cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The concept of residual stress in rock

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of residual stress in rock. Residual stress is stress near a point in a body subjected to zero external tractions and to zero temperature gradients, excluding body forces. Thus, residual stresses can develop in rock if there are local phase transformations, inelastic strains, or differences in thermal or elastic properties. In these cases, residual stresses can result from changes in temperature, applied stress or configuration of the body. Analysis of residual stresses at the scale of mineral grains within a polycrystalline aggregate such as rock is virtually intractable. One can, however, obtain important insights into residual stresses within bodies with widely spaced sources of residual stress, such as inclusions, and within bodies comprised of multilayers. The analyses indicate that patterns of residual stress in rock can be expected to be extremely complicated. For example, study of residual stresses in a body containing a circular inclusion indicates that: 1. (1) There is a single state of residual stress within an inclusion but the state within the surrounding medium is variable. Thus, values of residual stress within rocks reported in the literature generally are of minor value because the sizes and shapes of the sources and the positions of the measurements relative to the positions of sources of residual stresses in the bodies have not been determined. 2. (2) Residual stresses within an inclusion can be tensile or compressive, even though the applied stresses were compressive, depending upon the source of residual stress. 3. (3) The magnitudes and orientations of residual stresses in an isolated body of rock containing one or more inclusions depends upon the size and shape of the body. The same general conclusions are derived from an analysis of residual stresses in a simple multilayered body. 4. (4) In addition, however, the anisotropy of a multilayered body tends to cause principal residual stresses to parallel the layers rather than to parallel the applied stresses that were responsible for inducing the residual stresses. Thus, without identifying the sources of residual stresses in a body, one cannot infer the directions of principal tectonic stresses that might have been responsible for the residual stresses. Comparison of the theoretical results with measurements of change of residual stress in blocks of granite, with maximum dimensions of 2.5 m in the field and 0.2 m in the lab oratory, suggests that sources of residual stress are inhomogeneous elements or elements of inelastic deformation within the blocks that are smaller than the blocks themselves, but larger than individual mineral grains. The sources of residual stress are unknown in these granites.
Studies of Propionate Toxicity in Salmonella enterica Identify 2-Methylcitrate as a Potent Inhibitor of Cell Growth

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 showed increased sensitivity to propionate when the 2-methylcitric acid cycle was blocked. A derivative of a prpC mutant (which lacked 2-methylcitrate synthase activity) resistant to propionate was isolated, and the mutation responsible for the newly acquired resistance to propionate was mapped to the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. These results suggested that citrate synthase activity was the source of the increased sensitivity to propionate observed in the absence of the 2-methylcitric acid cycle. DNA sequencing of the wild-type and mutant gltA alleles revealed that the ATG start codon of the wild-type gene was converted to the rare GTG start codon in the revertant strain. This result suggested that lower levels of this enzyme were present in the mutant. Consistent with this change, cell-free extracts of the propionate-resistant strain contained 12-fold less citrate synthase activity. This was interpreted to mean that, in the wild-type strain, high levels of citrate synthase activity were the source of a toxic metabolite. In vitro experiments performed with homogeneous citrate synthase enzyme indicated that this enzyme was capable of synthesizing 2-methylcitrate from propionyl-CoA and oxaloacetate. This result lent further support to the in vivo data, which suggested that citrate synthase was the source of a toxic metabolite.
Three methods for optimization of cross-laboratory and cross-platform microarray expression data.

Microarray gene expression data becomes more valuable as our confidence in the results grows. Guaranteeing data quality becomes increasingly important as microarrays are being used to diagnose and treat patients (1–4). The MAQC Quality Control Consortium, the FDA's Critical Path Initiative, NCI's caBIG and others are implementing procedures that will broadly enhance data quality. As GEO continues to grow, its usefulness is constrained by the level of correlation across experiments and general applicability. Although RNA preparation and array platform play important roles in data accuracy, pre-processing is a user-selected factor that has an enormous effect. Normalization of expression data is necessary, but the methods have specific and pronounced effects on precision, accuracy and historical correlation. As a case study, we present a microarray calibration process using normalization as the adjustable parameter. We examine the impact of eight normalizations across both Agilent and Affymetrix expression platforms on three expression readouts: (1) sensitivity and power, (2) functional/biological interpretation and (3) feature selection and classification error. The reader is encouraged to measure their own discordant data, whether cross-laboratory, cross-platform or across any other variance source, and to use their results to tune the adjustable parameters of their laboratory to ensure increased correlation.
Effect of crystal morphology in selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide over V2O5 catalysts

Abstract Structural specificity of vanadium pentoxide catalysts was investigated in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitric oxide. Catalysts were prepared by different temperature-programmed methods to obtain particles having preferential exposure of different crystal planes. Catalyst samples were characterized using the BET surface area technique, X-ray diffraction, laser Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and 3-D imaging techniques. A steady-state fixed-bed reactor system was used for activity and selectivity measurements. Identification and quantification of reaction effluents were achieved using an analytical scheme that combined gas chromatography, chemiluminescence, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and wet chemistry techniques. Samples that preferentially exposed the (010) basal planes were found to promote direct oxidation of ammonia more readily than nitric oxide reduction as evidenced by the differences in nitric oxide and ammonia conversions and in nitrogen and nitrous oxide yields. The difference in catalytic activity and selectivity was related to the relative abundance of V O sites exposed on the catalyst surface and the competing reactions that are involved in SCR and direct ammonia oxidation reaction schemes.
Antiviral antibody responses in patients with renal disease

Abstract Thirteen different antiviral antibody titers were determined in serum samples obtained from 106 patients with immunofluorescent evidence of immune complex glomerulonephritis. The results were compared with titers determined in 41 patients with other types of renal disease including 22 with antiglomerular basement membrane antibody-induced glomerulonephritis. Anti-EBV titers were elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus glomerulonephritis. Antirubella titers were also somewhat higher in this group. Antiparainfluenza Type 3 titers were elevated in all renal groups tested, with only slightly higher titers in the immune complex group. Although antiviral antibody titers implicated no viral infection as a potentially common inducer of nephritogenic immune complexes, isolated elevations were found in several patients. Such elevated titers may serve as important starting points in the search for viral antigen-antibody systems in the production of human immune complex glomerulonephritis.
The “Boomerang” — A method of recording adductor pollicis tension

SEVERAL PAVERS have been published describing methods of objectively recording twitch tension response to motor nerve stimulation. Some have incorporated expensive factory-built transducers. 1-4 One device, while simple and inexpensive, gives only visual results and is not suitable for recording purposes. 5 Recently a new transducer has been designed at UCLA. The device is simply constructed from inexpensive parts. It is adaptable for use with most DC amplifying and recording devices. The basic elements of this transducer are a U-shaped strip of spring steel, a strain gauge, and three resistors (Figure 1). We have cemented the strain gauge to the spring at the point of maximum curvature. Squeezing the spring produces distortion of the gauge and a change in its resistance to flow of current. The gauge forms one side of a wheatstone bridge, the other three sides consisting of the three resistors. These resistors are mounted in a plug that attaches the transducer to the strain gauge amplifier of the recording device. We have embedded the spring into
Assessment of global climate model land surface albedo using MODIS data

[1] Land surface albedo from the Community Land Model is compared to white-sky (diffuse) and black-sky albedo (direct at local solar noon) from MODIS. Generally, comparisons are more favorable in summer than winter, for visible waveband than near-infrared in regions without snow cover, and for black- than white-sky. In regions with extensive snow cover, the model overestimates white- and black-sky albedo by up to 20% absolute. The snow-free visible and near-infrared black-sky albedo is simulated quite well with biases within ±5% over most of the land surface. However, a large negative model bias was found for the Sahara Desert and Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the near-infrared. The poorer simulation of white- compared to black-sky albedo in vegetated areas implies that the model may be overestimating the increase of albedo with solar zenith angle. These results identify several areas that should have priority in further evaluating and improving albedo in the model.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and insulin sensitivity: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Summary Background a however, the role of n-3 PUFA on glucose metabolism is not clear. Our aim was to systematically review the effect of n-3 PUFA on IS by conducting a meta-analysis of available RCTs. Methods We followed the guidelines of Cochrane’s review of systematic interventions. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinicaltrials.gov from the beginning of each database until October 2010. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to estimate a pooled SMD and the corresponding 95% CI. Results From 303 screened citations, 11 RCTs (n = 618) were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. In a pooled estimate, n-3 PUFA intervention had no effects on IS compared to placebo (SMD 0.08, 95% CI −0.11–0.28). Similarly, n-3 PUFA had no effects on IS in sub-group analyses (Type 2 diabetes vs. other population; QUICKI and other test subgroups). In the HOMA subgroup, n-3 PUFA was associated with a statistically significant increase in IS (SMD 0.30, CI 0.03–0.58) when compared to placebo. Conclusion This meta-analysis is consistent with a lack of n-3 PUFA effects on IS.
Solid-phase synthesis and biological evaluation of a uridinyl branched peptide urea library.

Abstract A 1000-member uridinyl branched peptide library was synthesized on PS-DES support using IRORI technology. High-throughput screening of this library for anti-tuberculosis activity identified several members with a MIC90 value of 12.5 μg/mL.
Mucus clearance, MyD88-dependent and MyD88-independent immunity modulate lung susceptibility to spontaneous bacterial infection and inflammation.

It has been postulated that mucus stasis is central to the pathogenesis of obstructive lung diseases. In Scnn1b-transgenic (Scnn1b-Tg+) mice, airway-targeted overexpression of the epithelial Na+ channel β subunit causes airway surface dehydration, which results in mucus stasis and inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage from neonatal Scnn1b-Tg+ mice, but not wild-type littermates, contained increased mucus, bacteria, and neutrophils, which declined with age. Scnn1b-Tg+ mice lung bacterial flora included environmental and oropharyngeal species, suggesting inhalation and/or aspiration as routes of entry. Genetic deletion of the Toll–interleukin-1 receptor adapter molecule MyD88 in Scnn1b-Tg+ mice did not modify airway mucus obstruction, but caused defective neutrophil recruitment and increased bacterial infection, which persisted into adulthood. Scnn1b-Tg+ mice derived into germ-free conditions exhibited mucus obstruction similar to conventional Scnn1b-Tg+ mice and sterile inflammation. Collectively, these data suggest that dehydration-induced mucus stasis promotes infection, compounds defects in other immune mechanisms, and alone is sufficient to trigger airway inflammation.
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 Interacts with Nm23-H1 in Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines and Inhibits Its Ability To Suppress Cell Migration

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) is expressed in the majority of latency programs in EBV-infected cells and is critical for the maintenance of EBV episomes in the infected cells. EBNA1 is also known to be involved in transcriptional activation and regulates expression of the EBV latent genes, including the EBNAs and LMP1. Thus, EBNA1 is a multifunctional protein with critical functions required for the persistence of the viral genome over successive generations, producing new daughter cells from the infected cell. We identify EBNA1 here as an interacting EBNA with the known suppressor of metastasis and cell migration, Nm23-H1. Nm23-H1 inhibits cell migration when expressed in cancer cells. We show that EBNA1 associates with Nm23-H1 in EBV-infected cells in vitro, as well as in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Nm23-H1 predominantly localizes to the cytoplasm in BJAB and 293T cells; however, upon expression of EBNA1, Nm23-H1 is translocated to the nucleus in similar compartments to EBNA1, suggesting a potential functional role that is linked to EBNA1. Convincingly, in EBV-transformed LCLs Nm23-H1 is localized predominantly to the nucleus and colocalizes to similar compartment as EBNA1. Further, we tested the effects of EBNA1 on Nm23-H1-mediated suppression of cell migration and showed that EBNA1 rescues the suppression of cell migration mediated by Nm23-H1. These in vitro studies suggest that EBNA1 plays a critical role in regulating the activities of Nm23-H1, including cell migration, through a mechanism which involves direct interaction of this major regulator in EBV-infected cells.
Engineering mixes with politics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that engineering and construction are much more than possessing technical skills and that political leadership necessitates engineering, manufacturing, and construction skills.Design/methodology/approach – The paper argues that the built environment and process of public investment decision making are proof enough that engineering must mix with politics.Findings – It is found that engineering and construction education need to orient themselves to the humanities and social sciences, public policy, management science, and law.Practical implications – The reality of leading effective governments requires that ministers, and prime ministers in particular, have a vast amount of general knowledge that encompasses engineering, manufacturing, finance, and construction.Social implications – The benefit to nations of having well‐educated, well‐rounded leaders at the helm can only be imagined as having a high social value.Originality/value – Whereas others have es...
A description of the software element of the NASA portable electronic device radiated emissions investigation

NASA Langley Research Center's (LaRC) High Intensity Radiated Fields Laboratory (HIRF Lab) recently conducted a series of electromagnetic radiated emissions tests under agreements with Delta Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The frequency spectrum environment at a commercial airport was measured. The environment survey provides a picture of the complex nature of the electromagnetic environment present in those areas outside the aircraft. In addition, radiated emissions tests were conducted on portable electronic devices (PEDs) such as, cell phones, laptop computers, electronic toys, and family radio systems, that may be brought onboard aircraft. These tests were performed in both semi-anechoic and reverberation chambers. The data generated during the tests are intended to support the research on the effect of radiated emissions from wireless devices on aircraft avionic systems. This report describes the tests and automated data acquisition systems used at the airport and in the HIRF Lab. In addition, the data reduction process is discussed in detail.
An Introduction to Cluster Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (Cluster SIMS)

Cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has had a significant impact on the mass spectrometry and surface analysis communities over the past two decades, with its newfound ability to characterize surface and in-depth compositions of molecular species with minimal damage, excellent spatial (100 nm or less) and depth (5 nm) resolutions, and increased sensitivities for bioimaging applications. With the continual development of new cluster ion beam technologies, we are breaking down barriers once thought to be unbreakable, and entering into new fields once labeled as out of reach. Instrument designs are now advancing to account for these new applications, allowing for further improvements in molecular sensitivities, selectivities, and even high throughput analysis. Although we are ∗ Official contribution of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; not subject to copyright in the United States.
A modified domain deformation theory on 1-D signal classification

The classification of one-dimensional (1-D) signals is accomplished using domain deformation theory. We use a metric defined on a domain deformation for measuring the distance between signals. By introducing a newly defined metric space, the assumption that domain deformation is applicable only to continuous signals is removed such that any kind of integrable signal can be classified. This method also has an advantage over the L/sup 2/ metric, because the similarity of one-dimensional signals can be better measured for the purpose of classification.
Measured characteristics of 30-GHz indoor propagation channels with low-profile directional antennas

The millimeter-wave frequency band is emerging as an interesting choice for high data-rate indoor wireless communications. The features of large bandwidth, small antenna size and high indoor path loss to isolate separate channels offer many advantages. This paper reports on the experimental setup, the experimental results, and statistical characteristics of line-of-sight (LOS) indoor wireless propagation channels using a low-profile directional antenna for both transmit and receive functions at 30 GHz. The path loss and small-scale fading characteristics are explored. The measured results are used to determine the coefficients used in Rician and Nakagami distribution models at 30 GHz.
An efficient formulation for substrate parasitic extraction accounting for nonuniform current distribution

In this paper, a new formulation for the extraction of substrate parasitics is derived that can account for the nonuniform current distribution on contacts without contact subdivision. This method is orders of magnitude faster than the original Green's function method. The speedup is achieved by a significantly reduced matrix size combined with the application of the discrete sine transform. The method is accurate, and is well suited for large problems.
Schottky contact effects in the sidegating effect of GaAs devices

The sidegating effect measurements on ungated FETs verify that the Schottky contact on undoped substrates causes serious current reduction in GaAs devices and high leakage current in the semi-insulating GaAs. By realizing the fact that current in Schottky-i-n structures can be high and taking this effect into account, the observed abrupt changes and S-shaped characteristics of the drain and sidegate currents can be explained to be the consequence of the transition of the substrate current from the n-i-n current to the Schottky-i-n current. >
A Synthesis of Some Recent Work in Sentence Production

Research into the psychological mechanisms underlying the syntactic processes deployed during sentence production seems to have begun in earnest with the appearance of Garrett (1975). While previous works had noted the existence of speech errors produced by normals involving linguistic units larger than phonemes, those works tended to focus on sound errors (additions, deletions, etc. of phonemes) and on the implications of such errors for phonological processing (cf., for instance, Fromkin, 1971). In contrast, Garrett’s (1975) article is chiefly concerned with distinguishing properties of word and stem errors from those of sound errors in order to argue for the deployment of two specifically syntactic levels of representation in production. It is a tribute to the insight and carefulness of Garrett’s research that nearly every investigator working on syntactic production since that article has felt compelled either to base their own analyses on it or to contrast their accounts with those that Garrett has presented.
Sensitivity of Urban Airshed Model (UAM-IV) Calculated Air Pollutant Concentrations to the Vertical Diffusion Parameterization during Convective Meteorological Situations

Abstract It is shown that Urban Airshed Model (UAM-IV) calculated air pollutant concentrations during photochemical smog episodes in Atlanta, Georgia, depend strongly on the numerical parameterization of the daytime vertical diffusivity. Results found suggest that vertical mixing is overestimated by the UAM-IV during unstable daytime conditions, as calculated vertical diffusivity values exceed measured and comparable literature values. Although deviations between measured and UAM-IV calculated air pollutant concentrations may only in part be due to the UAM-IV diffusivity parameterization, results indicate the large error potential in vertical diffusivity parameterization. Easily implemented enhancements to UAM-IV algorithms are proposed, thus improving UAM-IV modeling performance during unstable stratification.
ETIOLOGY OF OROYA FEVER : II. VIABILITY OF BARTONELLA BACILLIFORMIS IN CULTURES AND IN THE PRESERVED BLOOD AND AN EXCISED NODULE OF MACACUS RHESUS.

1. Animals immunized with the formalinized filtrates of young toxic cultures of B. botulinus produce an antitoxic serum poor in precipitins. 2. Animals immunized with the formalinized filtrates of old and partly autolyzed toxic cultures produce an antitoxic serum containing precipitins. 3. Animals immunized with toxin-free autolyzed bacteria produce a serum free from antitoxin but rich in specific precipitins. 4. Animals immunized with the filtrates of an atoxic variant produce a serum free from antitoxin but rich in precipitins for the homologous toxin. 5. Animals immunized with the washed bacteria of the atoxic variant produce a serum that contains no antitoxin, but is rich in precipitins for the homologous toxin. 6. Removal of the precipitins by flocculation with a non-toxic antigen does not materially reduce the antitoxic value of a serum. 7. Removal of the proteins of the antigen by add coagulation removes the specific precipitable substance. 8. All the sera that contain precipitins produce the specific flocculus when combined with homologous toxins, anatoxins, or with the filtrates of the atoxic variant. The flocculation is restricted within the type. The amount of the precipitate and the width of the zone vary approximately with the estimated amount of bacterial protein in the antigen that is used for the immunization of animals. We conclude, therefore, that the toxin-antitoxin flocculation is a specific bacterial precipitation phenomenon.
Does immersion make a virtual environment more usable

Usability tests comparing three different virtual environment (VE) interface designs indicate that an immersive VE is more usable than two non-immersive VEs for a task with search and navigation components. Three interface designs were tried in a counterbalanced within-subjects procedure with ten randomly-ordered trials for each interface design. One of the interface designs used a head-tracked, stereoscopic head-mounted display. The other two interface designs used hand-tracking and were non-immersive---the visual display appeared on a desktop monitor. Results for sixty participants doing the same task with each interface design show faster task completion times with the immersive design.
Expression of arginine vasotocin in distinct preoptic regions is associated with dominant and subordinate behaviour in an African cichlid fish

Neuropeptides have widespread modulatory effects on behaviour and physiology and are associated with phenotypic transitions in a variety of animals. Arginine vasotocin (AVT) is implicated in mediating alternative male phenotypes in teleost fish, but the direction of the association differs among species, with either higher or lower AVT related to more territorial behaviour in different fishes. To clarify the complex relationship between AVT and alternative phenotype, we evaluated AVT expression in an African cichlid in which social status is associated with divergent behaviour and physiology. We compared AVT mRNA expression between territorial and non-territorial (NT) males in both whole brains and microdissected anterior preoptic areas using transcription profiling, and in individual preoptic nuclei using in situ hybridization. These complementary methods revealed that in the posterior preoptic area (gigantocellular nucleus), territorial males exhibit higher levels of AVT expression than NT males. Conversely, in the anterior preoptic area (parvocellular nucleus), AVT expression is lower in territorial males than NT males. We further correlated AVT expression with behavioural and physiological characteristics of social status to gain insight into the divergent functions of individual AVT nuclei. Overall, our findings highlight a complex association between AVT and social behaviour.
Nineteenth-Century World’s Fairs as Accountability Systems: Scopic Systems, Audit Practices and Educational Data

Late-19th century World’s Fairs constitute an important chapter in the history of educational accountability. International expositions allowed for educational systems and practices to be “audited” by lay and expert audiences. In this article we examine how World’s Fair exhibitors sought to make visible educational practices and institutions for external validation. Focusing especially on the American education exhibits mounted at Vienna (1873), Philadelphia (1876), Chicago (1893), and Paris (1900), we use historical documents connected with the preparation of exhibits as well as reports written during and after the Fairs to bring to light the curatorial principles and exhibitionary practices governing education exhibits. This examination helps us to understand educational accountability mechanisms and procedures not simply as technical undertakings, but as social systems with an important set of effects. The scopic systems at play and in contestation for accurately and fairly presenting education systems for outside scrutiny did much to shape the national/international contexts within which school systems operate as well as in what directions educators and policymakers sought to direct/redirect schooling.
2500 KW Ship Service Turbine Generator Casing Welded Inconel Plug Failure and Repair Analysis

Abstract : Six of seven US Navy Wasp Class (LHD) ships have 2500 KW Ship Service Turbo Generator (SSTG) steam turbine casings that were mistakenly manufactured with in-place first stage balancing holes in both the inboard and outboard sides of the upper casing half. These holes were intended for in-place balancing of the turbine rotor; however, the US Navy did not request the access holes since in-place balancing is typically not accomplished on in-service surface ship SSTGs. To correct the mistake, the OEM, developed a procedure to weld plugs into the holes. Unfortunately, cracks developed in the plug weld heat affected zones (HAZs) on many of the in-service units. Some cracks propagated entirely through the plug and leaked steam in service. A failure analysis determined that the original plug (Inconel X750) should have received post weld heat treatment (PWHT) to avoid embrittlement and the subsequent cracking of the HAZ. If PWHT was not to be accomplished, an alloy such as Inconel 600 should have been selected. It is noted that PWHT risks warping the casing and cannot be performed in-place. Inconel 600 repair plug installations we reperformed in-place, permitting a fast repair turnaround time, which allowed the affected ships to meet operational schedules. To evaluate the repair integrity, the US Navy reviewed the failure analysis data and repair procedure and performed a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Fracture Analysis. Various improved plug designs were also studied in parallel to determine if a different geometry plug would better resist future cracking. During repairs, minor radial cracks were discovered in the welding inlay originally installed between the casing and plug weld. Because the inlay had to be fully preserved to avoid complex and time consuming additional repairs to the casing including PWHT, minor cracks were left in place and consumed by the new weld. An important objective of this effort was to prove that if any cracking ever
Automated Targeting for the MER Rovers

The Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science System (AEGIS) will soon provide automated targeting for remote sensing instruments on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission, which currently has two rovers exploring the surface of Mars. Targets for rover remote-sensing instruments, especially narrow field-of-view instruments (such as the MER Mini-TES spectrometer or the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Mission ChemCam Spectrometer), are typically selected manually based on imagery already on the ground with the operations team. AEGIS enables the rover flight software to analyze imagery onboard in order to autonomously select and sequence targeted remote-sensing observations in an opportunistic fashionIn this paper, we first provide background information on the larger autonomous science framework in which AEGIS was developed. We then describe how AEGIS was specifically developed and tested on the JPL FIDO rover. Finally we discuss how AEGIS will be uploaded and used on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission in mid 2009.
Implementation of a Dietitian-Led Enteral Nutrition Support Clinic Results in Quality Improvement, Reduced Readmissions, and Cost Savings

Background: Enteral access device malfunction and breakage results in significant morbidity and healthcare cost. In many healthcare systems, enteral nutrition care is fragmented and inefficient. We describe the development and validation of an enteral nutrition support clinic (NSC) with a focus on prevention of enteral access complications. A care protocol consisting of pre- and postplacement visits and subsequent weekly visits was developed. Competencies were established for dietitians to staff the NSC. Methods: A retrospective quality analysis was performed in patients before and after the implementation of an enteral NSC. Enteral access complications, emergency room visits, readmissions, unplanned physician visits, and tube replacements were recorded for 90 days after tube placement. Results: Thirty patients were evaluated in the NSC pilot and compared with 22 baseline patients with adequate follow-up. The NSC resulted in an 88.9% reduction in nutrition-related emergency room visits (P = .016) and 78.1...
A workshop on advanced separation of concerns and aspect-oriented programming

The concept of separation of concerns is fundamental to the practice of software development. In recent years, research into advanced techniques for separating concerns has been very active. Aspect-oriented programming has emerged from this research. Among the key features of aspect-oriented programming is the ability to modularize tangled and crosscutting concerns. This workshop course provides computer science students with an overview of current thinking in advanced separation of concerns. Students are introduced to the relevant concepts in the context of the scripting language Python. The development of Web-based applications is used as a problem domain for the workshop.
Adipocyte-Derived Soluble Factor(s) Inhibits Early Stages of B Lymphopoiesis

B lymphopoiesis declines with age, and in rabbits this occurs by 8 wk of age. We found that CFU fibroblasts (CFU-Fs) in the bone marrow (BM) decrease 10-fold by a few weeks of age and that the CFU-Fs preferentially differentiate into adipocytes instead of osteoblasts. BM becomes filled with fat spaces during this time, making rabbit a unique model to study the effects of accelerated fat accumulation on B lymphopoiesis. We show that adipocytes of both rabbit and human secrete a soluble factor(s) that inhibits B lymphopoiesis, and we tested if this inhibition was due to effects on the BM stroma or hematopoietic progenitors. Pretreatment of BM mononuclear cells with adipocyte conditioned medium dramatically inhibited their differentiation into proB cells in cocultures with OP9 stromal cells. In contrast, pretreatment of OP9 stromal cells with adipocyte conditioned medium had no effect on B lymphopoiesis. Using human hematopoietic stem cells, we show that inhibition by the adipocyte-derived factor occurred at the common lymphoid progenitor to preproB cell stage. We propose that the age-related decline in B lymphopoiesis is due to a decrease in CFU-Fs, an increase in adipocytes, and an adipocyte-derived factor that blocks B lymphopoiesis at the common lymphoid progenitor to preproB cell stage.
On notebooks and trust.

We recently asked a group of critical care nurses and physicians how their work had changed over the past few years. We expected (and had steeled ourselves) to hear the litany of negative themes dominating the press of late: nursing shortages, daunting workloads, low reimbursement rates, poor morale, and a turbulent healthcare environment. None of these was mentioned. The number-one change they identified was a growing mistrust among patients and their families of caregivers. They explained that family members of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) took copious notes at the bedside, writing down nurses’ and doctors’ names and what each one did and said. They described patients who grilled each nurse about the nature and purpose of the medications that were being given and compared one set of answers to another. The nurses and physicians grieved for the time when patients and families trusted critical care professionals—trusted their competence, knowledge, and dedication—until proven unworthy of that trust. Today, it appears that our patients and their families mistrust until proven otherwise. What changes in the healthcare system have led to this erosion of confidence on the part of our patients and the public? We can think of four.
Depolymerization studies on polyacetaldehyde

Depolymerization of amorphous polyacetaldehyde has been studied by measurements of weight loss versus time for thin films of the polymer in vacuum. Temperatures ranged from 40 to 80°C. The samples were prepared by freezing or melting the monomer in contact with treated glass surfaces. Light scattering, osmometry, and intrinsic viscosity measurements were used to characterize the polymers. Depolymerization rates were between second and third order with respect to the unvolatilized fraction, and the activation energy was 26.3 kcal. Much of the evidence points toward a slow unzipping reaction at the chain ends, but the analysis seems to be complicated by structural variations among the samples.
Physiological basis for resistance to diphenyl ether herbicides in common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis)

Abstract Common waterhemp seeds were collected from two Missouri soybean fields where biotypes were not controlled by acifluorfen. Plants grown from these seeds were tested for resistance to the diphenyl ether herbicides acifluorfen and lactofen. Resistance to susceptibility (R/S) ratios, calculated as the ratio of the dose required to inhibit dry weight accumulation by 50% (GR50) in resistant plants to that for susceptible plants, were 9.5 and 11 for the Meadville biotype and 28 and 44 for the Bethel biotype exposed to acifluorfen and lactofen, respectively. Electrolyte leakage assays determined that light-induced lipid peroxidation by acifluorfen was greatest on a control population (Bradford), intermediate for the Meadville biotype, and lowest for the Bethel biotype. Levels of the photodynamic pigment protoporphyrin IX (Proto) accumulating in leaf disks exposed to acifluorfen were much lower in the resistant biotypes than in the susceptible wild type, and the level of Proto accumulation was significant...
Introductory and Historical

The large-scale oscillations of the atmosphere, the subject of this review, are those produced (in two very different ways) by (a) the gravitational forces of the moon and sun, and (b) the thermal action of the sun. Tide here signifies oscillations excited gravitationally or thermally; thermal tide signifies the part excited thermally.
Differences in Ambient Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations between Streets and Alleys in New York City: Open Space vs. Semi-Closed Space

Background: Outdoor ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations are variable throughout an urban environment. However, little is known about how variation in semivolatile and nonvolatile PAHs related to the built environment (open space vs. semi-closed space) contributes to differences in concentrations. Methods: We simultaneously collected 14, two-week samples of PAHs from the outside of windows facing the front (adjacent to the street) open side of a New York City apartment building and the alley, semi-closed side of the same apartment unit between 2007 and 2012. We also analyzed samples of PAHs measured from 35 homes across Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, 17 from street facing windows with a median floor level of 4 (range 2–26) and 18 from alley-facing windows with a median floor level of 4 (range 1–15). Results: Levels of nonvolatile ambient PAHs were significantly higher when measured from a window adjacent to a street (an open space), compared to a window 30 feet away, adjacent to an alley (a semi-closed space) (street geometric mean (GM) 1.32 ng/m3, arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (AM ± SD) 1.61 ± 1.04 ng/m3; alley GM 1.10 ng/m3, AM ± SD 1.37 ± 0.94 ng/m3). In the neighborhood-wide comparison, nonvolatile PAHs were also significantly higher when measured adjacent to streets compared with adjacent to alley sides of apartment buildings (street GM 1.10 ng/m3, AM ± SD 1.46 ± 1.24 ng/m3; alley GM 0.61 ng/m3, AM ± SD 0.81 ± 0.80 ng/m3), but not semivolatile PAHs. Conclusions: Ambient PAHs, nonvolatile PAHs in particular, are significantly higher when measured from a window adjacent to a street compared to a window adjacent to an alley, despite both locations being relatively close to street traffic. This study highlights small-scale spatial variations in ambient PAH concentrations that may be related to the built environment (open space vs. semi-closed space) from which the samples are measured, as well as the relative distance from street traffic, that could impact accurate personal exposure assessments.
Abstract 101: Is Intracerebral Hemorrhage-Associated Ischemia a Consequence of Blood Pressure Lowering?

Introduction: The cause of (presumed) ischemic lesions associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between BP lowering and the incidence of...
Formation of Periodically-Ordered Calcium Phosphate Nanostructures by Block Copolymer-Directed Self-Assembly

Structuring ionic solids at the nanoscale with block copolymers (BCPs) is notoriously difficult due to solvent incompatibilities and strong driving forces for crystallization of the inorganic material. Here, we demonstrate that elucidating pathway complexity in the BCP-directed self-assembly of an ionic solid, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), is a key component in obtaining nanostructured, bulk composite materials in which the nanostructure is the result of thermodynamically controlled BCP self-assembly, i.e., exhibiting sequences of bulk morphologies as known from typical equilibrium BCP phase diagrams. Specifically, we identify three critical pathway “decision points” for the evaporation-induced self-assembly of composites from ultrasmall, organosilicate-modified amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (osm-ACP-NPs) and poly(isoprene)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PI-b-PDMAEMA) block copolymers. Using this strategy enabled us to obtain composites with hexagonal, cubic network, and...
The Ligamentum Teres Approach and Other Approaches to the Intrahepatic Ducts for Palliative Bypass

When the hilus of the liver is not accessible for decompression of obstructive jaundice, use of intrahepatic ducts for surgical bypass is a safe and effective technique as originally described by Bismuth and Corlette in 1975 and later by Blumgart and Kelly in 1984. The general principle is to identify intrahepatic healthy bile duct mucosa proximal to a point of biliary obstruction and to create a mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis to a long Roux-en-y loop of jejunum. Anastomosis should provide biliary drainage and relief of symptoms such as jaundice and pruritis.
Simulation of auto design performance in the market to meet fuel efficiency standards

This research effort demonstrates an analysis and simulation methodology a manufacturer could employ to determine the recommended vehicle architecture that maximizes profit, while complying with government corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. We scope our target system to a Jeep multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment by Fiat Chrysler, which is a crucial part of the manufacturer's product portfolio. We utilize multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) using the criteria of cost, acceptance, effectiveness, fuel type, and electrical factor to rank many possible fuel efficient technology configurations. Employing discrete event simulation, a select group of configurations are analyzed for profitability based upon market acceptance and economic performance. The discrete event simulation studies the expected profit distribution with variability in market acceptance and cost categories of production, research and development, warranty, and recall. This variability is treated as a risk and coupled with profit level and technology effectiveness lead to a final recommendation.
Oral contraceptives and nonfatal vascular disease--recent experience.

A follow-up study of more than 40000 healthy women ages 20-44 years was carried out to assess the development of thromboembolism stroke or myocardial infarction requiring hospitalization from 1977-79 at the Group Health Cooperative at Puget Sound. A positive association existed between current oral contraceptive (OC) use and venous thromboembolism (risk ratio=8.3) but not between current OC use and stroke. There were no admissions among these healthy young women for acute myocardial infarction. (authors)
Turbulence Characteristics of Flow in a Culvert with Sloped-weir Baffles

The problem of culverts that block fish from freely moving up and downstream is becoming a critical environmental issue. Agencies often retrofit culverts with baffles to aid in fish passage, but little is known about the detailed flow characteristics within a baffled culvert. During August and September, 2005, fine-scaled measurements were taken at the Skookumchuck hatchery near Tenino, WA on the flow field inside a 6-foot diameter corrugated metal culvert fitted with sloped-weir baffles. The culvert was 40 feet long and set at a 1.14% slope, and the data were collected for flow rates 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 8.0 cubic feet per second. Flow field measurements were collected using a Sontek acoustic Doppler velocimeter at 50 Hz. Preliminary data were used to understand the turbulence characteristics of flow within a culvert fitted with baffles, and to compare the flow field caused by sloped-weir baffles to experiments of other baffle types recorded in literature. It has been found that the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipates as the flow moves downstream from a baffle. At flows less than 3.0 cfs, the sloped-weir baffles cause higher TKE values on the left side of the flow (looking upstream) due to plunging flow. As the flow rate increases, the TKE becomes equal on both sides of the culvert, and are higher on the edges due to shear stress caused by the culvert boundary. The flow is also described using dimensionless discharge, and data from this experiment are compared to dimensionless discharge equations given by previous researchers. This research provides new information on the turbulence characteristics of flows within culverts retrofitted with sloped-weir baffles, and will be useful in recognizing which areas of the flow field could be too turbulent for fish passage.
Bioassay Evaluation of Heptachlor, Isobenzan, and Diazinon Used Against the Alfalfa Weevil in Northern Utah

Beginning about 1952, both heptachlor and dieldrin were widely and successfully used in alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), control in Utah. The preferred timing of insecticide applications was during early spring. In 1961 these controls failed in a large area of northern Utah. By 1962 the areas in which controls failed Were much larger. During 1962 and 1963 weevils from these fields were sent to the Entomology Research Division, Agr. Res. Serv., USDA, Beltsville. Md., for examination. Adler and Blickenstaff (1964) reported that about 3000 times the dosage of heptachlor was required to reach an LD20, as was required for the eastern alfalfa weevil. An LD50 could not be obtained.
Electrophysiologic Effects of Regional Hyperkalemia in the Canine Heart

SummaryKC1 (40 mEq/liter) infused into the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery of anesthetized dogs resulted in reproducible and reversible electrophysiologic evidence of systolic and diastolic injury currents accompanied by shortening of the Q-T interval in appropriate epicardial electrograms recorded by means of direct-coupled amplification. K+ infusion shortened the absolute and functional refractory periods in the experimental area, accompanied by a biphasic change in DT. Regional hyperkalemia produced both the electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of acute myocardial ischemia and the results suggested that the altered distribution of extraellular K+ resulting from its release by ischemic myocardial cells could contribute importantly to the complex of “excitatory factors” related to the development of arrhythmias during acute myocardial infarction.
Active control of vortex structures in a separating flow over an airfoil

The effect of tangential-pulsed air control on dynamic separation is investigated for a NACA-0015 airfoil. Forcing frequencies are coupled with the predetermined static pos ts ta l l fundamental frequencies associated with free shear layer vortex generation. For all cases studied the airfoil is pitched at a constant rate corresponding to an a+ of 0.05. Results confirm that the active control alters the nature of the unsteady separating boundary layer. The leading edge vortex characteristic to unsteady airfoil flows is attenuated up to 30' angle of attack, and upper surface velocity magnitudes are significantly increased over the natural case. In addition, the active forcing appears to create or enhance development of numerous flow regions on the upper airfoil surface.