cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modular Design Optimization using Machine Learning-based Flexibility Analysis

Abstract Recent studies on modular and distributed manufacturing have introduced a new angle to the traditional economies of scale that claim that large plants exhibit better efficiencies and lower costs. A modular design has several advantages, including higher flexibility of decisions, lower investment costs, shorter time-to-market, and adaptability to market conditions. While design flexibility is a widely studied concept in the process design, modular design provides an interesting new opportunity to the design optimization problem under demand variability. In this work, a framework for modular design under demand variability is proposed. The framework consists of two steps. First, the feasible region for each module is represented analytically with the help of the historical data or the data from a simulation using a classification technique. In the second step, the optimal design choice is obtained by integrating the classifier models built in the first step as constraints in the design optimization problem. The design optimization problem is first solved considering a single objective, i.e., minimizing the total cost or maximizing the flexibility. These two objectives are then addressed simultaneously using a multiobjective optimization framework that considers the tradeoff between maximizing the flexibility of design and minimizing the cost. Computational studies conducted using a case study of an air separation plant, demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework. Several advantages of using a modular design, as well as data-driven methods in the decision-making process in the design step, are discussed.
Variation in urea kinetics associated with ruminant species, dietary characteristics, and ruminal fermentation: A meta-analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize variations in urea kinetics related to ruminant species, diet composition, and ruminal fermentation. A database of 31 studies measuring urea recycling kinetics were used to derive 2 sets of linear mixed-effects regression models. Study was used as a random intercept and regressions were weighted by 1 divided by the standard error of the mean observation. Models were compared, when appropriated, using the concordance correlation coefficient, root estimated variance associated with study (σˆs) and error (σˆe) and corrected Akaike information criterion values. From a dietary standpoint, most response variables were affected by measures reflecting dietary crude protein [(CP; e.g., N-NH3 or rumen-degradable protein (RDP)] and by variables reflecting dietary energy content [e.g., total digestible nutrients (TDN), dietary starch, or ruminal pH]. Dietary CP, N-NH3, and TDN typically had positive slopes on urea N entry rate (UER; g/d and g/kg0.75), whereas starch and TDN/RDP had negative slopes on UER (g/kg0.75). On the other hand, increasing TDN increased gastrointestinal entry rate (GER; g/kg0.75), whereas an opposite effect was observed for RDP. Increasing diet RDP content reduced the urea N returned to ornithine cycle (ROC; g/kg0.75) in most models. Ruminal variables also reflected the importance of N and energy supplies. Ruminal ammonia concentration significantly affected ROC (g/d and g/kg0.75), used for anabolism (UUA; g/kg0.75), ROC:GER, UUA:GER, and the incorporation of recycled urea N into microbial N relative to gastrointestinal entry rate of urea. Ruminal pH significantly affected GER:UER and ROC:GER ratios. Total digestible nutrients had a positive slope on UUA (g/kg0.75). Increasing the ratio of energy to protein (TDN:RDP) increased the GER:UER ratio, decreased the ROC:GER ratio, and increased the UUA:GER ratio and the incorporation of recycled urea N into microbial N relative to gastrointestinal entry rate of urea N. Comparison among models revealed that species was an important explanatory variable affecting most response variables. However, whether these differences are related to the intrinsic N metabolism of each species or due to the diet variation remains unclear. Understanding these differences could lead to improvements in N use efficiency in ruminant diets by formulating more precise low-N diets considering the particularities for each species.
Single-Atom Catalysts for Improved Cathode Performance in Na–S Batteries: A Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study

The room-temperature sodium–sulfur (Na–S) batteries have attracted remarkable attention because of their promise to deliver high-capacity and low-cost earth-abundant sodium and sulfur. However, the...
Minimally Invasive Transhiatal Esophagectomy

A transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) involves a cervical anastomosis and blunt upper esophageal mobilization without any thoracic incisions. We use a hybrid minimally invasive approach to a THE that employs both laparoscopy and a small laparotomy with excellent results. Laparoscopy allows for improved visualization of the lower half of the esophagus/mediastinum, improved radial and lymph node dissection, reduction of blood loss, and decreased incision size, while the small laparotomy allows for safe completion of the operation in a timely fashion, usually 3.5–4.5 h. This chapter details the key steps to performing a hybrid minimally invasive THE, along with technical pearls and troubleshooting tips to consider.
MELD is MELD is MELD? Transplant center-level variation in waitlist mortality for candidates with the same biological MELD.

Recently, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-based liver allocation in the United States has been questioned based on concerns that waitlist mortality for a given biologic MELD (bMELD), calculated using laboratory values alone, might be higher at certain centers in certain locations across the country. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the center-level variation in bMELD-predicted mortality risk. Using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) data from January 2015 to December 2019, we modeled mortality risk in 33 260 adult, first-time waitlisted candidates from 120 centers using multilevel Poisson regression, adjusting for sex, and time-varying age and bMELD. We calculated a "MELD correction factor" using each center's random intercept and bMELD coefficient. A MELD correction factor of +1 means that center's candidates have a higher-than-average bMELD-predicted mortality risk equivalent to 1 bMELD point. We found that the "MELD correction factor" median (IQR) was 0.03 (-0.47, 0.52), indicating almost no center-level variation. The number of centers with "MELD correction factors" within ±0.5 points, and between ±0.5-± 1, ±1.0-±1.5, and ±1.5-±2.0 points was 62, 41, 13, and 4, respectively. No centers had waitlisted candidates with a higher-than-average bMELD-predicted mortality risk beyond ±2 bMELD points. Given that bMELD similarly predicts waitlist mortality at centers across the country, our results support continued MELD-based prioritization of waitlisted candidates irrespective of center.
Oncogenic signaling of RTK fusions becomes more granular

A spectrum of cancers arises from chromosomal translocations that fuse receptor tyrosine kinase domains to oligomerization domains from unrelated proteins. Tulpule et al. (2021) demonstrate that fusion proteins with the ability to assemble higher-order cytoplasmic protein granules can activate RAS signaling in a lipid membrane-independent manner.
Effect of the 2016 OPEC production cut announcement on the default likelihood of the oil industry and commercial banks

Using option pricing methodology, we provide evidence the oil and banking industries' default likelihood decreased following OPEC's November 2016 oil production cut announcement. The effect is present within several oil sub-industries and for the banks conducting business in states with the most oil production. In addition, for the oil industry we find the decrease in default likelihood is more pronounced for firms with higher leverage, low financial slack, small market value, and small book-to-market ratios. For commercial banks, banks with higher non-performing assets and provision for loan losses experienced a greater decline in default likelihood. In addition, similar to the oil industry, size and book-to-market are significant determinants of the change in default likelihood.
A Flowchart System for the Identification of Common Synthetic Fibers by Polarized Light Microscopy

A flowchart system for identifying common types of synthetic fibers is described. Based on polarized light microscopy, the system allows the rapid identification of the nine generic classes of synthetic fibers most often encountered in casework.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in a rat model of birth-trauma injury: functional improvements and biodistribution.

We evaluated the potential role of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in improvement of urinary continence following birth-trauma injury. Human MSCs were injected periurethrally or systemically into rats immediately after vaginal distention (VD) (n = 90). Control groups were non-VD (uninjured/untreated, n = 15), local or systemic saline (injection/control, n = 90), and dermofibroblast (cell therapy/control, n = 90). Leak-point pressure (LPP) was measured 4, 10, and 14 days later. Urethras were morphometrically evaluated. In another sets of VD and non-VD rats, the fate of periurethrally injected hMSC, biodistribution, and in vivo viability was studied using human Alu genomic repeat staining, PKH26 labeling, and luciferase-expression labeling, respectively. Saline- and dermofibroblast-treated control rats demonstrated lower LPP than non-VD controls at days 4 and 14 (P 0.05). Local saline controls demonstrated extensive urethral tissue bleeding. The connective tissue area/urethral section area proportion and vascular density were higher in the local hMSC- versus the saline-treated group at 4 and 14 days, respectively. No positive Alu-stained nuclei were observed in urethras at 4, 10, and 14 days. PKH26-labelled cells were found in all urethras at 2 and 24 h. Bioluminescence study showed increased luciferase expression from day 0 to 1 following hMSC injection. Human MSCs restored the continence mechanism with an immediate and sustained effect in the VD model, while saline and dermofibroblast therapy did not. Human MSCs remained at the site of periurethral injection for <7 days. We hypothesize that periurethral hMSC treatment improves vascular, connective tissue, and hemorrhage status of urethral tissues after acute VD injury.
Contextual Knowledge: From Globalization to Global Aging

As our general view of global history and societal development has shifted towards a more integrated approach, we face the challenge of finding the best ways to achieve integration across geographical and cultural distances. In dealing with the rising challenges associated with the global trend of demographic aging, it is argued that obtaining and accumulating contextual knowledge of local practice can be critical and productive especially in the planning phase of an eldercare intervention project. Three basic types of contextual knowledge—i.e., the context of experience, context of praxis, and context of theory—which are crucial for understanding eldercare practice situations, are discussed, along with its possible impacts on not only the understanding of the eldercare situation in a specific location, but also the choice and implementation of effective intervention solutions.
Lidar signal processing for under-water object detection

This paper presents Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based architecture for underwater object detection from Light Detection And Ranging (Lidar) data. Lidar gives a sequence of laser backscatter intensity obtained from laser shots at various heights above the earth surface. Lidar backscatter can be broadly classified into three different classes: water-layer, bottom and fish. Multilayered Perceptron (MLP) based ANN architecture is presented, which employ different signal processing techniques at the data preprocessing stage. The Lidar data is pre-filtered to remove noise and a data window of interest is selected to generate a set of coefficient that acts as input to the ANNs. The prediction values obtained from ANNs are fed to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based Inference Engine (IE) that presents the final decision.
d-Glucaric Acid and Galactaric Acid Catabolism by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Cell-free extract (crude extract) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens grown on d-glucuronate or d-glucarate converts d-glucarate and galactarate to a mixture of 2-keto-3-deoxy- and 4-deoxy-5-keto-d-glucarate. These compounds are then converted by partially purified crude extract to an intermediate tentatively identified as 2,5-diketoadipate. The same enzyme preparation further decarboxylates this intermediate to alpha-ketoglutarate semialdehyde, which is subsequently oxidized in a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent reaction to alpha-ketoglutaric acid. Since A. tumefaciens converts d-glucuronic acid to d-glucarate, a pathway from d-glucuronate to alpha-ketoglutarate in A. tumefaciens was determined.
Behavioral symptoms after breast cancer treatment: A biobehavioral approach

Being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer is emotionally and physically challenging. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death for women in the United States. Accordingly, women with a breast cancer history are the largest group of female cancer survivors. Psychological stress substantially augments adverse autonomic, endocrine, and immune discharge, including enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Importantly, inflammation is a key biological mechanism underlying the symptom cluster of pain, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances; there is also good evidence that inflammation contributes to breast cancer recurrence. Stress may exert direct effects on psychological and physiological risk processes. In this review, we take a biobehavioral approach to understanding predictors and mechanisms underlying somatic symptoms in breast cancer survivors.
Queering International Development? An Examination of New 'LGBT Rights' Rhetoric, Policy, and Programming among International Development Agencies

Starting in late 2011, “LGBT rights” became a prominent and contentious part of the international development agenda. While most of the resulting attention has been directed to questions of aid conditionality, this essay instead aims to preliminarily map the range of policies set out by twelve of the largest development agencies on “LGBT” or “SOGI” rights. We seek to further research and policy discourse in this dynamic field by suggesting frameworks for assessing our findings and future changes in light of the histories of development, rights, and sexual diversity and also with regard to contemporary concerns within development studies about listening, accountability, “do no harm” concepts, and attending to distinctions between policies and practices that transform unequal power relations and those that sustain them.The appendices for this paper are available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2514066
Knowledge Ingtegration in Large-Scale Organizations and Networks - Conceptual Overview and Operational Definition

Knowledge integration is an emerging discipline in organizational science where the central proposition is that the increasing complexity of products and services being developed and delivered, means that the knowledge required for production is increasingly specialized, varied (multi-disciplinary) and distributed across the organization’s internal boundaries, and as a result there is a need for organizations to continuously gather their knowledge resources in order to maintain their ability to innovate, and to sustain their competitive position in the market. In addition, the increasing scale and scope of organizational arrangements, such as multinational partnerships or multi-tiered prime-supplier arrangements commonly encountered in the aerospace, automotive and other complex product development industries, also give rise to environments of dispersed knowledge resources, thus necessitating the subsequent integration of this knowledge across external boundaries spanning large-scale organizational networks. Knowledge integration in this context is done through a process of transferring knowledge from multiple sources in the organizational network to where it is needed, combining it with existing knowledge, before it can be applied to accomplish complex tasks and to solve major problems. The primary purpose of this paper is to define the powerful concept of knowledge integration in large-scale organizational networks using an extensive review of the pertinent literature on knowledge in organizations. An operational definition for knowledge integration is also proposed, followed by a systematic identification and classification of the different strategies, practices, channels and mechanisms for integrating different types of knowledge across a multitude of organizational boundaries and environments.
Circuit Analysis Computing of Semiconductor Packages and Systems

The sections in this article are 1 Electrical Package Modeling 2 Simulation of Signal Transmission
Hydration number of the Li ion by pulsed magnetic resonance

Abstract Proton spin-lattice relaxation data as a function of concentration in aqueous solutions of LiCl and LiBr are interpreted in terms of a two state model. The data and this model, which is based upon the assumption of two kinds of water, bound and free, give a hydration number for the Li + ion of 4.9.
Fertility and pH effects on polyphenol and condensed tannin concentrations in foliage and roots

Plant secondary compounds such as polyphenols and tannins are purported to influence nutrient cycling by affecting organic matter degradation, mineralization rates, N availability and humus formation. In turn, site conditions have been shown to affect plant phenolic concentrations. In a greenhouse sand culture system we investigated the influence of fertility and pH on foliar and fine root polyphenol and tannin concentrations of two pines and three ericaceous species that grow in the pygmy forest of coastal California. Higher fertility levels increased plant growth up to 10-fold while N concentrations increased 1.2–2.4 fold in foliage and roots. Concentrations of foliar total phenols (TP) and condensed tannins (CT) ranged between 130–300 mg g−1 and 100–320 mg g−1 on a dry weight basis, respectively. Root TP and CT concentrations were lower than corresponding foliar levels, ranging between 60–150 mg g−1 for TP and 80–190 mg g−1 for total CT. As fertilizer levels decreased, concentrations of foliar TP and CT increased 1.2–2.0 fold. Effects of fertility on root TP and CT concentrations were not always significant and not as great as those seen in the foliage (0–33% increase under low versus high fertility). Effects of pH level on plant growth and chemical composition were less consistent, and often confounded by an interaction with fertility. Foliar C:N, TP:N and CT:N ratios, which may be predictors of litter quality, were significantly higher under low fertility than high fertility. These ratios were generally higher at pH 6.5 than pH 3.5. Similar trends were obtained from a greenhouse soil study which included lime and fertilizer treatments. Our results indicate that changes in soil nutrient supply have a greater influence on secondary compound production than do changes in solution pH.
Psychosomatic medicine in a changing society: some current trends in theory and research.

Summary This article formulates the ecological dimension of psychosomatic medicine and stresses its indispensability for a comprehensive conception and further development of the latter. Special emphasis is laid on various aspects of information input overload as a paradigm of current social change relevant to psychophysiological functioning of individuals in technological societies and to issues of health and disease. An attempt is also made to outline a comprehensive theoretical framework integrating growing diversity of trends in research, experimental and clinical, pertinent to the central concern of psychosomatics: the interrelationships of psychological, biological and social variables as they influence health and disease. It is argued that this integrationist approach enhances the dual social role of psychosomatics: to strive for a unified theory of man in a changing social environment, and to work out practical guidelines for preventive and remedial action applicable to medical practice.
The binding and metabolism of testosterone by the chick oviduct

Summary A testosterone receptor was identified in cytosol from the oviducts of estrogen stimulated chicks. Testosterone binding was not detected in serum or in cytosol prepared from heart tissue. The sucrose gradient profile of the receptor was 4 S under conditions of high ionic strenght and 8 S under low ionic strength conditions. Incubation of intact oviducts at 37°C with labeled testosterone resulted in the rapid appearance of cytosol binding initially and then nuclear binding. The nuclear receptor was a 4 S protein under conditions of either high or low ionic strenght. The identity of the steroid bound to the cytosol and nuclear receptor following incubations of whole oviducts was determined by t.l.c. More than 75% of the steroid bound to the cytosol receptor was unchanged testosterone. In contrast, more than 75% of the steroid bound to the nuclear receptor was 5α-dihydrotestosterone. The observations reported in this paper indicate that testosterone binding and metabolism in the chick oviduct and in male target organs in similar.
Acquired systemic-to-pulmonary arteriovenous malformation secondary to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis empyema

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with systemic arterial collateralization related to a prior tuberculosis empyema are extremely rare. We report the case of a 15-year-old boy who developed a pulmonary AVM with massive systemic arterial collateralization 5 years after being treated for a Mycobacterium tuberculosis empyema necessitans. The AVM was successfully managed with combined intraarterial embolization and surgical resection.
Epicardial atrial defibrillation: successful treatment of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Current medical treatment using antiarrhythmics and anticoagulants has a significant morbidity. The goal of this study was to determine if epicardial atrial defibrillation can be safely performed and return patients to sinus rhythm. Methods A prospective analysis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery was performed. Patients with a prior pacemaker/defibrillator, history of arrhythmia, preoperative antiarrhythmic, age greater than 85 years, history of stroke, or intraaortic balloon pump were excluded. Temporary epicardial atrial cardioversion wires were placed on the right and left atrium. Bipolar atrial and ventricular pacing wires were also placed. The wires were tested in the operating room. Patients who went into postoperative arial fibrillation were cardioverted with 3 J, 6 J, or 9 J. Results There were 45 patients enrolled. Sixteen patients (35%) went into postoperative arial fibrillation during their hospital stay. Mean time to onset of arial fibrillation was 2.6 ± 1.4 days after surgery. Fifteen patients were successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm on the primary cardioversion, with mean of 5.7 ± 2.4 J. One patient was cardioverted at 6 hours after onset of arial fibrillation, at 6 J. Recurrent arial fibrillation occurred in 4 patients during their hospital stay. All 4 of these patients were cardioverted with a mean of 6.4 ± 2.6 J. All wires were removed the day before patients were discharged. There were no complications with wire insertion or removal. There were no adverse neurologic events. The mean hospital stay was 5.1 ± 2.2 days. All patients were in sinus rhythm at 1 month follow-up. Conclusions The use of a temporary atrial defibrillator to resynchronize patients in postoperative arial fibrillation is safe and effective.
Control of soilborne potato diseases using Brassica green manures.

Abstract Brassica crops used in crop rotations and as green manures have been associated with reductions in soilborne pests and pathogens. These reductions have been attributed to the production of volatile sulfur compounds through a process known as biofumigation, and to changes in soil microbial community structure. In this study, selected Brassica crops, including canola, rapeseed, radish, turnip, yellow mustard, and Indian mustard, were evaluated for control of various soilborne potato pathogens and diseases in culture, in greenhouse trials, and in field trials on commercial potato farms. In in vitro assays, volatiles released from chopped leaf material of Brassica crops and barley inhibited growth of a variety of soilborne pathogens of potato, including Rhizoctonia solani , Phytophthora erythroseptica , Pythium ultimum , Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , and Fusarium sambucinam , with Indian mustard resulting in nearly complete inhibition (80–100%). All Brassica crops and barley reduced inoculum levels of R. solani (20–56% reduction) in greenhouse tests, and radish, rapeseed, and Indian mustard reduced subsequent potato seedling disease by 40–83%. In an on-farm field trial at a site with a substantial powdery scab problem, Indian mustard, rapeseed, canola, and ryegrass grown as green manure rotation crops reduced powdery scab in the subsequent potato crop by 15–40%, and canola and rapeseed reduced black scurf by 70–80% relative to a standard oats rotation. At another field site where common scab was the primary disease problem, an Indian mustard green manure reduced common scab by 25%, and rapeseed, yellow mustard, and ‘Lemtal’ ryegrass also reduced black scurf relative to a standard ryegrass rotation. Disease reductions were not always associated with higher glucosinolate-producing crops, and were also observed with non- Brassica crops (barley and ryegrass), indicating other mechanisms and interactions are important, particularly for control of R. solani . Overall, Indian mustard was most effective for reducing powdery scab and common scab diseases, whereas rapeseed and canola were most effective in reducing Rhizoctonia diseases. These results indicate that Brassica crops have potential for use as green manures for the control of multiple soilborne disease problems.
An investigation of how similarity and price influence consumers' responses to brand extensions

The purpose of this study was to investigate how an extension's similarity to a family brand's product category and its price affect attitudes and buying intentions toward an extension. Two extensions were developed that varied in terms of similarity to the family brand. The extensions were priced either above, the same as, or below a competing product. The results indicated that a brand extension may be perceived as more desirable and requiring less monetary sacrifice when the extension's product class is similar to the family brand than when the product classes are dissimilar. The price at which the extension is offered influenced perceptions of value and sacrifice, but had little affect on quality, regardless of whether the extension was perceived as similar or dissimilar to the family brand.
An Exploratory Factor Analysis of Motivations for Participating in Zooniverse, a Collection of Virtual Citizen Science Projects

Virtual citizen science (VCS) uses technology like the Internet to give volunteers the chance to participate in real scientific research. The success of VCS projects has prompted researchers to understand what motivates volunteer participation. 199 registered users of Zooniverse, a successful collection of VCS projects, completed a web survey assessing various possible motives for their participation. An exploratory factor analysis of their responses suggests a three-factor solution representing motives related to Social Engagement, Interaction with the Website, and Helping. We discuss the place these results have in helping to understand the still emerging picture of the variety of motives associated with various VCS projects and activities.
Differences in sexual behaviors and teen dating violence among black, hispanic, and white female adolescents

We examined differences in sexual behaviors among White, Black, and Hispanic adolescent females exposed to dating or sexual violence (DSV) using the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We also examined the interaction effect of exposure to DSV and race or ethnicity on sexual behaviors. Sexual behaviors were significantly associated with both race or ethnicity and DSV; DSV was a stronger predictor of sexual behaviors than race or ethnicity; and the effect of DSV on condom use was more pronounced among Hispanic adolescents, whereas the effect of DSV on birth control use was more pronounced among both Black and Hispanic adolescents. Adolescent health programs should simultaneously address DSV and sexual risk reduction, with particular emphasis on birth control and condom use among ethnic minority populations.
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND ELEMENT FRACTIONATION IN EV Lac

We present a 100 ks Suzaku observation of the dMe flare star EV Lac, in which the star was captured undergoing a moderate 1500 s flare. During the flare, the count rate increased by about a factor of 50 and the spectrum showed overall enhanced element abundances relative to quiescence. While the quiescent element abundances confirm the inverse first ionization potential (FIP) effect previously documented for EV Lac, with relatively higher depletions for low FIP elements, abundances during the flare spectra show a composition closer to that of the stellar photosphere. We discuss these results in the context of models that explain abundance fractionation in the stellar chromosphere as a result of the ponderomotive force due to Alfven waves. Stars with FIP or inverse FIP effects arising from differently directed ponderomotive forces may have quite different abundance signatures in their evaporated chromospheric plasma during flares, if the same ponderomotive force also affects thermal conduction downward from the corona. The regulation of the thermal conductivity by the ponderomotive force requires a level of turbulence that is somewhat higher than is normally assumed, but plausible in filamentary conduction models.
Continuous allosteric regulation of a viral packaging motor by a sensor that detects the density and conformation of packaged DNA.

We report evidence for an unconventional type of allosteric regulation of a biomotor. We show that the genome-packaging motor of phage ϕ29 is regulated by a sensor that detects the density and conformation of the DNA packaged inside the viral capsid, and slows the motor by a mechanism distinct from the effect of a direct load force on the motor. Specifically, we show that motor-ATP interactions are regulated by a signal that is propagated allosterically from inside the viral shell to the motor mounted on the outside. This signal continuously regulates the motor speed and pausing in response to changes in either density or conformation of the packaged DNA, and slows the motor before the buildup of large forces resisting DNA confinement. Analysis of motor slipping reveals that the force resisting packaging remains low (<1 pN) until ∼70% and then rises sharply to ∼23 pN at high filling, which is a several-fold lower value than was previously estimated under the assumption that force alone slows the motor. These findings are consistent with recent studies of the stepping kinetics of the motor. The allosteric regulatory mechanism we report allows double-stranded DNA viruses to achieve rapid, high-density packing of their genomes by limiting the buildup of nonequilibrium load forces on the motor.
Problem areas in the understanding of informed consent for research: study of middle-aged and older patients with psychotic disorders.

Rationale Optimizing the abilities of individuals with psychiatric disorders to provide meaningful informed consent for research has become a heightened concern for psychiatric researchers.
Heat of reaction determinations in the system CaLiClKClCaCrO4SiO2 using differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract As a result of the observation of heat generation in electrochemical thermal cells of the type −Ca|LiClKCl, SiO2, CaCrO4|Fe+, heats of reaction of the CaLiClKClCaCrO4SiO2 system were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Three significant reactions were studied, all involving calcium. Calcium reacts rapidly with LiCl immediately upon melting of the LiClKCl eutectic mixture at 352°C. The exothermic reaction expressed as 2 Ca + 2 LiCl → CaCl2 + CaLi2 has a heat of reaction equal to −1.4 kcal (−17.5 cal/g Ca). Calcium undergoes a rapid and highly exothermic reaction with CaCrO4 which occurs at the melting point of the LiClKClCaCrO4 ternary eutectic mixture (342°). Expressing this reaction as 3 Ca + 2 CaCrO4 + 2 LiCl → 2 Ca2CrO4Cl + CaLi2 the heat determined was −212 kcal (−1770 cal/g Ca). Calcium reacts with SiO2 at much higher temperatures (400–600°C) also in a strongly exothermic manner. The Ca/SiO2 reaction is considerably slower than the other two reactions studied. For the reaction expressed as 4 Ca + SiO2 → 2 CaO + Ca2Si the heat of reaction is −106 kcal (−664 cal/g Ca).
Assessment of valvular heart disease with cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Valvular heart disease is an important clinical diagnosis throughout the world and prompt recognition of moderate and severe valvular abnormalities is an important public health goal. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a well-established noninvasive technique that allows for a comprehensive assessment of valvular heart disease. In this article, the basics of CMR application in valvular heart disease are reviewed. Essential CMR techniques, including black-blood imaging, cine steady-state free precession and flow velocity mapping are discussed, as applied to specific valvular lesions. In addition, concrete protocols for imaging in various clinical situations are suggested.
Influenza Virus Infection, Ozone Exposure, and Fibrogenesis

Oxidant exposure following chemically induced lung injury exacerbates the tendency to develop pulmonary fibrosis. Influenza virus pneumonitis causes severe acute lung damage that, upon resolution, is followed by a persistent alveolitis and parenchymal changes characterized by patchy interstitial pneumonia and collagen deposition in the affected areas. To determine whether oxidant exposure exacerbates the virus-induced alveolitis and residual lung damage, mice were infected by aerosol inhalation with influenza A virus and continuously exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone or ambient air. Noninfected control mice were exposed to either ambient air or ozone. On various days during the first month after infection, groups of mice were sacrificed and their lungs assessed for acute injury (lung lavage albumin, total and differential cell counts, wet/dry ratios, and morphometry). At 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after infection, groups of mice were sacrificed for total and differential lavage cell counts, lung hydroxyproline content, and morphometric analysis. Ozone exposure did not alter the proliferation of virus in the lungs as quantitated by infectious virus titers of lung homogenates at 1, 4, 7, 10, and 15 days after virus infection but mitigated the virus-induced acute lung injury by approximately 50%. After Day 30 a shift in the character of the pulmonary lesions was observed in that continuous exposure to ozone potentiated the postinfluenzal alveolitis and structural changes in the lung parenchyma. Additional studies suggest that the mechanism for the enhanced postinfluenzal lung damage may be related to the oxidant impairing the repair process of the acute influenzal lung damage. These data demonstrate that ozone exposure mitigates acute virus-induced lung injury and potentiates residual lung damage.
Carbon Black Filled Silicone as a Compliant Thermoelectric Material

A compliant silicone-matrix composite containing carbon black and exhibiting volume electrical resistivity 2.3 Ω cm was found to exhibit absolute thermoelectric power + 2 μV/°C.
ANALYSIS OF A SOLAR CORONAL BRIGHT POINT EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRUM FROM THE EUNIS SOUNDING ROCKET INSTRUMENT

We present a well-calibrated EUV spectrum of a solar coronal bright point observed with the Extreme Ultraviolet Normal Incidence Spectrograph (EUNIS) sounding rocket instrument on 2006 April 12. The coronal bright point brightened around 06:30 UT during a period of emerging magnetic flux and remained bright at least until the rocket flight around 18:12 UT, while the magnetic flux merged and canceled. Density-sensitive line intensity ratios yield mutually consistent coronal electron densities (Ne in cm−3) of log Ne ≈ 9.4. The differential emission measure (DEM, in cm−5 K−1) curve derived from the spectrum yields a peak of log DEM ≈ 20.70 at log T ≈ 6.15 and a local minimum of log DEM ≈ 20.15 at log T ≈ 5.35. Photospheric (not coronal) element abundances are required to achieve equality and consistency in the DEM derived from lines of Mg V, Mg VI, Mg VII, and Ca VII (with a low first ionization potential, or FIP) and lines from Ne IV and Ne V (with a high FIP) formed at transition region temperatures. The bright point's photospheric abundance is likely produced by reconnection-driven chromospheric evaporation, a process that is not only central to existing bright point models, but also consistent with measurements of relative Doppler velocities.
Changes in the composition of ovomucin during liquefaction of thick egg white: The effect of ionic strength and magnesium salts

Addition of small amounts of either sodium chloride or magnesium salts to thick egg white inhibited the natural thinning processes. Chemical analyses of the ovomucin complex and analytical ultracentrifugation of fully reduced derivatives obtained from thick egg white incubated at 37 °C showed that either 0.01 M-magnesium salt or 0.03 M-sodium chloride also reduced the losses of the β-ovomucins which normally occur during liquefaction of thick egg white. A possible mechanism by which magnesium and sodium chloride retard egg white liquefaction is discussed in relation to the known effect of these substances on ovomucin-lysozyme interactions. A proposed commercial application of the findings is outlined.
Alcohol Misuse and Abuse Reported by Nurse Aides in Assisted Living

Alcohol misuse and abuse in Assisted Living (AL) as reported by nurse aides is examined. Data came from a secondary analysis of nurse aides included in the Pennsylvania nurse aide registry. A total...
VISHNU hybrid model for the viscous QCD matter at RHIC and LHC energies

In this proceeding, we briefly describe the viscous hydrodynamics + hadron cascade hybrid model VISHNU for relativistic heavy ion collisions and report the current status on extracting the QGP viscosity from elliptic flow data.
Real-time seismic amplitude measurement (RSAM) : a volcano monitoring and prediction tool

Seismicity is one of the most commonly monitored phenomena used to determine the state of a volcano and for the prediction of volcanic eruptions. Although several real-time earthquake-detection and data acquisition systems exist, few continuously measure seismic amplitude in circumstances where individual events are difficult to recognize or where volcanic tremor is prevalent. Analog seismic records provide a quick visual overview of activity; however, continuous rapid quantitative analysis to define the intensity of seismic activity for the purpose of predicing volcanic eruptions is not always possible because of clipping that results from the limited dynamic range of analog recorders. At the Cascades Volcano Observatory, an inexpensive 8-bit analog-to-digital system controlled by a laptop computer is used to provide 1-min average-amplitude information from eight telemetered seismic stations. The absolute voltage level for each station is digitized, averaged, and appended in near real-time to a data file on a multiuser computer system. Raw realtime seismic amplitude measurement (RSAM) data or transformed RSAM data are then plotted on a common time base with other available volcano-monitoring information such as tilt. Changes in earthquake activity associated with dome-building episodes, weather, and instrumental difficulties are recognized as distinct patterns in the RSAM data set. RSAM data for domebuilding episodes gradually develop into exponential increases that terminate just before the time of magma extrusion. Mount St. Helens crater earthquakes show up as isolated spikes on amplitude plots for crater seismic stations but seldom for more distant stations. Weather-related noise shows up as low-level, long-term disturbances on all seismic stations, regardless of distance from the volcano. Implemented in mid-1985, the RSAM system has proved valuable in providing up-to-date information on seismic activity for three Mount St. Helens eruptive episodes from 1985 to 1986 (May 1985, May 1986, and October 1986). Tiltmeter data, the only other telemetered geophysical information that was available for the three dome-building episodes, is compared to RSAM data to show that the increase in RSAM data was related to the transport of magma to the surface. Thus, if tiltmeter data is not available, RSAM data can be used to predict future magmatic eruptions at Mount St. Helens. We also recognize the limitations of RSAm data. Two examples of RSAM data associated with phreatic or shallow phreatomagmatic explosions were not preceded by the same increases in RSAM data or changes in tilt associated with the three dome-building eruptions.
A Rapid Direct Extraction-Derivatization Method for Determining Sugars in Fruit Tissue

Trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of sucrose and TMS oxime derivatives of fructose and glucose were made directly from samples of freeze-dried fruit tissues without a preliminary extraction of sugars and quantified using gas chromtography. The sugars were identified by a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatographic retention times of authentic compounds. Results were quantitative and reproducible for all samples except tomatoes which had values for sucrose which were significantly more variable than those obtained for fructose and glucose. Hydrolysis of sucrose was minimized and extraction of free sugars was consistent when a 50: 1 ratio of oxime reagent (μL) per mg of dry tissue was used.
Autoantibodies in inner ear disease.

The etiopathogenesis of many inner ear disorders still remains idiopathic. Immunological mechanisms are attracting attention in relation to a number of these diseases. Some cases are believed to be autoimmune in origin. The present study was conducted to determine whether patients with inner ear disorders produce antibodies that may be pathologic to the inner ear or result from its damage. Sera from 100 patients with various inner ear disorders were tested for autoantibodies using the indirect immunofluorescence test. Inner ear tissue preparations from healthy guinea pigs were used as antigen substrates. Adequate tissue and serological controls were applied. Two groups of antibodies were detected: antibodies directed against the inner ear tissues (18%) and antibodies directed against different tissue/cellular elements (41%). A wide variety of inner ear antibodies were found, though no common type manifested itself. Meniere's disease was the most common clinical diagnosis in the antibody-positive group.
Implicit time of pattern evoked potentials in infants: an index of maturation of spatial vision.

Abstract Pattern reversal visually evoked potentials (VEP) were recorded from preterm infants, term infants, young children and adults. The implicit time of the peak of the first positive wave was measured for different check sizes. The implicit time of the VEP for checks larger than 30′ of arc reaches adult levels by 16–20 weeks of age. The implicit time for checks smaller than 30′ of arc decreases rapidly up to 1 year of age and then slowly until 5–6 years of age suggesting that the plasticity of the human visual system may extend until then. Further, from early infancy to adulthood, patterns comprised of small checks (high spatial frequencies) elicit signals with longer implicit times than stimuli with large checks (low spatial frequencies).
A comparison of the ultrastructure of substance P and enkephalin‐immunoreactive elements in the nucleus of the dorsal lateral funiculus and laminae I and II of the rat spinal cord

The ultrastructure of substance P (SP)- and enkephalin (ENK)-immunoreactive elements in the nucleus of the dorsal lateral funiculus (NDLF) and in laminae I and II of the spinal cord was examined in the rat using the peroxidate-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. Electron-microscopic observations were made of a large number of immunolabelled terminals (n = 428; many followed in serial sections), axons, and immunoreactive cell bodies and dendrites which were occasionally encountered. Morphometric analysis was used to describe and compare the fine structural features of immunolabelled elements. Both SP- and ENK-immunoreactive terminals contained clear synaptic vesicles and dense-cored vesicles of similar size but the ENK-immunoreactive profiles contained significantly more dense-cored vesicles than SP-immunolabelled profiles. Both SP- and ENK-immunoreactive profiles in the dorsal laminae of the dorsal horn contacted mainly smaller dendritic elements. Only rarely were axo-axonic interactions noted. The NDLF contains widely scattered cell bodies dispersed within a neuropil which is rich in synaptic complexes and is interdigitated between fascicles of myelinated and unmyelinated axons. Numerous SP- and ENK-immunoreactive profiles were observed in the NDLF, many of which made asymmetric synaptic contacts with NDLF neurons. Although both the dorsal gray and NDLF contain large numbers of SP- and ENK-immunoreactive elements which are similar in morphology in both regions, the NDLF can be distinguished from laminae I and II by a number of criteria, including the nature of the neuropil, principle sources of SP innervation, and the termination patterns of ascending projections.
Existence and stability of perturbed transonic shocks for compressible steady potential flows

Abstract We establish an existence theorem for perturbed transonic steady potential flows where the boundary of the subsonic region consists of a transonic shock and thus the governing equation becomes a free boundary problem. We establish gradient estimates and use the fixed point theorem of Caristi’s, which does not require a compactness of the map, to establish the existence result. We provide new techniques to handle the gradients and show that the flow is strictly elliptic inside of the subsonic region.
Photochemistry of acylazides. VI : Radical-induced decomposition of p-trimethylsilylbenzoylazide

Abstract The sensitization of the photolysis of p-trimethylsilylbezoylazide by benzophenone, thioxanthone and benzoinethylether was studied in isopropanol and cyclohexane. The reaction of solvent radicals, formed via ketone excitation, with the azide leads to decomposition, yielding the substituted benzamide as the major product. The solvent radicals act as chain carriers. Irradiation of cyclohexane solutions containing the substituted benzolylazide using γ rays leads to products comparable with those obtained in the photoinduced process. In order to study the mechanism of sensitization, quantum yields were determined as a function of the concentration of both the ketone and the azide. The results show that the azide competes with benzophenone for the solvent radicals. An electron transfer mechanism is postulated for the reaction of the solvent radical with the azide.
Infrared evidence for the presence of superoxide in a Co(III)-ATP complex used for the labeling of nucleotide in binding sites of ATPases.

Abstract The inert coordination complexes of Co(III) and ATP are used as dead end inhibitors to determine enzyme mechanisms. Conclusive infrared evidence for the presence of superoxide ion in a Co(III)-ATP complex is presented. The superoxide is displaced by monovalent anions such as cyanide. The presence of superoxide explains the biological reactivity of the inert Co(III) complex.