cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrothermal interactions of basalts with Cs and Sr of spent fuel elements: Implications to basalt as a nuclear waste repository

Abstract The immobilization reactions of Cs, Sr, U and Mo from spent fuel elements (SFE) in the presence of basalts and basalt phases were investigated under hydrothermal, closed-system conditions. The exact Cs and Sr phases in SFE are not known with certainty, but Cs2MoO4, CsI, Cs2O, β-Cs2U2O7 and SrZrO3 are some of the predicted possibilities. These phases were mixed with basalts and basalt phases along with water, sealed in gold capsules and reacted at 100, 200 and 300°C under a confining pressure of 300 bars. The Cs and Sr concentrations of the product solutions were measured to determine the partitioning of these elements between the liquid and solid phases. Results varied substantially, depending on the particular basalt or basalt phase or Cs phase, the temperature and the duration of run. For example, a Deep Drill Hole (DDH-3) basalt-Cs2MoO4 reactions resulted in 15, 78 and 99% fixation of added Cs at 100, 200 and 300°C respectively. Fixation of up to 99.7 and 99.8% of the added Cs and Sr respectively were observed in some cases. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the solid products revealed that Cs was immobilized by the formation of pollucite, (Cs, Na)AlSi2O6 in most cases and the formation of CsAlSiO4 in some cases. The interactions of basalts and basalt phases with Cs2MoO4 also resulted in the immobilization of Mo by the formation of powellite, CaMoO4 because Ca is available in the reaction mixtures. The U6+ in β-Cs2U2O7 was reduced to form uraninite, UO2 by the divalent iron component of basalts. The exact nature of Sr reaction with basalts is not clear because no new Sr phases could be detected by XRD. The reaction products, pollucite, CsAlSiO4, powellite and uraninite from SFE-basalt interactions serve to immobilize Cs, Mo and U because Cs in pollucite and CsAlSiO4 is difficult to exchange and Mo and U in powellite and uraninite are quite insoluble.
A calorimetric mass gauge system for the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE)

We have designed a system for the COBE flight dewar to measure its liquid helium fill. We apply a small known amount of heat to the helium tank and monitor the temperature rise in the liquid and the tank. Working with a detailed thermal model of the tank and liquid we can determine the amount of liquid present. COBE uses a 117 mW, 7 mA heater to warm the helium. It is planned to use the mass gauging system only after the projected midpoint of the mission, after one full sky survey. The system is optimized for use with 50–75 liters of helium (≈8–12% of the cryogen tank volume). Ground testing of the system in a one gravity environment is difficult, but from tests conducted so far we estimate an on-orbit temperature rise of ≈2.5mK/min. A similar system is planned for the Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer (SHOOT), a Shuttle-based experiment. The SHOOT’s specific requirements call for a high power pulse heater, applying 40 W for approximately 20 seconds.
Evolution of pathogens in soil.

This chapter discusses the genetic diversity within the soil environment and some of the mechanisms that generate genetic diversity within soil-dwelling bacteria. It highlights how the physical and chemical (abiotic) properties of the soil and the living organisms (biotic) within the soil might act as selective forces on existing genetic variations, and how they contribute to the evolution of bacterial pathogens in the soil. It talks about the broadly conserved community behaviors intrinsic to the survival of soil bacteria and their relevance to pathogenesis. Many bacterial pathogens of vertebrates are either members or evolutionarily close relatives of the natural soil microflora. Some of these pathogens are able to survive outside their vertebrate hosts, either as soil saprophytes or within invertebrate hosts. In order to survive within the soil, Pseudomonas aeruginosa have had both to adapt to the physicochemical properties of the soil and to escape predation by bacteria-feeding protozoans and nematodes in the soil. Like protozoa, many insects and free-living soil nematodes use bacteria as food. The innate immune response is an immediate first, and for invertebrates the only, line of cellular-based defense against virulent pathogens. The chapter presents examples that illustrate how some highly conserved bacterial community behaviors have allowed some soil microbes to successfully make the transition to human pathogens. Most prokaryotes found throughout the Earth’s soils live not as single planktonic cells, but in populations of biofilms. Most bacteria species exist in the soil as biofilms, an environment that brings many different strains of bacteria into close contact.
EDI in foreign trade

At this time UN/EDIFACT is best suited to companies with “tied” customers, e.g. MNCs and their subsidiaries and companies who conduct a very high proportion of their overseas business with a small number of customers. Such EDI utilisation has been found to be most effective in the transport function where the UN/EDIFACT messages are most developed. SMEs are reluctant to invest in traditional EDI at the moment mainly because of the number of participants involved in a single export/import process and the fact that it does not offer complete compatibility with paper‐based systems. Additionally, the layout keys described by UN/EDIFACT messages do not follow existing designs for paper‐based systems: the SITPRO/ADEEP project is addressing this issue. Training issues are also involved. All types of companies are making increasing use of so‐called Web‐based EDI via the Internet, particularly as a sales tool.
Use of field programmable gate array technology in future space avionics

The existence of hardware description languages (HDLs), the recent increase in performance, density and radiation tolerance of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and intellectual property (IP) cores provides the technology for reprogrammable systems on a chip (SOC). This technology supports a paradigm better suited for NASA's vision. Hardware and software production are melded for more effective development; they can both evolve together over time. To investigate the flexibility of this technology, the core of the central processing unit and input/output processor of the space shuttle AP101S computer were prototyped in Verilog HDL and synthesized into an Altera Stratix FPGA.
On the formal specification and analysis for loosely connected processes

Two formulations for synchronization problems, called "system of processes" and "synchronization graphs" are introduced in this paper. These are used to express inherent formal properties for such systems and give a set of inherent requirements for the mutual exclusion problem. Results include two theorems on common data requirements for mutual exclusion.
Rapid recovery of thermosphere density during the October 2003 geomagnetic storms

[1] Thermosphere densities from the CHAMP and GRACE satellites are utilized, for the first time, to study the recovery of the thermosphere as a function of latitude during the October 2003 storms. Our results show that the relaxation times, defined by the e-folding time of the poststorm recovery of thermosphere density, are about 6 and 8 h for two recovery phases of the October 2003 superstorms, respectively. Geomagnetic activity index Kp or ring current index Dst is incapable of describing the rapid recovery of thermosphere density. Moreover, a weak altitudinal dependence of the relaxation times was observed between the CHAMP and GRACE altitudes at middle and high latitudes, but no coherent latitudinal dependence was found. The MSISE00 and TIEGCM neutral densities are compared with the observations to assess their capability in predicting the thermosphere response during the recovery phase of extremely severe storms. Neither the MSISE00 nor the TIEGCM reproduced the rapid recovery of thermosphere densities seen in the CHAMP and GRACE, although the TIEGCM captured most of the salient features observed by CHAMP and GRACE when AMIE convection and precipitation patterns were used to specify the high-latitude drivers. The relaxation times of the MSISE00 and TIEGCM nighttime densities at 390 km are generally longer than those from the CHAMP observations by about 4 h, and even longer in the geographic latitudinal range of 25°N–50°N. The TIEGCM recovery times of thermosphere density are shorter on the dayside than on the nightside, whereas the MSISE00 densities show substantially longer relaxation times at low latitudes. Thus, not only are the relaxation times of the MSISE00 and TIEGCM densities longer than observed in the CHAMP and GRACE data, but they also show much larger day-night differences. No clear explanation can be found to fully understand the causes for the slower recovery of the thermosphere density simulated by the TIEGCM.
Familial Occurrence of Spontaneous Spinal CSF Leaks: Underlying Connective Tissue Disorder (CME)

Two sisters developed spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks from meningeal diverticula. Both had recurrences from non diverticular sites. Both patients, a sister, and their mother had joint hypermobility and there was a strong family history of thoracic and abdominal aorta aneurysms. To my knowledge, this is the first report of familial occurrence of CSF leaks. It also points to the role of a pre-existing dural weakness, likely related to a disorder of connective tissue matrix.
Laser speckle imaging to improve clinical outcomes for patients with trigeminal neuralgia undergoing radiofrequency thermocoagulation

OBJECT Percutaneous treatments for trigeminal neuralgia are safe, simple, and effective for achieving good pain control. Procedural risks could be minimized by using noninvasive imaging techniques to improve the placement of the radiofrequency thermocoagulation probe into the trigeminal ganglion. Positioning of a probe is crucial to maximize pain relief and to minimize unwanted side effects, such as denervation in unaffected areas. This investigation examined the use of laser speckle imaging during probe placement in an animal model. METHODS This preclinical safety study used nonhuman primates, Macaca nemestrina (pigtail monkeys), to examine whether real-time imaging of blood flow in the face during the positioning of a coagulation probe could monitor the location and guide the positioning of the probe within the trigeminal ganglion. RESULTS Data from 6 experiments in 3 pigtail monkeys support the hypothesis that laser imaging is safe and improves the accuracy of probe placement. CONCLUSIONS Noninvasive l...
Baseline and target values for PV forecasts: Toward improved solar power forecasting

Accurate solar power forecasting allows utilities to get the most out of the solar resources on their systems. To truly measure the improvements that any new solar forecasting methods can provide, it is important to first develop (or determine) baseline and target solar forecasting at different spatial and temporal scales. This paper aims to develop baseline and target values for solar forecasting metrics. These were informed by close collaboration with utility and independent system operator partners. The baseline values are established based on state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction models and persistence models. The target values are determined based on the reduction in the amount of reserves that must be held to accommodate the uncertainty of solar power output.
Engineering education and the ideals of liberal education

Summary form only given as follows. Since the publication of C.P. Snow's seminal monograph "The Two Cultures," the gulf separating technology/science and the humanities seems to have grown larger. Given the humanities' claims for the educating and liberalizing value of its disciplines, technological education appears to be more and more relegated to the category of training rather than education. However, much of this dogmatically accepted belief is due to the dominance of the literary culture in the propagation of ideas in our society. When the issue is viewed from the perspective of technology, as exemplified in contemporary engineering education, the situation appears in an entirely different light. From there, it seems that it is technological education which is truly liberating, while humanities education has only a narrow focus. To evaluate the accuracy of the two perspectives it is necessary to ask again the question of what constitutes the ideals of a liberal education and how various disciplinary studies attempt to approach these ideals. The conclusion of this investigation shows not only that engineering education provides a solid liberalizing foundation for its students, but that it is striving to continually broaden this base. Where it is lacking is in making a convincing public case for its accomplishments. This, in turn, has negative effects on the career prospects of engineers. What is needed in the future is both a more objective outlook by engineering educators on their own activities and an emphasis on changing public perceptions of the accomplishments of engineering education.
Use-dependent learning and memory of the Hering–Breuer inflation reflex in rats

The classic Hering–Breuer inflation reflex (HBIR) is a widely held tenet for understanding the lung volume-related vagal control of respiratory rhythm. Recent evidence, however, has revealed that the fictive HBIR elicited by electrical vagal stimulation in rats is not static but may be attenuated centrally by two forms of non-associative learning (habituation and desensitization) that continually mitigate the reflex effects with exponential adaptations like a differentiator or high-pass filter. Desensitization is analogous to habituation but exhibits an explicit short-term memory (STM) in the form of a rebound response with exponential decay during recovery from stimulation. To investigate whether such learning and memory effects are lung volume related and use-dependent (practice makes perfect), we compared the time-dependent changes in inspiratory and expiratory durations (tI and tE) during and after 1 or 8 min unilateral lung inflation or high-frequency, low-intensity vagal stimulation in anaesthetized, uni- or bi-vagotomized rats. Unilateral lung inflation and vagal stimulation both elicited abrupt shortening of tI and lengthening of tE (HBIR effects) and gradual habituation and desensitization throughout the 1 or 8 min test period, followed by rebound responses in tI and tE with exponential recovery (STM effects) in the post-test period. In both cases, the STM time constants for tI and tE were significantly longer with the 8 min test than with the 1 min test (17–45 versus 4–11 s, P < 0.01). We conclude that the HBIR and its central habituation and desensitization are mediated peripherally by lung volume-related vagal afferents, and that the STM of desensitization is use-dependent. The translational implications of these findings are discussed.
Investigation of Radical Ions with Time-Resolved Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Time-resolved surface enhanced Raman scattering (TRSERS) spectroscopic methods are discussed for the study of radical ions produced photochemically and electrochemically at silver or gold metal surfaces. Both single shot and pump-probe TRSERS experimental methods are illustrated which use an optical multichannel analyzer, OMA, for ms (single shot) to ns (pump-probe) time resolution. Fundamental chemical and physical processes for photochemically and electrochemically induced radical ion formation are described for adsorbed molecules at the metal-solution interface. Emphasis is given to the possibility of laser photoinduced radical ion formation by a direct molecule-to-metal charge transfer process. Applications of TRSERS techniques are discussed for the study of radical ions formed by various photochemical and electrochemical reactions at the surface of SERS active metals. These adsorbed reaction systems encompass electroreduction processes of adsorbed alkylviologens, p-nitrobenzoate, 4-cyanopyridine, 4-pyridine carboxaldehyde, 4-hydroxymethylpyridine, and direct photoinduced radical cation formation from flavin mononucleotide, FMN.
User responsibility and exception handling in decision support systems

Abstract The role of user responsibility in decision support systems (DSS) has been omitted in recent studies of some important issues. One such important issue is exception handling. In this short note, the role of user responsibility in exception handling is examined. The importance of user responsibility is emphasized, a possible approach is outlined which supports user responsibility in exception handling through the consideration of mental models.
A Comparison between Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure and Cold Knife Conization for Treatment of Cervical Dysplasia: Residual Disease in a Subsequent Hysterectomy Specimen

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is as effective as cold knife conization (CKC) in the removal of cervical dysplasia. Methods. One-hundred sixteen patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were included: 73 cases treated with LEEP and 43 cases treated with CKC. All of these patients underwent subsequent hysterectomy within 6 months of treatment. A thorough histological evaluation of the cone specimens and post-cone hysterectomy specimens was performed. Results. No residual disease in the post-cone hysterectomy specimens was identified in 63% of the LEEP group and 72.1% of the CKC group. There was no significant difference in the proportion of negative residual disease ( P > 0.05). The mean diameters of the base as well as the depth of the cone specimens were smaller in the LEEP group than in the CKC group ( P P Conclusion. The findings of this study demonstrate that the LEEP is a convenient, safe, and effective treatment for the management of cervical dysplasia. Cone specimens obtained during LEEP are adequate for thorough histological evaluation of cervical dysplasia.
Eliciting HIV-1 envelope-specific antibodies with mixed vaccinia virus recombinants

Recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) vectors that express the envelope (Env) protein of the human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) have been previously shown to elicit HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and weak antibody responses in non-human primate studies and clinical trials. In first clinical trials, single Env proteins were presented to the immune system by VV recombinants and other vectors, but individuals were not protected against later exposures to heterologous HIV. It is likely that the generation of protective immune responses against diverse HIV will require that vaccines encompass proteins from not just one, but multiple distinct HIV isolates. Here is described the simple construction of numerous new VV, each expressing a unique, truncated, Env protein (VVenv). Mouse experiments were performed to evaluate the ability of these VVenv to elicit immune responses. HIV-1-specific antibodies appeared within one month following one intraperitoneal inoculation of mice with single or mixed VVenv, reaching plateau levels by 4 months. The magnitude of antibody production was poor at the dose of 10(5) p.f.u. VVenv per animal, but improved with increasing doses of VVenv up to 10(7) p.f.u. per animal. The subcutaneous route of VV immunization, previously proven safe in human trials, was also effective for administering VVenv. These results highlight the strengths of recombinant VV constructs as vehicles for the presentation of multiple HIV-1-Env proteins to the naive immune system.
Perspectives on desertification: south-western United States

Abstract Several climatic changes occurred in the northern Chihuahuan Desert and other parts of the south-west United States during the last 12,000 years leading to a markedly warmer and drier climate. Vegetation changed in response to this climatic shift. Generally, this transition was from coniferous woodland to grasslands and eventually to the present day desert scrub. Pre-Columbian inhabitants of this region adapted by changing from hunter-gatherer to primarily agrarian economics. European immigration into the south-west U.S. beginning in the mid 1500s greatly affected this region. The greatest impact occurred after the U.S. Civil War in the 1860s. Before that time land use tended to be localized near small agricultural areas, mines, and military installations. The post-war range livestock industry expanded dramatically, especially during the 1880s—a period of general abuse of arid lands in the region. Recognition of this abuse and the deteriorating productivity of the land led to greater government involvement, including establishment of experimental stations and eventually management of the public domain by governmental agencies. Fire suppression, mismanaged grazing, changing climatic conditions, loss of soil and increasing atmospheric CO2concentrations, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels, are among the probable causes of continued desertification trends. Urban and rural populations, presently technologically isolated from their environment, need to better understand the dynamic nature of their environment. A greater degree of co-operation among diverse entities will be crucial.
Clostridium sordellii as a Cause of Fatal Septic Shock in a Child with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Clostridium sordellii is a toxin producing ubiquitous gram-positive anaerobe, mainly associated with trauma, soft tissue skin infections, and gynecologic infection. We report a unique case of a new strain of Clostridium sordellii (not present in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) database) infection induced toxic shock syndrome in a previously healthy two-year-old male with colitis-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The patient presented with dehydration, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. He was transferred to the pediatric critical care unit (PICU) for initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Due to increased edema and intolerance of PD, he was transitioned to hemodialysis through a femoral vascular catheter. He subsequently developed severe septic shock with persistent leukocytosis and hypotension, resulting in subsequent death. Stool culture confirmed Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli 0157:H7. A blood culture was positively identified for Clostridium sordellii. Clostridium sordelli is rarely reported in children; to our knowledge this is the first case described in a pediatric patient with HUS.
Filoviruses in Bats: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Filoviruses, including Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, pose significant threats to public health and species conservation by causing hemorrhagic fever outbreaks with high mortality rates. Since the first outbreak in 1967, their origins, natural history, and ecology remained elusive until recent studies linked them through molecular, serological, and virological studies to bats. We review the ecology, epidemiology, and natural history of these systems, drawing on examples from other bat-borne zoonoses, and highlight key areas for future research. We compare and contrast results from ecological and virological studies of bats and filoviruses with those of other systems. We also highlight how advanced methods, such as more recent serological assays, can be interlinked with flexible statistical methods and experimental studies to inform the field studies necessary to understand filovirus persistence in wildlife populations and cross-species transmission leading to outbreaks. We highlight the need for a more unified, global surveillance strategy for filoviruses in wildlife, and advocate for more integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches to understand dynamics in bat populations to ultimately mitigate or prevent potentially devastating disease outbreaks.
Modified bessel function asymptotics via probability

Abstract Using the local and global versions of the central limit theorem it is shown that, for the modified Bessel function Iϱ(x), (i) for fixed ρ, I ρ (x) e − x → ( 2π ) − as x → ∞ , (ii) I a(x) x e − → ( 2π ) −1 e −α 2 2 and ∑ 0≥j≥α(x) I j (x) e −x → φ(α)−2 −1 if α(x)/ x → α, 0≥α as x → ∞ .
Most favorable camera configuration for a shape-from-silhouette markerless motion capture system for biomechanical analysis

The most common methods for accurate capture of three-dimensional human motion require a laboratory environment and the attachment of markers or fixtures to the body segments. These laboratory conditions can cause unknown experimental artifacts. Thus our understanding of normal and pathological human movement would be enhanced by a method that allows capture of human movement without the constraint of markers or fixtures placed on the body. Markerless methods are not widely available because the accurate capture of human movement without markers is technically challenging. A reported method of constructing a body's visual hull using shape-from-silhouette (SFS) offers an attractive approach. However, to date the influence of camera placement and number of cameras on construction of visual hulls for biomechanical analysis is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of SFS construction of a human form for biomechanical analysis dependent on camera placement and number of cameras. Visual hull construction was sensitive to camera placement and the subject's pose. Uniform camera distributions such as circular and hemispherical camera arrangements provided most favorable results. Setups with less than 8 cameras yielded largely inaccurate visual hull constructions and great fluctuations for different poses and positions across a viewing volume, while setups with 16 and more cameras provided good volume estimations and consistent results for different poses and positions across the viewing volume.
Erectile and sexual dysfunction in the aging diabetic male

Sexual dysfunctions, including but not limited to erectile dysfunction, are common in the aging male, particularly in the setting of diabetes. After reviewing some of the general issues that may lead to sexual dysfunction in the elderly, this review focuses on clinically relevant studies that have been conducted in diabetic men. Specifically, the review addresses the role of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, intracavernosal injections, vacuum devices and penile prosthesis in the diabetic population, as well as discussing ejaculatory problems.
The relative reliability of average evoked response parameters.

Nineteen male alcoholics served as subjects in a study to determine the relative test-retest reliability of various average evoked response (AER) parameters. Slope was found to be the most reliable measure. Implications for group studies using AER techniques are drawn.
Analytical Solution for Guided Waves in a Canonical Model of Shallow Water with a Thermocline

A variety of perturbation theories are discussed for the modal depth-dependent functions and the associated eigenvalues for propagating guided waves in shallow water. The bottom is taken to be homogenous, and the sound speed in the water-column is assumed to decrease monotonically with depth, and to be everywhere less than the sound speed in the bottom. The unperturbed situation is the Pekeris wave-guide, where the sound speed in the water column is constant.
The Role of the TATA Box in the Hormonal Regulation of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene Expression

In this study, we analyzed the role of the TATA box in the regulation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene expression by dexamethasone (DEX), retinoic acid (RA), glucagon (via cAMP) and insulin (INS). The PEPCK TATA box (TATTTAAA) was absolutely required for both basal promoter activity and hormone-mediated transactivation. However, the relative induction of PEPCK gene expression by DEX, RA and cAMP, and its repression by INS, remained unaltered despite the substitution of the PEPCK TATA box with TATA elements from the herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase gene, gene 33 or a consensus TATA box sequence, TATAAA. The results indicate that the TATA box serves a permissive, but not defining, function in the response of the PEPCK gene to hormones, and that this function can be equally facilitated by heterologous TATA box elements.
Gated ion transport through dense carbon nanotube membranes.

Gated ion diffusion is found widely in hydrophobic biological nanopores, upon changes in ligand binding, temperature, transmembrane voltage, and mechanical stress. Because water is the main media for ion diffusion in these hydrophobic biological pores, ion diffusion behavior through these nanochannels is expected to be influenced significantly when water wettability in hydrophobic biological nanopores is sensitive and changes upon small external changes. Here, we report for the first time that ion diffusion through highly hydrophobic nanopores (∼3 nm) showed a gated behavior due to change of water wettability on hydrophobic surface upon small temperature change or ultrasound. Dense carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes with both 3-nm CNTs and 3-nm interstitial pores were prepared by a solvent evaporation process and used as a model system to investigate ion diffusion behavior. Ion diffusion through these membranes exhibited a gated behavior. The ion flux was turned on and off, apparently because the water wetta...
The Effects of Short-term Disturbance on a Freshwater Macrophyte Community

ABSTRACT Areas of a freshwater macrophyte community were disturbed (vegetation removal) to test the hypothesis that the high plant species diversity found in the macrophyte community could be explained in part by disturbance. Three removal treatments were undertaken and the disturbed areas were observed for up to three years. The size, shape and extent of disturbance had an effect on the pattern of plant re-establishment. In narrow clearings, shading by bordering plants appeared to inhibit plant recruitment in the year of the disturbance. In the following year(s) the vegetation on the disturbed areas was indistinguishable from the surrounding vegetation. In broader areas where only the above-ground biomass was removed, some plants regrew from the remaining rhizomes. On large clearings from which both above-ground and some rhizomes were removed, annual macrophyte species became established. Thereafter, there was a successional sequence on the removal area.
Anodic detection of arsenic(III) in a flow-through platinum electrode for flow-injection analysis

Abstract Arsenic(III) can be amperometrically detected by oxidation at a platinum or gold electrode in perchloric acid solutions. Platinum is the preferred material because halides interfere with the oxidation of arsenic(III) at gold electrodes. The limiting current for arsenic(III) at the platinum electrode is less than the value predicted for a mass transport limited reaction. This decrease results either from slow linear diffusion of arsenic(III) through the oxide film, or from cylindrical diffusion to widely dispersed active sites on an inhomogeneous electrode surface. The anodic current for arsenic(III) is reproducible when the oxide film reaches a constant thickness. The detection limit for a platinum-wire flow-through detector is approximately 0.4 ppb arsenic(III). Arsenic(V) is determined after reduction to arsenic(III) by hydrazine sulfate. A cation-exchange column in the flow analyzer prevents interference from excess of hydrazine.
Characterization of Intensive Shrimp Pond Effluent and Preliminary Studies on Biofiltration

Abstract Effluent from aquaculture ponds may add to receiving waters high levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), inorganic and organic particulate matter, live algae, dissolved organic matter, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and other potential contaminants. We evaluated a method that used the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica and a macroalga, Gracilaria tikvahiae, for biofiltering the effluent from a pond used for intensive culture of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.2 Effluent flow rates of 2.0, 1.1, and 0.2% of pond volume/d were tested. Shrimp yield from the 0.5-ha pond after 129 d was 10,312 kg/ha; shrimp survival rate was 96.5%. Oyster biofiltration accounted for most of the decrease of turbidity, chlorophyll a, total suspended solids (TSS), and settleable solids. Following macroalgal biofiltration, decreases in ammonia, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus concentrations were observed. At a daily exchange rate of 7.5%, diversion of 1.1% of the pond volume to the treatment syst...
742 IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM IN A PATIENT WITH GLOMERULONEPHRITIS AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL FINDINGS OF HEREDITARY ANGIONEUROTIC EDEMA

742 IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM IN A PATIENT WITH GLOMERULONEPHRITIS AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL FINDINGS OF HEREDITARY ANGIONEUROTIC EDEMA
Phase I clinical trial of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor

A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rH-TNF Asahi) was carried out in 29 patients, who received a total of 72 courses with doses ranging from 1 to 48x104 units/m2. Drug was given as 1-h i. v. infusions. Acute toxicities, taking the form of fever, chills, tachycardia, hypertension, peripheral cyanosis, nausea and vomiting, headache, chest tightness, low back pain, diarrhea and shortness of breath, were seen, but were not dose-limiting or dose-related. Some early rise in SGOT, without any change in serum bilirubin, was noted at the highest doses. Eosinophilia, monocytosis, mild hypocalcemia and an increase in fibrin degradation products were seen in a few patients. The dose-limiting toxicity was hypotension, which occurred after the end of the drug infusion and was seen in all 5 patients treated at the highest dose. There was no mortality or long-term morbidity. There were no responses. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated a rapid plasma clearnance and a short plasma half-life, generally less than 0.5 h.
Adverse outcomes associated with delayed intensive care unit transfers in an integrated healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Patients with intensive care unit (ICU) transfers from hospital wards have higher mortality than those directly admitted from the emergency department. OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between the timing of unplanned ICU transfers and hospital outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS: Evaluation of 6369 early (within 24 hours of hospital admission) unplanned ICU transfer cases and matched directly admitted ICU controls from an integrated healthcare system. Cohorts were matched by predicted mortality, age, gender, diagnosis, and admission characteristics. Hospital mortality of cases and controls were compared based on elapsed time and diagnosis. RESULTS: More than 5% of patients admitted through the emergency department experienced an unplanned ICU transfer; the incidence and rates of transfers were highest within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Multivariable matching produced 5839 (92%) case-control pairs. Median length of stay was higher among cases (5.0 days) than controls (4.1 days, P < 0.01); mortality was also higher among cases (11.6%) than controls (8.5%, P < 0.01). Patients with early unplanned transfers were at an increased risk of death (odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-1.64; P < 0.01); an increased risk of death was observed even among patients transferred within 8 hours of hospitalization. Hospital mortality differed based on admitting diagnosis categories. While it was higher among cases admitted for respiratory infections and gastrointestinal bleeding, it was not different for those with acute myocardial infarction, sepsis, and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Early unplanned ICU transfers—even within 8 hours of hospitalization—are associated with increased mortality; outcomes vary by elapsed time to transfer and admitting diagnosis. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Isocon Imaging For X-Ray Diagnostics

The disadvantages of full size film and film screen techniques have stimulated research during recent years for an alternate approach. For our technique, we have been developing a low light level television system to eliminate many of the disadvantages thereby yielding the potential for improved diagnosis of early pathology at reduced radiation, cost, procedure time and storage and retrieval expense. This isocon imaging system is being developed for early breast cancer, lung cancer and pneumoconiosis detection.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An in vivo comparison of the capacity of striatal versus extrastriatal brain regions to form dopamine from exogenously administered L-dopa

We used the technique of cerebral microdialysis to monitor the metabolism of exogenously administered L-dopa and compared dopamine and dopamine metabolite formation in the striatum (a site containing abundant dopamine nerve terminals and dopa-decarboxylase (DDC) activity) versus the cerebellum and occipital cortex (sites with limited dopaminergic innervation and DDC activity). The concentrations of dopamine and the major dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) increased in each brain region following L-dopa perfusion; however, dopamine formation was 90% less in the occipital cortex as compared to the striatum and 95% less in the cerebellum. DOPAC formation was 57% less in the occipital cortex and 74% less in the cerebellum. HVA formation was 42% less in the occipital cortex and 70% less in the cerebellum. The levels of the L-dopa metabolite 3-O-methyldopa and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) were identical in the striatum, occipital cortex, and cerebellum both before and after L-dopa administration. We conclude that brain areas with marked reductions in dopamine nerve terminals and DDC activity have a diminished capacity to synthesize dopamine and also lack storage mechanisms to protect the newly synthesized dopamine from degradative metabolism. The relevance of these findings to the use of L-dopa in treating Parkinson's disease is discussed.
Microstructural evolution of sol-gel-derived phosphosilicate gel with heat treatment

The microstructure of phosphosilicate gel prepared by a sol-gel process was investigated as a function of the heat-treatment temperature. Crystalline phases, Si3(PO4)4 and SiP2O7, were identified in the heat-treated phosphosilicate gel containing 56 mol% P2O5. It was found from the Fourier transform infrared spectra that phosphorus enters into the copolymer structure at ∼ 600 °C. The specific surface area of the gel increased with the heat-treatment temperature. An increase of the density of open pores with the heat-treatment temperature was observed in the secondary electron micrographs.
An Empirical method of estimating the void fraction in mixtures of uniform particles of different size

Abstract A simple expression is proposed for estimating the void fraction in mixtures of two or more monodisperse components of different size. The expression is compared to experimental data and it is shown that the predicted and observed void fractions are in satisfactory agreement.
Measurement and description of physical activity in adult manual wheelchair users

Abstract Background The purposes of this study were to (1) describe physical activity of adult manual wheelchair users as measured by wrist actigraphy and two self-report measures, (2) compare exercisers and nonexercisers on measures of physical activity, and (3) examine the relationships between three activity measures. Methods Fifty manual wheelchair users wore an activity monitor and completed a physical activity record for 7 days. At the completion of this period, a questionnaire that included the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities, stage of exercise question, and demographic and health questions was completed. Results Mean daily hours spent in bed or asleep was 9.1, mean hours of light intensity activity was 12.5, mean hours of moderate intensity activity was 1.3, and mean hours of strenuous activity was 0.33. Thirty-eight percent did not report any strenuous activity, and 56% reported less than the 150 minutes weekly of moderate or strenuous activity required to meet public health guidelines. There was variability in both self-reported and objectively measured physical activity. Regular exercisers were not significantly different from nonexercisers on objective measures of physical activity. Measured physical movement was weakly correlated with recall of physical activity or exercise. Conclusion Many wheelchair users do not meet public health guidelines for physical activity, but they are not a homogeneous group in intensity and frequency of physical activity. Multiple measurement methods can provide insights into the nature, intensity, and duration of physical activity that is more complex due to variations in abilities and ways of moving.
Cloning of the genes encoding thymidine diphosphoglucose 4,6-dehydratase and thymidine diphospho-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose 3,5-epimerase from the erythromycin-producing Saccharopolyspora erythraea

Abstract Genes involved in deoxysugar metabolism, encoding thymidine diphospho (TDP)-glucose 4,6- dehy dratase ( gdh ) and a putative TDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose 3,5-epimerase ( kde ), were cloned from the erythromycin (Er)-producing Saccharopolyspora erythraea by means of an oligodeoxynucleotide corresponding to a segment of the purified Gdh protein. Determination of the nucleotide sequence established that kde lies 3′ to gdh . The function of gdh was confirmed by an enzymatic assay following expression of the gene in Escherichia coli . Southern analysis indicated that Sa. erythraea contains only one copy of gdh and kde . It was not possible to establish whether these genes are required for Er biosynthesis, but they appear to be essential for cellular metabolism, since resolution of a partial diploid containing a wt and a disrupted copy of gdh always maintained the wt gene. These loci do not lie within or near the known boundaries of the cluster of Er-production and -resistance genes, nor do they appear to be flanked by other deoxysugar biosynthesis genes.
Frequency stability and control of a power system with large PV plants using PMU information

Integrating large photovoltaic (PV) plants into the grid poses challenges to maintaining the system's stability during small and large disturbances. A PV system's output power fluctuates according to the weather conditions (irradiance and temperature), season, and geographic location. The power fluctuations of the PV plants raise frequency and voltage stability issues. This paper presents the impact of a large PV plant on the frequency stability of a power system under small and large disturbances. With automatic generation control and phasor measurement unit information, the power generations of conventional generators are adjusted to mitigate the frequency deviation. Furthermore, the effects of increased PV penetration in a given power system area are examined.
Amino Acid Composition of αs3-, αs4-, and αs5-Caseins

Abstract Isolated α s5 -casein (zone 0.86) is converted by treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol into two components with electrophoretic mobilities identical to those of α s3 -casein (zone 1.04) and of α s4 -casein (zone 1.00). The molar ratios of amino acids of α s3 -, α s4 -, and α s5 -caseins are similar. The data suggest that α s5 -casein is a molecule of α s3 -casein united to a molecule of α s4 -casein by at least one intermolecular disulfide bond. Moreover, a close relationship between α s3 -casein and α s4 -casein is revealed by the similarity of their amino acid molar ratios.
Rupture of Thin Power-Law Liquid Film on a Cylinder

The dynamic rupture process of a thin power-law type non-Newtonian liquid film on a cylinder has been analyzed by investigating the stability to finite amplitude disturbances. The dynamics of the liquid film is formulated using the balance equations including a body force term due to van der Waals attractions. The governing equation for the film thickness was solved by finite difference method as part of an initial value problem for spatial periodic boundary conditions. A decrease in the cylinder radius will induce a stronger lateral capillary force and thus will accelerate the rupture process. The influence of the power-law exponent on rupture is discussed.
The blood-brain barrier: an alternative hypothesis.

Abstract Brain blood vessels, unlike most vessels elsewhere in the body, exhibit a blood-brain barrier (BBB) to certain substances, e.g. trypan blue. Under some circumstances this barrier is no longer effective and the permeability of the vessels increases. Although capillarization is much less in the brain than in many other organs, e.g. heart muscle, total cerebral blood flow per minute is enormous. Consequently, to accommodate a large blood volume with a limited capillary bed, the velocity of blood through brain vessels must be extremely fast. The hypothesis presented in this paper is that this rapid flow results in a low or negative pressure on the endothelium, and plasma and trypan blue are prevented from passing through the wall. The tight junctions of cerebral endothelial cells may be able to withstand only a limited amount of pressure on their luminal surface. If the velocity of blood in brain capillaries decreases, pressure on the endothelium should increase, and brain vessels, like blood vessels elsewhere in the body, become permeable to vital dyes. Other conditions also increase capillary permeability, e.g. acute arterial hypertension or venous congestion. Although brain vessels can adapt to a moderate, gradual change in systemic pressure, when a significant rise in cerebral arterial pressure is abrupt, the compensatory changes in the postcapillary venous bed may be inadequate and consequently intracapillary pressure and vascular permeability are increased. Venous congestion increases intracapillary pressure by restricting capillary outflow as well as by reducing velocity through capillary beds. Under such conditions increased capillary permeability may be indicated by cerebral edema, and even, on occasion, by petechial hemorrhages. In short, if the flow is fast and unimpeded the BBB will be effective; if the velocity decreases, or intracapillary pressure increases for whatever reason, the permeability of the brain endothelium will be abnormally increased.
Efficient handling of sensor failures

Sensors provide unprecedented access to a wealth of information from the physical environment in real-time. However, they suffer from a variety of resource limitations, most importantly power consumption and communication bandwidth. Additionally, environmental conditions can contribute to sensor failures, disrupting the flow of query results. In this paper, we propose new techniques to deal with sensor failures based on the principles of partition and single path redundancy. Our experimental results confirm the efficiency of our techniques with respect to different performance metrics in general, and, in particular, high quality of data.