cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dry beneficiation of high loss-on-ignition fly ash

Abstract Dry beneficiation of three high loss-on-ignition (LOI) fly ashes were conducted. The combination of two different types of dry separation techniques—ultrasonic sieving and triboelectrostatic separation—were used for this study. The results indicate that a simple separation of unburned carbon from fly ash is achievable at particle sizes of 149, 74 and 44 μm, and screening could be utilized as the rough separation mechanism for fly ash. Subsequently, triboelectrostatic separations were conducted on these different particle size fractions of the fly ash and indicated that the final carbon content in the products, as low as 2.5% or as high as 60%, can be further adjusted with the combination of dry sieving and triboelectrostatic separation.
Quasi-Static Reversed Cyclic Response of Level and Stepped Cripple Walls

Old residential buildings, such as those built before 1960, were commonly supported on cripple walls, which are walls constructed of short wooden studs between the foundation and first floor framing. For most of these old buildings, the inertial force developed by the horizontal earthquake ground motion must be resisted entirely by the cripple wall and wall-to-foundation connection. Past earthquakes in California have shown that unbraced cripple walls are particularly vulnerable due to insufficient lateral resistance, even for a moderate level of ground shaking. This paper summarizes the results of a test program conducted on level and stepped cripple walls. Specimens with details representative of current construction and retrofit were tested using displacement histories recommended for ordinary and near-fault ground motions. Key parameters of the test program included the height and slope of the cripple wall, gravity load level, stucco finish, loading history, and framing details for stepped cripple wal...
Binding of Mono‐ and Bis‐N‐substituted Benzoquinolinium Halides to Butyrylcholinesterase: Fluorescence Measurements

The dissociation constants (Kdiss) of mono‐ and bis‐ N‐substituted benzoquinolinium salts from butyrylcholinesterase were determined by the disappearance of the fluorescence of the free ligand. The Kdissvalue determined by this method agreed closely with the dissociation constants (KI,s) of the free enzyme obtained by steady‐state kinetic studies. The results indicate that the N‐substituted benzoquinolinium salts with a strong binding ability to butyrylcholinesterase also are potent inhibitors of the esterolytic properties of the enzyme. Enzyme binding is favored by the coplanar structure and does not require a high concentration of charge on the onium function. The shape of the hydrophobic structures markedly influences binding.
Valsalva maneuver: shortest optimal expiratory strain duration

Purpose : To quantitate the level of difficulty and determine consistency of hemodynamic responses with various expiratory strain (ES) durations. Methods : Thirty-four healthy subjects performed the Valsalva maneuver (VM) with an ES duration of 10, 12, and 15 seconds in random order. Level of difficulty after each trial was rated 1 to 10, with 10 being the most difficult. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously and non-invasively. Parameters studied were Valsalva ratio (VR), early phase II (IIE), late phase II (IIL), tachycardia latency (TL), bradycardia latency (BL), and overshoot latency (OV-L). Consistency of responses was calculated. Results : Difficulty increased significantly with increased ES duration: 5.1±0.1 (mean±SEM) at 10 seconds, 5.9±0.1 at 12 seconds, and 6.8±0.1 at 15 seconds ( p <0.001). Phase IIE, TL, BL, OV-L, and VR response did not differ statistically with increasing ES durations, and there were no differences in variability. Phase IIL response increased significantly with increasing ES duration. Phase IIL was poorly delineated in 14 of 102 trials with 10 seconds ES duration. Conclusions : ES duration of 10 seconds created a low level of difficulty in healthy individuals. This strain duration produced consistent hemodynamic response for all parameters tested except IIL phase. The absence of IIL phase with 10 seconds ES should not be interpreted as an indicator of sympathetic vasoconstrictor failure. Keywords: Valsalva maneuver; Valsalva ratio; expiratory strain; blood pressure; heart rate; clinical (Published: 18 July 2011) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2011, 1 : 7015 - DOI: 10.3402/jchimp.v1i2.7015
Enhanced site isolation in cross-link-functionalized polystyrene networks : Mobility studies using steady-state fluorescence and ESR techniques

Enhanced site isolation and reduced site mobility have been demonstrated in polystyrene networks having trityl functionality at the cross-links through steady-state fluorescence measurements of intraresin excimer formation by 4-(1-pyrenyl)butanol labels and through ESR nitroxide spin-label studies. Suspension copolymerization of α,α-bis(4-vinylphenyl)benzyl alcohol with styrene afforded beads having trityl groups at the cross-links (C·Tr). Pendent-functionalized beads (P·Tr), prepared by copolymerization of α,α-diphenyl-4-vinylbenzyl alcohol with styrene and divinylbenzene served as a reference. Comparison of (Ie/Im) as a function of polymer loading and solvent demonstrated that cross-link functionalization reduced site interactions, providing 30% higher effective dilution of labels. ESR of polymers labeled with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxopiperidin-1-oxyl oxime demonstrated C·Tr are less mobile than P·Tr. Possible origins of enhanced site-separation and reduced mobility are discussed and explored through va...
PARALLEL SEARCH AND MULTISEARCH IN MATRICES WITH SORTED COLUMNS

In this paper we consider the problem of searching, and ranking, in an m × n matrix with sorted columns on the EREW PRAM model. We propose a work-optimal parallel algorithm, based on the technique of accelerated cascading, that runs in O(lg m lg lg m)-time for small elements with rank k ≤ m and in O(lg m lg lg m lg (k/m))-time otherwise. Then we show how to improve the parallel-searching algorithm to run in O(lg m lg*lg m))-time with optimal work for small elements (with rank k ≤ m) and in O(lg m lg* (lg m) lg(k/m))-time with optimal work for large elements (m < k ≤ mn). Next we present a sequential algorithm for multisearch in a matrix with sorted columns. Finally we present a parallel multisearch algorithm that is a generalization of the sequential multisearch algorithm and has a nontrivial dependence on the ranks of the search-elements as well as on the number of search-elements.
Transcriptional Silencer of the Wilms' Tumor Gene WT1 Contains an Alu Repeat

Expression of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 is tightly regulated throughout development. In constrast, the WT1 promoter is promiscuous, functioning in all cell lines tested. We have cloned a transcriptional silencer that is involved in regulation of the WT1 gene. The transcriptional silencer is located in the third intron of the WT1 gene, approximately 12 kilobases from the promoter, and functions to repress transcription from the WT1 promoter in cell lines of non-renal origin. The 460-base pair silencer region is unusual in that it contains a full-length Alu repeat. We have also cloned an enhancer like-element located 1.3 kilobases upstream of the WT1 promoter.
Faster IP lookups using controlled prefix expansion

Internet (IP) address lookup is a major bottleneck in high performance routers. IP address lookup is challenging because it requires a longest matching prefix lookup. It is compounded by increasing routing table sizes, increased traffic, higher speed links, and the migration to 128 bit IPv6 addresses. We describe how IP lookups can be made faster using a new technique called controlled prefix expansion. Controlled prefix expansion, together with optimization techniques based on dynamic programming, can be used to improve the speed of the best known IP lookup algorithms by at least a factor of two. When applied to trie search, our techniques provide a range of algorithms whose performance can be tuned. For example, with 1 MB of L2 cache, trie search of the MaeEast database with 38,000 prefixes can be done in a worst case search time of 181 nsec, a worst case insert/delete time of 2.5 msec, and an average insert/delete time of 4 usec. Our actual experiments used 512 KB L2 cache to obtain a worst-case search time of 226 nsec, a worst-case worst case insert/delete time of 2.5 msec and an average insert/delete time of 4 usec. We also describe how our techniques can be used to improve the speed of binary search on prefix lengths to provide a scalable solution for IPv6. Our approach to algorithm design is based on measurements using the VTune tool on a Pentium to obtain dynamic clock cycle counts.
Central schemes for the modified Buckley–Leverett equation

Abstract In this paper, we extend the second and third order classical central schemes for the hyperbolic conservation laws to solve the modified Buckley–Leverett (MBL) equation which is of pseudo-parabolic type. The MBL equation describes two-phase flow in porous media, and it differs from the classical Buckley–Leverett (BL) equation by including a balanced diffusive–dispersive combination. The classical BL equation gives a monotone water saturation profile for any Riemann problem; on the contrast, when the dispersive parameter is large enough, the MBL equation delivers non-monotone water saturation profiles for certain Riemann problems as suggested by the experimental observations. Numerical results in this paper confirm the existence of non-monotone water saturation profiles consisting of constant states separated by shocks.
Polynitrogen chemistry. Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structure of surprisingly stable fluoroantimonate salts of N5+.

The new N5+ salt, N5+SbF6-, was prepared from N2F+SbF6- and HN3 in anhydrous HF solution. The white solid is surprisingly stable, decomposing only at 70 °C, and is relatively insensitive to impact. Its vibrational spectrum exhibits all nine fundamentals with frequencies that are in excellent agreement with the theoretical calculations for a five-atomic V-shaped ion of C2v symmetry. The N5+Sb2F11- salt was also prepared, and its crystal structure was determined. The geometry previously predicted for free gaseous N5+ from theoretical calculations was confirmed within experimental error. The Sb2F11- anions exhibit an unusual geometry with eclipsed SbF4 groups due to interionic bridging with the N5+ cations. The N5+ cation is a powerful one-electron oxidizer. It readily oxidizes NO, NO2, and Br2 but fails to oxidize Cl2, Xe, or O2.
Bell inequalities with auxiliary communication.

What is the communication cost of simulating the correlations produced by quantum theory? We generalize Bell inequalities to the setting of local realistic theories augmented by a fixed amount of classical communication. Suppose two parties choose one of M two-outcome measurements and exchange 1 bit of information. We present the complete set of inequalities for M = 2, and the complete set of inequalities for the joint correlation observable for M = 3. We find that correlations produced by quantum theory satisfy both of these sets of inequalities. One bit of communication is therefore sufficient to simulate quantum correlations in both of these scenarios.
Age and Sex Differences in the Probability Preferences of Children

57 boys and 55 girls, age 5 to 13 years, played a game in which they made 80 choices to insert a stylus in one of three boards, which had 2, 4, or 8 holes. The choices had equal expected value, but the probabilities of payoff were ½, ¼, or ⅛. Each child began with 15 pennies and paid a penny for each play. Analyses of choices of each probability for the last 30 trials yielded no age or sex differences. The cultural stereotype that boys take greater risks than girls was not supported.
Designing next generation clusters with InfiniBand and 10GE/iWARP: Opportunities and challenges

Clusters with commodity multi-core processors and commodity networking technologies are providing cost-effective solutions for building next generation high-end systems including HPC clusters, servers, parallel file systems and multi-tier data-centers. The talk focus on two emerging networking technologies (InfiniBand and 10 GE/iWARP) and their associated protocols for designing such systems. In this talk, we critically examine the current and future trends of these technologies and their applicability for designing next generation petascale clusters. The talk start with the motivations behind these technologies and then focus on their architectural aspects and applicability to SAN, LAN and WAN-based clusters. Designing next generation clusters with high performance, scalability and RAS (reliability, availability and serviceability) capabilities by using these technologies will be examined. Current and future trends of InfiniBand and iWARP products was highlighted. The emerging OpenFabrics software stack, focusing both these technologies in an integrated manner, was presented. Finally, a set of case studies in designing various clusters with these networking technologies was presented to outline the associated opportunities and challenges.
Critical roles for Akt kinase in controlling HIV envelope-mediated depletion of CD4 T cells

Background: The cell surface receptors CD4 and CCR5 bind CCR5-tropic HIV Envelope (Env) glycoprotein during virus attachment. These same receptors have signaling activities related to normal immune cell functions. We also know that Env binds to CCR5 present at high levels on CD4-negative γδ T cells where it signals through p38 MAP kinase to activate caspases and Fas-independent cell death. Here, we asked whether Env signaling through cellular receptors is responsible for death among uninfected CD4+/CCR5+ T cells and what are the effects of Env on CD4 +/CCR5-negative cells that might impact HIV infection. The outcomes of Env binding are analyzed in terms of signal transduction and the effects on cell activation or cell death pathways. Results: Env binding to CD4 signals through Erk and Akt kinases. Activation of Erk/Akt suppresses p38 due to CCR5 binding, and allows cell survival. When CD4 signaling was blocked by soluble CD4 or protein kinase inhibitors, p38 activation and Fas-independent cell death were increased among uninfected CD4+ CCR5+ T cells. We also noted specific effects of CD4 signaling on CCR5-negative CD4 T cells in tonsil lymphocyte cultures. Exposure to CCR5tropic HIV Env (BaL strain) increased expression of CXCR5, PD-1, Fas and FasL. Among CD4+/CCR5- T cells expressing high levels of CXCR5 and PD-1, there were substantial amounts of Fas-dependent cell death. Increased CXCR5 and PD-1 expression was blocked by soluble CD4 or specific inhibitors of the Akt kinase, showing a direct relationship between CD4 signaling, T cell activation and Fas-dependent cell death. Conclusions: Specific inhibition of Akt activation increased Env-dependent cell death of CCR5+ CD4 T cells. The same inhibitor, antibodies blocking the CD4 binding site on gp120, or soluble CD4 also prevented the increase in expression of CXCR5 or PD-1, and reduced the levels of Fas-dependent cell death. The Akt kinase and related signaling events, are key to cell survival that is needed for productive infection, and may be targets for the development of antivirals. Specific inhibitors of Akt would decrease productive infection, by favoring cell death during virus attachment to CD4+ CCR5+ target cells, and reduce immune activation to prevent Fas-dependent death of uninfected CXCR5+ PD-1+ CD4 T cells including T follicular helper cells that share this phenotype. Keyword: HIV, Envelope, Akt, p38, CD4 T cell death, CCR5, CD4, Antiviral therapy
Dispersal of upland and Pima cotton pollen by honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) visiting upland male-sterile flowers.

A field study was conducted in Tucson, Ariz., in 1987 to evaluate the dispersal of cotton ( Gossypium spp.) pollen grains by honey bees, Apis mellifera L., in relation to distance from pollen source and time-of-day. The experimental field consisted of 10 rows with rows 1 and 2 planted to both male-fertile upland cotton ( G. hirsutum L.) (south end) and male-fertile Pima cotton ( G. barbadense L.) (north end). Rows 3 to 10 were planted with an upland cytoplasmic male-sterile line. The hourly pattern of pollen deposition on the stigmas of male-sterile lines was determined from 0800 to 1600 hours (MDST). The highest number of upland or Pima pollen grains deposited on the stigmas of male-sterile lines was from the rows nearest to the pollinator rows. The peak time of pollen deposition on the stigmas was between 1000 and 1200 hours. These data indicate that the distance across which bees transfer pollen is a factor in choosing the optimum combination of male-fertile and male-sterile lines, and a reduction of pollen loads on stigmas during the afternoon hours may result from accidental pollen removal by honey bees.
Influence of Local Fiber Undulations on the Global Buckling Behavior of Filament-Wound Cylinders:

The predicted compressive stiffness and buckling strength of filament-wound cylinders using classical lamination theory is significantly higher than those observed experimentally. This discrepancy is partially influenced by the variation of mechanical properties in the region of fiber undulations. These regions are localized geometric defects intrinsic to the filament-winding, weaving, and braiding processes. In the present work, the average mechanical properties of the fiber undulation region are quantified using modified models of woven-fabric composites to account for the 3-dimensional effects. The mechanical properties thus determined can be incorporated as local element properties into global finite-element models. Preliminary results from large-displacement analyses of filament-wound cylinders are relatively more accurate when fiber undulations are accounted for.
Very-Wide-Band Impedance-Matching Network

A method is described for combining two transformers and supplementary network elements in a class of wideband impedance-matching networks whose over-all bandwidth in octaves is essentially the sum of those of the two component transformers. One transformer transmits the high-frequency portion of the required operating range and is relieved of the low-frequency requirements, while the other transformer transmits the complementary low-frequency range. Thus the composite network characteristic is all-pass over a very large frequency band. The basic network has a group-delay characteristic which is non fiat over the band-pass region; it is shown how additional all-pass sections may improve this characteristic. An experimental coupling network exhibits an extension in frequency response by about a factor of 40 over that obtainable with the low-frequency transformer alone.
Video Recording as a Means of Evaluating Neonatal Resuscitation Performance

Objective. To determine the compliance to Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines in our institution, by the use of videotaped newborn resuscitations. Background. NRP is the standard of care for newborn resuscitation. The application of NRP guidelines and resuscitation skills in actual clinical settings is undocumented. Design/Methods. A video recorder, mounted to the radiant warmer in the main obstetrical operating room, was used to record all high-risk resuscitations. All members of the resuscitation team were NRP-certified. The videotapes were reviewed within 14 days of the resuscitation and then erased. This ongoing review was approved as a quality assurance (QA) project ensuring confidentiality under California law. The first 100 resuscitations were evaluated to assess NRP compliance. Each step in the resuscitation (positioning, oxygen delivery, ventilation, chest compressions, intubation, and medication) was graded. A score was devised, with 2 points being awarded for every correct decision and proper procedure, 1 point for delayed interventions or inadequate technique, and zero points for indicated procedures that were omitted or for interventions that were not indicated. The total points were divided by the total possible points for that patient. The scores for the first 25 resuscitations (group 1) and the last 25 resuscitations (group 2) were compared. Results. Fifty-four percent of the 100 resuscitations had deviations from the NRP guidelines. Ten percent received overly aggressive stimulation and 22% had poor suction technique. Of the 78 infants given oxygen, this decision was considered incorrect in 15% and the delivery technique was poor in 10% of the infants given oxygen. Of those requiring mask ventilation (n = 18), 24% had poor chest expansion, 11% used an incorrect rate, and 17% had inadequate reevaluation. Twelve infants were intubated; only 7 were successfully intubated on the first attempt and only 4 were intubated in 100. Resuscitations receiving a perfect evaluation score were more likely to occur in infants needing less intervention. The level of resuscitation required for groups 1 and 2 were statistically similar. There was no difference in resuscitation scores between the 2 groups. Only the inappropriate use of deep suctioning improved, with 8 of 25 events in group 1, and 0 of 25 in group 2. Conclusions. We have found a significant number of deviations from the NRP guidelines. Video recording of actual clinical practice is a useful QA tool for monitoring the conduct of newborn resuscitation. We are now conducting repeat video assessments of individual NRP providers to determine whether there is improved performance.
Continuous-time casino problems

A gambler or an investor seeks to increase his fortune by a given amount before going bankrupt. The problem can be formulated as a stochastic control problem on an interval and is called a “continuous-time casino” if certain natural conditions are satisfied. An explicit formula is given for the value function of such a problem and the collection of optimal strategies is determined. “Fair casinos” are characterized in a result analogous to one of L. E. Dubins and L. J. Savage for discrete-time problems.
Rheology of concentrated solutions of helical polypeptides

Rheological studies were carried out on concentrated m-cresol solutions of two helical synthetic polypeptides; poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate (PBLG; molecular weight, 150,000) and poly-ϵ-carbobenzyloxy-L-lysine (PCBZL; molecular weight, 200,000). Steady shear measurements were made over a range of 0.01–16,000 sec−1 to obtain steady shear viscosity and first normal stress difference. Dynamic viscosity and dynamic storage modulus were measured both by oscillatory shear between cone and plate and also by an eccentric rotating disk device over frequency ranges of 0.1–400 and 0.1–63 rad/sec, respectively. The concentration ranges were such that both liquid crystalline and isotropic solutions were investigated. The previously reported observations of an apparent negative first normal stress difference within a defined range of shear rate for liquid crystalline solutions were confirmed for the PBLG and PCBZL solutions. At high shear rates the peaks in plots of steady shear viscosity against concentration were profoundly suppressed but peaks in first normal stress difference versus concentration were not. The observation of liquid crystalline order in PCBZL/m-cresol solutions at room temperature constitutes evidence that the inverse coil-helix transition temperature is lower in concentrated solutions than in dilute solutions. The critical concentration for formation of the liquid crystalline phase was higher for PCBZL than for PBLG, despite a higher axial ratio, due to helix flexibility.
Subliminal Activation of Hypnotic Responses: Subconscious Realms of Mind Versus Subconscious Modes of Mentation

The subliminal activation of an hypnotic response and the subliminal activation of a posthypnotic response were tested within subject, with the order of testing counter-balanced across subjects. Eight hypnotized subjects of high hypnotizability, eight hypnotized subjects of lesser hypnotizability, eight hypnotic simulators of high hypnotizability, and eight hypnotic simulators of lesser hypnotizability were tested. The results indicate that stimulus-elicited responses can be elicited subliminally during deep hypnosis, because deeply hypnotized subjects are able to recognize critical subliminal stimuli. The results also indicate that posthypnotic responses can only be elicited supraliminally, except when previous hypnotic recognition of subliminal stimuli enables subjects to expect and to abstract similar subliminal stimuli posthypnotically.
Distributed cache updating for the dynamic source routing protocol

On-demand routing protocols use route caches to make routing decisions. Due to mobility, cached routes easily become stale. To address the cache staleness issue, prior work in DSR used heuristics with ad hoc parameters to predict the lifetime of a link or a route. However, heuristics cannot accurately estimate timeouts because topology changes are unpredictable. In this paper, we propose proactively disseminating the broken link information to the nodes that have that link in their caches. We define a new cache structure called a cache table and present a distributed cache update algorithm. Each node maintains in its cache table the information necessary for cache updates. When a link failure is detected, the algorithm notifies all reachable nodes that have cached the link in a distributed manner. The algorithm does not use any ad hoc parameters, thus making route caches fully adaptive to topology changes. We show that the algorithm outperforms DSR with path caches and with Link-MaxLife, an adaptive timeout mechanism for link caches. We conclude that proactive cache updating is key to the adaptation of on-demand routing protocols to mobility.
EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGY OF DRYAS OCTOPETALA ECOTYPES: RELATIVE RESPONSE TO COMPETITORS

Summary A competition experiment was performed to determine the relative competitive abilities of fellfield and snowbed ecotypes of Dryas octopetala L. under conditions of high nutrients, high light, and high water availability. Pots were designed to allow the effects of root competition and shoot competition to be assessed separately. The large-leaved snowbed ecotype responded positively to shoot competition, producing larger leaves and higher biomass than in control pots (no competition). Root competition resulted in a decrease in leaf size and an increase in root: shoot ratio, but no significant effect on shoot number or biomass accumulation. In contrast, the fellfield ecotype responded to shoot competition with an increase in root:shoot ratio, with no effect on biomass or shoot numbers. However, root competition caused a reduction in plant growth. Under growth chamber conditions of high resource availability, the snowbed ecotype is the superior competitor, probably due to ecotypic differences in both root and shoot characteristics.
Transepithelial calcium transport in the chick chorioallantoic membrane. I. Isolation and characterization of chorionic ectoderm cells

The chicken eggshell supplies approximately 80% of the calcium found in the hatchling chick. The mobilization of eggshell calcium into the developing embryo involves the transepithelial transport of large amounts of calcium in a development-specific manner. The cells responsible for the transport of eggshell calcium into the embryonic circulation are the ectodermal cells of the chorioallantoic membrane. In this report, we present a method for the isolation and culture of chorioallantoic membrane ectodermal cells, which are amenable to direct experimental manipulation. Cell preparations are characterized with respect to the expression of an ectoderm-specific cell surface marker (transcalcin, a calcium-binding protein), and a specific enzymatic activity (elevated Ca(2+)-activated ATPase). Functional assessment of in vitro cellular calcium uptake by 45Ca2+ tracer kinetics indicates the persistence of a temperature-sensitive, rapid-influx pathway similar to that observed in vivo. The preparations of primary ectodermal cells present an in vitro system applicable to the experimental analysis of calcium metabolism and transport by the chick chorioallantoic membrane.
The Role of NH2-terminal Positive Charges in the Activity of Inward Rectifier KATP Channels

Approximately half of the NH(2) terminus of inward rectifier (Kir) channels can be deleted without significant change in channel function, but activity is lost when more than approximately 30 conserved residues before the first membrane spanning domain (M1) are removed. Systematic replacement of the positive charges in the NH(2) terminus of Kir6.2 with alanine reveals several residues that affect channel function when neutralized. Certain mutations (R4A, R5A, R16A, R27A, R39A, K47A, R50A, R54A, K67A) change open probability, whereas an overlapping set of mutants (R16A, R27A, K39A, K47A, R50A, R54A, K67A) change ATP sensitivity. Further analysis of the latter set differentiates mutations that alter ATP sensitivity as a consequence of altered open state stability (R16A, K39A, K67A) from those that may affect ATP binding directly (K47A, R50A, R54A). The data help to define the structural determinants of Kir channel function, and suggest possible structural motifs within the NH(2) terminus, as well as the relationship of the NH(2) terminus with the extended cytoplasmic COOH terminus of the channel.
Use of combined alpha-spectrometry and fission track analysis for the determination of240Pu/239Pu ratios in human tissue

Plutonium and other actinides were determined in human autopsy tissues of occupationally exposed workers who were registrants of the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR). In this study, Pu was purified and isolated from Am, U and Th, after drying and wet-ashing of the tissues, and the addition of238Pu as a radiotracer. After electrodeposition onto vanadium planchets the239+240Pu activity was determined by alpha-spectrometry. A fission track method was developed to determine239Pu in the presence of238Pu and240Pu, using LexanTM polycarbonate detectors. Combining the two techniques allowed the determination of the240Pu/239Pu activity and atom ratios. Data from selected USTUR cases are presented.
Interferometry of infragravity waves off New Zealand

Wave interferometry is a remote sensing technique, which is increasingly employed in helioseismology, seismology, and acoustics to retrieve parameters of the propagation medium from two-point cross-correlation functions of random wavefields. Here we apply interferometry to yearlong records of seafloor pressure at 28 locations off New Zealand's South Island to investigate propagation and directivity properties of infragravity waves away from shore. A compressed cross-correlation function technique is proposed to make the interferometry of dispersive waves more robust, decrease the necessary noise averaging time, and simplify retrieval of quantitative information from noise cross correlations. The emergence of deterministic wave arrivals from cross correlations of random wavefields is observed up to the maximum range of 692 km between the pressure sensors in the array. Free, linear waves with a strongly anisotropic distribution of power flux density are found to be dominant in the infragravity wavefield. Lowest-frequency components of the infragravity wavefield are largely isotropic. The anisotropy has its maximum in the middle of the spectral band and decreases at the high-frequency end of the spectrum. Highest anisotropy peaks correspond to waves coming from portions of the New Zealand's shoreline. Significant contributions are also observed from waves propagating along the coastline and probably coming from powerful sources in the northeast Pacific. Infragravity wave directivity is markedly different to the east and to the west of the South Island. The northwest coast of the South Island is found to be a net source of the infragravity wave energy.
Timing of egg hatch by early-season codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) predicted by moth catch in pear ester- and codlemone-baited traps

738 Abstract—The use of the timing of moth catch in traps to predict the start of egg hatch by first- generation codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), in apple, Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae), was evaluated with ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) and (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (codlemone) lures. Two sets of paired traps baited with either lure were placed in each of seven orchards and checked daily during the spring flight in 2000 and 2001. Rearing of field-collected eggs and sampling of fruit for injury were used to estimate the date of first egg hatch. Moth catch in traps baited with codlemone and pear ester occurred approximately 144 and 105 degree-days prior to the start of egg hatch, respectively. The effectiveness of using the timing of sustained moth catch in traps baited with these lures as a biological reference point (Biofix) to predict the start of egg hatch when traps were checked every 3-4 d was evaluated in 11 orchards from 2000 to 2002. The calendar date for the start of sustained moth catch in traps baited with either lure varied widely among orchards and years. Significant differences in mean cumulative degree-days from first sustained moth catch until egg hatch were found among male moth catch in codlemone-baited traps and total and female moth catch in pear ester-baited traps. Adjusting the Biofix based on daily temperature thresholds significantly changed the cumulative degree-days required until egg hatch only for female moth catch. No significant differences were found in the accuracy of predicting the date of egg hatch using either the codlemone or pear ester lure or by adjusting the Biofix date using daily temperature thresholds. The cumulative degree-day totals required from Biofix until egg hatch had the lowest variability when the Biofix was (i) based on the sustained catch of female moths in a pear ester-baited trap and (ii) adjusted with a tempera- ture threshold for moth activity.
DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission initiates follicle cell differentiation during Drosophila oogenesis

Exit from the cell cycle is essential for cells to initiate a terminal differentiation program during development, but what controls this transition is incompletely understood. In this paper, we demonstrate a regulatory link between mitochondrial fission activity and cell cycle exit in follicle cell layer development during Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis. Posterior-localized clonal cells in the follicle cell layer of developing ovarioles with down-regulated expression of the major mitochondrial fission protein DRP1 had mitochondrial elements extensively fused instead of being dispersed. These cells did not exit the cell cycle. Instead, they excessively proliferated, failed to activate Notch for differentiation, and exhibited downstream developmental defects. Reintroduction of mitochondrial fission activity or inhibition of the mitochondrial fusion protein Marf-1 in posterior-localized DRP1-null clones reversed the block in Notch-dependent differentiation. When DRP1-driven mitochondrial fission activity was unopposed by fusion activity in Marf-1–depleted clones, premature cell differentiation of follicle cells occurred in mitotic stages. Thus, DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission activity is a novel regulator of the onset of follicle cell differentiation during Drosophila oogenesis.
Metal cation detection in positive ion mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using a tetracationic salt as a gas-phase ion-pairing agent: Evaluation of the effect of chelating agents on detection sensitivity

Rationale The detection of metal cations continues to be essential in many scientific and industrial areas of interest. The most common electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) approach involves chelating the metal ions and detecting the organometallic complex in the negative ion mode. However, it is well known that negative ion mode ESI-MS is generally less sensitive than the positive ion mode. To achieve greater sensitivity, it is necessary to examine the feasibility of detecting the chelated metal cations in positive ion mode ESI-MS. Methods Since highly solvated native metal cations have relatively low ionization efficiency in ESI-MS, and can be difficult to detect in the positive ion mode, a tetracationic ion-pairing agent was added to form a complex with the negatively charged metal chelate. The use of the ion-pairing agent leads to the generation of an overall positively charged complex, which can be detected at higher m/z values in the positive ion mode by electrospray ionization linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. Results Thirteen chelating agents with diverse structures were evaluated in this study. The nature of the chelating agent played as important a role as was previously determined for cationic pairing agents. The detection limits of six metal cations reached sub-picogram levels and significant improvements were observed when compared to negative ion mode detection where the metal-chelates were monitored without adding the ion-pairing reagent (IPR). Also, selective reaction monitoring (SRM) analyses were performed on the ternary complexes, which improved detection limits by one to three orders of magnitude. Conclusions With this method it was possible to analyze the metal cations in the positive ion mode ESI-MS with the advantage of speed, sensitivity and selectivity. The optimum solution pH for this type of analysis is 5-7. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) further increases the sensitivity. Speciation is straightforward making this a broadly useful approach for the analysis of metal ions.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Parenting Styles of Irish Immigrant Mothers

The research on child developmental outcomes underscores the importance of exploring parenting styles and identifying their multifactorial and intergenerational influences. This descriptive study examined the individual parenting styles of a sample of 82 Irish immigrant mothers and investigated the factors that influenced their individual parenting style. The findings suggest that the permissive and authoritative parenting style scores of this sample of Irish immigrant mothers are related to their perception of their mothers' parenting style scores. The relationship between the Irish immigrants mothers' authoritarian parenting style scores and their mothers' authoritarian parenting style scores approached significance at .063. These findings suggest that, when asked to compare their parenting styles to their mothers, the Irish immigrant participants reported a stronger authoritative parenting style, a stronger permissive parenting style, and a weaker authoritarian parenting style. In a standard multiple r...
Genome-wide mutant collections: toolboxes for functional genomics

The sequencing of entire genomes has led to the identification of many genes. A future challenge will be to determine the function of all of the genes of an organism. One of the best ways to ascertain function is to disrupt genes and determine the phenotype of the resulting organism. Novel large-scale approaches for generating gene disruptions and analyzing the resulting phenotype are underway in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other organisms including flies, Mycoplasma, worms, plants and mice. These approaches and mutant collections will be extremely valuable to the scientific community and will dramatically alter the manner in which science is performed in the future.
An Integrated Approach to the Minimum Weight and Optimum Control Design of Space Structures

This paper will describe two approaches to the design of a structure and its control system in an optimum manner. The primary objective would be to modify the structural stiffness by changing the cross-sectional areas of the members in order to achieve a minimum weight structure and the desired distribution of the closed-loop eigenvalues and structural frequencies. The application of both methods is illustrated on truss structures.
Developing Housing Microfinance Products in Central America

In most developing countries, the need for more and improved housing for low-income families is tremendous. ACCION and other microfinance organizations have developed techniques that are coming to be known as housing microfinance. Housing microfinance is a non-subsidized, sustainable tool that applies the best practices developed over the years for microenterprise finance to the housing needs of micro and small entrepreneurs. This InSight reports on the results of pilot projects in ACCION affiliates in Central America: FAMA in Nicaragua and Integral in El Salvador.
Robotic transmural ablation of bladder tumors using high-intensity focused ultrasound: Experimental study.

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of robot-assisted laparoscopic high-intensity focused ultrasound for targeted, extravesical, transmural, full-thickness ablation of intact bladder wall and tumor. Methods In three fresh cadavers and one acute porcine model, the transperitoneal robotic approach was used to mobilize the bladder and create a midline cystotomy. “Mimic” bladder tumors (2 tumors/case) were created by robotically suturing a piece of striated muscle (2.5 × 2.5 cm) to the luminal, urothelial surface of the bladder wall. The cystotomy was suture-repaired and bladder distended with 250 mL saline. A laparoscopic high-intensity focused ultrasound probe was robotically placed extravesically in direct contact with the serosal surface of the bladder wall to image the “mimic” tumor. Targeted, transmural, full-thickness high-intensity focus ultrasound ablation of the “mimic” tumor and adjacent bladder was carried out under real-time ultrasound and robotic monitoring. Untreated areas of the bladder served as a comparison. Post-procedure, gross and microscopic examinations were carried out. Results Laparoscopic high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation was feasible for all “mimic” tumors (100%). Real-time ultrasound clearly visualized the “mimic” tumor. Simultaneous display of the pre-planning and real-time treatment ultrasound images confirmed targeting precision. Mean operative room times for ultrasound localization, laparoscopic high-intensity focused ultrasound probe coupling, high-intensity focus ultrasound ablation, and total procedure were 3, 5, 6 and 60 min, respectively. On necropsy, no thermal/mechanical injuries occurred to the untreated bladder wall, adjacent organs or ureters. Gross inspection distinguished the treated from untreated areas. Histopathology confirmed sharply demarcated thermal coagulative necrosis and shrinkage effects between the treated and untreated areas. Conclusions Laparoscopic extravesical high-intensity focus ultrasound for transmural, full-thickness targeted ablation of intact bladder wall and tumor is feasible. This has implications for bladder-sparing surgery in select patients with solitary muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
PCR-membrane chip for detection of drug-resistant gene mutations of mycobacterium tuberculosis in paraffin-embedded tissues

Purpose To study the feasibility and application of detecting the drug-resistant gene mutation of mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) in paraffin-embedded tissues by PCR-membrane chip.Methods A total of 100 paraffin-embedded lung or lymph node tissue specimens were collected(80 cases of TB,20 cases of non-TB).TB membrane chip was applied to detect the MTB IS6110 gene in the specimens.The positves were detected by multiplex PCR with 12 pairs of specific primers and MTB drug-resistant genes mutation were detected by drug resistant-TB reverse dot blot membrane chip which contains 59 probes hybrided with PCR products,and the result was sequenced.Results MTB-IS6110 gene in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens were detected by TB membrane chip: the sensitivity was 52.5%(42/80) and the specificity was 100%(20/20) when clinical diagnosis as the standard,the sensitivity was 90.5%(19/21) and the specificity was 61.0%(36/59) when acid-fast staining results as the standard.MTB drug-resistant gene mutation in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens was detected by drug resistant-TB membrane chip.In 42 cases of IS6110-positive,there were 2 cases of INH,1 case of RFP,1 case of SM gene mutation and there was 1 case of simultaneousINH,RFP and EMB gene mutation.The mutation sites were consistent with the DNA sequencing.Conclusion PCR-membrane chip technology can improve the detection rate in paraffin-embedded tissue of MTB genes,and the results of drug resistant-TB membrane chip can provide valuable reference for the pathological diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia in nonobese individuals with a family history of hypertension.

Various facets of glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism were compared in 76 normal volunteers--38 with and 38 without a family history of hypertension. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, gender distribution, and degree of obesity (both generalized and abdominal). Although the plasma glucose response to oral glucose was similar in both groups, glucose-stimulated insulin concentrations were significantly greater in volunteers with a family history of hypertension (P < .001). Furthermore, the steady state plasma glucose concentration during a constant infusion of glucose, insulin and somatostatin was significantly greater in subjects with a family history of hypertension (8.1 +/- 0.6 v 6.2 +/- 0.6 mmol/L, P < .001). Since the steady-state plasma insulin levels during the infusion were similar, these results indicate that normotensive individuals with a family history of hypertension are relatively insulin resistant. Finally, plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol were higher in those with a family history of hypertension, as was the ratio of total to high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thus, normotensive individuals with a family history of high blood pressure are insulin resistant, hyperinsulinemic and dyslipidemic when compared to a matched group of healthy volunteers without a family history of hypertension.
Clinical and Research Considerations for Patients With Hypertensive Acute Heart Failure: A Consensus Statement from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine and the Heart Failure Society of America Acute Heart Failure Working Group

Management approaches for patients in the emergency department (ED) who present with acute heart failure (AHF) have largely focused on intravenous diuretics. Yet, the primary pathophysiologic derangement underlying AHF in many patients is not solely volume overload. Patients with hypertensive AHF (H-AHF) represent a clinical phenotype with distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms that result in elevated ventricular filling pressures. To optimize treatment response and minimize adverse events in this subgroup, we propose that clinical management be tailored to a conceptual model of disease based on these mechanisms. This consensus statement reviews the relevant pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, approach to therapy, and considerations for clinical trials in ED patients with H-AHF.
Programming Languages for Information Structures

Publisher Summary This chapter presents programming languages for information structures. It discusses list and string processing languages (LISP) in context of the theory of computability. A system that has achieved the status of a language by virtue of general agreement is SLIP, which is a set of list processing routines embedded in Fortran. The basic data structure of SLIP is the symmetric list. Some Fortran systems permit a subprogram to be used both as subroutine and function. The original SLIP implementation was under such a system and in this implementation LIST can be used as a function. Then, it creates an empty list as before, but being a function, it has a value, namely, the address of the header. Problems associated with the implementation of LISP in two-level storage systems deals with garbage collection when LISP is implemented in a virtual memory system in which the available memory is practically infinite, and garbage collection is, therefore, a matter more of efficiency than necessity. One of the hardest problems confronting the designer of a list or string processing language is how to deal with null objects.