cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In-Cylinder Fuel Blending of Gasoline/Diesel for Improved Efficiency and Lowest Possible Emissions on a Multi-Cylinder Light-Duty Diesel Engine

In-cylinder fuel blending of gasoline/diesel fuel is investigated on a multi-cylinder light-duty diesel engine as a potential strategy to control in-cylinder fuel reactivity for improved efficiency and lowest possible emissions. This approach was developed and demonstrated at the University of Wisconsin through modeling and single-cylinder engine experiments. The objective of this study is to better understand the potential and challenges of this method on a multi-cylinder engine. More specifically, the effect of cylinder-to-cylinder imbalances, heat rejection, and in-cylinder charge motion as well as the potential limitations imposed by real-world turbo-machinery were investigated on a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine. This investigation focused on one engine condition, 2300 rpm, 4.2 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). Gasoline was introduced with a port-fuel-injection system. Parameter sweeps included gasoline-to-diesel fuel ratio, intake air mixture temperature, in-cylinder swirl number, and diesel start-of-injection phasing. In addition, engine parameters were trimmed for each cylinder to balance the combustion process for maximum efficiency and lowest emissions. An important observation was the strong influence of intake charge temperature on cylinder pressure rise rate. Experiments were able to show increased thermal efficiency along with dramatic decreases in oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and particulate matter (PM). However, indicated thermal efficiency for themore » multi-cylinder experiments were less than expected based on modeling and single-cylinder results. The lower indicated thermal efficiency is believed to be due increased heat transfer as compared to the model predictions and suggest a need for improved cylinder-to-cylinder control and increased heat transfer control.« less
Abstract 20439: Novel Long Intergenic Noncoding RNAs Modulate Adipose Functions in Human

Recently long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have emerged as key mediators of cellular differentiation and functions in a variety of cell systems critical to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. To identify and investigate novel functional lincRNAs in human adipose, we performed deep high-throughput RNAseq (>200 million reads/sample) in subcutaneous adiposes of 13 health volunteers. Of an integrated dataset of 54,944 human lincRNAs, 6,558 lincRNAs were detected. Here we report 2 cytoplasmic adipose lincRNAs, linc-DMRT2 and linc-NFE2L3-1, were detected in human adipocytes but not monocytes or macrophages. Linc-DMRT2, one of the most abundant adipose lincRNAs, was markedly induced during in vitro human adipocyte differentiation. Notably, single molecule RNA FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) demonstrated that linc-DMRT2 were exclusively present in adipocyte cytoplasma and co-localized with processing bodies (P-bodies) marker, GW182, suggesting its potential role in modulating turnover of cer...
Human erythrocyte sugar transport. Identification of the essential residues of the sugar carrier by specific modification.

Abstract Human erythrocytes were reacted with several compounds in an attempt to identify the residues essential for sugar transport. Inhibition of transport by sodium tetrathionate and iodoacetamide are due to modification of a sulfhydryl group. 1-Fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and N-ethylmaleimide inhibit transport by reacting with an amino group. Studies with 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride and rose bengal indicate that a third group, probably an imidazole, is also required for activity. Various aspects of modification with these reagents were studied in an effort to assign these groups specific roles in the transport process.
Chapter 21. Isolation of Histone Messenger RNA and Its Translationin Vitro

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses: (1) the isolation of histone mRNA from HeLa cells and marine eggs and embryos; (2) its translation in cell-free proteinsynthesizing systems obtained from mouse ascites, rabbit reticulocytes, and wheat germ; and (3) the analysis of the products of in vitro translation. The procedures discussed in the chapter can be used to isolate and translate any mRNA present in discrete amounts in different cell types and tissues. The techniques involved are quite straightforward, and success in the isolation and translation of mRNA depends on the care with which RNA and protein synthesizing systems are prepared. The synthesis of histones in embryos of marine invertebrates and animal cells in culture is regulated both at the level of transcription and translation of messenger RNA (mRNA). Histone mRNA is present in the cytoplasm of sea urchin eggs but is not translated until after fertilization. Very little protein synthesis takes place prior to fertilization, however, and histone synthesis may be under the control of a general regulatory mechanism that prevents the translation of all mRNAs in unfertilized eggs. After fertilization, histone mRNA is actively synthesized and both newly synthesized and maternal histone mRNA are translated. A different type of regulation of histone synthesis occurs in Spisula solidissima eggs, as no histone mRNA is found among the maternal mRNAs and active histone synthesis upon fertilization seems uniquely dependent on de novo transcription of histone templates.
Research with rTMS in the treatment of aphasia

This review of our research with rTMS to treat aphasia contains four parts: Part 1 reviews functional brain imaging studies related to recovery of language in aphasia with emphasis on nonfluent aphasia. Part 2 presents the rationale for using rTMS to treat nonfluent aphasia patients (based on results from functional imaging studies). Part 2 also reviews our current rTMS treatment protocol used with nonfluent aphasia patients, and our functional imaging results from overt naming fMRI scans, obtained pre- and post- a series of rTMS treatments. Part 3 presents results from a pilot study where rTMS treatments were followed immediately by constraint-induced language therapy (CILT). Part 4 reviews our diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study that examined white matter connections between the horizontal, midportion of the arcuate fasciculus (hAF) to different parts within Broca's area (pars triangularis, PTr; pars opercularis, POp), and the ventral premotor cortex (vPMC) in the RH and in the LH. Part 4 also addresses some of the possible mechanisms involved with improved naming and speech, following rTMS with nonfluent aphasia patients.
Adaptive Cumulant-Based Estimation of ARMA Parameters

Time-recursive lattice algorithms for the estimation of the AR parameters of an ARMA process, using a 1-D slice of the k-th order cumulant are presented. The cumulant matrix can be viewed as the cross-correlation of the observed process, y(n), and an associated process, z(n), and, hence, is not generally Hermitian. Cumulant-based AR modeling is shown to be equivalent to linear prediction with non-conventional orthogonality conditions. Our algorithm leads to a pair of lattices, one excited by y(n) and the other by z(n); the lattices being coupled through order- and time-update equations. Parameter estimates are shown to be asymptoticaly unbiased and to converge in mean-square; the lattice algorithm has zero mis-adjustment noise. Lattice algorithms for cumulant-based joint process estimation are also given. Algorithms for time-adaptive estimation of MA. and hence of ARMA, processes are also presented. One version of our lattice algorithm is shown to solve the over-determined problem, provided the (1,2,4)-generalized inverse is used. These algorithms may be used to estimate the parameters of non-minimum phase ARMA models, which may have inherent all-pass factors, from outputs corrupted with colored Gaussian noise.
An appreciation of Robert Moors Smith MD, an icon of pediatric anesthesiology.

Summary Robert Moors Smith M.D. passed away recently at the age of 97. During his chairmanship of the Department of Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital Boston from 1946 to 1980 he gained world prominence for his contributions to the anesthetic care of children and the education of generations of pediatric anesthesiologists. His dedicated and earnest approach, reflected in tribute and in his own words, provide a window on pediatric anesthesia during its development into a recognized subspecialty in the 20th century.
Biosynthesis of the 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylene moiety of vitamin B12.

Abstract The pattern of ribose-1- 14 C incorporation into the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole unit of vitamin B 12 has been determined. The labeling pattern within the 4,5-dimethyl-1,2phenylene moiety is totally consistent with the involvement of the established riboflavin precursor, 6,7-dimethyl-8ribityllumazine, in 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole biosynthesis. In addition, the ribose-1- 14 C incorporation pattern, when compared with other precursor incorporations, suggests that ribose is a close but not immediate precursor of the four carbon unit involved in the 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine biosynthesis.
Two inequalities on stop-loss premiums and some of its applications

Abstract The present study is motivated by the following practical problem in collective risk theory. Besides the problem of determining the distribution of the total amount of claims and its concrete by-products (reinsurance premiums, refund formulae for example), what is the influence of negative risk sums (e.g., in group life insurance: include or not include annuitants in a group contract). This note gives some qualitative answers by giving criteria for deciding this question in the form of inequalities. The quantitative aspect could be made effective for insurance models having numerically computable distributions [e.g., Compound Poisson distribution [Bertram (1981, 1983). Hurlimann (1985)] negative binomial distribution and others [Bertram (1981)]].
Toxins extracted from an Alaskan isolate of Protogonyaulax sp

Analysis of an aqueous acetic acid extract of Protogonyaulax sp. clone P107 from Porpoise Islands, Alaska, revealed four substances herein designated B1, B2, C1, and C2. These have relatively low toxicity until they are converted, on exposure to low pH, to saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxin 2, and gonyautoxin 3, respectively which increases their toxicities by factors of about 10, 6, 20, and 5. Neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxin 1, and gonyautoxin 4 were found, but in smaller quantities. Saxitoxin, gonyautoxin 2, and gonyautoxin 3, if present, were below the levels that could be detected with confidence.
Levodopa improves physical fatigue in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

We quantitatively investigated the effect of carbidopa/levodopa (25/100) on physical fatigue during finger tapping and force generation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects were randomly assigned to carbidopa/levodopa or placebo for Visit 1 or 2 and participated in the following two studies: (1) Finger tapping. Twenty-five PD patients used their index fingers to strike two keys 20 cm apart on a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) keyboard. The slopes of the regression line of dwell time and movement time were used to assess the rate of fatigue development. (2) Force generation. Twelve PD patients contracted the wrist extensors maximally to obtain a baseline maximum voluntary contraction (BMVC) force. Then they repetitively contracted the wrist extensors at 50% of the BMVC for 7 seconds and rested for 3 seconds. An interval maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC) was measured every three repetitions. Fatigue was defined as an IMVC of less than 60% of the BMVC. The slope of the regression line of IMVC was used to assess the rate of force decline. These two studies were repeated 1 hour after carbidopa/levodopa (25/100) or placebo. Subjects filled out the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) at the beginning of the first visit. Results showed that the slope of dwell time decreased with levodopa but not with placebo (P = 0.004). The rate of force decline also decreased with levodopa but not with placebo (P = 0.01). The subscores in the dimension of physical fatigue in the MFI did not correlate with the rate changes in dwell time or the rate changes in force decline. We concluded that (1) levodopa improves physical fatigue in finger tapping and force generation, (2) physical fatigue in Parkinson's disease is at least partially related to dopamine deficiency, and (3) the MFI measures different aspects of physical fatigue compared with those measured by finger tapping and force generation.
The effect of temporal sampling on quantitative pharmacokinetic and three-time-point analysis of breast DCE-MRI.

The effects of temporal sampling on the previously published three-time-point (3TP) method are compared with those of a Tofts–Kety model using an arterial input function from the alternating minimization with model (AMM) method. Computer simulations are done to estimate the expected error in both the 3TP and Tofts–Kety models as a function of the temporal sampling rate of the data. The error in the 3TP model parameters remained essentially constant with respect to temporal sampling. The Tofts–Kety model showed a linear increase in parameter error with respect to temporal sampling. Both analysis methods were also applied to 87 clinically acquired breast scans. These scans were downsampled in time by a factor of 2 and 4, and the methods were reapplied. The spatial resolution was held constant throughout this study. At temporal resolutions less than 19.4 s, the Tofts–Kety model outperformed the 3TP model using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the ROC curve [AUC] of 0.94 compared to 0.91). As the temporal sampling rate decreased, the 3TP model outperformed the Tofts–Kety model (AUC of 0.89 versus 0.85). When the temporal sampling rate of the data was less than 20 s, the Tofts– Kety model with the AMM method had lower parameter error than the 3TP method.
Constraints and consequences of reducing small scale structure via large dark matter-neutrino interactions

Cold dark matter explains a wide range of data on cosmological scales. However, there has been a steady accumulation of evidence for discrepancies between simulations and observations at scales smaller than galaxy clusters. One promising way to affect structure formation on small scales is a relatively strong coupling of dark matter to neutrinos. We construct an experimentally viable, simple, renormalizable model with new interactions between neutrinos and dark matter and provide the first discussion of how these new dark matter-neutrino interactions affect neutrino phenomenology. We show that addressing the small scale structure problems requires asymmetric dark matter with a mass that is tens of MeV. Generating a sufficiently large dark matter-neutrino coupling requires a new heavy neutrino with a mass around 100 MeV. The heavy neutrino is mostly sterile but has a substantial τ neutrino component, while the three nearly massless neutrinos are partly sterile. This model can be tested by future astrophysical, particle physics, and neutrino oscillation data. Promising signatures of this model include alterations to the neutrino energy spectrum and flavor content observed from a future nearby supernova, anomalous matter effects in neutrino oscillations, and a component of the τ neutrino with mass around 100 MeV.
Structure of the Bateman2 domain of yeast Snf4: dimeric association and relevance for AMP binding.

Summary AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of energy homeostasis in mammals. AMP is believed to control the activity of AMPK by binding to the γ subunit of this heterotrimeric enzyme. This subunit contains two Bateman domains, each of which is composed of a tandem pair of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) motifs. No structural information is currently available on this subunit, and the molecular basis for its interactions with AMP is not well understood. We report here the crystal structure at 1.9 A resolution of the Bateman2 domain of Snf4, the γ subunit of the yeast ortholog of AMPK. The structure revealed a dimer of the Bateman2 domain, and this dimerization is supported by our light-scattering, mutagenesis, and biochemical studies. There is a prominent pocket at the center of this dimer, and most of the disease-causing mutations are located in or near this pocket.
Fire regimes of quaking aspen in the Mountain West

Abstract Quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) is the most widespread tree species in North America, and it is found throughout much of the Mountain West (MW) across a broad range of bioclimatic regions. Aspen typically regenerates asexually and prolifically after fire, and due to its seral status in many western conifer forests, aspen is often considered dependent upon disturbance for persistence. In many landscapes, historical evidence for post-fire aspen establishment is clear, and following extended fire-free periods senescing or declining aspen overstories sometimes lack adequate regeneration and are succeeding to conifers. However, aspen also forms relatively stable stands that contain little or no evidence of historical fire. In fact, aspen woodlands range from highly fire-dependent, seral communities to relatively stable, self-replacing, non-seral communities that do not require fire for persistence. Given the broad geographic distribution of aspen, fire regimes in these forests likely co-vary spatially with changing community composition, landscape setting, and climate, and temporally with land use and climate – but relatively few studies have explicitly focused on these important spatiotemporal variations. Here we reviewed the literature to summarize aspen fire regimes in the western US and highlight knowledge gaps. We found that only about one-fourth of the 46 research papers assessed for this review could be considered fire history studies (in which mean fire intervals were calculated), and all but one of these were based primarily on data from fire-scarred conifers. Nearly half of the studies reported at least some evidence of persistent aspen in the absence of fire. We also found that large portions of the MW have had little or no aspen fire history research. As a result of this review, we put forth a classification framework for aspen that is defined by key fire regime parameters (fire severity and probability), and that reflects underlying biophysical settings and correlated aspen functional types. We propose the following aspen fire regime types: (1) fire-independent, stable aspen; (2) fire-influenced, stable aspen; (3) fire-dependent, seral, conifer-aspen mix; (4) fire-dependent, seral, montane aspen-conifer; and (5) fire-dependent, seral, subalpine aspen-conifer. Closing research gaps and validating our proposed aspen fire regime classification will likely require additional site-specific research, enhanced dendrochronology techniques, charcoal and pollen record analysis, spatially-explicit modeling, and other techniques. We hope to encourage development of site-appropriate disturbance ecology characterizations, in order to aid efforts to manage and restore aspen communities and to diagnose key factors contributing to changes in aspen.
Application of a Multiple Cavity Fabry-Perot Interferometer for Measuring the Thermal Expansion and Temperature Dependence of Refractive Index in New Gradient-Index Materials

A multiple cavity Fabry-Perot interferometer is used to measure thermal properties as a function of position. Homogeneous samples of ALON and PMMA, which have recently been used to create new gradient-index materials, are measured.
Proton spin-lattice relaxation of retinal rod outer segment membranes and liposomes of extracted phospholipids.

Abstract A large fraction of the phospholipid protons of bovine retinal rod outer segment (ROS) disc membrane vesicles yield well-resolved nuclear magnetic resonance lines near physiological temperature. The spin-lattice (T1) relaxation rates of the resolved sharp resonance of ROS disc membranes appear biphasic above 10 degrees C. The rate of the more rapidly relaxing component of each resonance matches closely the relaxation rate of the corresponding resonances of liposomes of purified ROS phospholipids. The slowly relaxing component of each disc membrane resonance is most likely due to phospholipids whose motion is affected by rhodopsin. The primary difference in the relaxation behavior of phospholipids in the ROS membrane vesicles and ROS liposomes appears to be in T1, rather than T2, since the corresponding sharp resonances of both preparations have similar linewidths. These observations suggest that the interaction of rhodopsin with the more fluid membrane phospholipids predominantly affects relatively high frequency segmental motions, which determine T1, while having minimal effects on the lower frequency segmental motions, which influence T2. This conclusion can be rationalized by assuming that a substantial fraction of the interacting phospholipids are relatively fluid with respect to less frequent, larger amplitude segmental motions, but that the more frequent segmental motions (such as beta-coupled trans-gauche isomerizations) are significantly restricted by interaction with protein.
Effectiveness of the Free Acid of Methionine Hydroxy Analogue as a Methionine Supplement in Broiler Diets

Abstract A liquid methionine supplement known as methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid (MHA-FA) was evaluated as a source of methionine in the diet of young broiler chicks. Diets calculated to be deficient in methionine were supplemented with MHA-FA and performance compared to that obtained when comparable diets were supplemented with molar equivalents of methionine from L-methionine, DL-methionine, or the calcium salt of methionine hydroxy analogue. Performance of chicks fed the test product was equal to that obtained on the other methionine products. The use of MHA-FA might allow for a more even distribution in the diet, easier handling, and a lower manufacturing cost with resultant savings in the cost of producing poultry and eggs.
Severe idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

Summary Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a systemic illness that usually presents with nonspecific symptoms. However, HES can be fatal, particularly when eosinophils infiltrate vital organs. We report a patient with HES who presented with a perforated viscus and sepsis-like syndrome and rapidly improved with drotrecogin-alfa and steroid therapy.
Application of a Large-Scale Database System for the Analysis and Design of the US EPR™ Standard Nuclear Power Plant

Due to the increased size and complexity of large-scale commercial and industrial structures, it is increasingly challenging to manage key engineering data including analysis and design results of these structures. This paper presents a novel approach of using large-scale database systems as a means to gather, organize and manage key analysis and design results of a large-scale structure. Specifically, this paper describes in detail the development process of the backend database management system (DBMS) for the U.S. EPR™ Standard Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Nuclear Island (NI) structures. The database system consists of three parent database tables to represent three representative groups of load combinations applicable to the U.S. EPR™ Standard NPP. Inheriting all characteristics of an applicable parent table, a primary child table in the database system represents a particular U.S. EPR™ NI Safety-Related structure in its entirety while a secondary child table a group of slabs or walls of the structure. Each secondary table is comprised of database fields that are representative of various structural demands, section capacities, reinforcing ratios, and demand-to-capacity ratios for three reinforced concrete design conditions (i.e., combined axial force and bending design, in-plane shear design, and out-of-plane shear design). The complete database system with fully populated tables is a central repository where all analysis and design results for the U.S. EPR™ NI Common Basemat structures are stored and sorted. To facilitate data queries from the developed backend database system, this paper introduces a user-friendly frontend interface program developed using Visual Basic Application (VBA) with Excel. Potential benefits of the developed database system are demonstrated with simple application examples involving simple data queries only followed by complex engineering tasks that require a more advanced form of data queries.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Image of the Moho across the continent-ocean transition, U.S. east coast

Strong wide-angle reflections from the Moho were recorded by ocean-bottom seismic instruments during the 1988 Carolina Trough multichannel seismic experiment, in an area where the Moho is difficult to detect with vertical-incidence seismic data. Prestack depth migration of these reflections has enabled the construction of a seismic image of the Moho across the continent-ocean transition of a sedimented passive margin. The Moho rises across the margin at a slope of 10°-12°, from a depth of about 33 km beneath the continental shelf to 20 km beneath the outer rise. This zone of crustal thinning defines a distinct, 60-70-km-wide continent-ocean transition zone. We interpret the Moho in the Carolina Trough as a Jurassic feature, formed by magmatic intrusion and underplating during the rifting of Pangea.
Absolute continuity of Wiener processes

Abstract By a Wiener process we mean a countably additive random measure taking independent values on disjoint sets. Given two continuous Wiener processes we give their decomposition into weakly equivalent and mutually singular parts.
The Separation of the Ergot Alkaloids by Paper Partition Chromatography

The problem of separation of ergot alkaloids in solvent systems is complicated by the varied solubility of the alkaloids and by their instability. The conventional procedure of paper partition chromatography, in which water is the stationary phase, does not separate the ergotoxine and ergotamine alkaloids since they follow the solvent front of the wash liquid. A partition coefficient, favoring the stationary phase, was achieved by substituting an organic-aqueous system for the water. The stability of the alkaloids was assured by using acidic wash liquids.
The influence of aerosol size and organic carbon content on gas/particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Abstract Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured on size segregated airborne particulate matter and in the gas phase during 12 h periods in urban Chicago and over southern Lake Michigan during July 1994 and January 1995 as part of the atmospheric exchange over lakes and oceans (AEOLOS) project. In the 19 paired gas phase and size segregated particle samples, partition coefficients of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are well correlated with the sub-cooled liquid vapor pressure, ( p l 0 ) within an aerosol size class. However, partition coefficients differ systematically according to particle size and aerosol organic carbon content. Approximately 68% of the observed variability in measured PAH partition coefficients is explained by a three dimensional multiple linear regression that includes vapor pressure of the compound of interest, aerosol particle aerodynamic equivalent diameter, aerosol organic carbon content and interaction terms. However, addition of both particle size and the fraction organic carbon terms, while statistically significant, appear to be of minimal importance in improving our ability to model gas/particle partitioning in the atmosphere. The influence of either particle size or fraction organic carbon is nearly as large as the calculated random error in partition coefficients, and suggests that an important factor in predicting gas/particle partitioning has not yet been incorporated in the current model.
Pathology of black bass hepatic tissue infected with larvae of the tapeworm Proteocephalm ambloplitis

Plerocercoid larvae of Proteocephalus ambloplitis are common among native basses in a south-western West Virginia (U.S.A.) reservoir managed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Liver pathology induced by these larval cestodes in small black basses (i.e. length < 305 mm for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides; < 254 mm for spotted bass, M. punctulatus) is characterized by extensive areas of pressure necrosis with macrophage infiltration adjacent to the parasite tegument, but with little evidence of blood vessel congestion or fibrosis. Parasitized livers of larger bass (i.e. ≥ 305 mm for largemouth, ≥ 254 mm for spotted) showed considerable damage with blood vessel congestion, bile-stasis and extensive fibrosis, along with degenerating as well as migrating plerocercoids. The prognosis for survival of the smaller hosts, with 16.7 and 8.7 larvae per liver for largemouth and spotted bass, respectively, is questionable.
Gaining a foothold: how HIV avoids innate immune recognition

During the first week after sexual exposure to HIV, HIV infection does not appear to trigger a strong innate immune response. Here we describe some recent studies that show that HIV may avoid triggering antiviral innate immune responses by not replicating efficiently in dendritic cells and by avoiding detection in infected CD4 T cells and macrophages by harnessing a host cytoplasmic DNase TREX1 to digest nonproductive HIV reverse transcripts.
Pleistocene sea levels from raised coral reefs of haiti.

The elevations and ages of a sequence of three uplifted Pleistocene coral reefs on the Northwest Peninsula of Haiti have been determined. With the assignment of a sea level of +6 meters (relative to the present day) at 130,000 years before present and constant uplift of the reefs, the data indicate that sea level stood –10 and –13 meters at 108,000 and 81,000 years before present, respectively. These results are in substantial agreement with those reported for Barbados and New Guinea and support the hypothesis of constant uplift for each area. Sea level data from raised reefs indicate that the interglacial marine oxygen isotope oscillations during oxygen isotope stage 5 are a result of 30 percent ice volume effects and 70 percent temperature effects.
Psychiatrists' Views and Attitudes About Psychiatric Advance Directives

Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) document a patient's advance instructions (AIs) for treatment and/or designation of a potential proxy decision maker. Approximately 50% of a total of N=167 U.S. psychiatrists who completed a mail survey of their attitudes and views regarding PADs had a favorable opinion of a law authorizing AIs, whereas two-thirds of psychiatrists endorsed proxy decision making legislation. However, 42% perceived important barriers in the service system that would prevent effective implementation of PADs, while 30% considered clinical factors to be important barriers to implementation. Psychiatrists who are correctly apprised of applicable state mental health law are generally more supportive of PADs; they may be more willing to support PADs if they are educated about key aspects of PAD legislation.
Parents’ perspectives on coping with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background The author, who has a grown son with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), has personally experienced a lack of available information for parents about coping with DMD. Therefore, as a longtime personal goal, she developed this study to address that lack of information. Methods Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 parents ( n = 7 with both parents; n = 1 with two sisters; n = 6 with mothers only; n = 1 with father only). The purpose of the interviews was to examine the strategies parents use to cope when their sons have DMD. The interviews were conducted in 12 states, taped and transcribed. Results Grounded theory analysis of the interview data indicated the willingness of these parents to share information to empower others like themselves. Conclusions Parents want to be heard and valued as experts on DMD by medical and other professionals who interact with their sons. In addition, they want to proactively participate in their sons’ lives and to encourage other parents to do the same.
A comparison of traditional systematic desensitization, accelerated massed desensitization, and anxiety management training in the treatment of mathematics anxiety

Mathematics anxiety in 20 university students was treated by traditional systematic desensitization and accelerated massed desensitization, (AMD). The traditional group was exposed to all items of an 8-item mathematics anxiety hierarchy in nine treatment sessions over 3 weeks. The accelerated (AMD) group was exposed to only the three highest items in a single, massed treatment session. Results on a self-rating scale showed significant, equivalent improvement for both groups following therapy. The treatment groups' improvement on a performance measure approached, but did not reach significance as compared with no-treatment controls. The results were compared with those obtained previously in another study using a similar population and the same measures, by anxiety management control (AMT), another short-term approach introduced recently by the authors.
Enhancement of biological mass spectrometry by using separations based on changes in ion mobility (FAIMS and DMS)

Analysis of complex biological samples for low-level analytes by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) often requires additional selectivity. Differential mobility techniques (FAIMS and DMS) have been shown to enhance LC–MS/MS analyses by separating ions in the gas-phase on a millisecond timescale by use of a mechanism that is complementary to both liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In this overview, a simplified description of the operation of these devices is given and an example presented that illustrates the utility of FAIMS (DMS) for solving a challenging analytical assay. Important recent advances in the field, including work with gas modifiers, are presented, along with an outlook for the technology.
"The high cost of dying" revisited

This review of the literature of the past decade on medical care costs at the end of life finds that the data do not support the often-voiced hypothesis that the rise in medical care costs is due largely to the disproportionate use of high-technology medical care by persons who die. It also shows that although the intensity of care, as indicated by hospital expenditures, declines with age, any savings on hospital costs of very old decedents are offset by nursing-home costs. Studies of hospice care and advance directives are reviewed for their effectiveness in reducing end-of-life costs, but these strategies are not promising at this time, largely because of the difficulty of predicting when an individual patient will die. It is suggested that curbing the rise in medical care costs will require basic changes in the physician-patient relationship and in our attitude to death.
Latency-sensitive hashing for collaborative Web caching

Abstract Many geographically distributed proxies are increasingly used for collaborative Web caching to improve performance. In hashing-based collaborative Web caching, the response times can be negatively impacted for those URL requests hashed into geographically distant or overloaded proxies. In this paper, we present and evaluate a latency-sensitive hashing scheme for collaborative Web caching. It takes into account latency delays due to both geographical distances and dynamic load conditions. Each URL request is first hashed into an anchor hash bucket, with each bucket mapping to one of the proxies. Secondly, a number of nearby hash buckets are examined to select the proxy with the smallest latency delay to the browser. Trace-driven simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of this new latency-sensitive hashing. The results show that (1) with the presence of load imbalance due to skew in request origination or hot-spot references, latency-sensitive hashing effectively balances the load by hashing into geographically distributed proxies for collaborative Web caching, and (2) when the overall system is lightly loaded, latency-sensitive hashing effectively reduces latency delays by directing requests to geographically closer proxies.
Compacted 1-2-3 ceramic powders treated as superconducting composites

Magnetization studies of closely spaced fine-filamentary Cu/NbTi composites have shown that, at very low applied field strengths, proximity-effect coupling (across the Cu matrix) between the filaments causes the assembly to exclude flux in the manner of a solid block of superconductor of the same outside diameter as the filamentary bundle. Then at somewhat higher applied field strengths (but still with H >
Session 21: Solid-state and nanoelectronic devices carbon-based devices

This session is devoted to carbon-based devices. The first three papers cover various aspects of graphene field-effect transistors. First, the paper by Z. Chen of IBM and J. Appenzeller of Purdue University reports the measurement of quantum capacitance and suggests a different method for extracting field-effect mobility. Next, the paper by I. Meric et al., of Columbia University presents the first RF measurements of graphene field-effect transistors. Finally, the paper by Y. Ouyang et al., of the University of Florida provides a theoretical assessment of the performance limits of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) FETs with different edge-termination species. The last three papers describe the benefits of carbon for various other applications. First, F. Kreupl et al., of Qimonda propose a carbon-based resistive memory. Next, H. Li and K. Banerjee of University of California Santa Barbara discuss single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles for RF inductor applications. Finally, H. Dadgour et al., of The University of California Santa Barbara present a scaling and variability analysis of carbon nanotube-based nano-electro-mechanical (NEM) devices.
Comparison of the upper airway dynamics of oronasal and nasal masks with positive airway pressure treatment using cine magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose Itisknownthatoronasalmasksarenotaseffectiveat opening the upper airway compared to nasal only continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks in patients with sleepdisordered breathing. However, the physiological mechanism for this difference in efficacy is not known; although, it has been hypothesized to involve the retroglossal and/or retropalatal region of the upper airway. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in retroglossal and retropalatal anterior-posterior space with the use of oronasal vs. nasal CPAP masks using real-time cine magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). Methods Ten subjects (eight men, two women) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were given cMRI with both nasal and oronasal CPAP masks. Each subject was imaged with each interface at pressures of 5, 10, and 15 cm of H2O, while in the supine position along the sagittal plane. Results The oronasal mask produced significantly less airway opening in the retropalatal region of the upper airway compared to the nasal mask interface. During exhalation, mask style had a significant effect on anterior-posterior distance p=0.016. No differences were found in the retroglossal region between mask styles. Conclusions Our study confirmed previous findings showing differences in treatment efficacy between oronasal and nasal mask styles. We have shown anatomic evidence that the nasal mask is more effective in opening the upper airway compared to the oronasal mask in the retropalatal region.
Autoxidation of pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate.

Hemoglobin-based therapeutics are currently in clinical trials in the United States and abroad as blood replacement solutions, nitric oxide scavengers, and radiation sensitizers. The potency of the therapeutics may be influenced by the oxidation state of the iron in the heme moiety. The oxidation state is dependent upon the physical environment of the molecule and is influenced by parameters such as the chemical nature of the hemoglobin therapeutic and its formulation. Pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate (PHP) is one such compound currently in clinical trials in the U.S. for treatment of nitric oxide-dependent, volume refractory shock. The autoxidation rates for PHP have been determined over a range of temperatures. The oxidation events were shown to be biphasic and were similar to those observed for purified human hemoglobin (HbAo). The initial fast oxidation events were modeled with first order rate constants at 37 degrees C and determined to be 0.022 hr-1 and 0.025 hr-1 for PHP and HbAo, respectively. The autoxidation of PHP was shown to be independent of concentration from approximately 5 to 100 mg/mL.
An Emprical Analysis of Directional and Volatility Trading in Options Markets

Considerable research in the area of “market micro structure” focuses on the problem faced by market makers who are obliged to quote firm prices and trade with all comers, even when some of the traders they face will have access to valuable information that they do not know. For an optional stock, there are two classes of information about which way the stock price is likely to move next, and volatility information, relating to the likely size of the price move, which is most important for options trading. The two types of information have different implications for market makers in the stock and the options. In this article, Cherian and Weng investigate the extent to which trading activity in a stock and its options can provide insight into which type of information traders are currently active, and, then, how prices and bid-ask spreads respond in the different situations.
Cutaneous Photosensitization by 8-Methoxypsoralen: Order-Dependent Synergism Between Radiation >380 nm and Broadband UVA

Human skin treated with topical 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) was exposed sequentially to radiation at wavelengths longer than 380 nm and to broadband UVA (320–400 nm). A striking, order-dependent synergism with respect to the induction of cutaneous phototoxicity as measured by delayed erythema was present. When exposure to > 380 nm radiation preceded exposure to broadband UVA, the effect was synergistic. When the order was reversed, the effect was approximately additive. This synergism is best explained by UVA-induced conversion to DNA cross-links of the monoadducts formed by prior exposure at > 380 nm. The direct implication is that cross-linking of DNA by psoralen is the major important event in cutaneous phototoxicity due to psoralens. Skin treated with 8-MOP and markedly suberythemogenic doses of radiation > 380 nm remained synergistically sensitized to small doses of UVA for at least 72 h, long after photosensitization by 8-MOP alone had disappeared in control sites. This suggests slow in vivo repair of those psoralen-DNA monoadducts capable of being subsequently converted to DNA cross-links.
Depression in general intensive care unit survivors: a systematic review.

Purpose To critically review data on the prevalence of depressive symptoms in general intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, risk factors for these symptoms, and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
An infiltration device as a best management practice for immobilizing heavy metals in urban highway runoff

Anthropogenic constituents in highway runoff include metal elements and suspended solids which result from traffic activities, atmospheric deposition, roadway degradation and highway maintenance. A best management practice (BMP) for immobilizing heavy metals and suspended solids is a partial exfiltration trench (PET). A PET is designed to exfiltrate a percentage of infiltrated runoff to subsoil with the balance discharged through an underdrain. The PET functions through adsorptive-filtration, where dissolved metals are immobilized through sorption and metals associated with suspended solids are immobilized through filtration. An important PET design consideration is potential association of heavy metals with suspended solids. This paper investigates the correlation between heavy metals and suspended solids in highway runoff. Results indicate a strong positive correlation between heavy metal and suspended solid concentrations for snow washoff events and a poor correlation for rainfall-runoff events. Similar results are observed for correlations between metals and suspended particle sizes. From these findings, it is argued that a PET holds promise as a device for immobilizing metals associated with suspended solids transported during snow washoff and long duration rainfall events.
An HRP study of the central projections of primary trigeminal neurons which innervate tooth pulps in the cat

Trigeminal ganglia and brain stem of adult cats were studied following HRP injections into tooth pulps or after exposure of the cut end of the inferior alveolar nerve to HRP. Ipsilateral ganglion cells within a wide range of sizes were labeled in both experimental situations, whereas no labeled cells were observed in the contralateral ganglion in any animal. Labeled central branches of tooth pulp and inferior alveolar neurons were observed in all subdivisions of the ipsilateral trigeminal sensory complex. Terminal labeling in the tooth pulp experiments was confined to the dorsomedial parts of the main sensory nucleus and subnuclei oralis and interpolaris. Caudal to the obex terminal labeling was restricted to the medial halves of laminae I, IIa and V of the medullary dorsal horn. In the inferior alveolar nerve experiments dense terminal labeling was observed in the dorsal parts of the main sensory nucleus and subnuclei oralis and interpolaris. Caudal to the obex terminal labeling was located throughout laminae I to V in contrast to the tooth pulp experiments. Neither of the two experimental situations offers any evidence for a bilateral or contralateral brain stem projection of primary trigeminal neurons.
Effects of simulated clinical conditions on nickel-titanium rotary files.

When rotary nickel-titanium files are used in highly curved canals, there is a significant risk of separation. This study exposed files to saline or 5.25% NaOCI, while freely rotating in axial motion with a range of ≊6 mm at 150 rpm for 30 s in a 1.5 mm inner diameter, thin-walled metal tube of 15 mm length with a 90° curve and a 5 mm radius of curvature. Files of 0.04 taper; 25 mm length; and in ISO sizes 25, 30, and 35 were each used three times. Groups were sterilized in a Chemiclave at 132°C for 30 min after each use or tested without sterilization. Controls were not subjected to simulated use. Torsional moment (N-cm) and angular deflection (degrees) at failure was determined on a Torsiometer/Memocouple. Data ( n = 5) were analyzed by analysis of variance. Tukey-Kramer intervals at the 0.05 significance level were determined. Exposure to cyclic fatigue, irrigants, and sterilization did not consistently affect torsional moment or angular deflection, compared with controls. Torsional moment significantly increased with an increase in size, regardless of condition (unsterilized vs. sterilized) or solution (saline vs. NaOCI).