cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat capacity and thermodynamics of a synthetic two-line ferrihydrite, FeOOH·0.027H2O

Abstract Ferrihydrite is a fine-grained and variable, in terms of structure and water content, iron oxyhydroxide found in many geologic environments, in living organisms, and in environmental pollution. The thermodynamic study of ferrihydrite is important for understanding geochemical transformations involving iron as well as in the study of iron in chemical synthesis and biological systems. In this study, the heat capacity of a synthetic two-line ferrihydrite, which showed typically broad X-ray diffraction peaks due to small particle size and/or disorder but had a rather low excess water content, FeOOH·0.027H2O, was measured over the temperature range of (2 to 300) K. Using these data, the standard molar entropy, S m o , of this two-line ferrihydrite was calculated to be (71.7 ± 0.2) J · K−1 · mol−1, while that of the stoichiometric (no excess water) material, FeOOH was estimated to be (69.8 ± 0.2) J · K−1 · mol−1. These measured entropies are in moderate agreement with, though slightly higher, than those estimated much more indirectly by Majzlan et al. (2004) [15] The heat capacity data below T = 12 K were fit to theoretical models to study the underlying contributions to the heat capacity. The fit required an anisotropic ferrimagnetic spin wave component, which agrees with studies that characterize two-line ferrihydrite as a ferrimagnet. The fit also required a linear term, which most likely stems from defects in the ferrihydrite particles. Using enthalpy of formation from the elements −(542.3 ± 0.8 kJ · mol−1 for FeOOH·0.027H2O or −(534.6 ± 1.0) kJ · mol−1 for FeOOH obtained from acid solution calorimetry of the same sample, the standard Gibbs energy of formation from the elements for this ferrihydrite sample was calculated to be −(473.0 ± 1.0) kJ · mol−1 for FeOOH·0.027H2O and −(465.3 ± 1.0) kJ · mol−1 for FeOOH.
Diagnosis and treatment of cervicofacial actinomycosis.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon and frequently misdiagnosed infection of the cervicofacial region that may be acute or indolent. The term ‘‘actinomycosis’’ derives from the Greek aktino (ray) and mykos (fungus). Historically, Langenback may have been the first to describe the disease in humans (1848), although it had been considered to be a sarcoma in cattle 20 years earlier by Leblanc. Bollinger (1870) coined the term ‘‘lumpy jaw’’ in its bovine form, whereas Harz (1877) described the appearance of a ray-like microorganism, which he named Actinomycoses bovis. In 1878, Israel and Ponfick observed and described ‘‘sulfur granules’’ in human disease, and in 1891, Israel and Wolf isolated the anaerobic filamentous organism from humans. In 1898, the organism found in humans was named Actinomycoses israelii, and by the 1940s further research had confirmed that whereas A. bovis was responsible for ‘‘lumpy jaw’’ in cattle, A. israelii was the etiologic agent of human disease [1–3]. Originally considered to be a fungus (mykos) because of its slow growth and filamentous appearance, it is currently generally accepted that Actinomyces are bacteria and are taxonomically classified accordingly as members of the order Actinomycetales and the family Actinomycetacae. Other orders classified as Actinomycetales include Mycobacteriaceae and Nocardiaceae. Evidence that Actinomyces are bacteria include their filaments, which are narrower than the hyphae of fungi, their morphology, including bacillary forms, and their reproduction by typical bacterial fission rather than by budding or by spores. Actinomyces are anaerobic (whereas fungi are aerobic) and lack the nuclear membrane of fungi and yeasts. Actinomyces are destroyed by antibacterial agents such as penicillin and erythromycin but are not affected by antifungal medications, such as amphotericin B (see box 1) [2,3].
Nonlinearity-induced distortion of the transfer function shape in high-order OTA-C filters

Effects caused by weak nonlinearities of operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) on the performance of continuous-time OTA-capacitor (OTA-C) filters are investigated. Nonlinear phenomena, such as compression/expansion and desensitization, are examined and the resulting distortion of the transfer function shape of high-order OTA-C filters with sinusoidal inputs is discussed. The Volterra series method is used to represent filters by their nonlinear transfer function for computer analysis and simulation. Using this approach, distortion and interference criteria are established for predicting analytically the onset of nonlinear behavior in the frequency responses of OTA-C filters. Finally, representative calculation results are presented and verified via SPICE simulations.
Infection of baboons with simian/human immunodeficiency viruses

Baboons were evaluated for their utility to serve as a model for testing envelope-based vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The ability of HIV-1 strains IIIB, RF, and SF2 to infect baboons was compared with that of simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) recombinant viruses comprised of either HXB2 or SF2 env, tat, rev, and vpu genes inserted into the SIVmac239 backbone. Both SHIV recombinants replicated in baboon PBMC in vitro, while no evidence of replication was noted for HIV-1 strains (MN, IIIB, SF2). Infection of baboons in vivo correlated with the restriction of infection in vitro. Virus was recovered by cocultivation methods early after SHIV (HXBc2) infection of two baboons with seroconversion profiles that parallel those observed in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)mac-infected rhesus monkeys. One of two baboons inoculated with SHIV(SF2) also seroconverted within 4 weeks; however, the kinetics of infection in a second animal appeared much later, with seroconversion to gp120 not evident until 20 weeks and no virus recovery during 32 weeks following infection. Viral DNA was detected in the lymph nodes of the SHIV-inoculated animals by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Histopathologic changes were evident in lymph nodes, yet no overt clinical disease was observed. When HIV-1 strains (IIIB, RF, and SF2) were inoculated into baboons, virus was not recovered and no seroconversion to the major HIV-1 antigens was observed. However, viral DNA from the lymph nodes of four animals inoculated with HIV-1 strains could be detected by nested PCR, indicating a persistent but diminutive infection of HIV-1. The baboon thus represents a new animal model for testing HIV-1 envelope-based vaccines including the evaluation of new immunogens, dosages, routes, and adjuvants that act in eliciting protective responses.
On the Origin of Multiple Mutant Clones in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

The pool of hematopoietic stem cells that actively contributes to hematopoiesis is small, and the cells replicate slowly. Patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria invariably have a mutation in the PIG-A gene, and many have more than one clone of PIG-A mutated cells. Typically there is a dominant clone and a smaller second clone. By using a combination of stochastic dynamics and models of hematopoiesis, we show that it is very unlikely that more than one PIG-A mutated clone arises at the level of the hematopoietic stem cells. More likely, the smaller clone develops in the progenitor cell pool that would be expected to contribute to hematopoiesis for a shorter period of time. We provide estimates for the duration of these contributions and testable hypotheses that can shed important insights on this acquired hematopoietic stem cell disorder. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Application of high-order multi-reference MBPT to the excitation energies of the Be atom

Abstract A natural multi-reference (MR) MBPT generalization of the Tamm-Dancoff (mono-excited CI) approximation for excitation energies is developed. It is applied through fifth order for the calculation of excitation energies of the Be atom within a very large basis set (8s, 9p, 5d). The results are compared with full CI andexperiment. Pade approximants are used to extrapolate the perturbation energy results. The average error compared to full CI for 17 1S, 3S, 1P and 3P states given by the MR-MBPT (5)+ [2, 2] Pade approximant is 0.019 eV.
Findings of clinical trials that evaluate the impact of medical therapies on progression of atherosclerosis

AbstractBackground:Arterial wall imaging has been increasingly employed in clinical trials to evaluate the impact of medical therapies on progression of atherosclerosis.Scope:A selective overview of major findings from clinical trials that assessed the impact of medical therapies on atherosclerosis progression.Findings:Targeting established risk factors including LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure has a beneficial impact on disease progression.Conclusion:As a result, vascular imaging has been employed in the early evaluation of experimental therapies.
The Role of 3′ Poly(A) Tail Metabolism in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Regulation

In unstimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA was transcribed and accumulated in the cytoplasm, but the TNF-alpha transcripts failed to associate with polysomes, and TNF-alpha protein was not detected. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced an increase in TNF-alpha transcription, cytoplasmic TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation, polysome association, and secretion of TNF-alpha protein. This process was associated with a 200-nucleotide increase in the apparent length of the TNF-alpha mRNA. The difference in TNF-alpha mRNA size was caused by marked truncation of the 3' poly(A) tail in unstimulated cells. Fully adenylated TNF-alpha mRNA appeared within 15 min of LPS stimulation. We speculate that removal of the poly(A) tail blocks initiation of TNF-alpha translation in unstimulated macrophages. LPS inactivates this process, allowing synthesis of translatable polyadenylated TNF-alpha mRNA.
Anaerobic column chromatography of non-oxidized components of plant tissue extracts.

Abstract A new method of anaerobic chromatography of plant tissue extracts is described which employs liquid nitrogen grinding of tissues. Nitrogen gas is used to remove free oxygen from the frozen, ground powders. After thawing the tissue is subjected to anaerobic centrifugation and then the clarified sap is applied to cellulose columns and chromatographed with buffer solutions under nitrogen gas pressure. The anaerobic method is compared with the conventional aerobic method using extracts from healthy Turkish tobacco leaves. Differences in the elution of proteins and nucleic acids are noted. The application of the method to tissues infected with tobacco mosaic virus is also described.
Fracture mechanics of composites with nonhomogeneous interphases and nondilute fiber volume fractions

Abstract A linear elastic fracture mechanics model is developed for a periodic composite geometry with a single cracked layer under uniform longitudinal strain. The interface between the fiber and the matrix can be nonhomogeneous, homogeneous or perfect. Four fracture mechanics models are considered: (1) dilute fiber volume fraction composite with nonhomogeneous interphases. (2) periodic composite with nondilute fiber volume fraction. (3) periodic composite with irregular fiber spacing near a matrix layer. (4) hybrid composites with more than one type of fiber. The stress intensity factors at the crack tips and the interface stress fields are studied to understand the fracture mechanics of composites as a function of the relative elastic moduli of the fiber, the matrix and the interphase, and the global and local fiber volume fractions.
Material Uncertainties and the Mechanistic Modeling of the Human Knee

Biomechanical models of articular joints are highly useful for understanding joint functions in normal and pathological states (c.f. [1]). The accuracy, however, of the model predictions is a complex function of the model structure/formulation (number of degrees-of-freedom) and uncertainties associated with the model constituents including properties of the joint’s soft tissues. Previous studies have provided extensive experimental quantification of knee joint soft tissue properties for use in developing and validating numerical models of these tissues [2]. However, there are as of yet no quantitative analytical studies on the impact of material property uncertainties on the prediction of joint kinematics or kinetics.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Story and discourse: A bipartite model of narrative generation in virtual worlds

In this paper, we set out a basic approach to the modeling of narrative in interactive virtual worlds. This approach adopts a bipartite model taken from narrative theory, in which narrative is composed of story and discourse. In our approach, story elements — plot and character — are defined in terms of plans that drive the dynamics of a virtual environment. Discourse elements — the narrative’s communicative actions — are defined in terms of discourse plans whose communicative goals include conveying the story world plan’s structure. To ground the model in computational terms, we provide examples from research under way in the Liquid Narrative Group involving the design of the Mimesis system, an architecture for intelligent interactive narrative incorporating concepts from artificial intelligence, narrative theory, cognitive psychology and computational linguistics.
Disulfide-linked peptides in the chloroplast thylakoid membrane

Abstract Two peptides move out from the diagnonal when dodecyl sulfate gels of pea leaf chloroplast thylakoid membrane proteins are treated with a reducing agent and electrophoresed in the second dimension. Apparently two of the proteins in the thylakoid membrane are disulfide linked dimers. Additional changes in the electrophoretic mobility of certain peptides occur when thylakoid membranes are denatured in the presence of reducing agents: these peptides probably contain intrapeptide disulfide bonds or prosthetic groups covalently attached to the peptide through disulfide bonds.
Simulation of the variation of material tensor properties of polycrystals achieved through modification of the crystallographic texture

The material properties of all crystalline metals are intimately related to the underlying structure of the crystal lattice. According to Neumann`s principle, a material`s property must possess the same or higher-symmetry operators as the material`s crystal lattice. This restriction requires, for example, that all properties of a cubic material have at least cubic symmetry with respect to the crystal lattice but also allows the isotropic symmetry. Anisotropic properties of single crystals are clearly functions of the crystallographic lattice orientation. In theory, once the single crystal physical properties have been determined for a material, the bulk response of a polycrystalline sample of the material should be obtainable. Due to the lack of information regarding interior details of microstructures under service conditions, progress is made in theory development by employing a number of assumptions. These include overall isotropy, equiaxed grains, lack of correlation of lattice orientation between neighboring grains, no correlations between grain size, shape or lattice orientation, stress free grain interiors, etc.
The effect of head and neck cancer treatment on whole salivary flow.

The effects of multimodality therapy for head and neck cancer on whole salivary flow were evaluated. Eighteen subjects with head and neck cancer were studied. Resting and stimulated whole salivary flow rates were recorded, pretreatment, after individual modality therapy, and post-treatment. Twenty-four subjects with no history of head and neck cancer matched for age, and sex distribution, served as controls. Primary site, stage, major salivary glands resected, radiation fields, and dose to major salivary glands are reported. The average salivary flow rates for 18 subjects following treatment was reduced 83% for resting and 86% for stimulated saliva from pretreatment levels. The null hypothesis that the overall resting and stimulated whole salivary flow rates are unaffected by treatment (surgery and radiation) of the head and neck cancer was rejected (P values at 0.05 level of significance). Stage and location of primary, total dose delivered to and volume of gland exposure are important factors when predicting xerostomia following multimodality therapy.
Specific cation modulation of anion transport across the human erythrocyte membrane

Abstract The specific modulation by three cations, Ca2+, Mg2+, and tetracaine of the equilibrium exchange of SO42− across the erythrocyte membrane was investigated. While external calcium had no effect on SO42− exchange, internal calcium, and external calcium in the presence of 10 μM A23187 were found to be potent inhibitors of the exchange reaction. The apparent inhibition constants (K1) for Ca2+ were calculated to be 6.1 μM and 5 μM for the above two conditions, respectively. Unlike Ca2+, Mg2+ was shown to be a weak activator of SO42− exchange with an apparent dissociation constant of 3.6 μM. Competition experiments demonstrated that the Ca2+ and Mg2+ sites associated with anion transport are distinct and noninteracting. Tetracaine, a cation at neutral pH, was also found to be an inhibitor of SO42− exchange with an apparent K1 of 0.8 mM. Although tetracaine was observed to displace calcium from non-specific sites on the erythrocyte membrane, it showed no effect on the apparent inhibition constant of Ca2+ for SO42− exchange. Thus, the Ca2+ and tetracaine sites also appear to be independent. The difficulty of situating three mutually independent sites on a single subunit protein, i.e., band 3, is considered. Using the experimental data obtained from five individuals, the concentration of free calcium in the red cell cytoplasm was calculated to range from 0.2 to 0.7 μM. This concentration was sufficient to reduce SO42− exchange only 3–8%. It was concluded that calcium inhibition of anion exchange, and, hence, impairment of CO2 transport, may be physiologically significant only in senescent cells and in certain types of anemia where calcium concentrations are significantly increased.
Fabrication of plastic microlens arrays for array microscopy by diamond milling techniques

Six microlens arrays are fabricated in a single step process using diamond milling techniques, plunging and micromilling. Four of the lenses are cut using plunging, two each in poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene (Rexolite 1422), and the other two are cut in polystyrene using 3D micro-milling. Half of the lenses are concave and the other half are convex. These are high power lenses having steep sag at the edges and radii between 2.0 - 2.1 mm for each array. The clear aperture diameters of the lenses are about 3.2 mm for plunged lenses and 2.6 mm for micro-milled lenses. The lenses are spaced 4 mm apart in a square grid. Setup and method of these techniques is described and the lens arrays are characterized based on radius (power) error, wavefront error, roughness, and grid position error. Micro-milled lenses are shown to be of high optical quality compared with standards for injection molded plastic lenses.
FastBLAST: homology relationships for millions of proteins.

Background All-versus-all BLAST, which searches for homologous pairs of sequences in a database of proteins, is used to identify potential orthologs, to find new protein families, and to provide rapid access to these homology relationships. As DNA sequencing accelerates and data sets grow, all-versus-all BLAST has become computationally demanding.
Subgeneric differentiation within Eurycercus (Cladocera, Chydoridae) and a new species from Northern Sweden

Eurycercus, although quite uniform in casual gross morphology, is now regarded as a highly differentiated group of Cladocera, split into three subgenera: Eurycercus for the species lamellatus, Teretifrons subgen. nov. for glacialis, and Bullatifrons subgen. nov. for macracanthus and pompholygodes sp. nov. At least four other species await description. E. pompholygodes differs from macracanthus most strikingly in having a less well developed clasping hook on trunk limb I and in having more teeth on the postabdomen. The latter character, being size-dependent like many others, can be described only by a regression. Other important characters are the regressions of the number of denticles on the postabdominal claw, the size of the median head pore, the number of setules in three clusters on trunk limb I, and the number of denticles on scraping spines 2, 3, and 4 of trunk limb II. Biologically the species has five pre-reproductive instars in parthenogenesis, six in gamogenesis. Once reproductive capacity is achieved, a brood of parthenogenetic young is produced each instar but a brood of gamogenetic eggs only every other instar, successive broods being separated by a barren instar. The gradual ontogeny of males, particularly of their antennule and trunk limb I, to functional maturity in instar III is described. Two parasites occur, both selective for large individuals, and one seemingly important in helping control population structure. The reproductive potential of all four species is described by regressions and related to egg size and size at maturity.
Effect of Pregnancy, Postnatal Growth, and Gender on Renal Sulfate Transport

Serum sulfate concentrations are increased in infants, young children, and pregnant women, compared with adult values. The objective of this investigation was to examine the influences of age, gender, and pregnancy on renal sulfate transport using guinea pigs as an animal model. Membrane vesicles were isolated from the kidney cortex of male animals at four different ages, from male and female adult animals, and from pregnant and nonpregnant female animals. There were no significant differences in marker enzymes for the brush-border membrane (BBM) or basolateral membrane (BLM) among all groups examined. Uptake was determined by a rapid filtration method and membrane fluidity by measuring the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The Vmax values for Na+ /sulfate co-transport in BBM were significantly increased with decreasing age, whereas the Km for this process was unchanged. The Vmax and Km for Na + /sulfate co-transport in BBM of pregnant animals were significantly higher than the values in the nonpregnant group. Bicarbonate-driven anion exchange of sulfate in BLM was not different among the different age groups. The Vmax for the bicarbonate/sulfate exchange process in BLM was not different between pregnant and nonpregnant groups; however, the Km for this process in BLM of pregnant animals was significantly greater than the value in nonpregnant animals. There were no gender-related differences in sulfate transport in BBM or BLM isolated from adult male and female animals. Renal BBM fluidity was increased with decreasing age and in pregnant animals, suggesting that altered membrane fluidity may represent one possible mechanism to explain the increased sodium/sulfate uptake in young and pregnant animals. The higher Vmax for Na+/sulfate co-transport in young and pregnant animals suggests that there is an increased density of co-transporter protein or an increase in the rate of movement of the carrier protein (i.e., turnover) once loaded with sodium and sulfate. This increased conservation of inorganic sulfate in young and pregnant guinea pigs may be related to the increased demand for sulfated substrates, such as sulfated glycosaminoglycans, during growth and development.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and prognosis in severe heart failure: 14 mL/kg/min revisited

Abstract Background Accurately establishing prognosis in severe heart failure has become increasingly important in assessing the efficacy of treatment modalities and in appropriately allocating scarce resources for transplantation. Peak exercise oxygen uptake appears to have an important role in risk stratification of patients with heart failure, but the optimal cutpoint value to separate survivors from nonsurvivors is not clear. Methods Six hundred forty-four patients referred for heart failure evaluation over a 10-year period participated in the study. After pharmacologic stabilization at entrance into the study, all participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Survival analysis was performed with death as the end point. Transplantation was considered a censored event. Four-year survival was determined for patients who achieved peak oxygen uptake values greater than and less than 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 mL/kg/min. Results Follow-up information was complete for 98.3% of the cohort. During a mean follow-up period of 4 years, 187 patients (29%) died and 101 underwent transplantation. Actuarial 1- and 5-year survival rates were 90.5% and 73.4%, respectively. Peak ventilatory oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) was an independent predictor of survival and was a stronger predictor than work rate achieved and other exercise and clinical variables. A difference in survival of approximately 20% was achieved by dichotomizing patients above versus below each peak VO 2 value ranging between 10 and 17 mL/kg/min. Survival rate was significantly higher among patients achieving a peak VO 2 above than among those achieving a peak VO 2 below each of these values ( P Conclusion Peak VO 2 is an important measurement in predicting survival from heart failure, but whether an optimal cutpoint exists is not clear. Peak VO 2 may be more appropriately used as a continuous variable in multivariate models to predict prognosis in severe chronic heart failure. (Am Heart J 2000;139:78-84.)
Type A Coronary-Prone Behavior Pattern and Fear of Failure

An experiment was conducted to examine the fear-of-failure orientation among individuals who exhibit a behavior pattern known as Type A Coronary-Prone behavior. The results indicate a tendency for Type A's (high coronary risks) to have a self-defensive motive of failure avoidance. It is suggested that fear of failure may be an explanation for the lack of symptom reporting previously observed in Type A's.
Development of Program Standards for Psychosocial Support of Parents of Infants Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A National Interdisciplinary Consensus Model

Abstract Parents of infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience stress and psychological distress. They need psychosocial support. While survival of even micropreemies has dramatically improved in the last decade, few best practices have developed for parental support. This article will describe an interdisciplinary team approach to achieving consensus around best practices and recommendations for psychosocial parental support programs designed to meet the needs of parents during their journey from the perinatal/intrapartum period, through the NICU stay, and home to primary care settings.
Verbal discrimination as a function of similarity and frequency of incorrect items

The frequency theory of verbal discrimination learning states that Ss use differential frequency of occurrence of correct and incorrect items as the basis for learning. In the present study, two levels of intraset similarity and two levels of frequency of occurrence of incorrect items were combined factorially to produce four lists, consisting of 10 sets of four CVCs each. The results supported the frequency theory, with similar lists requiring more (p
Size-related shifts in the habitat associations of young-of-the-year winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus): field observations and laboratory experiments with sediments and prey

Field surveys and laboratory studies were used to determine the role of substrata in habitat selection by young-of-the year winter flounder. A synoptic field survey of winter flounder and sediments in the Navesink River-Sandy Hook Bay estuarine system in New Jersey demonstrated that winter flounder distribution was related to sediment grain size. Analysis using a generalized additive model indicated that the probability of capturing 10-49 mm SL winter flounder was high on sediments with a mean grain diameter of /=40 mm SL) preferred coarse-grained sediments. Burying ability increased with size and all flounders avoided sediments that prevented burial. Subsequent laboratory experiments revealed that the presence of live prey (Mya arenaria) can over-ride sediment choice by winter flounder (50-68 mm SL) indicating the complexity of interrelated factors in habitat choice.
Model predictive control for wind turbine load reduction under wake meandering of upstream wind turbines

In wind farm operation, the performance and loads of downstream turbines are heavily influenced by the wake of the upstream turbines. Furthermore, the actual wake is more challenging due to the dynamic phenomenon of wake meandering, i.e. the turbine wake often demonstrates dynamic shift over time. To deal with the time-varying characteristics of wake meandering, the dual-mode linear quadratic model predictive control (LQMPC) scheme is applied to the individual pitch control (IPC) based load reduction. The coherence function along the lateral direction in the spectral method is used to generate the stochastic wind profile including wake meandering at upstream turbine, and a simplified wake meandering model is developed to emulate the trajectory of the wake center at downstream turbine. The Larsen wake model and Gaussian distribution of wake deficit are applied for composing wind profiles across the rotor of downstream turbines. State-space models are derived via the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory. A set of MPC controllers are designed based on different linearized state-space models, and are applied in a switching manner. Simulation results show the reduction in the blade-root flapwise moment and the rotor speed variation.
A Method for Measuring the Adhesion Strength of Powder Coatings

A method for testing and quantifying the adhesion strength of particulate coatings was developed. A gas impingement test was developed to measure adhesion forces of electrophoretically-deposited layers of phosphor particles for use as information display screens. A high pressure jet of nitrogen gas is directed perpendicularly to a particulate deposit. The particles are removed from the substrate in a ring pattern which can be correlated to the skin friction on the substrate, giving a measurement of adhesion strength in the range of 100 to 450 Pa.
Hardware -in -the -loop Simulation Design for Evaluation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Control Systems

This paper discusses the construction and testing of hardware -in -the -loop simulations usi ng a commercial software simulation package and a custom -designed simulation . It discusses the process of integrating an avionics computer with U nmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sensors and actuators, designing and implementing linear and non -linear simulatio ns of the aircraft, setting up the control system architecture and evaluating various control laws through the hardware -in -the -loop simulation s. Extensive comparisons are made between the different versions of the simulations to ensure that every step in the piecewise development of the final simulation is correct. Several types of control systems were tested on this final simulation. However, despite their adequate tracking of reference trajectories, none are robust and mature enough to yet consider for in -flight testing . A future work section discuss es options for further development of the control syst em and modifications to the simulation s to increase their fidelity. A straightforward , detailed and logical process is provided for setting up hardware -in -the -loop simulations of small UAV systems similar to the one described here , and evaluating control system performance . Important time and cost savings from lessons learned in th is process are also provided .
Regulation of the human glucocorticoid receptor by long-term and chronic treatment with glucocorticoid

HeLa S3 cells that contain endogenous glucocorticoid receptors (GR) were treated with dexamethasone (DEX) for periods of time ranging from 24 h to 2 weeks or chronically over a 2-year period. Regulation of GR protein and mRNA were examined by affinity labeling, Western blotting, and Northern blotting. Relatively short-term treatment of cells with DEX for 24 or 48 h revealed more profound down-regulation of GR protein than of GR mRNA. However, by 2 weeks of DEX treatment, the levels of both receptor protein and mRNA were both maximally down-regulated. Cells that had been chronically DEX treated (for up to 2 years) had no measurable GR protein or mRNA. The down-regulation of receptor protein and RNA that occurred after 2 weeks of DEX treatment is completely reversible upon DEX removal, whereas reversibility did not occur with cells that had been chronically treated with DEX. Furthermore, transfection of a glucocorticoid responsive reporter plasmid into these chronically DEX-treated cells demonstrated that these cells were no longer responsive to steroid treatment. However, cotransfection of a plasmid encoding the human GR into these chronically DEX-treated cells resulted in restored production of GR and responsiveness to hormone, indicating that the defect in these cells occurs only at the receptor level.
Impact of RFID information-sharing strategies on a decentralized supply chain with reverse logistics operations

Abstract The integration of environmental practices in a supply chain has been study for the past few decades. However, most of the work relies on centralized decisions made by one player. Few papers address the complex dynamics of environmental decentralized supply chains and how these dynamics can affect environmental and economic outcomes. To study this problem, we consider a supply chain with a manufacturer and two different suppliers: a recycled-material and a raw-material supplier. The players make individual inventory decisions to satisfy demand and reduce cost. Further, this supply chain encompasses stochastic elements such as in demands, returns, and collection leadtimes. These decentralized decisions and random factors can cause underperforming results; therefore, new inventory models and technologies are needed to help companies increase coordination within these systems. We model the implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the supply chain to determine if real-time inventory monitoring and information sharing can help the system attain higher environmental benefits (more returns) and higher economic benefits (less cost). We study two scenarios through a simulation-based analysis: No RFID and RFID. Numerical studies show that environmental benefits are significantly increased with the attainment of more returns. However, although economic benefits are realized, they are less significant than the environmental benefits. Further regression and sensitivity analyses on the cost performance measures reveal that economic benefits depend on several drivers inside the system. We present managerial insights that illustrate what configurations within this complex system can lead to the achieving of environmental as well as economic benefits.
SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL CYCLOPHOSPHAZENES

It has been found that the variety of new and useful cyclotriphosphazene derivatives that are available by nucleophilic displacement of halogens on the phosphazene ring can be expanded dramatically...
Relaying of High Voltage Interconnection Transmission Lines

This paper presents an operating engineer's point of view of the practical and theoretical problems presented in applying relays for the protection of high voltage open wire interconnection transmission lines. It points out that the relaying of such lines involves problems which are not ordinarily present in the relaying of intra-system lines. These problems are enumerated and the extent to which modern relaying meets them is discussed. It is shown that the most satisfactory schemes are very expensive and the cheaper schemes are not entirely effective. The limitations of available schemes are discussed and their economics compared. A theoretical solution is proposed.
Understanding and nurturing spatial literacy

This paper focuses on the character, nature, and development of spatial literacy. We explore a series of questions that frame the range of knowledges and skills that encompass this form of literacy, including how spatial literacy can be characterized across a continuum of expertise; how expertise in spatial thinking and reasoning develops; how spatial literacy may be measured and evaluated; and how spatial literacy can be nurtured in society, in our research, and through teaching. By focusing on the necessary educational foundations or anchors required for spatial literacy, specifically ways in which geography and other science educators at all education levels can explicitly teach spatial concepts, the use of spatial representations, and processes of spatial reasoning, we hope to help set an agenda for future work.
Cross-ratio estimation for bivariate failure times with left truncation

The cross-ratio is an important local measure that characterizes the dependence between bivariate failure times. To estimate the cross-ratio in follow-up studies where delayed entry is present, estimation procedures need to account for left truncation. Ignoring left truncation yields biased estimates of the cross-ratio. We extend the method of Hu et al., Biometrika 98:341–354 (2011) by modifying the risk sets and relevant indicators to handle left-truncated bivariate failure times, which yields the cross-ratio estimate with desirable asymptotic properties that can be shown by the same techniques used in Hu et al., Biometrika 98:341–354 (2011). Numerical studies are conducted.
German-Translated Norfolk Quality of Life (QOL-DN) Identifies the Same Factors as the English Version of the Tool and Discriminates Different Levels of Neuropathy Severity:

Background The development and validation of Norfolk QOL-DN, a fiber-specific, quality-of-life tool for diabetic neuropathy, was published previously (Part 1). This study (Part 2) defines the psychometric properties of the German-translated Norfolk QOL-DN in a large multicenter (96 sites) population with neuropathy ranging from minimal to severe, comparing them with those in the original English/American version in a 30-center European/North American population with mild neuropathy; determines the power of the German-translated version in a five-staged diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) German population to discriminate different levels of neuropathy severity; and establishes factors having the greatest impact on QOL.
Mid-infrared frequency comb spectrometer based on an optical parametric oscillator

We present an OPO frequency comb spectrometer accessing the 2200–3700-cm−1 spectral range. The system allows rapid, high-resolution molecular fingerprinting for trace gas detection. Permitting further wavelength extension, recent development of a 2-μm comb is demonstrated.
Effects of foliar urea- and triazone-nitrogen, with and without boron, on cotton

Abstract Optimal lint yield in recently released high‐yielding upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars requires careful nutrient management. It is not known whether these cultivars are capable of responding to foliar nitrogen (N) and boron (B) fertilizer when conventional soil fertility practices are used. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the responses of a high‐yielding cotton cultivar to foliar N and B fertilizer and (ii) to compare two N sources when applied to foliage of cotton. A two‐year field study was conducted with a factorial arrangement of three N treatments and two B treatments. Plants received foliar applications of the surfactant Tween 20 in H2O (check), or one of the following treatments plus surfactant: B (as H3BO3), triazone‐N (24% of N as S‐tetrahydrotriazone), triazone‐N plus B, urea‐N, or urea‐N plus B. Leaf blade mineral element composition, lint yield, and fiber properties were determined. Averaged across years, lint yields were significantly higher in the c...
A pulse sequence for rapid in vivo spin-locked MRI.

T1P OR “SPIN-LOCKED” MRI produces contrast unlike conventional T1-orT2-weighted images. Spin-locking is achieved by the application of a low power on-resonance radiofrequency (RF) pulse to the magnetization in the transverse plane. The resulting MR signal decays with a time constant T1ρ and is dominated by processes that occur with a correlation time, τc, that is related to the amplitude of the spin-lock (SL) pulse (γB1/2π), which typically ranges from zero to a few kilohertz. T1ρ is commonly referred to as the longitudinal relaxation time constant in the rotating frame. In biological tissues, T1ρ increases with higher B1 and approaches T2, the spin-spin relaxation time constant, as the amplitude of the SL pulse is reduced to zero. The sensitivity of T1ρ to low-frequency interactions facilitates the study of biological tissues in a manner that is unattainable by conventional T1- and T2-based MR methods. Consequently, T1ρ MRI has been used to investigate a variety of tissues such as breast, brain, and cartilage (1–3). Recently, T1ρ imaging has been employed to measure blood flow and oxygen metabolism and the effect of tracers such as H217O (4,5). These studies were performed using standard spin-echo, turbo (fast) spin-echo, or gradient-echo-based pulse sequences. There is substantial evidence demonstrating that the T1ρ relaxation time parameter is sensitive to the early detection of cerebral ischemia (6–8). Kettunen et al (9) revealed a linear dependence of T1ρ as a function of oxygen saturation in experiments performed in vitro. Dynamic studies such as these and others that involve imaging of flowing spins such as that of blood would benefit from a fast T1ρ imaging technique that is able to acquire images in the order of tens of milliseconds. A method of rapid image acquisition is the echo planar imaging (EPI) technique (10,11). In its conventional form, the EPI pulse sequence consists of an excitation pulse that is followed by a train of gradient-echoes within a single pulse repetition time (TR), and is capable of generating images in tens of milliseconds. Here we present a method for acquiring T1ρ-weighted images in a time efficient manner by using SL pulses in a new pulse sequence called spin-locked EPI (SLEPI). This sequence is used to determine T1ρ values in the human brain. Further, for the first time, we report the T1ρ of blood obtained in vivo. These measurements were possible because of the short image acquisition window offered by the new sequence. It is shown that the SLEPI sequence can significantly reduce susceptibility-induced artifacts during EPI acquisition, while maintaining image contrast similar to long echo time (TE) images.
Community advisory panels within the chemical industry: Antecedents and issues

Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) are currently being sponsored by the American chemical industry as a way to repair lost trust. Over 200 CAPs are currently in operation. Their goals, composition and impact vary. Like governmental advisory committees they run the risk of being vehicles of persuasion as opposed to bodies which bring about organisational or health and safety changes. This article reviews the evidence we have to date about CAP operations and sets an agenda for future research.
Regression model checking

Model checking is a promising technique for verifying program behavior and is increasingly finding usage in industry. To date, however, researchers have primarily considered model checking of single versions of programs. It is well understood that model checking can be very expensive for large, complex programs. Thus, simply reapplying model checking techniques on subsequent versions of programs as they evolve, in the limited time that is typically available for validating new releases, presents challenges. To address these challenges, we have developed a new technique for regression model checking (RMC), that applies model checking incrementally to new versions of systems. We report results of an empirical study examining the effectiveness of our technique; our results show that it is significantly faster than traditional model checking.
Exploring the spatial determinants of children’s activities: evidence from India

This article investigates the choice of children’s activities in India and provides recommendations for areas where policy intervention to promote schooling and combat child labor would be most successful. First, we recognize that child schooling and labor are not the sole activities that children can engage in and include idleness as one of the choices. Second, we use a hierarchical model with spatially correlated random effects to analyze the determinants of the choice of children’s activities. Lastly, we recommend that pro-schooling intervention be implemented in districts with favorable attitudes toward schooling and unfavorable attitudes toward idleness, while anti-child-labor interventions be implemented in districts where attitudes toward child labor are less favorable. We thus identify two groups of Indian districts to target appropriate government interventions.
The variability in the interpretation of prenatal diagnostic ultrasound.

Objectives Although prenatal ultrasound is broadly used to detect abnormal fetuses, the variability in the interpretation of second-trimester prenatal ultrasound examinations is unknown. We sought to evaluate the consistency of the interpretation of prenatal ultrasound examinations. Design Physicians who perform prenatal ultrasound and who participate in the California Maternal Serum Expanded AFP program were asked to interpret a series of test ultrasound examinations. The series of cases was selected to include a random sample of fetal structural abnormalities, ultrasound markers that have been associated with chromosomal abnormalities, and normal cases. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using a κ statistic for each organ system. The sensitivity and false-positive rate were calculated for detecting specific anatomic abnormalities within each organ system. Results Of the 210 sonologists eligible for inclusion in the study, completed responses were received from 148 (70%). There was moderate to substantial agreement between physicians in reporting the presence of fetal abnormalities for all organ systems (κ range 0.40–0.88, P < 0.001). The consistency was highest for the central nervous system (CNS), neck, and face. Within each organ system, the consistency was similar for major structural abnormalities and ultrasound markers of chromosomal abnormalities. The sensitivity ranged from 62% (95% confidence interval (CI) 58–66%) for major renal abnormalities to 91% (95% CI 88–94%) for CNS abnormalities, with corresponding false-positive rates of 7% (95% CI 6–9%) for renal abnormalities and 9% (95% CI 7–11%) for CNS abnormalities. For most organ systems, the sensitivity for detecting ultrasound markers of chromosomal abnormalities was similar to the sensitivity for detecting structural abnormalities. Conclusion There is moderate to substantial agreement in the interpretation of second-trimester prenatal ultrasound examinations. Whether the identification of specific ultrasound abnormalities and markers is overall beneficial to patients remains to be determined. Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology