the hemisphere of origin, which moves upward. After about 1 hour, large shocks develop in each stream near the equator; these shocks move toward the equator and downward after crossing the equator. However, these shocks are probably artificial, because counterstreaming flows occur in each H(+) fluid, which the model can only handle by creating shocks.
Adenovirus Fiber Shaft Contains a Trimerization Element That Supports Peptide Fusion for Targeted Gene Delivery

Adenoviral (Ad) vectors have been widely used in human gene therapy clinical trials. However, their application has frequently been restricted by the unfavorable expression of cell surface receptors critical for Ad infection. Infections by Ad2 and Ad5 are largely regulated by the elongated fiber protein that mediates its attachment to a cell surface receptor, coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR). The fiber protein is a homotrimer consisting of an N-terminal tail, a long shaft, and a C-terminal knob region that is responsible for high-affinity receptor binding and Ad tropism. Consequently, the modification of the knob region, including peptide insertion and C-terminal fusion of ligands for cell surface receptors, has become a major research focus for targeting gene delivery. Such manipulation tends to disrupt fiber assembly since the knob region contains a stabilization element for fiber trimerization. We report here the identification of a novel trimerization element in the Ad fiber shaft. We demonstrate that fiber fragments containing the N-terminal tail and shaft repeats formed stable trimers that assembled onto Ad virions independently of the knob region. This fiber shaft trimerization element (FSTE) exhibited a capacity to support peptide fusion. We showed that Ad, modified with a chimeric protein by direct fusion of the FSTE with a growth factor ligand or a single-chain antibody, delivered a reporter gene selectively. Together, these results indicate that the shaft region of Ad fiber protein contains a trimerization element that allows ligand fusion, which potentially broadens the basis for Ad vector development.
Short-term intermittent PTH 1-34 administration enhances bone formation in SCID/Beige mice

The anabolic effect of intermittent PTH on bone is variable depending on the species studied, duration/mode of administration, and location of skeletal response investigated. We tested the hypothesis low dose, short term, intermittent PTH 1-34 administration is sufficient to enhance bone formation without altering bone resorption. To test our hypothesis, mice were treated intermittently with one of three concentrations of PTH 1-34 (1 microg/kg; low, 10 microg/kg, or 20 microg/kg; high) for three weeks. The skeletal response was identified by quantifying: serum markers of bone turnover, cancellous bone parameters in distal femur, proximal tibia, and lumbar vertebrae by microCT, and number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in distal femur. Mice receiving 20 microg/kg of PTH 1-34 demonstrated a 30% increase in serum osteocalcin, but no differences in serum calcium, type I collagen teleopeptides, or TRACP 5b. For all bones, microCT analysis suggested mice receiving 20 microg/kg of PTH 1-34 had increased cancellous bone mineral density, trabecular thickness and spacing, but decreased trabecular number. A 60% increase in the number of alkaline phosphatase positive osteoblasts in the distal femur was also observed in tissue sections; however, the number of TRAP positive osteoclasts was not different between test and control groups. While animals administered 10 microg/kg demonstrated similar trends for all bone turnover indices, such alterations were not observed in animals administered PTH 1-34 at 1 microg/kg per day. Thus, PTH 1-34, administered intermittently for three weeks at 20 microg/kg is sufficient to enhance bone formation without enhancing resorption.
SU-C-12A-02: CTDIvol Variability in Tube-Current Modulated Body CT: The Role of Patient Diameter

Purpose: Researchers have used the large variability in CTDIvol as an example of inconsistent and inappropriate protocols for CT imaging. However, CTDIvol variability can exist for many sound reasons pertaining to protocol needs (slice thickness, etc.) or patient size. This investigation focused on the role that patient effective diameter plays in CTDIvol variability. Methods: A database associated with a commercial CT dose reporting tool was mined, and the protocol parameters from 3136 patients who were scanned on one CT scanner (GE VCT) at our institution were evaluated. All patients were imaged using an abdomen-pelvis protocol, and tube current modulation was employed. A graph of CTDIvol versus diameter was fit using an exponential function (CTDIvol = a EXP( b x DIAMETER), and the parameters of this fit were used to subtract away the diameter dependence. Evaluation of variance before and after this correction was performed. Results: Abdomen-pelvis CT scans performed between February 28, 2013 and February 28, 2014 were evaluated corresponding to a timeframe where x-ray tube current modulation was used consistently. Average patient age was 50.0 years (SD=18.1), and ranged from 0 to 97 years. Mean patient diameter was 306.2 mm (SD=52.0), and CTDIvol values ranged from 2.8 mGy to 56.0 mGy, with a mean of 11.1 mGy (SD=6.68 mGy). After the dependency of patient diameter was removed from the data, the remainder data averaged 0.28 mGy (SD=3.01 mGy). A 2.2 fold reduction in standard deviation was observed, and the reduction in variance achieved by removing the size dependence of CTDIvol was (6.68/3.01)∧2 = 4.93. Conclusion: In a modern CT scanner using contemporary TCM protocols, a large component of CTDIvol variance can be attributed to patient size. The reduction of variance by a factor of 4.9 demonstrates that significant variability in CTDIvol is related to patient size. This study was partially funded by a grant from the University of California Office of the President
Bedrock incision, rock uplift and threshold hillslopes in the northwestern Himalayas

The topography of tectonically active mountain ranges reflects a poorly understood competition between bedrock uplift and erosion. Dating of abandoned river-cut surfaces in the northwestern Himalayas reveals that the Indus river incises through the bedrock at extremely high rates (2–12 mm yr-1). In the surrounding mountains, the average angles of hillslopes are steep and essentially independent of erosion rate, suggesting control by a common threshold process. In this rapidly deforming region, an equilibrium is maintained between bedrock uplift and river incision, with landsliding allowing hillslopes to adjust efficiently to rapid river down-cutting.
Three-dimensional stress intensity factor analysis of a surface crack in a high-speed bearing

The boundary element method is applied to calculate the stress intensity factors of a surface crack in the rotating inner raceway of a high-speed roller bearing. The three-dimensional model consists of an axially stressed surface cracked plate subjected to a moving Hertzian contact loading. A multidomain formulation and singular crack-tip elements were employed to calculate the stress intensity factors accurately and efficiently for a wide range of configuration parameters. The results can provide the basis for crack growth calculations and fatigue life predictions of high-performance rolling element bearings that are used in aircraft engines.
Null association between pregnancy termination and breast cancer in a registry‐based study of parous women

Studies suggesting a positive association between pregnancy termination and breast cancer risk have often been of retrospective case-control design, so subject to selection and recall biases. We undertook a registry-based analysis with minimal selection bias and prospective record-based ascertainment of terminations. The source population comprised Massachusetts women with a record of giving birth between 1987 and 1999 in the Massachusetts Vital Statistics Registry. Primary breast cancer cases were 25-55 years old at diagnosis between 1988 and 2000 and had a record of the diagnosis in the Massachusetts Cancer Registry. We matched 3 controls to each case on maternal age, year of giving birth and birth facility. Information on terminations (induced and spontaneous) before the birth of record, the matched factors and potential confounders were collected from the birth certificate. After adjustment for the matched factors, age, parity and maternal and paternal education, the odds ratio associating any termination history with breast cancer risk equaled 0.91 (95% CI = 0.79-1.05). The marginally protective adjusted odds ratio largely derived from a protective effect among women with parity equaled to 1 (OR for any termination = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.45-1.03), suggesting a protective effect of terminated pregnancy among women with one live birth.
Analysis of the initial stages of plant protoplast development using 33258 Hoechst: reactivation of the cell cycle

A microfluorimetric procedure, employing the fluorescent stain 33258 Hoechst, has been developed for the investigation of the process of DNA synthesis during the initial stages of culture of tobacco (N. tabacum cv. Xanthi) leaf protoplasts. In this system, the freshly-isolated protoplasts exhibited a unimodal distribution of nuclear DNA content characteristic of the diploid state. The almost immediate onset of DNA synthesis during culture resulted in a doubling of nuclear DNA levels prior to the first mitoses. Although the majority of the protoplasts subsequently entered into synchronous mitosis and cell division, a proportion of the remainder developed into large polyploid cells. Upon further culture, the polyploid cells became subdivided into clusters of small diploid cells. Measurement of total cell protein and cell volumes during culture indicated that a relationship existed between these parameters and the initiation of mitosis. The significance of these observations is discussed.
Detection of endocardial calcium in endomyocardial fibrosis by computed tomography.

Abstract We report the detection of endomyocardial calcium in endomyocardial fibrosis by computed tomography (CT) of the heart.
Use of 4,5-dinitroveratrole for the ultramicrodetermination of reducing sugars on paper chromatograms by a reflectance method

Abstract Using a 4,5-dinitroveratrole as the chromogenic reagent, an ultramicro method has been developed for the quantitative measurement of 2–20 μg of reducing sugars on paper chromatograms.
Ultrastructure of sphenophyllalean spores

Spores from the sphenophyllalean cone taxa Sphenostrobus iowensis, Bowmanites dawsonii, Peltastrobus reedae, Sentistrobus goodii, and two isolated sporangial complexes believed to be sphenophyllalean, were macerated from Pennsylvanian permineralizations, and are described at the ultrastructural level. Spores of the group include both monolete and trilete forms, and range in size from 37–180 μm. All of the spores possess some form of extra-exinous wall layer (perispore). The structure of this layer, its relationship to the spore body (exospore), and the manner in which it is involved in formation of the ornamentation of the spores, differs widely. Considerable variation in suture ultrastructure is also present. All of the taxa except Sphenostrobus are ornamented by perisporial ridges which run parallel to, or at an oblique angle to the equator of the spore. The perispore in Sphenostrobus is thick and ornamented by randomly spaced pits. The trilete forms (Sphenostrobus, and Bowmanites) possess an operculate perisporial lid over the suture. The remaining forms are monolete with a perisporial ridge over the suture. They have similar perispore ultrastructure, with the exception of one type which possess hollow perisporial ridges. The fine structure of the sporoderm is compared with that of other sphenophyte spores, as well as other homosporous pteridophytes.
Interfacial Wetting Behavior under Low-Density Ultrasonic Field and Solvent - Assisted Wet Condition

In this paper, the author had adopted the low-density ultrasonic field coupling method, coupled the ultrasonic directional beam to metallic melt, and then coupled energy to C/Al interface by sound propagation, eventually accomplish C/Al interfacial wettability and interfacial reaction by using ultrasonic field coupling method, and synthesize Al-Ti-C master alloys by using the same method. Some experiments showed that in the low-density ultrasonic field and under flux auxiliary wetting, there is no explicit incubation period in the prophase of wetting, in the medium term of wetting, the wetting angle between aluminum melt and carbon will reduce with time extension, however, the wetting spreading radius will increase with the extended holding time, and reach wetting balance state in 20 minutes. In the condition of 1023K, the equilibrium wetting angle is less than 22°,and wetting spreading radius is close to 20mm.
Development of an integrated model for heat transfer and dynamic growth of Clostridium perfringens during the cooling of cooked boneless ham

Numerous small meat processors in the United States have difficulties complying with the stabilization performance standards for preventing growth of Clostridium perfringens by 1 log10 cycle during cooling of ready-to-eat (RTE) products. These standards were established by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Department of Agriculture in 1999. In recent years, several attempts have been made to develop predictive models for growth of C. perfringens within the range of cooling temperatures included in the FSIS standards. Those studies mainly focused on microbiological aspects, using hypothesized cooling rates. Conversely, studies dealing with heat transfer models to predict cooling rates in meat products do not address microbial growth. Integration of heat transfer relationships with C. perfringens growth relationships during cooling of meat products has been very limited. Therefore, a computer simulation scheme was developed to analyze heat transfer phenomena and temperature-dependent C. perfringens growth during cooling of cooked boneless cured ham. The temperature history of ham was predicted using a finite element heat diffusion model. Validation of heat transfer predictions used experimental data collected in commercial meat-processing facilities. For C. perfringens growth, a dynamic model was developed using Baranyi's nonautonomous differential equation. The bacterium's growth model was integrated into the computer program using predicted temperature histories as input values. For cooling cooked hams from 66.6 degrees C to 4.4 degrees C using forced air, the maximum deviation between predicted and experimental core temperature data was 2.54 degrees C. Predicted C. perfringens growth curves obtained from dynamic modeling showed good agreement with validated results for three different cooling scenarios. Mean absolute values of relative errors were below 6%, and deviations between predicted and experimental cell counts were within 0.37 log10 CFU/g. For a cooling process which was in exact compliance with the FSIS stabilization performance standards, a mean net growth of 1.37 log10 CFU/g was predicted. This study introduced the combination of engineering modeling and microbiological modeling as a useful quantitative tool for general food safety applications, such as risk assessment and hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) plans.
Large-scale pooled next-generation sequencing of 1077 genes to identify genetic causes of short stature.

Context: The majority of patients presenting with short stature do not receive a definitive diagnosis. Advances in genetic sequencing allow for large-scale screening of candidate genes, potentially leading to genetic diagnoses. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to discover genetic variants that contribute to short stature in a cohort of children with no known genetic etiology. Design: This was a prospective cohort study of subjects with short stature. Setting: The setting was a pediatric endocrinology and genetics clinics at an academic center. Patients: A total of 192 children with short stature with no defined genetic etiology and 192 individuals of normal stature from the Framingham Heart Study were studied. Intervention: Pooled targeted sequencing using next-generation DNA sequencing technology of the exons of 1077 candidate genes was performed. Main Outcome Measures: The numbers of rare nonsynonymous genetic variants found in case patients but not in control subjects, known pathogenic variant...
Characterization of a substrate-induced respiration method for measuring fungal, bacterial and total microbial biomass on plant residues.

Abstract A substrate-induced respiration (SIR) method is described to measure the contributions of fungi and bacteria to total glucose-induced microbial respiration on plant residues of differing composition. Relationships between fungal, bacterial and total SIR and biomass were used to develop regression equations for predicting microbial biomass C from measures of SIR. Total SIR rates (100–2000 μg CO2-C g−1 h−1) and biomass-specific SIR rates (64–72 ng CO2-C h−1 μg−1 biomass C) from plant residues were considerably greater than those calculated from the literature for soils. Results of longer term decomposition studies indicate that the C:N ratios of plant residues through time account for the greatest amount of the variation in total SIR. Annual decomposition rate constants (k) for plant residues were positively correlated (r2=0.99) to overall mean estimates of total SIR. The plant residue SIR method has advantages over conventional direct count methods because it distinguishes a physiologically active component of the microbial biomass. Furthermore, it allows separation of fungal and bacterial components that may aid in understanding microbial controls on plant residue decomposition.
Female Body Mass Index and its Relationship With Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Ethnicity

Background: Breast cancer in women is a relatively common malignancy in the western hemisphere and is perhaps one of the leading causes of mortality among females. We conducted a retrospect cohort study to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with triple negative breast cancer and ethnicity. Methods: Tumor Registry Database at the University of Florida, College of Medicine in Jacksonville was utilized for our cohort study. A total of 84 women with triple negative breast cancer, between 2004 and 2008 met our criteria and were selected for this study. For comparison, another 83 women with at least one hormone receptors positive breast cancer were randomly selected in the same time period. Chi-square testing was used to evaluate categorical variables, while the t-test analysis was used to analyze for the continuous variables. Results : Our data demonstrated that 27.4% of the triple negative group had BMI < 25 compared to the 14.5% of non-triple negative breast cancer, 73.6% of the triple negative group had BMI ≥ 25 compared to 86.5% in the non-triple negative group with a P-value of 0.245. In terms of ethnicity, triple negative breast cancer was found in 56% of African-American and 44% of Caucasian females. Non-triple negative breast cancer was found in 48.2% of African-Americans and 51.8% of Caucasians females with a P-value of 0.354. Conclusions: We were not able to show any statistically significant association of body mass index triple with triple negative breast cancer or ethnicity. While our findings are not in agreement with the research published earlier, we do submit that our retrospective cohort study has shortcomings, including the small sample size pooled from a single center, which greatly limits our ability to deduce any definitive conclusions. In light of these shortcomings, we recommend a future multicenter study with a larger sample size. World J Oncol • 2013;4(4-5):188-193 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/wjon709w
Whose Views Made the News? Media Coverage and the March to War in Iraq

Criticism of the news media's performance in the months before the 2003 Iraq War has been profuse. Scholars, commentators, and journalists themselves have argued that the media aided the Bush administration in its march to war by failing to air a wide-ranging debate that offered analysis and commentary from diverse perspectives. As a result, critics say, the public was denied the opportunity to weigh the claims of those arguing both for and against military action in Iraq. We report the results of a systematic analysis of every ABC, CBS, and NBC Iraq-related evening news story—1,434 in all—in the 8 months before the invasion (August 1, 2002, through March 19, 2003). We find that news coverage conformed in some ways to the conventional wisdom: Bush administration officials were the most frequently quoted sources, the voices of anti-war groups and opposition Democrats were barely audible, and the overall thrust of coverage favored a pro-war perspective. But while domestic dissent on the war was minimal, opp...
Behavioral responses of hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) at subzero temperatures

We monitored behavioral responses of cold-acclimated hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) indigenous to Nebraska and hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) indigenous to Nebraska and Arkansas during cooling (0.18C/min) to temperatures as low as ˇ198C. All turtles made exploratory movements during cooling and locomotion occurred at temperatures as low as ˇ 2t oˇ48C, but C. picta maintained relatively higher levels of locomotor activity than C. serpentina, and no diAerences in motility occurred between northern and southern groups of C. serpentina. Slow movements of the head and limbs were observed in supercooled hatchling C. picta at temperatures as low asˇ108C, whereas at aboutˇ58C, C. serpentina exhibited an increase in spontaneous motor activity followed by muscle contracture, immobility, and spontaneous freezing. C. picta spontaneously froze at about ˇ168C without exhibiting cold contracture, suggesting that they are better adapted to survive exposure to extreme cold. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Geodetic and Geophysical Applications of Laser Satellite Ranging

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) uses computed satellite orbits in its geodesy program and for studies of the gravitational field and other parameters of the earth. As the accuracy of these orbits increases, so does their field of application. The measurement of temporal changes, such as continental drift or other crustal motion, is in prospect. Laser systems are providing satellite-range measurements from which orbits are computed with significantly increased accuracy. SAO uses three pulsed ruby-laser systems routinely in its worldwide network of satellite observing stations and cooperates on an international basis with other agencies who have their own systems. The 500-MW laser at Smithsonian's Mt. Hopkins Observatory in Arizona is described. This system uses currently available orbits to position the laser transmitter and receiving telescope in azimuth and altitude. The laser is pulsed at the proper epoch without the satellite's being acquired visually. The accuracy of this method of positioning, its advantages for the present application, and its future potential will be discussed.
Amino terminal tyrosine phosphorylation of human MIXL1

Seven members of the Mix family of paired-type homeoproteins regulate mesoderm/endoderm differentiation in amphibians. In mammals, the MIXL1 (Mix. 1 homeobox [Xenopus laevis]-like gene 1) gene is the sole representative of this family. Unlike the amphibian Mix genes that encode an open reading frame of >300 amino acids, mammalian MIXL1 encodes a smaller protein (~230aa). However, mammalian MIXL1 contains a unique proline-rich domain (PRD) with a potential to interact with signal transducing Src homolgy 3 (SH3) domains. Notably, human MIXL1 also contains a unique tyrosine residue Tyr20 that is amino-terminal to the PRD. Here we report that mammalian MIXL1 protein is phosphorylated at Tyr20 and the phosphorylation is dramatically reduced in the absence of PRD. Our findings are consistent with Tyr20 phosphorylation of MIXL1 being a potential regulatory mechanism that governs its activity.
Development status of Cassini Radar for remote sensing of Titan

Cassini Radar is a multimode radar instrument designed to probe the optically inaccessible surface of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The individual modes will allow surface imaging, surface topographic and backscatter measurements, as well as surface emissivity measurements. Recently, the breadboard model of this instrument was built and has undergone a series of functional and performance tests. The results obtained from these tests indicate that the instrument design is satisfactory and that the various required performance parameters are sufficiently met. >
Patterns of Metabolic Recovery from Exercise in Amphibians and Reptiles

The physiological responses of amphibians and reptiles undergoing vigorous exercise are qualitatively similar to those of other vertebrates. Oxygen consumption increases rapidly to rates that are three- to 10-fold the rates at rest. The aerobic response to graded exercise in locomoting reptiles and amphibians is for the most part linear. Oxygen transport by the cardiovascular system during exercise is accomplished by factorial increases in heart rate and oxygen extraction from arterial blood in a fashion similar to that in mammals. Increments in stroke volume during exercise are small or in some cases negative. The influence of temperature or of intracardiac shunting on the cardiovascular function of active amphibians and reptiles is poorly understood. These aerobic responses to exercise are accompanied by robust anaerobic contributions to energy metabolism, resulting in significant lactate accumulation and glycogen depletion. The rate of lactate accumulation during exercise is generally greater in reptiles than in amphibians, but in all cases is so rapid that the only significant substrate source to support anaerobic energy production is muscle glycogen. Vigorous behavior in these animals is therefore limited to some degree by the maintenance and replenishment of muscle glycogen stores. Whereas data from rats and dogs suggest that most lactate is oxidized to CO2 following exercise, amphibians and reptiles appear to use lactate as a substrate for immediate muscle glycogen replenishment. Data from a variety of amphibians and lizards demonstrate that lactate removal following activity and glycogen replenishment are stoichiometrically and temporally related. Studies employing isotopically labelled compounds in intact frogs and lizards indicate that most lactate is resynthesized to glycogen during recovery. In vivo studies suggest skeletal muscle as the site for glycogenesis from lactate, and in vitro studies from many laboratories demonstrate a gluconeogenic capacity in skeletal muscle of lizards, frogs and salamanders. The liver appears to play no significant role in recovery metabolism in any of these classes. Data from lizard muscle suggest that oxidative fiber types have the most significant gluconeogenic capacity, and that the process may be stimulated by the hormonal milieu that exists following exercise. Whereas the recovery metabolism of many mammals seems to facilitate the rapid return of acid-base balance via lactate oxidation, the strategy of lactate removal employed by amphibians and reptiles provides for a mechanism of immediate muscle glycogen replenishment and consequently a reestablished capacity for subsequent activity.
Evidence for the Calvin Cycle and Hexose Monophosphate Pathway in Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

The enzymes of the Calvin reductive pentose phosphate cycle and the hexose monophosphate pathway have been demonstrated in cell-free extracts of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. This, together with analyses of the products of CO2 fixation in cell-free systems, suggests that these pathways are operative in whole cells of this microorganism. Nevertheless, the amount of CO2 fixed in these cell-free systems was limited by the type and amount of compound added as substrate. The inability of cell extracts to regenerate pentose phosphates and to perpetuate the cyclic fixation of CO2 is partially attributable to low activity of triose phosphate dehydrogenase under the experimental conditions found to be optimal for the enzymes involved in the utilization of ribose-5-phosphate or ribulose-1,5-diphosphate as substrate for CO2 incorporation. With the exception of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate, all substrates required the addition of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or adenosine diphosphate (ADP) for CO2 fixation. Under optimal conditions, with ribose-5-phosphate serving as substrate, each micromole of ATP added resulted in the fixation of 1.5 μmoles of CO2, whereas each micromole of ADP resulted in 0.5 μmole of CO2 fixed. These values reflect the activity of adenylate kinase in the extract preparations. The Km for ATP in the phosphoribulokinase reaction was 0.91 × 10−3m. Kinetic studies conducted with carboxydismutase showed Km values of 1.15 × 10−4m and 5 × 10−2m for ribulose-1,5-diphosphate and bicarbonate, respectively.
Permethrin resistance profiles in a field population of mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

ABSTRACT Insecticides, especially pyrethroids, are important components in the vector-control effort. To better understand the development of resistance, the current study characterized resistance profiles in individual single-egg-raft colonies of a field population of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, HAmCqG0. Our study, with 104 colonies derived from each of the single-egg-rafts of HAmCqG0, indicated that the levels of resistance to permethrin in fourth instar larvae ranged from 0.4- to 280-fold compared with laboratory susceptible S-Lab larvae. We characterized the distribution of single-eggraft colonies with different levels of resistance in the HAmCqG0 population and found that 65% individual colonies had <10-fold levels of resistance to permethrin, 16% from 10- to 20- fold, 7% from 20- to 30-fold, and 12% ≥ 30-fold. We further characterized the frequency of the L-to-F kdr allelic expression of sodium channels in the single-egg-raft colonies with different levels of resistance to determine its possible rol...