cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wind noise in hearing aids: II. Effect of microphone directivity.

AbstractObjectives: The objectives were: (1) to examine the effects of a directional microphone with different directivity patterns and different microphone combinations on wind noise levels at the hearing aid output; and (2) to derive strategies appropriate for hearing aid selection and future designs. Design: The in-situ frequency responses of a behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE1) were matched when the hearing aid was programmed to dipole, hypercardioid, cardioids, or adaptive microphone mode. The in-situ frequency responses of another hearing aid (BTE2) were matched among an omnidirectional microphone (OMNI), an adaptive directional microphone (ADM), and a combination of an omnidirectional microphone at low frequencies and an adaptive directional microphone at high frequencies (MIXED). Flow noise was recorded at flow velocities of 0, 4.5, 9.0, and 13.5 m/s. Measurements were repeated for the hypercardioid pattern of BTE1. Study sample: Flow noise recorded using directional microphones with four directivi...
Prototype high detective quantum efficiency imaging panel based on a fiber-optic scintillation glass array (FOSGA) for megavoltage imaging

Megavoltage imaging has applications in nondestructive imaging for homeland security, radiotherapy, and industrial manufacturing. Current commercial systems are limited by low image quality as measured by detective quantum efficiency (DQE). These systems yield measured DQE=0.01-0.02, limiting efficacy for detection based on automated signal processing. Past efforts to improve DQE have included novel scintillators and manufacturing of large crystal structures. An alternative novel design for a 2D x-ray imager, based on a modification of existing amorphous silicon (a:Si) or flat-panel imagers, is presented. The panel utilizes a fiber-optic scintillation glass array (FOSGA) consisting of scintillation fibers bundled within a pixilated thick sintered tungsten housing. The tungsten housing is constructed using a lithographic manufacturing technique for high fabrication accuracy. The Tb-doped fibers emit light in the 555-565nm range (matched to the sensitive region of current a:Si photodiodes), with a decay time of 2ms (100-to-40%). Monte Carlo simulations, linear cascaded systems analyses, and film studies have been carried out to validate and optimize image quality for radiation beams in the 1-6MV range. An 8cmx8cm prototype array was fabricated using Tb-doped fibers (9mm length, 0.9mm diameter) loaded into a tungsten matrix (1.1mm pixel pitch, 0.1mm septa), yielding measured DQE=0.05 (vs theoretical DQE=0.07) for 6MV imaging , an order of magnitude improvement in image quality over current commercial imagers. Design parameters of a large field-of-view FOSGA imager for cargo container security imaging are presented: 5cm thick FOSGA array, 0.4-1mm pixel pitch, 50-70% fill factor, DQE>0.2 for 1-6MV range.
Updating knowledge using subsets

Larry Moss and Rohit Parikh used subset semantics to characterize a family of logics for reasoning about knowledge. An important feature of their framework is that subsets always decrease based on the assumption that knowledge always increases. We drop this assumption and modify the semantics to account for logics of knowledge that handle arbitrary changes, that is, changes that do not necessarily result in knowledge increase, such as the update of our knowledge due to an action. We present a system which is complete for subset spaces and prove its decidability.
Expression of bovine mitochondrial elongation factor Ts in Escherichia coli and characterization of the heterologous complex formed with prokaryotic elongation factor Tu.

Abstract When bovine mitochondrial elongation factor Ts (EF-Ts mt ) is expressed in Escherichia coli , it forms a tightly associated complex with E. coli EF-Tu (EF-Tu Eco ⋅Ts mt ). This complex is active in poly(U)-directed polymerization and this activity is inhibited by kirromycin. The EF-Tu Eco ⋅Ts mt complex does not bind guanine nucleotides detectably and is not dissociated to a significant extent by either GDP or GTP. A portion of the EF-Tu Eco ⋅Ts mt complex can be dissociated by aa-tRNA in the presence of GTP. The heterologous complex cannot be dissociated completely in the presence of either the 8 M urea or 8 M guanidine hydrochloride, suggesting that EF-Ts mt has an unusually tight interaction with E. coli EF-Tu. The EF-Tu Eco ⋅Ts mt complex can be dissociated by denaturation using 2 M guanidine thiocyanate. Free EF-Ts mt can then be purified and renatured. The refolded EF-Ts mt is active in stimulating the activity of expressed mitochondrial EF-Tu (EF-Tu mt ) in poly(U)-directed polymerization. Almost all the EF-Ts mt molecules appear to refold into a conformation which can interact with EF-Tu mt . Protease mapping of EF-Ts mt indicates that the first 54 residues fold into an independent domain. Analysis of deletion derivatives of EF-Ts mt indicates that extensive regions of this factor are required for its tight interaction with EF-Tu. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Relationship Between Tumor Incompatibility and Therapeutic Response.

SummaryA comparison of the histocom-patibility characteristics of S-180, S-180/MP, S-180/B6 and ECA was carried out by transplantation techniques in 7 strains of mice. S-180/MP and S-180/B6 appeared to be less immunogenic than S-180; ECA was less immunogenic than the two S-180 sublines. S-180/MP, S-180/B6 and ECA appeared to have antigenic properties in common with S-180. The therapeutic effects of 6MP and KTS against S-180/B6 were greater in C57B1/6 than in Swiss HalCR mice. The effects of 6MP and vitamin B6 deficiency against ECA were evident only in Swiss HaICR sensitized to S-180. Thus, in this case, the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments was influenced by the degree of the host response to the tumor.
Linear-Eddy modeling of nonequilibrium turbulent reacting flows with nonpremixed reactants

Interactions between turbulent mixing and finite-rate chemistry effects leading to highly nonequilibrium behavior of nonpremixed flames in incompressible, homogeneous turbulence are simulated by utilizing the linear-eddy model (LEM). Computations reveal that as turbulent mixing increases the local scalar dissipation rate, the mean temperature and reaction rate decrease rapidly at the flame location and, depending on the activation energy, the flame either reignites or extinguishes. The LEM results are also compared to predictions from the conditional moment closure (CMC) model and reveal interesting differences between these models near conditions of flame extinction. Specifically, for the chemistry under consideration and within the context of the comparisons to the LEM simulations, the results highlight the importance in the CMC approach of modeling the conditionally averaged mixture-fraction dissipation rate and accounting for conditional fluctuations in the chemical reaction rate term in nonpremixed combustion systems near extinction.
Solubilization and properties of the soluble axonal cholinergic binding macromolecule.

Lysolecithin has been used to solubilize the axon plasma membrane preparation from lobster walking legs. This was accomplished with complete recovery of activity of the axonal cholinergic binding macromolecule and retention of the basic properties of the membrane-bound macromolecule. Sedimentation of the soluble protein through a sucrose gradient containing [3H]nicotine enabled the separation of the axonal cholinergic binding macromolecule from acetylcholinesterase and demonstrated the apparent dissociation of the axonal cholinergic binding macromolecule in low ionic strength solutions.
Intersectionality in California’s Same-Sex Marriage Battles: A Complex Proposition

This article employs what the author calls “foundational” intersectional analysis to investigate the coalitional and rhetorical strategies mobilized by Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot initiative in California designed to eliminate the right of same-sex marriage. The author argues that foundational intersectionality is the only method that sufficiently contextualizes the historical legacies constructing the political institution of marriage and that this method must incorporate the factor of religion, because religion is central to the politics of “moral values.” The first part of the article differentiates foundational intersectionality from identity intersectionality as a framework. The author then sketches how marriage is a political institution constructed in the United States through the simultaneous interactions of gender, sexuality, race, and religion. The second part of the article applies the framework to an empirical analysis of four discursive strategies employed by pro— and anti—same-sex marriage ...
The entry of antibiotics into human monocytes

Effective therapy of infections due to facultative intracellular micro-organisms, which persist after ingestion by mononuclear phagocytic cells, requires the use of antibiotics with the ability to inactivate these intra-phagocytic bacteria. Since entry of antibiotics into mononuclear phagocytes is a pre-requisite for activity against such intracellular organisms, we have determined the uptake of 11 radiolabelled antibiotics by human peripheral blood monocytes. beta-Lactams (penicillin G, cefamandole and cefotaxime), gentamicin, and metronidazole had a limited ability to enter monocytes, achieving cellular concentrations which were equal to or less than extracellular levels (C/E less than or equal to 1). Imipenem, a novel beta-lactam antibiotic, rapidly bound to monocytes, but cell-associated drug progressively declined during further incubation. Chloramphenicol, a lipid-soluble drug, and trimethoprim were concentrated three-fold by human monocytes. In comparison with the other antibiotics, roxithromycin (C/E = 14), clindamycin (C/E = 6 to 7) and erythromycin propionate (C/E = 4 to 5) were markedly concentrated by human monocytes. In contrast to our findings in other phagocytes, there was no evidence that active membrane transport was involved in monocyte uptake of clindamycin, erythromycin and roxithromycin. We have demonstrated that several antibiotics are highly concentrated within human monocytes, and it will be important to evaluate the effects of this antibiotic uptake on various monocyte functions, including intra-phagocytic antibacterial activity.
Faculty employment at 4-year colleges and universities

Abstract We examine the variation in employment levels of part-time faculty, full-time teaching faculty, and full-time professorial faculty across 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Employment structures and practices in higher education institutions are determined by a variety of economic and institutional factors. For example, a 1% increase in the average salaries paid to professorial faculty increases the employment level of part-time faculty by 0.845%. A 1% increase in the average salaries paid to full-time teaching faculty reduces the employment level of full-time teaching faculty by 0.757%. Institutions located in large cities or suburban areas hire 31.3% more part-time faculty but 12.5% fewer full-time teaching faculty. Private institutions hire more part-time faculty than their public counterparts. A 10% increase in FTE student enrollment is associated with a 5.4% increase in the number of part-time faculty, a 10.1% increase in the number of full-time teaching faculty, and a 9.1% increase in professorial faculty. In addition, we find divergent patterns of temporal variability among these three types of faculty. While employment levels of full-time instructors and professorial faculty are rather consistent over time, there is a wide range of fluctuation in the employment of part-time faculty. Finally, the employment of part-time faculty is significantly affected by that of full-time teaching faculty. There is no substitution effect on the employment of professorial faculty.
Plasma Sprayed Dense MgO-Y2O3 Nanocomposite Coatings Using Sol-Gel Combustion Synthesized Powder

MgO-Y2O3 nanostructured composite powder (volume ratio of 50:50) was synthesized by a sol-gel combustion process which generated crystal sizes in the 10-20 nm range. The MgO-Y2O3 nanopowder was plasma sprayed using a conventional, DC arc plasma spray system. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the as-sprayed MgO-Y2O3 coating is composed of cubic MgO and Y2O3 phases and has ~95% density. Microstructure characterization by SEM reveals that the as-sprayed coating has fine grain sizes of 100-300 nm as a result of rapid solidification. The hardness of the coating, 7.5 ± 0.6 GPa, is higher than that of coarse-grained, dense MgO, and Y2O3 ceramics. This approach demonstrates the potential of plasma spray processes for making thick, dense MgO-Y2O3 nanocomposite performs for applications as durable, infrared windows.
Reconceptualizing the Knowledge-Base of Language Teacher Education

Moving beyond the historical and theoretical traditions that have defined teacher education in TESOL over the last quarter century, in this introductory piece we argue for a reconceptualization of the knowledge-base of ESOL teacher education. Essential to this reconceptualization is the premise that the institutional forms and processes of teacher education frame how the profession responds to the basic sociocultural processes of learning to teach. As such, our teacher education practices constitute our professional self-definition. We argue that the core of the new knowledge-base must focus on the activity of teaching itself; it should center on the teacher who does it, the contexts in which it is done, and the pedagogy by which it is done. Moreover, this knowledge-base should include forms of knowledge representation that document teacher learning within the social, cultural, and institutional contexts in which it occurs. Finally, we believe the knowledge-base of language teacher education needs to account for the teacher as a learner of teaching, the social context of schools and schooling within which teacher-learning and teaching occur, and the activities of both language teaching and language learning. This tripartite framework calls for a broader epistemological view of ESOL teacher education, one that accounts for teaching as it is learned and as it is practiced; we argue that it will ultimately redefine how we as teacher educators create professionals in TESOL.
Shooting direction and crosswell seismic data acquisition

Four crosswell seismic surveys were acquired in the Glenn Pool Field of northeastern Oklahoma as part of a multidisciplinary reservoir characterization project. The acquisition goal was to generate data suitable for tomographic traveltime inversion. Acquisition parameters and shooting geometry were selected by conducting a parameter test at the site. Following the parameter test, the first survey resulted in high quality data showing clear first arrivals, low ambient noise, some reflection events, and strong source-generated tube waves. The second survey involved a different receiver well and encountered high ambient noise levels. The noise was strong enough to prohibit first-arrival picking for much of the data. On-site analysis of the second survey revealed tube waves emanating from a perforated interval in the receiver well. This well was shut in and was not flowing fluid or gas at the surface. We interpret the source of ambient tube waves as borehole-to-formation fluid flow (circulation) associated with the perforations. Since this image plane was important for characterization of the reservoir, the survey was reshot (third survey) by reversing sources and receivers in the two wells. The resulting high-quality data indicates that shooting direction can be an important factor in crosswell seismic acquisition. This experience influenced acquisition of a previously planned fourth survey so that the ambient noise problem would be avoided.
2.7- to 4.1-μm spectrophotometry of icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter

Spectrophotometry is presented in the 2.7-4.1 micrometer spectral region for icy satellites of Saturn (Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Iapetus and Hyperion) and Jupiter (Europa, Ganymede and Callisto). The 3.6-micrometer reflectance peak characteristic of fine-grained water ice is observed prominently on the satellites of Saturn, faintly on the leading side of Europa, and not at all on Ganymede, Callisto or the dark side of Iapetus. The spectral reflectances of these icy satellites may be affected by their equilibrium surface temperatures and magnetospheric effects.
Zinc morphology in zinc-nickel flow assisted batteries and impact on performance

Abstract The zinc morphology on repeated charging and discharging in flow-assisted zinc–nickel oxide cells was studied. The results show that higher charge rates cause more dendritic growth of zinc deposition on charging and tend to cause deterioration of battery cells. However, when the electrolyte velocity is higher than 15 cm s −1 , the direction of dendrites was distorted toward the flow direction and the internal short circuit was suppressed. Good cycle life was obtained – 1500 cycles at 100% depth of discharge and C /2 charge and discharge rate. Also, the battery was scaled up to a 100 Wh prismatic cell, and more than 200 cycles were obtained.
A comparative evaluation of series and parallel structures for high frequency transistor inverters

Results of an experimental comparison between voltage mode (series) and current mode (para11e1) sine-wave inverters are presented. These results highlight the non-dualistic relationships between the two circuits. It is shown that the parallel inverter has a significant advantage in terms of component ratings and that its output may be varied over a wider range using drive frequency control. The major disadvantage of the parallel structure is its special start-up and shut-down requirements. Operation of dc-dc converters using these two structures is described.
Localization of the exchangeable nucleotide binding domain in β-tubulin

Limited proteolysis of tubulin by alpha-chymotrypsin cleaved the beta-subunit preferentially at Tyr 281, generating primarily 35 kD and 17 kD fragments which were located in the amino terminal and the carboxy terminal regions, respectively. A small amount of a 19 kD fragment from the C-terminal end was also produced. Alpha-Chymotrypsin-treated tubulin retained the ability to exchange GTP and covalently incorporate nucleotide by direct photoaffinity labeling. SDS-PAGE and autoradiography analysis of the [alpha-32P] GTP-labeled alpha-CT-treated tubulin showed that the 35 kD fragment was almost exclusively labeled, indicating that the exchangeable GTP binding domain resides in the amino terminal region of the beta-subunit.
A simple method for obtaining highly viable virus from culture supernatant.

Abstract Traditionally density-gradient methods are used to purify viruses. However, these procedures are not only time consuming and cumbersom, recovery of viable viruses are often quite low. In this report, a single-step concentration technique was used to concentrate a mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus ( ts 1) virus from culture supernatants by ultrafiltration. A special ultafiltration unit with a 100000 mol wt cut-off was able to concentrate viruses about 30-fold without losing any infectivity. In comparison, traditional sucrose density gradient purified viruses lost a significant portion of their infectivity. This technique could be used for concentrating other viruses for many useful purposes where more viable viruses are needed, e.g., study of virus-cell binding.
Human ivermectin exposure

Ivermectin is a veterinary antiparasitic medication for domestic animals. Two cases of human exposure to veterinary preparations of ivermectin are reported. Patient number one accidentally self-injected ivermectin and developed nausea, pallor, and transient pain and numbness in the affected extremity. Patient number two, a 4-year-old child, ingested an unknown amount of the paste preparation and remained asymptomatic. As ivermectin is being used with increasing frequency in veterinary medicine, more human exposures may be anticipated.
Vaccination with an Attenuated Strain of Francisella novicida Prevents T-Cell Depletion and Protects Mice Infected with the Wild-Type Strain from Severe Sepsis

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of zoonotic tularemia, a severe pneumonia in humans, and Francisella novicida causes a similarly severe tularemia in mice upon inhalation. The correlates of protective immunity, as well as the virulence mechanisms of this deadly pathogen, are not well understood. In the present study, we compared the host immune responses of lethally infected and vaccinated mice to highlight the host determinants of protection from this disease. Intranasal infection with an attenuated mutant (Mut) of F. novicida lacking a 58-kDa hypothetical protein protected C57BL/6 mice from a subsequent challenge with the fully virulent wild-type strain U112 via the same route. The protection conferred by Mut vaccination was associated with reduced bacterial burdens in systemic organs, as well as the absence of bacteremia. Also, there was reduced lung pathology and associated cell death in the lungs of vaccinated mice. Both vaccinated and nonvaccinated mice displayed an initial 2-day delay in upregulation of signature inflammatory mediators after challenge. Whereas the nonvaccinated mice developed severe sepsis characterized by hypercytokinemia and T-cell depletion, the vaccinated mice displayed moderated cytokine induction and contained increased numbers of alphabeta T cells. The recall response in vaccinated mice consisted of a characteristic Th1-type response in terms of cytokines, as well as antibody isotypes. Our results show that a regulated Th1 type of cell-mediated and humoral immunity in the absence of severe sepsis is associated with protection from respiratory tularemia, whereas a deregulated host response leading to severe sepsis contributes to mortality.
Rate-adaptive MAC protocol in high-rate personal area networks

The specification of high-rate wireless personal area network (HR WPAN) has been standardized by the IEEE 802.15.3 task group for communications of consumer electronics and portable communication devices and a final draft standard has been completed. The physical layer in IEEE 802.15.3 standard is designed to achieve data rates of 11-55Mbps. However, a MAC protocol in IEEE 802.15.3 standard does not specify the method to choose an appropriate data rate. In this paper, we propose a rate-adaptive medium access control (MAC) protocol for HR WPAN. The data rate for the next transmission is selected by channel prediction based on the currently received frame and informs the sender about the changed rate using a rate-adaptive acknowledgement (RA-ACK) frame. By overhearing the RA-ACK frame, a piconet controller can efficiently allocate channel times. In addition, we propose a constant physical layer frame length regardless of a data rate. In this way, the channel can be more effectively utilized by squeezing more bits into one transmission. The proposed scheme is evaluated under a time-correlated fading channel model in terms of the achieved throughput Simulation results show that this scheme achieves a much higher throughput than a non rate-adaptive MAC protocol in HR WPAN does.
Rheological evaluation of lipophilic suspending agents I: Dimethyl dialkyl ammonium hectorite

A modified Brookfield viscometer was used to evaluate dispersions containing various concentrations of dimethyl dialkyl ammonium hectorite (DDAH) and ethanol in light mineral oil. The optimum amount of ethanol needed to disperse the DDAH in the oil was found to be an amount equal to the weight of the DDAH. A new method of determining the static yield value was used as one of the rheological parameters in the evaluation. The static yield value ( Y s ) in dynes/cm. 2 was found to be related to the percentage concentration ( C ) of the DDAH as follows: log Y s = mC + log b in which the constants m and b equal 1 and 2, respectively, for dispersions containing an ethanol content equal to the DDAH; and equal to 0.6 and 3.5, respectively, for dispersions containing an ethanol content twice that of the DDAH. A 1.25 per cent DDAH-1.25 per cent ethanol dispersion was evaluated for its ability to suspend several drugs. It was postulated from the sedimentation data that the small amount of supernatant liquid which occurred in these suspensions was due to syneresis.
SixthSense: fast and reliable recognition of dead ends in MDPs

The results of the latest International Probabilistic Planning Competition (IPPC-2008) indicate that the presence of dead ends, states with no trajectory to the goal, makes MDPs hard for modern probabilistic planners. Implicit dead ends, states with executable actions but no path to the goal, are particularly challenging; existing MDP solvers spend much time and memory identifying these states. As a first attempt to address this issue, we propose a machine learning algorithm called SIXTHSENSE. SIXTHSENSE helps existing MDP solvers by finding nogoods, conjunctions of literals whose truth in a state implies that the state is a dead end. Importantly, our learned nogoods are sound, and hence the states they identify are true dead ends. SIXTHSENSE is very fast, needs little training data, and takes only a small fraction of total planning time. While IPPC problems may have millions of dead ends, they may typically be represented with only a dozen or two no-goods. Thus, nogood learning efficiently produces a quick and reliable means for dead-end recognition. Our experiments show that the nogoods found by SIXTHSENSE routinely reduce planning space and time on IPPC domains, enabling some planners to solve problems they could not previously handle.
Nonlinear effects and anomalous transport in RF plasmas

Three examples are given of experiments which give evidence of nonclassical behavior in partially ionized, low-temperature, radio-frequency plasmas: anomalous skin depth in inductively coupled plasmas, transport by fluctuations in helicon plasmas, and parametric instabilities in helicon plasmas. A variety of physics puzzles have been found in industrial plasmas, and techniques learned from high-temperature, fusion research are used to solve them. Low-temperature plasma physics is becoming a precise, challenging discipline in the field of plasmas
Origins of Light Emission and Efficiency Saturation of the Photoluminescence of GaN Nanocrystallites

The photoluminescence (PL) properties of GaN nanorods were studied utilizing UV micro-photoluminescence. The room temperature PL of the GaN nanorods exhibits one strong emission line. The PL intensity as a function of the laser power was investigated in order to determine whether this emission originates from an excitonic or a bandgap recombination process. Our analysis indicates that the PL of the rods is excitonic-like and very similar to the behavior of the free exciton A in GaN thin films. However, for a relatively large and compact ensemble of rods, the PL intensity exhibits a significant saturation occurring already at relatively low laser power. We attribute the intensity saturation to the laser heating and heat trapping which takes place in the enclosure of the ensemble.
“Omics” Approaches for Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Research: Biomarkers for Identifying Differential Vulnerability to Sleep Loss

The two-process model of sleep-wake regulation asserts a neurobiological drive for sleep that varies homeostatically (increasing as a saturating exponential during wakefulness and decreasing in a similar manner during sleep) and a circadian process that neurobiologically modulates the homeostatic drive for sleep and waking performance and alertness. Sleep deprivation increases homeostatic sleep drive and degrades waking neurobehavioral functions as reflected in fatigue, sleepiness, attention, memory, and cognitive speed. Notably, there are robust individual differences in neurobehavioral responses to sleep loss which are trait-like and phenotypic and not explained by baseline functioning or other possible predictors. This review discusses “omics” methodologies (transcriptomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics) in sleep and circadian rhythm research. Since the molecular mechanisms underlying differential vulnerability remain virtually unknown, such methodologies can be used to yield biomarkers for predicting individual differences in neurobehavioral responses to sleep loss in humans. Reliable prediction of who is more or less likely to experience neurobehavioral decrements from sleep loss would provide more targeted use of biological countermeasures and optimization of personnel in a variety of occupational settings.
Genome beginnings: rooting the tree of life

A rooted tree of life provides a framework to answer central questions about the evolution of life. Here we review progress on rooting the tree of life and introduce a new root of life obtained through the analysis of indels, insertions and deletions, found within paralogous gene sets. Through the analysis of indels in eight paralogous gene sets, the root is localized to the branch between the clade consisting of the Actinobacteria and the double-membrane (Gram-negative) prokaryotes and one consisting of the archaebacteria and the firmicutes. This root provides a new perspective on the habitats of early life, including the evolution of methanogenesis, membranes and hyperthermophily, and the speciation of major prokaryotic taxa. Our analyses exclude methanogenesis as a primitive metabolism, in contrast to previous findings. They parsimoniously imply that the ether archaebacterial lipids are not primitive and that the cenancestral prokaryotic population consisted of organisms enclosed by a single, ester-linked lipid membrane, covered by a peptidoglycan layer. These results explain the similarities previously noted by others between the lipid synthesis pathways in eubacteria and archaebacteria. The new root also implies that the last common ancestor was not hyperthermophilic, although moderate thermophily cannot be excluded.
Engineered Streambeds for Induced Hyporheic Flow: Enhanced Removal of Nutrients, Pathogens, and Metals from Urban Streams

AbstractThe hyporheic zone (HZ) has the potential to mitigate nonpoint source pollution that threatens urban streams, but limited flows and inefficient interchange typically constrain its water quality improvements. This paper presents coordinated streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) modifications, termed Biohydrochemical Enhancement Structures for Streamwater Treatment (BEST), to efficiently drive interchange, attenuating nutrients, metals, and pathogens. Numerical models consisted of sandy HZ with high and low K streambed media components, and variable slope and in situ sediment K. BEST contaminant mitigation was estimated using hyporheic flow and residence time (RT) simulations and contaminant removal rate constants from literature for specific porous media. Hyporheic flows improved, whereas mean RT decreased approximately linearly with increasing slope and in situ K. Despite vast differences in flow and RT, contaminant removal potential was relatively consistent among BEST in which reaction time scale...
Rapid prototyping of a RISC architecture for implementation in FPGAs

This paper focuses on the use of a rapid prototyping system to develop a simple RISC microprocessor architecture for implementation in field programmable gate arrays. The rapid prototyping system enables engineers and academic professionals to quickly place new concepts into circuitry, thus bypassing the traditional lengthy design time. The system consists of object-based component libraries, created using a standard hardware-description language, along with simulation tools for visual performance verification. Microprocessors based on this architecture have been implemented in various forms of programmable logic to demonstrate the validity of using the rapid prototyping system to create custom computing machines.
Body surface temperature: manifestation of complex anatomy and physiology of the cutaneous vasculature

In the thermal balance represented by skin temperature, skin blood flow is a highly variable factor. It needs to be seen in a perspective that encompasses the other major organ vasculatures. High blood flow/mass and blood flow/heat production ratios cause the uniformity of temperatures within the core organs. Low values of these ratios in skin and skeletal muscle underlie the great variations of skin surface temperature, topographically, in a cool environment. But flow can increase enormously in both these organs. In active skeletal muscle, high blood flow brings temperatures close to arterial blood temperature. Even higher flow/mass ratios can develop in the vasculature of skin. Blood bound for skin transits deeper tissues via arterial twigs whose dimensions allow major blood-tissue heat exchange. The vessels of the microvasculature are so near the surface that blood that passes through them comes into near-equilibrium with surface temperature. Variable pathways of venous drainage alter countercurrent exchange potential. Physiologically, human skin is unique in its potential for vasodilation; whether neurally mediated or through direct influence of heat. Both mechanisms lend potential positive feedback instability to skin temperature. Either can call for cardiac output more than double normal. Also important in overall cardiovascular regulation is the high compliance of the cutaneous vasculature that "steals" blood volume from the central venous pool, Finally, skin temperature is an input to reflex control of thermal balance. The remarkable tuning of its influence upon skin blood flow makes this input dominate control within the range of neutral thermal conditions.
How to put plant root uptake into a soil water flow model

The need for improved crop water use efficiency calls for flexible modeling platforms to implement new ideas in plant root uptake and its regulation mechanisms. This paper documents the details of modifying a soil infiltration and redistribution model to include (a) dynamic root growth, (b) non-uniform root distribution and water uptake, (c) the effect of water stress on plant water uptake, and (d) soil evaporation. The paper also demonstrates strategies of using the modified model to simulate soil water dynamics and plant transpiration considering different sensitivity of plants to soil dryness and different mechanisms of root water uptake. In particular, the flexibility of simulating various degrees of compensated uptake (whereby plants tend to maintain potential transpiration under mild water stress) is emphasized. The paper also describes how to estimate unknown root distribution and rooting depth parameters by the use of a simulation-based searching method. The full documentation of the computer code will allow further applications and new development.
Theoretical estimation of binding release values.

In summary, it can be stated that the optimal binding setting for either the inadvertent release criterion or for the fracture criterion is a function of the binding characteristics. This study suggests that such binding characteristics should be a factor incorporated in recommended binding setting tables for the recreational skier. Bindings with large motions (large energy absorption capabilities) are most likely to meet both the fracture and inadvertent release criteria. Bindings with large motions are more likely to cause fracture if friction exists. This study emphasizes the necessity for reducing binding friction to an absolute minimum. Frictional resistance seriously compromises the performance of contemporary bindings. Language: en
Chemistry of Trivalent Uranium Metallocenes: Electron-Transfer Reactions. Synthesis and Characterization of [(MeC5H4)3U]2E (E = S, Se, Te) and the Crystal Structures of [(MeC5H4)3U]2S and (MeC5H4)3UOPPh3

The trivalent uranium metallocene (MeC/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 3/U x THF reacts with COS, SPPh/sub 3/, or TeP(n-Bu)/sub 3/ to form the bridging chalcogenide complexes ((MeC/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 3/U)/sub 2/E, where E is S, Se, or Te. Crystals of ((MeC/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 3/U)/sub 2/S are monoclinic, P2/sub 1//c, with a = 19.740 (6) A, b = 8.302 (3) A, c = 21.602(4) A, and ..beta.. = 97.28 (3)/sup 0/ at 23/sup 0/C; for Z = 4 the calculated density is 1.920 g/cm/sup 3/. The structure was refined by full-matrix least squares to a conventional R factor of 0.053 by using 2061 data with F/sup 2/ > 2 sigma (F/sup 2/). The average U-C distance is 2.77 +/- 0.06 A, the U-S distance is 2.60 (1) A, and the U-S-U angle is 164.9 (5)/sup 0/. Triphenylphosphine oxide does not behave in a similar fashion; the trivalent uranium coordination complex (MeC/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 3/UOPPh/sub 3/ is instead isolated. Crystals of (MeC/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 3/UOPPh/sub 3/ are monoclinic, P2/sub 1//n, with a = 16.268 (3) A, b = 17.948 (3) A, c = 10.900 (2) A, and ..beta.. = 105.01 (2)/sup 0/ at 23/sup 0/C; for Z = 4 the calculated density is 1.628more » g/cm/sup 3/. The structure was refined by full-matrix least squares to a conventional R factor of 0.028 (2427 data, F/sup 2/ > 2 sigma (F/sup 2/)). The average U-C distance is 2.82 +/- 0.04 A, the U-O distance is 2.389 (6) A, and the U-O-P angle is 162.8 (4)/sup 0/.« less
Effect of thermoperiod and photoperiod on the eclosion rhythm of the sunflower moth (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

The sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst), has a distinct eclosion rhythm in either a light–dark constant temperature photoperiod, or in constant darkness, or in constant light with alternating temperatures. Eclosionis arrhythmic in either constant light or constant darkness with constant temperatures. With a 12:12 light–dark, constant-temperature regimen, there is a broad eclosion peak occurring over ≍6 h before lights turn off as well as over the first part of the dark phase. Some individuals eclose during all hours of the day regardless of the regimen. With a regimen of 12 h each at 26° and 17°C. (both in constant light or darkness or light–dark with the low temperature during the dark), a bimodal periodicity of eclosion is initiated with a high peak immediately preceding the temperature drop and a low peak shortly after the temperature rise. The rhythm damps out rather quickly in constant darkness at constant temperatures.
Cleavage of the Imidazole Ring of Histidine and Carnosine by Bromine.

SummaryWhen histidine and related compounds are treated with bromine at pH 1 to 1.5, the excess bromine removed, and the solution alkalinized and aerated, significant amounts of ammonia are recover...
ANTIVIRAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THYMUS EXTRACTS.

SummaryTwo kinds of extracts were made from calf thymus gland: (a) in water, and (b) in dilute acetic acid. The water extract inhibited Coxsackie A9 virus and type I poliovirus in tissue culture and in mice. The acid extract showed in vitro antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. pyogenes, organisms of the Pseudomonas group, and certain other bacteria.
Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Reaction of Carbon Dioxide with Aqueous Monoethanolamine Solutions

Increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion is altering global climate, and several strategies are being examined for CO2 capture and sequestration. Aqueous amine solutions, in particular, monoethanolamine (MEA) is extensively used for CO2 adsorption. Our objective in this study was to follow the reaction of CO2 with 15 wt % monoethanolamine (MEA) by horizontal attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (HATR-FTIR), with particular focus on the evolution of MEA, protonated MEA (MEAH+), MEA carbamate, and carbonate/bicarbonate species. Since the path length in HATR-FTIR is well-defined, by use of standards and Beer’s law, the molar absorptivity was calculated. This allowed us to monitor the concentrations of MEA and MEAH+ quantitatively. Using the characteristic infrared bands of the various amine-derived species, influence of SO2 (151 ppm) on CO2 absorption by MEA was studied, including the cycling process of adsorption (40 °C) and desorption (100 °C...
Comparison of Human and Bovine Insulin Amyloidogenesis under Uniform Shear.

A diverse range of proteins can assemble into amyloid fibrils, a process that generally results in a loss of function and an increase in toxicity. The occurrence and rate of conversion is strongly dependent on several factors including molecular structure and exposure to hydrodynamic forces. To investigate the origins of shear-induced enhancement in the rate of fibrillization, a stable rotating Couette flow was used to evaluate the kinetics of amyloid formation under uniform shear for two similar insulin species (human and bovine) that demonstrate unique fibrillization kinetics. The presence of shear-induced nuclei predicted by previous studies is supported by observations of a lag between the consumption of soluble insulin and the precipitation of amyloid aggregates. The apparent fibrillization rate generally increases with shear. However, a two-parameter kinetic model revealed that the nucleation rate has a maximum value at intermediate shear rates. The fibril elongation rate increases monotonically wit...
Hepatocytes detoxify Atuna racemosa extract.

A number of traditional medicine plants are hepatotoxic. Thus, while the traditional uses of Atuna racemosa suggest little indication for toxicity, it is nonetheless important to examine the potential for this extract to target the liver. Using Jurkat T cells and HepG2 hepatocytes as a model, the potential hepatotoxicity of this extract was evaluated. The results of a conditioned media experiment suggest that A. racemosa extract would likely be detoxified by the liver. These results provide the necessary background to Initiate an in vivo toxicology investigation.
The emerging role of immunotherapy in colorectal cancer

Modulation of the interaction between the immune system and the tumor microenvironment has long been a target of cancer research, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Approaches explored to date include vaccines (autologous, peptide, dendritic cell, viral and bacterial), cytokine therapy, toll-like receptors (TLRs), autologous cell therapy and checkpoint inhibition. Until recently these approaches have been shown to have only modest efficacy in reducing tumor burden. However, significant breakthroughs have been made, with the use of checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4). Immunotherapy now represents a possible avenue of curative treatment for those with chemo-otherwise refractory tumors. Success with this approach to immunotherapy has largely been confined to tumors with high mutational burdens such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and non-small cell lung cancer. This observation led to the exploration and successful use of checkpoint inhibitors in those with mismatch repair colorectal cancer which have a relatively high mutational burden. Ongoing trials are focused on further exploring the use of checkpoint inhibitors in addition to investigating the various combinations of immunotherapeutic drugs.
Climatic influences on interannual variability in regional burn severity across western US forests

Interannual variability in burn severity is assessed across forested ecoregions of the western United States to understand how it is influenced by variations in area burned and climate during 1984–2014. Strong correlations (|r| > 0.6) between annual area burned and climate metrics were found across many of the studied regions. The burn severity of individual fires and fire seasons was weakly, but significantly (P 0.4) relationships with regional burn severity, congruent with but weaker than those between climate and area burned for most ecoregions. These results collectively suggest that irrespective of other factors, long-term increases in fuel aridity will lead to increased burn severity in western United States forests for existing vegetation regimes.
Deleuze, Resnais y Prigogine: El año pasado en Marienbad y los sistemas dinámicos inestables

Siguiendo lo expresado o sugerido por el filosofo frances Gilles Deleuze en su libro La imagen-tiempo: Estudios sobre cine 2, interpretamos, en el presente articulo, el film El ano pasado en Marienbad del director frances Alain Resnais como un sistema dinamico inestable o caotico, teniendo como base las ideas del fisico-quimico Ilya Prigogine. Consideraremos los elementos visuales y sonoros de la pelicula de Resnais como sistemas dinamicos que entran en relaciones de sincronia y asincronia, estableciendo de esta manera una compleja dinamica de regularidad y caos. Ademas, analizaremos algunos aspectos del espacio visual y del movimiento, gestos y corporalidad de los personajes desde esta perspectiva.
Social sustainability measured by intermediate approach for DEA environmental assessment: Chinese regional planning for economic development and pollution prevention

Abstract This study examines the level of simultaneous achievement on economic prosperity and environmental protection, so measuring the level of sustainability by a newly proposed intermediate approach. Conventionally, DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) for performance evaluation was used to assess various economic activities of organizations that utilized inputs (e.g., the number of employees) to yield desirable outputs (e.g., the number of products). The methodology was usually classified into radial or non-radial category. In an effort of extending it to environmental assessment, DEA needs to incorporate undesirable outputs (e.g., the amount of CO 2 ) into the computational framework. This type of assessment is referred to as “DEA environmental assessment”. The proposed intermediate approach develops a new type of DEA environmental assessment by combining the analytical features of radial approach with those of non-radial approach. The new approach measures the level of unified inefficiency on each production factor and determines the level of total unified inefficiency from the average of the sum of these inefficiency scores. A rank sum test and a mean test are additionally incorporated into the proposed intermediate approach. Such a combination enhances the statistical capability. As an application, this study examines the level of sustainability related to 30 provinces in China from 2003 to 2014. The application finds four policy implications. First, it is important for China to allocate its resources to western provinces at a level that it has used for coastal developments. Second, the government continues to reinforce the policy making effort on environmental protection by paying attention to central and southern regions. The Chinese industries need to transfer toward “green” energy. The transfer should be efficiently executed for their future developments. Third, the government has focused on the sustainability development in urban provinces and then has gradually shifted the policy influence toward rural areas. Finally, the policy implementation needs a time lag until it becomes effective. The time lag on economic policy is longer than that of environmental policy. The economic policy has historically produced a regional imbalance, often leading to educational and income imbalances, among Chinese provinces.