cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinguishing pathological from constitutional small for gestational age births in population-based studies.

Abstract Background Small for gestational age (SGA) can occur following a pathological process or may represent constitutionally small fetuses. However, distinguishing these processes is often difficult, especially in large studies, where the term SGA is often used as a proxy for restricted fetal growth. Since biologic variation in fetal size is largely a third trimester phenomenon, we hypothesized that the definition of SGA at term may include a sizeable proportion of constitutionally small fetuses. In contrast, since biologic variation in fetal size is not fully expressed in (early) preterm gestations, it is plausible that SGA in early preterm gestations would comprise a large proportion of growth restricted fetuses. Aim We compared mortality and morbidity rates between SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) babies. Subjects A population-based study of over 19 million non-malformed, singleton births (1995–04) in the United States was performed. Gestational age (24–44 weeks) was based on a clinical estimate. SGA and AGA were defined as sex-specific birthweight Outcome measures Excess mortality risk in SGA and AGA babies. Results On an additive scale, stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates were higher at every preterm gestation among SGA than AGA births, and similar at term gestations. An inverse relationship between gestational age and excess deaths between SGA and AGA babies delivered at Conclusions In early preterm gestations, the definition of SGA may well be justified as a proxy for IUGR. In contrast, SGA babies that are delivered at term are likely to be constitutionally small.
Formation of ozone by irradiation of oxygen at 248 nanometers.

While Slanger et al. (1988) have reported that the 248-nm KrF laser radiation generates ozone from oxygen, despite this wavelength's exceeding of the conventionally accepted photodissociation threshold of 242.4 for the ground electronic state, the initiating mechanism for this ozone formation remains obscure. It is presently suggested that the initiating step is the absorption of the 248-nm radiation by O2. In a reply to the present authors, Slanger et al. indicate that their original experiment should have been performed by introducing pure O2 into a baked cell, with the start time defined by the unblocking of the 248-nm laser.
Edaravone, a free radical scavenger, protects components of the neurovascular unit against oxidative stress in vitro

The concept of the neurovascular unit suggests that to be successful, stroke therapies must protect all neuronal, glial and endothelial components in brain. In this study, we tested the efficacy of the free radical scavenger edaravone in three cellular models of oxidative stress. HT22 neuronal cells were subjected to oxidative stress using the standard glutamate-induced glutathione depletion model. Primary rat astrocytes were exposed to H2O2. Oxidative stress was induced in human brain endothelial cells with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Edaravone significantly reduced oxidative cell death in both HT22 neuronal cells and primary rat astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. SNP did not kill brain endothelial cells but instead reduced their production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Edaravone significantly ameliorated this response. These data suggest that free radical scavengers are effective in all cell types of the neurovascular unit, and should still be considered as a potential therapeutic approach for stroke.
An improved synthesis of arsenic-biotin conjugates.

Abstract An amide linked conjugate of p -aminophenylarsine oxide and biotin is conveniently prepared in a one-pot procedure by the reaction of biotinyl chloride, formed in situ, with p -aminophenyldichloroarsine. The reaction of the arsine oxide–biotin conjugate with 1,2-ethanedithiol produces the stabilized dithiarsolane. These reagents are now readily available for a variety of applications.
Seeing fit: visualizing physical activity in context

This paper describes the results of a three month study of physical fitness in the United States. Using a literature review, blog readings, interviews, and diary studies, the authors identify key challenges and opportunities for technology to support fitness behaviors. Results focus on implications for the design and implementation of personal health visualization software.
Glycolate metabolism in mesophyll cells and bundle sheath cells isolated from crabgrass, Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) scop., leaves

Abstract Photorespiration (glycolate metabolism) has been studied in isolated mesophyll cells and bundle sheath from crabgrass leaves and in mesophyll cells from spinach leaves. In these preparations the specific activity was determined for the glycolate pathway enzymes and the amount of CO 2 evolved and O 2 taken up from glycolate and glycine fed to each cell type was measured. With crabgrass and spinach all enzymes of the glycolate pathway were found in extracts from mesophyll cells or from bundle sheath cells. However, in crabgrass, the specific activity of glycolate oxidase, catalase, glyoxylate-glutamate aminotransferase, hydroxypyruvate reductase, and 3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase was three- to fivefold higher in the bundle sheath cells than in the mesophyll cells. The glycolate pathway enzymes in crabgrass were about one-fifth as active as in spinach, except for 3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase which was higher in crabgrass. Spinach cells evolved fivefold more CO 2 than bundle sheath cells of crabgrass when fed glycolate or glycine. With crabgrass the isolated bundle sheath cells evolved CO 2 about five times faster than mesophyll cells. With crabgrass and Bermudagrass the number of peroxisome, chloroplast, and mitochondrion profiles in electron micrographs of leaf cross sections were counted and in mesophyll cells the number of peroxisomes is only about one third of that in the bundle sheath cells. Key C 4 -cycle enzymes, such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and NADPH malate dehydrogenase, were predominantly in the mesophyll cells of crabgrass. In crabgrass leaf cells the amount of CO 2 fixed in the presence of an exogenous substrate, phosphoenolpyruvate, by mesophyll cells is equal to that evolved by bundle sheath cells fed glycolate. When isolated spinach mesophyll cells or crabgrass bundle sheath cells were fed glycolate in the dark an anomalous stoichiometry of O 2 uptake to CO 2 evolution of 10:1 was measured. It is concluded that in leaves of crabgrass and other C 4 plants the apparent lack of photorespiration is due to the ability of the active C 4 -cycle enzymes in the mesophyll cells to assimilate all of the CO 2 released, which may come primarily from the bundle sheath cells, plus the unique spatial arrangement inside of C 4 plant leaves in which 70–80% of the organelles and the enzymes involved in photorespiration are localized in the bundle sheath cells.
Gender Equality and State Environmentalism

There are several compelling reasons to expect that gender equality may serve to foster state environmentalism. However, most previous research on environmental politics has neglected gender. To help further our understanding of the connection between gender and environmental politics, the authors empirically assess the association between the representation of women in national Parliament and environmental treaty ratification, using a large sample of nations. The findings indicate that nations with higher proportions of women in Parliament are more prone to ratify environmental treaties than are other nations. The results point to the importance of considering the role of gender in analyses of state behavior and environmental politics and are consistent with the argument of some feminist theorists that the exploitation of nature and the exploitation of women are interconnected.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of two-phase FeNiMnAl alloys

This paper presents an overview of the microstructures found in a range of two-phase FeNiMnAl alloys ranging from near-equiatomic very high-strength nanostructured alloys, such Fe30Ni20Mn25Al25, to more ductile f.c.c./B2 alloys, such as Fe30Ni20Mn35Al15. The effect of annealing at 823 K on the room temperature hardness is presented together with the temperature dependence of the yield strength.
β1 and β2 Integrins Mediate Adhesion during Macrophage Fusion and Multinucleated Foreign Body Giant Cell Formation

An in vitro system of interleukin (IL)-4-induced human monocyte-derived macrophage fusion was used to investigate the cell/substrate adhesive mechanisms that support multinucleated foreign body giant cell (FBGC) formation. Monocytes were cultured for 3 days and IL-4 was added to induce macrophage fusion and FBGC formation by day 7. Functionally defined anti-integrin antibodies demonstrated that initial monocyte adhesion is mediated by β2 integrins, whereas during the induction of macrophage fusion by IL-4, an additional dependence on β1 integrins is acquired. The combination of anti-β1 plus anti-β2 was most effective, reducing macrophage/FBGC adhesion to 10% of controls. Consistent with integrin-mediated signaling, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 also attenuated macrophage/FBGC adhesion. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that β2 integrins are present on monocytes after initial adhesion and are strongly expressed on fusing macrophages, particularly in peripheral cell areas, and on FBGCs. In contrast, β1 integrins are not detected on monocytes but begin to appear during macrophage development and are strongly expressed on fusing macrophages and FBGCs. For the first time, these results demonstrate the IL-4-induced acquisition of cooperation between β1 and β2 integrins in the cell/substrate adhesive interactions that are required for multinucleated FBGC formation.
Use of a nonnegative constrained principal component regression chemical mass balance model to study the contributions of nearly collinear sources.

In this study, a nonnegative constrained principal component regression chemical mass balance (NCPCRCMB) model was used to solve the near collinearity problem among source profiles for source apportionment. The NCPCRCMB model added the principle component regression route into the CMB model iteration. The model was tested with the synthetic data sets, which involved contributions from eleven actual sources, with a serious near collinearity problem among them. The actual source profiles were randomly perturbed and then applied to create the synthetic receptor. The resulting synthetic receptor concentrations were also randomly perturbed to simulate measurement errors. The synthetic receptors were separately apportioned by CMB and NCPCRCMB model. The result showed that source contributions estimated by the NCPCRCMB model were much closer to the true values than those estimated by the CMB model. Next, five real ambient data sets from five cities in China were analyzed using the NCPCRCMB model to test the mode...
Reforming the IMF's Weighted Voting System

This paper surveys various proposals to reform the IMF's quota determination process and voting regime. We first provide some necessary context by describing IMF decision rules, including the methods by which the Fund determines quotas according to countries’ relative positions in the world economy. This section also addresses the arbitrariness of the IMF quota determination process and how IMF decision rules hamper developing country influence within the Fund. Following this, we review several proposals designed to provide developing countries greater voice in IMF decision-making. We conclude that the problems of developing country representation are not likely to be fixed by either reallocating quotas on the margins of the existing IMF system or by tinkering with the quota-determination formulas. Rather, more fundamental institutional adjustments will be required.
Total number and volume of Von Economo neurons in the cerebral cortex of cetaceans

Von Economo neurons (VENs) are a type of large, layer V spindle-shaped neurons that were previously described in humans, great apes, elephants, and some large-brained cetaceans. Here we report the presence of Von Economo neurons in the anterior cingulate (ACC), anterior insular (AI), and frontopolar (FP) cortices of small odontocetes, including the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), and the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). The total number and volume of VENs and the volume of neighboring layer V pyramidal neurons and layer VI fusiform neurons were obtained by using a design-based stereologic approach. Two humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) brains were investigated for comparative purposes as representatives of the suborder Mysticeti. Our results show that the distribution of VENs in these cetacean species is comparable to that reported in humans, great apes, and elephants. The number of VENs in these cetaceans is also comparable to data available from great apes, and stereologic estimates indicate that VEN volume follows in these cetacean species a pattern similar to that in hominids, the VENs being larger than neighboring layer V pyramidal cells and conspicuously larger than fusiform neurons of layer VI. The fact that VENs are found in species representative of both cetacean suborders in addition to hominids and elephants suggests that these particular neurons have appeared convergently in phylogenetically unrelated groups of mammals possibly under the influence of comparable selective pressures that influenced specifically the evolution of cortical domains involved in complex cognitive and social/emotional processes.
Cognitive bias in the verification and validation of space flight systems

Cognitive bias is generally recognized as playing a significant role in virtually all domains of human decision making. Insight in to this role is informally built in to many of the system engineering practices employed in the aero space industry. The review process, for example, typically has features that help to counteract the effect of bias. This paper presents a discussion of how commonly recognized biases may affect the verification and validation process. Verifying and validating a system is arguably more challenging than development, both technically and cognitively. Whereas there may be a relatively limited number of options available for the design of a particular aspect of a system, there is a virtually unlimited number of potential verification scenarios that may be explored. The probability of any particular scenario occurring in operations is typically very difficult to estimate, which increases reliance on judgment that may be affected by bias. Implementing a verification activity often presents technical challenges that, if they can be overcome at all, often result in a departure from actual flight conditions (e.g., 1-g testing, simulation, time compression, artificial fault injection) that may raise additional questions about the meaningfulness of the results, and create opportunities for the introduction of additional biases. In addition to mitigating the biases it can introduce directly, the verification and validation process must also overcome the cumulative effect of biases introduced during all previous stages of development. A variety of cognitive biases will be described, with research results for illustration. A handful of case studies will be presented that show how cognitive bias may have affected the verification and validation process on recent JPL flight projects, identify areas of strength and weakness, and identify potential changes or additions to commonly used techniques that could provide a more robust verification and validation of future systems.
Rates of development of tafoni in the Moenkopi and Kaibab formations in Meteor Crater and on the Colorado Plateau, northeastern Arizona

Tafoni are pits formed by non-uniform weathering in otherwise uniform rock. Two equations have been proposed for the rate of development of tafoni, both based on 2000-year-old outcrops from the coast of Japan. We have taken tafoni measurements from the Meteor Crater, Arizona, and vicinity that extend the equations back at least 50 000 years. As reported in earlier studies, we found pit depth to be the best tafone parameter to measure. The size of the pit decreases significantly with increasing inclination of the rock surface; however, the size of the pit can vary greatly for other reasons. In some cases the measurements are statistically significantly different between two stations taken from contiguous areas of similar inclination and aspect in an apparently homogeneous bed. It is clear, however, that over tens of thousands of years tafoni enlarge significantly. Our data are generally log-normal and all are markedly heteroscedastic. The 1991 equation proposed by Matsukura and Matsuoka does not fit our data. The 1996 equation proposed by Sunamura provides a better fit. We propose a sigmoidal equation D = b1 + e(b2+(b3/t)) where D is the depth, t is the age, and b1, b2 and b3 vary with lithology. This new equation fits our data far better than the earlier published equations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Charismatizing the Routine: Storytelling for Meaning and Agency in the Burning Man Organization

Expanding organizations face the routinization of charisma dilemma in which rationalization, or everyday organizing activities, drains meaning and depresses agency. Using an ethnographic study of the organization behind the annual Burning Man event, I show how storytelling can combat disenchantment by promoting consideration of agency and meaning-making. This research demonstrates how storytelling infuses organizational rationality with meaning and agency, thereby “charismatizing the routine.” Through storytelling, people can derive meaning from even the most mundane routines and inspire listeners to imagine possibilities not covered by rules or conventions. Stories also stave off bureaucratic ritualism by clarifying the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate activities, encouraging a range of actions over coercive restrictions.
Fire History within the Lower Elwha River Watershed, Olympic National Park, Washington

Abstract We used fire scars and tree ages to reconstruct a 440-year fire history in a portion of the Elwha River watershed, Olympic National Park, Washington. At least nine fire events occurred in the 1873 ha study area during the period 1568 to 2007. Reconstructed fires occurred in 1568, 1661, 1676, 1729, 1868, 1890, 1898, 1927, and 1977. A 140-year natural fire rotation and a 127-year mean fire return interval were calculated for the study area. Fires were more frequent on south aspects, at low elevations, and in Douglasfir forest types. Fire suppression has likely prevented fires larger than 20 ha over the past century although large fires were also absent during a 140-year period in the 18th and 19th centuries. Continued suppression may limit forest structural heterogeneity and the establishment of early seral species in this area.
The toxicity of α-Tomatine to Tetrahymena pyriformis☆

Abstract The toxic effect of α-tomatine at the molecular level was studied using Tetrahymena pyriformis as a model cell system. α-Tomatine at 16·5 ± 4·4 ppm inhibited cell growth by 50%. Cells exposed to α-tomatine increased in volume, and when concentrations were greater than 37·5 ppm, cell lysis started. In addition, α-tomatine inhibited the synthesis of DNA and RNA while stimulating the synthesis of proteins. A concentration of 12·5 ppm α-tomatine inhibited the synthesis of lipids and glycogen, but higher concentrations of the test compound in the medium stimulated the synthesis of glycogen. α-Tomatine did not affect the oxidation of Na [1- 14 C]acetate to labelled CO 2 . Exposure to the alkaloid for 24 hr altered the percentage of radioactive label incorporated into lipids by decreasing the synthesis of phospholipid and increasing the synthesis of monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, tetrahymenol and squalene. α-Tomatine also altered the proportions of polar lipids synthesized. The mode of toxicity is attributed to a perturbation of the cell membrane by the alkaloid.
Effective Supervision: An Adaptive and Relative Process

Summary and Conclusions 1. Attempts to discover specific supervisory behaviors related to effectiveness of supervision have had limited success. The results are frequently conflicting and inconclusive. Specific supervisory acts may be effective in some situations but not in others, effective with some subordinates but not with others. 2. The response of a subordinate to a supervisory act depends upon the meaning of the act to the subordinate, not only upon the nature of the act itself. This meaning always depends upon the relationship of the supervisory act, as perceived, to the expectations, values, and interpersonal skills of the subordinate. 3. All of the perceptions, expectations, values, and interpersonal skills of the subordinate influence his response to each act of his superior. Supervision is, therefore, an adaptive and relative process in the sense that a supervisor, to be effective, must always adapt his behavior to fit the expectations, values, and interpersonal skills of his subordinates. 4. The converse is equally true. For effective interaction, the subordinate must relate his behavior to the expectations, values, and interpersonal skills of his superior (or peers). 5. This does not deny the importance of universal principles in supervisory-subordinate relationships; it indicates only that a broadly applicable principle must allow variation in interpretation in such a way that meanings, not necessarily acts, are consistent with the principle. This broadens rather than restricts the range of applicability of basic principles. Current managerial theory and practice with regard to supervision and supervisory training must be re-appraised in the perspective of being an adaptive and relative process.
Effectiveness of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) in the ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) trawl fishery

The requirement, in 2003, that trawl vessels fishing for ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) use bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) has reduced fish bycatch by between 66% and 88% from historical (pre-BRD) levels. Prior to BRD requirements, bycatch was composed by weight mostly of adult and juvenile Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), various smelts (Osmeridae), yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes flavidus), sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) and ranged from 32% to 61% of the total catch by weight. By 2005, BRD use had reduced fish bycatch to approximately 7.5% of total catch, composed mostly of juvenile Pacific hake, slender sole (Eopsetta exilis), smelts, rex sole (Errex zachirus) and juvenile rockfish (Sebastes). BRD requirements have eliminated marketable-sized fish from the catch, changing the economic incentives in the fishery to favor the use of more efficient BRDs. Based on Oregon data, from 2002 to 2005 the use of soft-panel BRDs declined and the use of more efficient rigid-grate BRDs increased to 97% of all trips. Over this same period, mean bar spacing in rigid-grate BRDs declined from 43 to 32 mm, also contributing to BRD efficiency. Data collected from a trawl experiment testing a rigid-grate BRD with 19-mm bar spacing suggest that bycatch in the ocean shrimp fishery can be reduced further, perhaps below 5% of total catch.
A new version of the thalamic disinhibition hypothesis of central pain

The hypothesis is presented that central pain is due to the disruption of thermosensory integration and the loss of cold inhibition of burning pain. This is a new variation on the thalamic disinhibition hypothesis originally proposed by H. Head and G. Holmes in 1911 (Brain 34:102–254). The thermal grill illusion of pain provides a model for this concept. Functional anatomic substrates are described that provide a sound framework for the hypothesis. Predictions are made and unresolved issues are addressed that provide opportunities to test this hypothesis.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: prevalence in food and inactivation by food-compatible compounds and plant extracts

Foodborne antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahemolyticus can adversely affect animal and human health, but a better understanding of the factors involved in their pathogenesis is needed. To help meet this need, this overview surveys and interprets much of our current knowledge of antibiotic (multidrug)-resistant bacteria in the food chain and the implications for microbial food safety and animal and human health. Topics covered include the origin and prevalence of resistant bacteria in the food chain (dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, and herbal products, produce, and eggs), their inactivation by different classes of compounds and plant extracts and by the use of chlorine and physicochemical methods (heat, UV light, pulsed electric fields, and high pressure), the synergistic antimicrobial effects of combinations of natural antimicrobials with medicinal antibiotics, and mechanisms of antimicrobial activities and resistant effects. Possible areas for future research are suggested. Plant-derived and other safe natural antimicrobial compounds have the potential to control the prevalence of both susceptible and resistant pathogens in various environments. The collated information and suggested research will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of approaches that could be used to minimize the presence of resistant pathogens in animal feed and human food, thus reducing adverse effects, improving microbial food safety, and helping to prevent or treat animal and human infections.
Digital multisignature with distinguished signing authorities

The digital multisignature is signed by group members with knowledge of multiple private keys. Two ElGamal-type efficient multisignature schemes that can combine all individual signatures into a multisignature without any data expansion have previously been proposed. However, since in these two schemes all group members sign the same message, these schemes are called multisignature schemes with undistinguished signing authorities. The authors now modify these schemes and convert them to a multisignature scheme with distinguished signing authorities. Each group member is responsible for preparing and signing a partial group message.
Enabling Technologies for Nuclear Gas Turbine (GT-MHR) Power Conversion System

Since the onset of gas-cooled reactor work, almost half a century ago, the potential for direct coupling of a nuclear heat source with a gas turbine power conversion system was recognized, however, the technologies for the realization of this were not available, and the plants operated to date have used Rankine steam turbine power conversion systems. In the early 1990s, technology transfer from the gas turbine and aerospace industries, now make possible the introduction of the gas turbine modular helium reactor (GT-MHR) for utility power generation within the next decade. In this paper the enabling technologies for the helium gas turbine power conversion system are discussed, and these include the turbomachinery, magnetic bearings, compact heat exchangers, and helium system operating experience. Utilizing proven technology, the first GT-MHR plant would operate with an efficiency of 47%, and by exploiting its full potential this could perhaps reach as high as 60% early in the next century.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
Older primary care patient views regarding antidepressants: A mixed methods approach

Background: Generally, the efforts to predict antidepressant use from patient demographic factors have not been fruitful.Aim: Our objective was to generate hypotheses regarding antidepressant use among older primary care patients.Methods: We utilized a mixed methods design that is both hypothesis-testing and hypothesis-generating. Adults aged 65 years and over were recruited from primary care practices and interviewed in their homes. We examined the personal characteristics of older adults according to antidepressant use (hypothesis-testing). Participants taking antidepressants and participants not taking antidepressants were asked open-ended questions about their views on treatment for depression. Themes related to use of antidepressants were examined (hypothesis-generating).Results: Older adults taking antidepressants were more likely to be white and have more depression symptoms compared to older adults not taking antidepressants (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Positive and negative themes eme...
Integrability of flows in phase space

Abstract In the classical mechanics literature one finds three separate ideas of integrability: local integrability of a dynamical system, global integrability of a dynamical system, and integrability of a set of velocities defined by a transformation on a set of time derivatives of holonomic coordinates (‘generalized velocities’). In the latter case, the time integrals of the transformed velocities yield either a set of holonomic coordinates or a set of nonholonomic coordinates, depending on whether the infinitesimal transformation is integrable. We show how a dynamically simple set of holonomic coordinates in phase space is generated whenever the local integrability of a dynamical system leads to global integrability.
A dual state variable model of the van der Pol oscillator

Abstract A new, “dual” state variable (DSV) formulation is used to construct a model of the van der Pol oscillator. The model is valid for small degrees of non-linearity, and results are superior to those from a common perturbation technique, especially as non-linearity begins to increase. The DSV formulation utilizes a unique state space, and behavior in this space is illustrated for a wider range of non-linearity.
Membrane reactor/separator : a design for bimolecular reactant addition

Abstract A membrane reactor (MBR) is used to investigate the effect of selective reactant addition on series-parallel reaction networks, such as the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene. Ethylene is favored in an oxygen-lean environment, while excess oxygen favors the formation of combustion products. Control of the reactant ratio (ethane to oxygen) is crucial to both the overall selectivity and the hydrocarbon conversion. Traditional reactor designs co-feed the bimolecular reactants at the top of the reactor at some preset feed ratio. The MBR uses a tube (porous alumina membrane) and shell configuration. One reactant is fed at the top of a catalyst bed packed within the membrane core. The other reactant permeates into the tube along the length of the reactor via an imposed pressure drop. The reactant ratio is large at the top of the MBR, which leads to high selectivities; as the oxygen is consumed, it is replenished via downstream permeation to improve the ethane conversion. The MBR and a plug...
Diversity study of nitrifying bacteria in full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plants

We hypothesize that activated-sludge processes having stable and complete nitrification have significant and similar diversity and functional redundancy among its ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, despite differences in temperature, solids retention time (SRT), and other operating conditions. To evaluate this hypothesis, we examined the diversity of nitrifying bacterial communities in all seven water-reclamation plants (WRPs) operated by Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC). These plants vary in types of influent waste stream, plant size, water temperature, and SRT. We used terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) targeting the 16S rRNA gene and group-specific ammonia-monooxygenase functional gene (amoA) to investigate these hard-to-culture nitrifying bacteria in the full-scale WRPs. We demonstrate that nitrifying bacteria carrying out the same metabolism coexist in all WRPs studied. We found ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) belonging to the Nitrosomonas europaea/eutropha, Nitrosomonas oligotropha, Nitrosomonas communis, and Nitrosospira lineages in all plants. We also observed coexisting Nitrobacter and Nitrospira genera for nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Among the factors that varied among the WRPs, only the seasonal temperature variation seemed to change the nitrifying community, especially the balance between Nitrosospira and Nitrosomonas, although both coexisted in winter and summer samples. The coexistence of various nitrifiers in all WRPs is evidence of functional redundancy, a feature that may help maintain the stability of the system for nitrification.
A yellow-water bloom of Gymnodinium flavum Kofoid and Swezy

Abstract Detailed data on density and vertical distribution of the second known bloom of the naked dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium flavum, were obtained from an offshore platform during two phases of the bloom. At its approximate peak (July 6–7th) counts ranged from 52 to 3872 cells/ml and the maxima correlated with the thermocline level and turbid zones. Following bloom decline (July 20th–21st) counts were 12 to 856 cells/ml and these were dispersed throughout a broad thermal gradient with no relationship to turbidity. Relatively low Zooplankton counts and the large numbers of fishes observed on underwater television showed a possible avoidance pattern at the bloom peak, but no fish mortality was noted.
Use of a monoclonal antibody (VM-2) plus the immunogold-silver technique to stain basal cell carcinoma cells

A newly described murine monoclonal antibody, VM-2, stains both basal cell carcinoma cells and squamous cell carcinoma cells of the skin. We have combined this monoclonal antibody with a newly described technique, the immunogold-silver stain, to produce a method for rapid characterization of basal cell carcinoma cells. This method does not require the use of a fluorescence microscope and gives a very intense stain of the tumor cells. Tumor-containing tissue from 12 patients was stained and included 2 cases of morphealike basal cell carcinoma. All the tumors stained with VM-2 gold. Thus, staining with this technique may be helpful in diagnosing tumors of epithelial origin and may also find application in delineating residual tumor cells in microscopically controlled excision.
One year's experience with a program to facilitate personal and professional development in medical students using reflection groups.

Purpose (1) to integrate sociobehavioral science concepts into the early curriculum through a continuity ambulatory clinical experience in primary care, and (2) to expose students to a learning environment in which self-awareness and emotional development are nurtured in the context of dealing with the stresses of an early clinical experience. Methods Second-year students spent half a day twice monthly in a primary care community practice, kept a journal of their experiences, and attended biweekly 60-minute Reflection Groups designed to foster personal awareness and empathic witnessing. Analysis of journal entries and Reflection Group field notes identified stressors occurring during the students' clinical encounters. Results Three sources of stress are illustrated: the role and responsibility of the physician, death and dying, and racial issues. Reflection Groups provided students with opportunities to identify and describe stressors, to feel less isolated, to begin the process of self-awareness development, and to integrate behavioral and social science concepts into clinical practice. Our program incorporates students' early clinical experience with facilitated opportunities to reflect on the emotional challenges of becoming a physician.
Mass transport and reaction in catalyst pellets

When heterogeneous chemical reactions take place in porous catalysts, mass transport can occur by bulk diffusion, Knudsen diffusion, and convective transport. Previous studies of these phenomena have been largely based on Maxwell's ‘dusty gas’ model with the convective transport or ‘Darcy flow’ added to the diffusive transport. This is done in order to satisfy one of the limiting conditions encountered in the study of flow in porous media. A more fundamental approach consists of the use of the method of volume averaging and the general form of the species momentum equation. For an N-component system, this leads to N independent flux relations to be used in conjunction with the volume-averaged species continuity equations.
New Analysis on Sparse Solutions to Random Standard Quadratic Optimization Problems and Extensions

The standard quadratic optimization problem (StQP) refers to the problem of minimizing a quadratic form over the standard simplex. Such a problem arises from numerous applications and is known to be NP-hard. In a recent paper [Chen X, Peng J, Zhang S (2013) Sparse solutions to random standard quadratic optimization problems. Math. Programming 141(1–2):273–293], Chen, et al. showed that with a high probability close to 1, StQPs with random data have sparse optimal solutions when the associated data matrix is randomly generated from a certain distribution such as uniform and exponential distributions. In this paper, we present a new analysis for random StQPs combining probability inequalities derived from the first-order and second-order optimality conditions. The new analysis allows us to significantly improve the probability bounds. More important, it allows us to handle normal distributions, which is left open in Chen et al. (2013). The existence of sparse approximate solutions to convex StQPs and extens...
The professional responsibility model of obstetrical ethics: avoiding the perils of clashing rights

Obstetric ethics is sometimes represented by polarized views. One extreme asserts the rights of the fetus as the overwhelming ethical consideration. Another extreme asserts the pregnant woman as the overwhelming ethical consideration. Both assertions are overly simplistic. Such oversimplification is called reductionism. This article explains the fallacy of rights-based reductionism and 2 models of obstetric ethics based on it and explains why the fetal rights reductionism model and the pregnant woman's rights reductionism model result in conceptual and clinical failure and therefore should be abandoned. The article argues for the professional responsibility model of obstetric ethics, which emphasizes the importance of medical science and compassionate clinical care of both the pregnant and fetal patient. The result is that responsible medical care overrides the extremes of clashing rights.
Male genotype influences female reproductive investment in Drosophila melanogaster

In many species, males can influence the amount of resources their mates invest in reproduction. Two favoured hypotheses for this observation are that females assess male quality during courtship or copulation and alter their investment in offspring accordingly, or that males manipulate females to invest heavily in offspring produced soon after mating. Here, we examined whether there is genetic variation for males to influence female short-term reproductive investment in Drosophila melanogaster , a species with strong sexual selection and substantial sexual conflict. We measured the fecundity and egg size of females mated to males from multiple isofemale lines collected from populations around the globe. Although these traits were not strongly influenced by the male's population of origin, we found that 22 per cent of the variation in female short-term reproductive investment was attributable to the genotype of her mate. This is the first direct evidence that male D. melanogaster vary genetically in their proximate influence on female fecundity, egg size and overall reproductive investment.
Low complexity receiver structures for space-time coded multiple-access systems

Multiuser detection for space-time coded synchronous multiple-access systems in the presence of independent Rayleigh fading is considered. Under the assumption of quasi-static fading, it is shown that optimal (full diversity-achieving) space-time codes designed for single-user channels, can still provide full diversity in the multiuser channel. The joint optimal maximum likelihood multiuser detector, which can be implemented with a Viterbi-type algorithm, is derived for such space-time coded systems. Low complexity, partitioned detector structures that separate the multiuser detection and space-time decoding into two stages are also developed. Both linear and nonlinear multiuser detection schemes are considered for the first stage of these partitioned space-time multiuser receivers. Simulation results show that these latter methods achieve performance competitive with the single-user bound for space-time coded systems.
Direct design of spatio-temporal preprocessors for direction estimation of wideband sources

The authors formulate the direct design of focusing filters, a one-step filter coefficient computation procedure which avoids explicit evaluation of the frequency response. Various aspects of the proposed design technique are discussed. Simulation results are presented to substantiate its effectiveness. >
Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Bacterial and Archaeal Assemblages in the Coastal Waters near Anvers Island, Antarctica

A previous report of high levels of members of the domain Archaeal in Antarctic coastal waters prompted us to investigate the ecology of Antarctic planktonic prokaryotes. rRNA hybridization techniques and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the bacterial V3 region were used to study variation in Antarctic picoplankton assemblages. In Anvers Island nearshore waters during late winter to early spring, the amounts of archaeal rRNA ranged from 17.1 to 3.6% of the total picoplankton rRNA in 1996 and from 16.0 to 1.0% of the total rRNA in 1995. Offshore in the Palmer Basin, the levels of archaeal rRNA throughout the water column were higher (average, 24% of the total rRNA) during the same period in 1996. The archaeal rRNA levels in nearshore waters followed a highly seasonal pattern and markedly decreased during the austral summer at two stations. There was a significant negative correlation between archaeal rRNA levels and phytoplankton levels (as inferred from chlorophyll a concentrations) in nearshore surface waters during the early spring of 1995 and during an 8-month period in 1996 and 1997. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that 5 to 14% of DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole)-stained cells were archaeal, corresponding to 0.9 x 10(4) to 2.7 x 10(4) archaeal cells per ml, in late winter 1996 samples. Analysis of bacterial ribosomal DNA fragments by DGGE revealed that the assemblage composition may reflect changes in water column stability, depth, or season. The data indicate that changes in Antarctic seasons are accompanied by significant shifts in the species composition of bacterioplankton assemblages and by large decrease in the relative proportion of archaeal rRNA in the nearshore water column.
Impact of service-oriented architecture on enterprise systems, organizational structures, and individuals

In the fast-paced global economy, a corporation must be flexible and agile to meet the shifting needs of operating in an on demand environment. Aligning information technology (IT) systems using service-oriented architecture (SOA) to provide end-to-end enterprise integration and virtualized IT services is a critical step. To be truly effective, however, the SOA paradigm also needs to be extended to transmute organizational structures and behavioral practices. In this paper, we first explore the governance, economic, and enterprise challenges to SOA-based IT transformation. Next, we raise the need to redesign the existing organizational models, and we propose the Human Services Bus (HSB), a new organizational structure that optimizes the workforce and streamlines cross-unit processes to leverage the new IT systems. Finally, we discuss the cultural transformation that is required to support the HSB transition and induce the changes required in management and behavioral practices. The issues and insights at all three layers-IT systems, organizational structures, and cultural practices-are based on IBM's experience with adopting on demand methods.
Power Reduction Technique in Coefficient Multiplications Through Multiplier Characterization

This paper presents a multiplier power reduction technique for low-power DSP applications through utilization of coefficient optimization. The optimization is implementation dependent in that the multipliers are assumed to be designed in either ASIC or full-custom architectures for general purpose multiplication. The paper first describes a model characterizing the power consumption of the multiplier. Then the coefficient optimized made based on this model. This methodology is applicable to multiplications requiring a large set of coefficients and random data sets. We can accurately estimate the actual power dissipation of the multipliers using the characterization technique. The coefficient optimization based on the power model can save as much as 34.02%.
IN VIVO PROTEIN BINDING AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF CIS-ACTING ELEMENTS IN THE U3 REGION OF THE BOVINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS LONG TERMINAL REPEAT

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a member of the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)/BLV group of retroviruses. These viruses regulate their own transcription by producing Tax, a protein which activates the virus promoter region, the long terminal repeat (LTR). To explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the transactivation, we identified protein binding elements by in vivo footprinting and analyzed their function by site- directed mutagenesis. We used in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting by ligation-mediated PCR to detect constitutive in vivo protein-DNA interactions in a BLV-producing cell line, Bat2Cl6. The U3 region and part of the R region of the LTR were footprinted. In addition to the cis-acting elements (three cyclic AMP-responsive elements [CREs] and two AP4 sites) reported by others to be important for Tax-mediated activation of the BLV LTR, we found footprints in regions flanking these elements and in the core promoter region. The importance of these sites for transcriptional activation was studied by site-directed mutagenesis followed by promoter function analysis of the mutants with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter system. Our data corroborate those of others showing that the CREs are necessary for transactivation of the LTR, and they identify two new functional sites not previously reported by others. We show that the middle region of the BLV U3 contains multiple dual-functioning cis-acting elements which act as either positive or negative regulatory elements depending on the cell type tested. This is the first report of a functional mapping of the cis-acting elements of a virus of the HTLV/BLV group.
Production test technique for measuring BER of ultra-wideband (UWB) devices

Ultra-wideband is an emerging standard for short-range high data-rate wireless communication. In a production test environment, ultra-wideband devices are tested for bit error rate (BER) in the presence of an external interferer. As the target BER values are small at low interference levels, it requires a long test sequence for measuring BER, incurring a long test time. This paper describes a novel production test technique for BER testing of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing transceivers. By adjusting the phase values of the baseband signal, the proposed manufacturing test methodology reduces the overall test time considerably (up to 20/spl times/), while keeping the error vector magnitude and peak-to-average ratio of the transmitted signal unchanged. This method can be extended to any phase modulation scheme to reduce the test time for BER.