cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cylindrical Shell Submerged in Bounded Acoustic Media: A Modal Approach

The dynamics of a simply-supported cylindrical shell submerged in liquid hydrogen (LH 2 ) and liquid oxygen (LOX) are considered. The shell itself is bounded by a rigid outer cylinder with closed rigid ends. This conOguration gives rise to two ∞uid-Olled cavities{ an inner cylindrical cavity and an outer annular cavity. Such geometries are common in rocket engine design. This study computes the natural frequencies and modes of the ∞uid-structure system by combining the rigid wall acoustic cavity modes and the in vacuo structural modes into a system of coupled ordinary diAEerential equations. Eigenvalue veering is observed near the intersections of the curves representing natural frequencies of the rigid wall acoustic and the in vacuo structural modes. In the case of a shell submerged in LH 2 , system frequencies near these intersections are as much as 30% lower than the corresponding in vacuo structural frequencies. Due to its high density, the frequency reductions in the presence of LOX are even more dramatic. The forced response of the ∞uid-loaded shell subject to a harmonic point excitation is also presented. The forced response in the presence of ∞uid is diAEerent from the response of the structure in vacuo in a variety of ways. The frequency shifts that arise from consideration of the ∞uid alter the order of the resonant response peaks. In some cases, modes that are well separated in the in vacuo case are within close proximity in the ∞uid-loaded case (and vice-versa). The ∞uid-loaded structural responses also contain relatively small resonant peaks corresponding to system modes that are dominated by contributions from the ∞uid.
Ricci curvature and betti numbers

We derive a uniform bound for the total betti number of a closed manifold in terms of a Ricci curvature lower bound, a conjugate radius lower bound and a diameter upper bound. The result is based on an angle version of Toponogov comparison estimate for small triangles in a complete manifold with a Ricci curvature lower bound. We also give a uniform estimate on the generators of the fundamental group and prove a fibration theorem in this setting.
The structure of triple flames stabilized on a slot burner

A triple flame is a partially premixed flame that contains two premixed reaction zones (one fuel-lean and the other rich) that form exterior wings and a nonpremixed reaction zone that is established in between these wings. The three reaction zones merge at a “triple point.” Triple flames may play an important role in the stabilization and liftoff of laminar nonpremixed flames. They are also of fundamental importance in the reignition of turbulent mixtures. Despite their importance, many aspects of triple flames have not been adequately investigated and are, consequently, not clearly understood. Herein, laminar triple flames stabilized on a Wolfhard-Parker slot burner are investigated. The flow consists of a rich mixture of methane and air emerging from the inner slot and a lean mixture from two symmetric outer slots. In this configuration the three reaction zones that characterize a triple flame can be clearly distinguished. The loci of the “triple points” form a “triple line” in this planar configuration. The velocity field is characterized using laser Doppler velocimetry, and the temperature distribution using laser interferometric holography. In addition, C∗2-chemiluminescence images of the three reaction zones are obtained. A detailed numerical model is employed to completely characterize the flame. It is based on a 24-species and 81-reaction mechanism. The numerical results are validated through comparisons with the experimental measurements. Our results focus on the detailed structure, the interaction between the three reaction zones, the dependence of the flame structure on the initial velocities and mixture equivalence ratios, and the dominant chemical pathways. The lean premixed reaction zone (external wing) exhibits different features from the rich premixed reaction zone. In particular, it is characterized by strong HO2 formation and consumption reactions, and by relatively weak methane consumption reactions. Radical activity is higher in the nonpremixed reaction zone than in the other reaction zones. Overall, radicals from the nonpremixed reaction zone are transported to both the rich and lean premixed reaction zones where they attack the reactants. Simplifying the chemical mechanism by removing the C2-containing species produces significant differences in the predicted results only for the inner rich premixed reaction zone.
Drift diffusion equations with fractional diffusion and the quasi-geostrophic equation

Motivated by the critical dissipative quasi-geostrophic equation, we prove that drift-diffusion equations with L 2 initial data and minimal assumptions on the drift are locally Holder continuous. As an application we show that solutions of the quasi-geostrophic equation with initial L 2 data and critical diffusion (-Δ) 1/2 are locally smooth for any space dimension.
Uncertainty analysis of reflectance colorimetry

The specification of the color of an object is important, sometimes crucially, to its acceptability for an intended application. When quantitative measurements are used to determine the color of an object, an uncertainty is required to satisfy the requirements of traceability. Determining the uncertainty of a color measurement has been a topic of interest for many years, and has received additional impetus with the publication of the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement , which describes methods for estimating uncertainties in a consistent manner. These methods are applied to the case of reflectance colorimetry, where many of the sources of uncertainty are caused by systematic effects and are therefore correlated. Analytical expressions are derived for the combined uncertainties in the quantitative expression of color due to both correlated and uncorrelated effects. The measurement equation is used to derive the uncertainties in reflectance factor from different sources, and to take correlations between signals at the same wavelength into account. The correlations between reflectance factors at different wavelengths are also included in the analysis. These concepts are illustrated by considering uncertainties from common sources for selected colored specimens.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prognostic significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Estrogen and progesterone receptor assays were analyzed from epithelial ovarian cancer in 123 patients to determine the prognostic significance of receptor results. In 110 (89%), assays were performed at diagnosis and in 13, assays were performed after previous therapy. Estrogen receptor determinations were positive (above 10 fmol/mg) in 75 cases (61%), progesterone receptor determinations were positive (above 3 fmol/mg) in 35 (28%), and both were positive in 20 (16%). Progesterone receptors were more frequently positive (53%) in tumors of endometrioid histology than with other histologic types (P = .01). Thirty-one subjects had a second assay; estrogen receptors were positive in 16 cases (52%), progesterone receptors were positive in five (17%), and both were positive in five (17%). Synchronous and metachronous assays were in agreement in 60-79% of the cases. By multivariate analysis, positive estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or both did not predict response to chemotherapy, negative second-look findings, or survival. Thirty-one women received hormonal therapy; one of 26 evaluable subjects had a partial response and four (13%) maintained stable disease for at least 6 months (6-21 months). Positive receptors did not predict hormonal response or disease stabilization.
A Time-Optimal Multiple Search Algorithm on Enhanced Meshes, with Applications

Given a sorted sequence A = a1, a2, ..., an of items from a totally ordered universe, along with an arbitrary sequence Q = q1, q2, ..., qm (1 ? m ? n) of queries, the multiple search problem involves computing for every qj (1 ? j ? m) the unique ai for which ai?1 ? qj < ai. In this paper we propose a time-optimal algorithm to solve the multiple search problem on meshes with multiple broadcasting. More specifically, on a formula] × formula] mesh with multiple broadcasting, our algorithm runs in formula] time which is shown to be time-optimal. We also present some surprising applications of the multiple search algorithm to computer graphics, image processing, robotics, and computational geometry.
Improved synthesis of racemic and optically active 4-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one

Abstract A simple and inexpensive synthetic route which affords S -(−)-4-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one ( 1a ) with high stereoselectivity and moderate enantioselectivity is reported. A key step in this procedure involves baker's yeast promoted reduction of 1α,4α,4aα,6,7,8aα-hexahydro-1,4-methano-naphthalene-5,8-dione ( 3 ), which affords optically active 8-hydroxy-1α,4α,4aα,8β,8aα-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5(1 H )-one ( 4a , 80% de, 67% ee) in 32% yield. The absolute configuration of the 3,5-dinitrobenzoate ester of 4a (i. e., 5a ) was established unequivocally via single crystal X-ray structural analysis.
Synthesis of N6-adenosine adducts expected from cyclopenta-ring activation of acenaphthylene and aceanthrylene

Abstract cis and trans Acenaphthen-1-amine-2-ol and trans aceanthren-1-amine-2-ol react with 2-chloropurine-9-β- D -ribofuranose to yield easily separable diastereomeric mixtures of N6-modified adenosine, corresponding to RNA adducts expected from the corresponding 1,2-oxides. These are the first examples of nucleoside adducts of cyclopentaPAH.
B physics – a theoretical review

Abstract This overview of what we can hope to learn from high-statistics experiments in B physics in the next few years includes (a) a review of parameters of the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) matrix; (b) direct determination of magnitudes of CKM elements; (c) forthcoming information from studies of kaons; (d) CP violation in B decays; (e) aspects of rate measurements; (f) the role of charm–anticharm annihilation; (g) remarks on tagging; and (h) effects beyond the standard model.
Optimization of Chemical Bath Deposited Cadmium Sulfide Thin Films

We report the optimization of CdS thin film grown by chemical bath deposition where homogenous reactions are minimized. The optimum parameters have enabled us to maximize the thickness of the deposited film in a single dip and to grow thicker films by periodically replenishing the concentration of reactants while the substrate remains continuously dipped in the reaction bath. Characterization results reveal the deposited CdS films exhibit improved optical and electrical properties.
testing theories with qualitative and quantitative predictions

Unlike theories in physics, social theories are usually tested by applying statistical hypothesis testing to observational data. This approach has more problems than commonly realised owing to false positives and model uncertainty, and it inhibits the development of social science. A better method to test a theory is by making definitive predictions that, if proved, strongly support the theory against alternative explanations.
The cosmic-ray electron spectrum in a disc-halo galactic model

Cosmic-ray electron spectrum in disk-halo galactic model, studying inconsistencies in Ramaty and Lingenfelter analysis
Endometrial adenocarcinoma histologic subtypes: clinical and pathologic profile.

Abstract All cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma treated at the Geisinger Medical Center from January 1970 to June 1980 were retrospectively reviewed in an attempt to elucidate the clinical and pathologic profiles of the various histologic subtypes. Complete clinical and pathologic data was available in 418 cases of stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma. The frequency of the histologic subtypes were adenocarcinoma 66%, adenoacanthoma 16%, adenosquamous 5%, papillary 8%, clear cell 3%, and secretory 2%. Absolute 5-year survival was adenocarcinoma 88%, adenoacanthoma 91%, adenosquamous 62%, papillary 63% ( P P P P P P
Schotten-Baumann acylation of N-debenzoyltaxol; an efficient route to N-acyl taxol analogues and their biological evaluation

Abstract An efficient route to N-acyl taxol analogues is described utilizing N-debenzoyltaxol ( 11 ). Acylation of 11 with various acid chlorides under Schotten-Baumann conditions led to a facile one step synthesis of several N-acyl taxol analogues from a common intermediate.
The common external tariff of a customs union: Alternative approaches

Abstract The most prominent exception to the cardinal ‘most favoured nation’ principle of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1947 is in its Article XXIV relating to Customs Unions (CUs) and Free Trade Areas (FTAs). This article required, first, the general incidence of the duties and regulations of commerce imposed by members of the CU with respect to trade with non-members shall not on the whole be higher or more restrictive than those that were applicable prior to the formation of CU or FTA, and, second, that substantially all the trade among members be free. Neither requirement was very operational, because the phrases ‘general incidence’ and ‘substantially all’ being difficult legal concepts to apply. The agreement of 1994 establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) has made ‘general incidence’ precise by defining it import-weighted average of height of barriers but without offering any rationale for the definition. Now that preferential trading arrangements such as FTAs are proliferating, reform of Article XXIV is of importance. This paper describes alternative approaches to the central question of common external tariffs of a CU. Taking off from the work of Kemp and Wan who showed the existence of a common external tariff of CU that keeps the welfare of non-members unchanged while revising that of the CU as compared to the situation prior to the formation of CU, it characterizes such a tariff structure for two leading benchmark examples as consumption-weighted average of pre-union tariffs and subsidies in the member countries.
Parametric identification of nonlinear structural dynamic systems using time finite element method

The time finite element method (TFM) is employed for parametric identification of nonlinear structural dynamic systems. An advantage of TFM is the ease with which one can calculate the sensitivity of the transient response with respect to various design parameters, a key requirement for gradient-based parameter identification schemes. The method is simple, because one obtains the sensitivities of the response to system parameters by differentiating the algebraic equations, not original differential equations. These sensitivities are used in the Levenberg-Marquardt iterative direct method to identify parameters for nonlinear single- and two-degree-of-freedom systems. The measured response was simulated by integrating the example nonlinear systems using the given values of the system parameters. The accuracy and the efficiency of the present method are compared to a previously available approach that employs a multistep method to integrate nonlinear differential equations. It is seen, for the same accuracy, that the present approach requires fewer data points.
Multiple organ failure in patients with thermal injury.

Objective To assess the frequency and significance of multiple organ failure in patients with burn injuries. Design Retrospective review and prospective assessment of patients with acute burns. Setting University hospital burn center. Patients and methods We reviewed 529 patients admitted for acute burn treatment whose lengths of stay exceeded 72 hrs. A new scoring system, the Thermal Injury Organ Failure Score, was used to assign scores from 0 (normal) to 6 (severe dysfunction) to each of 6 organ systems, which were then totaled to compile the overall score. This system was also used for prospective assessment of 83 adult burn patients, and compared with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring system during the first week of treatment. Interventions None. Measurements and main results For 496 survivors, mean organ failure score was 3.28, compared with 23.1 in 33 nonsurvivors (p or = 15, indicating dysfunction of at least three organs. Scores and mortality rate increased with age and burn size. Pulmonary dysfunction was the most frequent form of organ failure seen, but correlated less with outcome than did cardiovascular or neurologic scores. Sepsis was present in 22 of 33 patients who died. In the prospective study, organ failure scores correlated with outcome more closely than did APACHE II scores. Weekly evaluation of these patients demonstrated progressive divergence in scores between survivors and nonsurvivors. Conclusions Multiple organ failure was almost invariably present in burn patients who died > 72 hrs after injury. Burn victims, who have been excluded from reviews of multiple organ failure, appear to manifest organ failure in a manner similar to that of other surgical populations. The scoring system reported here may prove useful in evaluating organ failure in thermally injured patients.
A novel role for an APC2-Diaphanous complex in regulating actin organization in Drosophila

The rearrangement of cytoskeletal elements is essential for many cellular processes. The tumor suppressor Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) affects the function of microtubules and actin, but the mechanisms by which it does so are not well understood. Here we report that Drosophila syncytial embryos null for Apc2 display defects in the formation and extension of pseudocleavage furrows, which are cortical actin structures important for mitotic fidelity in early embryos. Furthermore, we show that the formin Diaphanous (DIA) functions with APC2 in this process. Colocalization of APC2 and DIA peaks during furrow extension, and localization of APC2 to furrows is DIA-dependent. Furthermore, APC2 binds DIA directly through a region of APC2 not previously shown to interact with DIA-related formins. Consistent with these results, reduction of dia enhances actin defects in Apc2 mutant embryos. Thus, an APC2-DIA complex appears crucial for actin furrow extension in the syncytial embryo. Interestingly, EB1, a microtubule +TIP and reported partner of vertebrate APC and DIA1, may not function with APC2 and DIA in furrow extension. Finally, whereas DIA-related formins are activated by Rho family GTPases, our data suggest that the APC2-DIA complex might be independent of RHOGEF2 and RHO1. Furthermore, although microtubules play a role in furrow extension, our analysis suggests that APC2 and DIA function in a novel complex that affects actin directly, rather than through an effect on microtubules.
The chirped-pulse free electron laser

Abstract Pulsed free electron lasers in which there is a dependence of the electron energy on the time of injection into the wiggler are expected to produce wide-bandwidth but coherent chirped optical pulses with unique characteristics. Such pulses could be converted in a dispersive medium into very short, high intensity pulses. The chirped pulses also have other potential applications. Chirping should produce enhanced efficiency in the high-power trapped-particle regime. Combining chirping with wiggler tapering may also lead to a new type of electron accelerator in which energy is transferred from slower electrons to faster electrons via the laser field.
Morphological Classification of Galaxies by Shapelet Decomposition in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We describe application of the "shapelet" linear decomposition of galaxy images to morphological classification using images of ~3000 galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. After decomposing the galaxies, we perform a principal component analysis to reduce the number of dimensions of the shapelet space to nine. We find that each of these nine principal components contains unique morphological information and give a description of each principal component's contribution to a galaxy's morphology. We find that galaxies of differing Hubble type separate cleanly in the shapelet space. We apply a Gaussian mixture model to the nine-dimensional space spanned by the principal components and use the results as a basis for classification. Using the mixture model, we separate galaxies into seven classes and give a description of each class' physical and morphological properties. We find that several of the mixture model classes correlate well with the traditional Hubble types both in their morphology and their physical parameters (e.g., color, velocity dispersions, etc.). In addition, we find an additional class of late-type morphology but with high velocity dispersions and very blue color; most of these galaxies exhibit poststarburst activity. This method provides an objective and quantitative alternative to traditional and subjective visual classification.
Anaphylactoid reactions with oral use of ampicillin.

Anaphylaxis is uncommon following the oral administration of penicillin, 1 and to our knowledge, only one such reaction following therapy with ampicillin sodium given orally has been reported. 2 Recently on our medical service, two patients with bronchogenic carcinoma experienced typical anaphylactoid shock following a single oral dose of ampicillin. A survey of all patients with bronchogenic carcinoma admitted between July 1967, and July 1968 revealed no increase in drug hypersensitivity reactions in patients receiving penicillin therapy procaine penicillin G, given parenterally, and phenoxymethyl penicillin, given orally, however, three of 31 patients receiving ampicillin manifested drug allergy. Patient Summaries Patient 1. —A 52-year-old white man was referred for evaluation of diabetes insipidus. He related a history of polydipsia, polyuria, dyspnea on exertion, and weight loss of three months' duration. Previous penicillin therapy had been uneventful. Physical examination was normal, except for coarse, sticky rales at both lung bases and clubbing
Synthesis of Submicrometer Titanium Carbide Powders

A novel synthesis process, based on a carbothermal reduction of titania, has been developed for producing high–purity, submicrometer, and nonagglomerated titanium carbide powders. The process utilizes a carbothermic reduction reaction of novel coated precursor powders that has potential as a high–quality (submicrometer and high–purity) powder synthesis route. The precursor is derived from a titania (TiO2) and a hydrocarbon (C3H6) gas and provides high contact area between the reactants. This yields a better distribution of carbon within the titania and inhibits the agglomeration among the titania particles, resulting in a more complete reaction and a purer product at a comparatively low temperature. The TiC powders produced at 1550°C for 4 h under argon gas flow have oxygen content of 0.6 wt% and total carbon content of 22.9 wt%, a very fine particle size (,0.1μm) (surface area of about 20 m2/g), uniform shape, and loose agglomeration.
Induced Operators in QCD

Light-cone quantization always involves the solution of differential constraint equations. The solutions to these equations include integration constants (fields independent ofx−). These fields are unphysical but when they are consistently removed from the dynamics, additional operators (induced operators), which would not be present if the integration constants were simply set to zero, are included in the dynamics. These induced operators can be taken to act in the usual light-cone subspace, for instance, the space used for DLCQ. Here, I shall give a derivation of two such operators. The operators are derived starting from the QCD Lagrangian but the derivation involves some guesses. The operators will provide for the linear growth of the pion mass squared with the quark bare mass and for the splitting of the pi and the rho at zero quark mass.
Regulatory competition and the global coordination of labor standards

This paper develops a framework for analyzing regulatory competition in labor standards. Labor standards are categorized into 'rule-types', and it is shown that different rule-types are affected differently by interjurisdictional competition for trade or investment. In particular, 'purely efficient' rules are likely to be unaffected by interjurisdictional competition, while interjurisdictional competition may exert substantial pressure on rules with distributive impacts. The paper then turns to the political implications of this analysis. Conceptions of 'rights' are largely inapt to the analysis of interjurisdictional competition; but democratic theory, as well as a commitment to global equity, may call for the development of trans-national institutions which would coordinate the setting of labor standards in order to mitigate the effects of interjurisdictional competition. The paper concludes by identifying problems in the design of these trans-national labor institutions.
Decision Processes in the Adaptive Behavior of Human Controllers

A decision algorithm which simulates the rapid adaptive behavior of human controllers following sudden changes in plant dynamics is developed. The control of a VTOL aircraft in hover following failure of the stability augmentation system is used as a specific example. The decision algorithm is based on the assumption that the human controller recognizes certain pattern features in the error/error-rate phase plane. Experimental data, obtained from pilots facing four possible alternatives following the time of failure, are presented. The proposed decision algorithm is developed, and digital simulation results are discussed. A theoretical justification for the algorithm, based on statistical decision theory, is presented in the Appendix.
A Simulation Estimator for Dynamic Models of Discrete Choice

This paper analyses a new estimator for the structural parameters of dynamic models of discrete choice. Based on an inversion theorem due to Hotz and Miller (1993), which establishes the existence of a one-to-one mapping between the conditional valuation functions for the dynamic problem and their associated conditional choice probabilities, we exploit simulation techniques to estimate models which do not possess terminal states. In this way our Conditional Choice Simulation (CCS) estimator complements the Conditional Choice Probability (CCP) estimator of Hotz and Miller (1993). Drawing on work in empirical process theory by Pakes and Pollard (1989), we establish its large sample properties, and then conduct a Monte Carlo study of Rust's (1987) model of bus engine replacement to compare its small sample properties with those of Maximum Likelihood (ML).
Self-enforcing employment contracts and business cycle fluctuations ☆

Abstract This paper incorporates risk-sharing employment contracts into an economy in which matching frictions characterize the labour market and in which agents cannot commit. In equilibrium, the terms of ongoing contracts are affected by those being negotiated in the job market because contracts must be self-enforcing. In this context, risk-sharing implies that hours worked and wages are negatively related, while enforcement considerations imply the converse. Overall, the sign of this relationship is ambiguous. Therefore, the existence of such contracts may explain why movements in hours worked appear weakly related to those in real wages in U.S. aggregate data.
An algorithmic Littlewood-Richardson rule

We introduce a Littlewood-Richardson rule based on an algorithmic deformation of skew Young diagrams and present a bijection with the classical rule. The result is a direct combinatorial interpretation and proof of the geometric rule presented by Coskun (2000). We also present a corollary regarding the Specht modules of the intermediate diagrams.
Memory cost vs. coding efficiency trade-offs for HEVC motion estimation engine

This paper presents a comparison between various High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) motion estimation configurations in terms of coding efficiency and memory cost in hardware. An HEVC motion estimation hardware model that is suitable to implement HEVC reference software (HM) search algorithm is created and memory area and data bandwidth requirements are calculated based on this model. 11 different motion estimation configurations are considered. Supporting smaller block sizes is shown to impose significant memory cost in hardware although the coding gain achieved through supporting them is relatively smaller. Hence, depending on target encoder specifications, the decision can be made not to support certain block sizes. Specifically, supporting only 64x64, 32x32 and 16x16 block sizes provide 3.2X on-chip memory area, 26X on-chip bandwidth and 12.5X off-chip bandwidth savings at the expense of 12% bit-rate increase when compared to the anchor configuration supporting all block sizes.
Multi-crease Self-folding by Uniform Heating

This paper presents a self-folding method for multi-crease structures. The proposed method utilizes the symmetric breaking of a 3-layered two-dimensional sheet, where an inner contraction sheet induces shear force when heated, which directs the inclined folding direction. The fabrication technique developed enables distant placements of tiling patterns of the surfaces. The experimental result shows that by applying uniform heat, a feature with 62 folds can be simultaneously folded, an advantage over manual folding. The method presented is a new instant fabrication technique for making semi-rigid structures.
Managing a 401(k) Account: An Experiment on Asset Allocation

This paper reports the results of a behavioral finance experiment on asset allocation. Subjects managed a portfolio and made repeated asset allocations to stocks, bonds, and cash. The task was designed to be similar to what a typical investor would face in managing a 401(k) account for twenty years. The primary manipulation in the experiment was the introduction of portfolio future value projections. The results indicate that subjects who receive future value projections create portfolios with higher allocations to stocks and higher portfolio expected return, and allocations to stocks tends to increase with age. In the aggregate subjects do reasonably well in creating efficient portfolios. The results have implications for reducing myopic loss aversion and for the efficient financial engineering of defined contribution accounts.
Quantification of 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine from the blood of cancer patients by an enzyme-based immunoassay.

Abstract Background Genome-wide aberrations of the classic epigenetic modification 5-methylcytosine (5mC), considered the hallmark of gene silencing, has been implicated to play a pivotal role in mediating carcinogenic transformation of healthy cells. Recently, three epigenetic marks derived from enzymatic oxidization of 5mC namely 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC), have been discovered in the mammalian genome. Growing evidence suggests that these novel bases possess unique regulatory functions and may play critical roles in carcinogenesis. Methods To provide a quantitative basis for these rare epigenetic marks, we have designed a biotin–avidin mediated enzyme-based immunoassay (EIA) and evaluated its performance in genomic DNA isolated from blood of patients diagnosed with metastatic forms of lung, pancreatic and bladder cancer, as well as healthy controls. The proposed EIA incorporates spatially optimized biotinylated antibody and a high degree of horseradish-peroxidase (HRP) labeled streptavidin, facilitating signal amplification and sensitive detection. Results We report that the percentages of 5mC, 5hmC and 5caC present in the genomic DNA of blood in healthy controls as 1.025 ± 0.081, 0.023 ± 0.006 and 0.001 ± 0.0002, respectively. We observed a significant ( p Conclusion The precise biological roles of these epigenetic modifications in cancers are still unknown but in the past two years it has become evident that the global 5hmC content is drastically reduced in a variety of cancers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of decreased 5hmC content in the blood of metastatic lung cancer patients and the clinical utility of this observation needs to be further validated in larger sample datasets.
Stochastic spectral methods for efficient Bayesian solution of inverse problems

We present a reformulation of the Bayesian approach to inverse problems, that seeks to accelerate Bayesian inference by using polynomial chaos (PC) expansions to represent random variables. Evaluation of integrals over the unknown parameter space is recast, more efficiently, as Monte Carlo sampling of the random variables underlying the PC expansion. We evaluate the utility of this technique on a transient diffusion problem arising in contaminant source inversion. The accuracy of posterior estimates is examined with respect to the order of the PC representation, the choice of PC basis, and the decomposition of the support of the prior. The computational cost of the new scheme shows significant gains over direct sampling.
An Automatic Method for Determination of Lg Arrival Times Using Wavelet Transforms

The regional phase Lg is often used to estimate location and magnitude for sources closer than 1,500 km. The complexity of Lg waveforms makes it difficult to determine consistently a unique Lg arrival time, thus affecting source location with a single station or array. This study tests an automatic method for timing Lg arrivals once the phase is roughly associated by analyst or using automatic detection algorithms. We used wavelet transforms to decompose the Lg signal into its components localized both in time and scale. A continuous wavelet transform (CWT) using a Daubechies order two (db2) wavelet is applied to 10 seconds of raw data containing the start of Lg . The coefficients at scale 16 from the db2 decomposition are squared and the resulting time series is represented by an approximation of the fourth-level discrete wavelet transform (DWT) using a Haar wavelet. A threshold detector is then applied to the resulting time series to determine the Lg arrival time. The method was tested using well located earthquakes and explosions from known mines ( mb < 4.0), recorded on the vertical components at TXAR (Lajitas, Texas) and PDAR (Pinedale, Wyoming) arrays. The Lg arrival time was automatically picked with a standard deviation of less than 1.5 seconds (less than 10 km location error) for well known locations. Location standard deviation is larger with the increase of distance and smaller with the increase in signal to noise ratio of events.
Effect of cationic contaminants on polymer electrolyte fuel cell performance

Abstract The effect of cationic contaminants on polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) performance is investigated via in-situ injection of dilute cationic salt solutions. Four foreign cations (K + , Ba 2+ , Ca 2+ , Al 3+ ) are chosen as contaminants in this study due to their prevalence and chemical structure (e.g. valence), however contaminants that have already received extensive coverage in the literature like sodium and iron are excluded. It is found that the cells with Ba(ClO 4 ) 2 and Ca(ClO 4 ) 2 injection exhibit little cell performance change during the current hold test, and the cells with Al(ClO 4 ) 3 and KClO 4 injection show larger cell performance changes, i.e. decreasing cell voltage and increasing cell resistance. These cells with in-situ contaminant injection have a tendency to recover a portion of the lost performance after the recovery test when switched back to supersaturated air. The degradation in cell performance with the presence of cationic contaminants is mainly due, in addition to the membrane resistance increase associated with replacing protons on the sulfonate groups, to the increase in mass transport resistance and decrease in electrochemical surface area.
Large eddy simulation of the turbulent flow past a backward-facing step with heat transfer and property variations

Abstract The heat transfer and fluid mechanics of a turbulent separating and reattaching flow past a backward-facing step are studied using large eddy simulation. A fully coupled, collocated-grid, low-Mach number preconditioned, compressible formulation employing central differences was developed to conduct the simulations. A sixth order compact filter was used to prevent pressure–velocity decoupling. A dynamic sub-grid scale procedure employing the compressible version of the Smagorinsky model has been used to capture the effects of the small scales. The isothermal turbulent flow past the step, at a Reynolds number of 5540 (based on the step height and upstream centerline velocity) and a Mach number of 0.006, was simulated to validate the formulation. Subsequently, the bottom wall downstream of the step was supplied with a uniform wall heat flux; three simulations with increasing heat flux levels were conducted. The viscous sub-layer played a critical role in controlling the heat transfer rate. Streamwise and wall-normal turbulent heat fluxes were of the same order of magnitude. The Reynolds analogy did not hold in the recirculation region. However, the Stanton number profiles showed a striking similarity with the fluctuating skin-friction profiles.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-(Hydroxyalkyl)estradiols and related compounds

A series of synthetic estrogens containing hydroxyalkyl side chains at the C-4 position of the A ring were designed as metabolically stable analogs of 4-hydroxyestradiol, a catechol estrogen. These synthetic steroids would facilitate investigations on the potential biological role of catechol estrogens and also enable further examination of the structural and electronic constraints on the A ring in the interaction of estrogens with the estrogen receptor. Catechol estrogens are implicated as possible causative agents in estrogen-induced tumorigenesis. 4-Hydroxyestradiol has weaker affinity for the estrogen receptor and exhibits lower estrogenic activity in vivo; on the other hand, the catechol estrogens are prone to further oxidative metabolism and can form reactive intermediates. This report describes the synthesis and initial biochemical evaluation of 4-(hydroxyalkyl)estrogens and 4-(aminoalkyl)estradiols. The 4-(hydroxyalkyl)estrogens were prepared by oxidative hydroboration of 4-alkenylestradiols. The ...
Numerical study of cosmic censorship in string theory

Recently Hertog, Horowitz, and Maeda have argued that cosmic censorship can be generically violated in string theory in anti-de Sitter spacetime by considering a collapsing bubble of a scalar field whose mass saturates the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound. We study this system numerically and find that for various choices of initial data black holes form rather than naked singularities, implying that in these cases cosmic censorship is upheld.
Effects of Security Measures: Deterrent versus Diversion

We consider the effects of increasing or decreasing the security expenditures of possible targets (i.e., the possible victims). The conventional wisdom has been that the higher the security expenditure, the lower the crime rate. We study how the change of security expenditures affects the costs of the targets. The problem is formulated as a game-theoretic setting. Both single-act and multiple-act games will be considered. The results will be compared with the conventional wisdom.
THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST STARS. II. RADIATIVE FEEDBACK PROCESSES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE INITIAL MASS FUNCTION

We consider the radiative feedback processes that operate during the formation of the first stars. (1) Photodissociation of H2 in the local dark matter minihalo occurs early in the growth of the protostar but does not affect subsequent accretion. (2) Lyα radiation pressure acting at the boundary of the H II region that the protostar creates in the accreting envelope reverses infall in the polar directions when the star reaches ~20-30 M☉ but cannot prevent infall from other directions. (3) Expansion of the H II region beyond the gravitational escape radius for ionized gas occurs at masses ~50-100 M☉. However, accretion from the equatorial regions can continue since the neutral accretion disk shields a substantial fraction of the accretion envelope from direct ionizing flux. (4) At higher stellar masses, ~140 M☉ in the fiducial case, photoevaporation-driven mass loss from the disk, together with declining accretion rates, halts the increase in the protostellar mass. We identify this process as the mechanism that determines the mass of Population III.1 stars (i.e., stars with primordial composition that have not been affected by prior star formation). The initial mass function of these stars is set by the distribution of entropy and angular momentum. The Appendix gives approximate solutions to a number of problems relevant to the formation of the first stars: the effect of Rayleigh scattering on line profiles in media of very large optical depth, the intensity of Lyα radiation in very opaque media, radiative acceleration in terms of the gradient of a modified radiation pressure, the flux of radiation in a shell with an arbitrary distribution of opacity, and the vertical structure of an accretion disk supported by gas pressure with constant opacity.
Exit pupil patterns from optical disks

The modulation of the irradiance in the exit pupil of an optical data storage scanning system is described by analyzing the behavior of scan-dependent interference fringes. These fringes are grouped into three independent irradiance components. The variation of the exit pupil irradiance pattern as a function of groove depth is discussed.
The Mistaken Improver Problem

Abstract The mistaken improver problem occurs when an individual improves a piece of land owned by another. This paper derives the condition under which a potential improver should invest in a costly survey to determine ownership prior to making irreversible investments. It then examines whether legal remedies available to owners and improvers can be structured to induce improvers to make the efficient survey decision. The paper concludes by showing that the efficient remedies do not create an incentive for improvers to make “intentional” mistakes in an effort to “bypass” the market.
Synthesis and Evaluation of an O-Aminated Naphthol AS-E as a Prodrug of CREB-mediated Gene Transcription Inhibition

An O-aminated naphthol AS-E was designed as a prodrug to achieve reductive activation and improved aqueous solubility. During the synthesis of this designed compound, a novel transformation from aryl triflates and ethyl acetohydroximate to oxazoles was discovered. Although the initially designed O-amino naphthol AS-E was not made successfully, the eventually synthesized O-tert-butylamino derivative was found to be biologically inactive, suggesting that reductive N-O cleavage in this compound was not facile due to unfavorable steric and electronic effects.
Chandra Observations of Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries and Diffuse Gas in the Early-Type Galaxies NGC 4365 and NGC 4382 (M85)

We used the Chandra X-Ray Observatory ACIS-S3 to image the X-ray-faint elliptical galaxy NGC 4365 and lenticular galaxy NGC 4382. The observations resolve much of the X-ray emission into 99 and 58 sources, respectively, most of which are low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) associated with each of the galaxies. Within one effective radius of NGC 4365, about 45% of the counts are resolved into sources, 30% are attributed to unresolved LMXBs, and 25% are attributed to diffuse gas. Within two effective radii of NGC 4382, about 22% of the counts are resolved into sources, 33% are attributed to unresolved LMXBs, and 45% are attributed to diffuse gas. We identify 18 out of the 37 X-ray sources in a central field in NGC 4365 with globular clusters. The luminosity functions of the resolved sources for both galaxies are best fitted with cutoff power laws whose cutoff luminosity is ≈(0.9-3.1) × 1039 ergs s-1. These luminosities are much larger than those previously measured for similar galaxies; we do not find evidence for a break in the luminosity function at the Eddington luminosity of a 1.4 M☉ neutron star. The spatial distributions of the resolved sources for both galaxies are broader than the distribution of optical stars. In both galaxies, a hard power-law model fits the summed spectrum of all of the sources. The unresolved emission is best fitted by the sum of a soft MEKAL model, representing emission from diffuse gas, and a hard power law, presumed to be from unresolved LMXBs. There is some evidence that the temperature of the diffuse gas increases with increasing radius. A standard beta model fits the radial distribution of the diffuse gas in both galaxies. In the elliptical galaxy NGC 4365, the best-fit core radius is very small, while the S0 galaxy NGC 4382 has a larger core radius. This may indicate that the gas in NGC 4382 is rotating significantly.
Semantics of probabilistic programs

Abstract This paper presents two complementary but equivalent semantics for a high level probabilistic programming language. One of these interprets programs as partial measurable functions on a measurable space. The other interprets programs as continuous linear operators on a Banach space of measures. It is shown how the ordered domains of Scott and others are embedded naturally into these spaces. We use the semantics to prove a general result about probabilistic programs, namely, that a program's behavior is completely determined by its action on fixed inputs.
The DSS development system

As decision support systems become more commonplace, the demand for automatic and semiautomatic DSS development systems increases proportionately. Such systems provide a set of tools that guide the construction of models in response to a user's query. This paper describes a set of such tools that provide capabilities for analysis, design, module management, and report and graphics generation.
Intramolecular formal iron-catalyzed ene reactions: new and highly stereoselective iron-catalyzed carbocyclizations of triene ethers

Etude de la cyclisation du benzyloxy-1 decatriene-2,7,9 et de son derive methyle en 4 en presence de bpy Fe(0) en tant que catalyseur (bpy=bipyridyle-2,2')
Turbulence Model Effects on Cold-Gas Lateral Jet Interaction in a Supersonic Crossflow

Computational fluid dynamic predictions of surface pressures resulting from a sonic lateral jet venting into a supersonic crossflow from a cone–cylinder–flare missile are compared to archival wind-tunnel data. Predictions of axial and azimuthal pressure profiles were found to be very dependent on the turbulence model, with some models performing relatively poorly. Menter’s baseline model gave very good to excellent predictions and was used to perform additional validations of other flow conditions, jet nozzle configurations, and jet pressure ratios: again with excellent agreement. The study found that, even with the observed variations in surface pressure, the aerodynamic forces and moments produced by the lateral jet interaction were much less sensitive to the turbulence model. However, an estimate of the trajectory and strength of the counter-rotating vortex pair showed that, although there was little effect of the turbulence model on the location of the vortex pair, the induced vorticity varied by over...