cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostaglandin E2 Enhances Aged Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function.

Aging of hematopoiesis is associated with increased frequency and clonality of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), along with functional compromise and myeloid bias, with donor age being a significant variable in survival after HSC transplantation. No clinical methods currently exist to enhance aged HSC function, and little is known regarding how aging affects molecular responses of HSCs to biological stimuli. Exposure of HSCs from young fish, mice, nonhuman primates, and humans to 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) enhances transplantation, but the effect of dmPGE2 on aged HSCs is unknown. Here we show that ex vivo pulse of bone marrow cells from young adult (3 mo) and aged (25 mo) mice with dmPGE2 prior to serial competitive transplantation significantly enhanced long-term repopulation from aged grafts in primary and secondary transplantation (27 % increase in chimerism) to a similar degree as young grafts (21 % increase in chimerism; both p < 0.05). RNA sequencing of phenotypically-isolated HSCs indicated that the molecular responses to dmPGE2 are similar in young and old, including CREB1 activation and increased cell survival and homeostasis. Common genes within these pathways identified likely key mediators of HSC enhancement by dmPGE2 and age-related signaling differences. HSC expression of the PGE2 receptor EP4, implicated in HSC function, increased with age in both mRNA and surface protein. This work suggests that aging does not alter the major dmPGE2 response pathways in HSCs which mediate enhancement of both young and old HSC function, with significant implications for expanding the therapeutic potential of elderly HSC transplantation.
Transvers to longitudinal structuring of light with metasurfaces

Recent work on beams with light structured along the propagation direction will be presented, where the polarization and the OAM of the beam changed along the propagation direction.
Striatonigrostriatal Circuit Architecture for Disinhibition of Dopamine Signaling

The basal ganglia operate largely in closed parallel loops, including an associative circuit for goal-directed behavior originating from the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and a somatosensory circuit important for habit formation originating from the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). An exception to this parallel circuit organization has been proposed to explain how information might be transferred between striatal subregions, for example from DMS to DLS during habit formation. The "ascending spiral hypothesis" proposes that DMS disinhibits dopamine signaling in DLS through a tri-synaptic, open-loop striato-nigro-striatal circuit. Here, we used transsynaptic and intersectional genetic tools to investigate both closed- and open-loop striato-nigro-striatal circuits. We found strong evidence for closed loops, which would allow striatal subregions to regulate their own dopamine release. We also found evidence for functional synapses in open loops. However, these synapses were unable to modulate tonic dopamine neuron firing, questioning the prominence of their role in mediating crosstalk between striatal subregions.
Content analysis in cross-cultural advertising research: insightful or superficial?

Historically, cross-cultural researchers have used content analysis as their primary method for comparing ads. Recently, however, content analysis has been criticised for being a purely descriptive method that provides the researcher with little if any insight regarding advertising effectiveness. To address this methodological limitation, we argue that researchers should incorporate consumer interpretation into their cross-cultural advertising studies. More specifically, we explicate a variation of content analysis that is predicated on consumer interpretation of the advertising under study and test it against the traditional content analytic approach. The results of our study and the implications for future cross-cultural advertising research are discussed.
Shuttle Imaging Radar-A information and data availability

The performance characteristics of the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A), carried aloft on the STS-2 flight, are described and the results of its initial use are evaluated. The SIR-A is an SAR system operated at 1278 MHz (L-band), i.e., a wavelength of 23 cm. A seven panel antenna 9.4 m long was used, and scans were performed at a 50 deg angle of incidence to the center of a 50 km swath. Resolution is 40 m, and imagery is generated on a scale of 1:500,000. Sample images of a Brasilian island and the California coast are provided. Comparisons of the SIR-A imagery with Seasat SAR composite imagery demonstrate that the SIR-A is more sensitive to local roughness and only slightly dependent on terrain slope.
Technological Aids in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Navigation, Patient-Specific Instrumentation, and Robotics

Total knee arthroplasty has dramatically enhanced the management of end-stage knee arthritis. Despite advances over the last few decades, some patients continue to be dissatisfied with their arthroplasty. Component alignment has become a focus, as malalignment has persisted despite improvements in surgical technique. While technology such as navigation, patient-specific instrumentation (PSI), and robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) may enhance surgical execution, it remains unclear whether more accurate alignment can actually improve survivorship or patient satisfaction. At the current time, navigation, PSI, and RAS are more costly than conventional techniques. In order for more widespread adoption, incremental clinical gains and enhanced cost-effectiveness must be demonstrated. There are, however, specific cases where advanced technology has a role such as severe extra-articular deformities and obstruction of the femoral canal.
Best of both worlds: issues of structure and agency in computational creation, in and out of school

We live in a computational culture—a culture in which we are surrounded by computational systems and interfaces, from social networks to banking infrastructure, to entertainment platforms, to transportation systems. This culture introduces new expectations and new opportunities for learning, creating new demands for what to learn and offering new possibilities for how to learn. In this dissertation, I adopt a predominantly qualitative approach to exploring learning in computational culture, studying how the Scratch programming environment and online community are employed to support learning both in and out of school. To this end, I conducted interviews with 30 kids working with Scratch at home and 30 teachers working with Scratch in K-12 classrooms to develop descriptions of computational creation in these two settings. Using a theoretical framework of agency and structure, I analyze how the at-home and school-classroom contexts enable—or constrain—young people's agency in computational creation. Despite common assumptions that at-home learning is necessarily low-structure/ high-agency and that at-school learning is necessarily high-structure/low-agency, I argue that structure and agency need not be in opposition. Designers of learning environments should explore intermediate possibilities, finding ways to employ structure in the service of learner agency. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, libraries.mit.edu/docs - docs@mit.edu)
Superparamagnetic nanoparticle-based viscosity test

Hyperviscosity syndrome is triggered by high blood viscosity in the human body. This syndrome can result in retinopathy, vertigo, coma, and other unanticipated complications. Serum viscosity is one of the important factors affecting whole blood viscosity, which is regarded as an indicator of general health. In this letter, we propose and demonstrate a Brownian relaxation-based mixing frequency method to test human serum viscosity. This method uses excitatory and detection coils and Brownian relaxation-dominated superparamagnetic nanoparticles, which are sensitive to variables of the liquid environment such as viscosity and temperature. We collect the harmonic signals produced by magnetic nanoparticles and estimate the viscosity of unknown solutions by comparison to the calibration curves. An in vitro human serum viscosity test is performed in less than 1.5 min.
Glucose transporter number, activity, and isoform content in plasma membranes of red and white skeletal muscle.

The fiber type composition of a skeletal muscle is an important determinant of its ability to take up glucose. Although numerous factors may account for this phenomenon, we have hypothesized that f...
Multi-level circuit partitioning for switch-level timing simulation

The authors describe two techniques used in switch-level timing simulation. A delay method has been presented which overcomes many drawbacks of existing simulators. The delay method uses voltage-time equations which preserve the nonlinearities of transistors when finding delay values. In addition, a method for processing feedback using multilevel circuit partitioning is suggested as a means of minimizing the amount of block processing during simulation. This method combines the advantages of simple waveform relaxation and dynamic windowing. The multilevel partition can provide a large speedup in runtime for circuits that contain strong feedback loops within weaker feedback loops. The subcircuit block analysis and multilevel partitioning have been implemented in a switch-level timing simulator called IDSIM. IDSIM has consistently run two orders of magnitude faster than SPICE2 with errors less than 10%. >
Management of Crohn's disease of the ileoanal pouch with infliximab☆

Abstract Objectives The occurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) in a patient with an ileal-pouch anstomosis (IPAA) often results in severe morbidity and significant chance of reservoir loss. We report our experience of the use of infliximab in these patients. Methods Medical records of 26 patients with an IPAA and CD-related complications were reviewed. The median time between the IPAA and the diagnosis of CD was 4.5 yr (range 0.1–16 yr). The main reasons for changing the original ulcerative colitis diagnosis to CD were complex perianal or pouch fistulizing disease in 14 patients (54%), prepouch ileitis in five (19%), and both prepouch ileitis and complex fistula in seven (27%). Patients received one to three doses of infliximab over 8 wk as induction therapy. Subsequently the patients received a variable number of maintenance infusions. Results At a short term follow-up, 16/26 patients (62%) had a complete response, six of 26 (23%) had a partial response, and four of 26 (15%) had no response. Information regarding long term follow-up was available in 24 patients. After a median follow-up of 21.5 months (range 3–44 months), eight patients (33%) either had their pouch resected or had a persistent diverting ileostomy. The pouch was functional in 16/24 (67%) patients, with either good (n = 7) or acceptable (n = 7) clinical results in 14/24 (58%). Of those 14 patients, 11 were under long term, on demand, or systematic maintenance treatment with infliximab. Conclusions Infliximab is beneficial in both the short and long term treatment of patients with an IPAA performed for a presumed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis who subsequently develop CD-related complications. Good pouch function requires long term treatment with infliximab in most patients.
Improved self-assembled thiol stationary phases in microfluidic gas separation columns

Abstract Semipacked columns (SPCs) with integrated micropillars have been characterized for high chromatographic efficiencies and fast separations. In this article, high-yield and stable alkane thiol based stationary phase coating methods are presented for SPCs. Briefly, a new three step (anisotropic, O2 plasma, and isotropic) etching method is first developed in order to improve metal lift-off by producing a 3-dimensional undercutting profile inside deep etched SPCs. This innovative fabrication scheme is used for 1 m-long, 220 μm-deep, 190 μm-wide SPCs with circular micropillars of 20 μm-diameters and 42 μm-post spacing. Two different thin gold film deposition techniques are utilized for microcolumns (1) a wafer-level physical vapor deposition, and (2) a device level layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (3.2 nm diameter). After gold film deposition and metal lift-off, the surface of the patterned gold layer is functionalized with a 2 mM octadecanethiol (C18H37SH) solution for chromatographic separations. Both kinetic (Golay plots) and thermodynamic (Van’t Hoff plot) properties of thiol-functionalized gold phases are studied. The significance of SPCs, for faster analysis, is also validated by achieving baseline separation of a straight chain alkane mixture, containing high boilers (174 °C to 287 °C), within 45 s.
Death Education: Some Considerations of Purpose and Rationale.

Death education has become a valuable component of many gerontology programs. This paper examines various issues and concerns of importance to death educators and program administrators. The potential benefits of examining the issues surrounding death and dying, the readiness of people to explore this subject, ethical concerns for death educators, and the status of outcome research evaluating the effects and effectiveness of death education programs are considered.
Is Immigration Policy Labor Policy?: Immigration Enforcement, Undocumented Workers, and the State

Enforcement-oriented immigration programs have spread rapidly from the United States-Mexico border throughout the United States interior in recent years, intensifying the vulnerabilities of undocumented workers. In this article, we draw on our ethnographic research with undocumented workers and activists in the Chicago area to examine the expanded use of instruments such as E-Verify, No-Match letters, and federal-local enforcement collaborations. We consider how accelerated enforcement-oriented immigration policies affect the labor relations of undocumented workers in the Chicago area, and we also explore how immigrant labor leaders help workers ward off the short-term effects of punitive immigration policies as they organize for long-term immigration reform.
Measurement of Thermal Conductivity from High Temperature Pulse Diffusivity and Calorimetry Measurements

The measurement of the thermal conductivity of small samples over an extended temperature range is discussed. Experimental data on thermal diffusivity obtained by the laser pulse technique are combined with specific heat data, obtained either by differential scanning calorimetry or by vaporization calorimetry, to derive the thermal conductivity. An an example of the use of this technique, data are reported on the conductivity of an ASTM A517 steel over the temperature range 100–1200°C. The thermal diffusivity was derived from temperature vs time data obtained from a laser pulse diffusivty system designed and constructed at Sandia. A data reduction technique was used which simultaneously corrects for finite pulse time effects and sample heat losses by radiation. The specific heat was measured directly at temperatures below 680°C using a commercial differential scanning calorimeter. For temperatures up to 1200°C, the specific heat was determined by differentiating a curve fit to the measured sample enthalpy. The enthalpy was measured using a liquid argon vaporization calorimeter developed at Sandia. The thermal conductivity of the A517 steel was then calculated over the entire temperature range. A classical Curie transition was observed during measurements of both the diffusivity and enthalpy. The effect of this transition on the measured thermal conductivity is discussed.
The effect of troleandomycin on methylprednisolone elimination

Abstract Troleandomycin (TAO), a macrolide antibiotic, has an apparent "steroid-sparing" effect when used in the treatment of severe steroid-dependent asthma. This study was designed to investigate the effect of TAO on methylprednisolone elimination. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed before and 1 wk after starting TAO in 10 severe steroid-dependent asthmatics. Baseline total body clearance of methylprednisolone was 406 ± 139 (mean ± SD) ml/min/1.73 m 2 and decreased significantly (p 2 1 wk after TAO therapy was initiated. Methylprednisolone half-life was 2.46 ± 0.75 hr before TAO and increased significantly (p
Modeling and simuation of aggregation processes in colloidal systems

Abstract A critical aspect of the behavior of dispersed particles is their stability. In applications such as the production of lattices, toner manufacturing, and biological processes such as blood typing that is essential to control the stability of suspension. The most significant characteristics of colloidal dispersions are the particle size distribution, particle shape, and chemical composition. In real aggregation processes, the characteristics of the aggregates will vary as a function of the state of the system. Therefore, a convenient and precise method is needed to enable irregular aggregates to be characterized. The main focus of this work is the development of a multiwavelength spectrophotometric method for obtaining a relationship between the aggregation kinetics and the physical behavior of systems containing aggregates. A scattering model based on Mie Theory integrated with the fractal description of particle aggregates is presented. It is shown that the spectroscopy of clusters is very sensi...
Experimental Aortic Replacement With a Vascularized Tissue Graft

• Prosthetic graft infection in the aortic position remains a catastrophic complication of aortic replacement. In an effort to incorporate the advantages of vascularized tissue into aortic replacement, the practicality of infrarenal aortic replacement was investigated in dogs by a vascularized, musculofascial, pedicle graft. Eight dogs underwent laparotomy, and the left rectus abdominus muscle, its posterior rectus sheath, and underlying peritoneum were used to construct a tube graft based on the inferior epigastric vascular pedicle. A 2- to 4-cm section of the infrarenal aorta was resected, and the tube graft was interposed. Aortography documented graft patency immediately and at 1, 6, and 10 months. Gross and histologic examination of the grafts at one month revealed viable skeletal muscle in the pedicle graft, with a thin layer of fibrin deposition on the luminal surface. Ten months after insertion, the microscopic examination again revealed patent vessels in the graft and a neoendothelial layer that lined the luminal surface of the graft. Successful replacement of the dog infrarenal aorta can be performed using a tube graft as part of a vascularized, musculofascial, pedicle flap. The potential for its use in the infected field is intriguing and deserves further study. ( Arch Surg 1989;124:1331-1334)
New Measures of College Selectivity.

Institutional averages of entering freshman scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) were combined and edited to produce a single institutional measure of selectivity for 2,601 institutions. Older scores were adjusted to reflect decreasing performance over time, and ACT scores were converted to SAT equivalents, resulting in a final measure that reflects 1973 performance levels and is expressed as an SAT Verbal plus Mathematical score (range 400–1,600). Actual scores were available for 1,803 schools; the remaining schools with missing values were given an imputed score based upon means from similar institutions among the 1,803. Correlations between scores from different years and between the final measure and 19 institutional attributes indicated substantial reliability and validity for the selectivity measure.
The true lift model: a novel data mining approach to response modeling in database marketing

In database marketing, data mining has been used extensively to find the optimal customer targets so as to maximize return on investment. In particular, using marketing campaign data, models are typically developed to identify characteristics of customers who are most likely to respond. While these models are helpful in identifying the likely responders, they may be targeting customers who have decided to take the desirable action or not regardless of whether they receive the campaign contact (e.g. mail, call). Based on many years of business experience, we identify the appropriate business objective and its associated mathematical objective function. We point out that the current approach is not directly designed to solve the appropriate business objective. We then propose a new methodology to identify the customers whose decisions will be positively influenced by campaigns. The proposed methodology is easy to implement and can be used in conjunction with most commonly used supervised learning algorithms. An example using simulated data is used to illustrate the proposed methodology. This paper may provide the database marketing industry with a simple but significant methodological improvement and open a new area for further research and development.
Valvetrain friction and wear: Influence of surface engineering and lubricants:

AbstractCustomer demand and legislative pressure are continually challenging automotive manufacturers to improve the fuel economy of their vehicles. Several technologies are currently being evaluat...
Five-kilowatt arcjet power electronics

Future, large Earth orbital spacecraft could benefit from arcjet systems in the 2 to 5 kW power range for a variety of applications including stationkeeping, orbit adjustments, and logistics. The arcjet power processor represents the system element with the largest mass and system interfaces with the most impact. Described in this paper is the initial design and evaluation of a 5-kW arcjet power electronics breadboard which has been integrated with a modified 1-kW design laboratory arcjet. A single stage, 5-kW full bridge, pulse width modulated (PWM), power converter was developed which was phase shift regulated. The converter used metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) power switches and incorporated current mode control and an integral arcjet pulse ignition circuit. The unoptimized power efficiency was 93.5% and 93.9% at 5 kW and 50 A output at input voltages of 130 and 150 V, respectively. Line and load current regulation at 50 A output was within 1%. The converter provided up to 6.6 kW to the arcjet with simulated ammonia used as a propellant.
Variance of Radio Frequency Caused by Atmospheric Turbulence in Line-of-Sight Transmissions

The frequency stability of a radio signal propagated over a line-of-sight path is reduced by time variations in phase velocity along the path. This instability caused by the atmosphere will produce errors in frequency measurements made by averaging a standard frequency transmission over a period of time T and also in time interval measurements made by counting the number of cycles of the standard frequency received during a period of time T. Recent measurements of the variations in phase of a received signal at microwave frequencies permit estimation of both types of error as a function of T. These atmosphere-induced errors are compared to the errors inherent in the best currently-available cyrstal oscillators and it appears that the latter source of error is dominant for line-of-sight paths through the atmosphere. The level and slope of the frequency spectra have been observed to vary over wide ranges with time and geographical location. The spectral form W(f)~f-2/3 expected on the basis of the Obukhov-Kolmogorov theory of atmospheric turbulence has a slope which lies will within the range of observed slopes for the range of fluctuation frequencies from 1 cycle/day to 1 cps.
Sickle cell trait and gross hematuria

CASE PRESENTATION A 35-year-old African-American woman with sickle cell trait presented to our medical center with severe gross hematuria. The patient reported having had dark urine for at least 2 months, but after a recent 2 h and 30 min air travel, her urine became bright red and she began passing dark clots. In addition, she started experiencing generalized fatigue, weakness, and mild dizziness. The patient had experienced several episodes of gross hematuria in the past. One such episode, 15 years ago, resulted in a prolonged hospitalization and transfusion of 5 U of blood. Another episode took place 11 years ago lasting for approximately 2 weeks, but symptoms resolved spontaneously. The etiology of her hematuria had never been established. Other medical problems included chronic right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative lumbar disk disease. She denied chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, but admitted to frequent use of acetaminophen for arthritic pain. Upon presentation, the patient appeared comfortable. Her blood pressure was 130/60, and heart rate was 80/min. Head, neck, lung, and heart examinations were unremarkable. The abdomen was soft and non-tender and liver span was normal. The tip of the spleen was palpable. There was no pedal edema. Her laboratory values were significant for mild anemia with hematocrit of 33% (normal 34-44%). The platelet count was 313 x 10 9 /l (normal 165-415 x 10 9 /l) and white blood cell count was 6.5 x 10 9 /l (normal 3.5-9.0 × 10 9 /l). Her coagulation parameters were normal. The serum electrolytes were also within normal range. Her renal function was preserved with a creatinine of 0.9 mg/dl (normal 0.5-0.9 mg/dl) and a blood urea nitrogen of 7 mg/dl (normal 7-20 mg/dl). Urine analysis revealed 3+ hemoglobin and no protein. Urine microscopy showed 182 red blood cells per high powerfield. Urine cultures were negative. Renal ultrasound measured the right kidney length at 11.7 cm; the left kidney was 11.9 cm in length; there was no hydronephrosis or calculus in either kidney. The urinary bladder was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that both kidneys were of normal size and signal, and no solid enhancing lesion was identified. Diagnostic cystoscopy and ureteroscopy were performed. Blood was visualized effluxing from the right ureteral orifice. Upon inspection of the collecting system, the posterior middle pole calyx was found to have a stenotic infundibulum. Endoinfundibulotomy was performed to enter the calyx, where there appeared to be a sloughed ischemic papilla with an accompanying hemorrhage (Figure 1). The papilla was fully fulgurated in an attempt to stop the bleeding. The remaining calyces and the renal pelvis were also inspected and found to be free of disease. Although the bleeding ceased in the immediate post-procedure period, it reappeared later that day.
Control of an elastic continuum when traversed by a moving oscillator

An oscillator traversing an elastic continuum, often referred to as the moving-oscillator problem, is representative of many common engineering systems. Due to the dynamic interaction between the two subsystems, deflections may be significantly larger than those generated when such interaction is neglected. Additionally, undesirable vibrations can result in damage due to fatigue. This study focuses on the development of control techniques designed to reduce the dynamic response of the continuum generated by this interaction. A series expansion is used to model the continuum, which, when combined with a single degree of freedom oscillator, results in a time-varying, linear model describing the dynamics of the coupled system. Three different control techniques are considered: passive, active, and semiactive. These techniques are applied and evaluated in terms of their ability to reduce the dynamic response of the continuum and the oscillator. A tracking algorithm, that uses absolute accelerations of both the continuum and the oscillator for feedback, is also used to calculate the optimal control action. A illustrative numerical example is taken from civil engineering, and considers a vehicle crossing a bridge. The results indicate that the response of the system with semiactive control approaches that of an active control, while using significantly less power. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of Loading Rate and Duration on Mitigation of Osteopenia by Dynamic Muscle Stimulation

Musculoskeletal adaptations to aging and disuse environment have significant physiological effects on skeletal health, i.e., osteopenia and bone loss. Osteoporosis often occurs together with muscle loss. Such musculoskeletal complications cause severe physiologic changes and have been proposed the synergistic effects of muscle function and bone adaptation. The role of mechanobiology in the skeletal tissue may be closely related to load-induced transductive signals, e.g., bone fluid flow, which is proposed to be a critical mediator of bone and muscle adaptation. The skeletal muscle may serve as a muscle pump that may mediate bone mechanotransduction via modulation of intramedullary pressure. Muscular stimulation (MS) is proposed to be used to simultaneously treat both muscle and bone loss. Indeed, our recent data have demonstrated that high frequency, short duration stimulation can inhibit bone loss and muscle atrophy. Although 10 min dynamic loading can effectively attenuate bone loss, it cannot totally recover disuse osteopenia. The optimal parameters required for such treatment are unclear. Studies have separately investigated the optimal signal parameters for bone or muscle. Insertion of recovery periods during high frequency stimulations to extend the loading cycles have shown potential to reduce muscle atrophy by minimizing fatigue and mimicking physiologic contractions, and demonstrated enhancement of bone remodeling. The overall hypothesis for this study is that dynamic MS can enhance anabolic activity in bone, and inhibit bone loss in a functional disuse condition. Combined high frequency and sufficient loading cycle may be able to completely mitigate bone loss induced by disuse osteopenia.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Immune Deficiency Disorders with Autoimmunity and Abnormalities in Immune Regulation—Monogenic Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmunity is frequently observed in patients with primary immune deficiency disorders. Monogenic autoimmune diseases include a group of disorders with characteristic autoimmunity and immune deficiency for which single gene defects have been identified. Currently recognized monogenic autoimmune diseases include autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy, immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy and X-linked inheritance syndrome, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain deficiency. These diseases offer important insights into the mechanisms of central and peripheral immune tolerance and the pathogenesis of defects in these mechanisms.
Anaerobic digestion of peel waste and wastewater for on site energy generation in a citrus processing facility

Abstract A citrus processing facility produces significant quantities of both peel waste and wastewater. A leach – bed batch anaerobic digester was operated successfully at thermophilic (55 °C) temperature for biogasification of citrus peel waste. The retention time in the digester was 25 days. The citrus processing wastewater was digested in a thermophilic DSFF (down flow stationary fixed film) anaerobic reactor fed continuously and operated for 76 days. At an average organic loading rate of 0.51 kg sCOD m−3 d−1 the hydraulic retention time was 16 days. No long term toxicity issues due to limonene were observed during digestion of both citrus waste feedstocks. Biogasification yielded, 0.116 m3 methane at STP kg−1 peel waste received and 2.1 m3 at STP m−3 wastewater received. An energy analysis showed that in a citrus processing plant handling 600 tons per day of fruits, the biogas produced from the waste streams is more than sufficient to meet all the electricity and fuel demands. Excess electricity generated from biogas may be sold generating estimated revenues of more than a $1 million annually (at electricity sale price of $0.04/kWhe).
Use of steady-state fluorescence anisotropy with pebble nanosensors for chemical analysis

In this study we show that steady-state fluorescence anisotorpy within PEBBLEs can be used for the optochemical sensing of analytes such as Zn2+, O2, and Ca2+. Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy is a non- time resolved method that measures a combination of rotational and fluorescence lifetimes. This eliminates the need for reference dyes and ratiometic techniques to obtain quantitative results, even when using intensity-based sensor dyes. An advantage to working with PEBBLE nanosensors is that the encapsulated dye is localized in a constant rotational environment. This is in contrast to the use of free dyes, which can be affected by interferents such as protein binding.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pre-exercise medium-chain triglyceride application prevents acylcarnitine accumulation in skeletal muscle from very-long-chain acyl-CoA-dehydrogenase-deficient mice

Dietary modification with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) supplementation is one crucial way of treating children with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders. Recently, supplementation prior to exercise has been reported to prevent muscular pain and rhabdomyolysis. Systematic studies to determine when MCT supplementation is most beneficial have not yet been undertaken. We studied the effects of an MCT-based diet compared with MCT administration only prior to exercise in very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) knockout (KO) mice. VLCAD KO mice were fed an MCT-based diet in same amounts as normal mouse diet containing long-chain triglycerides (LCT) and were exercised on a treadmill. Mice fed a normal LCT diet received MCT only prior to exercise. Acylcarnitine concentration, free carnitine concentration, and acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) oxidation capacity in skeletal muscle as well as hepatic lipid accumulation were determined. Long-chain acylcarnitines significantly increased in VLCAD-deficient skeletal muscle with an MCT diet compared with an LCT diet with MCT bolus prior to exercise, whereas an MCT bolus treatment significantly decreased long-chain acylcarnitines after exercise compared with an LCT diet. C8-carnitine was significantly increased in skeletal muscle after MCT bolus treatment and exercise compared with LCT and long-term MCT treatment. Increased hepatic lipid accumulation was observed in long-term MCT-treated KO mice. MCT seems most beneficial when given in a single dose directly prior to exercise to prevent acylcarnitine accumulation. In contrast, continuous MCT treatment produces a higher skeletal muscle content of long-chain acylcarnitines after exercise and increases hepatic lipid storage in VLCAD KO mice.
Simple modifications of monotonicity-preserving limiters

Abstract We present simple modifications of standard monotonicity-preserving limiters that provide either sign preservation or alternative bounding values for the resulting numerical schemes (e.g., that the solution remain between zero and one rather than preserving monotonicity). These limiters can be easily implemented in Godunov-type methods by modifying the reconstruction step of the algorithm. These modifications allow methods to achieve greater formal accuracy, for example by improving the first-order accuracy in the L ∞ norm. The greatest advantage of our approach is its natural extension to more than one spatial dimension, and to systems of equations without operator splitting.
Halogen Molecule Spectra. II. Interval Relations and Relative Intensities in the Long Wave-Length Spectra

Quantum-theoretical expressions are obtained in Section II for energy-intervals among the levels belonging to related $^{3}\mathrm{II}$ and $^{1}\mathrm{II}$ states of any diatomic molecule, for partial $\ensuremath{\Omega}$, $\ensuremath{\omega}$ ($J$, $j$-like) coupling. A theoretical expression is also obtained for the relative intensities of spectroscopic transitions from a $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ to the $^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{1}$ and $^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ states. The effect of partial case $c$ coupling (persistence of separate-atom $J$ quantization) on the foregoing relations is studied in Section III. Equations are obtained which (together with equations of Van Vleck) permit computation of case $c$ displacements of certain energy levels of the halogen molecules. The foregoing relations are applied in Sections IV and V to a refinement of the existing interpretations of the long wave-length absorption spectra of the diatomic halogen molecules (cf. Tables II, III). In the case of bromine, it is found impossible to decide between two alternative interpretations; suggestions are made for further work that could lead to a decision. Information is obtained bearing on the strength of the dissociation continuum overlying the bands in ${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{Br}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$, on the positions of the $^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ and $^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{{0}^{\ensuremath{-}}u}$ potential energy curves in ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$ and on the cause of magnetic predissociation in ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$. The desirability of quantitative measurement of the infra-red continuum of iodine and careful remeasurement of the visible continuum of iodine chloride are mentioned. Two mechanisms (proposed by Van Vleck and the writer) for explaining the remarkably high intensity of the $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{{0}^{+}}$ component in the halogen spectra are examined in Section VI. Both give calculated intensities approaching the observed in order of magnitude. The weak $\ensuremath{\lambda}2250$ bromine continuum is discussed in Section VIII; its occurrence and intensity seem to be explainable by a case-$c$-allowed intersystem combination.
Why “more” is not necessarily better: Strategies for communication of science to the public

In a time of segmented media markets, enormous potential audiences, and multiple means for audiovisual communication worldwide, it is important to define clearly the purpose of “public communication of science”; projects and initiatives and by what criteria they should be evaluated. Conveyed within a popular format, scientific information contains considerable potential for stimulating change, affecting personal decisions about diet and health, influencing political decisions, or shaping a community's perception of risk. Presence (or absence) of scientific information can empower (or isolate) citizens in a highly technological world, but access alone is insufficient when the amount of information from all sources increases rapidly. Current strategies for allocating resources and setting policy for public communication of science activities follow an outdated and potentially dangerous course because they emphasize volume over all other parameters. This article proposes a re‐examination of science communica...
Effects of a theory-driven music and movement program for stroke survivors in a community setting

Many countries lack effective community-based rehabilitation programs despite the increasing numbers of stroke survivors. Therefore, we have conducted a pilot investigation in South Korea of a newly constructed community-based intervention program combining rhythmic music and specialized rehabilitation movement. The 8-week program was based on rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) theory, which uses rhythm to enhance stroke survivors' movements. Thirty-three stroke survivors were randomized into one of two groups: The experimental group (n = 16) carried out an 8-week RAS music-movement exercise intervention; the control group (n = 17) received referral information about available usual care services. Participants in the experimental group gained a wider range of motion and flexibility, had more positive moods, and reported increased frequency and quality of interpersonal relationships.
Shared distinctiveness as a source of illusory correlation in performance appraisal

Abstract The formation of illusory correlations between group membership and quality of job performance was investigated in four experiments. Information-processing theories predict that stimuli equally and highly distinctive will be perceived to be associated, even in the absence of a statistical relationship. Group membership and behavioral performance indicants for the job of municipal fire fighter were manipulated in a stimulus set such that the relative frequency of an arbitrary “minority” group matched the relative frequency of extremely good/poor behaviors. Additionally, a delay was introduced between stimulus presentation and measurement in three of the four experiments, in order to test a categorical processing explanation for the illusory correlation phenomenon. Results showed little evidence of illusory association on evaluation, recognition, or estimation tasks until the affective contrast between frequent and infrequent stimulus behaviors was increased to a degree unlikely to occur naturally. It was concluded that the shared distinctiveness source of the illusory correlation is unlikely to produce appraisal-relevant “local stereotypes”.
Determination of Quinidine and its major metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography

A specific and precise assay, capable of quantitating in human plasma simultaneously but separately quinidine, dihydroquinidine and the quinidine metabolites 2'-quinidinone, 3-OH-quinidine and a third metabolite found--tentatively identified as the product formed by rearrangement of quinidine-N-oxide-is reported. The assay uses a normal phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system with a variable-wavelength UV detector at 235 nm and has a limit of sensitivity at approximately 20 ng/ml. The mobile phase consists of hexanes-ethanol-ethanolamine (91.5:8.47:0.03). A 2-ml plasma sample is worked up by adding primaquine base as an internal standard and extracting with ether-dichlormethane-isopropanol (6:4:1). The organic extract is evaporated and the residue reconstituted in 100-600 micron1 of mobile phase and an aliquot injected onto the column. Comparison of this procedure with the Edgar and Sokolow (dichloroethane) extraction--fluorescence procedure and with the Cramer and Isaksson (benzene) double extraction--fluorescence assay indicates that both fluorescence procedures give quinidine concentrations up to 2.3 times those determined by HPLC. These discrepancies were shown to be due to carry-over of metabolites and some extraneous background fluorescence.
Occurrence and Flavor Properties of Sinigrin Hydrolysis Products in Fresh Cabbage

Contrary to a published report, allyl isothiocyanate was confirmed as a major volatile sulfur compound along with 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane in dichloromethane extracts of freshly disrupted cabbage tissues resulting from thioglucosidase hydrolysis of allyl glucosinolate (sinigrin). Compared to authentic allyl isothiocyanate which had characteristic sharp, black mustard-like aroma notes, authentic 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane had weak, musty, sulfurous, and mustard-like aromas. Based on calculations of odor units (Uo) using data from the analysis of disrupted cabbage tissues, allyl isothiocyanate would contribute appreciably (to 245 Uo) while 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane would not likely contribute notably (<0.8 Uo) to fresh cabbage flavors.
A survey of model representations and simulation algorithms in some existing modeling systems

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to explore the possibilities for automatically communicating models between modeling systems. The main difficulty in model communication seems to be the difference in information requirements between solution algorithms. The paper therefore discusses the difference between a model and a solution algorithm, and it describes the most common simulation algorithms from the perspective of information requirements. It continues to survey sixteen econometric modeling systems, concentrating on how equations and simulation models are defined, and on the correlation between model formats and simulation algorithms. Other aspects covered are if-then-else constructions, more general model types like optimal control models, and indexing.
SMVGEAR: A sparse-matrix, vectorized gear code for atmospheric models

Abstract We present a Gear-type code that efficiently solves ordinary differential equations in large grid-domains. To obtain the final code, we modified an original program of C.W. Gear, built and added a sparse-matrix package, and vectorized all loops about the grid-cell dimension. Furthermore, to obtain at least 90% vectorization potential while preventing equations in some regions of the grid from slowing the solution over the entire grid-domain, we divided the domain into blocks of grid-cells and vectorized around these blocks. The sparse-matrix solution reduced the average number of LU-decomposition calculations, compared to a full-matrix solution, by factors of between 20 (for a matrix of order 40) and 120 (for a matrix of order 90). It also reduced both back-substitution calculations and total array space by factors of between 5 and 12 for the above matrix sizes. Vectorization on a CRAY-90 computer increased the speed by another factor of about 120 over the code running in scalar form. We tested the speed and accuracy of the program for several chemical applications on a single processor of the CRAY-90 computer. The code averaged between 1 and 2 min of computer time per day of simulation to solve a smog-chemistry set of 92 specied and 222 reactions over a 10,000-cell grid, with continuously changing photorates. It also took 3–4 min per day to solve a stratospheric-chemistry set of 39 species and 108 reactions over a 100,000-cell grid. In addition, we tested the speed of the code while it solved aqueous chemistry in 43 aerosol size bins, along with other physical processes and transport, over a large grid. Finally, we compared the speed and other statistics from SMVGEAR to those of an existing sparse matrix Gear code, LSODES, and to a new method that we call the Multistep Implicit-Explicit (MIE) method.
Thermoacoustic waves in a confined medium

Abstract The generation and transmission of linear and nonlinear thermoacoustic (TAC) waves in a confined gaseous medium, with a Prandtl number of 3 4 , are investigated theoretically. The linearized equations are solved using the Laplace transform method with numerical inversion to obtain the pressure and temperature distributions in the cavity and the wall heat flux for various wall heating conditions. The nonlinear equations are solved accurately with finite differences. The differences between the linear and nonlinear waves are delineated. During the expansion phase, the nonlinear wave temperature dips below the average medium temperature. This cooling phenomenon is not exhibited by linear waves. The theoretical predictions are critically compared with Brown and Churchill's experimental observations from 1995.
Treatment and management of cluster headache

Cluster headache is an uncommon yet well-defined neurovascular syndrome occurring in both episodic and chronic varieties. The most striking feature of cluster headache is the unmistakable circadian and circannual periodicity. Inheritance may play a role in some families. The attacks are of extreme intensity, of short duration, occur unilaterally, and are accompanied by signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. In contrast to migraine, during an attack the cluster patient prefers to pace about. Attacks frequently occur at night. Although the pathophysiology of cluster headache remains to be fully elucidated, several seminal observations have recently been made. The medical treatment of cluster headache includes both acute therapy aimed at aborting individual attacks and prophylactic therapy aimed at preventing recurrent attacks during the cluster period. Agents used for acute therapy include inhalation of oxygen, sumatriptan, and dihydroergotamine. Transitional prophylaxis involves the short-term use of either corticosteroids or ergotamine derivatives. The cornerstone of maintenance prophylaxis is verapamil, yet methysergide, lithium, and divalproex sodium may also be employed. In some patients, melatonin or topiramate may be useful adjunctive therapies.