cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient numerical modeling of catalytic channels using a quasi-steady gas phase

Abstract This paper presents a transient model of internal catalytic combustion suitable for isolated channels and monolith reactors. Due to time-scales in the problem, the model considers a quasi-steady gas phase with a transient solid. The gas is described by axially varying bulk temperature and species. The gas includes lateral diffusion via transfer coefficients and the specification of a gas-phase species concentration at the wall; axial diffusion is neglected. The solid phase is a thermally thin shell with axially varying temperature, surface species, and surface species concentrations. The solid includes axial heat conduction and external heat loss by convection and radiation. The combustion process utilizes detailed gas and surface reaction models. The gas-phase model becomes a system of stiff ordinary differential equations with respect to axial position; the upstream (inlet) boundary conditions are specified and the axially varying solid properties are parameters in integration. The solid phase discretizes into a system of stiff ordinary differential-algebraic equations with respect to time. The time evolution of the system comes from alternating integrations of the quasi-steady gas phase and transient solid. The model is compared to two experimental cases using CO fuel: (1) steady-state conversion in an isothermal platinum tube and (2) transient propagation of a catalytic reaction inside a small platinum tube and includes external tube temperature measurements. This work presents sensitivity studies on important parameters including internal transfer coefficients, catalytic surface site density, external heat-loss, and others. Under mass-transfer limited conditions, global transfer coefficients are adequate to predict fuel conversion. Near light-off, the model predictions improve for the first case after adjusting the surface kinetics such that the net rate of CO adsorption increases compared to O 2 . For the second case, predictions of transient propagation speeds are good for equivalence ratios near unity and greater but require adjustment of external heat loss or kinetics to match under lean conditions.
X-ray applications of self-scanning silicon diode arrays

A linear diode array consisting of 512 elements was used to measure soft x rays from laser-produced plasmas. Three modes of operation were tested, with the array behind (a) low-resolution filters, (b) a high-resolution spectrograph, and (c) a collimation device. The diode array used in this work has a higher fluence threshold, less dynamic range, and poorer spatial resolution at 2 keV than Kodak No-Screen x-ray film. However, the immediate electronic readout characteristics of diode arrays make them attractive for some applications.
ON ONE MECHANISM OF TRANSITION TO CHAOS IN LATTICE DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS

Abstract This paper extends some results obtained earlier for coupled map lattices to the more general lattice dynamical systems. A transition to chaos in the lattice dynamics occurs when the strength of spatial interactions exceeds some threshold. This transition is generated by the peak-crossing bifurcation . It is shown that this mechanism can generate chaotic motion even in lattice dynamical systems with extremely simple local dynamics. The resulting regime of chaos is characterized by a space intermittency when the lattice is partitioned into alternating clusters that move chaotically and quasiregularly, respectively.
Retinoic acid rescues lung hypoplasia in nitrofen-induced hypoplastic foetal rat lung explants.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that the retinoid pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We hypothesised that retinoids are involved in the pathogenesis of associated pulmonary hypoplasia in CDH and therefore designed this study to investigate the effects of retinoid acid on nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs. Pregnant rats were exposed to either olive oil or 100 mg nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation. Foetal lungs were harvested on embryonic day 13.5 and were cultured for 96 h with or without exogenous retinoic acid (RA) (1 μM) added daily to the culture medium. Lungs were divided into four study groups: control (n=31); control + RA (n=19); nitrofen (n=19); and nitrofen + RA (n=12). Lung growth was assessed in each group by measuring branching morphogenesis, total DNA content and the proportion of proliferating cells stained by immunohistochemistry. One-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Retinoic acid significantly increased the growth of nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs, whilst growth of control lungs did not change. The number of lung buds and lung area of nitrofen-exposed hypoplastic lungs after 96 h of culture significantly increased after the addition of RA compared to the non-treated hypoplastic lungs (25.75±6.47 vs 15.11±3.29 and 0.98±0.18 mm2 vs 0.65±0.13 mm2, respectively; P<0.0001). Lung perimeter was also higher when RA was added to hypoplastic lungs compared to the non-treated ones, although it did not reach significance (12.51±2.53 mm vs 11.19±2.56 mm; P=0.17). Conversely, the addition of RA to control lungs did not affect the number of lung buds, lung area or lung perimeter after 96 h in culture compared to the non-treated ones (31.28±4.66 vs 31.81±6.67; 1.29±0.182 vs 1.29±0.23 mm2 and 18.47±3.47 mm vs 17.89±2.94 mm, respectively; P=NS). Retinoic acid also increased the total DNA content and the proportion of proliferating cells in hypoplastic lungs compared to the non-treated ones (2.59±0.58 μg vs 1.96±0.31 μg and 57.89±9.46% vs 36.76±8.15%, respectively; P<0.001). The addition of RA did not affect either total DNA content or the proportion of proliferating cells in control lungs compared to the non-treated ones (4.04±0.64 μg vs 3.79±0.85 μg and 58.67±11.23% vs 56.03±10.36%, respectively; P=NS). This study demonstrates for the first time that RA rescues lung hypoplasia in nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs. These results suggest that retinoid pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of associated pulmonary hypoplasia in CDH.
Iterative regularization for elliptic inverse problems

Elliptic inverse problems can be formulated using coefficient-dependent energy least-squares functionals, resulting in a smooth, convex objective functional. A variational inequality emerges as a necessary and sufficient optimality condition. The principle of iterative regularization, when coupled with the auxiliary problem principle, results in a strongly convergent scheme for the solution of elliptic inverse problems.
Extraction of Time and Frequency Features From Grip Force Rates During Dexterous Manipulation

The time course of grip force from object contact to onset of manipulation has been extensively studied to gain insight into the underlying control mechanisms. Of particular interest to the motor neuroscience and clinical communities is the phenomenon of bell-shaped grip force rate (GFR) that has been interpreted as indicative of feedforward force control. However, this feature has not been assessed quantitatively. Furthermore, the time course of grip force may contain additional features that could provide insight into sensorimotor control processes. In this study, we addressed these questions by validating and applying two computational approaches to extract features from GFR in humans: 1) fitting a Gaussian function to GFR and quantifying the goodness of the fit [root-mean-square error, (RMSE)]; and 2) continuous wavelet transform (CWT), where we assessed the correlation of the GFR signal with a Mexican Hat function. Experiment 1 consisted of a classic pseudorandomized presentation of object mass (light or heavy), where grip forces developed to lift a mass heavier than expected are known to exhibit corrective responses. For Experiment 2, we applied our two techniques to analyze grip force exerted for manipulating an inverted T-shaped object whose center of mass was changed across blocks of consecutive trials. For both experiments, subjects were asked to grasp the object at either predetermined or self-selected grasp locations (“constrained” and “unconstrained” task, respectively). Experiment 1 successfully validated the use of RMSE and CWT as they correctly distinguished trials with versus without force corrective responses. RMSE and CWT also revealed that grip force is characterized by more feedback-driven corrections when grasping at self-selected contact points. Future work will examine the application of our analytical approaches to a broader range of tasks, e.g., assessment of recovery of sensorimotor function following clinical intervention, interlimb differences in force control, and force coordination in human–machine interactions.
Thyroid hormone receptor-associated proteins and general positive cofactors mediate thyroid hormone receptor function in the absence of the TATA box-binding protein-associated factors of TFIID

Coactivators previously implicated in ligand-dependent activation functions by thyroid hormone receptor (TR) include p300 and CREB-binding protein (CBP), the steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1)-related family of proteins, and the multicomponent TR-associated protein (TRAP) complex. Here we show that two positive cofactors (PC2 and PC4) derived from the upstream stimulatory activity (USA) cofactor fraction act synergistically to mediate thyroid hormone (T3)-dependent activation either by TR or by a TR-TRAP complex in an in vitro system reconstituted with purified factors and DNA templates. Significantly, the TRAP-mediated enhancement of activation by TR does not require the TATA box-binding protein-associated factors of TFIID. Furthermore, neither the pleiotropic coactivators CBP and p300 nor members of the SRC-1 family were detected in either the TR-TRAP complex or the other components of the in vitro assay system. These results show that activation by TR at the level of naked DNA templates is enhanced by cooperative functions of the TRAP coactivators and the general coactivators PC2 and PC4, and they further indicate a potential functional redundancy between TRAPs and TATA box-binding protein-associated factors in TFIID. In conjunction with earlier studies on other nuclear receptor-interacting cofactors, the present study also suggests a multistep pathway, involving distinct sets of cofactors, for activation of hormone responsive genes.
Asymptotic Normality of Finite Fourier Transforms of Stationary Generalized Processes

Finite Fourier transforms of stationary mixing processes have been shown to be asymptotically normal in quite a variety of circumstances. The case of a time series X(t) with t in R is considered in, for example, Leonov and Shiryaev [12], Picinbono [16], Rosenblatt [19], Rozanov [21]. The case oft in Z is considered in Hannan [8, Chap.IV], in Hannan and Thomson [9], in Brillinger [5].
Effects of nucleoside analogs and sodium butyrate on recovery from potentially lethal X ray damage in human colon tumor cells.

Abstract The effects of 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR) and 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) both alone and in combination with sodium butyrate (NaB) o intrinsic radiation sensitivity and ability to recover from potentially lethal damage (PLDR) were studied in two subpopulations of cells (clones A and D) from a heterogeneous human colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1). Growth for three passages in medium containing 1 mM NaB alone enhanced radiation cell killing in the low dose (“shoulder”) region of the survival curve for both cell lines. Neither 1.0 μM 5-aza-CR nor 0.25 μM 5-aza-CdR alone enhanced cell killing. However, treatment of these cells with a combination of either 5-aza-CR or 5-aza-CdR and NaB enhanced radiation cell killing at a clinically relevant dose level of 2.0 Gy by approximately 25'% for both clone A and clone D cells. Also, while exposure to these differentiation-inducing agents separately enhanced the expression of PLDR in both tumor subpopulations, treatment with either of the combinations reversed this increase in PLDR. These results indicate that the gene-activating agents 5-aza-M 5aza-CdR, andNaB interact to modify the radiation sensitivity of two human tumor cell lines. Such combinations may prove useful clinically, if enhanced X ray cell killing of tumor cells can be achieved without a concomitant enhancement of recovery from potentially lethal X ray damage.
Festphasensynthese von Makrocyclen mit der Strategie der Abspaltung unter Cyclisierung: Anwendung der Stille-Kupplung bei der Synthese von (S)-Zearalenon

Es geht auch ohne Heteroatom! Bei vielen Festphasensynthesen bleibt im Substrat nach der Abspaltung vom polymeren Trager ein Heteroatom (z. B. O, S, N) als Uberrest einer verknupfenden Schutzgruppe zuruck. Mit polymergebundenen Zinnreagentien wird nun durch intramolekulare Stille-Kupplung die Abspaltung und eine gleichzeitige Cyclisierung des Substrats unter C-C-Bindungsbildung erreicht (siehe Bild). S=Substrat.
Ballistic-performance optimization of a hybrid carbon-nanotube/E-glass reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy-matrix composite armor

The material model for a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy matrix composite material (carbon nanotube reinforced composite mats, in the following) developed in our recent work (M. Grujicic et al. submitted), has been used in the present work within a transient non-linear dynamics analysis to carry out design optimization of a hybrid polymer-matrix composite armor for the ballistic performance with respect to the impact by a fragment simulating projectile (FSP). The armor is constructed from E-glass continuous-fiber poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy matrix composite laminas interlaced with the carbon nanotube reinforced composite mats. Different designs of the hybrid armor are obtained by varying the location and the thickness of the carbon nanotube reinforced composite mats. The results obtained indicate that at a fixed thickness of the armor, both the position and the thickness of the carbon nanotube reinforced composite mats affect the ballistic performance of the armor. Specifically, it is found that the best performance of the armor is obtained when thicker carbon nanotube reinforced composite mats are placed near the front armor face, the face which is struck by the projectile. The results obtained are rationalized using an analysis of the elastic wave reflection and transmission behavior at the lamina/met and laminate/air interfaces.
Phonons and static dielectric constant in CaTiO 3 from first principles

${\mathrm{CaTiO}}_{3}$ has a static dielectric constant that extrapolates to a value greater than 300 at zero temperature. We investigate the origin of this large dielectric response on a microscopic level, using first-principles plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory calculations. The electronic dielectric tensor and the complete set of zone center phonons and ionic Born effective charges are determined for ${\mathrm{CaTiO}}_{3}$ in its low temperature 20-atom per cell orthorhombic phase via frozen phonon electronic structure, polarization, and force constant calculations. Dispersion theory is then used to obtain the dielectric tensor. The dielectric response is dominated by low frequency $(\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\approx}90{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$ polar optical modes in which cation motion opposes oxygen motion. The frequencies of these phonons, and thus the dielectric constant, are predicted to be pressure sensitive.
Crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) blends

The crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PET/PEN) blends were investigated by DSC as functions of crystallization temperature, blend composition, and PET and PEN source. Isothermal crystallization kinetics were evaluated in terms of the Avrami equation. The Avrami exponent (n) is different for PET, PEN, and the blends, indicating different crystallization mechanisms occurring in blends than those in pure PET and PEN. Activation energies of crystallization were calculated from the rate constants, using an Arrhenius-type expression. Regime theory was used to elucidate the crystallization course of PET/PEN blends as well as that of unblended PET and PEN. The transition from regime II to regime III was clearly observed for each blend sample as the crystallization temperature was decreased. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 23–37, 2001
Why divine foreknowledge

Christian theism has traditionally claimed that God knows the future. But why is divine foreknowledge important? In this essay, I argue that divine foreknowledge is valuable to Christian theism and that a hefty theological price must be paid if it is rejected. I also attempt to show that the range of knowledge available to God in theological models that deny divine foreknowledge is significantly less than claimed by proponents of these views. In particular, I argue that the God of such models could not know future physical necessities, physical probabilities, divinely intended future free acts, or future events required by the divine nature.
Gestational changes in the germinal matrix of the normal rhesus monkey fetus.

ABSTRACT: To explain the reported predisposition to germinal matrix hemorrhage in premature infants, pathogenetically important morphological features of the germinal matrix should be present in the 3rd trimester and rapidly change near term. Such features were sought in this study of the germinal matrix and its vasculature in normal rhesus monkey fetuses. The matrix cells, glia, ependyma, and capillaries showed no important structural changes during the 3rd trimester. The terminal vein tributaries were greatly enlarged by 148 days, but cellular and collagen support in their walls was minimal at this time. The latter features developed by the final days of gestation. These findings do not support a structural immaturity or specialization of the germinal matrix predisposing to germinal matrix hemorrhage. Our results, therefore, support the recent emphasis on physiological parameters in the pathogenesis and prevention of germinal matrix hemorrhage.
A genome-wide homologous recombination screen identifies the RNA-binding protein RBMX as a component of the DNA-damage response

Repair of DNA double-strand breaks is critical to genomic stability and the prevention of developmental disorders and cancer. A central pathway for this repair is homologous recombination (HR). Most knowledge of HR is derived from work in prokaryotic and eukaryotic model organisms. We carried out a genome-wide siRNA-based screen in human cells. Among positive regulators of HR we identified networks of DNA-damage-response and pre-mRNA-processing proteins, and among negative regulators we identified a phosphatase network. Three candidate proteins localized to DNA lesions, including RBMX, a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein that has a role in alternative splicing. RBMX accumulated at DNA lesions through multiple domains in a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1-dependent manner and promoted HR by facilitating proper BRCA2 expression. Our screen also revealed that off-target depletion of RAD51 is a common source of RNAi false positives, raising a cautionary note for siRNA screens and RNAi-based studies of HR.
A predictive laboratory study of trace organic contamination of groundwater: Preliminary results

Abstract A previous study at Rice University demonstrated that trace organic compounds in primary and secondary effluents treated in rapid-infiltration systems are detected in associated groundwaters. However, a direct cause-and-effect relationship was not established, since background data on trace organics in the groundwater were not available. Field studies on a rapid-infiltration site currently under construction at Fort Polk, Louisiana, U.S.A., have indicated that characteristic trace organics are mostly absent from groundwater underlying the site. Therefore, a laboratory study was undertaken to investigate the potential for groundwater contamination by trace organics during operation of this system. Four columns were packed with topsoil obtained from one of the basins at the site. Unchlorinated secondary effluent was also obtained from the site and used as feed solution for the columns. The columns were operated on a 2-day inundation-12-day drying cycle to parallel design operation of the rapid-infiltration system. Feed solution and column effluents were monitored for 22 trace organics by reverse-ion search using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. By the end of the second inundation cycle, 14 target trace organics consistently found in the feed solution were also detected in the column effluents. However, significant reductions (% reduction) in concentrations were noted for p -dichlorobenzene (100%), tetrachloroethylene (90%), and 2 (methylthio)benzothiazole (94%) in the first inundation cycle, and also for p -dichlorobenzene (84%), tetrachloroethylene (84%), acetophenone (67%), 2 -(methylthio)benzothiazole (98%), and dibutyl phthalate (75%) in the second inundation cycle. These preliminary results indicate that groundwater contamination at the Fort Polk rapid-infiltration site can occur once the system begins operation, although concentrations of specific trace organics may be significantly reduced.
Advantages of biochemical technology applied to paint detackification

(2010). Advantages of biochemical technology applied to paint detackification. Transactions of the IMF: Vol. 88, No. 2, pp. 70-74.
The reaction of O(3P) with CCl2CH2

Abstract The reaction of O(3P), prepared from the Hg photosensitization of N2O, with CCl2CH2 was studied at 25°C. The products of the reaction in the absence of O2 were CO, CH2ClCCl(O), polymer, and another unidentified compound (as well as N2 from the N2O). The quantum yields of CO and CH2ClCCl(O) were 0.35 ± 0.02 and 0.06 ± 0.01, respectively, independent of reaction conditions. The reaction rate coefficient is identical to that for O(3P) + C2F4, i.e. 6.0 × 108 M−1 s−1. In the presence of O2 a long free radical chain process occurs in which CH2ClCCl(O) is the major product and CCl2O is produced about 4% of the time in the chain steps which are: The quantum yield of CO production also increases when O2 is added, but CO is formed only in the initiating and terminating steps.
Kirschner Wire Breakage after Surgery of the Lesser Toes

A retrospective review was made of all patients operated on by the two senior authors from January 1985 to January 1993 for problems with Kirschner wire breakage following forefoot surgery. Thirty-three broken K-wires in 27 patients were encountered. All of these were 0.045-inch K-wires that had been placed across the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the lesser toes. In no case was there breakage of a K-wire that was larger than 0.045 inches or that did not cross the MTP joint. The medical records and radiographs of 565 consecutive patients having fixation with 0.045-inch K-wires that crossed the MTP joints of the lesser toes were then reviewed. A total of 1002 K-wires were used with an overall failure rate of 3.2% (4.8% of the patients). All of these K-wires failed just proximal to the point of entry into the metatarsal head. No intra-articular retained fragments were noted. Twenty-five of the retained fragments were completely within the metatarsal head and shaft, and eight of these fragments pierced the cortex of the metatarsal proximally. Twenty-three patients with retained fragments were examined in follow-up and in no case could the retained fragment be palpated or directly related to postoperative symptoms. Of the three patients who complained of persistent pain, two had mild pain with persistent MTP synovitis and one had severe pain due to lateral deviation of the toe after surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relationships between structure and chromatographic retention for n-alkadienes

Abstract The chromatographic behavior of n-alkadienes was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography on a silver nitrate-coated silica column and by gas chromatography on a non-polar capillary column. The retentions of 89 synthetic Z,Z and E,Z diene standards, of 18–38 carbons, were determined. Multiple regression models for retention were developed for both columns, based on double-bond configurations, sizes of the terminal alkyl groups, and the numbers of carbons between double bonds. The use of these chromatographic columns in the analysis of complex mixtures of dienes from natural sources is discussed.
Clinical and Research Congruence in Identifying Children With Specific Language Impairment

This paper reports on the results of a large multicenter project designed to develop an empirically based classification of preschool children with language impairments. A clinically selected popul...
Approximations for intraparticle diffusion rates in cyclic adsorption and desorption

Abstract Numerical solutions of the intraparticle diffusion equation subjected to cyclic adsorption/desorption are compared with predictions by three approximations: Glueckauf's LDF, the Nakao-Suzuki LDF and the extended LDF. Glueckauf's LDF contains no empirical parameter, whereas each of the other two contains one empirical parameter. The practically important range of the half-cycle time of θ c = 0.001-1 is considered. It is shown that only the extended LDF yields correct predictions for the instantaneous intraparticle diffusion rates as well as the correct instantaneous amounts adsorbed. The extended LDF is also capable of predicting the interesting phenomenon of the existence of two fluxes in opposite directions within the particle shortly after the step change (and hence the existence of a counterproductive region).
The effects of adapted tango on spatial cognition and disease severity in Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT The authors determined effects of community-based adapted tango on spatial cognition and disease severity in Parkinson's disease (PD) while controlling for the effects of social interaction. Thirty-three individuals with mild-to-moderate PD (stage I–III) were assigned to twenty 90-min tango (n = 24) or education (n = 9) lessons over 12 weeks. Disease severity, spatial cognition, balance, and fall incidence were evaluated pre-, post-, and 10–12 weeks postintervention. The authors evaluated differences using t tests and analyses of variance. Twenty-three tango and 8 education participants finished. Tango participants improved on disease severity (p = .008), and spatial cognition (p = .021) compared with education participants. Tango participants also improved in balance (p = .038), and executive function (p = .012). Gains were maintained 10–12 weeks postintervention. Multimodal exercise with structured syllabi may improve disease severity and spatial cognition in PD.
Slot waveguide-based splitters for broadband terahertz radiation

We demonstrate a slot waveguide-based splitter for broadband terahertz (THz) radiation using a T-shaped waveguide structure. The structure consists of a fixed-width input waveguide and variable-width output waveguides. We experimentally measure and numerically simulate the THz transmission and reflection properties as a function of the output waveguide width and show that a transmission line model can effectively describe the observations. Based on the high degree of agreement between the experimental results, numerical simulations and the model, we infer the optimal waveguide parameters. The device structure offers new possibilities in designing compact THz devices.
Elemental metals as electron sources for biological methane formation from CO2.

Several elemental metals were examined as potential electron donors for methanogenic bacteria, using both a single tube system where the metal was in direct contact with the cells, and a two-flask system, where metal and cells were not in direct contact, but had contact via the gas phase. With all organisms examined in the direct contact system, Feo, Alo and Zno served as electron donors for methanogenesis; some organisms used Nio or Sno as low-level electron donors. Of the metals tested, methanogenesis from H2+CO2 was inhibited by direct contact with Zno or Cuo, but not by Feo or Alo. Nio and Coo were inhibitory to some methanogens, with Nio being particularly inhibitory to the thermophilic strains tested. With all organisms examined in the two-flask system, Feo and Zno served as good electron sources for both methanogenesis and growth; Coo generated a very low level of methane and Cuo did not work at all. In either system Vo, Tio or Cdo did not serve as electron donors. The results suggest that some elemental metals (notably Feo, Alo and Zno) produce gaseous H2 by cathodic depolarization which is then consumed by the methanogen, thus accelerating oxidation of the metal by its metabolic activity. All of these reactions are thermodynamically favorable; however, some other metals that are clearly favorable for such a reaction on thermodynamic grounds (Tio and Vo) are very stable and do not serve as electron donors.
Multiple Goals, Multiple Pathways: The Role of Goal Orientation in Learning and Achievement.

Mastery goals have been linked to adaptive outcomes in normative goal theory and research; performance goals, to less adaptive outcomes. In contrast, approach performance goals may be adaptive for some outcomes under a revised goal theory perspective. The current study addresses the role of multiple
Field Testing of Multiphase Meters

During the past few years, Saudi Aramco has installed and field tested eight different types of multiphase flow meters (MPFM). These newly developed, compact MPFM are targeted for wellhead installation at remote onshore fields and unmanned offshore platforms, where weight and space are major concerns. MPFMs could provide continuous well test data, which would lead to more accurate production allocation and better reservoir management. The application of MPFMs in Saudi Aramco's production operations, if proven successful, will provide continuous online well production monitoring, and eliminate large conventional test separators, test lines, and offshore test barges. As a result, tremendous economic savings could be realized due to the significant reduction in capital and operating expenditures associated with well testing activities. The test installations cover a wide range of multiphase applications from over six different oil fields. The objective of the field testing program was to establish the ability of each meter to accurately measure the three production phases (oil, water and gas), and to determine meter reliability in a field environment. Field test results of the multiphase meters are compared to reference conventional test separators. The paper also presents the current status of multiphase metering technology, and discusses in detail the multiphase metering evaluation program at Saudi Aramco.
Continuous-flow submicroliter-scale PCR chip for DNA amplification

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a well-described method for selective identical replication of DNA molecules. In recent years, many micromachined PCR chips have been reported. These miniaturized PCR chips have great advantages such as a significant reduction in reagent costs and vastly reduced reaction time over the conventional PCR devices. In this paper a micro analysis system that will allow submicro-liter scale, continuous-flow PCR to be conducted in a glass chip has been presented. This glass chip is achieved through thermally bonding two pyrex 7740 glass wafers. One pyrex wafer is etched to form a 20-cycle microchannel of 80 micron wide and 30 micron deep. The other pyrex wafer with microheaters is thermally bonded to the microchannel wafer to produce a closed continuous microchannel for PCR. The total length of the microchannel is 0.5 m. The size of this device is 56 mm 'e 24 mm 'e 1 mm. Three reaction temperatures are controlled by three PID controllers. This PCR chip has a significant reagent reduction with a volume of less than 1 micro-liter. With 1 micro-liter reagent, we get total reaction time of 0.5 min to 3 min depending on various flow rates. This analysis chip is fabricated using standard micromachining techniques. The advantages of this chip include small quantities of reagent needed, high throughput, rapid thermal cycling, and batch micro-fabrication resulting in a significant cost reduction.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Friends' Interests: A Cluster-Analytic Study of College Student Peer Environments, Personality, and Behavior.

A 27-item measure was developed to assess college peer environments in terms of friends' interests as perceived by individual students. Four dimensions of friends' interests were identified in cluster analyses: Collegiate Activities, Intellectual Pursuits, Apathy or Alienation, and Traditional Adult Orientation. In contrast to previous studies that have focused on peer environment characteristics which were “proximal” to specific behaviors, the comparatively “distal” Friends' Interests dimensions were capable of accounting for variation on an array of social, psychological, and behavioral measures. In general, the Collegiate and Traditional clusters were related to a relatively conventional set of individual personality and behavioral variables among college-age men and women; on the other hand, the Intellectual and Apathy dimensions were associated with more unconventional or liberal personality characteristics and behaviors.
Cognitive speed and subsequent intellectual development: a longitudinal investigation.

The hypothesis that a measure of intellectual speed assessed at one point in time would predict intellectual achievement at a later point in time was evaluated with a time-lagged cross-correlational analysis, an application of causal modeling techniques. Longitudinal data for 32 males and females, tested in 1944 (mean age 19.5 years) and in 1972 (mean age 46.7 years), supported the hypothesized relationships with an associated p less than .01. The Relations Factor of the Army Alpha Examination--consisting of scores from a highly speeded simple analogies test and a short-term memory test--administered at age 20 was highly predictive of both verbal and numerical ability in middle age. The results highlight the cognitive intellectual aspect of the speed of behavior. In addition, these findings supplement Hunt's studies of the relationships between speed of cognitive processing and psychometric abilities in young adults, and emphasize the importance of cognitive speed for subsequent intellectual development. Implications for the intellectual speed hypothesis of Birren and the utilization of time-lag designs in longitudinal research are discussed.
Spiritual Health: An Annotated Bibliography

(1996). Spiritual Health: An Annotated Bibliography. Journal of Health Education: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 248-252.
Diffusion and trapping in a suspension of spheres with simultaneous reaction in the continuous phase.

Much progress has been made in modeling the reaction of Brownian particles with spherical traps. Previously, work has focused on the effective reaction rate of systems of particles that diffuse freely until they are trapped by spheres in the dispersion. A particularly effective and efficient method to describe the reacting system is based on first-passage time distributions, from which an effective reaction rate coefficient of the suspension can be determined. The analysis presented here addresses reaction and diffusion in systems in which particles can undergo reaction in the continuous phase as well as reaction at the sphere surface. The first-passage method is extended to allow reaction or decay of the diffusing species in the continuous phase. The diffusion path is divided into a series of first-passage regions and is considered the probability of the particle being consumed in each of these regions. This allows the determination of the total reaction rate of the suspension (continuous phase reaction plus trapping) and the relative consumption rate in each phase. The extended method is applied to a model system of concentric spheres with a known continuum solution. It is shown to be accurate for consumption of reactant in the continuous phase from ≈0 to ≈100%. The method then is applied to a suspension of spheres.
Hydrophilic cholesterol-binding molecular imprinted polymers

Abstract Novel hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared using acryloyl-containing hydrophilic monomers (including cholesteryl acrylate (CA) and acryloyl-6-amino-6-deoxy-β (or γ)-cyclodextrin), and their steroid-binding properties were analyzed in 2-PrOH by HPLC. The MIPs bound 38–50 μmol of cholesterol/g, while the corresponding nonimprinted control polymers (containing no CA) bound only 6–9 μmol cholesterol/g. The sterol-binding selectivity was illustrated with estrone, which was bound by MIPs in the range 5–36 μmol/g.
An evaluation of different forms of deterioration found in archaeological wood

Abstract Archaeological wood and wood of historic value from different environments were examined to determine the type of degradation present, extent of deterioration and to characterize the current condition of the wood. Micromorphological and ultrastructural investigation showed diverse forms of biological as well as non-biological deterioration. Wood from a cabinet in the Thomas A. Edison Laboratory Museum, Fort Myers, Florida (40–60 years old) appeared soft and shredded. The unusual deterioration resulted from a chemical spill of caustic substance(s) that gradually delignified the wood. Middle lamellae were removed from the woody cell walls leaving detached secondary wall layers. Samples of furniture and tomb structure from Tumulus MM, Gordion, Turkey (700 BC ), considered to be the tomb of King Midas, had extensive soft rot. Extensive cavity formation was observed throughout the S2 layers of secondary walls. Egyptian samples (3000-1000 BC ) were attacked primarily by brown rot fungi. Localized areas of severely degraded wood contained cells that appeared porous and lacked structural intergrity. The lignified residue that remained fragmented into dust-like particles. An unusual form of soft rot with cavities within the S1 layer of the secondary wall also was found in one Egyptian object. Ancient buried, waterlogged wood (10 000–4000 BC ) was degraded by tunneling and erosion forms of bacteria. Minute cavities and a diffuse attack of the cell wall occurred. These ultrastructural results provide information concerning the current condition of the wood and also a chronology of past degradative processes that are essential to ascertain the most appropriate methods of conservation.
Anatomic bases for anterior spinal surgery: surgical anatomy of the cervical vertebral body and disc space.

Twenty adult cadaveric cervical spines were sectioned longitudinally through the midline to display longitudinal sections of the vertebral bodies and disc spaces from C3 to T1. Computer-assisted anatomic images were obtained for measurements of the disc spaces and vertebral bodies. Anteroposterior (AP) depth gradually increased from 16.56±2.21 mm at C3 to 19.32±2.30 mm at C7. Greater values of AP depth at the inferior endplate were found at C5 (20.75±2.87 mm) and C6 (20.56±2.31 mm) compared with the values at C3 (18.26±1.82 mm), C4 (19.27±2.88 mm) and C7 (19.21±3.22 mm). The AP depth at the superior endplate was greater than that at the inferior endplate. The height of the disc space was found to be lowest at the posterior disc space from C2–3 to C7-T1 (2.95±0.86 mm at C2–3, 2.78±0.93 mm at C3–4, 2.45±0.79 mm at C4–5, 2.92±0.64 mm at C5–6, 2.46±0.59 mm at C6–7, 2.93±1.05 mm at C7-T1), when compared to the height of the disc space at the anterior disc space from C2–3 to C7-T1 (4.07±0.85 mm at C2–3, 4.34±1.18 mm at C3–4, 3.95±1.37 mm at C4–5, 3.55±1.37 mm at C5–6, 3.55±0.76 mm at C6–7, 3.67±1.17 mm at C7-T1). The mid-axis of the disc space was situated at approximately 3 mm above the anterior midpoint of the annulus fibrosus at the level of the lower cervical spine. To reach the posterior portion of the disc space from the anterior midpoint of the annulus fibrosus, a 5° cephalad angulation of the drill relative to the midaxis of the disc space is necessary. All these original data from cadavers may be helpful during anterior approach for discectomy, vertebrectomy and anterior screw-plate placement.
How to build a myofibril

Building a myofibril from its component proteins requires the interactions of many different proteins in a process whose details are not understood. Several models have been proposed to provide a framework for understanding the increasing data on new myofibrillar proteins and their localizations during muscle development. In this article we discuss four current models that seek to explain how the assembly occurs in vertebrate cross-striated muscles. The models hypothesize: (a) stress fiber-like structures as templates for the assembly of myofibrils, (b) assembly in which the actin filaments and Z-bands form subunits independently from A-band subunits, with the two subsequently joined together to form a myofibril, (c) premyofibrils as precursors of myofibrils, or (d) assembly occurring without any intermediary structures. The premyofibril model, proposed by the authors, is discussed in more detail as it could explain myofibrillogenesis under a variety of different conditions: in ovo, in explants, and in tissue culture studies on cardiac and skeletal muscles.
Self-Configurable Neural Network Processor for FIR Filter Applications

A self-configurable system is one that is designed primarily for the purpose of reconfigurable control and adaptive signal processing. It evolves by restructures and readjustments back and forth which can track the environment and the system variation in time. Processing methods and application areas include but not limited to transmission enhancement such as filtering, equalization, and noise cancellation. The performance of our proposed self-configurable neural network processor (SCNNP) for finite impulse response (FIR) filter are compared with those of the classical FIR filters and the traditional adaptive FIR filters. The SCNNP is an autonomous system which does not need human design knowledge of the FIR filter.
Optimizing the design and performance of a switched reluctance machine using lumped parameter thermal model

A design methodology is described here for switched reluctance machines (SRM) to obtain an optimal thermal response. The method optimizes the SRM design to meet the specific maximum power, torque and speed range requirements, while minimizing temperature, envelop dimension and noise and maximizing torque density. Based on the geometrical dimensions and parameters, a lumped parameter model is used to predict the steady state and transient thermal characteristics of this motor. The effect of various parameters and design ratios on the maximum temperature rise of the machine is studied using the model. The lumped parameter model results are compared with temperature predictions from finite element analysis for validation.
Electromechanical mapping for detecting myocardial viability and ischemia in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy

This study was designed to evaluate several electromechanical mapping parameters for assessment of myocardial viability and inducible ischemia as defined by dipyridamole single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging at rest in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy. Unipolar voltage, normalized unipolar voltage, bipolar voltage, and fragmentation were compared with tracer uptake at rest and reversibility on stress or rest quantitative technetium-99m sestamibi SPECT imaging in 32 patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction 0.24 ± 0.08). In dysfunctional myocardial segments, logistic regression showed unipolar voltage, normalized unipolar voltage, and bipolar voltage to be predictive of viable myocardium (≥60% tracer uptake at rest) and was significantly higher in viable than in nonviable segments (p <0.01). A unipolar voltage of ≥7.1 mV was the best predictor of viable myocardium. In dysfunctional viable segments, unipolar voltage was significantly higher in reversible than in fixed segments (p <0.001), and a unipolar voltage of ≥8.5 mV had optimal power for identifying reversibility on dipyridamole SPECT imaging. We conclude that in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy, unipolar voltage can identify viable from nonviable myocardium and reversible from fixed viable defects as defined by dipyridamole technetium-99m sestamibi SPECT imaging.
Dynamic Control Channel Assignment in Cognitive Radio Networks Using Swarm Intelligence

In recent years, a variety of algorithms for cognitive radio networks have been proposed. Many of these algorithms rely on the exchange of control information among the cognitive radio nodes and often require the presence of a globally available control channel. This requirement however poses a problem in a practical deployment: First, due to spectrum fluctuations such common control channel may be unknown at deployment stage. Second, when designating a fixed, dedicated control channel (for example in licensed spectrum), this will increase costs and expose vulnerability to the operation of the cognitive radio network. Thus, to overcome this difficulty, control channels should be dynamically assigned and managed in cognitive radio networks. In this paper, we propose the use of swarm intelligence as a way to dynamically find and manage such control channels in cognitive radio networks. The system we describe is able to independently identify viable control channels and adapt in presence of changing spectrum. We formalize the problem of control channel assignments to the multi-commodity flow problem, measure the performance of our approach in a hardware implementation and software simulation and compare the results against the theoretically optimal solution.
AN ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE CERTAIN HORMONE RESPONSES BY MEANS OF DRUGS

In the response to the gonad-stimulating hormone in pregnancy urine, as well as in that to estrin, there is a tremendous increase in the blood supply to the genital organs. It has frequently been suggested that the socalled “Blutpimkte” might be due entirely to this hyperemia. It seemed possible, therefore, that the increased blood supply might be the cause of the stimulation of ovaries and testes and of the development of the secondary sex organs and that drugs which produce such a hyperemia might also bring about similar changes in the genital organs. As drugs which would produce hyperemia of the genital organs, yohimbine and cantharidin are well known. In addition, histamine, by causing dilation of the vessels, might increase the blood supply to this region appreciably. Yohimbine, cantharidin, and histamine, in dosages as large as could be tolerated, were administered to 21-day-old rats over a period of 10 days. The animals were sacrificed and ovaries and seminal vesicles were carefully dissected and w...
Paradigms' cost: representing vulnerable subjects.

The representation in life writing of vulnerable subjects—individuals who, for various reasons (most frequently disability), are not able to represent themselves, at least without assistance—poses difficult ethical questions. Cases should be addressed in terms of their particular characteristics, of course, but a broader approach to the ethical issues inherent in the representation of those with disabilities is to consider the benefits and risks of the three major paradigms of disability available today: the symbolic (or metaphorical), the individual (or medical), and the social (or cultural). The last of these paradigms is best suited to honor both the rights and the interests of vulnerable subjects because it alone acknowledges that disability is not solely an individual concern.