cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol inhibits the activation of NAD-linked dehydrogenases by calcium in brain and heart mitochondria

Abstract The effect of ethanol on the Ca 2+ -dependent activation of mitochondrial dehydrogenases in rat brain and heart mitochondria was investigated. ADP-stimulated respiration of isolated brain and heart mitochondria (state 3) was stimulated further by submicromolar concentrations of free calcium when respiring on non-saturating concentrations of NAD-linked substrates. The stimulation of oxidative phosphorylation by Ca 2+ was correlated with an increase of the mitochondrial matrix free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] m ), as measured by fura-2, and with an increased reduction of the mitochondrial NAD)P) pool, indicating an activation of Ca 2+ -dependent dehydrogenases. Sodium inhibited Ca 2+ -dependent stimulation of state 3 respiration and NAD(P) reduction as a result of stimulation of Ca 2+ efflux through the Na + /Ca 2+ antiporter which reduced the steady-state value of [Ca 2+ ] m . Ethanol stimulated the Na + /Ca 2+ antiporter both in brain and heart mitochondria. As a result of this stimulation, ethanol, at pharmacological concentrations (50–300 mM), enhanced the sodium-dependent reduction of [Ca 2+ ] m , and thus attenuated the activation of NAD-linked dehydrogenases and the stimulation of oxidative phosphorylation, by submicromolar concentrations of Ca 2+ , both in brain and heart mitochondria. This pharmacological effect of ethanol, on brain and heart mitochondria, may be responsible, in part, for the acute and chronic effects of ethanol on brain and heart function and metabolism.
Cloning, expression, and characterization of the gsdA gene encoding thermophilic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Aquifex aeolicus.

The gsdA gene of the extreme thermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus, encoding glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), was cloned into a high-expression vector and overexpressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Here we report the characterization of this recombinant thermostable G6PDH. G6PDH was purified to homogeneity by heat precipitation followed by immobilized metal affinity chromatography on a nickel-chelate column. The data obtained indicate that the enzyme is a homodimer with a subunit molecular weight of 55 kDa. G6PDH followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics with a KM of 63 µM for glucose-6-phosphate at 70°C with NADP as the cofactor. The enzyme exhibited dual coenzyme specificity, although it showed a preference in terms of kcat/KM of 20.4-fold for NADP over NAD at 40°C and 5.7-fold at 70°C. The enzyme showed optimum catalytic activity at 90°C. Modeling of the dimer interface suggested the presence of cysteine residues that may form disulfide bonds between the two subunits, thereby preserving the oligomeric integrity of the enzyme. Interestingly, addition of dithiothreitol or mercaptoethanol did not affect the activity of the enzyme. With a half-life of 24 h at 90°C and 12 h at 100°C, this is the most thermostable G6PDH described.
Operations research: A two-stage semantic process

Operations Research is, first, a linguistic decision-making process, and, second, a linguistic operational process. 1 a) The first step in the decision-making process is the analysis of the problematical state of affairs. To analyze the undesirable status quo, it is necessary to understand how it got that way. The analysis takes the form, therefore, of a causal relationship: bona fide in the exact sciences, imputed in the behaviorial sciences. 1 b) The next step in the decision-making process is the development of a means-end hypothesis that is calculated to reach a goal-state. Where human beings are involved, the means-end hypothesis cannot be verified either before or after the fact. 2) The use of words by which to effect operations that are calculated to reach a goal-state may be referred to as a feedback loop that creates and controls change in the interest of a predetermined purpose. If Operations Research is a refined decision-making process, and, if the operational process rests on a linguistic model, Operations Research should provide built-in corrective measures to invest performance with uncertainty tolerance.
Recirculating linacs for a neutrino factory—Arc optics design and optimization

A conceptual lattice design for a muon accelerator based on recirculating linacs (Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A 472 (2001) 499, these proceedings) is presented here. The challenge of accelerating and transporting a large phase space of short-lived muons is answered here by presenting a proof-of-principle lattice design for a recirculating linac accelerator. It is the centerpiece of a chain of accelerators consisting of a 3 GeV linac and two consecutive recirculating linear accelerators, which facilitates acceleration starting after ionization cooling at 190 MeV/c and proceeding to 50 GeV. Beam transport issues for large-momentum-spread beams are accommodated by appropriate lattice design choices. The resulting arc optics is further optimized with a sextupole correction to suppress chromatic effects contributing to the emittance dilution. The presented proof-of-principle design of the arc optics with horizontal separation of multi-pass beams can be extended to all passes in both recirculating linacs.
Treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia: the long road to imatinib

The scientists of today have become accustomed to the extremely rapid pace of progress in the biomedical sciences spurred on by the discovery of recombinant DNA and the advent of automated DNA sequencing and PCR, with progress usually being measured in months or years at most. What is often forgotten, however, are the many prior advances that were needed to reach our present state of knowledge. Here I illustrate this by discussing the scientific discoveries made over the course of the past century and a half that ultimately led to the recent successful development of drugs, particularly imatinib mesylate, to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia.
An ILP solution to address code generation for embedded applications on digital signal processors

Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are a family of embedded processors designed under tight memory, area, and cost constraints. Many DSPs use irregular addressing modes where base-plus-offset mode is not supported. However, they often have Address Generation Units (AGUs) that can perform auto-increment/decrement address arithmetic instructions in parallel with Load/Store instructions. This feature can be utilized to reduce the number of explicit address arithmetic instructions and thus reduce the embedded application code size. This code size reduction is essential for this family of DSP as the code usually resides in the ROM and hence the code size directly translates into silicon area. An effective technique for optimized code generation is offset assignment. This is a well-used technique in the literature to decrease the code size by finding an offset assignment that can effectively utilize auto-increment/decrement. This problem is known as simple offset assignment when there is only one address register and as General Offset Assignment (GOA) for multiple available address registers. In this article, we present an optimal Integer Linear Programming (ILP) solution to the offset assignment problem with variable coalescing where more than one variable can share the same memory location. Variable permutation is also formulated to find the best access sequence to achieve the best offset assignment that decreases the code size the most. Experimental results on several benchmarks show the effectiveness of our variable permutation technique as well as the large improvement from the ILP-based solutions compared to heuristics.
Tests of dual process theory: Word priming and recognition

Dual process theory postulates two representational processes: Activation of a representation makes the mental event more easily and automatically accessible. Elaboration of a mental event produces access to the representation through search and retrieval processes. We explored word priming in recognition and in a stem completion task where the primed word was one of several possible completions for a 3-letter stem. The main hypothesis was that priming has similar and parallel effects in the two tasks. The initial presentation (priming) of items was under conditions of either semantic or non-semantic processing. Priming was either direct, by the presentation of the target word, or indirect, by the presentation of phonologically related (rhyming) or semantically related (categorical) items. When priming occurred, RTs increased from direct to phonologically primed and to semantically primed items for both completion and recognition tests. One additional experiment confirmed the absence of semantic processin...
A Century of Revolution. Insurgent and Counterinsurgent Violence during Latin America's Long Cold War

Greg Grandin and Gilbert M. Joseph (eds). A Century of Revolution. Insurgent and Counterinsurgent Violence during Latin America's Long Cold War. Durham: Duke University Press, 2011. Pp. 443.While t...
Literature-related discovery (LRD): Potential treatments for cataracts

Abstract Literature-related discovery (LRD) is the linking of two or more literature concepts that have heretofore not been linked (i.e., disjoint), in order to produce novel, interesting, plausible, and intelligible knowledge (i.e., potential discovery). The open discovery systems (ODS) component of LRD starts with a problem to be solved, and generates solutions to that problem through potential discovery. We have been using ODS LRD to identify potential treatments or preventative actions for challenging medical problems, among myriad other applications. This paper describes the second medical problem we addressed (cataract) using ODS LRD; the first problem addressed was Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP), and was described in the third paper of this Special Issue. Cataract was selected because it is ubiquitous globally, appears intractable to all forms of treatment other than surgical removal of cataracts, and is a major cause of blindness in many developing countries. The ODS LRD study had three objectives: a) identify non-drug non-surgical treatments that would 1) help prevent cataracts, or 2) reduce the progression rate of cataracts, or 3) stop the progression of cataracts, or 4) maybe even reverse the progression of cataracts; b) demonstrate that we could solve an ODS LRD problem with no prior knowledge of any results or prior work (unlike the case with the RP problem); c) determine whether large time savings in the discovery process were possible relative to the time required for conducting the RP study. To that end, we used the MeSH taxonomy of MEDLINE to restrict potential discoveries to selected semantic classes, as a substitute for the manually-intensive process used in the RP study to restrict potential discoveries to selected semantic classes. We also used additional semantic filtering to identify potential discovery within the selected semantic classes. All these goals were achieved. As will be shown, we generated large amounts of potential discovery in more than an order of magnitude less time than required for the RP study. We identified many non-drug non-surgical treatments that may be able to reduce or even stop the progression rate of cataracts. Time, and much testing, will determine whether this is possible. Finally, the methodology has been developed to the point where ODS LRD problems can be solved with no results or knowledge of any prior work.
Geologic control of Sr and major element chemistry in Himalayan Rivers, Nepal

Our study of the Seti River in far western Nepal shows that the solute chemistry of the river and its tributaries is strongly controlled by geology. The Seti flows through four distinct terranes, starting with the Tethyan sedimentary series (TSS) and Greater Himalayan series (GHS). TSS/GHS waters display 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of ,0.73 and high Sr and Ca, consistent with the composition of limestone and marble common in these terranes. The 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio and Mg increase markedly as the river passes into the Lesser Himalayan series (LHS), where tributaries have 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios from 0.75 to 1.02 and high Sr, Ca, and Mg. The high Mg in LHS waters correlate with high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios, which we attribute to weathering of highly radiogenic (0.71- 0.82) dolostones. Tributaries to the Seti River draining the largely carbonate-free Dadeldhura thrust sheet (DTS) have ratios near 0.74, but low Sr, Ca, and Mg and therefore have little impact on Seti mainstem chemistry. Mass balance calculations and CaMg-weathering indices show that carbonate weathering accounts for .70% of total dissolved solids to the Seti River. Sr/Ca ratios of river waters provide a minimum estimate of the %-carbonate weathering contribution to Sr, due to partitioning of Sr and Ca during incongruent dissolution and reprecipitation of calcite. Overall, we attribute high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios in the Seti River and its tributaries to the weathering of metacarbonates (especially dolostones in the upper Nawakhot Group) which have exchanged Sr with silicates during metamorphism. Our modeling of Sr fluxes in the Seti River indicates that the TSS/GHS accounts for 36 -39% of the Sr, the LHS for 40 -53%, and 8 -23% for the DTS. Prior to exposure of LHS rocks at ;12 Ma, TSS and GHS carbonates with low 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios dominated Himalayan rivers. We attribute the elevated 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of Himalayan paleorivers during the late Miocene and Pliocene to exposure and weathering of LHS metacarbonates. Copyright © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd
Small Solute Clearance from the Lungs of Patients with Cardiogenic and Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

The regional clearance of 99m Tc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate ( 99m Tc-DTPA) from the lungs was measured in 14 patients with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, six patients with acute pulmonary edema secondary to heart failure, and 29 normal subjects. The radionuclide was delivered in an aerosol which was inhaled for 120 seconds, and the subsequent decline of radioactivity from the lungs was monitored for seven minutes over each of six peripheral regions of interest with a computerized scintillation camera. The average 99m Tc-DTPA clearance of these regions was accelerated above the 98 percent confidence limits in all but three of the patients with noncardiogenic edema. The mean clearance value in this group of patients was significantly greater than those in normal subjects or patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Clearances returned toward normal in each of seven subjects who improved clinically. Only one of the patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema had an elevated average clearance rate, and the mean clearance for this population was not statistically greater than normal. This procedure appears to detect increased epithelial permeability caused by lung injury and may help distinguish between cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Generation of HIV-1/HIV-2 Cross-Reactive Peptide Antisera by Small Sequence Changes in HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Immunizing Peptides

We have generated peptide antisera against selected regions in HIV-1 and HIV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN) to investigate the specificity of determinants governing the immune response. Peptides representing homologous regions (>50%) in the N- and C-termini and central portions of these proteins were synthesized and injected into rabbits. HIV-1 and HIV-2 IN peptide antisera inhibited IN-mediated cleavage of an HIV-1 DNA oligo-nucleotide substrate in a 3′ processing assay, while anti-RT or normal sera had no effect. None of the RT sera inhibited RT activity. In Western blots, HIV-2 antisera directed against RT or IN peptides recognized HIV-2 RT and IN proteins, respectively, as expected, but also cross-reacted with the corresponding HIV-1 proteins. By contrast, corresponding HIV-1 antisera were type-specific. In some cases, HIV-1 cross-reactive antisera could be generated by immunization with HIV-1 chimeric peptides with as few as two residues in the HIV-1 sequence changed to the corresponding HIV-2 amino acids. The finding that a type-specific response can be converted to a cross-reactive response suggests alternate strategies for developing new diagnostic reagents which detect HIV-1 and HIV-2. In addition, our results provide a general model for generating HIV peptide vaccines with dual specificity against HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Wire Spark Chambers

The current status of wire spark chamber devices and techniques is reviewed. Wire-sparkplanes have been used as hodoscopes, as spark chambers and as decision-making devices. Chambers in use have wire spacings of about 1 mm, up to 360 wires and comparable spatial resolution. Time resolution is less than 1 ?sec; efficiencies approach 100%; recovery times are a few hundred microseconds. Substantially larger chambers can be built. The most common method of readout is by means of ferrite memory cores. Electrical and acoustic delay lines have also been used as well as pulse current division and auxiliary discharges. Several techniques are suitable for prompt logical operations such as: whether there are 0, 1 or more sparks in a plane; approximate spark location as an analogue signal.
A technique to harvest Descemet's membrane with viable endothelial cells for selective transplantation.

Purpose To describe a surgical technique using an artificial anterior chamber to facilitate harvest of Descemet’s membrane (DM) and endothelium for corneal endothelial cell transplantation. Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Corneoscleral buttons of seven human donor eyes were mounted endothelial side up on an artificial anterior chamber. Keeping the endothelial side with its usual concavity, a manual trephination was made on the posterior surface with a 9.0-mm trephine, inside the Schwalbe line and just past the DM in depth. The chamber was filled with air, causing the endothelial side of the donor cornea to assume a convex configuration. The DM along with its endothelium was separated from the posterior stroma using a blunt cyclodialysis spatula. Drops of trypan blue 0.3% and alizarin red S 0.2% (n = 6) were applied. The stained DMs were examined under a light microscope and photographed to calculate the percentage of endothelial cell damage. Histology was done on the unstained cornea. Results The DM carrying endothelium was successfully removed from the posterior stroma in all seven eyes. Although the DM appears to be very friable, all samples were removed in toto without rupture. Vital staining showed a mean endothelial cell loss of 8.46% (standard deviation (SD) 6.9). Direct light microscopy demonstrated the preservation of endothelial cell morphology. Conclusions This technique appears to be a safe and straightforward method to harvest DM for endothelial cell transplantation. Further studies are underway to determine the optimal method of insertion of the obtained healthy DM with endothelial cells through small corneal incisions.
Study of the electronic energy band structure of polyethylene using MINDO/3

Abstract The electronic structure of polyethylene has been calculated using crystal orbital theory and the latest version (MINDO/3) of the MINDO semi-empirical SCF MO method. The results are in better agreement with the observed photoelectron spectrum than those given by an analogous calculation using MINDO/2, which in turn has been shown superior to treatments based on EHT, CNDO, INDO, or ab initio SCF procedures.
READING FOR UNDERSTANDING: HOW PERFORMANCE MODERATORS AND SCENARIOS IMPACT ASSESSMENT DESIGN

This paper represents the third installment of the Reading for Understanding (RfU) assessment framework. This paper builds upon the two prior installments (Sabatini & O'Reilly, 2013; Sabatini, O'Reilly, & Deane, 2013) by discussing the role of performance moderators in the test design and how scenario-based assessment can be used as a tool for assessment delivery. Performance moderators are characteristics of students that impact reading performance but are not considered a part of the reading construct. These include (a) background and prior knowledge, (b) metacognitive and self-regulatory strategies and behavior, (c) reading strategies, and (d) student motivation and engagement. In this paper, we argue there is added value in incorporating performance moderators into a reading test design. We characterize added value with respect to the validity of the claims derived from test scores, the interpretation of the test scores, and the relevance to instruction. As a second aim, we present a case for using scenario-based assessments and how they can be used to integrate into the test design both the performance moderators as well as other features that make the assessment more instructionally relevant.
The relationship between injection and noninjection drug use and HIV disease progression

Abstract Background Injection drug use is associated with poor HIV outcomes even among persons receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), but there are limited data on the relationship between noninjection drug use and HIV disease progression. Methods We conducted an observational study of HIV-infected persons entering care between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2004, with follow-up through December 31, 2005. Results There were 1,712 persons in the study cohort: 262 with a history of injection drug use, 785 with a history of noninjection drug use, and 665 with no history of drug use; 56% were White, and 24% were females. Median follow-up was 2.1 years, 33% had HAART prior to first visit, 40% initiated first HAART during the study period, and 306 (17.9%) had an AIDS-defining event or died. Adjusting for gender, age, race, prior antiretroviral use, CD4 cell count, and HIV-1 RNA, patients with a history of injection drug use were more likely to advance to AIDS or death than nonusers (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43–2.70, p p = .19). An analysis among the subgroup who initiated their first HAART during the study period ( n = 687) showed a similar pattern (injection drug users: HR=1.83, 95% CI=1.09–3.06, p = .02; noninjection drug users: HR=1.21, 95% CI=0.81–1.80, p = .35). Seventy-four patients had active injection drug use during the study period, 768 active noninjection drug use, and 870 no substance use. Analyses based on active drug use during the study period did not substantially differ from those based on history of drug use. Conclusions This study shows no relationship between noninjection drug use and HIV disease progression. This study is limited by using history of drug use and combining different types of drugs. Further studies ascertaining specific type and extent of noninjection drug use prospectively, and with longer follow-up, are needed.
Thermal Conductance of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interfaces

Using time-domain thermoreflectance, we have measured the transport of thermally excited vibrational energy across planar interfaces between water and solids that have been chemically functionalized with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The Kapitza length--i.e., the thermal conductivity of water divided by the thermal conductance per unit area of the interface--is analogous to the "slip length" for water flowing tangentially past a solid surface. We find that the Kapitza length at hydrophobic interfaces (10-12 nm) is a factor of 2-3 larger than the Kapitza length at hydrophilic interfaces (3-6 nm). If a vapor layer is present at the hydrophobic interface, and this vapor layer has a thermal conductivity that is comparable to bulk water vapor, then our experimental results constrain the thickness of the vapor layer to be less than 0.25 nm.
Morality in Perioperative Nurses

This study examined nurses' moral motivation, character, and action using a Model of Morality for Perioperative Nurses. Influences on moral actions and selected outcomes for surgical patients and perioperative nurses were examined. Results indicate that motivation and character are related directly to the moral actions of perioperative nurses (R = .13 to .31, P < .001). Fourteen percent of the variance in action was explained by motivation, character, self-perceived level of practice, and ethics education. Results suggest that current models do not describe the moral behavior of perioperative nurses adequately. Future research should examine constructs that explain the moral actions of nurses in the perioperative setting.
Comparison of Side-Chain Motion of Calbindin D-9k in Its Four Calcium Binding States by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Calbindin D-9k, a small single domain protein found predominantly in tissues involved in the uptake and transport of calcium, consists of a single pair of a helix-loop-helix motif(called EF-hand)that binds calcium with the ligands provided by the loop residues and helical residues immediately adjacent to the loop. It exits in four calcium binding states: a doubly loaded state(a state with a calcium atom in each of its two binding sites), two singly loaded states (a state with calcium in its first binding site only and a state with calcium in its second binding site) and an apo-state (a state with no calcium atom). Experiments have shown that calcium binding occurs in a positive cooperative fashion. This fact is also supported by computational studies on dynamics of backbone of the protein. Studies of the methyl side chain dynamics of the doubly loaded state of the protein by molecular dynamics simulation further enhances the point. To further investigate by computation, the molecular dynamics simulation approach has been used to study the side chain dynamics of all four calcium binding states of the protein. In the study, the different kinds of force fields, especially the AMBER (a molecular dynamics simulation suit)force fields, and different kinds of water models are employed in the GPU environment.
On the alleged collisional origin of the Kirkwood Gaps

This paper examines two proposed mechanisms whereby asteroidal collisions and close approaches may have given rise to the Kirkwood Gaps. The first hypothesis is that asteroids in near-resonant orbits have markedly increased collision probabilities and so are preferentially destroyed, or suffer decay in population density, within the resonance zones. A simple order-of-magnitude analysis shows that this hypothesis is untenable since it leads to conclusions which are either unrealistic or not in accord with present understanding of asteroidal physics. The second hypothesis is the Brouwer-Jefferys theory that collisions would smooth an asteroidal distribution function, as a function of Jacobi constant, thus forming resonance gaps. This hypothesis is examined by direct numerical integration of 50 asteroid orbits near the 2:1 resonance, with collisions simulated by random variables. No tendency to form a gap was observed.
Features in Short Guanine-Rich Sequences That Stimulate DNA Polymerization in Vitro†

We have discovered that short guanine-rich oligonucleotides are able to self-associate into higher order structures that stimulate DNA synthesis in vitro without the addition of a conventional temp...
The NOAA Twin Otter and its role in BRACE: Platform description

Abstract This paper describes in detail the platform and equipment used to make airborne measurements as part of the Bay Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (BRACE). A De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aircraft Operations Center, was used to measure chemical and meteorological parameters during the BRACE field intensive in May, 2002. The Twin Otter flew more than 90 h on 24 missions during BRACE, measuring a suite of positional (latitude, longitude, altitude, azimuth, roll, pitch, velocity), meteorological (temperatures, pressure, 2D wind fields, dew point, UV radiation) and chemical/physical (O3, CO, SO2, CO2, NO, NO2, NOY, HNO3, CN, HCHO, H2O2, PAN, NMHCs, aerosol ionic composition, aerosol size) parameters. This manuscript describes the chemical and meteorological measurement systems, calibration procedures, and instrument performance specifications. Companion papers in this special issue present an overview and summary of results from the aircraft flights.
Leaf Decomposition and Stream Macroinvertebrate Colonisation of Japanese Knotweed, an Invasive Plant Species

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica HOUTT. RONSE DECRANE) is a highly invasive exotic plant that forms monocultures in riparian areas, effectively reducing plant diversity. This change in riparian plant composition alters the allocthonous input of leaf litter into adjacent streams. A field experiment was completed to understand how leaf decomposition and macroinvertebrate colonisation associated with the incorporation of exotic leaf litter. Leaf packs of Japanese knotweed, native alder (Alnus incana L.), native cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa TORR. and GRAY), and two additional mixed pack types (alder and cottonwood; alder, cottonwood, and Japanese knotweed) were placed into a 50 m stream reach in Clear Creek, Idaho, and removed over a three-month period. Leaf decomposition and macroinvertebrate assemblages were similar between leaf types, despite differences in nitrogen and phosphorus content. The diversity of leaf types within a given leaf pack also had no effect on leaf decomposition or macroinvertebrate dynamics. These findings suggest that allochthonous inputs of Japanese knotweed fulfill a detrital function similar to that of native leaf litter.
Repetitive model predictive control applied to a simulated moving bed chromatography system

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the application of the repetitive model predictive control (RMPC) technique on a simulated moving bed (SMB) process that performs continuous chromatographic separation of a phenylalanine—tryptophan mixture. RMPC is a model-based control technique developed by incorporating the basic concept from repetitive control into the model predictive control technique; it is specifically suited for continuous processes with periodic operation patterns or behavior. Balanced model reduction is used to reduce a finite difference approximation of a PDE model drawn from a material balance of the SMB system. The reduced order state space model is used for the control calculation. Start-up control of the SMB process is simulated and the results are presented.
FREEDM system: An electronic smart distribution grid for the Future

The NSF-sponsored FREEDM Engineering Research Center (ERC) is developing a revolutionary smart distribution grid, which will facilitate seamless integration of distributed renewable power generation and storage resources. The major component of the grid is a 12.47kV loop that is divided into sections. Each section is terminated by an electronic circuit breaker. The loads within the section are supplied by solid-state transformer, whose function is to rectify the 60Hz AC voltage and covert it to high frequency AC voltage. A high frequency transformer reduces the voltage, which is corrected to obtain 400V DC. This voltage will then supply the distributed generation and storage capabilities. The 400V DC will be converted to 240V/120V AC voltage, which will supply the local loads. The major components of the generation and storage system are in advanced stage of development. This panel paper describes the system and the developed components, together with the computer control of the system.
Bose quantization of a new spin-1/2 equation

We second quantize a relativistic Schrodinger equation involving a HamiltonianH that describes free spin-1/2 particles and that depends on a parameterG. We require a positive definite metric and a positive definite energy in the Fock space in which the field ψ(x,t) and its adjoint operate. IfG=±i, one obtains the usual second-quantized Dirac theory, but for real values ofG one has Bose statistics. Whereas the anticommutator [ψ(x,t), ψ * (x′,t′)]+ vanishes for a Dirac field when the interval between (x,t) and (x′,t′) lies outside the light cone, whenG is real the commutator [ψ (x,t), ψ * (x′,t′)− vanishes for such points.
Optimized acquisition parameters and statistical detection limit in quantitative EELS

Optimizing the acquisition parameters for EELS recording has to be accomplished simultaneously from the physical and the statistical points of view; the statistical aspect of the question is covered here. Approximate probability density functions of the variables of interest are derived, which provide a global measure of signal-to-noise ratio taking into account every step of the EELS edge area estimation process. Qualitative and quantitative advice is given regarding the critical choice of the estimation and integration energy regions. The notion of visual contrast is presented; it permits the introduction of the concept of statistical detection limit. It is found that for typical experimental conditions, when other factors are equal, the required analysis time for the sample varies approximately as the inverse square of the concentration.
Effect of mono- and dichromatic light quality on growth rates and photosynthetic performance of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002.

Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was grown to steady state in optically thin turbidostat cultures under conditions for which light quantity and quality was systematically varied by modulating the output of narrow-band LEDs. Cells were provided photons absorbed primarily by chlorophyll (680 nm) or phycocyanin (630 nm) as the organism was subjected to four distinct mono- and dichromatic regimes. During cultivation with dichromatic light, growth rates displayed by Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 were generally proportional to the total incident irradiance at values < 275 µmol photons m-2 s-1 and were not affected by the ratio of 630:680 nm wavelengths. Notably, under monochromatic light conditions, cultures exhibited similar growth rates only when they were irradiated with 630 nm light; cultures irradiated with only 680 nm light grew at rates that were 60 – 70% of those under other light quality regimes at equivalent irradiances. The functionality of photosystem II and associated processes such as maximum rate of photosynthetic electron transport, rate of cyclic electron flow, and rate of dark respiration generally increased as a function of growth rate. Nonetheless, some of the photophysiological parameters measured here displayed distinct patterns with respect to growth rate of cultures adapted to a single wavelength including phycobiliprotein content, which increased under severely light-limited growth conditions. Additionally, the ratio of photosystem II to photosystem I increased approximately 40% over the range of growth rates, although cells grown with 680 nm light only had the highest ratios. These results suggest the presence of effective mechanisms which allow acclimation of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 acclimation to different irradiance conditions.
Reciprocal influences between parents' marital problems and adolescent internalizing and externalizing behavior

The present study examines reciprocal associations between marital functioning and adolescent maladjustment using cross-lagged autoregressive models. The research involved 451 early adolescents and their families and used a prospective, longitudinal research design with multi-informant methods. Results indicate that parental conflicts over child rearing predicted adolescent depressive symptoms and delinquency. In turn, these adolescent problems exacerbated parental conflicts over child rearing. Furthermore, conflict over child rearing served as the nexus through which more generalized marital dissatisfaction and adolescent adjustment problems were reciprocally interrelated. This research replicates earlier observations that marital problems intensify adolescent maladjustment and extends the literature by demonstrating that adolescent problems also predict marital conflict and ultimately marital dissatisfaction. In sum, the present study demonstrates that marital dissatisfaction, conflict over child rearing, and early adolescent adjustment difficulties are interwoven in a dynamic family system marked by reciprocity along these dimensions.
Process algebraic modelling and analysis of power-aware real-time systems

A unified formal framework for designing and reasoning about power-constrained, real-time systems is described. The framework is based on process algebra, a formalism that has been developed to describe and analyse communicating, concurrent systems. The proposed extension allows the modelling of probabilistic resource failures, priorities of resource usages and power consumption by resources within the same formalism. Thus, it is possible to evaluate alternative power-consumption behaviours and tradeoffs under different real-time schedulers, resource limitations, resource failure probabilities, etc. This paper describes the modelling and analysis techniques and illustrates them with examples, including a dynamic voltage-scaling algorithm.
Spiritual health--an essential element in optimum health.

(1984). Spiritual Health—An Essential Element in Optimum Health. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 273-276.
Thermal transport through thin films: Mirage technique measurements on aluminum/titanium multilayers

Thermal transport properties of multilayer thin films both normal and parallel to the layers were measured. Al/Ti multilayer films 3 μm thick, with individual layers systematically varied from 2.5 to 40 nm, were studied on Si substrates. Layers of Al and Ti were nominally equal in thickness, with actual composition determined for each specimen using energy dispersive spectroscopy. The thermal diffusivity both in the plane and normal to the plane of the films (thermal conductivity divided by specific heat per volume) was found to decrease significantly with decreasing bilayer thickness. Pure Ti and Al films as well as Cu films from 0.1 to 5 μm thick were also studied. In-plane electrical conductances of the Al/Ti multilayers were also measured.
Repeated dose inhalation toxicity of cinnamic acid smoke

Abstract The repeated dose inhalation toxicity of a white smoke, containing cinnamic acid, has been studied in mice, rats and guinea pigs. The smoke was of low lethal toxicity in the mice and rats, but there was an excess of early deaths amongst the guinea pigs dosed at the highest smoke concentration (304 mg/m 3 ). Organ-specific changes attributable to the test material were generally confined to the respiratory tract.
Confinement induced conformational changes in n-alkanes sequestered within a narrow carbon nanotube

While alkanes in solution exhibit predominantly extended conformations, nanoscale confinement of these chains within protein binding sites and synthetic receptors can significantly alter the conformer distribution. As a simple model for the effect of confinement on the conformation, we report molecular simulations of n-alkanes absorbed from a bulk solvent into narrow carbon nanotubes. We observe that confinement of butane, hexane, and tetracosane induces a trans to gauche conformational redistribution. Moreover, confined hexane and tetracosane exhibit cooperative interactions between neighboring dihedral angles, which promote a helical gauche conformation for the portions of the chain within the nanotube. Hexane absorbed into the nanotube from water or benzene exhibits essentially the same conformation regardless of the bulk solvent. The PMF between the nanotube and hexane along the central nanotube axis finds that nanotube absorption is favorable from aqueous solution but neutral from benzene. The interaction between hexane and the nanotube in water is dominated by the direct interaction between the alkane and the nanotube and weakly opposed by indirect water-mediated forces. In benzene, however, the direct alkane/nanotube interaction is effectively balanced by the indirect benzene-mediated interaction. Our simulations in water stand in difference to standard interpretations of the hydrophobic effect, which posit that the attraction between non-polar species in water is driven by their mutual insolubility.
Machine vision applications of low-cost thermal infrared camera

Machine vision applications of thermal image sensors have been investigated under an Internal Research and Development Project at Southwest Research Institute. Initial investigations were conducted to determine response characteristics of a low-cost non-radiometric camera. Application investigations were conducted to develop defect detection capabilities for injection molded rubber parts. Various thermal excitation and material handling approaches were investigated. Image processing software was developed to detect anomalous temperature responses. Research findings, part inspection approaches, and image processing techniques are discussed.
A New Formulation of the String Action

We are motivated by the Dirac string formalism to propose a new action for strings. This action is equivalent to the Nambu free string action with bare string tension μ0 ∼ (2π2/e2)δ2(0), with the addition of contract interactions among strings. A generalization of this action for extended objects of arbitrary dimension is also given. Finally, we discuss the generalization to non-abelian strings.
Macro-element analysis

Abstract In recent years methods of analyzing plates in bending via large or macro-element have been studied. Herein, a method of studying plate behavior by a macro-flexibility approach is introduced. Deflected shapes of macro-elements of rectangular shapes were obtained by a shape function that satisfies all four boundary conditions and the bi-harmonic equation. The shape functions were a sum of sinusoidal and polynomial terms with undetermined coefficients. The elements that satisfy moment and shear conditions, were assembled by utilizing compatibility equations for deflection and slope. This resulted in equilibrium of forces and moments for all lines along the common edges of macro-elements. Three bounded domains were analyzed, and the results were compared to solutions obtained from classical and finite element methods. The convergence of the macro-approach was checked by progressively increasing the number of harmonics. The study of the numerical results indicates that excellent results can be obtained within the first three harmonics.
The Limits of sharing: Controlled data collections

We investigated 24 web-based data repositories with “controlled collections” to determine why and how repositories control access to and use of data. We selected our sample of data repositories from across scholarly and scientific disciplines in order to investigate differences between fields. Using content analysis and surveys, we collected data about current repository policies and practices and underlying motivations for controlling data access and use. Looking across all disciplines, we found no overarching reason for restricting access to data, but “avoiding misuse” was listed most frequently. Ensuring attribution was the dominant reason for controlling use of data. Observed between-field findings are tentative given the small number of repositories in some fields that met study criteria; however, our data do suggest some interesting differences. We also found cross-disciplinary patterns regarding methods for controlling access to and use of data. Better understanding of and attention to access and use control interests may allow repositories to attract more data depositors and ultimately increase the amount of data that can be shared.
BGG492 (selurampanel), an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist drug for epilepsy.

Introduction: AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) antagonism is under development as a novel mechanism of action for antiepileptic drugs. Selurampanel (BGG492) is an experimental competitive AMPA antagonist currently in clinical trials. Areas covered: This article provides a review of the roles of glutamate receptors, especially of the AMPA type, in normal and epileptic synaptic transmission. It also provides a discussion of the mechanisms of action of AMPAR antagonist compounds. The article includes a summary of the preclinical and clinical data on the efficacy and safety of BGG492 and provides a discussion of the future role of these compounds in clinical therapy. Expert opinion: Since many persons with epilepsy remain inadequately treated, compounds exploiting new mechanisms for seizure control are welcome. Based on available clinical trial data as adjunctive therapy, the AMPAR antagonists will likely be highly useful in a small subset of persons and moderately helpful in a larger subset, similar to o...
Short duration rainfall intensity measured using calibrated time-of-tip data from a tipping bucket raingage

Abstract Laboratory testing of a tipping bucket raingage provided a calibration curve expressing the equivalent depth of rainfall per tip as a function of intensity. The time of each tip from the instrument was recorded during a 7 week period encompassing 20 rainfall events. A technique was presented to compute rainfall intensity for durations of 1 min to 1 h using the time-of-tip data and the calibration curve. Rainfall intensities computed using the proposed method were compared with intensities computed using several conventional recording schemes which used fixed recording intervals (from 15 s to 1 h) and the manufacturer's nominal calibration constant. Intensities measured using the conventional recording schemes were significantly lower than the proposed method. These differences were greatest when the recording interval exceeded the storm duration.
BMD measurement and precision: a comparison of GE Lunar Prodigy and iDXA densitometers.

Abstract This study assessed bone mineral density (BMD) comparability and precision using Lunar Prodigy and iDXA densitometers (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI) in adults. Additionally, the utility of supine forearm measurement with iDXA was investigated. Lumbar spine and bilateral proximal femur measurements were obtained in routine clinical manner in 345 volunteers, 202 women and 143 men of mean age 52.5 (range: 20.1–91.6)yr. Seated and supine distal forearm scans were obtained in a subset (n=50). Lumbar spine and proximal femur precision assessments were performed on each instrument following International Society for Clinical Densitometry recommendations in 30 postmenopausal women. BMD at the L1–L4 spine, total proximal femur, and femoral neck was very highly correlated ( r 2 ≥0.98) between densitometers, as was the one-third radius site ( r 2 =0.96). Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated no clinically significant bias at all evaluated sites. BMD precision was similar between instruments at the L1–L4 spine, mean total proximal femur, and femoral neck. Finally, one-third radius BMD measurements in the supine vs seated position on the iDXA were highly correlated ( r 2 =0.96). In conclusion, there is excellent BMD correlation between iDXA and Prodigy densitometers. Similarly, BMD precision is comparable with these two instruments.