cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A universal concurrent algorithm for plasma particle-in-cell simulation codes

We have developed a new algorithm for implementation of plasma particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation codes on concurrent processors. This algorithm, termed the universal concurrent PIC algorithm (UC-PIC), has been utilized in a one-dimensional electrostatic PIC code on the JPL Mark III Hypercube parallel computer. To decompose the problem using the UC-PIC algorithm, the physical domain of the simulation is divided into sub-domains, equal in number to the number of processors, such that all sub-domains have roughly equal numbers of particles. For problems with non-uniform particle densities, these sub-domains will be of unequal physical size. Each processor is assigned, a sub-domain, with nearest neighbor sub-domains assigned to nearest neighbor processors. Using this algorithm in the Mark III PIC code, the increase in speed in going from 1 to 32 processors for the dominant portion of code (push time, defined below) was 29, yielding a parallel efficiency of 90%. Although implemented on a hypercube concurrent computer, this algorithm should be also be efficient for PIC codes on other parallel architectures and on sequential computers where part of the data resides in external memory.
Particle-core coupling in 89Sr

The particle-plus-core coupling model is used to describe the spectrum of 89Sr. The model provides an adequate interpretation of the 88Sr(d,p)89Sr stripping experiments and the 89Sr(p,p′)88Sr analog measurements recently performed.
Acceptability of extruded corn snacks as affected by inclusion of soy protein

Our objectives were to develop acceptable extruded snack products containing soy protein, and to evaluate the influence of soy protein type, soy level, and moisture content. Addition of soy protein increased die temperature and pressure while decreasing motor torque. Results of two consumer tests for 12 prototype products and the most acceptable three samples indicated positive responses. Acceptance correlated highly with consumer attitudes toward soy foods and prior information about health effects of soy protein. Differences between protein types suggested that formulation optimization could develop highly acceptable soy/corn extruded snacks.
Winter Weather Forecasting throughout the Eastern United States. Part I: An Overview

Abstract The complex combination of synoptic- and mesoscale interactions topographic influences, and large population densities poses a multitude of challenging problems to winter weather forecasters throughout the eastern United States. Over the years, much has been learned about the structure, evolution, and attendant precipitation within winter storms. As a result, numerous operational procedures, forecast applications, and objective techniques have been developed at National Weather Service offices to assess the potential for hazardous winter weather. An overview of the challenge of forecasting winter weather in the eastern United States is presented, including a historical review of several legendary winter storms, from the Blizzard of 1888 to the Halloween Nor'easter of 1991. The synoptic-scale features associated with East Coast winter storms are described. The mesoscale nature of many eastern winter weather events is illustrated through an examination of the Veterans' Day Snowstorm of 11 November ...
Biochemical Characterization of the Porcine FcγRIIIα Homologue G7

Abstract The monoclonal antibodies G7 and PNK-E demonstrate potent enhancement/induction of porcine natural killer and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-mediated tumor cell cytotoxicity and have been documented to exist as a molecular complex on the surface of porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes and PMN. This manuscript describes the biochemical characterization of the G7 molecule, recently identified as a porcine homologue of human FcγRIIIAα, isolated from porcine leukocytes. Complete deglycosylation of the 43-kDa G7 molecule using N-glycanase reveals two polypeptides of 27 and 31 kDa in the majority of samples. V8 protease peptide mapping reveals structural similarities between the polypeptides and indicates the two polypeptides representing G7 isoforms. The previously described association of PNK-E with G7 and the coexpression of multiple G7 isoforms on porcine leukocytes suggest the presence of a novel FcγRIIIα molecular complex in the porcine system.
Cardiac Effects of Tyramine

The cardiac effects of tyramine ( p -hydroxyphenylethylamine) were studied in 22 dog heart-lung preparations. In six uncontrolled rate preparations, tyramine 250 to 500 µg. increased the heart rate an average of 21 per cent. In controlled rate preparations, tyramine 100 to 250 µg. consistently increased ventricular contractile force, cardiac output, and blood pressure; there was a consistent decrease of right and left atrial pressures. Comparable hemodynamic effects were produced by 1 to 2.5 µg. of levarterenol, except that the effects of tyramine tended to be of longer duration and were less likely to be followed by cardiac depression. It is concluded that tyramine has significant positive inotropic and chronotropic effects in the dog heart-lung preparation. In three animals pretreated with reserpine, tyramine had little effect. Its action appears to depend to a large extent upon the presence of myocardial catecholamines.
On the Reliable and Flexible Solution of Practical Subset Regression Problems

A new algorithm for solving subset regression problems is described. The algorithm performs a QR decomposition with a new column-pivoting strategy, which permits subset selection directly from the originally defined regression parameters. This, in combination with a number of extensions of the new technique, makes the method a very flexible tool for analyzing subset regression problems in which the parameters have a physical meaning.
Long-term percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding in young adults with multiple disabilities.

Aim: To study the outcomes from initiation of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding in young people with profound multiple disabilities. Methods: Observations were made on 40 adults with lifelong intellectual disability (mental retardation) and quadriplegia, in whom PEG feeding was initiated during 1990–2008. There were 20 men and 20 women aged 15–40 years at the time of the audit, living in settings with 24 h registered nurse staffing. Results: Undernutrition and recurrent aspiration with frequent infections were cited as reasons for PEG feeding. The positive outcomes were that some were said to be more alert for a time following the procedure; and these young adults lived with PEG feeding for an average of 8.5 years, some up to 18 years. In that time, however, they all experienced complications of the PEG insertion, and of the PEG feeding process. There were no measurable improvements in cognition. There were no reductions in prescription of medications. They all required frequent daily interventions by nurses to maintain medical stability. Ten people died during this review period, from continued deterioration in neurological status, with pneumonia cited as the terminal event. Conclusions: Unlike other people with neurological deterioration, young adults with lifelong multiple disabilities may live for many years with PEG feeding. There is little gain in quality of life.
Performance of two fixed-area (quadrat) sampling estimators in ecological surveys

Many ecological surveys are conducted to collect information about organisms and environmental conditions dispersed across a continuous surface. In most situations, there is no natural division of the population into a finite collection of sampling units. Therefore, the sample is determined by randomly locating a series of m plots within the boundaries of the population and collecting information about one or more attributes that fall within the plots. These plots are usually referred to as fixed-area plots in the forestry and sample survey literature and quadrats in the ecological literature. One method for determining the total number of organisms is to view the population as the realization of a point process and estimate the intensity, λ, which is the number of points per unit area. Then the estimator of the total number of organisms is given by , where is the area over which the organisms are dispersed. For the m plots there are two distinctly different estimators for , which are the ratio-of-means and mean-of-ratios estimators. This article compares these estimators and gives the most basic conditions under which the estimator is expected to be model-unbiased. It also shows that both estimators can exhibit very large biases when the population is subject to an edge-effect, which is when conditions along the boundary of the population differ from those found in the interior. The ratio-of-means estimator also suffers from a poorly performing variance estimator, which required sample sizes of nearly 100 plots before the estimator was nearly unbiased regardless of the plot size. Results for these estimators are derived and the effects of plot size and the spatial arrangement of the population are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monopole vector spherical harmonics.

Eigenfunctions of total angular momentum for a charged vector field interacting with a magnetic monopole are constructed and their properties studied. In general, these eigenfunctions can be obtained by applying vector operators to the monopole spherical harmonics in a manner similar to that often used for the construction of the ordinary vector spherical harmonics. This construction fails for the harmonics with the minimum allowed angular momentum. These latter form a set of vector fields with vanishing covariant curl and covariant divergence, whose number can be determined by an index theorem.
Multiphoton Microscopy of Cleared Mouse Brain Expressing YFP

Multiphoton microscopy of intrinsic fluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG) of whole mouse organs is made possible by optically clearing the organ before imaging.1,2 However, for organs that contain fluorescent proteins such as GFP and YFP, optical clearing protocols that use methanol dehydration and clear using benzyl alcohol:benzyl benzoate (BABB) while unprotected from light3 do not preserve the fluorescent signal. The protocol presented here is a novel way in which to perform whole organ optical clearing on mouse brain while preserving the fluorescence signal of YFP expressed in neurons. Altering the optical clearing protocol such that the organ is dehydrated using an ethanol graded series has been found to reduce the damage to the fluorescent proteins and preserve their fluorescent signal for multiphoton imaging.4 Using an optimized method of optical clearing with ethanol-based dehydration and clearing by BABB while shielded from light, we show high-resolution multiphoton images of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) expression in the neurons of a mouse brain more than 2 mm beneath the tissue surface.
Analysis of the climatic signal in the South Dome, Greenland ice core

The purpose of this research was to investigate the statistical relationship between an oxygen isotope chronology from southern Greenland and climatic variables recorded at a coastal village. The response of the oxygen isotope time series to monthly temperature and precipitation data was calculated using a combination of principal components factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. Orthogonal eigenvectors extracted from 35 yr of climatic data reliably explained 59% of the temporal variance in mean annual oxygen isotope values. The response functions demonstrate an apparent seasonal reversal in the relationship between oxygen isotope values and temperature, with the response varying between a positive (direct) relationship in winter, spring, and autumn, and a negative (indirect) relationship in summer. The results, and their implications, are shown to be useful in the historical climatic reconstruction of the South Greenland region.
Biphasic Influence of Bulk Anionic Phospholipids for PIP2 Gating of Kir2.1 Channels through Binding to Two Distinct Sites

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels regulate cell excitability and potassium homeostasis. Our recent analyses show that Kir2.1 channels have a distinct (‘Secondary’) anionic phospholipid (PL(-)) binding site, in addition to the crystallographically determined (‘Primary’) PIP2 activating site. Docking results suggest that PL(-)s can bind to either site and therefore might compete with PIP2 at the ‘Primary’ site and inhibit. To test this prediction we performed the following assays with purified human Kir2.1 channels reconstituted in liposomes. First, Kir2.1 activity was measured with a fixed PIP2 content and with increasing content of various PL(-)s. At higher PL(-) levels, inhibition was observed that correlated well with predicted affinity at the ‘Primary’ site. The ‘Secondary’ site is generated by residues K64 and K219. K64C mutant channels are insensitive to PL(-) and only weakly PIP2-activated, but high PIP2 sensitivity is regenerated by tethering of K64C to the membrane by decyl-MTS modification. Inhibition by PL(-)s was more potent in decyl modified ‘Secondary’ site single (K64C) and double (k64C/K219A) mutant channels. It's likely that PL(-) binding at the ‘Primary’ site is augmented in these mutants as a consequence of increased effective PL(-) in the membrane as well as reduced electrostatic repulsion from the PL(-) at the ‘Secondary’ site. Finally PIP2 sensitivity was measured in the presence of increasing PL(-)s. The apparent PIP2 Kd was left-shifted at low PL(-) (as expected for the activatory effect at the ‘Secondary’ site), but shifted back to the right at higher PL(-)s, consistent with an inhibitory effect of bulk PL(-) at the ‘Primary’ site, if present at high enough levels in the membrane. Such interplay between PIP2 and other PL(-)s on Kir2.1 channel gating can be predicted by a mechanistic two-site binding model.
Identification of errors in software requirements through use of automated requirements tools

Abstract Errors in software requirements tend to be more costly to correct the later they are detected. Use of automated requirements tools can help detect errors early in the software life-cycle. The paper describes a case study that demonstrated the capabilities of automated requirements tools in detecting errors in the requirements for a large management information system. Three different tools were applied to the same requirements document: Problem Statement Language/Problem Statement Analyzer (PSL/PSA), Input/Output Requirements Language (IORL), and Software Requirements Engineering Methodology (SREM). Each tool helped identify several hundred errors, many of which were associated with failures that occurred after system delivery.
Evaluation of Scaffold Fixation for Treatment of Osteochondral Defects of the Knee

Articular cartilage damage is a common source of knee pain that can be treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Fixation of the scaffolds can be accomplished by various means with bone sutures being the most effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fixation of a new scaffold with three bone sutures after cycling with continuous passive motion (CPM). Two defects, each of 20mm diameter and 5mm depth, were created per knee and the scaffold was fixed with three bone sutures at the 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. Knees were then cycled from 0 degrees to 74 degrees to 0 degrees on a CPM machine for a total of 210 cycles and the scaffolds were then evaluated for fixation, fraying and delaminations. All scaffolds were noted to have remained fixed inside the defect. Fraying occurred in 16 out of the 20 scaffolds and delaminations occurred in 12 out of the 20. Only two scaffolds were completely free of both fraying and delaminations. Fraying occurred in 32.5% of the circumference of medial scaffolds while only 15.0% in lateral scaffolds. Fraying occurred mostly over flush areas and the least over recessed areas. Overall, three bone sutures provided excellent fixation of this scaffold. If at all possible, the scaffold should be recessed into the defect to minimize the amount of fraying that occurs.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Thermal stability of cis-oxidiaziridines. An example of anchimerically assisted ring opening.

Abstract The thermal decay of oxadiaziridines (ODZs) photochemically generated from a series of bicyclic azoxy compounds is examined. The thermal reversion of exo ODZs to the starting azoxy compounds shows a significant rate enhancement. These reactions appear to be examples of anchimeric assistance by homoallylic π bonds involving only neutral species.
Biphenotypic leukemia with unusual chromosomal translocation in a patient treated for melanoma.

Abstract A patient in complete remission from malignant melanoma but with refractory anemia after nitrosourea treatment developed acute biphenotypic leukemia. This disease, progression was accompanied by expansion of a cytogenetically abnormal clone. At first cytogenetic analysis, 1 year post discontinuation of chemotherapy, only 25% of the metaphases examined were hydodiploid with monosomy 7. Six months later, all of the metaphase seen were 45,XY, -7. Six months before overt acute leukemia was diagnosed, an additional chromosome abnormality emerged, t(2;3)(q31;q27). Although the translocation was present in all metaphases examined, the patient progressed into an acute leukemia with two components: one TdT-positive, Ia-positive, and the other TdT-negative, Ia-positive, monocytoid antigen-positive. This mixed leukemia was identified by double fluorescence staining for intranuclear TdT and surface labeling with a monocyte-specific monoclonal antibody.
Time-resolved femtosecond laser-induced desorption from magnesium oxide and lithium fluoride single crystals

We have used the pump-probe technique to measure the photostimulated positive-ion yield, as a function of time delay, between two ultraviolet laser pulses. We find that the ion yield from 265 nm femtosecond-irradiated MgO and LiF depends critically on the laser pulse delay in two-pulse correlation experiments. For example, single-pulse excitation of MgO produces a variety of ions including Mg + , MgO + and H + . If the femtosecond laser pulse is split into two sub-threshold beams and then recombined with a variable time delay, the Mg + desorption yield displays three distinct time regimes and persists for laser delays of over 100 ps. A pulse delay of only 500 fs nearly eliminates ion desorption except for Mg + . In contrast, the Li + desorption yield from LiF decays more rapidly, largely within the femtosecond pulse duration. A weak but measurable decay component of approximately 2 ps is indicated, however. We hypothesize that non-resonant excitation contributes to the ultrafast desorption mechanism, possibly through the creation of surface electron-hole pairs and allows direct observation of the surface dynamics.
The Histone Chaperone Anti-silencing Function 1 Stimulates the Acetylation of Newly Synthesized Histone H3 in S-phase

Anti-silencing function 1 (Asf1) is a highly conserved chaperone of histones H3/H4 that assembles or disassembles chromatin during transcription, replication, and repair. We have found that budding yeast lacking Asf1 has greatly reduced levels of histone H3 acetylated at lysine 9. Lysine 9 is acetylated on newly synthesized budding yeast histone H3 prior to its assembly onto newly replicated DNA. Accordingly, we found that the vast majority of H3 Lys-9 acetylation peaked in S-phase, and this S-phase peak of H3 lysine 9 acetylation was absent in yeast lacking Asf1. By contrast, deletion of ASF1 has no effect on the S-phase specific peak of H4 lysine 12 acetylation; another modification carried by newly synthesized histones prior to chromatin assembly. We show that Gcn5 is the histone acetyltransferase responsible for the S-phase-specific peak of H3 lysine 9 acetylation. Strikingly, overexpression of Asf1 leads to greatly increased levels of H3 on acetylation on lysine 56 and Gcn5-dependent acetylation on lysine 9. Analysis of a panel of Asf1 mutations that modulate the ability of Asf1 to bind to histones H3/H4 demonstrates that the histone binding activity of Asf1 is required for the acetylation of Lys-9 and Lys-56 on newly synthesized H3. These results demonstrate that Asf1 does not affect the stability of the newly synthesized histones per se, but instead histone binding by Asf1 promotes the efficient acetylation of specific residues of newly synthesized histone H3.
Inhibition of veratryl alcohol oxidase activity of lignin peroxidase H2 by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

Abstract The oxidation of veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) by lignin peroxidase H2 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and H 2 O 2 was inhibited by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT). Inhibition was found to be competitive with respect to veratryl alcohol ( K I = 18 μ M ) and noncompetitive with respect to H 2 O 2 . Unlike bovine lactoperoxidase, catalase, and thyroid peroxidase, AT was not a suicide (mechanism based) inhibitor for lignin peroxidase H2. Binding studies revealed that lignin peroxidase H2 catalyzed insignificant binding of [ 14 C]AT to the enzyme. Apparently AT is a poor substrate for lignin peroxidase H2 and is only slowly oxidized to form a yellow product in the presence of H 2 O 2 . The formation of the yellow product was shown to increase with increasing concentrations of veratryl alcohol, suggesting that an intermediate in the oxidation of veratryl alcohol is able to mediate the oxidation of AT. Extensive metabolism of AT to CO 2 by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium (∼60% in 30 days) was also demonstrated.
Balancing between organizations and society: exploring Chinese organizations’ legitimacy efforts

Purpose – Based on the literature on organizational legitimacy, organizations must adhere to the value-driven standards inherent in the cultures in which they operate. Organizations’ Web sites help increase the public’s awareness and understanding of their values and culture. The purpose of this paper is to examine the strategic legitimation efforts of Chinese organizations through their Web content. Design/methodology/approach – To identify the core values and cultures communicated by Chinese organizations, a systematic content analysis was conducted on the Web contents of Chinese Fortune 500 companies (n=500) as listed by the 2010 Chinese Fortune 500 online magazine. Findings – The major findings included the following: over half (i.e. 62.2 percent) of the Chinese Fortune 500 companies communicated their organizational values on their Web sites; this study identified some key value clusters (e.g. such as trustworthiness, propriety, benevolence, or self-regulation) for Chinese organizations’ legitimacy; ...
Submicrometer near-intrinsic thin-film SOI complementary MOSFETs

Two-dimensional numerical simulations indicate that a surface-potential bending greater than the Si-film Fermi potential is required to reach the threshold condition for the near-intrinsic thin-film SOI (silicon-on-insulator) MOSFETs. Additionally, both n- and p-type SOI films result in approximately the same device threshold voltage when in the near intrinsic state and fully depleted condition. The threshold voltages of these devices are mainly dependent on the work function of gate material. High-performance submicrometer near-intrinsic thin-film SOI complementary MOSFETs with balanced threshold voltages of about 0.4 V (negative for PMOSFETs) are achievable with proper selection of gate material and back-gate bias. For very thin (less than 100 nm) SOI films, drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) is not sufficient to cause degradation of the threshold voltage or punchthrough behavior in the submicrometer region. For relatively thick (greater than 100 nm) SOI films, DIBL becomes more pronounced but can be suppressed by a proper back-gate bias. The simulated front-gate linear transconductance remains nearly constant up to about 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ and then falls off rapidly with increasing doping concentration because of mobility degradation. The subthreshold slope increases with decreasing drain voltage as a result of DIBL, but the increase is small for very thin SOI films. >
Spectrophotometric determination of osmium with quinisatin oxime

Abstract A spectrophotometric determination of osmium has been developed, based on the purple color (absorption maximum at 515 mμ) formed by reaction of osmium with quinisatin oxime in buffered solution of dimethyl formamide and methanol. The absorbances are reproducible, and the system conforms to Beer's law. The method compares favorably in sensitivity with existing methods for osmium. The optimum concentration range (for 1 cm optical path) is about 2 to 10 p.p.m. of osmium. Although the maximum color develops slowly, it is stable for 7 days or longer. Several elements, notably iron, cobalt, and ruthenium, interfere, so that separation, is necessary. A reaction ratio of 1:2 for osmium and quinisatin oxime was clearly indicated; some evidence was also obtained for the presence of higher complexes.
Characterization of an Orphan Diterpenoid Biosynthetic Operon from Salinispora arenicola

While more commonly associated with plants than microbes, diterpenoid natural products have been reported to have profound effects in marine microbe–microbe interactions. Intriguingly, the genome of the marine bacterium Salinispora arenicola CNS-205 contains a putative diterpenoid biosynthetic operon, terp1. Here recombinant expression studies are reported, indicating that this three-gene operon leads to the production of isopimara-8,15-dien-19-ol (4). Although 4 is not observed in pure cultures of S. arenicola, it is plausible that the terp1 operon is only expressed under certain physiologically relevant conditions such as in the presence of other marine organisms.
Transient destratification in a rectangular enclosure

An experimental study of transient destratification in a rectangular air-filled enclosure is described. The test cell, which is 1 m high, 0.5 m wide, and 0.25 m deep, is made of plexiglass with a variety of side and bottom thermal boundary conditions. The initial vertical stratification is 30°C. A number of transient tests are reported in which a destabilizing heat source is introduced after the initial stratification. Temperature maps of the middepth plane are recorded and analyzed. Basic enclosure destratification dynamics are described in terms of developing thermal and flow fields. Separate effects of horizontal partitioning, stabilizing side heating, and asymmetric heating are studied. Certain large fractional horizontal blockages are shown to enhance destratification, while side heating is demonstrated to be a stablizing effect that produces a steady-state inversion.
Has the United States Lost Its Competitive Edge or Commitment

Until you reach the finish line, anyone can win a race — the emphasis is on commitment. Americans committed themselves to quality education in the past, somewhat neglected it in the 1980s, and will commit them selves again in the future.
Flat, Adherent, Well-Contrasted Semithin Plastic Sections for Light Microscopy

Semithin (0.5-2.0 μm) sections of plastic embedded specimens have long been used for identifying and orienting structures destined for electron microscopic observation. Improved staining methods and the development of more versatile plastics have increased the use of semithin plastic sections for histochemical and autoradiographic studies. The principal advantage of plastic over paraffin sections is the possibility of increased resolution. This advantage is often compromised, however, by problems arising during processing and staining. Wrinkles are common in sections containing tissues of different consistencies or when the hardness of the tissue does not match that of the surrounding plastic (Millonig 1980). Unfortunately, many of the methods designed to eliminate wrinkles (e.g., Alsop 1974, Sommer et al. 1979) require prolonged staining or repeated handling of the sections. Section adhesion problems usually arise during staining, particularly if the protocol requires alkaline or oxidizing reagents. Adhe...
Interaction Between Amyloid-β (1–42) Peptide and Phospholipid Bilayers: A Molecular Dynamics Study

The amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is a key aggregate species in Alzheimer's disease. Although important aspects of Aβ peptide aggregation are understood, the initial stage of aggregation from monomer to oligomer is still not clear. One potential mediator of this early aggregation process is interactions of Aβ with anionic cell membranes. We used unconstrained and umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations to investigate interactions between the 42-amino acid Aβ peptide and model bilayers of zwitterionic dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipids and anionic dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) lipids. Using these methods, we determined that Aβ is attracted to the surface of DPPC and DOPS bilayers over the small length scales used in these simulations. We also found supporting evidence that the charge on both the bilayer surface and the peptide affects the free energy of binding of the peptide to the bilayer surface and the distribution of the peptide on the bilayer surface. Our work demonstrates that interactions between the Aβ peptide and lipid bilayer promotes a peptide distribution on the bilayer surface that is prone to peptide-peptide interactions, which can influence the propensity of Aβ to aggregate into higher-order structures.
Torque Exerted on an Oblique Rotator by a Magnetically Threaded Accretion Disk

Simple analytical expressions are derived for the torque exerted by an accretion disk on a star whose magnetic dipole axis is inclined to the rotation axis. Spin-down stresses are transmitted to the star by the field lines that penetrate the disk beyond the corotation radius Rc. As the dipole inclination angle χ increases, the vertical magnetic flux through the disk decreases, and the spin-down contribution to the torque weakens. For inclinations exceeding some limiting value χc in the range of approximately 54°-67°, the braking component is unable to offset the spin-up resulting from the accretion of matter, even when the inner radius of the Keplerian disk, R0, is located very close to Rc, so that the fastness parameter ω ≡ (R0/Rc)3/2 approaches unity. Thus, for large tilt angles, there can be no steady equilibrium state in which the net torque on the accreting star vanishes, unless some of the material is simultaneously expelled by centrifugal forces or accumulates within the disk.
Healthcare Worker-Related Tuberculosis Exposure

ISSUE: Boston Medical Center (BMC) is a 547-bed urban teaching hospital. On 6/3/05, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) identified a healthcare worker (HCW) whose sputum was positive for acid fast bacillus (AFB). The HCW was immediately removed from patient care duties and empiric therapy with 4 drugs was initiated. The organism was identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis on 6/13/05. PROJECT: BPHC determined that the HCW was potentially infectious from 12/1/04 until 6/2/05. During that time, the HCW performed clinical duties at 4 hospitals in MA. In collaboration with the MA Department of Public Health and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, BPHC developed a contact investigation protocol. All institutions used the same exposure definitions and dates to identify potentially exposed patients and HCW. Data from all 4 institutions were entered into a shared database that was managed by BPHC. Within the next 6 weeks, all potentially exposed HCW had mandatory baseline tuberculin skin tests (TST) or symptom screen. Patients were offered free screening. Anyone whose last potential exposure occurred within 3 months of the baseline test was re-screened beginning in September 2005. At BMC, anyone with a positive TST or symptom screen was referred to the on-site Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic for evaluation. RESULTS: As of 12/15/05, 1514 patients, 1482 HCW had been screened at BMC. BPHC identified a small number of potentially exposed patients and HCW who met the definition for TST conversion and had no other identified risk factors. No patient or HCW developed active disease. LESSONS LEARNED: A TB exposure occurred despite having the following systems to prevent transmission of contagious infectious diseases in the workplace. 1. All HCW and students must have a baseline two-step TST upon hire and at least annually thereafter. 2. HCW with a positive TST must have a symptom screen and CXR. 3. HCW with symptoms or positive CXR are removed from patient care until evaluated by a healthcare provider with expertise in TB. 4. HCW must provide documentation of evaluation prior to being cleared for return to work. The ongoing challenge is to identify effective systems to facilitate early identification and treatment of potentially infectious HCW to prevent similar exposures in the future.
Numerical Study of Disperse, Multiphase Microslug Formation at a Microchannel Junction

In this study, we use numerical methods to examine microslug formation via converging flows of a liquid propellant and inert gas at a 4-way 90° microchannel junction. The primary goal of this study is to characterize microslug formation in a microchannel using the level set method to model the multiphase flow. The significance of this work lies in the utilization of the microslug formation phenomena as the basis for a fuel injection system in a novel, discrete monopropellant microthruster design for use in next-generation nano-satellites.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Increased Synovial Expression of Nuclear Receptors Correlates With Protection in Pristane-Induced Arthritis A Possible Novel Genetically Regulated Homeostatic Mechanism

Objective To use microarray analyses of gene expression to characterize the synovial molecular pathways regulated by the arthritis regulatory locus Cia25 and to determine how it operates to control disease severity and joint damage. Methods Synovial tissues from DA rats and DA.ACI(Cia25) rats obtained 21 days after induction of pristane-induced arthritis were used for RNA extraction and hybridization to Illumina RatRef-12 Expression BeadChips (22,228 genes). Genes with a P value ≤0.01 and a fold difference in expression ≥1.5 between DA rats and DA.ACI(Cia25) rats were considered significant. Results Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (7.4-fold), IL-6 (67-fold), Ccl2, Cxcl10, Mmp3, Mmp14, and innate immunity genes were expressed at increased levels in DA rats and at significantly lower levels in DA.ACI(Cia25) congenic rats. DA.ACI(Cia25) rats had increased expression of 10 nuclear receptor (NR) genes, including those known to interfere with NF-κB activity and cytokine expression, such as Lxra, Pparg, and Rxrg. DA.ACI(Cia25) rats also had increased expression of NR targets, suggesting increased NR activity. While Vdr was not differentially expressed, a Vdr expression signature was detected in congenic rats, along with up-regulation of mediators of vitamin D synthesis. Conclusion This is the first description of the association between increased synovial levels of NRs and arthritis protection. The expression of NRs was inversely correlated with the expression of key mediators of arthritis, suggesting reciprocally opposing effects either via NF-κB or at the genomic level in the synovial tissue. We consider that the NR signature may have an important role in maintaining synovial homeostasis and an inflammation-free tissue. These processes are regulated by the Cia25 gene and suggest a new function for this gene.
Estimating the concentration imbalance of a vanadium redox flow battery with crossover using a constrained extended kalman filter

One of the main issues with vanadium redox flow batteries is that vanadium ions travels across the membrane during operation which leads to a concentration imbalance and capacity loss after long-term cycling. Precise state of charge (SOC) monitoring allows the operator to effectively schedule electrolyte rebalancing and devise a control strategy to keep the battery running under optimal conditions. However, current SOC monitoring methods are too expensive and impractical to implement on commercial VRFB systems. Furthermore, physical models alone are neither reliable nor accurate enough to predict long-term capacity loss. In this paper, we present an application of using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the total vanadium concentration in each half-cell by combining three voltage measurements and a state prediction model without crossover effects. Simulation results show that the EKF can accurately predict capacity loss for different crossover patterns over a few hundred cycles.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A density functional theory computational study of the role of ligand on the stability of CuI and CuII species associated with ATRP and SET‐LRP

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and single electron-transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) both utilize copper complexes of various oxidation states with N-ligands to perform their respective activation and deactivation steps. Herein, we utilize DFT (B3YLP) methods to determine the preferred ligand-binding geometries for Cu/N-ligand complexes related to ATRP and SET-LRP. We find that those ligands capable of achieving tetrahedral complexes with CuI and trigonal bipyramidal with axial halide complexes with [CuIIX]+ have higher energies of stabilization. We were able to correlate calculated preferential stabilization of [CuIIX]+ with those ligands that perform best in SET-LRP. A crude calculation of energy of disproportionation revealed that the same preferential binding of [CuIIX]+ results in increased propensity for disproportionation. Finally, by examining the relative energies of the basic steps of ATRP and SET-LRP, we were able to rationalize the transition from the ATRP mechanism to the SET-LRP mechanism as we transition from typical nonpolar ATRP solvents to polar SET-LRP solvents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4950–4964, 2007
Nonferrous metal separators for small particles

Eddy-current separation becomes inherently more difficult as the particle size decreases, because the eddy-current induced force diminishes with decreasing particle size. The present paper describes two new types of nonferrous metal separators which are specifically designed for particles with diameters of the order of 1 to 5 mm and use permanent magnets to induce eddy currents. One of the separators, the "channel separator" consists of two inclined steel plates with magnet arrays on the two sides facing each other. The magnet material used in this case is rubber base barium ferrite with a magnet period of 1/4". The separation of the two steel plates can be varied. The other separator, the "rotary disc separator," uses SmCo 5 magnets that are attached to two discs which are turned at high speed. The results of tests on various kinds of waste such as shredded communications cables and shredded plastic beverage containers (with A1 contamination) are reported.
Multinucleated acinar cells in the pancreases of AKR and C58 mice.

Dans des souches de souris AKR et C58, les cellules exocrines du pancreas ont jusqu'a 12 noyaux par cellule. Tandis que dans des souches d'autres souris, il n'y y en a plus qu'une ou deux par cellule.
A Fortran IV Program for Testing the Significance of Correlation Matrices

A FORTRAN IV program is presented which computes the Brien, Venables, James, and Mayo (1984) procedure for testing the hypothesis that the observed correlation matrix significantly differs from the identity matrix.
Cloned riboprobe for detection of a mycoplasmalike organism.

Summary A [ 32 P]-labeled single stranded-RNA probe (riboprobe) was constructed with plasmid vector pSP64 and used to detect and specifically identify an uncultured pathogenic mycoplasmalike organism in infected host. The riboprobe was more sensitive and reliable than complementary double stranded-DNA probe in detection of western X mycoplasmalike organism. When concentration of a double stranded-DNA probe was increased, nonspecific hybridization signal was observed with nucleic acid from healthy plants and from plants infected by other mycoplasmalike organisms. In contrast, sensitivity of detection with the complementary riboprobe was increased at elevated probe concentrations without nonspecific hybridization.
Change and continuity: childbirth and parenting across three generations of women in the United Arab Emirates

Background The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country that has undergone remarkable physical, economic and social shifts in its short modern history. And while the economic and structural transformations of the society have been well documented and publicized, information about the changes and transformations of family processes is sparse. This study is one of the first steps towards documenting the changes in family processes, namely those related to childbirth and parenting, as described by three generations of Emirati women. Methods Family triads of Grandmothers, Mothers and married Daughters (n = 216) were interviewed in local Arabic dialect by Emirati female research assistants. Data were analysed using chi square and Analysis of Variance. Results Generational differences were found between the Grandmothers, Mothers and Daughters in: number of births, maternal age at first birth, location and type of birth attendant, medication during labour and birth, father presence at birth, social support following birth, feeding and weaning of infant, and preventive infant health care. Changes were not found in the proximity to the mother of the infant during sleep. Conclusions The age of first birth has risen for Emirati women and the birth rate may have dropped. Health care has also significantly improved. These results are discussed in relation to government initiatives and physical and social change within the UAE and the Middle East.
Enhanced stimulant properties of (+)-amphetamine after chronic reserpine treatment in the rat: mediation by hypophagia and weight loss ☆

Abstract Rats were treated with daily i.p. injections of reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) or saline for 10 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection they were given (+)-amphetamine (0.25, 0.50, or 1 mg/kg) or saline and their locomotor activity was measured for 3 hr. In accordance with previous reports, (+)-amphetamine induced a significantly greater stimulation of spontaneous activity after reserpine. The effect was variable however insofar as it was observed only in those animals that suffered marked weight loss during the reserpine treatment. In addition, when the heightened baseline activity of the groups chronically treated with reserpine was considered, the enhanced stimulant effects of (+)-amphetamine were no longer evident. In a second experiment, the food intake of the chronic saline animals was controlled so that both the reserpine and saline groups underwent similar weight losses during the 10-day injection procedure. In that experiment, chronic reserpine treatment failed on every measure to increase the stimulant effects of (+)-amphetamine. In contrast to the first experiment, on one measure (the lowest dosage which significantly increased activity) the saline pre-treated animals were more responsive to (+)-amphetamine than were the rats pretreated with reserpine. It is suggested that chronic reserpine administration continues to exert a mild sedative action which is completely masked and reversed by the marked increase in arousal which results from the reserpine-mediated hypophagia and weight loss. This starvation-induced arousal appears to interact with amphetamine-mediated locomotor stimulation to produce the increased responsiveness to amphetamine after chronic reserpine treatment.
Endothelial Healing in Vein Grafts. Proliferative Burst Unimpaired by Genetic Therapy of Neointimal Disease

Background— Although inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia by cell cycle gene blockade therapy results in improved endothelial cell function in experimental vein grafts, little is known either about endothelial healing immediately after vein grafting or about the effect of this therapy on the healing process. Methods and Results— Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated an immediate decrease in vein graft endothelial cell density associated with vein graft wall stretch, followed by a return to baseline by postoperative day 3. En face detection of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation confirmed a rapid endothelial proliferation by 48 hours. Despite inhibition of underlying vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, E2F decoy oligonucleotide did not inhibit either endothelial bromodeoxyuridine incorporation or the return to baseline cell density. This differential response to E2F decoy was also observed in human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture, which resisted the E2F decoy inhibition of cell growth that w...
Neonatal sympathetic denervation alters the development of in vitro spleen cell proliferation and differentiation

The ontogeny of spleen cell proliferation to T and B cell mitogens and immunoglobulin secretion, measured in vitro, was examined in neonatally sympathectomized Fischer 344 (F344) rats, administered the neurotoxic drug 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) from 1 to 3 days of age. Compared to cells from age-matched controls, spleen cells from neonatally sympathectomized animals, aged 7-14 days, exhibited a shift in the proliferative response to the T cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), with reduced proliferation in the presence of low doses of Con A, but increased proliferation with higher doses. During the same period, from 7 to 14 days, the B cell mitogen STM/DxS inhibited proliferation by spleen cells from all rats, and no effect of sympathectomy was observed. As adult-like patterns of mitogen responsiveness emerged from 21 to 42 days of age, neonatally sympathectomized rats showed reduced proliferative responses of both T and B cells. This effect dissipated by 56 days of age. Polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) production by B cells was assessed in vitro in the presence or absence of STM/DxS. Neonatal sympathectomy resulted in reduced spontaneous IgM production throughout development. From 28 to 42 days of age, when mitogen-triggered IgM secretion first developed, neonatal sympathectomy decreased the magnitude of the response. By 56 days of age, mitogen-induced IgM secretion was no longer affected by sympathectomy, similar to the proliferative response. Gender influenced the time course of sympathectomy-induced changes in spleen cell proliferation and differentiation; however, the magnitude and direction of these changes were similar in both males and females. Desipramine, administered prior to 6-OHDA, prevented both sympathetic denervation and the 6-OHDA-induced changes in spleen cell responsiveness. This indicates that the alterations in immune function were dependent on NA nerve fiber destruction and were not simply the result of direct 6-OHDA action on other cells. The results of this study suggest that sympathetic innervation may play an important potentiating role in the development of the lymphoid system, through effects on lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation.
Autocracy Versus Democracy in Contemporary Europe, II*

Having made some general observations on the aspirations and obstacles of fascist ideology in democratic countries, we shall now attempt to weigh the actual possibilities of a further spread of autocratic rule in the principal states of Europe. Herein we cannot abstain from a certain amount of prophecy, with all the hazards of statements not entirely based on undisputable fact; but we shall try to keep the forecast within reasonable bounds and to fortify it by reference to actual experience in the different countries under survey. Instead of travelling rather haphazardly over Europe, we should prefer a systematic grouping of the different countries which have not yet adopted autocracy. However, we shall find it rather difficult to discover a reasonable line of division; and accordingly we shall deal with each state separately and determine in the course of our journey whether some synoptical conclusions are permissible.