cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous and disseminated blastomycosis: a pediatric case series.

: Blastomycosis is a rare fungal infection that most often initially infects the lungs and can progress to disseminated involvement of the skin, bones, and central nervous system (CNS). Pediatric blastomycosis constitutes a small portion of total cases, but delay in diagnosis may result in significant morbidity. Seventeen pediatric cases of blastomycosis were identified at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin from 1999 to 2009 through retrospective chart review; 53% had evidence of dissemination (bone, skin, or CNS) confirmed by culture. Six cases presented with cutaneous lesions, and five of these were found to have other systemic involvement. These five nonimmunosuppressed cases of primary pulmonary disease with cutaneous involvement plus dissemination to bone or the CNS are reported in detail. The diagnosis of blastomycosis in children is often delayed, and dissemination by the time of diagnosis may be more common than in adults. Cutaneous dissemination may occur in immunocompetent children, may indicate underlying systemic involvement, and can be more readily identified than symptoms of bony or neurologic involvement. These reported cases indicate the importance of dermatologists recognizing and investigating all potentially involved organ systems when a patient presents with characteristic skin lesions with or without a history of respiratory illness.
FastReplica: efficient large file distribution within content delivery networks

In this work, we consider a large-scale distributed network of servers and a problem of content distribution across it. We propose a novel algorithm, called FastReplica, for an efficient and reliable replication of large files in the Internet environment. There are a few basic ideas exploited in FastReplica. In order to replicate a large file among n nodes (n is in the range of 10-30 nodes), the original file is partitioned into n subfiles of equal size and each subfile is transferred to a different node in the group. After that, each node propagates its subfile to the remaining nodes in the group. Thus instead of the typical replication of an entire file to n nodes by using n Internet paths, connecting the original node to the replication group, FastReplica exploits n × n Internet paths within the replication group where each path is used for transferring 1/n -th of the file. We design a scalable and reliable FastReplica algorithm which can be used for replication of large files to a large group of nodes. The new method is simple and inexpensive. It does not require any changes or modifications to the existing Internet infrastructure, and at the same time, it significantly reduces the file replication time as we demonstrate through experiments on a prototype implementation of FastReplica in a wide-area testbed.
Thermal Testing of Roof Systems

A comprehensive program to investigate the thermal performance of insulated flat roofs has been developed at Drexel University in Philadelphia. A number of 1.22-m (4-ft)-square roof systems have been sealed into expanded polystyrene (EPS) modules and placed in a horizontal array on the roof of a Drexel building. The roof specimens are exposed to the outdoor urban environment and at the same time are connected to a life support system that maintains the undersides of the roofs exposed to a typical indoor atmosphere. A 1.22-m (4-ft)-square temperature-controlled test plate, also enclosed in EPS, is used with heat flow sensors to determine periodically the thermal resistances (R-values) of the roof systems. The test plate system has been calibrated with fibrous glass board material from the National Bureau of Standards and preliminary test results have been obtained for a single-ply roof system with EPS insulation. The application of the test plate approach to in situ R-value measurements of roofing systems at remote sites is also discussed.
Germanium n-Channel Planar FET and FinFET: Gate-Stack and Contact Optimization

We demonstrate Ge enhancement-mode nMOS FinFETs fabricated on 300-mm Si wafers, incorporating an optimized gate-stack (interface trap density $D_{\mathrm{ it}}$ below $2 \times 10^{11}$ eV $^{-1}\cdot {\mathrm{ cm}}^{-2})$ , n+-doping (active doping concentration $N_{\mathrm{ act}}$ exceeding $1 \times 10^{20}~{\mathrm{ cm}}^{-3})$ , and metallization (contact resistivity $\rho _{c}$ below $2 \times 10^{-7}\Omega \cdot {\mathrm{ cm}}^{2})$ modules. A new circular transmission line $\rho _{c}$ extraction model that captures the parasitic metal resistance is proposed. At a supply voltage $V_{\mathrm{ DD}}$ of 0.5 V, 40-nm-gate-length FinFET devices achieved an ON-performance $I_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ of 50 $\mu \text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ at an OFF-state current $I_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ of 100 nA/ $\mu \text{m}$ , a subthreshold swing $S_{\mathrm{ sat}}$ of 124 mV/decade, and a peak transconductance $g_{m}$ of 310 $\mu \text{S}/\mu \text{m}$ . The same gate-stack and contacts were deployed on planar devices for comparison. Both FinFET and planar devices in this paper achieved the highest reported $g_{m}/S_{\mathrm{ sat}}$ at $V_{\mathrm{ DD}} = 0.5$ V to date and the shortest gate lengths for Ge nMOS enhancement-mode transistors.
Particle filtering for passive fathometer tracking

Seabed interface depths and fathometer amplitudes are tracked for an unknown and changing number of sub-bottom reflectors. This is achieved by incorporating conventional and adaptive fathometer processors into sequential Monte Carlo methods for a moving vertical line array. Sediment layering information and time-varying fathometer response amplitudes are tracked by using a multiple model particle filter with an uncertain number of reflectors. Results are compared to a classical particle filter where the number of reflectors is considered to be known. Reflector tracking is demonstrated for both conventional and adaptive processing applied to the drifting array data from the Boundary 2003 experiment. The layering information is successfully tracked by the multiple model particle filter even for noisy fathometer outputs.
Cyclic Equalization and Channel Identification for Magnetic Tape Recording Systems Using the Data Set Separator (DSS)

This paper addresses the problems of equalizer design and channel identification for read channels implemented in linear tape open (LTO) tape-drive systems. The techniques presented use the readback waveform of the data set separator (DSS), a special pattern that is recorded at specific locations on tape as part of the LTO format. The concept of cyclic equalization is employed for a DSS-based equalizer design. The approach is extended to channel identification for extracting the dibit response of the magnetic recording channel from the DSS readback waveform. Both techniques are implemented with low complexity, making them attractive for practical realizations. Actual readback signals captured on commercial LTO tape-drive systems are used to demonstrate the efficiency of the described techniques
Second-generation vaccines against leishmaniasis

Several species of Leishmania cause human diseases that range from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral leishmaniasis, mucosal leishmaniasis and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis. Drug resistance and toxicities associated with chemotherapy emphasize the need for a safe, effective vaccine. Studies of the immunopathogenesis and mechanisms of protective immunity define several features that should be met by an effective vaccine. The leishmaniases are unique among parasitic diseases because a single vaccine has the potential to protect against more than one species (disease) and be successful at both treating and preventing disease. In addition, several antigens have been identified and characterized that might be potential vaccine candidates. In this article, we focus on advances made with second-generation vaccines against leishmaniasis.
Analysis of Regiospecific Triacylglycerols by Electrospray Ionization−Mass Spectrometry3 of Lithiated Adducts

A method of regiospecific analysis of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in vegetable oils and animal fats is reported here using the electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (MS 3 ) of TAG-lithiated adducts. The fragment ions of the MS 3 from the loss of fatty acids at the sn-2 position as α,β-unsaturated fatty acids were used for regiospecific identification and quantification. The ratio of the regiospecific TAGs, ABA and AAB, in an oil sample usually fraction collected by high-performance liquid chromatography can be determined by the abundance of the fragment ions of [ABA + Li - ACOOH - B'CH=CHCOOH] + and [AAB + Li - ACOOH - A'CH=CHCOOH] + . The method was used to analyze regiospecific TAGs in extra virgin olive oil. The results showed that the saturated fatty acids, palmitic and stearic acids, were mostly located at the sn-1,3 positions and unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids, were mostly located at the sn-2 position.
Pacific confidence building

U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry recently suggested that the Pacific Rim now appears more pacific then ever. Yet no other place on the globe holds such potential for conflict: like great plates on the earth's crust, four of the world's great powers converge alongside numerous other regional and local fault lines. Perhaps nothing better illustrates the tensions bubbling beneath the surface and the region's potential for seismic jolts than the crisis surrounding North Korea's nuclear weapons program during the summer and fall of 1994. Until Jimmy Carter's intervention, the North Korean imbroglio threatened to destabilize the Korean peninsula, and launch a dangerous dynamic of crisis, confrontation, and region‐wide nuclear proliferation.
Biocompatibility of amphiphilic diblock copolypeptide hydrogels in the central nervous system

Amphiphilic diblock copolypeptide hydrogels (DCHs) are synthetic materials whose properties can be varied readily and predictably by altering copolymer chain length or composition and which are of potential interest for biomaterial applications. We tested the biocompatibility in the central nervous system (CNS) of DCH composed of lysine, homoarginine or glutamate in combination with leucine. A range of DCH formulations with rheological properties similar to brain tissue were injected into mouse forebrain and examined after 1-8 weeks using light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. DCH deposits elicited no more gliosis, inflammation, or toxicity to neurons, myelin or axons than did injections of physiological saline. The size, rigidity, and density of DCH deposits could be varied subtly by altering DCH composition and concentration. For any given DCH formulation, increased concentration correlated with increased gel strength in vitro and increased deposit size in vivo. DCHs of lysine and leucine (K(m)L(n)) were selected for detailed analyses because these formed deposits with desirable physical properties and since lysine is routinely used as a substrate for neural cell cultures. Deposits of unmodified K(180)L(20) exhibited time-dependent in-growth of blood vessels and of certain glial cells, and limited in-growth of nerve fibers. These findings show that DCHs are injectable, re-assemble in vivo to form 3-dimensional deposits, exhibit little or no detectable toxicity in the CNS, integrate well with brain tissue and represent a new class of synthetic biomaterials with potential for applications as depots or scaffolds in the CNS.
Monitoring the corrosion process of Al alloys through pH induced fluorescence

A sensing and monitoring set-up based on electrochemical pH induced fluorescence to systematically control the electrochemical corrosion process has been developed for possible applications in the field of localized corrosion. The sensing and monitoring concept is based on exposing the corroding metal surface to solutions that contain selected redox chemicals which will react in local regions where anodic or cathodic polarizations occur. Redox couples that produce or consume protons in their electrochemical reactions were used so that local pH gradients can indicate electrochemical activity by inducing fluorescence in dyes. This approach has been applied to study the corrosion initiation in aircraft aluminum metal 2024-T3 in a controlled electrochemical cell. Preliminary results obtained suggest that monitoring of localized corrosion based on pH can be achieved for field applications.
A Synchronization Pulse for the Princeton-Pennsylvania Accelerator

The basic synchronizing pulse in the P.P.A., tying the injection pulse and the R. F. to the magnetic field, is derived from the total current flowing through one of the Accelerator magnets. This pulse is generated in a biased toroidal coil wound on a supermalloy core, by the magnetic field H(t) created by the magnet current in a coaxial conductor. This method has provided us with a synchronization signal pulse with excellent long term stability and very little time-jitter. Part of the time-jitter may be attributed to the variations of dH/dt at the time of the reversal of the magnetization of the core due to variations of Imin in the magnets. A method has been developed to effectively cancel out the dH/dt effect in the supermalloy core.
Primary angiosarcoma of the aorta, great vessels, and the heart.

Objective Primary angiosarcomas originating from the heart, aorta, or great vessels are extremely rare and hence poorly understood. We reviewed our experience to identify a preferred diagnostic and treatment strategy and evaluate the role of adjunctive therapy. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of all patients diagnosed with primary angiosarcoma of the heart, aorta, and great vessels from 1985 to 2011, including presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes. Results Thirteen patients (five males and eight females; mean age, 54 ± 4 years) had primary angiosarcoma arising from the aorta (n = 7), heart (n = 3), pericardium (n = 2), and pulmonary artery (n = 1). Patients with aortic tumors most commonly presented with lower extremity claudication (n = 2), renovascular hypertension (n = 3), abdominal pain (n = 5), and weight loss (n = 4). Patients with cardiac and pericardial tumors presented with dyspnea (n = 5) due to pleural effusion or cardiac tamponade. All 13 patients underwent computed tomographic scan, which demonstrated irregular, lobulated mass/thrombus with peripheral enhancement, and eight patients underwent diagnostic echocardiography. Metastatic disease was present in 10 patients. The most common site was the lungs (n = 6). All except one patient exhibited high-grade morphology histopathologically. Nine patients were treated surgically: resection with aortic reconstruction (n = 5), thromboendarterectomy (n = 2), pericardiectomy/atrial septal resection with patch reconstruction (n = 2), and just biopsy (n = 1). Adjunctive treatment included chemotherapy (n = 6) and radiation (n = 4). Median survival was 8 months (range, 1-75 months). Patients treated with all three treatment modalities had longer survival than did patients treated with a single modality ( P = .013). Patients treated with chemotherapy had a more favorable survival than did those without chemotherapy ( P = .048). Conclusions Primary angiosarcoma of the heart and great vessels is rare but is a harbinger of poor prognosis. Pathologic examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Combined therapy with surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy offers patients the best survival.
Evolutionary clues to the functions of the Toll-like family as surveillance receptors

The origin of the Toll-like family of receptors pre-dates the evolutionary split between the plant and animal kingdoms. These receptors are remarkably conserved across the taxonomic kingdoms and have fundamental roles in triggering immune responses. How they trigger such responses, and how these mechanisms arose in evolution, is a topic of extensive debate. We postulate a surveillance model: these receptors "keep watch" for both endogenous and exogenous molecules that indicate tissue injury, infection and remodeling. Furthermore, we suggest that the first Toll-like family receptors that arose in evolution might have acted in both development and immunity by recognizing the degradation of endogenous macromolecules.
Natural System Metaphors for Supporting Collaboration in Air Force Applications

Mixed-initiative settings involve situations where humans and computers are tasked together to accomplish a set of goals. For these goals to be successfully executed, humans and software agents must work together. This paper examines natural systems such as the brain, the immune system, population ecology, and economics for potential metaphors of facilitating collaboration. Each of these natural systems has salient common characteristics including the ability to represent collaboration as well as competition in distributed networks. This article provides an overview of an ongoing research effort that attempts to unlock these metaphors towards building computational models for planning problems in Air Force applications.
Conformational states of Xenopus transcription factor IIIA

The conformation of Xenopus transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) free in solution, bound to 5S RNA in the 7S particle, depleted of zinc, or bound to plasmid DNA was analyzed by (1) trypsin digestion and electrophoretic analysis of proteolytic fragments or (2) measurement of the fluorescence of TFIIIA mildly derivatized with N-[[(iodoacetyl)amino]ethyl]-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonic acid (IAEDANS). TFIIIA free or complexed with 5S RNA has a similar conformation as judged (a) by trypsin-dependent generation of similar metastable 20-kDa domains (corresponding to the N-terminal half of the protein) or (b) by the negligible change in AEDANS-TFIIIA fluorescence when free or bound to 5S RNA. When TFIIIA binds plasmid DNA, its N-terminal half becomes hypersensitive to trypsin digestion, indicating a structural change in this region of the protein upon interaction with DNA. Quenching of AEDANS-TFIIIA fluorescence is observed upon interaction of the protein with plasmid DNA, a result also indicative of a conformational change upon protein-DNA interaction. Removal of zinc from TFIIIA by EDTA chelation results in (a) increased proteolysis of this 20-kDa domain, indicating a structural change in the N-terminal half of the protein upon zinc removal, and (b) large enhancement of AEDANS-TFIIIA fluorescence. EDTA chelation of TFIIIA bound to 5S RNA in the 7S particle, a procedure which does not deplete all zinc from the protein, neither increases the trypsin sensitivity of the 20-kDa domain nor alters appreciably the fluorescence of AEDANS-TFIIIA. These results indicate that zinc is involved in maintaining the native conformation of at least the N-terminal half of the protein.
Atmospheric pressure microwave sample preparation procedure for the combined analysis of total phosphorus and kjeldahl nitrogen.

An atmospheric pressure microwave digestion method has been developed for the combined analysis of total phosphorus and Kjeldahl nitrogen in complex matrices. In comparison to the digestion steps in EPA Methods 365.4 (total phosphorus) and 351.x (Kjeldahl nitrogen), this method requires less time, eliminates the need for a catalyst, and reduces the toxicity of the waste significantly. It employs a microwave-assisted digestion step, using refluxing borosilicate glass vessels at atmospheric pressure. Traditionally, this method has a time-consuming sample preparation step and generates toxic waste through the use of heavy metal catalysts. These advantages are gained by the combination of a high boiling point acid (sulfuric acid) and the application of focused microwave irradiation, which enhances the digestion process by direct energy coupling. NIST standard reference materials 1572 (citrus leaves), 1577a (bovine liver), and 1566 (oyster tissue) and tryptophan were analyzed to validate the method. Phosphorus...
Technical considerations on the use of horseradish peroxidase as a neuronal marker

Abstract Techniques are described for increasing the reliability and sensitivity of retrograde labeling of neurons with horseradish peroxidase. Labeling is increased by injecting peroxidase where axons are severed. Exclusive use of glutaraldehyde as a fixative and shortening the time used to infiltrate tissue with cryoprotectives are recommended to reduce degradation of injected peroxidase. Localization of the reaction product is facilitated by gallocyanin counterstaining, by use of phase-contrast optics, and by preincubation treatment of tissue in cobalt chloride. The use of diaminobenzidine and its safe disposal are considered.
Scales of variability of surface vegetation: Calculation and implications for climate models

[1] The presence in the vegetation landscape of many varied scales of organization implies a complex set of land/atmosphere interactions. Larger scales of variability at the surface induce boundary layer heterogeneity and may induce secondary boundary layer circulation patterns. The quantification of the scales of heterogeneity in the surface vegetation, therefore, is essential to the understanding and modeling of the land/atmosphere interactions. The present study analyzes the scales of heterogeneity in the surface vegetation by using a satellite-derived land class category map and a discrete analysis tool. Results show substantial variability in scales near 1000 km for most land class categories other than Deciduous Broadleaf Forest. Implications for GCM modeling approaches to the land/atmosphere interactions were drawn based on the results of the study. Results are consistent with the use of a ‘mosaic’ rather than a ‘mixture’ approach and with extending the ‘mosaic’ approach up through the boundary layer.
Involvement of Orbital Tissues by Sarcoid

Of 15 biopsy specimens identified as showing sarcoid involving the extraocular orbital tissues, three were from patients known to have systemic sarcoidosis before biopsy. Of the other 12 patients who were not known to have systemic disease at the time of biopsy, 11 were found to have evidence of systemic sarcoidosis after the biopsy. One patient, however, had no evidence of sarcoidosis at the time of the biopsy nor did she develop sarcoidosis during a seven-year follow-up period. Our results suggest that most patients with sarcoid involving the orbit will be found to have evidence of systemic sarcoidosis, but that rare patients exist in whom the orbital lesion appears to represent an isolated process. There was no histologic difference between orbital specimens from patients with systemic sarcoidosis and the specimens from the patient with isolated sarcoid of the orbit.
Isolation of copper thionein from rat liver

Abstract The inducible Cu-binding protein from adult rat liver previously referred to as Cu-chelatin has been purified and shown to be Cu-thionein. The Cu-protein was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration and thiopropyl-Sepharose chromatography. The Cu-thionein exhibited an amino acid composition similar but not identical to that of the two forms of rat liver Cd,Zn-thionein. The polypeptide-chain molecular weight of Cu-thionein was indistinguishable from that of Cd,Zn-thionein. The identification of the Cu-protein as metallothionein was substantiated by the complete immunological cross-reactivity with antisera prepared against purified rat liver Cd,Zn-thionein. Purified Cu-thionein bound 9–11 g atoms of Cu per mole of protein in an electron paramagnetic resonance nondetectable form. The Cu Zn ratio of the protein is about 100. Ion-exchange chromatography resolved the Cu-protein into three polymorphic forms which differed from the polymorphism of Cd,Zn-thionein.
Calculation of the Auger line at the Si/SiO2 interface

The Auger line shape has been calculated for the surface of (100) silicon, using a semiempirical tight‐binding slab model. Chemisorbed oxygen was considered by having the oxygen atom (or molecule) satisfy the double dangling bond of the surface atoms. The presence of the chemisorbed oxygen caused a shift of the outer‐layer local density of states in such a manner to create additional structure in the N(E) distribution for the Auger transition. This structure correlates well with such structure reported recently by several experimental groups.
Abstract 5261: PKC alpha is implicated in epithelial to mesenchymal transition and erlotinib resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Overexpression and mutational activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) play important roles in the pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). For patients with EGFR activating mutations, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are given as a primary therapy. However, the majority of these patients eventually develop resistance to TKIs. To address a potential role of PKC isozymes in the resistance to TKIs, we used an isogenic model: the NSCLC H1650 cell line and its erlotinib-resistance derivative H1650-M3. H1650-M3 cells display a mesenchymal-like morphology driven by TGF-β signaling (PNAS 107:15535-15540, 2010). Comparison of the expression of PKC isozymes by Western blot between parental and erlotinib-resistant H1650 cells revealed that the M3 derivative displays remarkably high levels of PKCα and reduced levels of PKCδ. qPCR analysis established that PKCα mRNA levels in H1650-M3 cells are ∼ 40-fold higher than in parental cells. In order to investigate a potential involvement of PKCα in TKI resistance we used RNAi. Upon PKCα depletion H1650-M3 cells display a morphology that is consistent with the epithelial phenotype. Moreover, depletion of PKCα from H1650-M3 cells led to significant changes in the expression of EMT markers. Indeed, mRNA levels of vimentin, Zeb2, SNAIL and TWIST were reduced by more than 50 % in erlotinib-resistant cells when PKCα expression was silenced. Analysis of cell viability in response to erlotinib treatment showed that pretreatment with either the pan-PKC inhibitor GF 109203X or the cPKC inhibitor Go6976 sensitized H1650-M3 to erlotinib. Furthermore, PKCα RNAi depletion markedly sensitized H1650 cells to the TKI. Therefore, PKCα up-regulation in erlotinib-resistant cells may play an important role in driving the resistance to the drug. Our results also highlight a potential role for PKCα in EMT in lung cancer cells. Citation Format: Mahlet Abera, Raffaella Sordella, Marcelo Kazanietz. PKC alpha is implicated in epithelial to mesenchymal transition and erlotinib resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5261. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5261
Controlling hypertensive disease and its complications among black Americans. Current challenges.

In summary, intensive sustained stepped-care treatment programs for hypertensive blacks, including those of lower socioeconomic status, are capable of markedly reducing and perhaps eliminating the unfavorable prognosis of blacks compared with whites with HBP. Thus, the differential unfavorable to blacks is not primarily a consequence of inevitable inborn predispositions
Linking informal social control and restorative justice: moving social disorganization theory beyond community policing

Much of what is at the heart of social disorganization theory’s approach to neighborhood crime prevention has been ignored in favor of policies that are more closely associated with deterrence and rational choice theories. Specifically, ideas of informal social control and collective efficacy have often been translated into policies of community surveillance and the reporting of suspicious behaviors to the police. While these policies may make neighborhoods less attractive to offenders because they create higher certainty levels of recognition, and subsequently arrest, social disorganization theory, at its heart, suggests crime prevention policies of a very different nature: policies that are more closely associated with restorative justice, re‐integrative shaming and peacemaking criminology. These associations are highlighted and provide a conceptual model for a community crime prevention program that is more consistent with the underlying nature of social disorganization theory.
On the practicality of the tracer distribution method as a means of inferring velocity constants

Abstract The proper choice of initial concentrations of substrates and enzyme can result in small (negative) values of the two decay constants for the distribution of labeled tracer substrate in Scheme I, provided R (0) can be adjusted to small enough values. Measurements of the distribution of label from S to Q can, when S(0), R(0), and E(0) have been properly adjusted, be used to obtain values for the decay constants and hence each of the individual velocity constants for Scheme I.
Beyond Theoretical Ethics: Bakhtinian Anti-Theoreticism

This manuscript brings the early writings of M.M. Bakhtin to the contemporary concern over pluralist ethics. Generally, I argue that many ethical quandaries which individuals face cannot be ascribed to a plurality of ethics or a social indeterminacy of morals. I maintain that human valuation, as an ethics of action always already in play, refers to existing individuals' struggles to participate in their personally proclaimed and endorsed value systems. Thus, I draw upon Bakhtin to suggest that concrete acts of valuation (ethics in everyday practice) are not reducible to theoretically agreed upon ethical systems, but rather, they are inseparable from the emotional-volitional moments within the total context of my uniquely held existence.
Thermally Assisted Fluorescence: A New Technique for Local Flame Temperature Measurement

The theoretical basis of a new technique called thermally assisted atomic fluorescence for measurement of local spatial-temporal flame temperatures is given. In this method, the ratio of fluorescence signals from a radiatively excited level and a higher collisionally excited level or from two higher collisionally excited levels of an inorganic probe, such as In or Tl, is related to the flame temperature. The conditions necessary for the measured flame temperature to be identical to the translational (Boltzmann) flame temperature are given. The experimental system and conditions for making flame temperature measurements, which consists basically of a single pulsed dye laser and a gated detector, are described. The assumption of steady-state conditions is discussed as well as several anomalies in terms of fluorescence from certain energy levels of TI. The accuracy and precision of the measured flame temperatures for several methane-air flames are discussed.
Quantification and characterization of cotton crop biomass residue

Abstract Cotton crop residual biomass remaining in the field after mechanical seed cotton harvest is not typically harvested and utilized off-site thereby generating additional revenue for producers. Recently, interest has increased in utilizing biomass materials as feedstock for the production of fuel and composite materials. This work was undertaken to investigate the quantity and characteristics of residual biomass remaining in the field for cotton produced in the Southern High Plains of the US. Three growing locations were studied and varied with regard to irrigation use and application system, and harvest method. In order to differentiate the amount of biomass available before and after seed cotton harvest as well as the physical location of the material, biomass yield was measured for five collection groups: (1) pre-harvest stalk, (2) pre-harvest ground, (3) post-harvest stalk, (4) post-harvest ground, and (5) bur trial (for the two stripper harvested locations only). Within each collection group, the biomass was separated into four components: seed cotton, stick, bur, and other vegetative material (OVM). Total biomass produced at the Lubbock (sub-surface drip irrigated, machine stripped), Floyd (non-irrigated, machine stripped), and Dawson (center pivot irrigated, machine picked) locations were 8643, 3227, and 6456 kg DM/ha, respectively. After mechanical seed cotton harvest, 3537 (41%), 1578 (49%), and 4210 (65%) kg DM/ha remained in the fields at the Lubbock, Floyd, and Dawson locations, respectively. Analytical analysis of the individual biomass components indicated that stick and bur have properties more favorable to application as feedstock for biofuel or bio-based composite production whereas OVM is better used as a soil amendment or animal feed ingredient. Cotton producers must consider costs associated with harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass materials but also costs associated with replacement fertilizer and reduced soil tilth prior to making the decision to remove residual cotton crop biomass for off-site use.
Alterations in immunodominance of Streptococcus mutans AgI/II: Lessons learned from immunomodulatory antibodies

Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II (AgI/II) has been widely studied as a candidate vaccine antigen against human dental caries. In this report we follow up on prior studies that indicated that anti-AgI/II immunomodulatory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) exerted their effects by destabilizing the native protein structure and exposing cryptic epitopes. We show here that similar results can be obtained by immunizing mice with truncated polypeptides out of the context of an intra-molecular interaction that occurs within the full-length molecule and that appears to dampen the functional response against at least two important target epitopes. Putative T cell epitopes that influenced antibody specificity were identified immediately upstream of the alanine-rich repeat domain. Adherence inhibiting antibodies could be induced against two discrete domains of the protein, one corresponding to the central portion of the molecule and the other corresponding to the C-terminus.
Inequality, Community Participation, and the Allocation of Collective Profits

This study analyzes the relationship between inequality in land holdings and participation in community assemblies in Mexican villages. Our identification strategy is unique in that it exploits contemporaneously exogenous variation in inequality due to historic and legal restrictions on the subdivision and sale of parcels in the communities we study. The data show that at an aggregate level, villages with more inequality in land holdings have lower participation rates. Individuals with greater land holdings relative to other community members are more likely to participate. This relationship intensifies with increasing inequality. We also consider how participation influences the allocation of public funds. We find greater investment in public goods where inequality is lower and participation higher. Finally, we demonstrate that those who are less likely to attend meetings are also less likely to receive government subsidies and benefits.
The Imaginary World of Semen Koltovskii: Genealogical Anxiety and Falsification in Late Seventeenth-Century Russia

Marshall POE, Le monde imaginaire de Semen Koltovskij. Le desir d'une ascendance noble et la falsification des genealogies dans la Russie de la fin du XVIIe siecle. La fin du XVIIe siecle fut une epoque de mobilite sociale sans precedent dans les plus hautes spheres de la societe moscovite. Avant le regne d'Aleksej Mihajlovic, la douma des boyards avait ete coasideree comme la chasse gardee d'un petit groupe de familles dont l'ascendance noble etait certifiee. Aleksej, cependant, changea la politique de recrutement traditionnelle pour la douma au cours des annees 1650 et se mit a promouvoir l'integration au sein de la douma de recrues d'un nouveau type, des roturiers. En depit des affirmations de certains historiens, ces nouveaux venus n'etaient pas des radicaux. Il est vrai que plusieurs d'entre eux avaient reussi leur ascension vers le sommet grâce a des services rendus a la couronne et a leurs capacites, et non par la faveur d'un droit hereditaire a un rang ou une fonction d'elite. Ils avaient beneficie d'une tres legere tendance a l'affectation au merite. Mais ces nouveaux venus ne partageaient pas necessairement les principes qui les avaient portes jusqu'aux plus hautes spheres de la societe moscovite. Nes et eleves dans une societe qui ne mettait pas en question l'existence d'une classe d'hommes nes pour diriger le royaume, ils se rendaient bien compte que, s'ils etaient introduits dans l'elite, ils n'en faisaient pas partie d'un point de vue genealogique. Ils n'ont probablement jamais envisage de changer les principes de base du systeme social de l'epoque. Ces « parvenus » desiraient devenir membres de l'elite hereditaire, et non pas la detruire. Le fait que la falsification genealogique ait ete, parmi eux, chose courante, est a premiere vue une manifestation de ce desir et de la mentalite qui le suscitait
Minimum Energy Triggering Signals

In switching problems, the efficiency of the switching circuits is often of considerable importance. In the past the basic switching mechanism has been actuated by pulses of simple functions of voltage, current, or force, and efforts to obtain increased efficiency have led to the use of transistors, development of better relays, and the improvement of other components. This paper considers, as an alternative or complementary approach to the problem, the optimization of the function of time which is used for triggering so as to minimize the energy required of the triggering signal. The general problem of determining the optimum triggering signal for a lumped-constant, linear circuit is considered. The optimum signal is defined as that which produces a given current through, or a voltage across, a resistive output element at time t = T while at the same time requiring a minimum of energy from the generator driving the circuit. The output resistance is considered as characterizing the input terminals of a monostable or bistable element such as a thyratron, multivibrator, or a magnetic relay. An equation characterizing the optimum signal is derived, and the conditions under which the equation is valid are noted. There are two types of circuits for which a characteristic equation is not obtained. However, both of these types of circuits are unrealistic in the practical sense because they do not allow for generator internal resistance or stray capacitance across the input terminals. For equivalent circuits of practical importance the characteristic equation is always valid.
Sliding-mode observers for urea selective catalytic reduction system state estimations based on nitrogen oxide sensor measurements

The state estimations for urea-based selective catalytic reduction systems have received growing interest in the past few years because of their importance to selective catalytic reduction controls and onboard diagnostics, as well as the high cost and difficulties of direct sensor measurements. Most of the existing estimation techniques suffer because of the ammonia cross-sensitivity from the nitrogen oxide sensor and require an ammonia sensor to be available downstream of the selective catalytic reduction, which may increase the costs of production urea-based selective catalytic reduction systems. The purpose of this study is to design observers for estimating the key states (the nitrogen oxide concentration, the ammonia concentration, and the ammonia coverage ratio) of the urea-based selective catalytic reduction system at the selective catalytic reduction outlet in various situations, using only a nitrogen oxide sensor. The sliding-mode observers were designed to ensure high robustness against the ammonia cross-sensitivity from the nitrogen oxide sensor and uncertainties from the selective catalytic reduction inputs. Simulation verification results under the Federal Test Procedure 75 test cycle showed that the proposed observers were able to estimate the states accurately, in hot and cold exhaust conditions, for both single-cell selective catalytic reduction systems and two-cell selective catalytic reduction systems. The proposed observer-based estimation technique has the potential for reducing the cost of advanced selective catalytic reduction control systems and for applying it to onboard diagnostics.
The region, a new governmental unit The problem of metropolitan areas

“It will not do to assurme that arterial highways are planned but that government just happens.”
The bacteriopbage λ O replication protein: isolation and characterization of the amplified initiator

The bacteriophage lambda O protein participates in the initiation of lambda DNA replication. The lambda O gene was cloned into plasmid pKC30 such that its expression was controlled by the lambda PL promoter. A lambda prophage-coded thermosensitive cI repressor was used to regulate transcription of the cloned O gene. Thermal inactivation of the lambda cI repressor resulted in overproduction of the O protein until it constituted approximately 20% of the total cellular protein of Escherichia coli. A simple three-step purification protocol was developed that yields several milligrams of homogeneous O protein per gram of cell paste. The precise position of the O gene in the known lambda DNA sequence was identified from the amino-terminal sequence of the isolated O protein. Purified O protein stimulated the replication of plasmid lambda dv DNA in vitro and specifically bound to duplex DNA fragments carrying the lambda replication origin.
H2 gas sensor performance of NiO at high temperatures in gas mixtures

Abstract Gas sensors operating at elevated temperatures (T > 500 °C) near combustion engines and power plants are needed to improve combustion control and to monitor and control emission. We investigated the effects of film thickness and operating temperature on the gas sensitivity of NiO films. 50 nm films had the best sensor characteristics and were further characterized for repeatability and selectivity. We present data on the structure, surface morphology, and chemical composition of 30–130 nm thick NiO films using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. This report includes gas sensor responses (GSRs) at operating temperatures from 300 to 650 °C for H2 test gas concentrations ranging from 500 to 10,000 ppm in a synthetic air carrier gas. After annealing, the 50 nm thick films showed the highest surface roughness of 14.6 nm and the highest GSR at all operating temperatures tested. Surface roughness and area appear to be correlated to the gas sensor response of NiO thin films. An average GSR of 55 for 5000 ppm H2 was found at 600 °C with a standard deviation of ±6.23. Repeated measurements for gas sensitivity were collected at 600 °C for 8 h where NiO was exposed to H2 11 times at concentrations varying from 500 to 10,000 ppm and each exposure lasted for 20 min, yielding GSRs that follow a power law behavior. Cross sensitivity of NiO for 1100 ppm CO2, 150 ppm NH3 and 50 ppm NOx was investigated for individual gases and mixtures, all using synthetic air carrier gas. Selectivity was observed to decrease as the operating temperature increased.
Emerging Issues in Educational Reform in Japan

alized in terms of a framework of a new politics of accountability in Japan. The framework is defined by a continuum of the balance between demand- and supply-driven forces. Of the three strands of reform, efforts to restructure higher education are closely related to changing demands of the student-clients. In contrast, professional self-evaluation suggests the dominance of the service providers in shaping school priorities and practices in the school community. Somewhere in between the demand-driven
Factor productivity and technical change

This paper deals with (i) decomposing total factor productivity growth into input-specific components, (ii) measuring input-specific productivity/efficiency growth, and (iii) testing several neutrality hypotheses in technical change. These issues are addressed in a general framework without assuming any functional form on the underlying production technology, and without imposing any structure on the behaviour of input productivity/efficiency growth. Using NBER panel data on 450 U.S. manufacturing industries for the period 1959–1992, it is found that technical change can be characterized by neither Hicks, Harrod, nor Solow neutral form. It is also found that productivity of capital has increased, on average by 6.5%, whereas those of labour and material declined by 5.10% and 0.4%, respectively.
Regulation of 1,25(OH)2vitamin D3 receptor content in cultured LLC-PK1 kidney cells limits hormonal responsiveness

Abstract Receptor content in cultured kidney (LLC-PK 1 ) cells was found to be modulated following the introduction of a culture medium change, declining to 40% of control values at 18 h. Scatchard analysis indicated that the reduced 1,25(OH) 2 -[ 3 H]D 3 nuclear binding we detected was due to decreased abundance of receptors (3811 vs 1619 sites/cell) with no change in the K d (0.4–0.5 nM). Cells with reduced receptors exhibited diminished ability to respond to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 as measured by induction of 25(OH)vitaminD-24-hydroxylase activity. There was a close coupling between decreased receptor levels and diminished hormone responsiveness. The data suggest the absence of “spare” receptors and that receptor abundance is a limiting factor in cell responsiveness to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 .
Magnetization of sinter‐forged YBa2Cu3O7−δ

The magnetization and critical magnetization current densities of sinter‐forged YBa2Cu3O7−δ samples of nearly theoretical density have been studied. The magnetization curves can be well fitted by Kim’s critical state equation Jc(B)=α/(B0+B) with a flat plate geometry. The results revealed an anisotropy in the lower critical field and the critical current density with respect to the forging axis. The deduced critical current density in the favorable direction is larger than the value of isotropic polycrystalline samples.
Development of a novel TaqMan real-time PCR assay for detecting rubella virus RNA

Although the number of cases of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome has decreased recently in Japan, both are still important health problems. To control rubella infection, a rapid and reliable method for diagnosis of rubella is required as soon as possible. Direct detection of the viral genome in clinical samples is viewed as crucial for laboratory diagnosis. In this study, a novel diagnostic method for rubella virus, based on a fluorogenic real-time PCR (TaqMan) assay, was developed, and its sensitivity for various virus strains was compared with that of a conventional RT-PCR. The new assay allowed more rapid and sensitive detection of the virus than did the conventional RT-PCR, and could detect at least 10 pfu of the native strains in Japan (1a, 1D, 1j).
Single-pool exponential decomposition models: potential pitfalls in their use in ecological studies

The importance of litter decomposition to carbon and nutrient cycling has motivated substantial research. Commonly, researchers fit a single-pool negative exponential model to data to estimate a decomposition rate (k). We review recent decomposition research, use data simulations, and analyze real data to show that this practice has several potential pitfalls. Specifically, two common decisions regarding model form (how to model initial mass) and data transformation (log-transformed vs. untransformed data) can lead to erroneous estimates of k. Allowing initial mass to differ from its true, measured value resulted in substantial over- or underestimation of k. Log-transforming data to estimate k using linear regression led to inaccurate estimates unless errors were lognormally distributed, while nonlinear regression of untransformed data accurately estimated k regardless of error structure. Therefore, we recommend fixing initial mass at the measured value and estimating k with nonlinear regression (untransformed data) unless errors are demonstrably lognormal. If data are log-transformed for linear regression, zero values should be treated as missing data; replacing zero values with an arbitrarily small value yielded poor k estimates. These recommendations will lead to more accurate k estimates and allow cross-study comparison of k values, increasing understanding of this important ecosystem process.