cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative sensitivity analysis of transport properties and reaction rate coefficients

Transport properties of chemical species are required for many combustion models. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess the significance of transport properties and their underlying molecular parameterizations for atmospheric pressure premixed laminar flames for three different fuels and two different approaches to transport property calculations. The analysis is performed at both the macroscopic level of Arrhenius A-factors and transport coefficients as well as at the molecular scale. First- and second-order sensitivities of reactant, intermediate, and product species concentrations, temperature, and flame velocity were calculated with respect to various parameters, all within the mixture approximation using ADIFOR 2.0, a software package that supports exact differentiation. Parameters considered were the binary diffusion coefficients, pure species thermal conductivity coefficients, and thermal diffusion ratios. The more fundamental molecular parameters: collision diameters, well depths, dipole moments, polarizabilities, and the rotational relaxation collision numbers were also considered. Influential transport properties are found to be as important in flame modeling as influential reaction rates, and both should be taken into account when building chemical mechanisms. Transport parameter importance was found to vary according to the independent variable being considered and the flame type. Magnitudes of sensitivities appear to be more influenced by the underlying molecular parameters than the approach used to compute the transport properties. The number of significant sensitivities to transport parameters increases for the progression: flame temperature, flame velocity, reactant species, product species, and intermediate radical species. Many dependent variables have significant sensitivities to the pure species thermal conductivities of N2, O2, and the fuel. At the molecular level, large sensitivities to the collision diameters of several species are also observed, but significant sensitivity to well depths, although observed is less and more rare. Large sensitivities are not observed to the rotational relaxation collision number, the dipole moment, or to the molecular polarizability. Second-order sensitivities are significant for a number of dependent variables. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 538–553, 2005
Sun and shade differences in productivity of reef corals

REEF CORALS are mutualistic symbiotic associations between cnidarians and dinoflagellates. The algae photosynthesise and translocate photosynthate to the animal partner, although the animal is capable of heterotrophic nutrition1–5. Some reef corals have wide bathymetric ranges6,7 and the growth and survival of individuals in the deeper regions of the euphotic zone could result from an increase in the energy efficiency of the symbiotic complex. A number of reports document the laboratory-determined photosynthesis-radiation responses of corals8–12 and zooxanthellae13, but because the details of the habitat or depth from which the animals were collected are rarely described, comparisons among results in the literature are difficult. Here we provide evidence for the existence of ‘sun’ (heliophytic) and ‘shade’ (sciophytic) differences in the net photosynthesis-radiant flux intensity response of individuals of one coral species from 10 and 25 m depth on the same reef in an atoll lagoon.
Ingredients for Successful Dairy Farming1: How Henry Beland, A Young Michigan Farmer, Achieved Success

Modern dairy farming is becoming a highly commercialized, skilled business which requires a large capital investment. Returns are seldom phenomenal and they are often discouraging. Many farmers have found it a highly satisfying, profitable venture; others have barely made a go of it. The more successful dairymen earn as much as $3_.50 to $2.00 per hour for their labor and management. Others receive as little as $0.30 per hour.
Titanium hydrazido and imido complexes: synthesis, structure, reactivity, and relevance to alkyne hydroamination.

Treatment of Ti(NMe2)2(dpma) (1) with aniline results in the protonation of the dimethylamido ligands, which are retained as dimethylamines, and generation of a titanium imido complex Ti(NPh)(NHMe2)2(dpma) (2) in 94% yield. The monomeric imido 2 is converted to the reactive dimeric μ-imido [Ti(NPh)(dpma)]2 (3) on removal of the labile dimethylamine donors. The dimer 3 is converted to monomeric terminal imido complexes in the presence of added donors, e.g., 4,4‘-di-tert-butyl-2,2‘-bipyridine (But-bpy) and DME. Compounds 1−3 exhibit the same rate constant for 1-phenylpropyne hydroamination by aniline and are all kinetically competent to be involved in the catalytic cycle. Attempts to use 1 as a catalyst for hydroaminations involving 1,1-dimethylhydrazine resulted in only a few turnovers under the best conditions. Consequently, the chemistry of 1 with hydrazines to generate hydrazido complexes was scrutinized for comparison with the imido species. Through these studies, titanium hydrazido complexes including...
Experiences with hospital care: perspectives of black and Hispanic patients.

BACKGROUND Significant racial and ethnic differences along several dimensions of patients’experiences with hospital care have been previously documented. However, the relationship between these differences and possible differences in processes of care has not been well described.
IN SITU MEASUREMENTS OF INTERFACE STATES AT SILICON SURFACES IN FLUORIDE SOLUTIONS

The energetics and kinetics of processes involving interface states at silicon (111) surfaces in aqueous fluoride solutions were determined using in situ impedance spectroscopy. In the dark, we observe electrically active surface states with densities in the range $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{10}$ to $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ dependent on the surface chemistry. The surface states are physically the same, independent of $p\mathrm{H}$, with a capture cross section of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Measurements under illumination show that recombination occurs at different interface states than those observed in the dark.
NEUTRON AND PROTON DENSITIES IN NUCLEI

A semiempirical investigation of neutron and proton densities in nuclei is made. Experimental values are assumed for the nuclear radius, binding energy, surface energy, surface thickness, and symmetry energy. It is found that the neutron and proton densities extend to approximately the same radius; these results do not depend sensitively on the input data. The nuclear potential extends \ensuremath{\sim}0.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm further than the material radius. An estimate of $\ensuremath{\lesssim}100A$ Mev is given for nuclear compressibility.
Recidivism in hypertensive patients in the emergency department

Study objectives: Fifty million Americans are known to be hypertensive, with 64% uncontrolled. Uncontrolled hypertension results in substantial morbidity and utilization of health care resources. The emergency department (ED) is increasingly becoming a portal of entry into the health care system, as well as the primary care provider for the uninsured hypertensive patient. We sought to evaluate recidivism in hypertensive patients in the ED and correlate this with barriers to care, the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-VI) classification (stage 1: systolic blood pressure 140 to 159 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure 90 to 99 mm Hg; stage 2: systolic blood pressure 160 to 179 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure 100 to 109 mm Hg; stage 3: systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg), and compliance. Methods: This is a retrospective medical record review conducted on patients who enrolled in a multicenter study on hypertension and barriers to care in January 2002. This study was conducted at an urban Level I trauma center with a census greater than 110,000. For 2 years after enrollment, patients' records were reviewed for repeated visits to the ED for hypertension or complications, follow-up appointments, compliance with appointments, compliance with medications, substance abuse, or illnesses affecting compliance. Results: During 1 week, 672 patients were defined as hypertensive by a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg and completed the questionnaire, which accounted for 23% of total ED visits for that week. In the retrospective medical record review, it was found that of these patients only 41% had follow-up appointments scheduled on ED discharge (JNC-VI 1 39%, JNC-VI 2 42%, and JNC-VI 3 45%). Of patients with appointments, 79% kept their follow-up appointment (JNC-VI 1 77%, JNC-VI 2 81%, and JNC-VI 3 82%). Fourteen percent of all patients had a repeated visit to the ED in the 2 years after enrollment (range 1 to 39, mean 4.9 visits; JNC-VI 1 38%, JNC-VI 2 19%, and JNC-VI 3 43%). Medication compliance was only 38%, whereas clinic compliance was 59%. Drug screens were positive in 60% of patients screened. Forty-seven percent of patients who had repeated ED visits had major end organ effect (cerebrovascular accident/respiratory failure/congestive heart failure). Conclusion: Hypertension is a serious ED problem with major utilization of hospital and ED resources. Despite identification of hypertension in the ED, not all patients had arrangements for follow-up care. Repeated ED visits for hypertension are a common occurrence and are often related to compliance with medications, substance abuse, or end organ effects.
Physician preference motivates the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy independent of clinical disease activity

Objective Physician preference has previously been shown to be an important determinant of prescription patterns, independent of patient-specific factors. We evaluated whether physician preference was important in the decision to select anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy rather than nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients initiating a new RA medication. Methods Using data from the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America, we identified RA patients who had never taken biologics initiating either anti-TNF therapy or a DMARD in 2001–2008. Physician preference for the use of anti-TNF agents was calculated using data from the preceding calendar year for each physician's other RA patients. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations accounted for clustering of patients within the physician practice and evaluated the relationship between physician preference and receipt of anti-TNF therapy, controlling for patient-related factors and disease activity using the Clinical Disease Activity Index. Results We identified 1,532 RA patients initiating anti-TNF therapy or a DMARD. In models adjusting for tender and swollen joint counts and global disease activity, physician preference for the use of anti-TNF therapy was an independent predictor of receipt of these agents. Patients of physicians in the highest and middle tertiles of physician preference had a 2.50 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.76–3.56) and 1.70 (95% CI 1.22–2.39) greater likelihood of receiving anti-TNF medications, respectively. Conclusion Physician preference is an important determinant of patients' receipt of anti-TNF therapy and may be useful to examine in future studies of RA treatment patterns, costs, and medication safety.
Reduced Order Modeling of Neurons for Network Simulations

A challenge in computational neuroscience is to develop neuronal models with minimal complexity to enable the development of large networks of brain regions to understand the functions they might implement. Biologically realistic neuronal models aim to replicate the electrical functioning of the cell at the level of ionic channels, and sometimes even include complex dendritic trees and intracellular molecular cascades. Such models are computationally intensive and not suitable for implementation in networks. Reduced order models, such as the one proposed by Izhikevich (2007), aim to preserve the key neurocomputational properties and so form an attractive alternative for implementation in large network models.A systematic methodology is proposed to convert a biologically realistic neuronal model to an equivalent reduced order Izhikevich model, given the key morphological features that impact network structure. For instance, multiple compartments may be required, afferents may be distributed differently between basal and apical dendrites, and the synaptic plasticity mechanisms may be different at different dendritic sites. This will require careful design of the morphology of the reduced order model. By current mapping and phase portrait analysis, we suggest how such a biologically realistic model can be converted to a reduced order Izhikevich model that preserves the key neurocomputational and morphological features.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Successful Burn Prevention Program in Elementary Schools

A program has been conducted in the Baltimore area schools to improve the awareness of elementary school children of the causes and outcomes of burns, with emphasis on prevention and therapy. The program has received enthusiastic acceptance, and feedback has been positive. Pre- and posttesting has s
Adsorption and Polymer Film Formation on Metal Nanoclusters

We examine experimentally and theoretically the effect of polymer adsorption layers on the stability of metal nanoclusters. We find that, somewhat contrary to expectation in this low volume fractio...
The Preparation and Reactions of Anions of Certain Schiff Bases

Abstract We have recently reported the facile preparation of C(α)-multiple anions of oximes2, phenylhydrazones3, hydraxones4, and acylhydrazones5. In each case the C(α)-carbanion reacted with electrophilic reagents such as aromatic esters, an alphatic diester6, acid chlorides7, aldehydes8, ketones9, carbon dioxide10, and nitriles11 (Scheme I).
A METHOD FOR THE CULTURING OF EXCISED, IMMATURE CORN EMBRYOS IN VITRO.

THE culturing of excised, immature plant embryos in vitro is a very useful technique for the propagation of otherwise abortive embryos often encountered in hybridization work. A method, adapted from that developed by van Overbeek et al. for Datura, was found applicable to the culturing of excised corn embryos 8 to 10 days after pollination and 0.3 to 3 mm in length.
Cross-Linking and flourescence of pyrene-labeled collagen

The pyrene-labeling of acid-soluble (type I) and acid-insoluble collagens from young and old rat tail tendon has been investigated. The pyrene excimer fluorescence is associated with stabilized pyrene labels bound to two adjacent aldehydes in monomeric young collagens. Polymeric young collagens, as well as monomeric and polymeric old collagens, tend to lose this specific arrangement. This is shown by salt and new chromatographic fractionation of monomeric and polymeric collagens. During denaturation, pyrene labels are released from saturated aldehydes in both alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains. This unstable pyrene-labeling is stabilized by NaBH4 reduction of the hydrazone bonds between aldehyde groups and pyrene-containing hydrazines. This stabilization reveals that alpha 1 contains more aldehyde groups than does alpha 2 in young collagen. Pepsin-solubilized, acid-insoluble collagens are partly cross-linked and, like acid-soluble collagens, exhibit the fluorescence of pyrene aggregates probably located at unidentified cross-links, different from unsaturated aldehyde-containing cross-links in acid-soluble collagens.
The Structural Contexts of Low-Wage Work: Restaurant Employment Practices Across Firm Geography, Size, and Ownership Status

This qualitative organizational case study examined how restaurant employers respond to a minimum wage mandate through human resource practices they apply to waitstaff. The author considered three contextual factors as potential correlates of such practices: restaurants' geographic location, size, and ownership. Data come from interviews with owners and managers of 15 restaurants in Washington State, home of the nation's highest minimum wage. Findings suggest that employers' discretion over working conditions shapes waiters' work schedule, and in turn take-home pay and benefits eligibility, effects partly patterned by the contextual factors. The author discusses public strategies for improving job quality given these findings.
Diversity of cytochrome P450 2 family genes in non-mammalian vertebrates

Abstract The diversity and multiplicity of CYP2 genes in early diverging vertebrates were assessed using RT-PCR to identify sequences in an elasmobranch (dogfish: Squalus acanthias), a teleost (scup: Stenotomus chrysops), an amphibian (mudpuppy: Necturus maculosus), a reptile (turtle: Chrysemys picta) and a bird (chicken: Gallus gallus). Sixteen novel sequences were amplified using total RNA from liver of dogfish, turtle, mudpuppy and chicken. Two turtle sequences, four mudpuppy sequences and one dogfish sequence clustered with frog CYP2Q and chicken CYP2H genes. One turtle sequence grouped with CYP2E. A new chicken CYP2 clustered with rat CYP2B, CYP2G and CYP2A and trout CYP2M. A dogfish sequence and a turtle sequence grouped with CYP2D and CYP2K. Eight additional sequences were amplified from scup liver, intestine, brain and heart; these all grouped in a CYP2J/2N/2P clade. One sequence, prov. scup CYP2N3 (but possibly a CYP2N1 orthologue), was isolated from scup heart, gut, liver and brain. In the brain, cDNAs were amplified from the olfactory lobe, medulla, infundibulum and pituitary. One sequence was most highly expressed in the pituitary, where it may function in some aspect of hormonal control. Distinct CYP2P-related sequences were isolated from scup liver (prov. CYP2P4) and heart (prov. CYP2P5). Addition-al sequences from scup heart and brain RNA also grouped within this clade but could not be assigned to a subfamily. These results greatly expand the number of non-mammalian CYP2 genes known. Non-mammalian sequences may help to define CYP2 subfamily relationships and to identify conserved groups and functions. [Support: Sea Grant NA46RG0470, R/P60.]
Measuring Perceptions of Diabetes-Related Concepts: A Preliminary Study

PURPOSEthis pilot study explored health professionals' and patients' perceptions of diabetes through the development of the Diabetes Semantic Differential Scales (DSDS). These scales evaluate the meaning of diabetes-related concepts.METHODSHealth professionals (n=39) attending a CME course completed the health professional version of the DSDS. Patients (n=70) completed the patient version of the DSDS.RESULTSThe reliability of the DSDS was supported. The scale scores of health professionals, African American patients, and Caucasian patients, examined initially by one-way analyses of variance, showed significant differences among the groups for 4 of the 18 diabetes concepts. Effect sizes were also examined among these groups. For 7 concepts, there was a significant practical difference between the perceptions of the health professionals and the African American patients. For the Caucasian patients, differences were noted for 6 concepts.CONCLUSIONSThere are 3 primary inferences from this pilot study. First, ...
The influence of piedmont deposition on the time scale of mountain-belt denudation

[1] The linear correlation between modern sediment yields and mean drainage-basin elevation suggests that mountain-belt topography is denuded exponentially with a time scale of approximately 50 Myr following the cessation of active uplift. Some Paleozoic orogens, however, still exist as high-elevation terrain. Here I explore this paradox within the broader question of what variables control the denudational time scales of mountain belts. Using a two-dimensional model that couples the stream-power law for bedrock channel erosion with the diffusion equation for alluvial piedmonts, I determined the time scale of mountain-belt denudation using numerical and analytic techniques. The piedmont plays an important role in mountain-belt denudation because it sets the base level for bedrock erosion, substantially reducing bedrock relief in mountain belts with broad or steep piedmonts. The persistence of the Appalachian and Ural Mountains may be understood within the model framework as largely the result of resistant bedrock and a broad piedmont, respectively.
Printing superparamagnetic colloidal particle arrays on patterned magnetic film

Thin ferromagnetic film patterned into isolated islands is used to direct the assembly of superparamagnetic colloidal particles into two-dimensional (2D) arrays. It is confirmed that only one particle per island is retained when particles are slightly larger than the island, whereas particles that are smaller can form various patterns on the islands. Ferromagnetic islands positioned under a template of microwells are shown to promote highly regular 2D arrays, and external uniform magnetic field can be used to bias the particles to attract or to repel from the exposed end of the ferromagnetic islands.
Core-level photoemission studies of the α -Sn/InSb(100) heterostructure system

Layers of gray tin (\ensuremath{\alpha}-Sn) were grown epitaxially on InSb(100) substrates at room temperature. The two high-quality InSb(100) reconstructions, Sb-stabilized c(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4) and In-stabilized c(8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2), were used for starting surfaces. Core-level photoemission and electron diffraction were used to study the development of the interface as a function of Sn coverage and to determine the discontinuity in the valence-band maximum. For both starting surfaces, there was evidence for some Sb segregation into the Sn films during the initial stages of interface formation; the c(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4) surface showed an earlier onset for the segregation. The Sn growth was found to be fairly flat for the first two layers, and three dimensional after that. The final valence-band discontinuity was found to be the same for both the c(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4) and the c(8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2) starting surfaces. This discontinuity was compared to present theoretical predictions.
Cloning, characterization, and expression of a calcitonin receptor from guinea pig brain.

Abstract: A calcitonin receptor was cloned from guinea pig brain by using a degenerate reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) strategy. When the cloned guinea pig calcitonin receptor was transfected into COS 1 cells, salmon calcitonin stimulated intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation with an EC50 of 0.1 nM, whereas human calcitonin was >250-fold less potent (EC50 27.6 nM). Related neuropeptides rat αCGRP and rat amylin did not activate the guinea pig calcitonin receptor at physiologic concentrations. Stimulation of the transfected guinea pig calcitonin receptor by salmon calcitonin also resulted in phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis with an EC50 of 2.5 nM. Expression of the calcitonin receptor was mapped by a combination of RT-PCR, northern analysis, and expression in Xenopus oocytes. The guinea pig calcitonin receptor was most highly expressed in diencephalon and a single subtype was detected.
Diastolic heart failure: the forgotten manifestation of hypertensive heart disease.

Heart failure (HF) is a progressively debilitating disorder characterized by frequent hospital admissions and high annual mortality rates. Coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and aging are major risk factors for the development/ progression of HF. For years, most of the attention has been focused on HF caused by reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function, largely attributable to CAD. It is now generally accepted that nearly 50% of elderly patients with HF might have normal or preserved LV systolic function. This condition is commonly referred to as a distinct type of HF caused by LV diastolic dysfunction, and it often accompanies hypertensive heart disease. Isolated diastolic HF is increasingly recognized as the dominant cause of symptoms and hospitalizations from HF in a large proportion of individuals aged 65 and older. However, the clinicians caring for patients with diastolic HF do not fully understand its cause, how it progresses, or how it could be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Because varying degrees of systolic and diastolic dysfunction might coexist in any individual patient, and given the limitation of current diagnostic tools, the overall impact of isolated diastolic HF continues to evolve. Ongoing clinical trials are testing new strategies for treatment of diastolic HF.
HLA class I specific T lymphocyte clones with dual alloreactive functions.

Four human T lymphocyte clones exhibiting proliferative responses to class I HLA antigens were isolated from an in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). Three clones expressed the Leu-2+3− phenotype and demonstrated proliferation in response to HLA-B8, while the fourth clone expressed the Leu-2−3+ phenotype and proliferated in response to HLA-A2. These clones were also cytotoxic towards cells bearing the same target antigens. Blocking studies utilizing monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that proliferation was triggered by determinants on the class I molecule itself, and these determinants appear to be spatially close to those which determine serologic allospecificity. These findings support the concept that the class I molecules themselves are the weak MLC stimulating determinants previously mapped to the HLA-A and B regions of the major histocompatibility complex.
Characterisation of potential health promoting lipids in the co-products of de-flossed milkweed

The floss and oil of the common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca L.) seeds are currently used to produce comforters/pillows and skin care products, respectively. As an outcome of these products, copious quantities co-products (pressed seed meal and pod biomass) are disposed of each year despite the presence of potential health benefiting lipids. The objective of this project was to determine the feasibility of developing the lipid fraction from of these co-products for the fast growing dietary human health market. Although certain types of lipids were affected by the extraction solvent used (hexane and diethyl ether) as were overall amounts, analysis of the each extract showed novel lipid profiles with several potential health benefiting agents present at levels comparable to or exceeding those present in other typically consumed dietary oils or food systems (vitamin E, carotenoids, sterols and unsaturated free fatty acids, particularly the both omega 7-fatty acids).
Modification of the action of propranolol and quinidine on 22Na- and 42K-exchange by reserpine

Abstract The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of reserpine on the action of quinidine and propranolol to affect exchange of potassium and sodium in cat papillary muscle. The action of quinidine and propranolol to reduce K-efflux was diminished by reserpine pretreatment but the capacity of either quinidine or propranolol to increase K-influx was not altered. The action of quinidine and propranolol to reduce Na-influx was also depressed by reserpine treatment. The K-content of muscles used in the studies of K-influx was increased in reserpine-treated muscles when they were exposed to either quinidine or propranolol. The onset of the loss of responsiveness to stimulation by the muscles caused by both quinidine and propranolol was delayed but not prevented by pretreatment with reserpine. Since previous evidence suggests that the antiarrhythmic activity of quinidine and propranolol is related, at least in part, to an effect on adrenergic nervous influences in the heart, then perhaps changes in ionic fluxes induced by quinidine and propranolol are also partly related to an action on adrenergic nerve fibers. If the adrenergic nerves are previously suppressed by drugs such as reserpine, then this part of the action of quinidine and propranolol on ionic fluxes would be reduced.
Process management and exception handling in multiprocessor operating systems using object-oriented design techniques

The programming of the interrupt handling mechanisms, process switching primitives, scheduling mechanisms, and synchronization primitives of an operating system for a multiprocessor require both efficient code in order to support the needs of high-performance or real-time applications and careful organization to facilitate maintenance. Although many advantages have been claimed for object-oriented class hierarchical languages and their corresponding design methodologies, the application of these techniques to the design of the primitives within an operating system has not been widely demonstrated.To investigate the role of class hierarchical design in systems programming, the authors have constructed the Choices multiprocessor operating system architecture using the C++ programming language. During the implementation, it was found that many operating system design concerns can be represented advantageously using a class hierarchical approach, including: the separation of mechanism and policy; the organization of an operating system into layers, each of which represents an abstract machine; and the notions of process and exception management. In this paper, we discuss an implementation of the low-level primitives of this system and outline the strategy by which we developed our solution.
Experimental Investigations of Caprock Integrity in CO2 Sequestration

Abstract The geochemical reactivity of shale caprock during post-injection CO 2 diffusive transfer should be included in the reservoir characterization of CO 2 sequestration sites as slow reactive transport processes can either improve or degrade seal integrity over the long term. Simulation results reported by various researchers suggested that influx-induced mineral dissolution/precipitation reactions within shale caprocks can continuously close micro-fracture networks, while pressure and effective-stress transformation first rapidly expand then progressively constrict them. This experimental work applied specific analytical techniques in investigating changes in mineralogical and microstructural properties of crushed shale rocks after exposure (by flooding) to CO 2 -brine for a time frame ranging between 30 days to 92 days at elevated pressure and fractional flow rate. The initial mineralogical composition in the samples showed bulk clay, quartz and feldspar as the major components of the formation. Initial capillary entry parameters for the shale were estimated from digitally acquired injection pressure profile. Flooding of the shale samples with CO 2 -brine was followed by geochemical characterization of the effluent fluid and bulk shale rock through pH and XRD measurements. Nano-scale measurement of changes in internal specific surface area and cumulative pore size distribution (using the BET Technique) revealed that changes in the shale caprock due to geochemical interaction with aqueous CO 2 can affect petrophysical properties. The naturally low permeability in shale may be altered by changes in specific surface area as the effective permeability of any porous medium is largely a function of its total pore geometry/volume, and particularly the pore throat-diameter. The geochemical reactivity of shale caprocks through acidic fluid transport in interconnected pore networks gave insight into the impact of diffusion and reaction rate on shale caprock integrity in CO 2 sequestration.
Neurosteroid withdrawal model of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy.

Summary: Purpose: Perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy, the increase in seizure frequency that some women with epilepsy experience near the time of menstruation, may in part be related to withdrawal of the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone, an endogenous anticonvulsant neurosteroid that is a potent positive allosteric γ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor modulator. The objective of this study was to develop an animal model of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy for use in evaluating drug-treatment strategies. Methods: A state of prolonged high serum progesterone (pseudopregnancy) was induced in 26-day-old female rats by sequential injection of pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. Neurosteroid withdrawal was induced by treatment with finasteride (100 mg/kg, i.p.), a 5α-reductase inhibitor that blocks the conversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone. Plasma progesterone and allopregnanolone levels were measured by gas chromatography/electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Seizure susceptibility was evaluated with the convulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Results: Plasma allopregnanolone levels were markedly increased during pseudopregnancy (peak level, 55.1 vs. control diestrous level, 9.3 ng/mL) and were reduced by 86% 24 h after finasteride treatment (6.4 ng/mL). Progesterone levels were unaffected by finasteride. After finasteride-induced withdrawal, rats showed increased susceptibility to PTZ seizures. There was a significant increase in the number of animals exhibiting clonic seizures when challenged with subcutaneous PTZ (60 mg/kg) compared with control pseudopregnant animals not undergoing withdrawal and nonpseudopregnant diestrous females. The CD50 (50% convulsant dose) was 46 mg/kg, compared with 73 mg/kg in nonwithdrawn pseudopregnant animals and 60 mg/kg in diestrous controls. The threshold doses for induction of various seizure signs, measured by constant intravenous infusion of PTZ, were reduced by 30–35% in neurosteroid-withdrawing animals compared with control diestrous females. No change in threshold was observed in pseudopregnant rats treated from days 7 to 11 with finasteride, demonstrating that high levels of progesterone alone do not alter seizure reactivity. Conclusions: Neurosteroid withdrawal in pseudopregnant rats results in enhanced seizure susceptibility, providing an animal model of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy that can be used for the evaluation of new therapeutic approaches.
Mucin genes and the proteins they encode : structure, diversity, and regulation

Mucins are the structural components of the mucus gels that protect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts. These polydisperse glycoproteins (250,000 to 20,000,000 D) are approximately 80% carbohydrate on a mass basis and have a high intrinsic viscosity due to their large size and extreme hydrophilicity. Mucin oligosaccharides, the structures responsible for this hydrophilicity, are heterogeneous in size and structure but are chiefly O-linked, i.e., they initiate from N-acetylgalactosamine residues attached to threonine and serine residues of the polypeptide backbone. Our understanding of the structure of mucins has advanced rapidly in the last few years with the isolation and sequencing of cDNA clones that encode mucin polypeptide backbones. All currently well-characterized mucins have been found to contain extended arrays of tandemly repeated peptides rich in potential O-glycosylation sites. Less is known about the unique sequences that flank the tandem repeat arrays of secretory mucins, but currently available information indicates that these flanking regions contain cysteine-rich stretches that participate in mucin oligomer formation. Thus, secretory mucins appear to consist of oligomers containing heavily glycosylated domains flanked by unique sequences required for polymerization. Progress has also been made in characterizing the genes that encode mucins. At least four human mucin genes are known at present, although many others may remain to be discovered. Moreover, much work remains before we gain an understanding of the mechanisms involved in the expression of mucin genes and their tissue-specific regulation.
Drag reduction on grooved cylinders in the critical Reynolds number regime

Abstract Experiments show that significant drag reductions may be realized for circular cylinders in cross-flow by using grooves, even at very shallow relative groove depths. It is demonstrated that the total groove area has a significant effect on reducing the critical Reynolds number, whether the area is increased through changing the groove shape, width, or depth. A strong correspondence to the minimum drag coefficient is also observed.
Thyroid lymphoma. The case for combined modality therapy

Background. Radiation therapy with or without surgery is generally considered standard treatment for lymphoma of the thyroid. Because of the small number of cases, the role of chemotherapy or combined modality treatment is difficult to determine. Methods. The published literature was analyzed, supplemented by a series from Yale, for the incidence of local and distant relapse after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or combined modality treatment for Stage I-II thyroid lymphoma. Patients with advanced disease or in whom radiation was probably inadequate were excluded. Only patients receiving an anthracyline-based regimen were considered in the group with chemotherapy. Patients receiving single agents or non-anthracy-cline-based regimens were excluded from analysis or, if they also received radiation, were included in the group that received radiation only. Results. Including a series from Yale, a total of 211 patients with Stage IE and IIE thyroid lymphoma were identified. Distant and overall relapse rate were significantly lower in the group that received combined modality treatment. Local relapse was also less, but the difference was not statistically significant. In a small number of patients with disease confined to the neck, the results with radiation were similar to combined modality treatment if the mediastinum was included in the treatment port. Conclusion. Although mucosa-associated lymphoma tissue lymphomas are thought to have a low distant recurrence rate and are therefore often treated with local therapy alone, a review of the published literature suggests that 30% of thyroid lymphomas with clinically localized disease will have a distant relapse. The addition of chemotherapy to radiation significantly lowered distant and overall recurrence.
Dexmedetomidine infusion and somatosensory evoked potentials.

Summary: Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring requires information on the effects of anesthetic drugs because these drugs can directly alter evoked potentials, thus interfering with monitoring. We report on our evaluation of the effect of the recently introduced α2-adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, on the somatosensory evoked potentials in two patients undergoing cervico-occipital fusion. Our results suggest that, although dexmedetomidine can affect the later cortical peaks of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), consistent and reproducible potentials can be recorded.
Effect of magnesia solute on surface diffusion in sapphire and the role of magnesia in the sintering of alumina

Surface diffusion in sapphire and sintering of Al2O3 have been studied under identical firing conditions (1593°C, N2) as a function of MgO solute additions. The effect of MgO on surface diffusion has been investigated directly using the technique of multiple scratch smoothing on the (1123) surface of sapphire. For these conditions MgO additions enhance the decay of periodic profiles by a factor of 4; that is interpreted as reflecting an increase in the surface diffusivity by the same amount. Measurements of the grain sizedensity trajectory during final stages of sintering of Al2O3 reveal that MgO enhances the densification rate/coarsening rate ratio by a modest factor of 1.8. Since an increase in surface diffusivity alone would decrease the ratio, it is deduced that the primary role of MgO in the sintering of Al2O3 is other than the influence on surface diffusion. These observations in conjunction with independent measurements of the effect of MgO on grain-boundary mobility confirm that the primary role of MgO is the suppression of grainboundary motion.
The Indian television melodrama: a vehicle for social innovation

In stark comparison to its western counterparts, Indian television has a relatively short history. Due to the evolution in telecommunications and media over the past few decades, however, it has managed to evolve into a giant form of entertainment with a wide range of offerings. Since the advent of Indian television and its influx in the entertainment market, the family drama genre has remained one of its most popular components. More specifically, the role of the Indian female in the melodrama has garnered a great deal of importance. This research paper provides an overview of Indian television’s family drama genre, exploring the format, narrative structure, and blueprint of popular cable TV serials. This paper discusses the programme Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, a mainstream commercial soap opera that used the classic blueprint of Indian dramas juxtaposed with a unique story-telling format to serve as a communicator of vital social messages. We examine Baa Bahoo Aur Baby as a case study in this overall analysis on the changing face of Indian television, and the ways in which the serial has manifested itself through a unique form of presentation, still garnering high viewership in the process.
Monoclonal Antibodies to Rat Calcitonin: Their Use in Antigenic Mapping and Immunohistochemistry

A library of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to rat calcitonin (rCT) was raised from several fusions. Antibodies were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with solid phase rCT. Affinities for rCT ranged from 109–1011 m−1. Some mAbs reacted preferentially with solid phase rCT, but not with liquid phase, 125I-labeled rCT. Cross-reactivity with human CT (hCT) was assessed using solid phase hCT. Although there are only two amino acid differences, at least nine of the mAbs do not cross-react with solid phase hCT. Several cross-reactive mAbs were chosen for immunohistochemical studies of human medullary thyroid carcinoma samples and showed strong positive staining. A 33 × 33 matrix solid-liquid mAb inhibition assay was carried out to probe the rCT molecule. Five different clusters of mAb were distinguished and interpreted as reflecting five distinct antigenic regions on the surface of the rCT molecule.
What is predictability for real-time systems?

In summary, predictability in real-time systems has been defined in many ways. For static real-time systems we can predict the overall system performance over large time frames (even over the life of the system) as well as predict the performance of individual tasks. If the prediction is that 100% of all tasks over the entire life of the system will meet their deadlines, then the system is predictable without resorting to any stochastic evaluation. In dynamic real-time systems we must resort to a stochastic evaluation for part of the performance evaluation. Predictability for these systems should mean that we are able to satisfy the timing requirements of critical tasks with 100% guarantee over the life of the system, be able to assess overall system performance over various time frames (a stochastic evaluation), and be able to assess individual task and task group performance at different times and as a function of the current system state. If all these assessments meet the timing requirements, then the system is predictable with respect to its timing requirements.
The Homicidal Chauffeur Problem With Time Delayed Feedback

The classical pursuit-evasion scenario (target tracking) is studied with an interesting perspective. A homicidal chauffeur (pursuer) tries to capture an evader on a 2-dimensional platform (a parking lot). It utilizes a certain feedback control law, which enables the capture. If, however, a time delay is introduced for the sensory perception of the pursuer the performance of the pursuer can show dramatic changes. It may or may not capture its victim depending on this very critical parameter, the sensory time delay. The unique perspective is introduced at this feature.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Respiration of potato tissue as influenced by previous storage temperature of the tubers

Discs of 1 mm or more in thickness from potato tubers stored at 0 C showed a higher rate of oxygen uptake both in water and in 0.25 M sucrose than corresponding discs from tubers stored at 12.8 C. Tissue from tubers stored at O C was more susceptible to injury from cutting and hypotonicity than tissue from tubers stored at 12.8 C. The enhanced respiratory activity of tissue from cold-stored tubers could not be explained by a greater supply of respiratory substrate or by qualitative differences in respiration. Dinitrophenol induced a marked increase in oxygen uptake in tissue from tubers stored at 12.8 C both in water and in 0.25 M sucrose, but induced no increase in oxygen uptake in tissue from tubers stored at 0 C when incubated in water and only a limited increase when this tissue was incubated in 0.25 M sucrose. Similar to dinitrophenol, incubation at 35 C revealed the structural weakness and susceptibility to damage from hypotonicity of the tissue from tubers stored at O C. After overnight aerobic incubation, discs from tubers stored at O C were not capable of developing the high state of metabolic activity attained by the discs from tubers stored at 12.8 C. Salt leakage from tissue of tubers stored at 0 C was several-fold greater both in water and in 0.25 M sucrose than leakage from tissue from tubers stored at 12.8 C. Salt leakage from tissue from cold-stored tubers was markedly lower in 0.25 M sucrose than in water, but the leakage was still greater than that from tissue from tubers stored at 12.8 C. The different behavior of the tissue from cold-stored tubers may result from physiological changes in the tuber which enable it to withstand prolonged cold storage.
Infections in Composite Tissue Allograft Recipients

This article summarizes infectious complications in recipients of facial and hand composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) and reviews infection prophylaxis practices. Infectious complications after CTA are common. In the early postoperative period, serious bacterial infections are more often reported in facial CTA recipients than in hand CTA recipients. Rejection and concomitant viral reactivation of herpes family viruses cause significant morbidity after the immediate postoperative period. Invasive fungal infection is an uncommon complication. Infection prophylaxis practices typically include early antibacterial prophylaxis during the perioperative period and cytomegalovirus, pneumocystis, and toxoplasma prophylaxis for several months after transplantation.