cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A numerical analysis of flame flashback in a premixed laminar system

Abstract The flashback and the structure of premixed laminar flames are investigated theoretically. The mathematical model includes the axisymmetric Navier-Stokes energy and species equations with one-step overall chemical reaction and second-order finite rate Arrhenius kinetics. Flashback is examined as a function of incoming velocity profiles, wall velocity gradients, and tube radius. Flame structure at the flashback limit indicates the intrinsic multidimensional nature of the flashback phenomena. The flame is found to generate a local pressure plateau near the flame front which causes an upstream influence on the incoming flow. The calculated flame velocity is shown to be greater than the one-dimensional premixed flame speed, and this is attributed to the flame-pressure interaction. The limitation of using the quasi-one-dimensional velocity balance concept as a predicting tool for flashback is discussed.
RNA Degradation and Primer Selection by Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus Reverse Transcriptase Contribute to the Accuracy of Plus Strand Initiation

During reverse transcription, plus strand DNA synthesis is initiated at a purine-rich RNA primer generated by the RNase H activity of reverse transcriptase (RT). Specific initiation of plus strand synthesis from this polypurine tract (PPT) RNA is essential for the subsequent integration of the linear viral DNA product. Based on current models, it is predicted that priming from sites upstream of the PPT may be tolerated by the virus, whereas efficient extension from RNA primers located downstream from the PPT is predicted to generate dead-end products. By using hybrid duplex substrates derived from the Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat, we investigated the extent to which RNase H degrades the viral RNA during time course cleavage assays, and we tested the capacity of the polymerase activity of RT to use the resulting cleavage products as primers. We find that the majority of the RNA fragments generated by RNase H are 2–25 nucleotides in length, and only following extensive degradation are most fragments reduced to 10 nucleotides or smaller. Although extensive RNA degradation by RNase H likely eliminates many potential RNA primers, based on thermostability predictions it appears that some RNA fragments remain stably annealed to the DNA template. RNA primers generated by RNase H within the long terminal repeat sequence are found to have the capacity to initiate DNA synthesis by RT; however, the priming efficiency is significantly less than that observed with the PPT primer. We find that Moloney murine leukemia virus nucleocapsid protein reduces RNase H degradation and slightly alters the cleavage specificity of RT; however, nucleocapsid protein does not appear to enhance PPT primer utilization or suppress extension from non-PPT RNA primers.
Disparate effects of nitric oxide on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background. Inhaled nitric oxide (•NO) has been found to be a potent pulmonary vasodilator. We assessed whether •NO, through this function or others, could alleviate lung reperfusion injury. Methods. Rats underwent thoracotomy, with clamps used to create left lung ischemia. After 90 minutes of ischemia, clamps were released, permitting reperfusion for either 30 minutes or 4 hours. Additional animals received inhaled •NO via the ventilator to determine its effects on reperfusion injury. Results. Lung injury, measured by increased vascular permeability using iodine-125—labeled bovine serum albumin leakage, was significantly increased in ischemic-reperfused animals compared with time-matched shams not undergoing ischemia. Inhaled •NO delivered at the start of reperfusion worsened injury at 30 minutes but was protective at 4 hours. The increased injury could be avoided either by delaying •NO for 10 minutes or by treating the animals with superoxide dismutase before reperfusion. •NO reversed postischemic pulmonary hypoperfusion at 4 hours, as measured by labeled microspheres. Lung neutrophil content was significantly reduced at 4 hours in •NO-treated animals. Conclusions. •NO is toxic early in reperfusion, due to its interaction with superoxide, but is protective at 4 hours of reperfusion, due to reversal of postischemic lung hypoperfusion and reduction of lung neutrophil sequestration.
The Impact of Nutrition Education on Food Insecurity among Low‐Income Participants in EFNEP

The impact of nutrition education on food security status was assessed in a multiethnic, low-income population using a pretest-posttest comparison group design. Data were collected over 3 years from participants (N = 16,146) in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in New York State who either graduated or terminated involvement prior to graduation. Both groups had a significant decrease in food insecurity score (p < .05) from pre-to post education. The difference between the graduated and terminated groups approached statistical significance using a t-test comparison (p = .055). A multiple regression analysis indicated that food insecurity score decreased significantly more in graduates (p < .001). A dose response relationship was seen between the number of lessons received and decreases in food insecurity. Programs that educate low-income families in food selection and resource management skills can decrease the risk of food insecurity, although effects vary by socio demographic characteristics of participants and program delivery methods.
Using friends for money: the positional importance of money-launderers in organized crime

Despite the significant amount of attention and resources invested into the global anti-money laundering (AML) regime, there is a dearth of empirical studies on the role of money-launderers in illicit markets. This research tests two primary justifications of AML policy: 1) most money-launderers would not be detected through criminal investigations of predicate crimes and organized crime groups; and, 2) professional money-launderers play an important role in illicit markets and criminal networks. We extracted information about money-launderers in the drug market from police intelligence reports over a three-year period. Social network analysis was used to assess the positional importance of the launderers. The results show that most individuals are self-laundering, and relative to other market roles, launderers are not particularly central players. Policy implications for AML enforcement are discussed.
Catchers in the Rye: Treatment Foster Parents as a System of Care

PROBLEM: Similar to the children in J. D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, youth in foster care face the specter of “going over the cliff.” METHODS: The empirical basis for “treatment foster care” is reviewed, concluding that treatment foster care is both a clinically and cost-effective form of community-based treatment. FINDINGS: Treatment foster parents prevent the fall of foster youth into the chasm of school failure, involvement with juvenile justice, and dependent living as adults. CONCLUSION: Treatment foster care is an evidence-based approach that is less restrictive and offers troubled youth an opportunity to engage and grow within a family setting.
The role of the 1976 televised presidential debates in the political socialization of adolescents

On the day immediately following their viewing of the first Carter‐Ford televised debate, 156 junior‐high‐school students were interviewed to determine the role of interpersonal communication, media exposure patterns, and family and social environments in the prediction of perceptions of victory and learning about the candidates by adolescents. It was found that parents' social class was the best predictor of adolescents' perceptions of the importance of the debates, whereas the best predictor of the. students' ability to attribute victory to one of the candidates was interpersonal communication prior to and immediately following the telecast. Results are discussed in terms of previous findings, which reflect low importance of the debates in political socialization.
Investigating hyperpolarized 129Xe and CPMAS for spin polarization transfer to surface nuclei: a model study

Abstract Several experimental techniques have been developed to utilize spin-polarized xenon gas for sensitivity and selectivity enhancement in surface studies using solid-state NMR. Although previously reported as a viable spin polarization transfer mechanism, the details of high-field cross-polarization (CP) have not been thoroughly investigated. We recently reported observations of CP from an adsorbed layer of hyperpolarized xenon (HP Xe) to a variety of surface nuclei at temperatures as high as 323 K [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105 (2001) 1412]. In this paper, we investigate many of the issues associated with HP Xe surface CP studies, including polarization transfer kinetics and the effects of temperature on the dynamics. Protonated and methylated silica samples are used as model systems for comparison. A comparison of the rate analysis data from CP and SPINOE (Spin Polarization-Induced Nuclear Overhauser Effect) experiments provides information on the origin of the difference in polarization transfer efficiencies between the two techniques. Lineshape analysis of 1 H spectra for CP and SPINOE experiments demonstrates the difference in selectivity of methods due to longer SPINOE evolution times that lead to greater spin diffusion. The results of this work help to assess the viability of HP Xe CP as a surface analysis technique.
Automated interpretation and editing of fuzzy line drawings

One of the problems in automated line drawing analysis is to construct a cleaner drawing from the original drawing. For example, a chemist using an interactive chemical structure analysis system will usually draw a rough sketch of a chemical structure on a display device or a tablet. It is desirable to obtain a cleaner version of the rough sketch so that the cleaner drawing can be redisplayed. Moreover, the cleaner drawing can then be used to generate hard-copy output through a plotter, a magnetic film recorder or a photocomposer. Such an automated line drawing editing program can enhance the usefulness of an interactive system and is also of value in itself.
Explaining away El Niño Modoki

[1] The traditional view of El Nino is that it starts with a warm sea surface anomaly off the west coast of South America. This aberrant warming drifts west from the coast, triggering peak sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific during the southern summer. However, as the observational record grows and the full range of variability comes into view, some researchers have suggested that a recent slate of El Nino events that focus on the central Pacific, skipping the eastern warming, indicates that the system is composed of at least two unique climate dynamics. The central Pacific-focused El Nino Modoki has been increasing in prevalence over recent decades, and researchers expect this trend to continue with global warming. New research by Takahashi et al., however, indicates that El Nino Modoki and the classical type are in fact one but that the perceived divergent behavior highlights the dynamic range of the system. Using El Nino observations stretching back to 1870, the authors performed a statistical analysis, breaking down the data set to isolate hidden spatial and temporal patterns. The Modoki and traditional El Nino records did not show the clustering that would be expected for separate climate phenomena. What did stand out, however, were the extreme warm events that occurred in the eastern Pacific in 1982–1983 and 1997–1998. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL047364, 2011)
Selection and analysis of cloned developmentally-regulated Dictyostelium discoideum genes by hybridization-competition

We describe a new technique for selection of cloned gene segments which are expressed preferentially at one developmental stage but at a relatively low level. A nitrocellulose filter replica of plaques of lambda phage which contain approximately 8 KB inserts of genomic DNA is prepared; it is hybridized with a small amount of [32p] labeled mRNA prepared from one developmental stage, in the presence of a several-hundred fold excess of competitor RNA from a different stage. We show that clones of Dictyostelium nuclear DNA which form hybrids under these conditions indeed encode developmentally regulated mRNAs. Our previous analysis of Dictyostelium discoideum differentiation indicated that transcripts from about 12% of the genome appear in mRNA at one defined stage of differentiation - the formation of cell-cell aggregates. A number of our new clones are novel, in that they encode multiple discrete mRNA species all of which accumulate only at the cell aggregate stages; others encode one or more mRNAs which appear at the tight aggregate stage and also one or more which are present throughout differentiation. These latter clones, in particular, would be difficult to identify using other selection techniques.
Wive's evaluation of problems related to laryngectomy

Previous questionnaire studies of problems after laryngectomy have been directed toward the patients. In this study, 45 wives of laryngectomees were surveyed regarding their prior understanding of laryngeal surgery. The wives were also asked questions pertaining to health and physical care, and financial and social problems encountered after the operation. The survey results indicate a need for improved family counseling both before and after surgery.
Simulation of Unsteady Flow and Soil Erosion in Irrigation Furrows

AbstractThis study developed a one-dimensional numerical model for the simulation of unsteady flow and the resultant soil erosion in irrigation furrows. The model solves a modified version of the Saint-Venant equations that consider the loss of mass and momentum attributable to infiltration and sediment transport. The transport rate of fine sediment was predicted with a modified Laursen formula that treats the tractive shear stress as a function of both Reynolds number and the particle size. The modified Laursen formula was verified by using the erosion data measured in the field and in a laboratory flume. The model accurately predicted flow advance times and outflow hydrographs in comparison with data measured in irrigation furrows at Kimberly, Idaho. Sediment discharge predictions were less accurate.
Magnesium in tooth enamel and synthetic apatites

The literature on how Mg is present in tooth enamel and on the incorporation of Mg in synthetic apatites is reviewed. Then a theoretical consideration is given on the basis of ionic radii about the incorporation of Mg in F-, Cl- and OH-apatite. Finally, the results are given of experiments on the incorporation of Mg in fluor, chlor, hydroxy, and carbonate apatite. It appears that the extent of incorporation of Mg in the apatite lattice, if at all, is very limited and that Mg in tooth enamel is to a very limited extent incorporated in the apatite lattice, the main portion being surface bound or present in a separate phase.
Assessing Intermodal Transportation Planning at State Departments of Transportation

We assessed the practice of freight and passenger intermodal planning at seven state departments of transportation Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas through analyses of previous studies, long- and short-range plans, organisational structures, surveys, and interviews. Results indicate that these states have altered their organisational structures and have produced plans that increasingly reflect an intermodal orientation, but that Florida and Louisiana were rated somewhat higher. Specific intermodal projects, public participation, and coordination among agencies tended to be rated more highly, while funding for and state DOT attitudes toward transit, bicycle/pedestrian, and intermodal connectors were rated much lower.
On the context-dependency of selection criteria for expert systems projects

The growing interest in the use of expert systems (ES) necessitates procedures to determine, when the use of ES-techniques is appropriate. The paper describes some recently suggested proposed criteria and reviews them in light of the use of ES in business. Here medium-size, embedded ES and not large, single purpose stand-alone ES dominate. Presently proposed criteria do not focus entirely on what is characteristic of ES in business. The paper then develops a classification for the situations in which ES-techniques can be used. Based upon this classification it recommends a situation based methodology to generate appropriate goals for the use of ES-techniques and suggests adapted criteria for evaluation.
Involvement of Escherichia coli DNA Replication Proteins in Phage Lambda Red-Mediated Homologous Recombination

The Red recombination system of bacteriophage lambda is widely used for genetic engineering because of its ability to promote recombination between bacterial chromosomes or plasmids and linear DNA species introduced by electroporation. The process is known to be intimately tied to replication, but the cellular functions which participate with Red in this process are largely unknown. Here two such functions are identified: the GrpE-DnaK-DnaJ chaperone system, and DNA polymerase I. Mutations in either function are found to decrease the efficiency of Red recombination. grpE and dnaJ mutations which greatly decrease Red recombination with electroporated DNA species have only small effects on Red-mediated transduction. This recombination event specificity suggests that the involvement of GrpE-DnaJ-DnaK is not simply an effect on Red structure or stability.
Tables of the exact quantiles of the top-down correlation coefficient for n - 3(1)14

Iman and Connver (1985, 1987) have suggested the top-down correlation coefficient as a measure of association when n objects are ranked by two or more independent sources and interest centers primarily on agreement in the top rankings, with disagreements on items at the bottom of the rankings being of little or no importance. The top-down correlation coefficient results from computing the ordinary Pearson correlation coefficient on Savage scores. Quantiles of the exact distribution of the top-down correlation coefficient based on the assumption of independent rankings are provided for n = 3(1)14.
Community Family Counseling

From a systems perspective, family counseling is not a matter offocusing either on the family's dynamics or on contextual factors; rather, it is a process that considers both. Family counselors can widen their horizons and achieve their systems goals by considering community as a basis for their work. A review of a recent articlefrom the family counseling literature offers an example and highlights relevant recommendations for community family counselors.
On the reactivity of 3,4-dimethoxycarbonyl-2-pyrazolines with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

Abstract The title pyrazolines react with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to give 1-alkyl-3,4,5-trimethoxycarbonylpyrazoles.
Optimal controller design based on improved particle swarm optimization for a class of networked control systems

Aiming at a class of networked control systems (NCSs) in the presence of network-induced delay and data packet dropout simultaneously from sensor to controller, a new optimal controller design method is proposed based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) with predatory search strategy. The rough feedback gain and its feasible region are firstly obtained through the state feedback control (SFC) approach, and then, the feed back gain is optimized in the obtained feasible region via improved PSO. The proposed controller can effectively reduce the conservatism of control methodology and improve the performance of whole system. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is valid and effective.
Phase equilibria of the propane‐hydrogen sulfide system from the cricondontherm to the solid‐liquid‐vapor region

The phase-equilibria data of the propane-hydrogen sulfide system has been previously investigated from 32°F. to the critical locus. Since this represents about one-half of the phase data, the primary purposes of the present study were to complete the data to the solid-liquid-vapor region which starts about —125°F. and to verify the results of other investigators at the higher temperatures. Five mixtures of propane-hydrogen sulfide were studied, ranging from 8.6 to 78.3% propane, with the dew- and bubble-point method. A temperature-composition diagram for six isobars from 400 to 20 lb./sq. in. abs. presents most of the essential data. Vaporization equilibrium constants are tabulated together with the x-y data for these isobars. The data of Kay and Rambosek (3) and Steckel (4) were verified to within 2% except near the vicinity of the azeotrope. A new method was used to fix the temperature of the azeotrope for two of the five mixtures and a sixth mixture. The determination of the azeotropic temperatures was made by a graphical method in which the differences between the dew- and the bubble-point pressures for each mixture were plotted against the temperature. The minimum value of the curve corresponds to the temperature of the azeotrope. The application of this method to the data of Kay and Rambosek (3) gave results which were in agreement with this study, while the original results by these authors as determined by an indirect method were in poor agreement. A measure of the reliability of the composition, temperature, and pressure data of the solid-liquid-vapor region was indicated when checks within 5% were found with Dalton's law of partial pressures.
Phylogenomics reveals subfamilies of fungal nonribosomal peptide synthetases and their evolutionary relationships

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are multimodular enzymes, found in fungi and bacteria, which biosynthesize peptides without the aid of ribosomes. Although their metabolite products have been the subject of intense investigation due to their life-saving roles as medicinals and injurious roles as mycotoxins and virulence factors, little is known of the phylogenetic relationships of the corresponding NRPSs or whether they can be ranked into subgroups of common function. We identified genes (NPS) encoding NRPS and NRPS-like proteins in 38 fungal genomes and undertook phylogenomic analyses in order to identify fungal NRPS subfamilies, assess taxonomic distribution, evaluate levels of conservation across subfamilies, and address mechanisms of evolution of multimodular NRPSs. We also characterized relationships of fungal NRPSs, a representative sampling of bacterial NRPSs, and related adenylating enzymes, including α-aminoadipate reductases (AARs) involved in lysine biosynthesis in fungi. Phylogenomic analysis identified nine major subfamilies of fungal NRPSs which fell into two main groups: one corresponds to NPS genes encoding primarily mono/bi-modular enzymes which grouped with bacterial NRPSs and the other includes genes encoding primarily multimodular and exclusively fungal NRPSs. AARs shared a closer phylogenetic relationship to NRPSs than to other acyl-adenylating enzymes. Phylogenetic analyses and taxonomic distribution suggest that several mono/bi-modular subfamilies arose either prior to, or early in, the evolution of fungi, while two multimodular groups appear restricted to and expanded in fungi. The older mono/bi-modular subfamilies show conserved domain architectures suggestive of functional conservation, while multimodular NRPSs, particularly those unique to euascomycetes, show a diversity of architectures and of genetic mechanisms generating this diversity. This work is the first to characterize subfamilies of fungal NRPSs. Our analyses suggest that mono/bi-modular NRPSs have more ancient origins and more conserved domain architectures than most multimodular NRPSs. It also demonstrates that the α-aminoadipate reductases involved in lysine biosynthesis in fungi are closely related to mono/bi-modular NRPSs. Several groups of mono/bi-modular NRPS metabolites are predicted to play more pivotal roles in cellular metabolism than products of multimodular NRPSs. In contrast, multimodular subfamilies of NRPSs are of more recent origin, are restricted to fungi, show less stable domain architectures, and biosynthesize metabolites which perform more niche-specific functions than mono/bi-modular NRPS products. The euascomycete-only NRPS subfamily, in particular, shows evidence for extensive gain and loss of domains suggestive of the contribution of domain duplication and loss in responding to niche-specific pressures.
INVARIANT MANIFOLDS FOR STOCHASTIC MODELS IN FLUID DYNAMICS

This paper is a survey of recent results on the dynamics of Stochastic Burgers equation (SBE) and two-dimensional Stochastic Navier–Stokes Equations (SNSE) driven by affine linear noise. Both classes of stochastic partial differential equations are commonly used in modeling fluid dynamics phenomena. For both the SBE and the SNSE, we establish the local stable manifold theorem for hyperbolic stationary solutions, the local invariant manifold theorem and the global invariant flag theorem for ergodic stationary solutions. The analysis is based on infinite-dimensional multiplicative ergodic theory techniques developed by D. Ruelle [22] (cf. [20, 21]). The results in this paper are based on joint work of the author with T. S. Zhang and H. Zhao ([17–19]).
Stability of circuits with randomly time-varying parameters

This paper is concerned with the stability, in a stochastic sense, of circuits or systems described by ordinary differential equations with randomly time varying parameters. Sufficient conditions for stability in the mean square are obtained by an extension of "Lyapunov's Second Method" to stochastic problems. The general result while appliable to non-linear as well as linear systems, presents formidable computational difficulties except for a few special cases which are tabulated. The linear case with certain assumptions concerning the statistical independence of parameter variation is carried out in detail.
LIMP: an interpreted programming language for students, professors and programmers

Based upon an investigation of current interpreted and compiled programming languages, there exists a need for a new language with English-based keywords, looping constructs, functions, data type morphing and arrays. This paper describes a new language focused on these concepts: LIMP. To be useful, this new language is aimed towards users ranging from students to system administrators. LIMP was designed for ease of use and speed. This interpreted language was implemented in the fall of 2002 and an overview of the implementation is given here. LIMP succeeds by accomplishing all its design goals and executing programs at speeds comparable to or better than established languages. The result is a language for students of computer science and programmers of all skill levels.
Use of a garbage dump by brown bears in Dillingham, Alaska

Abstract We studied brown bear (Ursus arctos) use of a garbage dump in Dillingham, Alaska, USA, in 1997 prior to an impending dump closure. During the summers of 1991–96, incidental observations of bears at the dump indicated 40–80 individuals fed there. Seventy brown bears used the dump from 19 May to 29 September 1997, including 25 adult males, 11 subadults (4 females, 7 males), 9 females with cubs (n = 19 cubs), and 6 adult females. Males and females constituted 63% (n = 32) and 37% (n = 19) of the adult population, respectively. Seventeen bears were predictable users and showed regular temporal patterns of use. The dump appeared important to these bears, and they could be adversely impacted by its closure. The total number of bears observed per night varied from 4 to 33. Peak use occurred on 1 July and 9 July and coincided with low availability of high quality natural foods, suggesting the dump was a supplemental food source to most bears. This indicated closure would probably have minimal effect to m...
A 130nm RFSOI technology with switch, LNA, and EDNMOS devices for integrated front-end module SoC applications

The cellular frequency spectrum has become increasingly complex with over 50 frequencies in LTE standards. To reduce costs in the front end module the switch has migrated from a III–V PHEMT base to a silicon solution in RFSOI. While many providers have focused on a 180nm base technology node for the RFSOI there has been an increasing move to more advanced nodes to solution the logic requirements of the cellular standards. In addition there has been a strong interest in migrating to an SOC solution in RFSOI. In this paper a 130nm RFSOI technology is presented with high performance and low noise body tied 1.5V NMOS for LNA devices with a novel method of body contacting, low Ron*Coff NMOS for antenna switch and state of the art EDNMOS with f T of 38GHz and BVdss of 14V BVdss for integrated PA application. Specific results presented include characterization of the switch, LNA, and Power Amplifier devices.
DISTRIBUTION AND FREQUENCY OF TANDEM DUPLICATIONS OF THE rII REGION OF BACTERIOPHAGE T4D

Genetic analyses of 49 duplications of the rII region of bacteriophage T4D suggests that there is a non-random relationship between the end points of duplicated segments, that relaxed packaging restrictions have little if any effect on the distribution of duplications, that segregation is 3–4 times more frequent than normal recombination for the same interval, and that non-tandem duplications are rare. Extrapolation of the r1231 x rJ101 cross data suggests that the minimum frequency of duplications/genome is 1.7 x 10-6, but possibly 3.4 x 10-4.
Nickel oxide carrier selective contacts for silicon solar cells

Highly selective contacts which allow one type of carrier (e.g. holes) to conduct and block the other type (e.g. electrons) are the key to achieving high efficiency in thin-film solar cells. Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) carrier selective contacts can make a solar cell possible without a diffused p-n junction. In this work, we introduce nickel oxide (NiO) as a potential hole selective (electron blocking) contact on silicon. Using a metal/NiO/n-Si, structure we made a proof-of-concept device which showed effective dark current suppression and photovoltaic power conversion when illuminated. We found that in the forward bias regime the injection current is suppressed due to the high conduction band offset between Si and NiO. This results in an improvement of Voc by 20 mV. The Si/NiO interface is limited by defects but can be improved. The origin of these defects is the non-stoichiometry of NiO confirmed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. However, NiO is p-doped through non-stoichiometry, which is important for hole selectivity. Therefore, NiO stoichiometry is proposed to be the design optimization parameter in metal/NiO/Si selective contacts.
Assessment of Sites Under Risk for Soil Contamination in Serbia

The database of potentially polluted and polluted sites in Serbia contains geo-referenced and non geo-referenced data and information about potentially contaminated and contaminated sites, remediation activities and the data set of subjects that caused the pollution. Soil data are collected by different institutions and from different projects. The greatest number of registered sources of localized soil pollution is related to municipal waste disposal sites, oil extraction and storage sites, industrial and commercial sites. Within industrial pollution sites, oil industry has the greatest share. Remediation goals of contaminated sites are set at the national level related.
Gene expression signatures in pre- and post-therapy (Rx) specimens from CALGB 40601 (Alliance), a neoadjuvant phase III trial of weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab with or without lapatinib for HER2-positive breast cancer (BrCa).

506 Background: Response to chemotherapy and HER2-targeting varies by molecular subtype. In C40601, 305 patients (pts) with stage II-III HER2+ BrCa were randomized to receive 16 weeks of preoperati...
Operations management in the design and execution of MBA programs

ABSTRACTMaster of business administration (MBA) programs are under intense pressure to improve efficiencies, lower tuition, and offer refreshed curriculum that is of high quality and regarded as relevant by the marketplace. In light of this environment, the authors propose a conceptual framework for effectively employing operations management (OM) methodologies in the design and execution of MBA programs. OM is shown to be applicable in key areas including curriculum design, faculty utilization, quality of student experience, assurance of learning, and program redesign. Results from survey data indicate that most MBA programs are not fully utilizing OM methods in their operations.
Effects of N-methylformamide and related compounds in mouse sarcoma 180.

Summary and Conclusions1. Formamide and its more potent N-methyl derivative have been described as transient inhibitors of the growth of mouse sarcoma 180. This effect is not a property of formamides in general since other compounds containing the formamide moiety have failed to affect the growth of the tumor. 2. N-methylformamide has been shown to exert its effects when therapy is started either 24 or 96 hours after implantation of the tumor or when the agent is given in a single, large dose. Further, the compound has been found equally effective whether given by the oral or intraperitoneal route. 3. Histologic changes of a non-specific nature have been described in tumors from animals treated with N-methylformamide. 4. In view of the structural resemblance between formamide and urethane, the actions of both agents have been compared. Urethane, like formamide, inhibits the growth of S-180; however, treatment with the former substance causes toxic manifestations not encountered in mice given formamide. 5....
Ascorbic Acid Role in Containment of the World Avian Flu Pandemic

In this Comment, the ultimate intent is to increase survival of the anticipated global flu pandemic. The apparent failure of "medicine" to provide a completely understood and logically based biochemical prevention and treatment for all influenzas (and many other viral diseases) may be an unavoidable result of the evolving complexity of the H5N1 virus. However, clinical experience cited in all accounts, including the 2003 to 2006 period, suggest that: (i) ascorbic acid is not being administered to humans infected or at risk for influenza, and (ii) ascorbic acid is (mistakenly) believed to be a vitamin ("vitamin C"). Proper use of ascorbic acid as described here could provide effective containment for the flu pandemic.
Loose Connections and Liberal Theology: Blurring the Boundaries in Two Church-Based Communities of Spiritual Practice

We used a mixed methods approach—including ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and a survey—to study two innovative Christian contemplative worship services housed in a mainline Protestant congregation in a midwestern city. These services employed boundary-blurring practices designed to attract the “de-churched”—those who had been involved in a Christian congregation in the past but who had at some point disengaged from organized religion. Though attracting some formerly de-churched participants, these services were far more successful in attracting several other constituencies united by their liberal theology and by a preference for loose connections. We argue that these worship services are best understood as thriving communities of sustained spiritual practice where contemplative rituals sacralize both theistic and extra-theistic, Christian and non-Christian, symbols and beliefs.
Analysis on Mathematical Model of Reheat Condensing Turbine for Power Unit and Simulation of Its Dynamic Response

There are some problems difficult to explain when boiler and steam turbine of generation unit are modeled respectively and isolatedly.Considering operation mechanism of thermal generation unit and regarding boiler,turbo-generator set and the coordinated control system as a whole,an improved mathematical model for stability analysis of power system is proposed.The proposed model is not only suitable to transient simulation,but also can be utilized in medium-and long-term dynamic simulation of power system.By means of user-defined modeling,simulation results of power system analysis software package(PSASP) show that closed-loop control system influences output of mechanical power and dynamic overshooting process of the steam flowing through the turbine a certain extent;the regenerative system influences the amplitude of the dynamic overshooting meanwhile they has a delayed effect on the dynamic process.
Optimizing nutrient channel spacing and revisiting TGF-beta in large engineered cartilage constructs.

Abstract Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising approach to treat osteoarthritis. However, current techniques produce tissues too small for clinical relevance. Increasingly close-packed channels have helped overcome nutrient transport limitations in centimeter-sized chondrocyte-agarose constructs, yet optimal channel spacings to recapitulate native cartilage compositional and mechanical properties in constructs this large have not been identified. Transient active TGF-β treatment consistently reproduces native compressive Young׳s modulus ( E Y ) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in constructs, but standard dosages of 10 ng/mL exacerbate matrix heterogeneity. To ultimately produce articular layer-sized constructs, we must first optimize channel spacing and investigate the role of TGF-β in the utility of channels. We cultured ∅10 mm constructs with 0, 12, 19, or 27 nutrient channels (∅1 mm) for 6–8 weeks with 0, 1, or 10 ng/mL TGF-β; subsequently we analyzed them mechanically, biochemically, and histologically. Constructs with 12 or 19 channels grew the most favorably, reaching E Y =344±113 kPa and GAG and collagen contents of 10.8±1.2% and 2.2±0.2% of construct wet weight, respectively. Constructs with 27 channels had significantly less deposited GAG than other groups. Channeled constructs given 1 or 10 ng/mL TGF-β developed similar properties. Without TGF-β, constructs with 0 or 12 channels exhibited properties that were indistinguishable, and lower than TGF-β-supplemented constructs. Taken together, these results emphasize that nutrient channels are effective only in the presence of TGF-β, and indicate that spacings equivalent to 12 channels in ∅10 mm constructs can be employed in articular-layer-sized constructs with reduced dosages of TGF-β.
Analyzing immunoglobulin functional anatomy with monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin antibodies.

This selective review will examine: 1) Aspects of antibody structure and function that can be studied through the use of monoclonal anti-immunoglobulins (anti-antibodies), and 2) techniques that can be applied to study these questions. Emphasis will be placed on the use of variable domain-specific (anti-idiotypic) antibodies
Muscarinic receptor subtypes are differentially distributed across brain stem respiratory nuclei

Cholinergic mechanisms are known to play a key role in the regulation of breathing, but the distribution of muscarinic receptor (mAChR) subtypes has not been localized within brain stem respiratory nuclei. This study examined the hypothesis that mAChR subtypes are heterogeneously distributed across brain stem nuclei that control breathing. With the use of in vitro receptor autoradiography, the results provide the first selective labeling and quantitative mapping of M1, M2, and M3 mAChR subtypes in cat brain stem regions known to regulate breathing. Among brain stem nuclei known to contain respiratory-related neurons, the greatest amount of mAChR binding was measured in the lateral and medial parabrachial nuclei and the lateral nucleus of the solitary tract. Fewer mAChRs were localized in nuclei comprising the ventral respiratory group (nucleus ambiguous, retrofacial nucleus) and ventral medulla (retrotrapezoid nucleus and ventrolateral medulla). The data provide an essential first step for future studies aiming to specify the regulatory role of mAChR subtypes within brain stem respiratory nuclei.
Radiographic evaluation of spinal trauma

This article reviews the general principles that apply to the radiographic evaluation of acute injury of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine and discusses the possible use of various imaging techniques.
Creating the Persona of the Self

More important than stories that deal with Plath’s first serious romance are those that investigate her developing sexuality. Several of her early stories that try to approach that controversial theme take as heroine Marcia (or Mary or Dody) Ventura. One of Plath’s high school friends, Mary Ventura, was the prototype for this character, a woman of a lower social class than Plath. Daring and candid, Mary/Marcia readily admitted to being sexually experienced. Plath’s stories ‘The Island” and “Den of Lions” are based on this character, and there are suggestions of the same sexual defiance in “The Estonian,” re-titled “The Latvian.” In the story “Mary Ventura,” the title character, the daughter of a poor Italian family, has not been able to think of going to college. When she mets the Plath persona on the street and they talk, Mary’s sense of defeat is tangible. As she tells her friend about her life experiences, all defined sexually and beginning with an affair with her piano teacher, her cool objectivity is puzzling, disturbing. The mystery of her attitude is intensified by the unexplained presence of a train in the background, a train moving steadily to some unknown destination.1
Defense Mechanism Card Pull in TAT Stories.

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the question of whether different Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943) cards are likely to prompt stories that are characterized by different defense mechanisms. This condition is known as card pull and refers to the probability that different TAT cards elicit different personality scores for the same variable. If so, the assessment of defense use would be importantly influenced by the TAT cards used in an assessment. TAT stories from 3 different community samples were examined (Ns = 91, 98, 121), using a statistical method developed by Stein et al (2014). The results indicated that different TAT cards pull for different defenses, as assessed by the Defense Mechanism Manual (DMM: Cramer, 1991b). However, the nature of card pull was not always consistent across samples. These dissimilarities could be due to group differences, or to the presence of different TAT cards used in the test battery, indicating that card pull is importantly determined by context.
Immigrant Health in the United States: A Trajectory Toward Change.

Introduction: Immigrants have a negative health trajectory due to interactions between immigration policies and the totality of the immigration experience. Despite the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, an association with the sociopolitical environment and its influence on chronic disease prevalence remains. The purpose of this review was to provide evidence for existing health disparities among immigrants based on ethnicity, immigration status, country of origin, duration in the United States. The sociopolitical environment affecting immigrant health and opportunities to change the course toward ameliorating health disparities is discussed. Method: Using PRISMA guidelines, the literature focused on immigrants, disease prevalence, health care access, and policy. Twenty-nine articles were selected for this review. Results: Chronic disease prevalence is associated with the restrictive immigration and health care policies among all immigrant groups. Discussion: Recent evide...
Site-Specific N-Glycosylation of Endothelial Cell Receptor Tyrosine Kinase VEGFR-2.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is an important receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that plays critical roles in both physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis. The extracellular domain of VEGFR-2 is composed of seven immunoglobulin-like domains, each with multiple potential N-glycosylation sites (sequons). N-glycosylation plays a central role in RTK ligand binding, trafficking, and stability. However, despite its importance, the functional role of N-glycosylation of VEGFR-2 remains poorly understood. The objectives of the present study were to characterize N-glycosylation sites in VEGFR-2 via enzymatic release of the glycans and concomitant incorporation of 18O into formerly N-glycosylated sites followed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis to determine N-glycosylation site occupancy and the site-specific N-glycan heterogeneity of VEGFR-2 glycopeptides. The data demonstrated that all seven VEGFR-2 immunoglobulin-like domains have at least one occupied N-glycosylation site. MS/MS ...
Denoising of Quality Scores for Boosted Inference and Reduced Storage

Massive amounts of sequencing data are being generated thanks to advances in sequencing technology and a dramatic drop in the sequencing cost. Much of the raw data are comprised of nucleotides and the corresponding quality scores that indicate their reliability. The latter are more difficult to compress and are themselves noisy. Lossless and lossy compression of the quality scores has recently been proposed to alleviate the storage costs, but reducing the noise in the quality scores has remained largely unexplored. This raw data is processed in order to identify variants; these genetic variants are used in important applications, such as medical decision making. Thus improving the performance of the variant calling by reducing the noise contained in the quality scores is important. We propose a denoising scheme that reduces the noise of the quality scores and we demonstrate improved inference with this denoised data. Specifically, we show that replacing the quality scores with those generated by the proposed denoiser results in more accurate variant calling in general. Moreover, a consequence of the denoising is that the entropy of the produced quality scores is smaller, and thus significant compression can be achieved with respect to lossless compression of the original quality scores. We expect our results to provide a baseline for future research in denoising of quality scores. The code used in this work as well as a Supplement with all the results are available at http://web.stanford.edu ˜iochoa/DCCdenoiser_CodeAndSupplement.zip.
A New Genus of Cylindrodontid Rodent from the Chadronian (Late Eocene) of Southwestern Montana and a Reassessment of the Genus Pseudocylindrodon Burke, 1935

ABSTRACT The cylindrodontid rodent Pseudocylindrodon Burke, 1935, formerly included seven named species, but is here restricted to the type species P. neglectus Burke, 1935, two additional North. American species (P. citofluminis Storer, 1984, and P. lateriviae Storer, 1988), and the Asian species P. mongolicus Kowalski, 1974. The other three species previously assigned to Pseudocylindrodon are here referred to the new genus Dolocylindrodon: D. medius (Burke, 1938), D. tobeyi (Black, 1970), and D. texanus (Wood, 1974) based on a combination of cranial and dental morphology. Two new species of Dolocylindrodon are named from the Chadronian part of the Climbing. Arrow Formation of southwestern Montana: Dolocylindrodon vukae (type species of the genus) and Dolocylindrodon rahnensis. Additional specimens of D. medius from the early Chadronian McCarty's Mountain fauna of Montana are briefly discussed. The recognition of a new genus and two new species of cylindrodonts increases the known diversity of this famil...