cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plug-and-Play Satellite: A Modularity Assessment

A vector approach, previously developed by the authors, is used to assess the modularity of the 35 kg, low-Earthorbit, plug-and-play satellite (PnPSat). PnPSat is being developed by the Air Force ResearchLaboratory in response to the need for an operationally responsive space capability. The modularity assessment addresses module-tomodule interfaces along with several fundamental benefits of modularity. These benefits include reusability, flexibility, reconfigurability, and extensibility. A PnPSat function structure was developed first using a functional basis language, followed bymodule identification using a dominant flow heuristic. PnPSat functions weremapped to modules, andmodule-to-module interfaceswere determined. Finally, the vectormodularitymeasure, which includes the reconfigurabilitymeasure,was calculated andassessed for thePnPSat. The results of the assessment show the two benefits of modularity being realized themost by the PnPSat are reusability and extensibility. This application of the modularity assessment extends the initial application from simple products, precision guided munitions, to a more complex product, PnPSat.
Investigation of interfacial behavior during the flow boiling CHF transient

Abstract Vertical upflow boiling experiments were performed in pursuit of identifying the trigger mechanism for subcooled flow boiling critical heat flux (CHF). While virtually all prior studies on flow boiling CHF concern the prediction or measurement of conditions that lead to CHF, this study is focused on events that take place during the CHF transient. High-speed video imaging and photomicrographic techniques were used to record the transient behavior of interfacial features from the last steady-state power level before CHF until the moment of power cut-off following CHF. The video records show the development of a wavy vapor layer which propagates along the heated wall, permitting cooling prior to CHF only in wetting fronts corresponding to the wave troughs. Image analysis software was developed to estimate void fraction from the individual video images. The void fraction records for subcooled flow boiling show the CHF transient is accompanied by gradual lift-off of wetting fronts culminating in some maximum vapor layer mean thickness, following which the vapor layer begins to thin down as the transition to film boiling ensues. This study proves the interfacial lift-off model, which has been validated for near-saturated flow boiling CHF, is equally valid for subcooled conditions.
The Identification, Purification, and Characterization of CooJ A NICKEL-BINDING PROTEIN THAT IS CO-REGULATED WITH THE Ni-CONTAINING CO DEHYDROGENASE FROM RHODOSPIRILLUM RUBRUM

Abstract CooJ, a nickel-binding protein from the CO dehydrogenase system of Rhodospirillum rubrum, was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. CooJ is a CO-induced protein predicted to contain a nickel binding motif composed of 16 histidine residues in the final 34 amino acids of the 12.5-kDa protein. When cells grown in the presence of CO were fractionated on an immobilized metal affinity chromatography column and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the major protein observed in the effluent migrated at an apparent molecular mass of 19 kDa. The 19-kDa protein was absent in extracts of cells grown in the absence of CO and the mutant strain, UR294, which lacks a functionalcooJ gene. N-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that the 19-kDa protein is the product of the cooJ gene. Purified CooJ was shown to bind four nickel atoms per CooJ monomer with aK d of 4.3 μm. Other divalent metals competed with the following order of affinity and correspondingK i: Zn2+ (5 μm) > Cd2+ (19 μm) > Co2+ (23 μm) > Cu2+ (122 μm). CooJ chromatographed on a calibrated Superose 12 gel filtration column eluted at 39 kDa, a position consistent with a multimeric native molecular mass for CooJ.
Conservative management of cervical ectopic pregnancy.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive approach in the management of cervical ectopic pregnancies. Design Retrospective case series. Setting University tertiary care hospital. Patient(s) Twenty-four women diagnosed with cervical ectopic pregnancy managed conservatively. Intervention(s) Systemic methotrexate alone or combined with ultrasound-guided fetal intracardiac injection of potassium chloride. Main Outcome Measure(s) Reduction in hysterectomy rate, incidence of serious complications, and necessity for further intervention. Result(s) Conservative management of cervical ectopic pregnancy was successful in preventing the need for hysterectomy in all patients in our study. In two patients with a heterotopic gestation the intrauterine pregnancy could successfully be salvaged. Four patients experienced morbidity that required additional interventions. Conclusion(s) Most cervical ectopic pregnancies can be safely managed in a minimally invasive manner.
Stimulation of active Na transport by phospholipase C.

WE have found that an enzyme, phospolipase C, which has a very specific action in cleaving phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) at its ester linkage (between the α carbon of glycerol and the phosphoryl group of phosphorylcholine) stimulates active Na transport across frog skin in vitro. This action may provide both insight into the sort of processes involved in transepithelial Na transport and a model for the action of proteins induced by aldosterone1,2. This hormone stimulates Na transport across epithelial membranes which, apart from the kidney tubules, include in vitro frog skin, and toad urinary bladder and colon3–7.
Inclusion of second-order correlation effects for the ground and singly-excited states suitable for the study of conical intersections: The CIS(2) model

A new electronic structure model is developed in which the energies of both the ground and singly-excited states are eigenvalues of a dressed symmetric configuration interaction (CI) matrix in the space of the reference and singly-excited determinants. The effects of double and triple substitutions are approximately included into the CI matrix elements in the spirit of quasidegenerate second-order perturbation theory. The model correctly describes conical intersections between the ground and singly-excited states and appears to be the simplest single-reference correlated treatment for this class of problems. Test calculations on organic molecules are presented.
Oncogenic driver supersedes BM preparation as the critical determinant of leukemic outcome: a one day protocol for BM harvest, infection and transplantation

Oncogenic driver supersedes BM preparation as the critical determinant of leukemic outcome: a one day protocol for BM harvest, infection and transplantation
Digital infrared photography assists in the detection of iris and ciliary body cysts.

Purpose To report a case that illustrates the utility of digital infrared photography in the detection of iris and ciliary body cysts in an asymptomatic patient. Materials and Methods Digital infrared photography of the iris was performed in both eyes of a 50-year-old white woman who presented with bilateral endothelial pigment dusting and subtle iris transillumination defects. Results Infrared photography revealed a pronounced, rounded patch of transillumination in the periphery of the left iris. Also observed were focal, rounded regions of reduced transmittance in the peripheral iris of both eyes. These findings suggested the presence of bilateral iris and ciliary body cysts. High-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopic images were consistent with this suspicion. Conclusions Digital infrared photography of the iris may be useful in the detection and evaluation of iris and ciliary body cysts.
The Search for Sulfuric Acid Octahydrate: Experimental Evidence

We have investigated the H2SO4/H2O binary liquid/solid phase diagram using a highly sensitive differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy of thin films. In particular we have sought to investigate the region from pure ice to sulfuric acid tetrahydrate (SAT), including a detailed look at the sulfuric acid octahydrate (SAO). Our studies have found that there is a unique, repeatable IR spectrum for SAO. Our spectrum is not merely a combination of spectra of ice and sulfuric acid tetrahydrate (SAT), as has been previously suggested could be the case by Zhang et al. (Zhang, R.; Wooldridge, P. J.; Abbatt, J. P. D.; Molina, M. J. J. Phys. Chem. 1993, 97, 7351). From our thermal analysis experiments, we have identified the melting transition of SAO. We report for the first time in the literature the enthalpy of fusion of SAO. We have also determined from our studies using the energies of fusion of ice and the various hydrates of H2SO4 that SAO is a major component of H2SO4 solutions in the r...
CORRECTING FOR URANIUM FISSION IN INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF HIGH-URANIUM ROCKS

Failure to correct for fission products of235U is shown to result in significant errors in the measured concentrations of La, Sm, Nd, Ba, Zr, and Mo by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of high uranium rocks. Measured and calculated correction factors are presented as the ratio of the fission product to parts per million by weight of uranium in the rock. Potential errors in petrogenetic interpretations of uncorrected data are outlined.
An analysis of the complex ecological system and usability of selected weather communication products for the national weather service-lubbock

Our research team was asked by the National Weather Service-Lubbock (NWS-L) to consider the usability of its weather communication products. We specifically focused our study on two types of evaluations: (1) usability testing of GraphiCasts on the NWS-L Facebook page and Submit a Storm Report features with non-expert users and (2) site visits with expert users who use NWS-L products to make high-stakes decisions. The study occurred during an actual severe weather event, so we were able to study real user in a real scenario conducting real tasks. Our participants in the usability testing of the GraphiCasts were planning an outdoor event and the participants in the site visits were reacting to the impending weather. This poster presents our methods, results, and recommendations to the NWS-L.
A dual theorem on the summation of return differences

It is shown that based on the indefinite-impedance matrix formulation, the sum of the reciprocals of the return differences with respect to all network elements of a planar network equals the rank of the network. Some consequences of this theorem in relation to the summation of driving-point and transfer network admittances are discussed.
A Loosely Coupled Unsteady Flow Simulation of a Single Stage Compressor

A steady/unsteady, three-dimensional Navier- Stokes solver that utilizes a semi-implicit, pressure-based solution procedure is developed to simulate the three-dimensional, incompressible flow through a single stage compressor. The present numerical scheme features the implementation of a second-order plus fourth-order artificial dissipation formulation to prevent the numerical oscillation due to central differencing schemes. A low-Reynolds-number form of the two-equation turbulence model is used to account for the turbulence effects. For unsteady flow computations, the coupling between the mean flow properties and the turbulence is enhanced by an inner-iteration procedure during each time step. The steady flow field in the rotor passage is computed first. This is used as input for the computation of the unsteady flow in the subsequent stator. The predicted unsteady pressure on the stator blades and unsteady velocities at several locations inside the passage are compared with the experimental data. The uns...
An Out-of-Core Dataflow Middleware to Reduce the Cost of Large Scale Iterative Solvers

The emergence of high performance computing (HPC) platforms equipped with solid state drives (SSD) presents an opportunity to dramatically increase the efficiency of out-of-core numerical linear algebra computations. In this paper, we explore the advantages and challenges associated with performing sparse matrix vector multiplications (SpMV) on a small SSD test bed. Such an endeavor requires programming abstractions that ease implementation, while enabling an efficient usage of the resources in the test bed. For this purpose, we adopt a task-based out-of-core programming model on top of a dataflow middleware based on the filter stream programming model. We compare the performance of the resulting out-of-core iterated SpMV procedure running on the SSD test bed to the performance of an in-core implementation on a multi-core cluster for solving large-scale eigen value problems. Preliminary experiments indicate that the out-of-core implementation on the SSD test bed can compete with an in-core implementation in terms of the total CPU-hour cost. We conclude with some architectural design suggestions that can enable numerical linear algebra computations in general to be carried out with high efficiency on SSD-equipped platforms.
Oxygen diffusion in superconducting YBa2Cu3O7- delta oxides in ambient helium and oxygen.

In situ resistivity measurement has been used to monitor diffusion of oxygen in and out of bulk and polycrystalline YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-//sub delta/ in ambient O/sub 2/ and He atmospheres. The out-diffusion of oxygen from the oxide is found to be independent of delta and its rate is surface-reaction limited with an activation energy of 1.7 eV. The in-diffusion depends strongly on delta; the activation energies of the process at deltaapprox. =0 and delta = 0.38 are 1.1 and 0.48 eV, respectively. The latter is taken to be the activation energy of motion and the former, the activation energy of diffusion. On the basis of the kinetic and published structural information, we have proposed a defect mechanism in the CuO plane for the anisotropic diffusion of oxygen in the oxide.
Identification of ATP-Binding Regions in the RyR1 Ca2+ Release Channel

ATP is an important modulator of gating in type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1), also known as a Ca²⁺ release channel in skeletal muscle cells. The activating effect of ATP on this channel is achieved by directly binding to one or more sites on the RyR1 protein. However, the number and location of these sites have yet to be determined. To identify the ATP-binding regions within RyR1 we used 2N₃ATP-2',3'-Biotin-LC-Hydrazone (BioATP-HDZ), a photo-reactive ATP analog to covalently label the channel. We found that BioATP-HDZ binds RyR1 specifically with an IC₅₀ = 0.6±0.2 mM, comparable with the reported EC50 for activation of RyR1 with ATP. Controlled proteolysis of labeled RyR1 followed by sequence analysis revealed three fragments with apparent molecular masses of 95, 45 and 70 kDa that were crosslinked by BioATP-HDZ and identified as RyR1 sequences. Our analysis identified four glycine-rich consensus motifs that can potentially constitute ATP-binding sites and are located within the N-terminal 95-kDa fragment. These putative nucleotide-binding sequences include amino acids 699-704, 701-706, 1081-1084 and 1195-1200, which are conserved among the three RyR isoforms. Located next to the N-terminal disease hotspot region in RyR1, these sequences may communicate the effects of ATP-binding to channel function by tuning conformational motions within the neighboring cytoplasmic regulatory domains. Two other labeled fragments lack ATP-binding consensus motifs and may form non-canonical ATP-binding sites. Based on domain topology in the 3D structure of RyR1 it is also conceivable that the identified ATP-binding regions, despite their wide separation in the primary sequence, may actually constitute the same non-contiguous ATP-binding pocket within the channel tetramer.
Incoherent Inelastic Neutron Scattering Studies of Nanoconfined Water in Clinoptilolite and Heulandite Zeolites

In a continued effort studying the role of water in ion exchange processes of zeolites, a synthetic series of alkali and alkaline earth metal cation variants (Na+, K+, Rb+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) of the hydrated clinoptilolite (Si/Al ≈ 5) and heulandite (Si/Al ≈ 3.5) aluminosilicate zeolites is examined by incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (IINS). The low-frequency librational modes of water reveal the impact of nanoconfinement and framework charge within these isostructural aluminosilicate structures. The experimental IINS spectra are correlated with power spectra derived through molecular dynamics simulations. The impact of ion−zeolite, ion−water, and water−zeolite interactions on the hindered rotations (librations) of water molecules is explored as a function of Si/Al substitution, cation identity, and subnanometer confinement. The results indicate that electrostatic charge on the overall framework has a stronger influence than charge density of a given ion in the channel and that these effects become m...
Nonspecific serologic reactions for syphilis ininfants and children

Summary 1. Approximately 26,700 Hinton and Davies-Hinton microflocculation tests have been tabulated from the records of the inpatient and outpatient services of the Infants' and Children's Hospitals. 2. Negative reactions were obtained from 25,645 presumably nonsyphilitic individuals. Two hundred and forty-two nonspecific reactions, positive and doubtful, are recorded. One hundred fourteen of these tests obtained from thirty-seven patients represent proved false positive and proved false doubtful reactions. The remaining 128 tests are single positive or doubtful results which may be either nonspecific reactions or the consequence of laboratory or clerical error. 3. Respiratory infections in particular, and acute infections in general,make up a major portion of the nonspecific reactions noted in this study. False positive or false doubtful serologic reactions for syphilis may occur in a variety of other conditions.
Strength of Mechanically Fastened Composite Joints

A method is presented for predicting the failure strength and failure mode of mechanically fastened fiber reinforced composite laminates. The method in cludes two steps. First, the stress distribut...
Fatigue crack propagation in, graphite fiber reinforced nylon 66

The rate of fatigue crack propagation in graphite fiber reinforced nylon 66 was measured. A model of the form a = β [Kmax1-γ ΔKγ]r was used to correlate the rate of crack propagation a with the maximum stress intensity Kmax and the amplitude of the stress intensity ΔK experienced by the notched specimen during the fatigue test. The quantities β, γ and r were constant at fixed temperature and frequency of the test. It was also found that there exists both an upper and a lower threshold of stress intensity for the slow ropagation of damage during fatigue. The mechanism of crack propagation in the short graphite fiber reinforced nylon was found to be similar to the growth and fracture of crazes in thermoplastics. The propagation of damage at the crack tip is controlled by matrix deformation, cavitation, fiber breakage and fiber pullout. Damage can propagate in the absence of crack growth until a critical point is reached at which time the material fractures catastrophically.
Warranty policies and burn-in

Warranty is an important factor for consumer durable products in the marketplace. However, the warranty cost may drastically reduce profitability. Burn in is a common procedure to improve the quality of products after they have been produced, but it is also costly. By taking both the burn-in procedure and warranty policy into consideration, several cost functions can be formulated and optimized. Assuming that the failure-rate function of the product has a bathtub shape, it is shown that the optimal burn-in times that minimize the considered cost functions never exceed the first change point of the failure-rate function. The continuous dependence of the optimal burn-in times on the model parameters and the underlying distribution is also established. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 44: 199–209, 1997
The role of ascorbate in antioxidant protection of biomembranes: interaction with vitamin E and coenzyme Q

One of the vital roles of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is to act as an antioxidant to protect cellular components from free radical damage. Ascorbic acid has been shown to scavenge free radicals directly in the aqueous phases of cells and the circulatory system. Ascorbic acid has also been proven to protect membrane and other hydrophobic compartments from such damage by regenerating the antioxidant form of vitamin E. In addition, reduced coenzyme Q, also a resident of hydrophobic compartments, interacts with vitamin E to regenerate its antioxidant form. The mechanism of vitamin C antioxidant function, the myriad of pathologies resulting from its clinical deficiency, and the many health benefits it provides, are reviewed.
Functional calcium coupling with the human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes 2 and 4 by stable co-expression with a calcium pathway facilitating G-protein chimera in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Abstract The objective of the current study was to facilitate functional calcium assays, compatible with the fluorometric imaging plate reader platform, for the human metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes 2 and 4, by co-expressing each receptor with a G-protein chimera comprising Gαq with the C-terminal five amino acids replaced with those from Gαi3 (GqGi3). Transfection of GqGi3 into previously validated stable CHO cell lines expressing mGluR2 or mGluR4 allowed for the selection of new double transfectants in which application of l -glutamate and other mGluR agonists resulted in calcium coupling with a high signal:noise ratio (maximal changes in relative fluorescence units up to 20,000). The rank order of agonist potency for the stimulation of calcium mobilization in the mGluR2/GqGi3 stable cell line was LY 354740> l - CCG - I = DCG - IV > l - glutamate ≥(2R ,4 R )-APDC≥(1 S ,3 R )-ACPD. In the mGluR4/GqGi3 stable cell line the rank order of agonist potency was l -AP 4> l - SOP ≥ ACPT - I = l - CCG - I ≥ l - glutamate =(R , S )-PPG. By comparison, equivalent potency orders and a significant correlation in functional activities were observed when the same compounds were profiled in [ 35 S]GTPγS binding assays for each mGluR subtype. These results validate the use of functional calcium assays, amenable to high-throughput applications on the fluorometric imaging plate reader, for the mGluR2 and mGluR4 subtypes when co-expressed in stable cell lines with the GqGi3 chimera.
Who Dislikes Whom, and For Whom Does It Matter: Predicting Aggression in Middle Childhood.

This study investigated the role of mutual dislike dyads (MDDs) in the development of aggressive behavior across the middle childhood years. Of particular interest was whether involvement in MDDs predicted later aggression, and whether the magnitude of the association between MDDs and later aggression varied based on characteristics of target children and 'others' involved in their MDDs. Data were collected on a community sample of 453 children participating in an ongoing longitudinal study. Classroom peer nomination and rating-scale measures were collected in kindergarten through third grade; aggressive behavior problems were assessed via teacher ratings in the early elementary years (kindergarten and first grade) and late elementary years (fourth and fifth grade). MDD involvement in the middle elementary years (second and third grade) was associated with higher levels of aggression in the late elementary years among boys (but not girls), and these predictions held after controlling for group-level peer disliking in the middle elementary years, aggression in the early elementary years, and demographic variables. The association between MDD involvement and subsequent aggression was also qualified by the aggressiveness of others in children's MDDs: Having more MDDs predicted later aggression only among boys whose MDDs involved mostly non-aggressive others. Language: en
FLOW DYNAMIC COMPARISON BETWEEN RECESSED HINGE AND OPEN PIVOT BI-LEAFLET HEART VALVE DESIGNS.

The flow dynamics through the peripheral and hinge regions of a bi-leaflet mechanical heart valve are complex and result in abnormally high shear stresses particularly during the closing phase of the valve function. It has been observed that the late stages of closure are more significant in the dynamics of platelet activation; therefore, the later stages of closure are simulated by solving the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations using an Eulerian Levelset-based sharp interface Cartesian grid method. Using a fixed Cartesian mesh incorporating local mesh refinement for solution accuracy and efficiency, the flow-through within a recessed hinge design and an open pivot hinge design is compared. Platelets are modeled as point particles by Lagrangian particle tracking algorithm with one way coupling. A dilute particle flow is assumed and particle–particle interactions are neglected. It was observed that the hinge region of the open pivot valve indicated a lower potential for activation of platelets compared to that in valves with a recessed hinge design.
Secondary organic aerosols: formation potential and ambient data

Organic aerosols comprise a significant fraction of the total atmospheric particle loading and are associated with radiative forcing and health impacts. Ambient organic aerosol concentrations contain both a primary and secondary component. Herein, fractional aerosol coefficients (FAC) are used in conjunction with measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOC) to predict the formation potential of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) of British Columbia. The predicted concentrations of SOA show reasonable accord with ambient aerosol measurements and indicate considerable seasonal variability in SOA potential. Particulate carbon contributes only approx. 3% of total carbon concentrations in the LFV, and it is shown that variability in total carbon concentrations is significantly larger than variability in gas/particle partitioning.
Mechanical properties, modeling and design of porous clay ceramics

Abstract Porous ceramics with three different porosities were fabricated by the sintering of redart clay and woodchips (sawdust). The latter was used as the pore-forming agent in porous ceramic water. The porosity, pore size and density of the materials were characterized using Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry and Helium Pyncnometer technique, while the structure and chemistry of the materials were elucidated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The compressive strength of the porous clay ceramics were found to exhibit a downward trend with increasing porosity. Due to the anisotropic nature of the porous material, two types of specimen (T- and S-Type) were fabricated for the measurement of flexural strength, fracture toughness and resistance-curve behavior under three point bending. The observed crack-tip shielding/toughening mechanism was then modeled using fracture mechanics concepts. The measured mechanical/physical properties, such as: elastic modulus, density and porosity, were then incorporated into finite element models for the computation of stress distributions due to hydrostatic pressures exerted on the porous clay ceramics by the water in filter with different geometries and supporting configurations. The implications of the results are discussed for potential scale-up and design of a mechanically robust porous ceramic for water filtration.
Dipolar heat capacity of CMN

The magnetic contribution to the low-temperature specific heat of cerous magnesium nitrate (CMN) was determined by the Casimir-Du Pre ac susceptibility method in the region of 1 K. The value found for the coefficient of the major (T−2) term is in good agreement with that determined in this laboratory in magnetic cooling experiments. It is some 10% less than that calculated for the magnetic dipole interaction between the Ce 3+ ions.
Evaluating eosin-5-maleimide binding as a diagnostic test for hereditary spherocytosis in newborn infants

Neonates with undiagnosed hereditary spherocytosis (HS) are at risk for developing hazardous hyperbilirubinemia and anemia. Making an early diagnosis of HS in a neonate can prompt anticipatory guidance to prevent these adverse outcomes. A recent comparison study showed that a relatively new diagnostic test for HS, eosin-5-maleimide (EMA)-flow cytometry, performs better than other available tests in confirming HS. However, reports have not specifically examined the performance of this test among neonates. We compared EMA-flow cytometry from blood samples of healthy control neonates vs samples from neonates suspected of having HS on the basis of severe Coombs-negative jaundice and spherocytes on blood film. The diagnosis of HS was later either confirmed or excluded based on clinical findings and next generation sequencing (NGS) after which we correlated the EMA-flow results with the diagnosis. EMA-flow was performed on the blood of 31 neonates; 20 healthy term newborns and 11 who were suspected of having HS. Eight of the 11 were later confirmed positive for HS and one was confirmed positive for hereditary elliptocytosis (HE). All nine had persistently abnormal erythroid morphology, reticulocytosis and anemia, and eight of the nine had relevant mutations discovered using NGS. The other was confirmed positive for HS on the basis that a parent had HS, and the neonate’s spherocytosis, reticulocytosis and anemia persisted. The 20 healthy controls and the 2 in whom HS was initially suspected but later excluded all had EMA-flow results in the range reported in healthy children and adults. In contrast, all nine in whom HS or HE was confirmed had abnormal EMA-flow results consistent with previous reports in older children and adults with HS. Although our sample size is small, our findings are consistent with the literature in older children and adults suggesting that EMA-flow cytometric testing performs well in supporting the diagnosis of HS/HE during the early neonatal period.
Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of bone lesions: a preliminary report

The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine the feasibility of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of suspected neoplastic lesions of bone. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples were obtained in 23 patients (22 dogs and one cat) with radiographic evidence of a destructive or destructive/productive bone lesion. The lesions were located in the appendicular skeleton in 20 patients and in the axial skeleton in three. Histopathology from tissue core biopsies and/or necropsy was not deemed necessary in 11 patients where ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy results were conclusive for neoplasia. A cytologic diagnosis from ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was confirmed by histologic samples obtained at surgery or necropsy in five patients. In one of these five, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples were diagnostic for sarcoma when tissue-core biopsy was inconclusive. Both ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and tissue core biopsy techniques were inconclusive in one patient. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples were nondiagnostic in five patients where a follow-up histopathologic diagnosis of neoplasia was made. It was concluded that ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of bone, if diagnostic, may help avoid the need for a tissue-core biopsy in some instances. However, a negative ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy sample does not rule out neoplasia. A negative ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy should be followed by a tissue-core biopsy and histologic analysis in all patients. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy seems to be a promising technique for the diagnosis of bone lesions.
SU‐FF‐I‐149: Accuracy of Scatter and Attenuation Correction in PET Imaging

Objectives:PET data is usually corrected for scatter and attenuation among other factors during image reconstruction. The aim of this abstract is to study the accuracy of scatter and attenuation correction using different tissue equivalent and object sizes in PET/CT imaging.Methods: A phantom containing three cylindrical inserts (Air, water and Teflon) each of 40mm diameter was scanned on a GE DRX PET/CT scanner. The inserts were used to simulate air, soft tissue, and bone at 511 keV. The activity concentration (AC) in the phantom background was set to 0.12uCi/cc to emulate background AC found in clinical studies. PET data was acquired in 3D mode for 6 minutes (2 FOVs, 3 min per FOV). The same experiment was then repeated twice while wrapping the phantom with one and two layers of saline bags to simulate patients with medium and large cross sections. Each layer of saline bags added 4cm to the phantom diameter. All PETimages were reconstructed using OSEM (2 iterations 21 subsets). A 20mm diameter ROI was drawn on each of the three cylinders and background as well as ±6 slices and the mean AC was calculated. In addition, cold contrast defined as one minus the ratio of cylinder to background AC was calculated for each cylinder type and phantom size. Results:Contrast in the air cylinder was constant for all phantom sizes, but decreased for water and Teflon with increasing phantom sizes. The decrease was 17% and 15% for Teflon and water respectively between the small and large phantom sizes. The highest contrast was observed in the Teflon cylinder for all phantom sizes. Conclusion: Current scatter and attenuation correction techniques do not fully recover the true AC in tissue particularly in large objects which might impact the accuracy of quantification in PETimaging.
Letter to the Editor: Safety in Surgery and Overall Health: What is the Responsibility of the Patient?

To the editor, In his article about the role of patients in optimizing their overall health status in anticipation of a major operation, Dr. Lee [2] discusses the importance of modifiable risk factors for surgical outcomes. Webb et al. [3] surveyed smokers who were having surgery, and the authors identified “significant knowledge deficits” regarding the association of smoking with poor wound healing, infections, and other complications. Despite counseling by surgeons, general practitioners, and others, 75% of the patients in the survey reported that they continued to smoke up to the day of the operation and 51% made no attempt to quit [3]. The importance of patient education and participation cannot be overemphasized, whether regarding overall health status or the specific operation to be performed. Indeed, DiGiovanni [1] found that only 59% of patients scheduled for foot and ankle surgery followed directions that they were given during patient-education sessions that were designed to avoid wrong-site surgery. Clearly, we still have a long way to go in educating patients and encouraging them to participate in their health care planning. If surgeons refuse to operate until a patient stops smoking, loses weight, and resolves any litigation issues, then patients may opt to go to a surgeon who does not impose any such requirements. Conscientious surgeons may suffer financially (through loss of patients and referrals) and in terms of reputation (patients may post negative comments on social media). Such surgeons are applying their scruples to optimize the outcome of an individual patient, to maintain the standards of the whole profession, and to control healthcare costs, yet they may ultimately be penalized for their noble intentions. Conversely, surgeons who readily operate on patients with unfavorable characteristics — here, the focus is nonemergency surgery — are rewarded. A broad policy by Medicare and other third-party payers, as Dr. Lee proposes [2], could relieve surgeons from the burden of negotiating with patients about chronic health problems and instead allow surgeons to concentrate on anatomy and pathology. Surgeons who are less diligent about patient selection would have a reduced incentive to operate on candidates who have not tried to optimize their own health prior to surgery. Patients could benefit, as well. Unhealthy patients could improve their odds of a good outcome and reduce the risk of complications; in some cases, weight loss, smoking cessation, and regular aerobic exercise might allow the person to avoid surgery altogether. As Dr. Lee [2] astutely observes, “For many patients, optimal health in itself is not enough of an incentive to change lifestyle.” Policies and requirements by Medicare and insurance companies may provide additional impetus for people to take a more active role in their healthcare and ultimately improve their own outcomes.
Health effects in family pets and 2,3,7,8-TCDD contamination in Missouri: a look at potential animal sentinels.

In 1971, waste oils containing 2,3,7,8:tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) were sprayed in Missouri for dust control. To determine if pets could serve as sentinels of human health risks associated with this contamination, we asked pet owners in a pilot study of exposed human populations about their pets' illnesses. Of 13 pets with owner-reported illnesses, 8 had potential TCDD exposures and 5 did not (p less than .05 by Mantel-Haenzel chi-square analysis stratified by age). Owner-reported illnesses in 2 of 8 illness categories were associated with TCDD contamination after adjusting for age. Although these findings suggest that pets in TCDD-contaminated areas may have greater health risks, the small sample size, unlikely pathologic groupings, and unconfirmed nature of the data fail to support a relationship between pet illnesses and possible TCDD exposure and thus make extrapolation to human populations inappropriate. The limited validity found for owner-reported pet illnesses should caution against using such data in future environmental health studies.
Silicones as tracers for anthropogenic additions to sediments

Abstract Polyorganosiloxanes (silicones) have been measured in the sediments of the New York Bight. Range: 50 ppm organic silicon, dry weight basis, to below detection limit. Silicones are 37.9% silicon. Silicones correlated well ( r > 0.90) with other organic constituents in the same sediment samples which have been used to characterize sewage inputs to the sediments. Silicones are offered as a totally synthetic, specific, chemical tracer for anthropogenic additions to the environment.
Do “Naturalistic” Conceptions of Morality Provide any Novel Answers?

Based on open-ended responses to the question “What does morality mean?”, Quinn, Houts, and Graesser (this issue) claim that subjects' naturalistic moral conceptions challenge the assumptions of value-prescriptive theories by demonstrating that morality is construed as a person-based attribute (or attributes) rather than an ethical philosophy based heavily on such organizing principles as equality, justice, and compassion. Unfortunately, their target probe demands no thinking about the principles (philosophical or otherwise) that might underpin individual moralities, and the “consensus” that participants expressed is essentially a restatement of the psychologist's tripartate perspective, a summary definition of the term “morality” that has a rich empirical history. Though I concur with the authors that a straightforward, question-answering methodology holds some promise of identifying the content and structure of “naturalistic” moralities, this goal can be realized only if investigators are willing to ask the kinds of questions that will extract such information.
The Cyclical Pattern of Inventory Investment

I. Description of the over-all pattern, 385. — II. The analysis of individual commodity stocks, 388. — III. Its explanatory significance, 390. — IV. Active and passive inventory investment, 394. — V. Is passive inventory investment a moderating influence? 402. — VI. The shortening of the output lag in the downswing, 404. — VII. Changes in inventory investment in booms and in slumps, 406.
Reviewing erroneous information facilitates memory updating.

Reviewing information stored in memory will generally strengthen that information, so it seems reasonable that reviews should make it harder to replace the information in memory if it is later found to be erroneous. In Experiment 1, subjects learned three facts about each of 12 topics. On Day 2, the same facts were either reread, tested, or not reviewed; then the facts were ‘‘corrected’’ with new replacement facts. A test on the replacement facts given 1 week later disclosed that both rereading and testing the to-be-replaced Day-1 facts enhanced memory for the Day-2 facts which supplanted them, although rereading (but not testing) the Day-1 facts also led to more intrusions of Day-1 facts on the final test. In Experiment 2, subjects were unexpectedly asked (in the final test) to recollect both original and replacement facts; old facts were often retrieved, especially when reviewed. It is suggested that review may promote development of a secondary retrieval route for the corrected information.
A Lower Bound for Schur Numbers and Multicolor Ramsey Numbers

For k‚ 5, we establish new lower bounds on the Schur numbers S(k) and on the k-color Ramsey numbers of K3.
Xenorhodopsins, an enigmatic new class of microbial rhodopsins horizontally transferred between archaea and bacteria

Based on unique, coherent properties of phylogenetic analysis, key amino acid substitutions and structural modeling, we have identified a new class of unusual microbial rhodopsins related to the Anabaena sensory rhodopsin (ASR) protein, including multiple homologs not previously recognized. We propose the name xenorhodopsin for this class, reflecting a taxonomically diverse membership spanning five different Bacterial phyla as well as the Euryarchaeotal class Nanohaloarchaea. The patchy phylogenetic distribution of xenorhodopsin homologs is consistent with historical dissemination through horizontal gene transfer. Shared characteristics of xenorhodopsin-containing microbes include the absence of flagellar motility and isolation from high light habitats. Reviewers: This article was reviewed by Dr. Michael Galperin and Dr. Rob Knight.
What's in a Semantic Network?

Ever since Wood's "What's in a Link" paper, there has been a growing concern for formalization in the study of knowledge representation. Several arguments have been made that frame representation languages and semantic-network languages are syntactic variants of the first-order predicate calculus (FOPC). The typical argument proceeds by showing how any given frame or network representation can be mapped to a logically isomorphic FOPC representation. For the past two years we have been studying the formalization of knowledge retrievers as well as the representation languages that they operate on. This paper presents a representation language in the notation of FOPC whose form facilitates the design of a semantic-network-like retriever.
DIURNAL INTRACELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION IN PARAMECIUM BURSARIA.

Abstract Evidence is presented in support of an intracellular difference both spacially and temporally in the concentration of active mating-type substances among visibly identical repeating structures of one cell—the cilia. During the daily mating cycle of Paramecium bursaria the area of mating reactivity on the surface of the animal spreads from the posterior ventro-lateral region anteriorly until at peak mating reactivity the entire ventro-lateral surface is involved. Simultaneous with the spread of the reactive area forward is an increase in the concentration of active mating-type substances within the reactive area. As mating ability declines, the area of reactivity recedes. Likewise in animals that are fed, loss of mating ability and a retreat of the sexually reactive area occur simultaneously.
Self‐Generating High‐Temperature Oxidation‐Resistant Glass‐Ceramic Coatings for C–C Composites Using UHTCs

Carbon–carbon (C–C) composites are ideal for use as aerospace vehicle structural materials; however, they lack high-temperature oxidation resistance requiring environmental barrier coatings for application. Ultra high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) form oxides that inhibit oxygen diffusion at high temperature are candidate thermal protection system materials at temperatures >1600°C. Oxidation protection for C–C composites can be achieved by duplicating the self-generating oxide chemistry of bulk UHTCs formed by a “composite effect” upon oxidation of ZrB2–SiC composite fillers. Dynamic Nonequilibrium Thermogravimetric Analysis (DNE-TGA) is used to evaluate oxidation in situ mass changes, isothermally at 1600°C. Pure SiC-based fillers are ineffective at protecting C–C from oxidation, whereas ZrB2–SiC filled C–C composites retain up to 90% initial mass. B2O3 in SiO2 scale reduces initial viscosity of self-generating coating, allowing oxide layer to spread across C–C surface, forming a protective oxide layer. Formation of a ZrO2–SiO2 glass-ceramic coating on C–C composite is believed to be responsible for enhanced oxidation protection. The glass-ceramic coating compares to bulk monolithic ZrB2–SiC ceramic oxide scale formed during DNE-TGA where a comparable glass-ceramic chemistry and surface layer forms, limiting oxygen diffusion.
Parametric analysis of eddy-current brake performance by 3-D finite-element analysis

Eddy-current brakes as primary brakes in automobiles can potentially remedy the problems posed by conventional friction brakes. First, however, it will be necessary to analyze the effect of each design parameter on the performance of the eddy- current brake before designing a conceptual brake for a practical application and evaluating its behavior in real-life driving situations. In this paper, we analyze the effects of design parameters on the torque-speed curve of the eddy-current brake by the means of three-dimensional (2-D) finite-element analysis. The paper follows a previous work in which analysis was performed with a 2-D analytical model. The use of eddy-current brakes as primary brakes in automobiles has been proposed to remedy to the problems posed by conventional friction brakes. The analysis of the impact of each design parameter on the performance of the eddy-current brake is a necessary step before designing a conceptual brake for a practical application and analyzing its behavior in real-life driving situations. The present paper analyzes the impact of design parameters on the torque-speed curve of the eddy-current brake by the means of a three-dimensional finite element analysis. It follows a previously work where this analysis was performed with a two-dimensional analytical model.
Salvage radiation in men after prostate-specific antigen failure and the risk of death.

BACKGROUND: A survival benefit has been observed with salvage radiation therapy (RT) for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure after radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with rapid rises in PSA doubling time (DT, <6 months). Whether such a benefit exits in men with a protracted PSA rise in DT (� 6 months) is unclear and was examined in the current study. METHODS: Of 4036 men who underwent RP at Duke University between 1988 and 2008, 519 experienced a PSA failure, had complete data, and were the subjects of this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether salvage RT in men with either a rapid (<6 months) or a protracted (� 6 months) PSA DT was associated with the risk of all-cause mortality adjusting for age at the time of PSA failure, known prostate cancer prognostic factors, and cardiac comorbidity. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 11.3 years after PSA failure, 195 men died. Salvage RT was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality for men with either a PSA DT of <6 months (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.53; P ¼ .02) or a PSA DT of � 6 months (AHR, 0.52; P ¼ .003). In a subset of patients with comorbidity data at the time of PSA failure, salvage RT remained associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality for both men with a PSA DT of <6 months (AHR, 0.35; P ¼ .042) or a PSA DT of � 6 months (AHR, 0.60; P ¼ .04). CONCLUSIONS: Salvage RT for PSA DTs less than or in excess of 6 months is associated with a decreased risk in all-cause mortality. Cancer 2011;117:3925–32. V C 2011 American Cancer Society.