cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transgenerational effects of drug and hormonal treatments in mammals: a review of observations and ideas

Publisher Summary This chapter is concerned with disturbances to several neuroendocrine systems of young animals having the following remarkable combination of consequences: (1) experimentally treating a young animal induces characteristic abnormalities that persist into adulthood, (2) crossing treated males to normal females gives offspring with altered phenotype, (3) abnormalities carry over to multiple generations, and (4) some of the transmitted alterations coincide with known functions of the perturbed neuroendocrine system or with the changes that the treatment induced in the parent animal. Transgenerational effects of hormone or drug exposure lie at the intersection of genetics and physiology and have different meanings for the two disciplines. Endocrinologists are interested in their physiological significance for the individual neuroendocrine system or for neuroendocrine systems in general. Hormonal stresses at critical periods during development can lead to long-lasting, even permanent, abnormalities in adult hormone levels. The existence of a common carryover mechanism for a variety of neuroendocrine stresses is an attractive idea.
A Review of “Thorpe, Rebecca U. The American Warfare State: The Domestic Politics of Military Spending.”

Scholarship on the constitutional and political roles of Congress and the American presidency regarding war powers continues to thrive. Rebecca Thorpe's well-researched new book, The American Warfa...
Implementing Life Cycle Engineering efficiently into Automotive Industry Processes

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool which supports life cycle engineering. It can be used as an environmental management instrument within the product development. For successful life cycle engineering the formal incorporation of life cycle thinking into the company policy is a necessary pre-requisite. Additional success factors which have to be met are the transformation of LCA results into measurable targets for engineers. Based on given environmental targets, such as a certain target value for greenhouse gas emissions, LCA can be used to calculate a specific technical target such as the weight of a component, the fuel consumption of a vehicle or the minimum amount of recycled content in a product. The transformation of pure LCA results into measurable target values, which can be understood by engineers, will clearly show the added value which LCA can give in terms of life cycle engineering.Even for very complex products with a huge variety of different materials and a complex value chain life cycle assessment can be performed with a reasonable time demand, with good quality and integrated efficiently into business processes.
Responses of a beaded Arctic stream to short-term N and P fertilisation

Summary 1. Oligotrophic Arctic streams are likely to be sensitive to changes in hydrology and nutrient inputs predicted to occur as a consequence of future climate and land use change. To investigate the potential consequences of nutrient enrichment for low-order Arctic streams, we added ammonium-N and phosphorous to a second-order beaded, tundra stream on Alaska's north slope. We measured responses in nutrient chemistry, chlorophyll a standing crop, and in the breakdown and macroinvertebrate colonisation of leaf litter over a 38-day summer period. 2. During the addition, nutrient concentrations immediately downstream of the dripper averaged 6.4 μm ammonium-N and 0.45 μm soluble reactive P. Concentrations upstream of the dripper averaged 0.54 μm ammonium-N and 0.03 μm soluble reactive P. Uptake of both nutrients was rapid. Concentrations were reduced on average to 28% (ammonium-N) and 15% (inorganic P) of maximum values within 1500 m. Standing crops of chlorophyll a on standardised samplers were significantly higher by the end of the experiment. Breakdown rates of senescent willow (Salix sp.) and sedge (Carex sp.) litter and associated fungal biomass were also significantly increased by nutrient addition. 3. Fertilisation resulted in four- to sevenfold higher macroinvertebrate abundance and two- to fourfold higher macroinvertebrate biomass in litter bags, as well as an increase in late-summer body mass of larval Nemoura stoneflies. 4. Our results are consistent with those of similar studies of larger streams in the high-Arctic region. Based on our short-term experiment, increased inputs of nutrients into these ecosystems, whether caused by climate change or more local disturbance, are likely to have profound ecological consequences. Longer-term effects of enrichment, and their interaction with other components of future change in climate or land use, are more difficult to assess.
Loop Formulas for Disjunctive Logic Programs

We extend Clark’s definition of a completed program and the definition of a loop formula due to Lin and Zhao to disjunctive logic programs. Our main result, generalizing the Lin/Zhao theorem, shows that answer sets for a disjunctive program can be characterized as the models of its completion that satisfy the loop formulas. The concept of a tight program and Fages’ theorem are extended to disjunctive programs as well.
Historic Districts and Land Values

We measure the net effect of historic districting on the value of federally certified historic sites. The impact could be either positive or negative depending on the tension between positive exter...
Prioritizing land management efforts at a landscape scale: a case study using prescribed fire in Wisconsin

One challenge in the effort to conserve biodiversity is identifying where to prioritize resources for active land management. Cost-benefit analyses have been used successfully as a conservation tool to identify sites that provide the greatest conservation benefit per unit cost. Our goal was to apply cost-benefit analysis to the question of how to prioritize land management efforts, in our case the application of prescribed fire to natural landscapes in Wisconsin, USA. We quantified and mapped frequently burned communities and prioritized management units based on a suite of indices that captured ecological benefits, management effort, and the feasibility of successful long-term management actions. Data for these indices came from LANDFIRE, Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan, and a nationwide wildland-urban interface assessment. We found that the majority of frequently burned vegetation types occurred in the southern portion of the state. However, the highest priority areas for applying prescribed fire occurred in the central, northwest, and northeast portion of the state where frequently burned vegetation patches were larger and where identified areas of high biological importance area occurred. Although our focus was on the use of prescribed fire in Wisconsin, our methods can be adapted to prioritize other land management activities. Such prioritization is necessary to achieve the greatest possible benefits from limited funding for land management actions, and our results show that it is feasible at scales that are relevant for land management decisions. Language: en
Color and illuminance level of lighting can modulate willingness to eat bell peppers

BACKGROUND: Food products are often encountered under colored lighting, particularly in restaurants and retail stores. However, relatively little attention has been paid to whether the color of ambient lighting can affect consumers’ motivation for consumption. This study aimed to determine whether color (Experiment 1) and illuminance level (Experiment 2) of lighting can influence consumers’ liking of appearance and their willingness to eat bell peppers. RESULTS: For red, green, and yellow bell peppers, yellow and blue lighting conditions consistently increased participants’ liking of appearance the most and the least, respectively. Participants’ willingness to consume bell peppers increased the most under yellow lighting and the least under blue lighting. In addition, a dark condition (i.e. low level of lighting illuminance) decreased liking of appearance and willingness to eat the bell peppers compared to a bright condition (i.e. high level of lighting illuminance). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that lighting color and illuminance level can influence consumers’ hedonic impression and likelihood to consume bell peppers. Furthermore, the influences of color and illuminance level of lighting appear to be dependent on the surface color of bell peppers. c � 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Three-dimensional boundary-layer transition on a cone at Mach 3.5

A boundary-layer transition study on a sharp, 5° half-angle cone at various angles of attack was conducted at Mach 3.5. Transition data were obtained with and without significantly reduced freestream acoustic disturbance levels. A progressive downstream and upstream motion of the transition front on the windward and leeward rays, respectively, of the cone with angle of attack was observed for the high noise level data in agreement with data trends obtained in conventional (“noisy”) wind tunnels. However, the downstream movement was not observed to the same degree for the low noise level data in the present study. Transition believed to be crossflow dominated was found to be less receptive to freestream acoustic disturbances than first-mode (Tollmien-Schlichting) dominated transition. The previously-developed crossflow transition Reynolds number criterion, χtr,max≈200, was found to be inadequate for the current case. An improved criterion is offered, which includes compressibility and flow-geometry effects.
A novel random PWM technique with low computational overhead and constant sampling frequency for high-volume, low-cost applications

A novel random pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique for three-phase voltage-source inverters, characterized by low computational overhead, a variable switching frequency, and a constant sampling frequency, is presented. The technique is based on two strategies: 1) the so-called arithmetic PWM (APWM), which yields the same switching patterns as the classic space-vector modulation, but with minimal computational effort and 2) randomization of switching periods by varying the delay of switching cycles with respect to corresponding sampling cycles. Simplicity of the technique, named a variable-delay random PWM (VDRPWM) method, allows its implementation in cheap, low-end processors. It makes the VDRPWM the best choice for high-volume, low-cost applications, such as domestic and automotive ac drives and UPSs. The random aspect of the technique has a mitigating effect on the acoustic and electromagnetic noise emitted by the supplied system. This feature has been confirmed by experiments with a 40-hp induction motor drive.
Periodic Solutions of Infinite Delay Evolution Equations

Abstract For A(t) and f(t, x, y) T-periodic in t, we consider the differential equation with infinite delay in a general Banach space X, u′ t + A t u t = f t , u t , u t , t > 0, u s = φ s , s ≤ 0, 0.1 where the resolvent of the unbounded operator A(t) is compact and f is continuous in its variables, and ut(s) = u(t + s), s ≤ 0. We first show that the Poincare operator given by P(φ) = uT(φ) (i.e., T units along the unique solution u(φ) determined by the initial function φ) is a condensing operator with respect to Kuratowski's measure of non-compactness in a phase space Cg, and then derive periodic solutions from bounded solutions by using Sadovskii's fixed point theorem. This extends the study of deriving periodic solutions from bounded solutions to infinite delay differential equations in general Banach spaces.
A stochastic and dynamic model for the single-vehicle pick-up and delivery problem

In this paper a stochastic and dynamic model for the Pick-up and Delivery Problem is developed and analyzed. Demands for service arrive according to a Poisson process in time. The pick-up locations of the demands are independent and uniformly distributed over a service region. A single vehicle must transport the demands from the pick-up to the delivery location. Once a demand has been picked up it can only be dropped off at its desired delivery location. The delivery locations are independent and uniformly distributed over the region, and they are independent of the pick-up locations. The objective is to minimize the expected time in the system for the demands. Unit-capacity vehicle and multiple-capacity vehicle variations are considered. For each variation, bounds on the performance of the routing policies are derived for light and heavy traffic. The policies are analyzed using both analytical methods and simulation.
Dependence of visual latency on wavelength: predictions of a neural counting model.

Simple reaction time (RT) was determined as a function of wavelength for equally visible, near-threshold stimuli. The stimuli were 5-deg spectral onsets of 1,000-ms duration presented on a 100-Td spatially coincident white background. All three subjects manifested the same result: RT’s were fastest in the region of 590 nm. These data were analyzed in the context of a counting model of visual latency. This model predicts that for equally visible stimuli a transient detector will result in shorter visual latencies than will a more sustained detector. On the basis of this analysis, it is concluded that although most long duration, near-threshold, spectral step onsets are detected by the sustained parvocellular pathway, an exception occurs in the region of 590 nm: these stimuli are detected by a relatively transient pathway, presumably the magnocellular pathway.
General strategies for isolating the genes encoding type I collagen and for characterizing mutations which produce osteogenesis imperfecta.

To understand the nature of structural defects that produce osteogenesis irnperfecta (01), the modes of inheritance of the several forms of the disease, and the effects of specific mutations on the behavior of the type I collagen molecule, we have developed a general strategy for analyzing the basic molecular defects which produce the phenotype. The genes encoding the two chains of the type I collagen molecule are structurally complex,'.* and the proteins are large and internally repetitive?' making analysis of mutations at either the DNA or protein level difficult. The al( I ) and a2( I) chains which make up the type I collagen heterotrimer are encoded by the 18 kilobase (kb)
Epeirogenic uplift above a detached slab in northern Central America

P-wave tomographic images reveal that the northern Central America highlands east of the modern volcanic arc overlie a detached slab. Hypsometric analysis of the highlands in Honduras demonstrates that the region is a dissected plateau that is disrupted by normal faults near the North American–Caribbean plate margin. The dissected Central American plateau contains a network of superimposed rivers with meanders cut into bedrock; such a geomorphic character indicates that the regional uplift occurred in the absence of tilting. We propose that the epeirogenic uplift of northern Central America is the buoyant upper-plate response to the influx of mantle asthenosphere following the break-off and sinking of the slab.
Artificial Insemination in Chinchillas

Abstract— The methods and apparatus for accomplishing artificial insemination in chinchilla are described along with pertinent observations and discussion. This general subject is treated under the following topics: causes of sterility and means of alleviating some forms; anaesthetics and induction of anaesthesia; methods of ejaculating the male; sperm buffer media; evaluation of semen; technique of inseminating the female; surgical preparation of the vesiculectomized male for epididymal sperm.
On the operation of cascode gain stages

The gain-enhancing action of the cascode is explained on the basis of a gain developing at an intermediate node. In this sense, a cascode with a high-impedance load acts as the cascade of an inverting and a noninverting stage, with the total gain determined by the product of the intrinsic gains of each. The cascode nevertheless retains the advantage of a significantly smaller loading, which it presents at its input terminal, compared to a common-source stage. This analysis approach is extended to other circuits configured for intrinsic gain subject to constraints imposed by current sources, where gain enhancement is obtained. >
Nanotechnology in vaccine delivery.

With very few adjuvants currently being used in marketed human vaccines, a critical need exists for novel immunopotentiators and delivery vehicles capable of eliciting humoral, cellular and mucosal immunity. Such crucial vaccine components could facilitate the development of novel vaccines for viral and parasitic infections, such as hepatitis, HIV, malaria, cancer, etc. In this review, we discuss clinical trial results for various vaccine adjuvants and delivery vehicles being developed that are approximately nanoscale (< 1000 nm) in size. Humoral immune responses have been observed for most adjuvants and delivery platforms while only viral vectors, ISCOMs and Montanide™ ISA 51 and 720 have shown cytotoxic T cell responses in the clinic. MF59 and MPL® have elicited Th1 responses, and virus-like particles, non-degradable nanoparticles and liposomes have also generated cellular immunity. Such vaccine components have also been evaluated for alternative routes of administration with clinical successes reported for intranasal delivery of viral vectors and proteosomes and oral delivery of a VLP vaccine.
Anonymity and Optimality of Competitive Equilibria when Markets Are Incomplete

Abstract We study the optimality, or efficiency, of competitive equilibria in a standard two period economy where markets are incomplete. Statistical information about consumers′ preferences and endowments is known to a social planner, but the planner cannot observe consumers′ types directly. A competitive equilibrium is anonymous constrained optimal if the social planner cannot Pareto improve upon the equilibrium allocation by intervening in asset markets with any asset trade rule satisfying anonymity. In some cases, a competitive equilibrium is robustly anonymous constrained optimal, whereas it is known that competitive equilibria are generically constrained suboptimal for the case of completely observable types. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D52, D82, H21.
The optimal energy design of structures by using the numerical simulation of the thermal response— with emphasis on the passive collection of solar energy

Abstract The passive utilization of solar energy can best be achieved through the careful collaboration between the architect and the engineer who are responsible for the design of such structures. Substantial interaction in the early stages of design is crucial with the energy implications of tradeoffs assessed and re-assessed as the design progresses through the schematic and development phases where form, function and material utilization are being traded and juxtaposed. For these reasons, it is imperative that computational methods fit the task at hand, namely the ready assessment of the energy requirements of the building elements and their assemblies. The calculation program, to be useful for the architect-engineer teams, must be first and foremost a dynamic model of the structure's time-dependent behavior which accurately reflects the dynamic external influences such as insolation, air temperatures and psychrometric properties as well as the schedules of use in terms of internal loads and selected of casually resulting temperatures and humidity. It must be capable of dealing with interactions between several thermally interconnected spaces (room-room) and the moderating effects of air movement. The capability of impressing a wide variety of conditioning control strategies is also important. The paper describes the development of such a calculational program as part of the work of a team of architects, climatologists, and engineers who have been working on the task of incorporating and executing conserving designs in the medium size group residential structures. The responsiveness of the program to the needs of the users and the demonstration of its accuracy is illustrated by several computational examples of single and multiroom configurations. The effects of typical design choices and changes are illustrated by calculations for short time summer and winter extreme weather conditions and also for long time average weather behavior. Both modeled and actual weather data are used in these calculations.
Optimal contract design for energy procurement

We consider a mechanism design problem for strategic agents with multi-dimensional private information and uncertainty in their utility/cost functions. We show that the optimal mechanism is a menu of contracts that can be implemented as a nonlinear pricing scheme. We illustrate the result by considering an optimal energy procurement mechanism from a strategic seller with conventional (deterministic) and renewable (random) plants. We address the problem of risk-sharing and ex-post voluntary participation (commitment) under uncertainty.
Large Pore Volume Carbons with Uniform Mesopores and Macropores: Synthesis, Characterization, and Relations between Adsorption Parameters of Silica Templates and their Inverse Carbon Replicas

Formation of thin polymeric films on the surface of silica templates consisting of relatively large colloids creates an opportunity to synthesize carbons with extremely large pore volume and uniform spherical mesopores and macropores. Namely, resorcinol−crotonaldehyde polymeric films formed on the silica templates composed of 50 and 80 nm colloids were used to obtain mesoporous carbons with unprecedented pore volume of about 9 cm3/g. Properties of the resulting carbons can be predicted with the help of theoretical equations, which correlate basic adsorption parameters for silica templates and silica−carbon composites.
Administrative metadata for digital images: a real world application of the NISO draft standard

Administrative metadata for digital images is discussed in the context of the International Poster Collection at the Colorado State University Libraries. The decision-making process that resulted in the use of the NISO draft standard “Data Dictionary: Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images” is detailed. The draft standard is discussed, as are the outcomes of its use in the poster project.
The effect of ACPD on the responses to NMDA and AMPA varies with layer in slices of rat visual cortex

The effect of 1S,3R-aminocyclopentane dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) was measured on cells from various layers in slices of the rat visual cortex using whole-cell recording techniques. The position of the recorded cell was estimated by distance from pia to the layer VI/white matter boundary, and verified in 34/97 cells by staining with biocytin. Potentiation or depression of the responses to NMDA and AMPA by the metabotropic glutamate agonist ACPD was examined by iontophoresis of the drugs close to the cell body. Iontophoresis of ACPD had different effects in different layers. In layer VI, ACPD produced a substantial depolarization, which augmented the responses to NMDA and AMPA. In layer V, ACPD did not produce a significant depolarization, but potentiated the response to NMDA and AMPA. In layer IV, ACPD produced a small hyperpolarization, and depressed the response to NMDA. In layers II and III, the results were small and variable. Most recordings from stained cells were from pyramidal cells. Where recordings from non-pyramidal cells were obtained (3/34), results were the same as from pyramidal cells in the same layer. The same results were obtained when tetrodotoxin was in the bath solution. We conclude that the potentiation or depression of the response to NMDA and AMPA by ACPD varies with layer in rat visual cortex.
Power in exchange networks: a power-dependence formulation

Abstract Recent developments in exchange network theory include new formalizations of techniques for specifying the distribution of power in exchange networks. In this article we present a theory-based procedure for identifying power positions in negatively connected exchange networks. This development grows out of earlier work by Emerson on power-dependence relations. The procedure for determining the distribution of power is applied to various common networks also addressed in other articles in this special issue. We compare this approach with the formal method developed by Markovsky, Patton and Wilier (1988), commenting on similarities and differences. In conclusion, we discuss the limitations of our procedure and indicate topics in need of further empirical research.
Niche stability in Late Ordovician articulated brachiopod species before, during, and after the Richmondian Invasion

Abstract In this study, the relative niche stability of Late Ordovician articulate brachiopod species from the Cincinnati Arch was analyzed before, during, and after an immigration of extra-basinal taxa into the region, known as the Richmondian Invasion. The primary hypothesis investigated with this project is whether species preserve (via niche conservation) or alter (via niche evolution) the parameters of their ecological niche during intervals of biotic (invasive regime) vs. abiotic change (gradual environmental change). Ecological niche modeling (ENM), a process that utilizes computer-based algorithms to mathematically estimate a species ecological niche, was employed to test this hypothesis. Additionally, the efficacy of using the ENM program Maxent with fossil data was tested against a well-established ENM method (GARP). Results indicate that during intervals of gradual change, species conserved the parameters of their ecological niches to higher degrees than during intervals of ecological rapid biotic change, when niche evolution was common. Native and invasive species displayed congruent patterns of niche stability, but niche conservatism was more common in broadly adapted generalist species than ecological specialists.
The rotational spectrum and molecular structure of the furan–HCl complex

The microwave spectrum of the furan–HCl complex in the ground vibrational state has been measured and assigned using a Fourier‐transform microwave spectrometer employing a Fabry–Perot cavity and a pulsed supersonic nozzle as a molecular source. Furan–HCl is planar, with the axis of the HCl subunit oriented along the a axis of furan, bisecting the oxygen–carbon angle. A hydrogen bond is formed between the HCl proton and the lone electron pair of oxygen. The spectroscopic constants for furan–H 35Cl in MHz are A″=9421.3(39), B″=1004.2001(27), C″=904.5526(26), τ1=−0.9392(12), τ2=−0.0751(2), τbbbb =−0.004 01(19), τcccc=−0.002 17(17), χaa=−52.803(17), χbb=25.626(54), and χcc=27.177(54). Rotational transitions for the isotopic species furan–H 37Cl and furan–D 35Cl were also measured and assigned. The oxygen–chlorine distance is 3.26(1) A. The binding of the HCl to oxygen, rather than to the π bonds between the β carbon atoms, was confirmed by measurements on the 2‐D furan–H 35Cl complex.
Acceptance and Accuracy of Multiple Choice, Confidence-Level, and Essay Question Formats for Graduate Students

The confidence level (information-referenced testing; IRT) design is an attempt to improve upon the multiple choice format by allowing students to express a level of confidence in the answers they choose. In this study, the author evaluated student perceptions of the ease of use and accuracy of and general preference for traditional multiple choice, confidence-level, and essay format questions. The author estimated the relative accuracy of traditional multiple choice vs. confidence level compared with the essay results and the student self-reported mastery of knowledge domains. Student acceptance of the new format was equal to, and accuracy was better than, the traditional format.
HOMOGENIZED FISSION TRACK ANALYSIS OF URANIUM IN SOME ULTRAMAFIC ROCKS OF KNOWN POTASSIUM CONTENT.

Abstract New data on the U contents of a diverse suite of ultramafic rocks are presented. The K U ratio is equal to or less than the crustal ratio, in disagreement with the concept of a chondritic earth.
Kielce: configurable HTML course documents

Kielce is a JavaScript library that provides a simple, lightweight, client-side technique for moving configurable static content from an HTML document into a separate file where it can more easily and accurately be managed. For example, Kielce simplifies the process of updating a syllabus each semester by collecting the content that changes (semester name, office hours, exam dates, etc.) into a separate file.
Partial molal heat capacities of sodium perchlorate in N,N-dimethylformamide from 10 to 75°C

Enthalpies of solution of NaClO4 have been measured calorimetrically in the aprotic solvent N,N-dimethylformamide at several temperatures ranging from 5 to 80°C. The data have been extrapolated to infinite dilution to obtain standard enthalpies of solution. The integral enthalpy of solution method was used to evaluate the standard partial molal heat capacity c p2 ° of NaClO4 in N,N-dimethylformamide as a function of temperature. This function is almost temperature invariant in N,N-dimethylformamide, in contrast to its complex behavior in aqueous and methanolic solutions. This suggests that ionic heat capacities are extremely sensitive to the structure of solutions and that this function can be used as a probe for studying the structure of electrolytic solutions. The complex temperature dependence of c p2 ° in water and methanol can be explained in terms of the decreased hydrogen bonding and dielectric constant of the solvents at the higher temperatures. The data show that one must be cautious in interpreting single-temperature heat capacities of transfer between solvents.
Evaluation of pediatric surgery information on the Internet.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Increasing numbers of parents use the Internet to obtain information about their child's medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, this information is not screened or regulated. The authors sought to evaluate the information available on the Internet regarding intersex anomalies as a representative pediatric surgical diagnosis. Methods: Six search engines were searched for ambiguous genitalia . The first 30 sites on each search engine were reviewed. Sites were reviewed to identify information that did not conform to accepted recommendations for evaluation and treatment. Results: Searches for ambiguous genitalia and synonyms found 0 to 44,471 sites per search engine. Of the 300 sites reviewed, only 45 represented 8 unique sites offering medical information. Five of these sites conformed to recommendations in 2 standard pediatric surgery texts, whereas 3 offered misleading information or information that did not conform to text recommendations. Of the total 300 sites, only 5 (1.6%) of accessible pages offered appropriate medical information to parents. Conclusions: Parent-oriented information regarding intersex anomalies is difficult to find on the Internet. Over one third of sites containing medical information failed to conform to standard pediatric surgical recommendations for treatment. Pediatric surgeons should help parents effectively use Internet information. J Pediatr Surg 36:1187-1189. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Emissions from a diesel car during regeneration of an active diesel particulate filter

Abstract The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Joint Research Center of the European Commission (JRC) have collaborated on emissions testing of a light duty diesel vehicle, which is Euro 4 compliant and comes equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The California testing included an investigation of the regeneration of the DPF over cruise conditions and NEDC test cycles. DPF regeneration is caused by the buildup of soot in the filter, and for the present test vehicle the regeneration process is assisted by a fuel borne catalyst. Regulated exhaust emissions increased substantially during the regeneration events; however, PM emissions levels were below California LEVII emissions standards. There was a very large increase of volatile particles between 5 and 10 nm, and these volatile particles were generated during all of the observed regeneration events. It appears that the particle number instruments that use the PMP methodology do not capture the PM mass increase during DPF regeneration; however, for one regeneration event there was an apparent large increase in solid particles below the PMP size limit. The PM mass increase associated with regeneration appears to be due to semi-volatile particles collected on filters. During the testing, the regeneration events exhibited considerable variations in the time for regeneration as well as the amount of PM emissions. From this investigation, several questions have been posed concerning the emission of very small (
Nilpotent Orbits and Commutative Elements

Abstract Let W be a simply laced Coxeter group with generating set S , and let W c denote the subset consisting of those elements whose reduced expressions have no substrings of the form sts for any non-commuting s , t ∈ S . We give a root system characterization of W c , and in the case where W corresponds to a finite Weyl group, show that W c is a union of Spaltenstein–Springer–Steinberg cells. The latter is valid also for affine Weyl groups of type A , but not for type D or E .
A farm-to-fork stochastic simulation model of pork-borne salmonellosis in humans: Lessons for risk ranking

A food systems perspective offers many appealing analytic features to food safety researchers with an interest in the design and targeting of effective and efficient policy responses to the risks posed by foodborne pathogens. These features include the ability to examine comparative questions such as whether it is more efficient to target food safety interventions on-farm or in the food processing plant. Using the example of a farm-to-fork stochastic simulation model of Salmonella in the pork production and consumption system, the authors argue the feasibility of such a food systems approach for food-safety risk assessment and policy analysis. They present an overview of the farm-to-fork model and highlight key assumptions and methods employed. Lessons from their experience in constructing a farm-to-fork stochastic simulation model are derived for consideration in other food safety risk assessment efforts and for researchers interested in developing “best practice” benchmarks in the area of food safety risk assessments. [EconLit Citations: Q18, I18, I12]. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 157–172, 2007.
On the derivatives for the ultramicrodetermination of amino acids by mass fragmentography

The fragmentation of eight volatile derivatives of alanine, valine, leucine, proline, and glutamic acid upon electron impact is studied for the concurrent ultramicrodetermination or the selective identification of amino acids by mass fragmentography. The relationship between the sensitivity of mass fragmentography and Σ10% values (percentage of the total ionization over me) of N-trifluoroacetyl-l-prolyl, N-benzoyl, and N-pentafluorobenzoyl derivatives of alanine, valine, leucine, and proline is also investigated. The results obtained in this study suggest that N-trifluoroacetyl-l-prolyl n-butyl ester, N-benzoyl n-butyl ester, N-pentafluorobenzoyl n-butyl ester, and N-trifluoroacetyl l-menthyl ester derivatives can be used for the concurrent ultramicrodetermination or selective identification of amino acids by mass fragmentography because these four derivatives produce common intense fragment ions at me 166, 105, 195, and 83 or diagnostic ions, respectively. Although N-trifluoroacetyl-l-4-thiazolidinecarbonyl n-butyl ester, N-trifluoroacetyl n-butyl ester, N-trimethylsilyl n-butyl ester, N-trimethylsilyl l-menthyl ester, and trimethylsilylated derivatives do not produce the common intense fragment ions, these derivatives are useful for the selective identification of ultra amounts of amino acids using mass fragmentography monitored the diagnostic ions, respectively. The general common rules between sensitivity and Σ10% values were not adhered among the derivatives studied.
Portals: the new media companies

Identifies differences between old and evolving new economy. Focuses on the emergence and growth of portals, defining the concept of portals and their place in the Internet. Concludes the portal market is a work in progress that starts with many competitors, but resembles the conditions of an oligopoly.
A robust similarity measure for automatic inspection

We introduce a new similarity measure that is insensitive to sub-pixel misregistration. The proposed measure is essential in some differences detection scenarios. For example, in a setting where a digital reference is compared to an image, where the imaging process introduces deformations that appear as non constant misregistration between the two images. Our goal is to ignore image differences that result from misregistration and detect only the true, albeit minute, defects. In order to define a misregistration insensitive similarity, we argue that a similarity measure must respect convex combinations. We show that the well known SSIM [1] does not hold this property and propose a modified version of SSIM that respects convex combinations. We then use this measure to define Sub-Pixel misregistration aware SSIM (SPSSIM).
Evaluation of a Blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serological Diagnosis of Bovine Herpesvirus 1:

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is an infectious agent of concern in the international export of bovine products; it is endemic in the United States, but it has been eradicated in many countries of the European Union (EU). For export of semen to the EU, accurate assessment of BoHV-1 status of the bull is required and is usually accomplished by measuring the level of antibody to the virus. The gold standard is virus neutralization (VN) using overnight incubation with the virus, a test approved by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is also approved for international trade. The lone U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved commercial ELISA was compromised with specificity problems, which necessitated the development of a different ELISA. Of 4 monoclonal antibodies evaluated, 1 directed against glycoprotein C of BoHV-1 was found to be the most reliable. One hundred twenty-eight characterized positive samples and 334 negative serum samples were tested. The blocking ELISA showed 97.7% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity as compared with OIE VN. The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ELISA fulfills the OIE requirement for a blocking or competitive ELISA to qualify animals for export to BoHV-1-free countries.
Prevention of warp breaks in Jacquard weaving

We developed a system to monitor and locate warp breaks in Jacquard weaving using MEMS accelerometers that are mounted on harness cords. Brief description of the system is provided and system use to prevent warp breaks through the analyses of MEMS signals is demonstrated.
Chemical and Physical Interactions in Covalent Polymers Implanted with Transition Metals

Multiple analytical techniques including FABMS, XPS/Auger, magnetic susceptibility, and conductivity are used to probe the effects of transition-metal implantation on the structural and physical properties of covalent polymers and HOPG. Post-implantation chemistry and solid-state interactions between the implanted atoms and the polymer are investigated.
A Critique of Figure Placement Procedures in Studies of Crowding

Although often used, Desor's figure-placement procedure makes an assumption that has not been tested. Two studies briefly reported indicate that the assumption that a constant criterion of crowdedness is being applied to different conditions is not always true. Several implications for simulation techniques and for general research strategies are discussed.
Voltage sag and unbalance generator for power quality testing of adjustable speed drives

Adjustable speed drives (ASDs) experience several power quality events occurring on the AC line - the most common are voltage sags and interruptions, and voltage unbalance. ASD manufacturers test the immunity of AC drives to voltage sags, to conform to the requirements of SEMI F47-0706 and IEC 61000-4-34 standards. Immunity to voltage unbalance is required to conform to the IEC 61800-3 standard. In this paper, voltage sag and unbalance generator topologies are derived from previously proposed voltage sag correctors. Control methods are also proposed for the new topologies, for applications to ASD power quality immunity testing.
Benthic Ecology of the High Arctic Deep-Sea.

An analysis is made of 75 quantitative benthic samples collected by Mini-LUBS, and 28 qualitative benthic samples collected with the “small biological trawl”, from Fletcher's Ice Island, T-3, while it was drifting over the Alpha Cordillera region of the High Arctic Ocean during October, 1969 through February, 1970 and in March, 1972. The depth range was 1000 to 2500 m. Benthic foraminiferans account for about 53%, bivalves for 27%, sponges for 7%, and polychaetes for 5% of the total biomass. Other groups make up the remaining 8%. The weight ratio of macro- to meiofauna is 1:1. Numerically, excluding Foraminifera, polychaetes comprise 42%, nematodes 16%, sponges 11%, and bivalves 8% of the total fauna. The remaining 23% is composed of 13 other taxa. Biomass in the Amerasian Basin at depths of 1000 to 2000 m is extremely low (0.04 g/m); it is comparable to depths of 5000 to 6000 m in the oligotrophic red-clay area of the mid-Pacific Ocean, and is 40 times less than biomass at comparable depths from Antarctica and off Peru. Diversity, as calculated by the Shannon-Weaver method, is low, suggesting that the Arctic ecosystem is young, as reported in earlier studies (Dunbar, 1968; Menzies et al., 1973). Although the H' values are low, no biocoenoses of oligomixity in the deep Arctic are revealed, contrary to previous statements and beliefs. There may be fewer major benthic groups in the Arctic Ocean than in other parts of the world oceans. Following the conventional terminology of Petersen (1913) and Thorson (1957), we have called the High Arctic biocoenoses of the Alpha Cordillera region a Thenea abyssorum-Spirorbis granulatus community.
Antibody-recruiting molecules: an emerging paradigm for engaging immune function in treating human disease.

Synthetic immunology, the development of synthetic systems capable of modulating and/or manipulating immunological functions, represents an emerging field of research with manifold possibilities. One focus of this area has been to create low molecular weight synthetic species, called antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs), which are capable of enhancing antibody binding to disease-relevant cells or viruses, thus leading to their immune-mediated clearance. This article provides a thorough discussion of contributions in this area, beginning with the history of small-molecule-based technologies for modulating antibody recognition, followed by a systematic review of the various applications of ARM-based strategies. Thus, we describe ARMs capable of targeting cancer, bacteria, and viral pathogens, along with some of the scientific discoveries that have resulted from their development. Research in this area underscores the many exciting possibilities at the interface of organic chemistry and immunobiology and is ...
Purification and identification of a tissue-specific repressor involved in serum amyloid A1 gene expression.

We have previously demonstrated that the 5′-flanking regions from the rat serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) promoter are necessary and sufficient to confer specific cytokine-induced expression in cultured hepatoma cells. Deletion analysis identified a tissue-specific repressor (TSR) regulatory element, located between bp −289 and −256, that functioned as a silencer, contributing to the transcription repression on SAA1 promoter in nonliver cells. When this 34-base pair TSR-binding element was used as a probe in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, an intense DNA-protein complex was detected in nuclear extracts from HeLa and several other nonliver tissues. This TSR binding activity, however, was undetectable in extracts from liver or liver-derived cells. The distribution of TSR binding activity is therefore consistent with its regulatory role in repressing SAA1 expression in a tissue-specific manner. In this study, we purified TSR protein from HeLa nuclear extracts and showed that it has a molecular mass of approximately 50 kDa. Surprisingly, protein sequencing and antibody supershift experiments identified TSR as transcription factor AP-2. Subsequent functional analysis showed that forced expression of AP-2 in HepG2 cells could indeed inhibit conditioned medium-induced SAA1 promoter activation. Moreover, expression of a dominant-negative mutant of AP-2 in HeLa cells or mutation of the AP-2-binding site led to derepression of the SAA1 promoter, presumably by neutralizing the inhibitory effects of the endogenous wild-type AP-2. Our results therefore demonstrate a novel function for AP-2 in the transcriptional repression of SAA1 promoter. Together with its tissue distribution, AP-2 may contribute to SAA1's highly liver-specific expression pattern by restricting its expression in nonliver cells.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis 16-kDa Antigen (Hsp16.3) Functions as an Oligomeric Structure in Vitro to Suppress Thermal Aggregation

Tuberculosis continues to be a major disease threatening millions of lives worldwide. Several antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, identified by monoclonal antibodies, have been cloned and are being exploited in the development of improved vaccines and diagnostic reagents. We have expressed and purified the 16-kDa antigen, an immunodominant antigen with serodiagnostic value, which has been previously cloned and shown to share low sequence homology with the alpha-crystallin-related small heat shock protein family. Sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation and dynamic light scattering demonstrate the formation of a specific oligomer, 149 +/- 8 kDa, consisting of approximately nine monomers. In 4 M urea, a smaller oligomer of 47 +/- 6 kDa (or trimer) is produced. Analysis by electron cryomicroscopy reveals a triangular shaped oligomeric structure arising from the presence of three subparticles or globules. Taken together, the data suggest an antigen complex structure of a trimer of trimers. This antigen, independent of ATP addition, effectively suppresses the thermal aggregation of citrate synthase at 40 degrees C, indicating that it can function as a molecular chaperone in vitro. A complex between the antigen and heat-denatured citrate synthase can be detected and isolated using high performance liquid chromatography. We propose to rename the 16-kDa antigen Hsp16.3 to be consistent with other members of the small heat shock protein family.
Tritium and Helium-3 in Solar Flares and Loss of Helium from the Earth's Atmosphere

Analysis of the data gathered by the Discoverer XVII satellite on the constituents of solar flares leads to results that have broad implications in geophysics and solar physics.