cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Extreme Prematurity: A Prospective Comparison of 2 Regional Cohorts Born 20 Years Apart

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes that have occurred over the past 20 years in perinatal characteristics, neonatal treatments, morbidities, and early neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born at ≤30 weeks9 gestation. METHODS: This was a prospective regional study including all live-born infants ≤30 weeks9 gestation born between July 1985 and June 1986 (cohort 1) and July 2005 and June 2006 (cohort 2). Sociodemographically matched term controls were recruited for each cohort. Perinatal characteristics, mortality rates, and survival with and without impairments at 24 months9 corrected age were compared. RESULTS: There was a 35% increase in the number of live-born preterm births (138 in cohort 1 and 187 in cohort 2) despite a >10% decline in total births in the region (P CONCLUSION: Over 20 years, there has been a significant increase in live births at ≤30 weeks9 gestational age, with a greater percentage of these neonates surviving without severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 24 months.
Continental basaltic volcanoes — Processes and problems

Monogenetic basaltic volcanoes are the most common volcanic landforms on the continents. They encompass a range of morphologies from small pyroclastic constructs to larger shields and reflect a wide range of eruptive processes. This paper reviews physical volcanological aspects of continental basaltic eruptions that are driven primarily by magmatic volatiles. Explosive eruption styles include Hawaiian and Strombolian (sensu stricto) and violent Strombolian end members, and a full spectrum of styles that are transitional between these end members. The end-member explosive styles generate characteristic facies within the resulting pyroclastic constructs (proximal) and beyond in tephra fall deposits (medial to distal). Explosive and effusive behavior can be simultaneous from the same conduit system and is a complex function of composition, ascent rate, degassing, and multiphase processes. Lavas are produced by direct effusion from central vents and fissures or from breakouts (boccas, located along cone slopes or at the base of a cone or rampart) that are controlled by varying combinations of cone structure, feeder dike processes, local effusion rate and topography. Clastogenic lavas are also produced by rapid accumulation of hot material from a pyroclastic column, or by more gradual welding and collapse of a pyroclastic edifice shortly after eruptions. Lava flows interact with — and counteract — cone building through the process of rafting. Eruption processes are closely coupled to shallow magma ascent dynamics, which in turn are variably controlled by pre-existing structures and interaction of the rising magmatic mixture with wall rocks. Locations and length scales of shallow intrusive features can be related to deeper length scales within the magma source zone in the mantle. Coupling between tectonic forces, magma mass flux, and heat flow range from weak (low magma flux basaltic fields) to sufficiently strong that some basaltic fields produce polygenetic composite volcanoes with more evolved compositions. Throughout the paper we identify key problems where additional research will help to advance our overall understanding of this important type of volcanism.
Thermal response of composite building envelopes accounting for thermal radiation

Abstract Thermal loads for an occupied zone depend on several different factors of which heat transfer through the walls of a zone is of interest in this study. Multiple modes of heat transfer, along with transient boundary conditions, create a transient heat transfer problem. The governing equation for heat transfer through the walls is the one-dimensional transient heat conduction equation with associated initial and boundary conditions. A model based on the finite-volume method is developed to solve numerically the transient heat conduction equation. The model provides the temperature profile of a composite wall with multiple homogeneous layers, time varying solar flux and outdoor temperature, and thermal radiation. Results for heat fluxes from the model are shown to be in agreement with those of analytical methods. Results for six walls of a zone with radiant exchange of energy between the interior surfaces of the zone are presented.
Space Interferometry Mission: flight system and configuration overview

In 2009, NASA's Origins Program will launch the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), a 10-meter-baseline optical interferometry instrument, into an Earth-trailing solar orbit. This instrument will be comprised of four parallel optical interferometers whose prime mission objective is to perform astrometric measurements at unprecedented accuracy. Launched by the Space Shuttle and boosted into its final trajectory by an integral propulsion system, SIM will collect data for more than five years in the search for extra-solar system planets. NASA has assembled an integrated Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)/Industry team comprised of TRW, Lockheed Martin, and Caltech to formulate a reference design to meet the SIM science objectives. Addressing unique technical challenges has proven to be a formidable task in numerous aspects of the system definition, from component development to system-level integration and test. Parallel activities to develop and test the necessary enabling technologies for SIM are coupled with the ongoing flight system design. The flight system design poses unique challenges in many areas, including geometric aspects of the layout, stability of the precision structure, thermal control, active vibration suppression, picometer-level laser metrology, etc. System-level trade studies that balance the requirements of the optics and metrology layouts and develop clean interfaces are presented herein. This paper also addresses the issues of the System Engineering processes and validation of performance specifications. Finally, this paper describes the current status of the SIM Reference System design.
Capacity loss evaluation of reinforced concrete bridges located in extreme chloride-laden environments

This article provides a comprehensive procedure for the structural performance evaluation and life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis of reinforced concrete highway bridges located in extreme chloride-laden environments. An integrated computational methodology is developed to simulate the chloride intrusion and to estimate the corrosion initiation time. The effects of various influential parameters on the chloride diffusion process are examined and the changes in geometry and material properties of structural members are calculated over the entire life of the bridge. In order to evaluate the global structural degradation due to the corrosion mechanisms, an inventory of bridges with different structural attributes are investigated. The extent of capacity loss is calculated using the moment-curvature and nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. Results of this study are then utilised to find the LCC of bridges. Different inspection and maintenance strategies are considered to minimise the total LCC, which includes the ...
Tubulointerstitial nephritis induced in the brown Norway rat with chaotropically solubilized bovine tubular basement membrane: the model and the humoral and cellular responses.

Abstract Doses of as little as 50 μg of a soluble chaotropic extract of bovine tubular basement membrane (Bov-KBr-TBM) with adjuvants induced anti-TBM antibodies and tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) in Brown Norway (BN) rats. The lesion was shown by renal histology, by deposition of IgG and C3 along TBM, and in terms of the humoral and cellular immune responses to compare to that produced by the standard immunization (particulate bovine TBM) for this model of TIN in BN rats. More than half of the mononuclear cells in kidneys of BN rats with TIN bore various T-cell antigens (monoclonal antibodies W3-13, W3-25, and OX-8), and most of the infiltrating cells were positive for Ia (monoclonal antibody OX-6) by indirect immunofluorescence. Purified suspensions of these mononuclear infiltrates were prepared by using Ficoll-Hypaque gradients and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) to eliminate renal tubular epithelial cells. The purified mononuclear cells, cultured for 5 days, incorporated thymidine in response to concanavalin A (Con A), Mycobacterium tuberculosis purified protein derivative, and Bov-KBr-TBM but not in response to a variety of autologous renal antigens. After culture for 5 days in Bov-KBr-TBM and Con A supernatant, lymph node cells (LNC) from Bov-KBr-TBM-immunized BN rats passively transferred TIN to naive BN rats. Although no cells reactive with autologous renal antigens were detected in the renal infiltrates, the transfer of disease with propagated LNC suggests that elements of the cellular immune system, in addition to anti-TBM antibody, contribute to the generation of this BN-TIN.
An addendum to “A limitation of Markov representation for stationary processes”

Abstract Strictly stationary random sequences are constructed which satisfy φ ;-mixing (and even a slightly stronger mixing condition) with an arbitrarily fast mixing rate (but not m -dependence), but which cannot be represented as an instantaneous function of a strictly stationary real Harris recurrent Markov chain. The examples here are a modification of similar ones constructed earlier by Berbee and the author which had an exponential mixing rate.
Observing the general circulation with floats

Abstract The prospect for describing advection and eddy transport of tracers in the general circulation using floats is examined. This is done within the context of a recently proposed generalization of the advection-diffusion equation for passive scalars in which eddy transport is governed by a time-dependent eddy diffusivity tensor κ(t) which at large t approaches the constant κ(∞) appropriate to pure advection-diffusion models. A minimal description of the general circulation would include the Eulerian mean velocity U(x) and the diffusivity κ(t). Given sufficient numbers of current-followers which adequately follow ideal fluid particles, both the horizontal components of U and the purely horizontal components of K could be measured. The connection between these transport parameters and statistics of ideal particles shows that if the mean density of the float array is nonuniform then the mean velocity deduced from it will be in error by an array bias produced by downgradient diffusion of floats; this same phenomenon is responsible for the bias of Lagrangian mean velocity away from U toward high eddy diffusivity. A bias also affects diffusivity estimates when the sampling array is not uniform in the mean. The effects of nonuniform sampling make it difficult to piece together an accurate description of the general circulation from floats deployed in localized regional arrays. Both horizontal and vertical separations develop between initially paired floats and fluid particles because floats do not follow vertical water motion. The effect of this on the U and κ measured with floats is examined and is found to be negligible outside of strong currents. With floats, Eulerian statistics must be estimated from a combination of space and time averaging. The uncertainty, σU, of a measured U then depends on the spatial averaging scale A. The trade-off between accuracy and resolution is at the analyst's control by adjusting the averaging scale, but the product σU·λ is fixed by the sampling density and eddy field properties. The measurement uncertainty of the diffusivity κ(t) increases with t, even after κ has reached its asymptote κ∞. Numerical simulation of particle motion is used to test the generalized advection-diffusion equation upon which the development is based, to study how the diffusivity depends on properties of the eddy field, and to explore problems in mapping the general circulation in the presence of statistically inhomogeneous eddies, boundaries and strong currents. When the mean float density is reasonably uniform, then measurements of mean flow and the fully horizontal components of the eddy diffusivity are accurate and are equally useful in strong boundary currents and in broad interior flows.
RESTRAINTS ON THIN SECTION ANALYSIS OF GRAIN GROWTH IN UNSTRAINED POLYCRYSTALLINE ICE

Tests were performed at -1°C to evaluate the effects of a free surface and the thickness dimensions of thin sections on the growth of grains in fine-grained, pore-rich, strain-free polycrystalline ice. Results show that negligible growth of grains occurs when the mean size of grains is more than 1.5 to 2 times the section thickness. Grain growth in thicker sections was significant for the fact that grain boundary migration, leading to 3-4 fold increases in average grain size, was virtually unaffected by the presence of large numbers of bubbles in the ice. Nor was there any evidence to indicate any concentrating of bubbles along migrating boundaries. Grain boundary grooving was a characteristic feature of most sections undergoing grain growth. This implies actual migration of grooves during grain growth. The fact that the total length of grooves decreased with increasing grain size also implies some process of groove consumption during grain growth. Three-dimensional grain growth measurements in bulk samples compared favorably with those obtained from sections two to three times thicker than the mean grain diameter.
Near-threshold CNTFET SRAM cell design with gated cell power supply

In this paper we report an in-depth study of power supply reduction towards near-threshold for an 8-transistor CNTFET SRAM cell. Near-threshold voltage provides savings in power consumption, but has negative impact on delays, noise margin and yield. We have incorporated a removed metallic CNT approach to deal with non-semiconductor CNTs. Monte Carlo simulations have shown that with Vdd down to 0.5V, 0.72% of the cells are non-functional after removing the metallic CNTs. The power saving is over 5X, while the average delay is increased by 3.5X as compared to 0.9V Vdd. To further improve yield and performance, the gated cell power supply technique is applied which weakens the pull-up transistors during write and effectively eliminates all the write failures at near-threshold voltage level. At Vdd=0.5V, the cell with gated power supply improves write performance and write EDP by 1.5X and 2.9X compared to the non-gated cell. It also saves 70% total energy and achieves 38% lower EDP than a cell at nominal Vdd (0.9V).
The surveillance-evasion game of degree

The game of degree is analyzed in a surveillance-evasion problem: the evader strives to escape as soon as possible from the pursuer's detection circle, while the pursuer's desire is the opposite. The evader moves with constant speed and is capable of instantaneous direction changes. The pursuer has a minimum turn-radius, independent of speed, and can move forward with any speed not exceeding a maximum greater than the evader's speed. The solution is surprisingly complex, including regions where the pursuer's speed is optional,switch envelopes, focal lines, as well aschattering by the pursuer to prevent the crossing of certainbarriers.
Spontaneous pulsing, period doubling, and quasi-periodicity in a unidirectional, single-mode, inhomogeneously broadened ring laser

Studies of a unidirectional ring laser using the 3.51–μm transition in xenon reveal a well-defined second threshold above the threshold for cw lasing at which spontaneous self-pulsing is observed. Higher excitation thresholds are found for transitions through a sequence of period doublings or to quasi-periodic behavior (two independent pulsing frequencies). Detuning the laser cavity from resonance does not lead to the dramatic complications in the pulsing structure that were observed in Fabry–Perot lasers. Instead with increasing detuning, we find a smooth reduction in complexity of the dynamical behavior that seems to correspond principally to the reduction in the gain and the laser intensity with detuning. We also find some evidence that transverse beam profiles cause qualitative and quantitative changes in the location and nature of the various transitions.
Fluorogenic substrate turnover in single living cells

Intracellular diffusion properties and enzyme activities in single living cells can be analysed by means of fluorogenic substrates that diffuse into the cells where they are converted into a fluorescent product by an enzymic reaction. The reaction-kinetic analysis of this process as a system of consecutive reactions provides information on the diffusion of the substrate into the cells, on intracellular enzyme activities and on the efflux of the fluorescent product. Separation of diffusion and enzyme-mediated processes is obtained by inducing specific changes of the cellular membrane using gramicidin D. A model for the functional interpretation of the experimental findings is proposed. Application of this method as a viability test for freshly prepared and frozen platelets is discussed.
Combined Modality Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

CMT yields the best results in LD-SCLC, but attempts must be taken to decrease added toxicity. To achieve maximum effectiveness, RT must be used early with sufficiently higher doses. The use of angled RT fields and shrinking portals is highly desirable to minimize RT-induced toxicity. Nevertheless, more effective systemic treatment is needed in this disease. The use of RT + CT with etoposide and platinum requires further testing, as well as the alternating approach using split-course RT between early CT cycles. More randomized trials are needed with perhaps better-designed and more standardized therapeutic deliveries. RT has now been restored to the main armamentarium for SCLC and is a very logical alternative to second line CT for chest recurrences when induction CT fails.
Simulation Based Development and Analysis of Helmet-to-Helmet Collision

In 2003, a study was conducted to analyze brain-related fatalities in American football. From 1945–1999 a total of 497 fatalities were brain injury-related. Majority of the injuries, 61%, occurred during the football game, and “75% of these were high school players.” The number of high school students was more than 13 times greater than the number of college and professional players combined [1]. While millions of high school students will never make it to the next lever; collegiate and professional players have brought the attention needed to the make advances in the field of helmet design. Further, a study conducted by Bartsch et al. showed that the 20th and 21st century football helmet and the “leatherhead” helmets are very similar in their concussion-resistant and shock-mitigating capabilities [2]. In the past few decades, improvements in the helmet design have not addressed shock wave mitigation but rather focused on the strength, durability, and “looks” of the helmet. A major issue stems from the lack of thorough knowledge of the biomechanics and physics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to helmet-to-helmet contacts. The current study proposes to an in-depth finite element analysis (FEA) of the helmet-to-helmet collision. The finite element (FE) model consists of a human head clad with helmet with simulations being performed using ABAQUS/Explicit [3]. Here, Helmet-to-helmet impacts will be analyzed to develop a new head injury metric that captures the locational and history effects of the impending shock wave due to collision.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
ON LIMITERS FOR MINIMAL VORTICITY DISSIPATION

Limiters that minimize the numerical dissipation of vorticity are considered. It is shown that for a typical vortex the velocity in the direction normal to the vorticity and the gradient of the absolute value of the vorticity reaches a maximum, switching on whatever limiter is being employed, and dissipating the vortex. Based on this insight a local change of coordinates is performed in order to limit differently the velocities in the characteristic directions of the vortical flow. This reduces the dissipation markedly. An example is included that compares the new limiter to existing ones, as well as to results using the usual vorticity confinement options.
Isotope exchange as a probe of the kinetic mechanism of pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase.

Data obtained from isotope exchange at equilibrium, exchange of inorganic phosphate against forward reaction flux, and positional isotope exchange of /sup 18/O from the bridge position of pyrophosphate to a nonbridge position all indicate that the pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase fromPropionibacterium freudenreichii has a rapid equilibrium random kinetic mechanism. The maximum rates of isotope exchange at equilibrium for the (/sup 14/C)fructose 1,6-bisphosphate in equilibrium fructose 6-phosphate, (/sup 32/P)P/sub i/ in equilibrium MgPP/sub i/, and Mg(/sup 32/P)PP/sub i/ in equilibrium fructose, 1,6-bisphosphate exchange reactions increasing all four possible substrate-product pairs in constant ratio are identical, consistent with a rapid equilibrium mechanism. All exchange reactions are strongly inhibited at high concentrations of the fructose 6-phosphate (F6P)P/sub i/ and MgPP/sub i/P/sub i/ substrate-product pairs and weakly inhibited at high concentrations of the MgPP/sub i/fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) pair suggesting three dead-end complexes, E:F6P:P/sub i/, E:MgPP/sub i/:P/sub i/, and E:FBP:MgPP/sub i/, in agreement with initial velocity studies. Neither back-exchange by (/sup 32/P)P/sub i/ nor positional isotope exchange of /sup 18/O-bridge-labeled pyrophosphate was observed under any conditions, suggesting that either the chemical interconversion step or a step prior to it limits the overall rate of the reaction.
Identification of Volatiles Derived from Citrobacter freundii Fermentation of a Trypticase Soy Broth

Twenty-two compounds emanated as volatiles from an 8-day fermentation of trypticase soy broth by Citrobacter freundii, American Type Culture Collection (ATCC 8090), were identified by dynamic heads...
Characterization of a neutral aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase from Naegleria fowleri.

An intracellular alpha-aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase (EC 3.4.11.-) from Naegleria fowteri nN68 (ATCC 30894) has been characterized. The enzyme preparation hydrolyzed phenylalanyl-, tyrosyl-, leucyl-, arginyl-, alanyl-, tryptophanyl-, histidyl-, methionyl-, and lysyl-naphthylamide but not benzoylleucyl-, leucylglycyl-, glycylprolylleucyl-, glycyl-, threonyl-, aspartyl-, or glutamyl-naphthylamide. The aminopeptidase activity was inhibited by the cysteine-protease inhibitors—hydroxymercuribenzoate, chloromercurisulfate, and iodoacetate- by the aminopeptidase inhibitors-bestatin and trans-epoxysuccinyl-leucyl-agmatine- by an inhibitor of soluble alanyl aminopeptidase EC 3.4.11.14, puromycin, and by the metalloprotease inhibitor, o-phenanthroline. The exopeptidase activity was not inhibited by the chelator, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, or the serine-protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride. The pH optimum of the exopeptidase was between 7.0 and 8.0. Enzyme activity was stable at 55°C for 30 min, but all activity was lost after 15 min at 80°C. Enzyme activity was inhibited by 100 μM HgCI2 and CdCl2 but not by 1 mM CoCl2, CuCl2, MnCl2, NiCl2, FeCl2, or ZnCl2. Enzyme activity was inhibited by 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate but not by 0.2% Brij 35, Tween 20, Tween 80, or Triton X-100.
Analysis of fertilization and polyspermy in serotonin-spawned eggs of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Eggs isolated from animals spawned with 10(-3) M serotonin were inseminated with sperm concentrations ranging from 10(3)-10(6) sperm/ml. Multiple sperm attached to the surface of the egg and sperm incorporation occurred within 3 min postinsemination (PI). Sperm mitochondria, centrioles, and flagellum were also incorporated. Incorporation was essentially complete by 6 min PI. In the egg cortex, the sperm head rotated 180 degrees, and a rapid translocation of the sperm through the cytoplasm towards the egg interior began by 5-6 min PI. In heavily polyspermic inseminations, translocations of the sperm were either minimal or nonexistent. In monospermic eggs, nuclear decondensation occurred after translocation was complete, beginning by 9-10 min PI. A male pronucleus began to develop in the cytoplasm by 21 min PI and enlarged to 20 microns before fusing with the female pronucleus. Oscillation of the egg cytoplasm and mitotic spindle apparatus was observed immediately prior to cleavage. Cleavage occurred at 60 min PI. Sperm incorporation and pronuclear formation were confirmed with fluorescent and confocal microscopy using the DNA-specific dyes Hoescht 33342 and 7-aminoactinomycin D. In sperm concentrations > 10(4) sperm/ml, 26-76% of the eggs exhibited polyspermy. The high incidence of polyspermy suggests that rapid, effective blocks to polyspermy were not present or were ineffective in a significant proportion of serotonin-spawned eggs.
Span Efficiencies of Wings at Low Reynolds Numbers

Elegant and inviscid analytical theory can predict the induced drag on lifting wings of finite span. The theoretical prediction is then often modified by multiplication with a dimensionless coefficient for which the departure from a value of 1 is used as a way to incorporate realistic and necessary departures from the idealized model. Unfortunately, there are conflicting definitions of these dimensionless coefficients, often known as span efficiencies, so that even if numerical values are assigned in a clear and transparent fashion, their application and validity remain unclear. Here, the differences between two commonly used definitions of span efficiency are identified and it is shown that for the case of airfoil sections and finite wings at chordwise Reynolds numbers less than 10 5 , neither one has values close to those commonly assumed in the aeronautics literature. The cause of these significant viscous modifications to inviscid theory is traced to the movement of separation points from the trailing edge of real airfoils. A modified nomenclature is suggested to reduce the likelihood of confusion, and appropriate formulations for the drag of streamlined bodies in viscous flows at moderate Reynolds number are considered, with application to small-scale flying devices, both natural and engineered.
Structure, physical, and photophysical properties of platinum(II) complexes containing bidentate aromatic and bis(diphenylphosphino)methane as ligands.

This study focuses on a series of PtII(L−L‘)(dppm)n+ complexes, where dppm is bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and L−L‘ are C∧C‘ (n = 0), C∧N (n = 1), and N∧N‘ (n = 2) aromatic ligands. Structural characteristics are as follows: for [Pt(phen)(dppm)](PF6)2, a N∧N‘ derivative, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 33.583(6) A, b = 11.399(2) A, c = 22.158(4) A, Z = 8; for [Pt(phq)(dppm)](PF6), a C∧N derivative, triclinic, P1, a = 11.415(3) A, b = 13.450(3) A, c = 14.210(4) A, Z = 2; for [Pt(phpy)(dppm)](PF6), a C∧N derivative, triclinic, P1, a = 10.030(3) A, b = 13.010(2) A, c = 15.066(4) A, Z = 2; and for [Pt(bph)(dppm)], a C∧C‘ derivative, P21/c, a = 17.116(7) A, b = 21.422(6) A, c = 26.528(6) A, Z = 12, where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, phq is 2-phenylquinoline, phpy is 2-phenylpyridine, and bph is 2,2‘-biphenyl. Structural features indicate that the Pt−C bond distance is shorter than the Pt−N bond distance in symmetrical complexes and that the Pt−P bond distance trans to N is shorter than the Pt−P bond trans to C. This...
The second study of experimental human folate deficiency

Dear Editor We believed for over a half century that the landmark study by Herbert (1962) of experimental human folate deficiency is the one and only of its kind. However, there is a recent study by Golding (2014) published in SpringerPlus (2014, 3:442) reporting follow-up of haematological and biochemical changes secondary to a longterm intake of a low-folate diet. In both audacious studies, each author courageously subjected himself as an experimental subject and consumed foods thriceboiled in a large quantity of water. The principal difference between the two studies was that it took only 18 weeks for Herbert (1962) to observed megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow, whereas it was not until 82 weeks for Golding (2014) to detect this most advanced haematological sign of folate deficiency. Herein, to explain this startling difference, we propose two possible mechanisms. First, the difference may be explained by markedly higher baseline serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations (about 7 – 8 times higher than the cutoff for deficiency) in the study by Golding (2014) than those close to the cutoff points reported by Herbert (1962). These values are presented in Table 1, assuming that values by one of the assays in the recent study are believable. These suggest that the baseline total body folate stores must have been markedly different. If we simply calculate based on the duration until the end point of observing megaloblastic changes, the difference is about 4.6 fold (82/18). A vegetarian diet was consumed before the initiation of the experiment, which undoubtedly lead to above normal folate stores (Golding 2014). Such high body stores may be common in the countries where the fortification of staple foods with folic acid is practiced, and Lin et al. (2004) reported that the total body folate store of adults in the US is 225 μmol which is considerably higher than previously believed.
Application of modern control theory to engine control

This paper describes the evolution of the use of engine models and optimal control theory for engine control systems research at General Motors Research Laboratories. It outlines the progress from simple static parameter optimization on an engine in a test cell, through numerical optimization using multipoint regression models, to full state feedback linear quadratic optimal control and, finally, to an optimal output feedback control with state estimation using an eighteen state dynamic perturbation engine model.
Effect of source, surfactant, and deposition process on electronic properties of nanotube arrays

The electronic properties of arrays of carbon nanotubes from several different sources differing in the manufacturing process used with a variety of average properties such as length, diameter, and chirality are studied. We used several common surfactants to disperse each of these nanotubes and then deposited them on Si wafers from their aqueous solutions using dielectrophoresis. Transport measurements were performed to compare and determine the effect of different surfactants, deposition processes, and synthesis processes on nanotubes synthesized using CVD, CoMoCAT, laser ablation, and HiPCO.
Quartz products made by slip casting

From finely milled fused quartz it is possible to obtain, by the slip method, adequately strong quartz products with high thermal-shock resistance at low firing temperatures. A substantial increase in the strength of the quartz products can be obtained by impregnating them with silicone resins followed by firing at 1100°C.
Bono Made Jesse Helms Cry: Jubilee 2000, Debt Relief, and Moral Action in International Politics

Do states and decision-makers ever act for moral reasons? And if they do, is it only when it is convenient or relatively costless for them to do so? A number of advocacy movementsFon developing country debt relief, climate change, landmines, and other issuesFemerged in the 1990s to ask decision-makers to make foreign policy decisions on that basis. The primary advocates were motivated not by their own material interests but broader notions of right and wrong. What contributes to the domestic acceptance of these moral commitments? Why do some advocacy efforts succeed where others fail? Through a case study of the Jubilee 2000 campaign for developing country debt relief, this article offers an account of persuasion based on strategic framing by advocates to get the attention of decision-makers. Such strategic but not narrowly self-interested activity allows weak actors to leverage existing value and/ or ideational traditions to build broader political coalitions. This article, through case studies of debt relief in the United States and Japan, also links the emerging literature on strategic framing to the domestic institutional context and the ways veto players or ‘‘policy gatekeepers’’ evaluate trade-offs between costs and values.
Positive end-expiratory pressure and lung compliance: effect on delivered tidal volume

The effects of positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP) and lung compliance (CL) on delivered tidal volume (VTdel) and ventilator output were evaluated in the following anaesthesia machine/ ventilator systems: Narkomed III with a Model AV-E ventilator (III/AV-E system) and an Ohmeda Modulus II with either a 7810 anaesthesia ventilator (II/7810 system) or a Model 7000 anaesthesia ventilator (II/7000 system). With a standard circle anaesthesia breathing circuit connected to a test lung simulating CL gas flow was measured and integrated over time at each combination of VT settings (VTset), 500 ml or 1000 ml; CL settings, 0.15 to 0.01 L · cm H2O−1 decreased incrementally; and PEEP settings, 0 to 30 cm H2O increased in 5- cm H2O increments. The integral of gas flow at the Y- piece of the breathing circuit was recorded as VTdel and at the output of the ventilator bellows as ventilator output. As CL decreased to 0.01 L · cm H2O− 1 and PEEP increased to 30 cm H2O, at VTset of 500 ml and 1000 ml, respective VTdel, decreased linearly to 251 ± 6 ml and 542 ± 7 with the III/AV- E, 201 ± 5 and 439 ± 5, with the II/7810, and 181 ± 4 and 433 ± 7 ml with the II/7000 (P < 0.05 among the three systems). Loss in VTdel due to PEEP alone, which increased only slightly when VTset was increased, accounted for an increasingly greater percentage of VTset as it was decreased, which was less pronounced with low CL. Effects of PEEP and CL on ventilator output were similar to those on VTdel but of lesser magnitude. During PEEP, VTset must be increased to compensate for loss in VTdel and expired VT must be monitored to prevent hypoventilation.
The limitations of isolated palatal surgery for patients with obstructive sleep apnea

The surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea has evolved from tracheotomy, to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, to staged procedures directed at correcting anatomic abnormalities at multiple levels of the upper aerodigestive tract. This evolution is due in part to the limited success of the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty alone. It has been hypothesized that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty has had limited success because there are multiple, difficult-to-evaluate sites of airway collapse that make it challenging to predict which patients will benefit. Furthermore, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty can be a relatively morbid procedure that is often less successful than continuous positive airway pressure in treating obstructive sleep apnea. In the setting of a careful endoscopic upper airway evaluation and when combined with other procedures, however, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty has been shown to have a significant role in the surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea.
Interventions to improve guideline compliance following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background Lifestyle modification and appropriate medical therapy improve long-term outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our institutional experience suggested that evidence-based recommendations were not being followed postdischarge after CABG. We undertook this study to document our rate of compliance with evidence-based guidelines and to correct deficiencies in our discharge practices. Methods Seven evidence-based interventions were studied after CABG: (1) institution of beta-blocker therapy, (2) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy, (3) aspirin, (4) lipid-lowering therapy, (5) smoking cessation intervention, (6) heart-healthy diet therapy, and (7) physical activity recommendations. The rate of compliance with guidelines in 50 control patients was measured at discharge. A multidisciplinary team including cardiac surgeons, nurses, dieticians, physical therapists, and clinical pharmacists evaluated the guideline compliance in the control group and developed interventions to assure guideline compliance at the time of discharge. A subsequent study group of 50 patients was then assessed prospectively to measure the guideline compliance after institution of intervention programs. The multidisciplinary team agreed on predefined acceptable compliance limits as follows: (1) >80% of patients receive ACE inhibitors at discharge, (2) 100% of patients receive beta-blockers, aspirin, and lipid-lowering agents at discharge, and (3) 100% of patients receive lifestyle modification counseling at discharge. Compliance with guidelines was defined as documentation in the medical record of provision of medications and lifestyle counseling at the time of discharge. Results In the control group, the rate of guideline compliance was surprisingly low. Rates of compliance with guidelines increased significantly after the multidisciplinary interventions were undertaken. Conclusions We conclude that compliance with guidelines known to improve long-term outcome is suboptimal after CABG. A multidisciplinary intervention program can improve compliance with currently accepted guidelines and quality indicators in patients following CABG.
Homologous pairing of single-stranded circular DNAs catalyzed by recA protein.

Abstract RecA protein catalyzes annealing between pairs of circular single-stranded DNA molecules containing complementary sequences varying in length from 3550 nucleotides to 181 nucleotides. The reaction requires ATP and catalytic amounts of recA protein. Molecules containing large complementary inserts are annealed by recA protein to form large multimeric aggregates that migrate slowly in agarose gels. In contrast the products formed from circular molecules containing short complementary regions are principally dimeric structures. We have used electron microscopy, thermal denaturation and kinetic studies to analyze these reaction products. Our results indicate that recA protein catalyzes multiple nucleation events between complementary DNA sequences in the absence of a free end and when these sequences are flanked by extensive noncomplementary regions.
Enhanced Time-Resolved Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging for Reversible Dynamics

Time-resolved (TR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging provides noninvasively spatial and spectral observations of molecular dynamic processes in heterogeneous environments. The technique, however, is limited by the readout time of the imaging focal plane array detector due to a tradeoff between the multichannel detection advantage and the achievable temporal resolution. We describe a generalized implementation of TR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging that, without affecting data quality, allows potential measurements of up to 2 orders of magnitude greater in time resolution than previously reported; that is, time resolutions of milliseconds to tenths of milliseconds are achievable for reversible dynamic processes. As an example, molecular rotations occurring in embedded liquid crystalline microdomains are monitored with a 2.5 ms time resolution allowing an accurate determination of events inherent in the reorientation and relaxation processes.
High-Technology Agglomeration and the Labor Market: The Case of Silicon Valley:

In this paper the pattern of labor-market activity associated with major high-technology agglomerations within the USA are examined, drawing upon the results of a mailed questionnaire survey of firms in the semiconductor industry. The analysis is focused upon the cluster of specialized semiconductor firms in Silicon Valley, to determine the contribution of local labor-market processes to the growth and development of this high-technology production complex. Fluid employment relations and efficiencies in search and mobility within the local labor market provide Silicon Valley firms remarkable flexibility in meeting their labor demands and help to ensure a rapid circulation of knowledge and information within the production complex. The accelerated transfer of technological knowledge allows Silicon Valley firms to build cumulatively upon a common stock of technological successes and failures, contributing significantly to the innovative dynamism of the region.
Vulva Crafting: A Lesson to Enhance Vulva Knowledge and Celebrate Vulva Diversity

This lesson plan is designed to help students develop an awareness of genital anatomy, terminology, and the diversity of female genitals in terms of appearance (e.g., coloration, size, and shape of the parts of the vulva). This lesson plan describes how to accomplish this goal in college classrooms as well as with adult learners.
Life-Course Influences on Fruit and Vegetable Trajectories: Qualitative Analysis of Food Choices

Abstract Food consumption plays an important role in health, and understanding the process of food choice is central to health promotion. A person's life-course transitions and trajectories (persistent thoughts, feelings, strategies, and actions over the lifespan) are fundamental influences on the development of his or her personal system for making food choices. This analysis used a life-course perspective to examine influences on the fruit and vegetable choices of adults. A purposive, multi-ethnic sample of 86 adults in one U.S. city participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews about their life course, food choices, and influences on fruit and vegetable consumption. Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts, using a grounded theory approach based on the constant comparative method, revealed that past life-course events and experiences were strong influences on present systems for fruit and vegetable choices. Life-course transitions, especially role changes and health events, placed people on relatively stable dietary trajectories that shaped current food choices. Most people experienced a few major transitions that influenced their fruit and vegetable choices, some being abrupt and some more gradual changes in their trajectories. A life-course model of a food choice trajectory was developed from the data to reflect how past events and experiences were operationalized in present contexts to shape food choices. Key influences on the trajectory included food upbringing, roles, health, ethnic traditions, resources, location, and the food system. A life-course perspective on food choice provides unique insights that reveal how past events interact with current environments to both enable and limit current health behaviors such as food choices.
Guidance Directrix Generation Using Laser Sensors

A sensor array consisting of two laser sensors was utilized to determine the guidance directrix (offset distance-d, heading angle-o) that are required as reference inputs for an automated guidance system. The sensor array was evaluated in both laboratory and field conditions. Under laboratory conditions the sensor array replicated the physical profile of the target surface with a 4% error in determining the heading angle. Field tests were conducted in two types of crops; corn and alfalfa. The sensor array identified the cut-crop edge profile ahead of the tractor and replicated distinct shapes of the cut-crop edge. RMSE values in determining the offset distances and heading angles of the cut-crop edge in corn were within 5.5 cm and 4.39o. In the case of alfalfa cut-crop edge the RMSE values were within 6.6 cm and 4.32o.
How Effective are Trade Barriers? An Empirical Analysis of Trade Reduction, Diversion, and Compression

We analyze the effects of trade barriers using highly disaggregated data. The level of disaggregation allows us to separate the effects of tariffs and nontariff barriers (NTBs) into reduction, dive...
Acute ethanol exposure alters hepatic glutathione metabolism in riboflavin deficiency

Since acute ethanol consumption and riboflavin deficiency each induces oxidative stress within tissues, we examined whether their combined effects compromise the major antioxidative system in liver, namely, reduced glutathione (GSH) metabolism. Four hours before sacrifice, half the riboflavin-deficient (RD) and riboflavin-sufficient (RS) rats were treated with ethanol (3 g/kg). Livers were excised and analyzed for GSH and enzymes that control its metabolism. In RD rats, GSH increased while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity decreased. Ethanol had no effect on these measurements in RS rats. In RD rats, ethanol administration decreased GSH along with the activities of GSH peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and G6PD. These data suggest that riboflavin deficiency alone does not compromise hepatic GSH metabolism. By contrast, ethanol consumption together with riboflavin deficiency depletes hepatic GSH, blunts enzyme activities controlling GSH metabolism and may enhance alcohol-induced liver injury.
Accelerating Dynamic Iteration Methods with Application to Semiconductor Device Simulation

In this paper, we apply a Galerkin method to solving the system of second-kind Volterra integral equations which characterize the classical dynamic iteration methods for the linear time-varying initial value problem. It is shown that the Galerkin approximations can be computed iteratively using conjugate-direction algorithms. The resulting iterative methods are combined with an operator Newton method and applied to solving the differential-algebraic system generated by spatial discretization of the time-dependent semiconductor device equations. Experimental results are included which demonstrate the conjugate-direction methods are significantly faster than classical dynamic iteration methods.
Relationship Formation and Stability in Emerging Adulthood: Do Sex Ratios Matter?

Research links sex ratios with the likelihood of marriage and divorce. However, whether sex ratios similarly influence precursors to marriage (transitions in and out of dating or cohabiting relationships) is unknown. Utilizing data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study and the 2000 U.S. Census, this study assesses whether sex ratios influence the formation and stability of emerging adults' romantic relationships. Findings show that relationship formation is unaffected by partner availability, yet the presence of partners increases women's odds of cohabiting, decreases men's odds of cohabiting, and increases number of dating partners and cheating among men. It appears that sex ratios influence not only transitions in and out of marriage, but also the process through which individuals search for and evaluate partners prior to marriage.
A biofilm enhanced miniature microbial fuel cell using Shewanella oneidensis DSP10 and oxygen reduction cathodes

Abstract A miniature-microbial fuel cell (mini-MFC, chamber volume: 1.2 mL) was used to monitor biofilm development from a pure culture of Shewanella oneidensis DSP10 on graphite felt (GF) under minimal nutrient conditions. ESEM evidence of biofilm formation on GF is supported by substantial power density (per device cross-section) from the mini-MFC when using an acellular minimal media anolyte (1500 mW/m 2 ). These experiments demonstrate that power density per volume for a biofilm flow reactor MFC should be calculated using the anode chamber volume alone (250 W/m 3 ), rather than with the full anolyte volume. Two oxygen reduction cathodes (uncoated GF or a Pt/vulcanized carbon coating on GF) were also compared to a cathode using uncoated GF and a 50 mM ferricyanide catholyte solution. The Pt/C-GF (2–4% Pt by mass) electrodes with liquid cultures of DSP10 produced one order of magnitude larger power density (150 W/m 3 ) than bare graphite felt (12 W/m 3 ) in this design. These advances are some of the required modifications to enable the mini-MFC to be used in real-time, long-term environmental power generating situations.
A spatial capture–recapture model to estimate fish survival and location from linear continuous monitoring arrays

We developed a spatial capture–recapture model to evaluate survival and activity centres (i.e., mean locations) of tagged individuals detected along a linear array. Our spatially explicit version o...