cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utility-function-based optimal resource allocation with a mixture of reallocation-tolerant and reallocation-intolerant users

In this work, we consider the problem of utility function-based resource allocation when a mixture of reallocation-tolerant and reallocation-intolerant users are present. Unlike reallocation-intolerant users, reallocation-tolerant users can be reallocated a different amount of resource during the course of their call. We develop a resource allocation mechanism that maximizes the average aggregate utility per unit time. By formulating the resource allocation problem as a Markov decision process (MDP), we determine the optimal quantity of resource to be allocated to newly arriving and the optimal reallocation of resources to reallocation-tolerant calls whenever there is a change in the state of the system. We present numerical results that show that our resource allocation scheme performs better than the greedy resource allocation scheme. To reduce the computational complexity involved in determining the optimal policy, we identify problem-specific model reduction techniques that do not compromise the optimality of the solution.
Formate oxidation via β-deprotonation in [Ni(PR2NR′2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complexes

Recent studies from our laboratories have shown that the [Ni(PR2NR′2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complexes originally developed as artificial hydrogenases are also active electrocatalysts for formate oxidation (TOF ∼16 s−1). The focus of the current work is to develop a detailed understanding of the catalytic mechanism, which would aid in the design of improved catalysts for the interconversion of CO2 and formate. Based on electrochemical and spectroscopic experiments, including data for a new [Ni(PCy2NPhOMe2)2(CH3CN)]2+ complex, we propose a mechanism in which the rate-determining step is a proton transfer from the Ni–O2CH β-H to the ligand pendant base coupled with a 2e− transfer to Ni(II), circumventing direct hydride transfer to the metal.
Utility of ambulatory electrocardiography in detecting pacemaker dysfunction in the early postimplantation period

Abstract The value of ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG) in detecting pacemaker dysfunction before hospital discharge was assessed in 100 patients a mean of 1.2 days after pacemaker implantation. The incidence of permanent pacemaker dysfunction detected by AECG in the early postimplantation period, the frequency that pacemaker dysfunction detected by AECG was not detected by telemetric monitoring and the frequency that results of AECG led to pacemaker reprogramming before hospital discharge were determined. AECG detected at least 1 type of pacemaker dysfunction in 35% of patients and routine telemetry identified the abnormality in only 8% (p
Citation of Laws and Theories in Textbooks across 112 Years of Psychology

Data concerning citation of laws (n = 157) and theories (n = 699) were collected from psychology textbooks across 112 years (1885–1996) of psychology. Three hypotheses concerning the comparative “c...
The light path in three‐dimensional space

Light, when viewed as a particle, reacts in a determinable manner with reference to the gravitational potential existing within the reference frame viewed. The elementary quanta of light, expressed under the terms of Planck, and as derived via the expressions of Einstein as a particle, may not reach a speed exactly equating to the speed (electromagnetic) of light of c. Here c is viewed as an electromagnetic constancy in any gravitational frame of reference. The theory is that a relative particle of mass may not achieve the speed of light, for the energy of that particle would then equate to infinity or in that the force required allowing the relative particle to reach c would then be infinite. The theory is then totally reliant upon the tenants of what has become to be known as the Special Theory of Relativity. As per the General Theory, light would be “bent”, more or less, from one gravitational reference frame as compared to another gravitational reference frame. The theory then evolves that light, when viewed as a particle, forms a curvilinear light path through the gravitational reference frame viewed. However, until now, the light path has been solely described on a linear basis. It is the result of the theory that the light path may be described on a curvilinear basis, under the method of Lagrange. This method, or model, allows a particle of light (viewed as a projectile of mass under a constant velocity, therefore under a constant acceleration) to achieve Newton's description of the path of a projectile. Note that the following paper is applicable to a previous paper, which proposes a displacement of light within the gravitational field.
ROLE OF INDUCED ABORTION IN RHESUS IMMUNISATION

Abstract 606 patients undergoing induced abortion were investigated to determine the frequency of transplacental haemorrhage (T.P.H.). Of 404 patients having pregnancies terminated by suction curettage 29 (7·2%) had evidence of T.P.H., whereas in the 202 patients whose pregnancies were terminated by hypertonic saline there were 41 (20·2%). T.P.H. was greater with the saline abortion. Of 145 published cases of Rh-negative patients whose pregnancies have been terminated 8 became immunised to the Rh factor. This 5·5% risk of immunisation warrants a policy of protection with Rh-immune globulin.
Computational Science and Engineering Online (CSE-Online): a cyber-infrastructure for scientific computing.

With the expansion of the Internet and World Wide Web (or the Web), research environments have changed dramatically. As a result, the need to be able to efficiently and securely access information and resources from remote computer systems is becoming even more critical. This paper describes the development of an extendable integrated Web-accessible simulation environment for computational science and engineering called Computational Science and Engineering Online (CSE-Online; http://cse-online.net). CSE-Online is based on a unique client−server software architecture that can distribute the workload between the client and server computers in such a way as to minimize the communication between the client and server, thus making the environment less-sensitive to network instability. Furthermore, the new software architecture allows the user to access data and resources on one or more remote servers as well as on the computing grid while having the full capability of the Web-services collaborative environmen...
Retinal ganglion cell body response to repeated axotomy in the regenerating visual system of newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)

Abstract The newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) retinal ganglion cell body response to crush of the ipsilateral optic nerve was monophasic with a maximum number of 50 to 60% of the cells demonstrating reactive chromatin and nucleolar changes by 14 to 24 days postlesion. The number of cells demonstrating this reactive appearance declined to normal values by 90 days. Administration of a second crush lesion 21 days after the initial lesion prolonged the period of maximal cell reactivity for an additional 18 days beyond that of single-lesion controls. Furthermore, the second lesion prevented the normal decline in some cellular parameters that may reflect increased retinal ganglion cell (RGC) anabolic activity after axonal injury such as increased RGC perikaryal area, nucleolar area and number, and RGC [3H]uridine incorporation. These results demonstrated that the newt RGC response to axotomy can be manipulated by repeated axonal lesions separated by an interval of 3 weeks.
Age differences and similarities in the improvement of controlled search.

Abstract An age-related slowing of performance has been previously reported for tasks that require controlled search, an attention-demanding stimulus comparison procedure. In contrast, older adults have been found to resemble the young in the ability to improve search performance through the development of automatic detection, a comparison procedure that does not depend on attentional control. The present experiments examined the ability of young and older adults to improve controlled search performance under conditions designed to vary the attentional demands of search, but prevent the use of automatic detection. In both a pure memory-search task (Experiment 1) and a hybrid memory-search/ visual-search task (Experiment 2), the overall rate of search was slower for the older subjects than for the young. The two age groups were similar, however, in their ability to use a familiar stimulus dimension (e.g., letter/digit) as a means of improving the rate of controlled search. The opportunity for reducing the ...
Caught in the act

The crystal structure of a HECT E3 enzyme has been captured as it transfers ubiquitin to a target protein, revealing the dramatic changes in shape that enable it to modify particular residues in its targets.
Rituximab, Bevacizumab and CHOP (RA-CHOP) in untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Safety, biomarker and pharmacokinetic analysis

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with high serum VEGF levels have an inferior survival compared to patients with low VEGF levels. Bevacizumab was administered through a central line at 15 mg kg(-1) IV on day 1 followed by rituximab (R) and CHOP on day 2 for cycle 1 and day 1 for cycles 2 - 8. Serum levels of bevacizumab and R were measured at specified time points to assess pharmacokinetics (PK). Plasma and urine samples were also analysed for VEGF. Tumor samples were stained for VEGF, CD31 and factor VIII by immunohistochemistry. Thirteen patients with newly-diagnosed DLBCL received a total of 88 cycles (range 2 - 8, median 7). Best response included five CR, six PR, one SD and one PD with an overall response rate of 85% and complete response rate of 38%. The 12-month PFS is 77% and a median follow-up of 16.9 months for the surviving patients. All tumor samples stained strongly positive for VEGF and there was a marginal association between baseline plasma VEGF and response (p = 0.04). Patients with higher plasma VEGF levels were generally younger and had bulky disease. Micro-vessel density did not correlate with presenting disease characteristics, VEGF expression or response. The PK of bevacizumab and rituximab were not influenced by combined treatment. In this patient population, treatment with RA-CHOP did not result in any episodes of grade 3 or 4 proteinuria, heart failure or hemorrhage. The RA-CHOP combination was generally well tolerated and safe.
Ground-based studies with Super-Dwarf wheat in preparation for space flight.

Several experiments were carried out to test responses of a Super-Dwarf cultivar of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to various environmental parameters that were anticipated to be present in our attempts to grow the wheat in a small growth chamber on the Russian Space Station, Mir, or that proved to be present in a 1995 trial space experiment. Under low photosynthetic photon flux (40-400 micromoles m-2 s-1 PPF), development (e.g. anthesis) was retarded, but heads (often sterile) always formed, even if light was so low that plants died before the heads could mature. Longer photoperiods promoted flowering, but night interruptions combined with short days did not provoke a long-day response as occurs with true long-day plants. The long-day effect could prove to be a summation of photosynthetic products. Heat stress (40 degrees C for 1-24 h) did not influence flowering but killed plants that were 13-16-day-old (no effect on younger plants). Concentrations of iodine or silver-fluoride disinfectants present in the water used for plants on Mir (1.0-4.0 mg L-1) did not affect plant growth although higher concentrations (8.0-1.6 mg L-1) were inhibitory. GA3 or indoleacetic acid applied every other day at concentrations from 1.0 x 10(-6) mg L-1 to 3.162 x 10(-4) mg L-1 did not change the height of Super-Dwarf wheat, suggesting that this cultivar is not a gibberellin mutant.
Hypothalamic Dopaminergic Neurons in Prolactin‐Deficient Ames Dwarf Mice: Localization and Quantification of Deficit by Tyrosine Hydroxylase Immunocytochemistry

Hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular prolactin-inhibiting neurons show decreased levels and synthesis of dopamine in two types of genetically prolactin-deficient dwarf mice (Snell, Ames) which arise from separate mutations. A reduction to 2% of normal in this neuronal population has been quantified for Snell dwarfs. The present study was undertaken in order to quantify morphometrically the deficit and its distribution in Ames dwarf mice, including comparisons of sex and adult age. The brains of dwarf (df/df) and normal phenotypic (DF/?) sibling mice of both sexes from 4 to 16 months of age were immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis; neuronal perikarya were counted in coronal sections of tuberoinfundibular arcuate nucleus (area A12), medial zona incerta (A13) and anterior periventricular (A14) hypothalamic areas at 180 μm rostral-to-caudal intervals. Normal (DF/?) mice exhibited no differences in neuron numbers, with regard to age or sex, in any of the three dopaminergic areas. In dwarf mice, a tendency toward decreased neuron numbers with age was statistically significant for area A14 only, and the size of the neuronal population in A12 was reduced in males compared with females. Total A12 neuron number in dwarfs was 48% of that in normal mice (P< 0.001). Periventricular (A14) perikaryal numbers were reduced slightly (P<0.05) in dwarfs compared with normals. Numbers of A13 neurons were comparable for DF/? and df/df. The morphometric distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in A12 showed that the decrease in neuronal number in dwarfs was distributed throughout the rostral-to-caudal length of the nucleus, with significant decrease of total perikarya (P<0.05) at each 180 μm sampling interval. Thus, lifelong absence of prolactin in Ames dwarf mice is accompanied by a significant decrease in hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons, which is restricted to hypophysiotropic areas, uniformly distributed within A12, and is less severe than the reduction in the phenotypically similar Snell dwarf.
Characterization of csgA, a new member of the forespore-expressed σG-regulon from Bacillus subtilis

Abstract A new locus, csgA, has been identified in a search for developmental genes transcribed by EσG in Bacillus subtilis. csgA has the potential to encode three small proteins, CsgAA, CsgAB and CsgAC. The latter two would be encoded by overlapping ORFs. csgA is expressed in the spore chamber of the differentiating cell and is under the control of σG and the transcriptional regulatory protein SpoVT. Mutation of csgA did not affect spore formation but produced a subtle defect in the ability of the germinating spore to resume vegetative growth.
Association between out-of-hospital emergency department transfer and poor hospital outcome in critically ill stroke patients.

Abstract Introduction Transfer of critically ill patients from outside emergency department has the potential for delaying the admission to the intensive care unit. We sought to determine the effect of outside emergency department transfer on hospital outcomes in critically ill patients with stroke. Methods We designed a retrospective cohort analysis using a prospectively compiled and maintained registry (Cerner Project IMPACT). Patients with acute ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to our intensive care unit from our emergency department and transfers from outside emergency department within 24 hours of stroke between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2008, were selected for the analysis. Data collected included demographics, admission physiologic variables, Glasgow Coma Scale, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and total intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. Primary (poor) outcome was a composite of death or fully dependent status at hospital discharge, and secondary outcomes were intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. To assess for the impact of outside emergency department transfer on primary and secondary outcomes, demographic and admission clinical variables were used to construct logistic regression models using the outcome measure as a dependent variable. Results A total of 448 patients were selected for analysis. The mean age was 65 ± 14 years, of which 214 (48%) were male and 282 (65%) white, 152 (34%) were patients with acute ischemic stroke, and 296 (66%) were patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. The median hospital length of stay was 7 days (interquartile range, 4-11 days) and median intensive care unit length of stay was 2 days (interquartile range, 1-3 days). Overall hospital mortality was 30%, and outside emergency department transfer increased the odds of poor outcome by 2-fold (65% vs 34%; P = .05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.1), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score >14 (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7), Glasgow Coma Scale Conclusion These data suggest that in critically ill patients with stroke, transfer from outside emergency department is independently associated with poor outcome at hospital discharge. Further research is needed as to identify the potential causes for this effect.
Neural processing of race by individuals with Williams syndrome: do they show the other-race effect? (And why it matters).

Williams syndrome (WS)is a genetic condition with a distinctive social phenotype characterized by excessive sociability accompanied by a relative proficiency in face recognition, despite severe deficits in the visuospatial domain of cognition. This consistent phenotypic characteristic and the relative homogeneity of the WS genotype make WS a compelling human model for examining genotype–phenotype relations, especially with respect to social behavior. Following up on a recent report suggesting that individuals with WS do not show race bias and racial stereotyping, this study was designed to investigate the neural correlates of the perception of faces from different races, in individuals with WS as compared to typically developing (TD) controls. Caucasian WS and TD participants performed a gender identification task with own-race (White) and other-race (Black) faces while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. In line with previous studies with TD participants, other-race faces elicited larger ampli...
Atmospheric sounding information obtainable from present-day advanced infrared systems

The current day set of advanced atmospheric sounders began with the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) on the NASA EOS Aqua satellite in orbit since 2002, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) aboard MetOp- A since 2006, and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) instrument aboard the Suomi NPP and JPSS series of satellites which began 28 October 2011. These ultra-spectral infrared satellite sensors provide global measurements for improving monitoring and predictive capability of the Earth-atmosphere system, enabling enhancements in weather prediction, climate monitoring, and environmental change detection. This presentation examines the thermodynamic state and trace species information obtainable from these satellite systems possessing different measurement and instrument characteristics.
Injury patterns and severity among motorcyclists treated in US emergency departments, 2001-2008: a comparison of younger and older riders.

Objective To examine differences across age groups in patterns of injuries sustained from motorcycle crashes. Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program were used to assess emergency department-treated injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes in the USA from 2001 to 2008. Trends in injury frequency, and types and severity of injuries sustained among those aged 20–39 years, 40–59 years, and 60+ years were compared. Results An estimated 65 660 patients 60 years and older, 466 125 patients aged 40–59 years and 921 229 patients aged 20–39 years were treated in US emergency rooms for injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes from 2001 to 2008. The number of injuries increased in all groups from 2001 to 2008, with the greatest rate of increase occurring in the oldest age group. Older adults had a threefold increased rate of hospitalisation (OR=3.05; 95% CI 2.58 to 3.59) compared with younger adults. Middle age adults had a nearly twofold increased odds of hospitalisation (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.70 to 2.11; p Conclusions Older adults involved in motorcycle crashes are prone to more severe injuries than younger adults. The increased number of older adults riding motorcycles should put further focus on risk of injury to this population.
Hirudinella ventricosa (Pallas, 1774) Baird, 1853 represents a species complex based on ribosomal DNA

Digeneans in the genus Hirudinella de Blainville, 1828 (Hirudinellidae) from three species of pelagic fishes, Acanthocybiumsolandri (Cuvier), Makairanigricans Lacepede and Thunnusalbacares (Bonnaterre), and one benthic fish, Mulloidichthysmartinicus (Cuvier), from the Gulf of Mexico are investigated using comparison of ribosomal DNA. Four species are identified based on molecular differences: Hirudinella ventricosa (Pallas, 1774) Baird, 1853 from A. solandri, Hirudinellaahi Yamaguti, 1970 from T. albacares, and two unidentified but distinct species of Hirudinella, herein referred to as Hirudinella sp. A (from both M. nigricans and M. martinicus) and Hirudinella sp. B from M. nigricans. Additionally, H. ahi, based tentatively on morphological identification, is reported from Thunnusthynnus (Linnaeus). This represents the first record of a hirudinellid from M.martinicus and the first record of H. ahi from T. thynnus. A phylogeny of some Hemiurata Skrjabin & Guschanskaja, 1954 using partial fragments of the 28S rDNA sequences is consistent with earlier phylogenies and the position of the Hirudinellidae Dollfus, 1932 is well-supported as a derived group most closely related to the Syncoeliidae Looss, 1899.
Intravascular stents do not cause microangiopathic hemolysis or thrombotic microangiopathy.

An increased incidence of TTP has been noted among patients receiving intravascular stents to improve patency in diseased coronary, renal, and peripheral arteries. Placement of transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt stents is often associated with subsequent development of severe hemolysis. We have propsectively studied the development of microangiopathic hemolysis or TTP in patients undergoing intravascular stent placement for peripheral vascular or renal artery disease. Hemolysis was evaluated both before and after stent placement by measuring complete blood count, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), haptoglobin and reticulocyte count, and examining peripheral blood films of all patients. Coagulation parameters, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured to exclude disseminated intravascular coagulation or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura as a potential cause of hemolysis. Seventeen patients (median age 69 years) were evaluated. One patient was on ticlopidine. Mean hematocrit fell from 41.8% pre-stenting to 35.5% post-stenting (P = 0.003) but without significant change in reticulocyte count (1.7 vs. 1.6%, P = 0.605), LDH (546 vs. 560 IU/l; P = 0.836), bilirubin (0.62 vs. 0.63 mg/dl; P = 1.0), or haptoglobin (183 vs. 158 mg/dl; P = 0.083). Thus, this drop in hematocrit could not be attributed to hemolysis, Peripheral blood films revealed fewer than 1% schistocytes before and after stent placement in all cases. Absence of significant changes in mean platelet count (240 vs. 210 × 10 9 /L; P = 0.088), fibrinogen (385 vs. 378 mg/dl; P = 0.789). BUN (24.5 vs. 16.8: P = 0.079). and creatinine (1.38 vs. 1.24: P = 0.757) argue against development of TTP or DIC resulting from stent placement. No patient developed new renal impairment, a neurological syndrome, or unexplained fever after stent placement. At a mean of 6 weeks follow-up after stent placement. patients have not developed signs of hemolytic anemia or worsening renal function. Our findings argue against a primary risk of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia or TTP due to intravascular stents in patients not receiving ticlopidine.
On the genesis of incomplete Sendai virions.

Abstract Some factors affecting production of incomplete Sendai virions containing 19 S and 25 S RNAs were investigated. When cells were infected with mixtures of incomplete virions and infectious virions, abundant incomplete virions were produced; amounts of incomplete progeny virions reflected the proportions of incomplete virions inoculated. In such mixed infections, incomplete virions interfered with replication of infectious virions. In the absence of added incomplete virions, high multiplicities of infectious virions containing chiefly 50 S RNA induced little incomplete virus, and there was no autointerference. Ultraviolet irradiation of incomplete virus, and there was no autointerference. Ultraviolet irradiation of incomplete virions destroyed their ability to be replicated in mixed infections with infectious virus, indicating that the RNAs in incomplete virions were the biologically active components. Incomplete virions did not invariably arise when plaque-purified clones of Sendai virus were passaged repeatedly at high multiplicities.
Synthesis, electrochemistry and spectroscopy of lanthanide(III) homodinuclear complexes bridged by polyazine ligands

Abstract Six new complexes [Eu(tta)3]2bpm, [Er(tta)3]2bpm, [Tb(tta)3]2bpm, [Er(tta)3]2dpp, Pr(tta)3bpm and Nd(tta)3bpm (tta = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione, bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) were prepared and studied. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes display tta π → π* transitions in the UV region. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes show an irreversible reduction followed by a reversible reduction both associated with the tta ligand. Eu(III) reduction in the homodinuclear [Eu(tta)3]2bpm complex occurs as an irreversible reduction at less negative potentials than the tta-based reductions. Emission spectra of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) bimetallics are typical of this type of bonding motif with ligand centered (tta) absorptions resulting in 4f–4f transitions in the visible and near infrared region.
Multi-Phase (Oil-Water) Loop Flow Test for Helical and Hybrid Passive Inflow Control Devices

To address the need for better understanding of multiphase fluid flow behavior through passive inflow control devices (PICDs), two-phase (oil-water) full-scale flow loop testing on helical and a new ICD design, “Hybrid” has been completed. The primary testing objective was to generate a comprehensive two-phase (oil-water) data set of flow performance curves for the helical ICD and the hybrid ICD. The test included a broad range of flow tests with varying viscosities, water cuts and pressures. The results are presented in an innovative manner using isobaric plots (isobars lines with trend lines for each viscosity value) and Reynolds number vs. Flow Coefficient plots, which can be used to easily compare different ICD performances. Test results confirm that for oil-water flow, a viscosity break point for the helical ICD occurs at 2 centipoise (cP) of medium oil. Below this break point the helical ICD does not promote water production in two-phase flow. Above this viscosity break point, the helical ICD exhibits a physical phenomenon where, at water cuts above 30%, the total flow increases at any given pressure drop promoting water flow. With regards to two-phase oil-water fluid flow, the hybrid ICD performs independently of viscosity for the range tested (up to 200 cP – maximum flow viscosity tested at the lab). The hybrid ICD consistently creates more resistance to water flow than to oil flow, causing total flow to gradually decrease at constant pressure as water cut increases. This effect was more apparent at higher pressure regimes. The functional break point of the hybrid ICD is determined to be above 200 cP.
Magnetostatic atmospheres: A family of isothermal solutions

Most models of large scale solar magnetic fields assume either that the fields are potential or that they are force free. We present a new, analytic, two parameter family of magnetic fields in equilibrium with isothermal plasma in a gravitational field. We discuss these models from the viewpoint of the insight into the balance of magnetic pressure gradient, and gravitational forces that they provide. We show that substantial deviations from the potential field configuration are obtained for plasma β of order unity, and we emphasize the variety of possible relationships between isobars and magnetic fieldlines.
Evaluation of contact glow-discharge electrolysis as a viable method for steam generation

Abstract An experimental investigation concerning the nature of contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) as a viable method for continuous generation of steam is presented. Current–voltage characteristics and non-uniform temperature distribution inside an electrolytic cell are reported for two different electrolytes, NaHCO3 and NaCl, and for two concentrations of NaHCO3. Substantial increase in voltage and reduction in current are observed as the process transitions from normal electrolysis to contact glow discharge electrolysis as the electrolyte solution approaches its boiling temperature. A peculiar temperature distribution is observed which divides the cell into a high temperature region near the free surface of the electrolyte and a low temperature region near the bottom of the cell. It is shown that CGDE can be used to generate steam continuously with steam generation efficiencies of the order of 80%. The present process can be extended to generate steam efficiently using a variety of liquid wastes.
Development of an expert system for physical property predictions

Abstract In this article we describe the steps followed to develop a prototype expert system called CONPHYDE (CONsultant for PHYsical property DEcisions). Using the framework of the existing expert system PROSPECTOR, CONPHYDE is designed to aid an engineer in the selection of an appropriate vapor-liquid equilibrium method when performing various process calculations. We also present the structure of the inference networks in CONPHYDE which capture the intent of the 37 heuristic rules that from the knowledge base on which the current version is based. An example session with CONPHYDE demonstrates its ability to ask questions in an “intelligent” sequence and provide “expert” advice based on them. The session also illustrates CONPHYDE's (i.e. PROSPECTOR's) ability to explain on request why it is asking certain questions and why it is offering the advice it is.
Response of eolian geomorphic systems to minor climate change: examples from the southern Californian deserts

Abstract Eolian processes and landforms are sensitive to changes in atmospheric parameters and surface conditions that affect sediment supply and mobility. The response of eolian geomorphic systems to minor climate change can be examined through process-response models based on a combination of relations between short-term changes in climatic variables and eolian activity and the geologic and geomorphic record of Holocene eolian activity. At both time scales, eolian activity in southern Californian deserts is strongly controlled by variations in precipitation. Wind energy is not a limiting factor in this region. Formation of eolian deposits is a product of climatic changes that increase sediment supply from fluvial and lacustrine sources and may, therefore, be closely tied to periods of channel cutting and geomorphic instability. During intervening periods, eolian deposits migrate away from sediment source areas and are reworked, modified, and degraded. Remobilization of existing dormant dunes is a product of reduced vegetation cover and soil moisture in periods of drier climates. The major control on these processes is decadal to annual changes in rainfall that determine vegetation cover and soil moisture content.
Stress Effects on Impurity-Induced Tunneling in Germanium

The effects of uniaxial compression and of hydrostatic pressure on the impurity-induced interband tunneling current in germanium tunnel junctions have been studied experimentally at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The diodes were formed on (100) and (110) faces of arsenic-doped germanium bars. The stress coefficients of the tunnel current were measured at fixed forward and reverse bias voltages. The experiments show that the part of the electron wave function responsible for impurity-induced tunneling is not associated with a particular conduction-band valley. Some structure in the bias dependence of the shear stress coefficients near zero bias remains unexplained. This structure does not appear in the hydrostatic-pressure coefficient.
Carbon dioxide capture using solid sorbents in a fluidized bed with reduced pressure regeneration in a downer

The most common technology for postcombustion CO2 capture for existing power plants is the amine solvent scrubber. The energy consumption for capturing CO2 from flue gases using amine solvent technology is 15 to 30% of the power plant electricity production. Hence, there is a need to develop more efficient methods of removing CO2. Here, we show a novel design, obtained using multiphase CFD, and of a fluidized-bed reduced pressure regenerator, coupled with a fluidized-bed sorber, which has the potential to reduce the energy consumption. The undesirable core-annular flow regime in the riser-sorber is eliminated using multiple jet inlets and large particles leading to a shorter height. Up to 88% of the heat liberated in the riser-sorber is recovered in the downer-regenerator. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4519–4537, 2013
System identification of a truss type space structure using the multiple boundary condition test (MBCT) method

Experimental results on the application of the multiple boundary condition test (MBCT) method to experimental hardware have validated its usefulness in the ground testing of large flexible space structures. Excellant results were obtained with a beam with a uniform cross-section and with a beam consisting of two different cross-sections alternately located. The MBCT method is then applied to a 12 bay MAST type structure which is part of the NASA COFS program, and the cross-sectional area of the updated mathematical model was found to be within 4.5 percent of the true value.
A Single S4 Arginine is Sufficient for Voltage Sensitivity in the Hv1 Proton Channel

Voltage-gated proton conductances (GvH+) are found in a variety of cell types (e.g. alveolar epithelia and phagocytes) where they mediate an H+-selective transmembrane ion efflux that alkalinizes the cell and provides charge compensation for NADPH oxidase. The voltage sensor domain (VSD) protein Hv1 is required for native GvH+ and sufficient to reconstitute the hallmark biophysical features of GvH+ in heterologous expression systems. Conserved Arg residues in the S4 transmembrane helix of VSD proteins are believed to constitute the primary voltage sensing elements. Voltage-dependent conformational rearrangements of S4 thus drive channel gating. The Hv1 contains three putative voltage-sensing arginines (R205, R208 and R211) in S4. In order to examine the contribution of S4 Arg residues to voltage-dependent activation in Hv1, we mutated each to Ala and measured expressed H+ currents in voltage-clamped 293T cells. The effect of single mutations on the apparent threshold for voltage-dependent activation (VTHR) with symmetrical [H+] ranged from negligible (R205A) to +77 mV (R211A). In order to determine the minimal number of S4 arginines that are required for channel opening, we constructed double mutations in S4 (R205A-R208A, R208A-R211A and R205A-R208A). Mutations bearing a single Arg in either position 208 or 211 generated measurable H+ currents with dramatically shifted VTHR values (>+90 mV). A unique biophysical feature of GvH+ is the coupling of voltage and pH gradient sensing: voltage-dependent activation shifts ∼40mV per pH unit change in the H+ gradient (ΔpH = pHOUT - pHIN). Interestingly, the slope of the VTHR/ΔpH relation was similar to wt Hv1 for all of the mutations tested. Our results demonstrate that a single S4 Arg is sufficient for voltage and ΔpH sensing in Hv1 and suggest that S4 arginines differentially contribute to the voltage sensing mechanism.
Particle filter based average consensus target tracking with preservation of network connectivity

In this paper a mobile sensor network is tasked with cooperatively tracking a moving target. Each sensor runs a distributed particle filter to estimate the states of the target. Since some sensors may experience occasional failures or do not trust their own observations, a general case is considered, where only a portion of the sensors have the observations of the target. An average consensus algorithm is developed to allow each sensor to dynamically track the global mean of all local estimates about the target from the network by using communication with neighboring sensors only. Due to the limited communication capability on each sensor, the consensus algorithm and the cooperative objective of tracking the target must be accomplished while ensuring that the overall network remains connected. Based on the estimated global mean, a potential field based distributed motion control law is then designed to drive the sensors to track the target cooperatively, while preserving the network connectivity and avoiding collision during the mission operation. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A Theory of Exact Solutions for Annular Viscous Blobs

A new theory of exact solutions is presented for the problem of the slow viscous Stokes flow of a plane, doubly connected annular viscous blob driven by surface tension. The formulation reveals the existence of an infinite number of conserved quantities associated with the flow for a certain general class of initial conditions. These conserved quantities are associated with a class of exact solutions. This work is believed to provide the first exact solutions for the evolution of a doubly connected fluid region evolving under Stokes flow with surface tension.
Facilitating Quality Language Interpretation for Families of Diverse Students With Special Needs

As the nation as a whole becomes progressively more diverse, increasing numbers of children from linguistically diverse backgrounds are served in special education programs. Ensuring that appropriate educational services are developed for these students in collaboration with their family members as equal participants on school-based teams necessitates high-quality language interpretation during the individualized education plan process and beyond. In this article, the authors describe basic types of language interpretation errors and provide examples of how these can surface during an individualized education plan and other school-based meetings. The authors then discuss how school-based teams can facilitate accurate and quality language interpretation through implementation of research-based, best practice recommendations that reflect Individuals With Disabilities Education Act principles and components of collaborative professional–family partnerships.
Suppression of driving laser in high harmonic generation with a microchannel plate

Separating the infrared driving laser from the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses after high-order harmonic generation has been a long-standing difficulty. In this Letter, we propose and demonstrate that the driving laser can be blocked by simply installing a microchannel plate (MCP) into the beam line. In addition to its high damage threshold, the MCP filter also transmits photons over the entire XUV region. This paves the way for attosecond pulse generation with unprecedented bandwidth.
Substituent effects on the lifetime and fluorescence of excited diphenylmethyl radicals in solution

Abstract The room-temperature lifetimes of ring-substituted excited diphenylmethyl radicals have been shown to correlate well with the energy gap between the fluorescent lowest excited doublet and the ground state. Attempts to correlate the lifetimes with Hammett constants were unsuccessful.
The Mechanical Properties of Ion Implanted Ceramics

Ceramic materials generally fracture without appreciable plastic deformation under relatively low tensile stresses. Compressive strengths are much higher and brittle materials can be often used in applications where applied stresses are compressive in nature. The low strength in tension is usually caused by the presence of surface flaws that grow into brittle fracture by the Griffith mechanism. The useful strength of these materials may be raised by surface treatments which remove the flaws, reduce their severity, increase the energy to propagate a crack, or generate a residual compressive stress in the near-surface region.
Effects of the potent nephrotogenic aminonucleoside of puromycin on mitochondrial mechanochemistry

Abstract Neither spontaneous swelling nor U-factor formation is significantly altered in kidney mitochondria of rats treated for a period of 4 days with the nephrotogenic aminonucleoside of puromycin. Administration of the drug for an additional 6-day period, however, results in significant increases in initial swelling rates, extent of swelling, and level of U-factor in kidney mitochondria. Incubation of either normal rat kidney 01 liver mitochondria with 10 −4 M aminonucleoside results in enhancement of initial swelling rates, with the effect on liver mitochondria being considerably greater than that on kidney mitochondria. Aminonucleoside in vitro also enhances the initial rate of swelling induced in liver mitochondria with orthophosphate. Since little or no change occurs in U-factor formation during the initial period of orthophosphate-induced swelling, a mechanism of aminonucleoside enhancement of mitochondrial swelling that operates independently of U-factor formation may be assumed. Incubation of normal rat liver mitochondria in the presence of an equimolar concentration of adenine, aminonucleoside, or adenosine monophosphate results in a reduction in the time of onset of orthophosphate-induced swelling, this reduction being least with adenine and greatest with adenosine monophosphate.
CPJ III, 520: the Egyptian Reaction To Onias' Temple

Le fragment de papyrus CPJ III, 520 se revele etre un document historique de grande importance. D'une part, parce qu'il constitue une source, fort rare, sur la fuite d'Onias en Egypte ; d'autre part, parce qu'il nous donne un apercu des relations complexes qu'entretint la dynastie ptolemaique avec les soldats juifs et les populations egyptiennes locales
Multiple-target tracking in dense noisy environments: a probabilistic mapping perspective

A new approach is taken to address the various aspects of the multiple- target tracking (MTT) problem in dense and noisy environments. Instead of fixing the trackers on the potential targets as the convention tracking algorithms do, this new approach is fundamentally different in that an array of parallel-distributed trackers is laid in the search space. The difficult data-track association problem that has challenged the conventional trackers becomes a nonissue with this new approach. By partitioning the search space into cells, this new approach, called PMAP (probabilistic mapping), dynamically calculates the spatial probability distribution of targets in the search space via Bayesian updates. The distribution is spread at each time step, following a fairly general Markov-chain target motion model, to become the prior probabilities of the next scan. This framework can effectively handle data from multiple sensors and incorporate contextual information, such as terrain and weather, by performing a form of evidential reasoning. Used as a pre- filtering device, the PMAP is shown to remove noiselike false alarms effectively, while keeping the target dropout rate very low. This gives the downstream track linker a much easier job to perform. A related benefit is that with PMAP it is now possible to lower the detection threshold and to enjoy high probability of detection and low probability of false alarm at the same time, thereby improving overall tracking performance. The feasibility of using PMAP to track specific targets in an end-game scenario is also discussed. Both real and simulated data are used to illustrate the PMAP performance. Some related applications based on the PMAP approach, including a spatial-temporal sensor data fusion application, are mentioned.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ads-portal domains: Identification and measurements

An ads-portal domain refers to a Web domain that shows only advertisements, served by a third-party advertisement syndication service, in the form of ads listing. We develop a machine-learning-based classifier to identify ads-portal domains, which has 96p accuracy. We use this classifier to measure the prevalence of ads-portal domains on the Internet. Surprisingly, 28.3/25p of the (two-level) a.com/a.net web domains are ads-portal domains. Also, 41/39.8p of a.com/a.net ads-portal domains are typos of well-known domains, also known as typo-squatting domains. In addition, we use the classifier along with DNS trace files to estimate how often Internet users visit ads-portal domains. It turns out that ∼5p of the two-level a.com, a.net, a.org, a.biz and a.info web domains on the traces are ads-portal domains and ∼50p of these accessed ads-portal domains are typos. These numbers show that ads-portal domains and typo-squatting ads-portal domains are prevalent on the Internet and successful in attracting many visits. Our classifier represents a step towards better categorizing the web documents. It can also be helpful to search engines ranking algorithms, helpful in identifying web spams that redirects to ads-portal domains, and used to discourage access to typo-squatting ads-portal domains.
The lymphocytotic response as an indicator of relative adrenocortical insufficiency.

IT HAS been demonstrated that stress stimuli induce a lymphocytic response which is not mediated by pituitary adrenocortical hormones. This non-adrenocortical response is characterized by a lymphocytosis which appears earlier and rises to higher levels than the lymphocytosis due to adrenalectomy alone (Dougherty and Kumagai, 1951). The number of lymphocytes of stressed adrenalectomized animals return to that level found in non-stressed adrenalectomized animals within 24 hours following the stress stimulus. These sequential changes in the number of circulating lymphocytes represent in their numercial and temporal characteristics an inverse image of the curve of the “lymphopenic response” and have been termed the “lymphocytotic response.” The lymphatic organs of stressed adrenalectomized animals also undergo a rapid increase in size. The rate of increase in amount of lymphatic tissue as measured by weight and nitrogen content exceed that found following adrenalectomy alone. It was suggested that stress enha...