cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Mixed Finite Element Method for the Stokes Equations Based on a Weakly Over-Penalized Symmetric Interior Penalty Approach

We present a mixed finite element method for the steady-state Stokes equations where the discrete bilinear form for the velocity is obtained by a weakly over-penalized symmetric interior penalty approach. We show that this mixed finite element method is inf-sup stable and has optimal convergence rates in both the energy norm and the $$L_2$$ L 2 norm on meshes that can contain hanging nodes. We present numerical experiments illustrating these results, explore a very simple adaptive algorithm that uses meshes with hanging nodes, and introduce a simple but scalable parallel solver for the method.
Superhydrophilic surface on Cu substrate to enhance lubricant retention

The loss of lubricant from the surfaces of critical machine parts often leads to friction and heat-related failures which can cause catastrophic damage to machinery. In this study, the effect of micro- and nano-texturing on lubricant retention was investigated. Micro-textures were produced by sandblasting Cu substrates, while nano-textures were created by aluminum-induced crystallization of amorphous silicon. The topography and the wettability of the textured surfaces were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy and a video-based optical contact angle measuring system, respectively. The lubricant retention on the textured surfaces was investigated using a dynamic method. It was found that superhydrophilic surfaces created by the combined micro- and nano-texturing technique can significantly enhance the lubricant retention on Cu substrates.
Robust Longitudinal and Transverse Rate Gyro Bias Estimation for Precise Pitch and Roll Attitude Estimation in Highly Dynamic Operating Environments Utilizing a Two Dimensional Accelerometer Array

In this paper, an innovative method for two"dimensi onal attitude estimation making use of a unique, low" cost, dual arc accelerometer array measuring longitudinal and transverse rotational rates in real"time through the use of rate gyroscopes is proposed. This revolutionary device utilizes a dual arc accelerometer array and an extended Kalman filter algorithm for accurate and reliable two"dimensional attitude determination and rate gyro bias estimation in real"time. The method developed dete rmines the local gravitational field vector from which attitude information can be resolved. Upon determining the location of the local gravitational field vector relative to two consecutive accelerometer sensors, the orientation of the device may then be estimated and the attitude determined. However, this measurement is discrete in nature; therefore, integrated rate gyro measurements are used to determine attitude information resulting in a continuous signal. Attitude estimates and measurements produced by instantaneous rate sensors and gyroscope integration tend to drift over time however, due to drift and bias inherent to the rate gyro sensor. The integration of the acquired instantaneous rate signals amplify measurement errors leading to an undependable and imprecise estimate of the vehicles true attitude and orientation. A method for compensation of these errors is proposed in this work resulting in a highly accurate and continuous attitude estimates. For the work conducted in this study, simulations of the proposed method and device will be conducted with the inclusion of characteristic, real"world sensor noise and bias es timates produced from corrupted and biased sensors to analyze and asses the feasibility and validity of the proposed method and system configuration for two"dimensional attitude determination. In this work, simulations are also performed utilizing a Dryden wind and turbulence model to inject severe operating conditions into the simulation models during the nonlinear aircraft simulations performed to verify and validate the proposed device and algorithms ability to accurately and repeatedly produce reliable longitudinal and transverse attitude estimates in real"time desp ite the presence of severe operating conditions. The end goal of this work is to produce a precise and reliable longitudinal and transverse attitude estimation array capable of measuring rate senor and gyro bias online so as to generate highly accurate and reliable pitch and roll angle tracking in real"time while subjected to highly dynamic simu lated flight conditions and scenarios. $omenclature
Signal Processing, Acoustics, and Psychoacoustics for High Quality Desktop Audio

Integrated media workstations are increasingly being used for creating, editing, and monitoring sound that is associated with video or computer-generated images. While the requirements for high quality reproduction in large-scale systems are well understood, these have not yet been adequately translated to the workstation environment. In this paper we discuss several factors that pertain to high quality sound reproduction at the desktop, including acoustical and psychoacoustical considerations, signal processing requirements, and the importance of dynamically adapting the reproduced sound as the listener's head moves. We present a desktop audio system that incorporates several novel design requirements and integrates vision-based listener-tracking for accurate spatial sound reproduction. We conclude with a discussion of the role the pinnae play in immersive (3D) audio reproduction and present a method of pinna classification that allows users to select a set of parameters that closely match their individual listening characteristics.
TRUTH AS AN EPISTEMIC IDEAL

Several philosophers—including C. S. Peirce, William James, Hilary Putnam and Crispin Wright—have proposed various versions of the notion that truth is an epistemic ideal. More specifically, they have held that a proposition is true if and only if it can be fixedly warranted by human inquirers, given certain ideal epistemic conditions. This paper offers a general critique of that idea, modeling conceptions of ideality and fixed warrant within the semantics that Kripke developed for intuitionistic logic. It is shown that each of the two plausible notions of fixed warrant faces difficulties and that, moreover, “truth” defined in terms of either of them is distressingly dependent upon one’s conception of idealized inquiry and perhaps also upon one’s standards of warrant.
Effect of depth dependent spherical aberrations in 3D structured illumination microscopy

We model the effect of depth dependent spherical aberration caused by a refractive index mismatch between the mounting and immersion mediums in a 3D structured illumination microscope (SIM). We first derive a forward model that takes into account the effect of the depth varying aberrations on both the illumination and the detection processes. From the model, we demonstrate that depth dependent spherical aberration leads to loss of signal only due to its effect on the detection response of the system, while its effect on illumination leads to phase shifts between orders that can be handled computationally in the reconstruction process. Further, by using the model, we provide guidelines for optical corrections of aberrations with different complexities, and explain how the proposed corrections simplify the forward model. Finally, we show that it is possible to correct both illumination and detection aberrations using a deformable mirror only on the detection path of the microscope.
Identification and localization of divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1) in term human placenta.

The mechanism by which iron is transported from mother to fetus is incompletely understood. Whereas transferrin receptor (TfR) is responsible for iron uptake from maternal serum by the syncytiotrophoblast, the proteins responsible for intracytoplasmic transport and for delivery to the fetal serum remain unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the recently characterized endosomal membrane iron transporter, divalent metal ion transporter-1 (DMT-1), is expressed in human syncytiotrophoblast, and whether its cellular localization would support roles for cytoplasmic and placental–fetal iron transport. Six micron sections of frozen, term human placenta were assessed immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody to rat DMT-1 and a monoclonal antibody to human TfR. DMT-1 was found both in the cytoplasm and at the junction of the fetal (basal) membrane and fetal vessels, while TfR was localized predominantly to the maternal (apical) side of the syncytiotrophoblastic membrane. Double staining demonstrated no overlap between the two proteins on the apical membrane and minimal areas of overlap in the cytoplasm. We postulate that the syncytiotrophoblast takes up diferric transferrin from serum via TfR, subsequently incorporating the transferrin : TfR complex via endosomes. Subsequent transport of iron out of the endosome and across the basal membrane to the fetus may occur via DMT-1.
Food color preferences against a dark, textured background vary in relation to sex and age in house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus)

Many animals consume colorful foods, because bright coloration either enhances conspicuousness of food items or signals nutritional rewards. A comparatively under-studied aspect of food color preferences is the role of the background environment in shaping food detectability and choices. Previous work with house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus), for example, showed that individuals preferred red and green food items and avoided yellow ones. However, this study of desert, ground-feeding birds was done with seeds presented against an artificial white background that is unlikely to reflect natural conditions. Therefore, we performed a similar experiment, but quantified selection of colorful foods using a different visual environment that better mimicked natural conditions. We mixed dark, inedible distractor pellets (i.e., analogous to natural desert sand and rocks) with sunflower kernels that were colored red, green, yellow, or orange to test for differences in foraging patterns by sex, age, and expression of male plumage coloration in non-molting house finches. This food presentation resulted in yellow seeds having a significantly greater chromatic, but not achromatic, contrast with the background than red or green seeds. Under these conditions, all birds consumed yellow, and to a lesser extent red, seeds most often, and both adult males and females had a strong preference for yellow kernels; adult males also tended to prefer green kernels, but females tended not to prefer green kernels. Juveniles showed no significant preferences for any seed color, and adult male plumage coloration was not related to seed color preference. Therefore, in contrast to studies using different foraging environments, house finches tended to prefer yellow seeds, supporting models that suggest that visual background and contrast may be more important than color per se in visually mediated foraging decisions of birds. Moreover, the fact that adult males and females differed in food color preference has not been reported previously in songbirds.
Gathering "pearls" of knowledge for assessing older adults.

Learning to expect the unexpected is one principle that can help you accurately differentiate between normal changes of aging and signs of disease. For more tips and guidelines, read on.
Protein kinase C activation is required for the lead-induced inhibition of proliferation and differentiation of cultured oligodendroglial progenitor cells

Lead (Pb) is a common neurotoxicant of major public health concern. Previous studies revealed that cultured oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are highly vulnerable to Pb toxicity. The present study examines the effect of Pb on the survival, proliferation and differentiation of OPCs in vitro. Dose-response studies showed that> or = l5-10 microM Pb is cytotoxic to OPCs within 24 h. However, 1 microM of Pb was found to inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of OPCs without affecting cell viability. Pb markedly decreased the proliferative capability of OPCs and inhibited cell-intrinsic lineage progression of OPCs at a late progenitor stage. The Pb-induced decrease of proliferation and differentiation was abolished by inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with bisindolylmaleimide I, while the effect of the PKC-activating agent phorbol-12,13-didecanoate was potentiated by Pb. Furthermore, Pb exposure of OPCs caused the translocation of PKC from the cytoplasm to membrane without an increase in total cellular PKC enzymic activity. These results indicate that Pb inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in vitro through a mechanism requiring PKC activation.
The X-Ray Transform for a Generic Family of Curves and Weights

We study the weighted integral transform on a compact manifold with boundary over a smooth family of curves Γ. We prove generic injectivity and a stability estimate under the condition that the conormal bundle of Γ covers T * M.
Three-phonon vertex in the description of the ground state of liquid He4

Abstract The second order energy generated by three-phonon components, ρkρlρ−k− ψ with kl|k+1| ≠ o , in the ground state wavefunction of liquid He4, is evaluated under the assumption that ψ is the optimum BDJ type trial function (in the sense that E = ∫ ΨHΨ attains a minimum value Eopt. within the BDJ function space). The three-particle polarization energy is also evaluated. Both energy corrections are large (10–20% of Eexp.) and strongly dependent on density. However, they are of opposite sign and, with crude estimates, cancel effectively so that the direct comparison of E (or better Eopt.) with Eexp. is meaningful.
Luminescent Studies of Exciplex Tuning for Nanoclusters of Dicyanocuprate(I) Ions Doped in Potassium Chloride Crystals

Nanoclusters of dicyanocuprate (I) ions doped in potassium chloride crystals have been studied. Several emission bands are observed in this system and each emission band can be tuned by site-selective spectroscopy. These bands are assigned to different [Cu(CN)2]− luminescent nanoclusters in the host lattice. The Cu+ ions substitute for K+ ions in the lattice and the CN− ions substitute for Cl− ions in the host with dimer and trimer nanoclusters bonded together by CN− bridges. This is unlike KAg(CN)2 or KAu(CN)2 substituted in a KCl lattice, in which Ag−Ag or Au−Au bonding directly occurs. Ab initio calculations show that the LUMO is a bonding MO while the HOMO is antibonding. Extended Huckel calculations indicate the formation of the LUMO excited-state well is deeper than the ground-state HOMO potential well and with a shorter internuclear separation characteristic of exciplex behavior. Time-resolved luminescence measuremence at room temperature and 78 K demonstrate that, upon pulsed excitation, energy tr...
Coccidioidomycosis pulmonary infection

Disease caused by Coccidioides immitis has increased in frequency in recent years because of marked population shifts into highly endemic areas, as well as perturbations of the environment caused by construction, agricultural, and natural activities. Because disease may occur in persons in locations outside of the endemic regions, practitioners must be aware of the possibility of infection in those who may have traveled or resided in areas of risk. Recently, advances in laboratory methods have facilitated diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis, and information about therapies that are easier to administer has become available. Challenges in the management of this infection still remain, particularly with regard to more reliable antifungal drugs and protective vaccines.
Plastic deformation in 316LN stainless steel – characterization of deformation microstructures

The effects of irradiation, test temperature, and strain on the deformation microstructures of a 316LN stainless steel have been investigated using a disk-bend method and transmission electron microscopy. Deformation microstructure changed progressively from a dislocation network dominant to a large stacking fault/twin band dominant microstructure with increasing radiation dose and with decreasing test temperature. Also, an increased strain level enhanced the propensity of deformation twinning. Since the stress was considered to be a key external parameter controlling deformation mechanism in 316LN austenitic stainless steel, the equivalent stress level was estimated for the examined surface of the disk sample. It was possible to categorize the deformation microstructures in terms of the equivalent stress range. A key conclusion is that the austenitic material will deform by forming bands of large stacking faults and twins when the stress exceeds a critical equivalent stress level of about 600 MPa by any of several possible strengthening measures: irradiation, increasing strain level, and decreasing test temperature.
Peaceful Co-Existence

The long time ex po sure of Chi nese con sum ers to both traditional med i cal treat ments and West ern med i cal pro ce dures leads to ques tions about the de ci sion-mak ing pro cesses in the choice of treatment. This study, based on an exploratory survey of 57 con sum ers in Nanj ing, China, re veals that choices are based on a num ber of fac tors in-clud ing cost, pre sumed ef fee tive ness, and whether the con sumer suffers from a chronic or acute ill ness. A se ries of prop o si tions were also de vel-oped about the decision making pro cess of urban Chi nese con sum ers seek ing health care in a rap idly chang ing eco nomic and so cial en vi ron-ment.
Abstract B186: The unexpected role of p110β in HER2 amplified and PIK3CA mutant breast cancers.

The PI3K pathway is alterated in up to 70% of breast cancers. Although both isoform-specific and pan-PI3K inhibitors are available, it is still unclear which compounds are more effective among the different subtypes of breast cancer. We performed time course experiments using the selective p110α inhibitor, BYL-719, in PIK3CA mutant and HER2 amplified cell lines in order to test whether p110α inhibition alone was sufficient to abrogate PI3K-AKT signaling. We observed a rebound of PIP3, the PI3K product, 24 hours after treatment in all cell lines. Notably, both PIP3 and p-AKT levels increased after 24 hours in HER2 amplified cells, while the rebound of p-AKT in PIK3CA mutant was minimal and did not correlate with PIP3 levels. Both p110β inhibitor and siRNA againt p110β were effective in blocking the PIP3 rebound observed after 24 hours of treatment with BYL-719 alone. Consistent with this, the combination of p110α and p110β inhibitors reduce cell growth in long term viability assays and induced a greater apoptotic response in comparison to BYL-719 alone. Importantly, p110α and p110β inhibitors in combination induced tumor regression in vivo, while with single agent BYL-719 we observed only tumor stasis. Finally, we demonstrated, both in vitro and in vivo, that PIP3 levels correlate with inhibitor efficacy more accurately than p-AKT in PIK3CA model. Thus, PIP3 may serve as a more effective biomarker than p-AKT levels to predict response to PI3K inhibitors in PIK3CA mutant and HER2 amplified breast cancers. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B186. Citation Format: Carlotta Costa, Hiromichi Ebi, Anthony C. Faber, Madhuri Nishtala, Young Chul Song, Jeffrey A. Engelman. The unexpected role of p110β in HER2 amplified and PIK3CA mutant breast cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B186.
Carboxy terminus of vasopressin required for activity but not binding

Vasopressin antagonists1–7 are valuable pharmacological tools for investigating physiological and behavioural functions of the nonapeptide arginine-vasopressin (AVP)8,9. The removal of glycinamide from the carboxy terminus of AVP drastically reduces its characteristic vasopressor and antidiuretic activities10. In contrast to this we show here that removal of the carboxy-terminal glycinamide or the glycine at position 9 from several vasopressin antagonists makes little difference to their ability to block vasopressor and antidiuretic responses to AVP. These data demonstrate the critical structural requirements of the carboxy-terminal position for receptor activation, in contrast to the lack of such requirements for receptor binding. They also provide an avenue to a wide variety of antagonists substituted at the carboxy terminus (for example radiolabelled derivatives and affinity ligands) and suggest clues for the development of more potent and/or selective antagonists.
Zero-one laws in finite W∗-algebras

The authors study the notion of independence in the noncommutative analogue of a probability space, namely, a finite W∗-algebra with trace τ. Two definitions of independence, both generalizing the classical definition, are considered, and examples are given to illustrate that the definitions are inequivalent. For one of these notions of independence, the structure of a finite W∗-algebra generated by an independent family of subalgebras is determined. As a consequence, the authors obtain extensions of the Kolmogorov and Hewitt-Savage zero-one laws.
A switch in a cage with a memory.

Chemical and optical stimulations control the interconversion of a three-state molecular switch trapped inside a silica monolith. The resulting absorbance changes in the visible region can be exploited to reproduce a sequential logic operator with one optical input and one optical output. This strategy to transfer operating principles for digital processing from bulk solutions to rigid materials can lead to the development of chemical logic gates based on functional solid components.
Synthesis and structural studies of early transition metalloporphyrin complexes. 1. X-ray structures of meso-5,10,15,20 tetratolyl hafnium(IV) μ-dioxo dimer complex and meso-5,10,15,20 tetratolyl porphyrin vanadium(IV) oxo complex

Abstract (TTP) hafnium dichloride, 1, where TTP = meso-5,10,15,20 tetratolyl porphyrin dianion, has been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized as a precursor to 2. Hydrolysis of 1 gives (TTP) hafnium μ-dioxo dimer, 2. (TTP) vanadium oxo complex, 3, can be obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding chloro complex. Compound 2 has been characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. [(TTP)HfO]2-toluene crystalizes in the space group C2/c, a = 31.906(6) A, b = 16.864(3) A, c = 19.180(4) A, β = 117.52(3)°, V = 9152(3) A3, dcalcd = 1.369 g/cm3, Z = 8, 6029 unique observed reflections, final R = 0.077. The Hf atom is 1.02 A from the plane of the porphyrin ring; Hf-O bond lengths are 2.1 A. The hafnium atoms are 3.06(1) A from each other and the average Hf-O-Hf angle is 94°. The porphyrin rings are 5.4° from being parallel and the distance between the centers of the porphyrin rings is ∼ 5.1 A. TTPVO·mesitylene, 3, crystallizes from mesitylene in the space group P1, a = 8.3...
The role of CD1d in the immune response against Listeria infection.

Abstract To address the role of CD1d in mucosal immune regulation in bacterial infection, we infected CD1d KO mice with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). A higher systemic bacterial burden associated with inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrations within the intestine was found in CD1d KO compared with wild type (WT) mice. Lm induced strong IFN-γ mRNA expression in the liver of WT and the intestine of CD1d KO mice, thus demonstrating the dual, opposing immune activities of IFN-γ in Lm infection that is dependent on CD1d and/or NKT cells. Analysis of hepatic T cell population demonstrated a reduction of NK1.1+TCRβ+ cells in both mice, followed by recovery only in WT mice. Last, the proportion of α4β1 integrin on lung lymphocytes from CD1d KO was dramatically increased compared with WT mice. Thus, the absence of CD1d resulted in increased susceptibility towards Listeria infection, induced changes in NKT cells, and increased trafficking of α4β1 molecule to inflamed lung.
Plant enhancement of indigenous soil micro-organisms: a low-cost treatment of contaminated soils

The United States has more than 1000 individual areas of petroleum-contaminated soil at formerly used defense (FUD) sites located in cold regions. This paper investigates biotreatment systems based on exploiting naturally occurring phenomena in the rhizosphere — the soil adjacent to and influenced by plant roots. Rhizosphere-based remediation systems would be inexpensive to implement and maintain and would be applicable to remote or permafrost sites. Herein, this paper provides the rationale for using rhizosphere-based biotreatment systems and some initial results. In both laboratory and field studies, successful plant germination, plant growth, and root intrusion into and through contaminated soil are demonstrated. Using a Captina silt loam in a 10-week laboratory study, the effects of vegetation and contamination on microbial numbers were compared. The vegetation treatments included an unvegetated control and a vegetated treatment seeded with bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum ). The contamination treatments included an uncontaminated control and a treatment with 2000 mg pyrene kg -1 soil added. Microbial numbers at 10 weeks were not significantly influenced by the contaminant level of 2000 mg pyrene kg -1 soil compared to the control. However, microbial numbers were greater in the rhizosphere of the bahiagrass-vegetated soil compared to the unvegetated soil. In a 34-week field study, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations of a diesel-contaminated soil decreased significantly more in the rhizosphere+nutrient treatment compared to the control that was not vegetated or fertilized. Bacterial numbers in the field study were 287 times greater in the rhizosphere+nutrient treated soils than in the control treatments. Measurable TPH compounds in the plant tissue were insignificant. The data demonstrated that rhizosphereenhanced treatment of organic-contaminated soils can be effective in reducing soil petroleum concentrations and may be a cost-effective strategy particularly suited for treating cold-region sites where remediation options are limited by cost, remoteness of the site, and/or brevity of the treatment season.
Bilingual intercultural education and Andean hip hop: Transnational sites for indigenous language and identity

Exploring contemporary Aymara and Quechua speakers' engagements with multilingualism, this article examines two transnational sites of Indigenous language use in Bolivia—a master's program in bilingual intercultural education in Cochabamba and a hip hop collective in El Alto. Responding to the call for a sociolinguistics of globalization that describes and interprets mobile linguistic resources, speakers, and markets, we draw on long-term ethnographic fieldwork to explore the transnational nature of these mobile and globalized sites, ideologies of Indigenous language and identity present there, and flexible language practices therein. From our analysis of selected narratives and interactions observed and recorded between 2004 and 2009, we argue that these sites, ideologies, and language practices constitute productive spaces for Indigenous language speakers to intervene in a historically and enduringly unequal, globalizing world. (Indigeneity, mobility, translanguaging, flexible language practices, multilingual repertoire, global hip hop)*
Relationship of medical status, medications, and salivary flow rates in adults of different ages*

Multiple systemic disorders and medications have been reported to cause xerostomia or salivary gland hypofunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship among systemic disorders, medications, and salivary flow rates. Sixty-three ambulatory dental patients aged 23 to 82 years were randomly selected. The nature, duration, and number of systemic disorders and medications were documented. Repeated measurements of unstimulated whole, chewing-stimulated whole, acid-stimulated parotid, and candy-stimulated parotid salivary flow rates were obtained. Data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, nonparametric multivariate analysis of variance, and Fisher's exact test. For persons with systemic disorders who were taking medication, all salivary flow rates were significantly (p = 0.03 - 0.001) lower than the flow rates in healthy persons. Among persons with at least one systemic disorder who were taking medication, those who had been taking medication for longer than 2 years had significantly lower unstimulated whole saliva (p = 0.002), chewing-stimulated whole saliva (p = 0.0004), and candy-stimulated parotid saliva (p = 0.02) flow rates than those who had been taking medication for 1 to 2 years. The number of systemic disorders significantly (p = 0.02) and negatively affected the acid-stimulated parotid salivary rates. The prevalence of salivary hypofunction determined on the basis of unstimulated whole saliva and acid-stimulated parotid saliva was significantly higher (p = < 0.001, p = 0.007) in the those persons with systemic disorders and taking medications. The results suggest that salivary secretion is affected by the number of systemic disorders and duration of the potentially xerogenic medications.
Cosmogenic 32P and 33P used as tracers to study phosphorus recycling in the upper ocean

The elements C, N and P are mostly biologically recycled in the upper ocean. Consequently, nutrient cycling and food web dynamics are central problems in marine biology and chemistry. The natural stable isotopes 13C and 15N and the radioisotopes 3H, 14C and 32P have been used to estimate rates of in situ photosynthesis, nucleic acid synthesis1,2 and new production3–8, but previously there was no practical way of studying the gross character of nutrient cycles in their natural environment. We have now developed a method based on two naturally occurring radioisotopes, 32P (half-life, 14.3 days) and 33P (half-life, 25.3 days) to study phosphorus recycling in the upper ocean. We have studied their concentrations in the dissolved inorganic phosphorus, dissolved organic phosphorus and participate organic phosphorus from waters within and below the mixed layer. These isotopes permit study of P cycling on the timescales compatible with those involved in biogeochemical pro-cesses and in trophic interactions within the food web.
Monotonic and Cyclic Characterization of Five Different Casting Processes on a Common Magnesium Alloy

The monotonic and cyclic behavior of five different casting processes for AZ91 magnesium alloy is evaluated through microstructure characterization and mechanical testing. A passenger car control arm was cast by squeeze cast, low pressure permanent mold, low pressure permanent mold-electricmagnetic-pump, T-mag, and ablation processes. Samples were cut from twelve locations of the control arm for microstructure characterization. The grain size, porosity fraction, and porosity size were measured via optical microscopy. Different types and sizes of defects were present in each type of casting processes. The mechanical behavior characterization included monotonic tension, and fully-reversed fatigue tests. Sources of fatigue crack initiation were quantified using scanning electron microscopy. For both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions, poor mechanical performance was directly linked to the presence of large pores, oxide films, and/or pore shrinkage clusters.© 2011 ASME
Contralateral psoas seroma after transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion with bone morphogenetic protein-2 implantation

Abstract Background context The lateral transpsoas approach to interbody fusion of the lumbar spine (lateral lumbar interbody fusion [LLIF]) with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) augmentation has been increasingly performed in recent years. Potential side effects and adverse sequelae of BMP-2 in the acute setting remain to be fully elucidated. Purpose To review the literature for reports of complications related to BMP-2 implantation in lumbar spinal surgery and present a case of a contralateral psoas muscle seroma after LLIF with BMP-2 implantation. Study design Case report and literature review. Methods The PubMed database was searched for articles related to adverse events to BMP-2 in lumbar spinal surgery. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who underwent routine right-sided transpsoas approach for LLIF with the use of BMP-2 at our institution and developed a left-sided psoas muscle fluid accumulation 2 weeks postoperatively. Results No reports of complications contralateral to an LLIF approach attributable to an inflammatory response to BMP-2 were identified in the English literature. In the presented patient, a large (4.2×6.5×2.7 cm) left-sided sterile intramuscular psoas fluid collection was seen on a magnetic resonance imaging study obtained on postoperative day 14. At a 6-month follow-up, left-sided L5 radiculopathy resulting in 4/5 foot drop was confirmed by electromyography. The patient reported here represents the only case of a contralateral psoas seroma with suspected association to BMP-2 utilization in LLIF encountered at our institution. Conclusions A serous psoas muscle fluid accumulation after BMP-2 implantation may rarely occur contralateral to the surgical approach for LLIF. Further characterization of complications related to BMP-2 implantation after lumbar spinal surgery will help guide preoperative informed decision making and the management of this unusual postoperative adverse event.
Antibodies to Canine Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor Induce Persistent Neutropenia

A severe persistent neutropenia developed in a rabbit that was injected intradermally with 120, 60, 60, and 120 μg of recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (cG-CSF) on days 1, 22, 31, and 44, respectively. The neutropenia was present from day 44 to day 205. The nadir of the neutropenia (60 cells/μl) occurred in conjunction with peak antibody titer (640,000) to cG-CSF on day 58. The immune antiserum from this rabbit reacted positively for cG-CSF on Western blot analysis. The immune antiserum also neutralized the activity of cG-CSF. On day 160, examination of the bone marrow showed marked granulocytic hypoplasia and mild erythroid hyperplasia. On day 205, the rabbit was still neutropenic (430 cells/μl), even though the last injection of cG-CSF was given 161 days previously. Necropsy on day 205 showed that there was still mild granulocytic hypoplasia with mild erythroid hyperplasia. Because of the lack of any inflammatory foci found at necropsy and the granulocytic hypoplasia, it was thoug...
Reoperative endoscopic sympathectomy for persistent or recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis.

Background Sympathectomy for severe palmar hyperhidrosis occasionally fails. This investigation reviews our experience with reoperative thoracoscopic sympathectomy (RS) for patients with persistent or recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RS for palmar hyperhidrosis was conducted. Comparison was made with all patients undergoing an initial thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) for palmar hyperhidrosis at our institution during the same period. Results Over 6 years, 40 patients underwent bilateral (32) or unilateral (8) RS for refractory (35) or recurrent (5) palmar hyperhidrosis. During the same period, 321 patients underwent bilateral TS for palmar hyperhidrosis. Previous methods of sympathectomy included percutaneous ablation (25), TS (10), axillary thoracotomy (3), and a posterior transthoracic approach (2). Twenty-two RS patients and 11 TS patients required a third port to complete the procedure because of pleural adhesions ( p = 0.0001). Twenty-three RS and 11 TS patients required postoperative pleural drainage ( p = 0.0004). Mean length of stay was1.6 for the RS group and less than 1 day for the TS group ( p = 0.0001). Alleviation of palmar hyperhidrosis occurred in 38 RS patients and 316 TS patients ( p = 0.18). Compensatory sweating was identified in 21 RS patients and 101 TS patients ( p = 0.01). Conclusions Reoperative thoracoscopic sympathectomy produced a rate of improvement comparable to that of TS. However, RS was associated with an increased need for postoperative pleural drainage, longer hospital stay, a more difficult operative procedure, and a higher rate of compensatory sweating than TS was. Reoperative sympathectomy should be considered a safe and effective option for patients with palmar hyperhidrosis who remain severely symptomatic after a sympathectomy.
Manipulating the Motion of a Single Trapped Atom

A single atom confined in an electromagnetic trap (see Figure 1) has many similarities to a molecule. Spectroscopy reveals both internal electronic structure and external vibrational structure. In the case of a trapped atom, the vibrational states can be controlled to a high degree, primarily because the effective vibrational potential is externally applied and can be made almost purely harmonic. By coupling the electronic and vibrational states of a trapped atom with laser radiation, motional wavepackets of the atom can be manipulated and interesting states of motion can be created which exhibit highly nonclassical behavior. In this Account, we describe experiments which control the bound states of a “molecule” formed by a single trapped atomic ion bound to a harmonic trap. We create1 (i) Fock states (eigenstates of vibration) including the n ) 0 zero-point vibrational ground state, (ii) coherent states, where the wavepacket orbit corresponds most closely to classical oscillation in the trap, (iii) squeezed states, in which the wavepackets undergo a “breathing” mode in the trap, and (iv) “Schrodinger cat” states of motion,2 where the trapped ion is placed in a coherent superposition of spatially separated coherent states. Such states of motion are useful for a number of applications, including issues involving quantum measurement theory, sensitive electronic detection,3 spectroscopy below the quantum
Genetic Evidence for Two Sequentially Occupied K+ Binding Sites in the Kdp Transport ATPase

Substrate binding sites in Kdp, a P-type ATPase of Escherichia coli, were identified by the isolation and characterization of mutants with reduced affinity for K+, its cation substrate. Most of the mutants have an altered KdpA subunit, a hydrophobic subunit not found in other P-type ATPases. Topological analysis of KdpA and the locations of the residues changed in the mutants suggest that KdpA has 10 membrane-spanning segments and forms two separate and distinct sites where K+ is bound. One site is formed by three periplasmic loops of the protein and is inferred to be the site of initial binding. The other site is cytoplasmic. We believe K+ moves from the periplasmic site through the membrane to the cytoplasmic site where it becomes "occluded," i.e. inexchangeable with K+ outside the membrane. Membrane-spanning parts of KdpA probably form the path for transmembrane movement of K+. The kinetics of cation transport in the mutants indicate that each of the two binding sites contributes to the observed Km for cations as well as to the marked discrimination between K+ and Rb+ characteristic of wild-type Kdp. Energy coupling in Kdp, mediated by the KdpB subunit, is performed by a different subunit from the one that mediates transport.
A watershed in gallstone therapy

Within the last several years dramatic new therapies for the treatment of gallstone disease have appeared. In this issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, the article by Lubock (1) provides a review of the basic principles of shock-wave therapy and the developments that have enabled manufacturers to eliminate the need for water immersion in the application of this new type of therapy for gallstones. The manuscript by Burnett et al. (2), also in this issue, discusses the successful application of this technique to a large number of patients treated in the United States. Recently, articles have also appeared in other journals reviewing the applications of both shock-wave treatment (3) and dissolution therapy with chenodiol, ursodiol, and methyl tert-butyl ether (4-6). As a result of this proliferation of treatments, physicians and patients alike face a revolution in gallstone therapy as great as that which occurred following the first successful cholecystectomy by Langenbuch in 1882, and physicians and surgeons must reexamine the approach to the clinical management of patients with gallstones. Gallstone disease appears to be a disease of modern man. Although at least one Egyptian mummy has been found to have a gallstone (presumably calcified) (7), ancient medical writings such as those of Galen (AD 130-200) apparently overlooked gallstones. By the Renaissance, anatomists and physicians had begun to describe gallstones and some even began to associate them with disease (8). More recent studies appear to indicate an increasing prevalence of gallstone disease in technologically advanced societies and a contrastingly low prevalence of the disorder among less advanced populations such as in Africa. In Japan, not only
Significant Tricuspid Regurgitation Predicts Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure

Background: Valvular disease can complicate management and clinical course in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The aim of the present study was to characterize the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and short-term outcomes of hospitalized ADHF patients with and without significant TR and to determine whether significant TR is predictive of hospital length of stay (LOS) and 6and 12-month outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively studied 167 patients hospitalized with ADHF at a tertiary teaching hospital. Clinical, echocardiographic, and outcomes data were recorded. The primary endpoint was 6-month all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 51 (31%) patients demonstrated significant TR (defined as TR grade O 2). Patients with significant TR were more likely to have atrial fibrillation, worse mitral regurgitation (MR), higher right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), higher rates of RV enlargement, larger right atria (RA), and higher discharge blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Clinical outcomes are demonstrated in Table 1.
Prediction and forecasting in linear models with measurement error

We consider measurement error models within the time series unobserved component framework. A variable of interest is observed with some measurement error and modelled as an unobserved component. The forecast and the prediction of this variable given the observed values is given by the Kalman filter and smoother along with their conditional variances. By expressing the forecasts and predictions as weighted averages of the observed values, we investigate the effect of estimation error in the measurement and observation noise variances. We also develop corrected standard errors for prediction and forecasting accounting for the fact that the measurement and observation error variances are estimated by the same sample that is used for forecasting and prediction purposes. We apply the theory to the Yellowstone grizzly bears and US index of production datasets.
Avian Disease Virus and Nutrition Relationships 4. Effect of B Complex Vitamins on Growth and Mortality of White Leghorn Chicks Infected with Newcastle Disease Virus

Abstract BODY reserves of a dietary essential play important and varying roles in virus infection. Cooperman et al. (1946) have shown that virulence of avian encephalomyelitis was enhanced in chicks and mature birds with adequate body reserves of thiamine and reduced when reserves of this essential were inadequate. The report of Little et al. (1948) indicated that depleted reserves of folic acid may reduce the incidence of Rous sarcoma. Squibb (1961) demonstrated that vitamin A therapy during the period of active Newcastle disease virus (NDV) involvement had no effect on weight gains, water intake, feed efficiency, frequency of symptoms, or mortality of chicks with adequate body reserves of vitamin A. Similar results concerning the lack of a vitamin A effect with Mycoplasma infection in chicks with adequate body reserves have been reported by Boyd and Edwards (1962). The three experiments reported here were designed to study the effect of NDV infection…
Study of azeotropic mixtures with the advanced distillation curve approach

Abstract Classical methods for the study of complex fluid phase behavior include static and dynamic equilibrium cells that usually require vapor and liquid recirculation. These are sophisticated, costly apparatus that require highly trained operators, usually months of labor-intensive work per mixture, and the data analysis is also rather complex. Simpler approaches to the fundamental study of azeotropes are highly desirable, even if they provide only selected cuts through the phase diagram. Recently, we introduced an advanced distillation curve measurement method featuring: (1) a composition explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for both qualitative and quantitative analysis), (2) temperature measurements that are true thermodynamic state points that can be modeled with an equation of state, (3) temperature, volume and pressure measurements of low uncertainty suitable for equation of state development, (4) consistency with a century of historical data, (5) an assessment of the energy content of each distillate fraction, (6) trace chemical analysis of each distillate fraction, and (7) corrosivity assessment of each distillate fraction. We have applied this technique to the study of azeotropic mixtures, for which this method provides the bubble point temperature and dew point composition, completely defining the thermodynamic state from the Gibbs phase rule perspective. In this paper, we present the application of the approach to several simple binary azeotropic mixtures: ethanol + benzene, 2-propanol + benzene, and acetone + chloroform.
The Enactment and Appraisal of Authenticity in a Skid Row Therapeutic Community

This article describes the enactment and appraisal of authenticity in a skid row therapeutic community for the treatment of substance problems. Commitment to recovery was a basic requirement of participation in treatment, but it was widely assumed among program participants that many of their peers merely feigned commitment to recovery in order to remain sheltered. As a result, the enactment and appraisal of authentic commitment to recovery became a central organizing feature of therapeutic practice in the program. I first describe how the program's demand that participants engage in authentic self-disclosure bore on the treatment experienced by homeless residents of skid row. I then outline local techniques employed by program members for enacting and appraising authentic commitment to recovery through progressive stages of the treatment process. I conclude with a discussion of how this analysis deepens our understanding of the enactment and appraisal of authenticity throughout social life and a critique of Hochschild's influential constructionist formulation of the relationship between emotion management and personal authenticity.
Fuel cell powered transit bus development activities at Georgetown University

Georgetown University (GU) has been at the forefront in the development of transportation fuel cells for more than 14 years. The GU programme has resulted in the development, demonstration and testing of several fuel cell power plants and vehicles. Studies and technical demonstrations were conducted at key points along the way, to verify that the concept was feasible and that the technology was in hand. This article reports on some of the latest results, and looks at some of the next steps in the development process.