cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operating parameter effects on the solids circulation rate in the CFD simulation of a dual fluidized-bed gasification system

Abstract The solids circulation is crucial for sustaining biomass gasification within dual fluidized-bed gasification systems, because the heat utilization between the gasifier and combustor is mainly implemented through the circulation of bed material. In this work, a three-dimensional model was established to simulate the hydrodynamics of a dual fluidized-bed gasification system. The purpose of this work was to find effective ways to improve the solids circulation. In this CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model, the MP-PIC (multiphase particle-in-cell) method was applied to simulate the gas-solid flows in the dual fluidized-bed system. This model simulated the hydrodynamics of the bubbling fluidized-bed gasifier, chute, pneumatic-riser combustor, cyclone separator, and loop-seal in the dual fluidized-bed system. Studies of grid resolution and numerical parcel were conducted to examine the model accuracy. A series of case studies were implemented to investigate the impact of operating parameters on the solids circulation rate, such as particle diameter, solid inventory, steam supply to gasifier, and air supplies to combustor.
Abstract 3818: Deregulated long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are larger than 200 nucleotides in length and pervasively expressed across the genome. An increasing number of studies indicate that lncRNA transcripts play integral regulatory roles in cellular growth, division, differentiation and apoptosis. Deregulated lncRNAs have been observed in a variety of human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, small sample sizes in previous studies limited statistical power to identify reliable lncRNA biomarkers associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. The potential impacts of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on expression of lncRNAs are also unclear. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this study approved by the Institutional Review Board of Columbia University Medical Center, 65 paired HCC tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected by the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. We determined the expression profiles of 90 lncRNAs, 5 housekeeping gene reference controls and one negative control using the LncProfiler™ lncRNA qPCR array (System Biosciences). RESULTS: We found that eight lncRNAs (L1PA16, lincRNA-VLDLR, LUST, Zeb2NAT, MEG9, ncR-uPAR, p53 mRNA and TEA ncRNAs family) were significantly down-regulated in HCC tumor compared to non-tumor tissues. The fold changes ranged from -2.2 to -5.9. Four lncRNAs (H19, HOTAIR, HULC and MALAT1) previously associated with HCC were also up-regulated in tumor tissue, but did not reach statistical significance. We observed over 83% of the tumor tissues carrying one of those aberrant lncRNAs, indicating the importance of lncRNAs in HCC. Categorized by hepatitis infection, we observed that five lncRNAs were significantly repressed in HBV positive/HCV negative tumors (N = 13 pairs). No significantly aberrant lncRNA was observed in HCV positive/HBV negative tumors (N = 19) in comparison with non-tumor tissues. Within non-tumor tissues, we found 3 up-regulated lncRNAs (Kcnq1ot1, PSF inhibiting RNA and NRON) were significantly associated with HBV infection, and upregulated PRINS was significantly associated with HCV infection in comparison with viral negative cases. These data suggest that the deregulated lncRNAs found within HCC non-tumor tissues may be specifically modified by relevant hepatitis viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant lncRNAs are potential HCC tumor biomarkers that are impacted by HBV or HCV infection. Further investigation of tumor specific biomarkers should consider the effects of different etiologies that will improve early detection of HCC. Citation Format: Jing Shen, Abby B. Siegel, Helen Remotti, Qiao Wang, Yueyue Shen, Regina M. Santella. Deregulated long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3818. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3818
Opioid overdose prevention training with naloxone, an adjunct to basic life support training for first-year medical students.

ABSTRACTBackground: Opioid overdose deaths have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. This problem stems from both licit and illicit opioid use. Prescribing opioids, recognizing risky use, and initiating prevention, including opioid overdose prevention training (OOPT), are key roles physicians play. The American Heart Association (AHA) modified their basic life support (BLS) algorithms to consider naloxone in high-risk populations and when a pulse is appreciated; however, the AHA did not provide OOPT. The authors' intervention filled this training deficiency by teaching medical students opioid overdose resuscitation with a Train-the-Trainer model as part of mandatory BLS training. Methods: The authors introduced OOPT, following a Train-the-Trainer model, into the required basic life support (BLS) training for first-year medical students at a single medical school in a large urban area. The authors administered pre- and post-evaluations to assess the effects of the training on opioid overdose ...
Seeking Out the Hoary Marmot: Habitat Characteristics of an Alpine Obligate

Alpine ecosystems likely will be impacted by climate change, which will shift distributions of alpine species. To predict these shifts reliably, an increased understanding about the habitat characteristics that are important to alpine species will be necessary to manage for their continued presence on the landscape. We have very limited information about habitat for hoary marmots (Marmota caligata) in Montana. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the relative importance of habitat characteristics for marmot occupancy. During the summers of 2014 and 2015, we surveyed 184 sites in 5 mountain ranges throughout western Montana. We surveyed each site 2-5 times (average = 4.25 surveys/site) and detected marmots in 61 sites using two survey methods. Wind speed, survey method, cloud cover, and percent of the site that was visible all influenced detection probability. We estimated that marmots occurred in 36% of all sites (95% CI = 29-46%). Occupancy of marmots increased with snow and shrub cover and decreased with slope and distance to water. Given that snowpack, precipitation, and water sources are predicted to be impacted by climate change, our results begin to illustrate where this species of concern may become susceptible. If snowpack and the number of water sources decrease or shift geographically, this may reduce or alter the available habitat for marmots. We hope to augment the paucity of information about hoary marmots at the southern end of their distribution and aid management of this species under an uncertain climate future.
Monitoring Functional Integrity in Fault Tolerant Aircraft Control Computers for Critical Applications

Abstract Verifying integrity of control computers in adverse operating environments is a key issue in the development, certification, and operation of critical control systems. For example, future commercial aircraft will necessitate flight-critical systems with high reliability requirements for stability augmentation, flutter suppression, and guidance and control. This paper considers the problem of applying distributed detection techniques and decision fusion to monitoring the integrity of fault tolerant redundant control computers. A monitoring strategy is presented and demonstrated from glideslope engaged until flare using a detailed simulation of a quad-redundant longitudinal control system for the B737 Autoland. The performance of the distributed monitoring system is assessed.
Transformative Teacher Leadership in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the United States: Potentiality and Possibility in Curriculum Making and School Reform Efforts

Teaching and learning in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the United States are very different phenomena, and yet, the differences and similarities highlight the important role of curriculum in the progress and development of schools throughout the world. The significance of place cannot be ignored in a study that examines the intersection of teacher leadership and curriculum making in three countries; the context adds another layer of richness to the narratives that emerge from these comparisons. Teaching, learning and leading in twenty-first-century schools in both the Caribbean and in the United States require the adoption of transformative practices that have the intent of redefining the parameters of educational leadership in contested public spheres to include a commitment to critical thought and social justice as key components of curriculum development. The possibilities and potentialities for a transformation of the teaching profession and a subsequent transformation of teaching and learning are unlimited. Curriculum is the foundation of these change efforts, and transformative teacher leadership is the mechanism for conceptualizing, implementing and sustaining meaningful change while simultaneously changing the very nature of teachers’ work. It is only in this way that curriculum theory, policy and practice can interface with transformative teacher leadership to meet the needs of twenty-first-century schools, families and communities in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the United States where the development and dissemination of universal education is essential to their progress and success.
A New Conjugation Method Used for the Development of an Immunoassay for the Detection of Amanitin, a Deadly Mushroom Toxin.

One of the deadliest mushrooms is the death cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides. The most toxic constituent is α-amanitin, a bicyclic octapeptide, which damages the liver and kidneys. To develop a new tool for detecting this toxin, polyclonal antibodies were generated and characterized. Both α- and β-amanitin were coupled to carrier proteins through four different linking chemistries, one of which has never before been described. These conjugates were evaluated for their effectiveness in generating antibodies specific for the free toxin, as well as their utility in formatting heterogeneous assays with high sensitivity. Ultimately, these efforts yielded a newly described conjugation procedure utilizing periodate oxidation followed by reductive amination that successfully resulted in generating sensitive immunoassays (limit of detection (LOD), ~1.0 µg/L). The assays were characterized for their selectivity and were found to equally detect α-, β-, and γ-amanitin, and not cross-react with other toxins tested. Toxin detection in mushrooms was possible using a simple sample preparation method. This enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a simple and fast test, and readily detects amatoxins extracted from A. phalloides.
Comparing neighborhood and state contexts for women living with and without HIV: understanding the Southern HIV epidemic

In the South, people living with HIV experience worse health outcomes than in other geographic regions, likely due to regional political, structural, and socioeconomic factors. We describe the neig...
Teaching women's studies

Abstract Feminist methods that we have come to employ in our thinking, research, and pedagogy have played an essential role in the evolution of Women's Studies. It has been our pedagogical methods that affect Women's Studies students most directly. Students have come to expect such pedagogical alternatives as the integration of our personal experiences with our political analyses, affective as well as cognitive expression in the classroom, and a synthesis of our feminist theory and practice. In recent years, the growing conservatism in our academic communities has discouraged many of us from applying alternative methods in our classrooms. Although Women's Studies continues to hold out the promise of a relatively unalienated learning environment, many of its distinguishing and liberating pedagogical features have been relinquished. This contradiction has been confusing for our students. By interviewing Women's Studies students I was able to view these problems from a new perspective—a perspective which I believe deserves to be shared. The voices of these students reopens a dialogue about whee Women's Studies will draw the limits of compromise within the academic community.
Environmental Regulation of Phycobilisome Biosynthesis

Photosynthetic activity and the composition of the photosynthetic apparatus are strongly regulated by environmental conditions. Some of the most visually dramatic changes in pigmentation of cyanobacteria during changing nutrient and light conditions reflect marked alterations in components of the major light-harvesting complex in these organisms, the phycobilisome. In some cyanobacteria the composition of the phycobilisome is very sensitive to the wavelengths of light in the environment. The populations of the different pigmented polypeptides or phycobiliproteins, phycocyanin and phycoerythin, of the phycobilisome are adjusted to optimize absorption of excitation energy present in the environment. This process, called complementary chromatic adaptation, is controlled by a photoreceptor that binds a bilin chromophore and has some similarity to phytochrome of vascular plants. This photoreceptor is thought to represent the first element of a phosphorelay system that regulates genes encoding the phycobiliprotein subunits and linker polypeptides. Phycobilisomes are also sensitive to nutrient levels and during starvation conditions there is both reduced synthesis and elevated breakdown of phycobilisomes. The degradation of phycobilisomes during nutrient-limited growth results in cells that lose their brilliant blue-green color and appear yellow green or bleached. This bleaching response is controlled by a ‘global’ regulatory system that may sense the redox state of the cell, the generation of reactive oxygen species and the quality of light in the environment. Some of the regulatory elements critical for controlling nutrient stress responses are also involved in modulating photosynthetic activity when cyanobacteria experience high light conditions. The analyses of these systems highlight the molecular flexibility incorporated into the biosynthetic processes required for construction and maintenance of a light harvesting complex and the nature of the key control elements that interface with environmental cues. At a more basic level, these studies suggest the robustly dynamic nature of the entire photosynthetic apparatus.
The Infrastructural Function: A Relational Theory of Infrastructure for Writing Studies

This article theorizes the term infrastructure as a framework for articulating how writing products, activities, and processes underwrite organizational life in technical organizations. While this ...
A High Power and High Linearity 16.5-25.5 GHz 0.18-μm BiCMOS Power Amplifier

A new wideband 0.18-μm SiGe BiCMOS power amplifier (PA) across 16.5–25.5 GHz is presented. The PA consists of a drive amplifier (DA), and two main amplifiers integrated through lumped-element Wilkinson power divider and combiner. The PA exploits the advantages of both HBT and NMOS characteristics in a cascode topology in addition to floating the NMOS body to achieve good gain, output power, power-aided efficiency (PAE), and linearity. The developed PA has relatively flat saturated output power (P sat ) of 18.5–20.8 dBm, output 1-dB compression point (OP1dB) of 15.1–18.1 dBm, 13.5–23% maximum PAE, and gain of 19.5 ± 1.5 dB across 16.5–25.5 GHz. At 24 GHz, the PA achieves P sat , OP1dB, maximum PAE, and gain of 20.8 dBm, 18.1 dBm, 23%, and 20 dB, respectively.
Post-translational Regulation of GLT-1 in Neurological Diseases and Its Potential as an Effective Therapeutic Target.

Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) is a Na+-dependent transporter that plays a key role in glutamate homeostasis by removing excess glutamate in the central nervous system (CNS). GLT-1 dysregulation occurs in various neurological diseases including Huntington’s disease (HD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and epilepsy. Downregulation or dysfunction of GLT-1 has been a common finding across these diseases but how this occurs is still under investigation. This review aims to highlight post-translational regulation of GLT-1 which leads to its downregulation including sumoylation, palmitoylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination and subcellular localization. Various therapeutic interventions to restore GLT-1, their proposed mechanism of action and functional effects will be examined as potential treatments to attenuate the neurological symptoms associated with loss or downregulation of GLT-1.
Multicomponent drop breakup during impact with heated walls

Abstract Understanding multicomponent drop breakup during impact with walls is critical to the prediction and optimization of fuel-air mixture distribution in combustion systems. In combustors, drops impact walls over a range of wall temperatures and drop velocities, resulting in complex outcomes. In this paper, the regimes of drop impact are characterized for bicomponent and multicomponent fuel drops impacting hot walls. Mixtures of n-heptane and n-decane were used to represent low and high boiling point fuel components, respectively. The wall surface temperatures were varied from 27 to 400 °C with drop Weber numbers ranging up to ∼ 700 for a range of mixing ratios of n-heptane and n-decane. The drop impact events were recorded using high-speed imaging, allowing the identification of impact outcomes and classification into regimes of film deposition, nucleate boiling, and rebound at low Weber numbers, and splashing and breakup at high Weber numbers. In bicomponent mixtures of n-heptane and n-decane, increasing the fraction of the volatile component (n-heptane) results in secondary film breakup at low wall temperatures and a shift in the classified regimes of impact. The droplet size distribution following this secondary breakup was determined, and results show a decrease in the mean droplet size with increasing volatile concentration. Finally, commercial gasoline and diesel fuel drops were examined over similar wall temperature and Weber number ranges. The impact regimes are comparable to those identified for the well-defined bicomponent liquid mixture, in which more volatile components promote rebound and disintegration of the liquid.
Experimental investigation of alumina coating as tritium permeation barrier for molten salt nuclear reactors

Abstract This study experimentally investigates the reduction efficiency of tritium permeation through 316 stainless steel tubing coated with alumina as a tritium permeation barrier (TPB) in support of the development of molten salt nuclear reactors, particularly for fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature nuclear reactors (FHRs). The TPB coatings composed ofan intermediate bond layer of NiCr, a transition layer of NiCr + alumina, and a pure alumina layer were successively added onto the outer surface of commercial 316 stainless steel tubing via plasma thermal spray. In order to generate a continuous gaseous tritium source, 35 g of purified natural-lithium FLiBe salt was irradiated by thermal neutron flux at 620 °C in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR). The preliminary results suggest that the TPB coatings on tube surfaces significantly reduced the tritium permeation rate at 700 °C. To get a better understanding of the TPB, the microstructure of the coated tubes was characterized with various techniques.
Role of Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Metabolically Active Renal Cell Carcinoma

The clinical role of fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still evolving. Use of FDG PET in RCC is currently not a standard investigation in the diagnosis and staging of RCC due to its renal excretion. This review focuses on the clinical role and current status of FDG PET and PET/CT in RCC. Studies investigating the role of FDG PET in localized RCC were largely disappointing. Several studies have demonstrated that the use of hybrid imaging PET/CT is feasible in evaluating the extra-renal disease. A current review of the literature determines PET/CT to be a valuable tool both in treatment decision-making and monitoring and in predicting the survival in recurrent and metastatic RCC. PET/CT might be a viable option in the evaluation of RCC, especially recurrent and metastatic disease. PET/CT has also shown to play a role in predicting survival and monitoring therapy response.
Research on Estimation of Regional Distributed Photovoltaic Output Based on K-medoids Algorithm

Distributed photovoltaic (PV) power generation has been widely applied in recent years. The monitoring of distributed PV output plays an important role in the safe and stable operation of power grid. However, the current monitoring capability cannot cover all distributed PV power stations. To solve this problem, a method for estimating regional distributed PV output based on k-medoids algorithm is proposed. Firstly, the feature set of each station is constructed. Then, the phased clustering and sample station selection are realized based on k- medoids algorithm. Finally, combined with the real-time power data of sample stations, the regional distributed PV output is estimated. The experimental results show that when the number of sample stations reaches more than 22% of the number of stations in this region, estimation accuracy can reach more than 90%. The method proposed in this paper needs fewer monitoring sites, which has strong practicability.
Structural plasticity of SARS-CoV-2 3CL M pro active site cavity revealed by room temperature X-ray crystallography.

The COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has become a pandemic health crisis. An attractive target for antiviral inhibitors is the main protease 3CL Mpro due to its essential role in processing the polyproteins translated from viral RNA. Here we report the room temperature X-ray structure of unliganded SARS-CoV-2 3CL Mpro, revealing the ligand-free structure of the active site and the conformation of the catalytic site cavity at near-physiological temperature. Comparison with previously reported low-temperature ligand-free and inhibitor-bound structures suggest that the room temperature structure may provide more relevant information at physiological temperatures for aiding in molecular docking studies.
Neuromuscular blocking agents.

Clearly, many aspects of the action of neuromuscular blockers remain poorly understood at the molecular level. In the case of competitive blockers, blockade of EPPs by competitive binding to the ACh receptor site accounts for the most clinically important aspect of blockade. Although train-of-four fade produced by curare and some other competitive agents probably represents a presynaptic action, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been addressed. Depolarizing blockade is inherently more complicated than competitive blockade. Simple depolarization and inactivation of the mechanism for generation of the action potential probably account for the major clinical effect seen in phase I block. Furthermore, the relative balance between activation of channels and desensitization may also provide a qualitative explanation for phase II block and tachyphylaxis. However, effects that are more likely to be explained by presynaptic actions of depolarizing blockers have also been described, and it is not yet possible to assess quantitatively whether the rates of onset of the different postsynaptic actions can account for most aspects of depolarizing block. This discussion has raised several issues which need to be addressed in future studies. 1. What are the presynaptic effects of cholinergic drugs? Do these drugs act through a specific receptor or, on other ion channels in the terminal membrane, or do they operate by mechanisms distinct from effects on membrane conductance? Can any of the observations be explained by indirect effects mediated through postsynaptic ACh receptors, e.g., K+ release? 2. What are the factors that influence variability in sensitivity to neuromuscular blockers among species, muscles within species, and during development? Many of the potential factors, e.g., differences in safety factor, resting conductances, ACh receptor type, and differences in the presence and absence of presynaptic receptors, have been outlined, but definitive tests of the contribution of any particular mechanisms are lacking. 3. Does modulation of desensitization play a role in any components of neuromuscular blockade? 4. Can trapping of blocking agents in ion channels in some cases account for slowly reversible components of blockade? 5. Can closed-channel block provide an effective mechanism of neuromuscular block?
Policy Options for Taxing the Rich

The U.S. economy exhibits high inequality and low economic mobility across generations relative to other high-income countries. The United States will need to raise more revenues in order to reduce these disparities, finance much-needed new services and investments, and address the nation’s long-term fiscal needs. This paper outlines policy options for raising a large amount of revenues primarily from the most affluent, first discussing potential incremental reforms and then focusing on four main options for more structural reform: dramatically increasing the top tax rates on labor and other ordinary income; effectively taxing the wealthy on accrued gains as they arise and at ordinary rates; a wealth tax on high-net-worth individuals; and a financial transactions tax. Although we summarize the relative advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, we generally conclude that they all merit serious consideration. Several options are also complementary to one another. In practice, however, the relative strengths of each of these policies will depend to a large extent on how each is designed after it has made its way through the legislative and regulatory process.
Length of Mucin-Like Domains Enhance Cell-Ebola Virus Adhesion by Increasing Binding Probability

Abstract The Ebola virus (EBOV) hijacks normal physiological processes by apoptotic mimicry in order to be taken up by the cell it infects. The initial adhesion of the virus to the cell is based on the interaction between T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein, TIM, on the cell-surface and phosphatidylserine (PS) on the viral outer surface. Therefore, it is important to understand the interaction between EBOV/PS and TIM, with selective blocking of the interaction as a potential therapy. Recent experimental studies have shown that for TIM-dependent EBOV entry, a Mucin-like Domain (MLD) with a length of at least 120 amino acids is required, possibly due to the increase of area of the PS-coated surface sampled. We examine this hypothesis by modeling the process of TIM-PS adhesion using a coarse-grained molecular model. We find that the strength of bound PS−TIM pairs is essentially independent of TIM length. TIMs with longer MLDs have higher average binding strengths because of an increase in the probability of binding between EBOV and TIM proteins. Similarly, we find that for larger persistence length (less flexible) the average binding force decreases, again because of a reduction in the probability of binding. Statement of Significance This work studies the mechanism of TIM-dependent adhesion of the Ebola virus to a cell. Through coarse grained modeling we show that longer TIM stalks adhere more easily as they can sample a larger area, thus offering a mechanistic interpretation of an experimental finding. Better mechanistic understanding can lead to therapeutic ideas for blocking adhesion.
The Weight of Evidence From Electrophysiology, Observational, and Cardiovascular End Point Studies Demonstrates the Safety of Azithromycin

Increased use of azithromycin (AZ) in treating infections associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reports of increased incidence of prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval associated with AZ used with hydroxychloroquine prompted us to review the latest evidence in the literature, present additional analyses of human cardiovascular (CV) electrophysiology studies, and to describe sequential steps in research and development that were undertaken to characterize the benefit-risk profile of AZ. Combined QTc findings from electrocardiograms taken during oral and i.v. pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies of AZ suggest that clinically meaningful QTc prolongation is unlikely. Findings from several observational studies were heterogeneous and not as consistent as results from at least two large randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The QTc findings presented and observational data from studies with large numbers of events are not consistent with either a proarrhythmic action of AZ or an increase in frequency of CV deaths. Well-powered RCTs do not suggest a presence of increased risk of CV or sudden cardiac death after short-term or protracted periods of AZ usage, even in patients at higher risk from pre-existing coronary disease.
Large Second Harmonic Generation from Polar van der Waals Bismuth Telluro-Halide Semiconductors

We demonstrate large second harmonic generation from the polar van der Waals semiconductors BiTel and BiTeBr, with responses comparable to leading semiconducting nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. This highlights their promise for nanoscale NLO applications.
QSM in canine model of acute cerebral ischemia: A pilot study.

Purpose In the present study, we investigated the potential of QSM to assess the physiological state of cortical tissue in the middle cerebral artery occlusion canine model of a cerebral ischemia. Methods Experiments were performed in 8 anesthetized canines. Gradient echo, perfusion, and DWI data of brains at normal and ischemic states were acquired. In the postprocessed susceptibility and quantitative cerebral blood flow maps, changes in values within the middle cerebral artery-fed cortical territories were quantified both on the ischemic and normal contralateral hemisphere side. Results QSM values in critically ischemic tissue were significantly different from contralateral values-namely, susceptibility increase was observed in the cases in which cerebral perfusion was maintained above the threshold of neuronal death. Furthermore, the data indicates presence of a significant correlation between the changes in susceptibility values, cerebral perfusion, and the infarct volume and pial collateral scores. Additionally, our data suggests that difference in cortical susceptibility is prospectively indicative of the infarct growth rate. Conclusion In an experimental permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model, QSM was shown to correlate with the functional parameters characterizing viability of ischemic tissue, thus warranting further research on its ability to provide complementary information during acute stroke MRI examinations in humans.
Milk on the Moo've

The female mammal produces, stores and ejects milk from the mammary gland to nourish her offspring. Calcium plays a dual role, both as an essential nutrient in milk and in signal transduction. This perspective covers exciting new insights on calcium and cellular connectivity in this essential organ.
The sedimentation of whiteness as landscape

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, one of the axioms of a “just recovery” was to redevelop the city’s historic high ground. While the call to limit the city’s footprint problematized low-lying geogr...
SOME IMPOSSIBLE EUCLIDEAN CONSTRUCTIONS SIMILAR TO TRISECTION OF AN ANGLE

ABSTRACT Five examples of impossible constructions with Euclidean tools are given for training students the skill of transforming a geometric problem to an algebraic problem.
Analysis of Notched Metal Matrix Composites Under Tensile Loading

Presented are techniques based on 3-D finite-element analysis for the examination of continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composites. Examples are shown for specific metal matrix composites such as boron/aluminum and silicon-carbide/aluminum. Specimen stress-strain behavior and stress at first fiber failure were predicted for boron/aluminum laminates containing circular holes and crack-like slits. The predictions compared very well for (+ or - 45) sub 2s laminates. Mesh configuration was shown to have an effect on the calculation of stresses local to the notch. The presence of thin interface layers of matrix material had a significant influence on the slit-tip stress state, causing sharper stress gradients near the notch. Interface layers reduced the slit-tip fibers stresses in a (+ or - 45) sub s silicon-carbide/aluminum laminate but increased them in a (0/90) sub s laminate.
Daniel Berlyne memorial lecture. Developmental psychobiology and behaviour theory: reciprocating influences.

Les niveaux de fonctionnement pendant l'ontogenese: un grand nombre de donnees normatives demontre les âges auxquels surviennent pour la premiere fois dans l'enfance des effets lies aux protocoles de recompense ayant tous ete observes chez le rat adulte et chez d'autres especes, l'homme inclus. On expose d'abord les niveaux de fonctionnement chez l'animal et chez l'homme avec reference particuliere aux theories neuropsychologiques de la fonction mnesique. Fait suite une breve presentation des donnees developpementales normatives des effets des cedules de recompense; de travaux anciens impliquant l'hippocampe dans quelques-uns de ses effets; les travaux de l'auteur sur les lesions hippocampiennes
Effect of Various Blood Culture Media on Lysostaphin Sensitivity of Staphylococci

A rapid screening test for Staphylococcus aureus that utilizes lysostaphin sensitivity was found to be reliable for organisms cultured in 12 different commercial blood culture media.
The Observational Study of Herbig-Haro Shock Waves

We review the basic shock properties and the origin and the geometry of Herbig-Haro (H-H) shock waves. We first discuss different aspects of “normal” H-H objects which are connected with working surfaces (including internal working surfaces) of jets from young stellar objects. The emphasis is on unsolved problems of the H-H shock waves and not on the problems of the jet.
A preliminary investigation into evolving modular finite state machines

Evolutionary programming was proposed more than thirty five years ago for generating artificial intelligence. The original experiments consisted of evolving populations of finite state machines (FSMs) for prediction, identification, and control. Since then, all of the studies with FSMs and evolutionary programming have been limited to the evolution of strictly non-modular FSMs. In this study, a modular FSM architecture is proposed and an evolutionary programming procedure for evolving such structures is presented. Preliminary results indicate that the proposed procedure is indeed capable of successfully evolving modular FSMs and that such modularity can result in a statistically significantly increased rate of optimization.
Potential Power Quality Benefits of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are likely to have a continued presence in the light-vehicle market in the next few decades. As a result, EV charging will put an extra burden on the distribution grid and adjustments need to be made in some cases. On the other hand, EVs have the potential to support the grid as well. This paper presents a single-phase bidirectional charger topology which pairs up a photovoltaic (PV) source with an EV charger resulting in production cost reduction. The presented topology is then used for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. The main focus of this paper is on power quality services which only slightly discharge the battery. Among these services, it studies the possibility of local reactive injection of EVs connected to the grid through a single-phase charger to compensate for voltage drops caused by motor startup or inductive loads. It also studies the possibility of active power injection of EVs for short time periods during PV transients in cloudy weather to keep the system stable. It also studies the potential of EVs to help during low voltage ride-through of the PV sources. The studies are performed using Simulink simulations and a real-time implementation in Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of power quality V2G services with small wear on the EV battery.
The Hollow Within: anxiety and performing postcolonial financial policies

Abstract In 1997–98 East and Southeast Asia experienced a region-wide financial crisis that saw national currencies lose 75 per cent of their value and stock markets wiped out. The financial crisis became an antagonistic and racialised referendum on Asian values between certain Asian governments and their Western critics. What was the larger political significance of this focus on Asian values? Focusing on the Malaysian government's controversial decision to go against the international financial community by implementing capital controls during the crisis, I argue that the debate over Asian values can be understood as performances to challenge and psychologically defend the conventional hierarchy of international relations that followed its symbolic disruption through the economic success of the regional economies before the crisis.
Acute symptomatic hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is a laboratory finding which reflects several different physiological adjustments. The diagnosis of symptomatic hyponatremia is based on clinical findings, laboratory data, and the response to appropriate therapy. Laboratory data alone do not distinguish children with low plasma sodium concentrations and symptoms of water intoxication from those with hypotonic dehydration unassociated with central nervous system dysfunction. Data from 17 children with acute symptomatic hyponatremia are presented. These patients had satisfactory clinical and biochemical responses to infusions containing sodium at concentrations of 500 to 1,300 mEq. per liter.
Geometric programming design of spacecraft protective structures to defeat earth-orbital space debris

A unique methodology providing global optimization of spacecraft protective structures is presented. The Geometric Programming optimization technique, which has a long history of application to structural design problems, is employed to minimize spacecraft weight of protective structural systems exposed to meteoroid and space debris hypervelocity impacts. The space debris and meteoroid environment are defined followed by the formulation of the general weight objective function. The Wilkinson, Burch, and Nysmith hypervelocity impact predictor models are then used in example cases to display Geometric Programming capabilities. Results show that global nonlinear design optimization can be performed for hypervelocity impact models that follow the Geometric Programming form.
Comparison of quantitative and semiquantitative estimates of nailfold capillary abnormalities in scleroderma spectrum disorders

In this study, 82 photomacrographs of nailfold capillary beds from 60 patients with scleroderma spectrum disorders (scleroderma, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, and dermatomyositis) and from 16 normal controls were analyzed blindly, using both semiquantitative and quantitative methods, to estimate the capillary size and the extent of "avascularity." A good correlation was found between results obtained by the two methods. Defining these semiquantitative classifications in quantitative terms should facilitate comparison of results from different investigators.
In-situ ellipsometric characterization of the electrodeposition of metal films

The long-term objective of this work is to develop novel material structures and low-cost methods to prepare magneto-optic thin film materials. Ellipsometry offers diagnostics of the nucleation and growth processes on a nanometer-thickness scale. Magnetic Ni metal films were electrodeposited from sulfamate-based solutions using a galvanostatic technique. The deposition process was monitored in-situ using a spectroscopic ellipsometer measuring at 44 wavelengths simultaneously from 410 to 750 nm in real time. The spectral range for good data was limited by the transparency of the solution. Ellipsometric measurements were used to find the optical constants and growth rates for a series of depositions. Measurements of the charge passing through the sample during the growth were also used to monitor growth rates. These results were compared with the growth rates found from ellipsometric measurements. The comparison shows the two techniques to be in reasonable agreement and the advantages of each technique is discussed.
Treatment of AIDS-related bronchopleural fistula by pleurectomy

Spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may require prolonged therapy for treatment of a persistent bronchopleural fistula, and treatment by standard methods often fails. This pilot study was done to test the effectiveness of aggressive surgical therapy for definitive treatment of persistent bronchopleural fistula in patients with AIDS. Between March 1989 and September 1991, 44 patients with AIDS were treated for spontaneous pneumothorax with closed tube thoracostomy; 14 of these patients had development of persistent bronchopleural fistula for more than 10 days, and 2 patients had subsequent bronchopleural fistula on the opposite side. Operative therapy in 14 patients included 15 thoracotomies and one sternotomy. The bronchopleural fistula was closed directly with suture or staples in 15 procedures and resected by lobectomy in 1 patient. All 14 patients received adjuvant parietal pleurectomy. Operative mortality was 7% (1 of 14 patients). The fistula was closed in all survivors and 13 patients were discharged between 7 and 28 days postoperatively. Pathologic examination confirmed Pneumocystis carinii in 13 patients with a high incidence of diffuse involvement and subpleural necrosis, further demonstrating the need for pleurectomy. These data suggest that in selected patients bronchopleural fistulas associated with AIDS can be effectively controlled by surgical closure combined with pleurectomy.
Association of polymorphisms of angiogenesis genes with breast cancer

Few studies have systematically explored a pathway approach: to test the association of multiple polymorphisms from multiple genes important to angiogenesis simultaneously with risk of breast cancer. We report our preliminary data evaluating the association of polymorphisms from seven genes known to influence angiogenesis with the likelihood of having breast cancer. We recruited 715 controls and 520 subjects with breast cancer. Subjects provided a blood specimen and completed a questionnaire that included common breast cancer risk factors and breast cancer status. We evaluated candidate polymorphisms in the following genes: Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF1α), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), VEGF Receptor 1 (VEGFR-1), VEGFR-2, endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and Neuropilin-2 (NRP-2). Testing for associations between each polymorphism and the presence or absence of breast cancer was performed. VEGF-2578 AA and -1498 CC genotypes were more common in cancer cases than controls (P = 0.06 and P = 0.04, respectively). These two genotypes remained significant predictors of breast cancer status after adjusting for non-genetic risk factors estimated by the Gail model (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). When comparing women with invasive versus pre-invasive breast cancer, the eNOS-786 TT and eNOS 894 GG genotypes were associated with a greater likelihood of invasive disease and the eNOS 894 GG genotype was associated with a greater likelihood of having metastatic disease. There is an association of the VEGF-2578A and -1498C alleles with increased breast cancer risk. This association remains significant when adjusted for Gail score-related risk factors.
Minimizing the statistical error of resonance parameters and cross-sections derived from transmission measurements

Total neutron cross-sections are usually measured by a transmission experiment. In this experiment the transmission through a sample is measured by taking the ratio of the background corrected counts measured with and without the sample in the beam. This procedure can be optimized to reduce the statistical error in the measured cross-section. The objective is to find the optimal sample thickness and time split between the open beam, sample and background measurements. An optimization procedure for constant cross-section measurement is derived and extended to the area under the total cross-section curve of an isolated resonance. The minimization of the statistical error in the measured area also minimizes the statistical error in the inferred neutron width. Comparison of the analytical expression developed in this paper and resonance parameters obtained from the SAMMY (Updated users’s guide for SAMMY: Multilevel R-Matrix fits to neutron data usingBays’ equation, version m2, ORNTL/TM/-9179/R4) code is shown. The comparison was done with both simulated data and data from transmission experiments that were previously done at RPI. It is shown that the analytical expression can be used as a design tool for optimizing transmission experiments. This will consequently result in more accurate measurements of resonance parameters and can shorten the time required to reach a given accuracy. r 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
ß‐endorphin: synthesis and properties of analogs modified at position 6

Two analogs of s-endorphin (s-EP) were synthesized by the solid-phase method: [D-Ser6]-sc-EP (I) and [Pro6]-sc-EP (II)(sc-EP = camel s-EP). Radioreceptor binding assay with use of tritiated human s-EP (sh-EP) as primary ligand gave relative potencies as follows: sc-EP, 100; I, 32; II, 28. Relative potencies in an analgesia assay were: sc-EP, 100; I, 115; II, 31.
Photoinduced charge transport in molecular solids: the question of polaron formation

A long standing issue for transport in molecularly doped polymers is the compatibility of the small polaron hopping rate. It has been recently shown that the Poole-Frenkle field dependence of the mobility of injected charges in molecularly doped polymers arises as a natural consequence of the charge-dipole interaction. In this paper we address the extent to which the Poole-Frenkle behavior is compatible with the dependent upon the size of the polaron binding energy.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Significance of phosphorylation in organophosphate-mediated β-glucuronidase release from the rat liver

The elevation of rat blood β-glucuronidase caused in vivo by O,O-dialkyl O-phenyl phosphates and phosphorothioates correlated well with the electron-withdrawing tendency (σ−) of leaving group substituents indicating the importance of a phosphorylation mechanism in the enzyme release. Hydrophobic bonding of these compounds may facilitate the phosphorylation since hydrophobicity (π) of substituents also correlated with the enzyme release. SKF 525-A decreased the elevation of β-glucuronidase by parathion through the suppression of paraoxon production. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital or DDE resulted in lower and delayed enzyme release caused by parathion.