cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 18 – Centrifugal Pumps

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the fundamentals of hydraulic design, proper sizing, and operation of centrifugal pumps. It also provides an understanding of hydraulic performance of a centrifugal pump. Two basic components of a centrifugal pump that are related to hydraulic performance are the impeller and casing. This chapter focuses on one particular type of centrifugal pump—the radial flow pump. Radial flow pumps are designed to produce a flow pattern through the impeller radially outward and perpendicular to the pump shaft..
Once Again Never Again

Thomas G. Weiss argues that the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ Report is a “culmination of a long effort to inscribe the pledge of “never again” in law and practice”. Striking a positive note, and advocating more outright adoption of the Report’s principles, Weiss concedes that there is a long road ahead, citing Zimbabwe as an example of a setting where exterior pressure is desperately needed to prevent atrocities.
Management of Dairy Cows Following Induced Parturition, Abortion and Dystocia

The induction of parturition with high potency corticoids in dairy cattle at this time can only be considered when in the best judgement of the veterinary practitioner it is of therapeutic value to the individual patient. The label warning of the effective drugs available clearly states that the use in late pregnancy may precipitate premature parturition followed by dystocia, fetal death, retained placenta and metritis. Anyone using these drugs for parturition induction clearly is assuming any liability which may result from such use and presumably has no recourse to the drug manufacturer. The objective of this paper is to discuss the use of products available, their advantages and disadvantages, and the after-care of the individual patient.
Training ‘Deep Practitioners’: 50 Years of the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

This chapter presents a brief analytic history of the initial 50 years of the Center for International Education (CIE) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with the goal of understanding what made it possible and what can be learned from it for the future of Comparative and International Education programs in other universities. The chapter begins with the unusual context in which CIE was created and its commitment to a synergistic linkage between academics and managing funded, development education programs. The discussion then describes CIE’s defining characteristics, the challenges it faced, its current situation, and the insights that can be gleaned from its history. The chapter concludes with comments on the implications for the future shape of CE/IE graduate programs and centers at universities. The author is the Founding Director of CIE who has led the program for most of its 50-year history.
Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: the Wisconsin First Year Experience

Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy was recently added to the Wisconsin newborn screening panel. Here we report our screening methods, algorithm, and outcomes. Methods: A multiplex real-time PCR assay was used to identify newborns with homozygous SMN1 exon 7 deletion, and those newborns’ specimens further underwent a droplet digital PCR assay for SMN2 copy number assessment. An independent dried blood spot specimen was collected and tested to confirm the initial screening results for SMN1 and SMN2. Results: From October 15, 2019 to October 14, 2020, a total of 60,984 newborns were screened for spinal muscular atrophy. Six newborns screened positive for and were confirmed to have spinal muscular atrophy, making the Wisconsin spinal muscular atrophy birth prevalence 1 in 10,164. Of these six infants, two have two copies of SMN2, two have three copies of SMN2, and two have four copies of SMN2. Five newborns received Zolgensma therapy, and one newborn received Spinraza therapy. Conclusions: Our screening method'spositive predictive value is 100%. This comprehensive approach, providing both timely SMN2 information and SMN1 and SMN2 confirmation as parts of the algorithm for spinal muscular atrophy newborn screening, facilitated timely clinical follow-up, family counseling, and treatment planning.
Amnestic MCI in ADNI: Maybe Not Enough Memory Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), especially the amnestic subtype, has been proposed as a prodromal phase of Alzheimer disease (AD), where the patient has memory deficits but no/minimal functional impairment.1 Clinically, the demarcation point for memory deficits in MCI has typically been 1–1.5 SD units below normative data.1,2 Much of what we know about MCI has come from findings from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) studies.3
Sex-specific effects of 17β-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on growth plate chondrocytes are dependent on both ERα and ERβ and require palmitoylation to translocate the receptors to the plasma membrane.

Rat costochondral cartilage growth plate chondrocytes exhibit cell sex-specific responses to 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Mechanistically, E2 and DHT stimulate proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in chondrocytes from female and male rats, respectively, by signaling through protein kinase C (PKC) and phospholipase C (PLC). Estrogen receptors (ERα; ERβ) and androgen receptors (ARs) are present in both male and female cells, but it is not known whether they interact to elicit sex-specific signaling. We used specific agonists and antagonists of these receptors to examine the relative contributions of ERs and ARs in membrane-mediated E2 signaling in female chondrocytes and DHT signaling in male chondrocytes. PKC activity in female chondrocytes was stimulated by agonists of ERα and ERβ and required intact caveolae; PKC activity was inhibited by the E2 enantiomer and by an inhibitor of ERβ. Western blots of cell lysates co-immunoprecipitated for ERα suggested the formation of a complex containing both ERα and ERs with E2 treatment. DHT and DHT agonists activated PKC in male cells, while AR inhibition blocked the stimulatory effect of DHT on PKC. Inhibition of ERα and ERβ also blocked PKC activation by DHT. Western blots of whole-cell lysates, plasma membranes, and caveolae indicated the translocation of AR to the plasma membrane and specifically to caveolae with DHT treatment. These results suggest that E2 and DHT promote chondrocyte differentiation via the ability of ARs and ERs to form a complex. The results also indicate that intact caveolae and palmitoylation of the membrane receptor(s) or membrane receptor complex containing ERα and ERβ is required for E2 and DHT membrane-associated PKC activity in costochondral cartilage cells.
Magnetic resonance imaging findings and antemortem cytologic diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma in a dog

Case description A 3-year-old 31.1-kg castrated male mixed-breed dog was evaluated because of a 1- to 2-week history of paraparesis, knuckling of the hind feet, and difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate. Clinical findings The dog was paraparetic but weakly ambulatory with a kyphotic posture, a mildly decreased patellar reflex in the right pelvic limb, increased tone in both pelvic limbs, and marked hyperesthesia on paraspinal palpation of the lumbar region. The urinary bladder was enlarged and firm on palpation. Neuroanatomic findings were primarily consistent with localization to the T3-L3 spinal cord segments. Magenetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spinal column revealed a discrete intramedullary spinal cord mass from the cranial aspect of L4 to the middle of L5. The mass was sampled by fine-needle aspiration, and on cytologic evaluation, the suspected diagnosis was an ependymoma. Treatment and outcome Owing to poor prognosis and limited treatment options, the owner elected euthanasia. Postmortem examination of the spinal cord and histologic findings for samples of the mass supported a likely diagnosis of ependymoma. Clinical relevance Ependymoma is a rare neoplasm in dogs but should be considered in young patients with evidence of a tumor in the CNS. Fine-needle aspiration of the spinal cord mass was possible in the dog of this report, and the cytologic findings provided useful diagnostic information.
Building for Zero, The Grand Challenge of Architecture without Carbon

Almost 40% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to the building sector (Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction 2019). This makes the built environment both a challenge and an opportunity in terms of mitigating climate change. To further understand the implications of global carbon budgets on buildings, housing policy and development, we present an interactive model for carbon emissions from buildings between 2020 and 2050. In our simulation, the user initially chooses one of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Shared Socioeconomical Pathways (SSP) to define a global carbon budget until 2050. Based on this choice, our model presents three alternative scenarios. The “Business as usual” scenario assumes a constant 1% renovation rate for existing buildings and usage of current building standards for new construction. The “Net Zero Operational Carbon” scenario assumes that all new buildings will become net zero in their operation after a user-defined transition period. Finally, the “Net Zero Operational Carbon and Embodied Carbon” scenario assumes that new buildings will become Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in terms of both, operational and embodied carbon from construction also following a user-defined transition period. For all three scenarios, the model assumes a linear decarbonization of the electric grid until 2050 and current annual emissions of 14.8 GtCO2 for buildings. Global floor areas and operational emissions are based on projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA) (Worsdorfer et al. 2019). In our research, we find that the retrofit rate must be increased substantially from today’s 1% to around 4-5% and new buildings must be built in a net zero standard by 2040 to meet the climate goals for any SSP. Next to operational carbon emissions, we show how the embodied carbon of buildings has a significant impact on the carbon budget, contributing between 14-46% to building-related carbon emissions by 2050, and is therefore key in achieving net zero building stock.
Community participation patterns among autistic adults and associated characteristics: A latent class analysis

Abstract Background Community participation can buffer stress and anxiety and improve quality of life for autistic adults. While the participation of autistic adults is known to be lower than the general population, it is not known if subgroups exist based on the degree of interest in participation or amounts of participation among those who are interested. Method This study uses Latent Class Analysis to identify subgroups based on the number of important areas and engagement in important activities, and the demographic, clinical, social, and environmental features of these subgroups. Cross-sectional data from 816 autistic adults aged 18–72 from a large, statewide survey were used. Results Latent Class Analysis resulted in a good-fitting four class solution: Low Importance of Participation (33%); High Importance-Low Participation (16%); High Importance-Moderate Participation (22%); High Importance-High Participation (29%). Autistic adults in the Low Importance group were more likely to have fewer years of education, live with family members, and less likely to have an intellectual disability. Among the classes where participation was important, compared to adults in the Moderate Participation class, those in the Low Participation class were more likely to live in an isolated environment, such as rural areas or supported living facilities, and those in the High Participation class had more satisfying relationships and fewer unmet service needs. Conclusions Study findings have implications for more efficient and effective service planning and delivery that enhances participation interests and amount of community participation to align with interests.
Engineering management and innovation

Although improved management methods can enhance the performance of some enterprises, they can lower that of research organizations. The prevalent use of cost-effectiveness criteria as a management tool overvalues identifiable short-term accomplishment at the expense of long-term research efforts, which often serve as the antecedents upon which a new, seemingly unrelated technology is later founded. Medical instruments used in the treatment of emphysema, for example, evolved from NASA-sponsored research devoted to the measurement of the composition of the atmospheres of the planets. The best manager is the manager who creates an environment that enables his research engineers to pursue ideas with a minimum of interference. Such an environment consists of broad research objectives, adequate facilities, and proper technical support. Within a framework of prudent spending, the manager's aim is to cultivate innovation.
Is TDR in Virginia DOA? A Study of the State of Transfer of Development Rights Programs in Virginia

v Chapter I: Introduction 1 Chapter II: Theoretical and Policy Framework 4 Theoretical Background and Framework 4 Growth Management and Public Policy 8 Farmland Preservation and Growth Management Tools 15 Background on Transfer of Development Rights Programs 23 Factors Influencing the Success of TDR Programs 29 TDR Obstacles and Limitations 34 Chapter III: The Virginia Context 39 Planning in Virginia 43 Background on TDR in Virginia 44 Chapter IV: Research Design and Methodology 53 Study Area and Sample Selection 53 Methodology 54 Data Analysis 60 Chapter V: Results and Discussion 63 Urbanization and Development Pressures 65
Synthesis and characterization by diffraction and 31P- and 77Se-NMR spectroscopy of [Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2) 3(N(SePPh2)2)3]Br and [Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2) 3(Se2P(OCH2CH3)2) 3]Br

Abstract The new Mo/Se clusters [Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2)3{N(SePPh2)2}3]Br (1) and [Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2)3{Se2P(OCH2CH3)2}3]Br (2) have been synthesized by the selective substitution of the bromo ligands in the starting material [PPh4]2[Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2)3Br6] with the selenoorgano bidentate ligands [N(SePPh2)2]– and [Se2P(OEt)2]–. The complexes have been characterized in solution by 31P- and 77Se-NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by single crystal X-ray diffraction; the same cation structures are present both in solution and in the solid state. Crystallographic data for 1: [Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2)3{N(SePPh2)2}3]Br·3 CH2Cl2, C72H60BrMo3N3P6Se13·3 CH2Cl2, trigonal, space group R3, a=21.299 (10) A, c=38.433 (27) A, V=15 100 (15) A3, T=−120 °C, Z=6; crystallographic data for 2: Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ2-Se2)3{Se2P(OCH2CH3)2}3]Br, C12H30BrMo3P3O3Se13, monoclinic, space group P21/n, a=13.404 (2) A, b=22.732 (4) A, c=13.932 (3) A, β=113.134 (3)°, V=3 903.7(12) A3, T=−120 °C, Z=4. © 2000 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS phosphine ligands / amine ligands / phosphate ligands / selenium / molybdenum cluster / 77Se-NMR spectroscopy
Conversion of the M13 viral single strand to the double-stranded replicative forms by purified proteins.

Abstract Earlier studies showed that the M13 single-stranded circle is converted to duplex replicative forms (RF) in vivo and in vitro by a rifampicin-sensitive system that fails to act on φX174 DNA. In the absence of DNA polymerase I, the synthetic complementary strand produced by a crude cell extract contained a small gap at a unique position relative to the viral template strand. In these studies we show that the conversion of viral M13 DNA to the covalently closed duplex form requires the action of six purified proteins: RNA polymerase, DNA unwinding protein of Escherichia coli, DNA polymerase III*, copolymerase III*, DNA polymerase I, and DNA ligase. In the absence of polymerase I, the location of the gap in the RF produced by the reconstituted protein system is the same as that produced by the crude cell extract. The functions of the several proteins, either demonstrated or inferred, are as follows: RNA polymerase to form a priming fragment, DNA unwinding protein to mask the single-stranded DNA in all but the promoter region for RNA polymerase and to support polymerase III*-copolymerase III* in carrying out most of the DNA chain growth, polymerase I to fill the small remaining gap, including that created by its 5'→3' exonucleolytic excision of the remaining RNA fragment, and ligase to join the polynucleotide ends to complete the synthetic complementary circle. Essential functions of RNA polymerase, polymerase III*, and polymerase I in the crude system have been verified by studies of extracts of strains deficient in these proteins. The DNA unwinding protein coded by gene 5 of M13 and essential for synthesis of the viral strands later in infection, fails to replace the E. coli unwinding protein, but instead inhibits conversion of the single strand to RF.
Geophysical methodology for subsurface fluid flow detection, mapping and monitoring: An overview and selected case history

A geophysical program, such as that described in the case history, can contribute significantly to an anomalous seepage assessment effort. Results of geophysical programs have been utilized effectively to explain often confusing and apparently conflicting piezometer data and to produce a logical and verifiable flow path map of anomalous seepage. The flow path maps and other subsurface information deduced from the geophysical program results are used effectively to plan further exploratory borings and piezometer installations and remedial measures. Additional references to and discussions of the methodology described in this chapter are given by Butler (1984), Cooper and Koester (1984), Butler et al. (1984), Cooper et al. (1982), Erchul (1988), Llopis et al. (1988), and Llopis and Butler (1988).
Excision of pyrimidine dimers from nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid in ultraviolet-irradiated Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract A sensitive endonuclease assay was used to study the fate of pyrimidine dimers introduced by ultraviolet irradiation into the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Analysis of the frequency of T4 endonuclease V-induced single-strand breaks by alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation showed that strain NC4 (rad+) removed greater than 98% of the dimers induced by irradiation at 40 J/m2 (254 nm) within 215 min after irradiation. HPS104 (radC44), a mutant sensitive to ultraviolet irradiation, removed 91% under these conditions, although at a significantly slower rate than NC4: only 8% were removed during the 10- to 15-min period immediately after irradiation, whereas NC4 excised 64% during this interval. HPS104 thus appears to be deficient in the activity(ies) responsible for rapidly incising ultraviolet-irradiated nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid at the sites of pyrimidine dimers.
Heart Fields: Spatial Polarity and Temporal Dynamics

In chick and mouse, heart fields undergo dynamic morphological spatiotemporal changes during heart tube formation. Here, the dynamic change in spatial polarity of such fields is discussed and a new perspective on the heart fields is proposed. The heart progenitor cells delaminate through the primitive streak and migrate in a semicircular trajectory craniolaterally forming the bilateral heart fields as part of the splanchnic mesoderm. They switch their polarity from anteroposterior to mediolateral. The anterior intestinal portal posterior descent inverts the newly formed heart field mediolateral polarity into lateromedial by 125° bending. The heart fields revert back to their original anteroposterior polarity and fuse at the midline forming a semi heart tube by completing their half circle movement. Several names and roles were assigned to different portions of the heart fields: posterior versus anterior, first versus second, and primary versus secondary heart field. The posterior and anterior heart fields define basically physical fields that form the inflow-outflow axis of the heart tube. The first and second heart fields are, in contrast, temporal fields of differentiating cardiomyocytes expressing myosin light chain 2a and undifferentiated and proliferating precardiac mesoderm expressing Isl1 gene, respectively. The two markers present a complementary pattern and are expressed transiently in all myocardial lineages. Thus, Isl1 is not restricted to a portion of the heart field or one of the two heart lineages as has been often assumed.
The relationship of the third and fourth heart sounds to transmitral flow

The third and fourth heart sounds in humans (S3 and S4) are believed to be caused by vibration of the ventricle and surrounding structures powered by the deceleration of transmitral blood flow during diastole. The authors modelled the kinematics of heart sound generation using a forced, damped, nonlinear harmonic oscillator with time-dependent stiffness. The oscillator's forcing term utilized the deceleration portion of the clinical Doppler transmitral E (early) and A (atrial) wave. The model's predictions are: (1) an S3 and S4 should always be present, (2) the higher the E and A wave deceleration, the more likely an S3 or S4 is audible, (3) a sufficient deceleration rate and coupling to the oscillator is required for audibility. Model based image processing and estimation theory permitted comparison to simultaneous transmitral Doppler and phonocardiographic data from patients with and without audible S3's and S4's and showed excellent agreement. >
THE CANADIAN DOLLAR, 1948–57*

IN EARLY October, 1950, the Canadian government abandoned the system of pegged exchange rates and allowed market forces to determine the value of the Canadian dollar on the international exchanges with only limited official intervention. The aims of this dissertation were to investigate the events which preceded this policy shift, to consider the factors which have made the Canadian experiment with a flexible exchange rate relatively successful, and to study the activity of the Canadian Exchange Fund Account. In the early postwar period the official par of the Canadian dollar was changed twice. The 1946 revaluation of the Canadian dollar from its wartime discount of approximately 10 per cent to equality with its American counterpart was not aimed at solving any fundamental disequilibrium in Canada's international accounts but rather was intended to mitigate inflationary pressures in the Canadian economy. This revaluation was followed in 1947 by an alarming drain on Canadian reserves of foreign exchange, which was due, however, to triangular imbalance in Canada's international accounts rather than to an over-all weakness of her international position. Devaluation was therefore passed over in favor of import regulations as a means of checking the drain on reserves, which recovered from less than $500 million (U.S.) near the end of 1947 to over $1,000 million (U.S.) by early 1949. However, because Canada feared exchange pressures as a result of the devaluation of the pound in September, 1949, she quickly followed suit with a devaluation of approximately 10 per cent. Within a year the conviction that the Canadian dollar was pegged too low became so widespread that there was a veritable flood of speculative capital into Canada, which greatly complicated the problem of inflationary pressures created by the Korean War. Largely because of the repeated failure to choose an appropriate lasting fixed rate, the Canadian government decided to allow the rate to fluctuate. Long-term capital inflows have been a major disturbing factor in the Canadian accounts since 1950. In spite of the unfavorable balances-on current account, the Canadian dollar has moved upward on
Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic variations in modern Rabdotus land snail shells in the southern Great Plains, USA, and their relation to environment

Abstract Variations of stable isotopic ratios of carbon (13C/12C) and oxygen (18O/16O) were investigated in modern shells of two species of Rabdotus land snails (R. dealbatus and R. alternatus) in the southern Great Plains. Geographic variation in relation to climate and vegetation, microgeographic variation, variability among individuals, and detailed records of seasonal variations within individual shells were studied. Stable carbon isotopic ratios in shell carbonate are primarily a function of the isotopic composition of the diet of the snails, as represented by the isotopic composition of shell organic matter. This in turn reflects the presence or absence of CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) or C4 plants. Vegetation density may have a small effect on the carbon isotope ratios. Microgeographic variation (samples within 25 to 300 m) is greater than that seen across different climatic regions and points to very local control of isotopic variations, predominantly related to vegetation. Seasonal variations, as assessed through serial analysis of individual shells (up to 35 samples per shell), may provide a means for distinguishing between isotopic influences of perennial CAM vs. annual C4 plants. Carbon isotopic variations in time-series of shells from a site provide a means of reconstructing temporal changes in environment and climate. Oxygen isotopic values of shell carbonate are uniform across the region and also show no significant microgeographic variation. The oxygen isotopic composition appears to be mainly a function of the rainwater isotopic composition, with no direct influence of rainfall amount or evaporative effects. The δ18O values are only 2‰ enriched relative to estimated equilibrium with rainwater. Variability is low (SD of 0.8‰ among sites), so the isotopic composition of fossil Rabdotus shells can provide a precise record of changes in the isotopic composition of rain over time.
Implicit reference-based group-wise image registration and its application to structural and functional MRI

In this study, an implicit reference group-wise (IRG) registration with a small deformation, linear elastic model was used to jointly estimate correspondences between a set of MRI images. The performance of pair-wise and group-wise registration algorithms was evaluated for spatial normalization of structural and functional MRI data. Traditional spatial normalization is accomplished by group-to-reference (G2R) registration in which a group of images are registered pair-wise to a reference image. G2R registration is limited due to bias associated with selecting a reference image. In contrast, implicit reference group-wise (IRG) registration estimates correspondences between a group of images by jointly registering the images to an implicit reference corresponding to the group average. The implicit reference is estimated during IRG registration eliminating the bias associated with selecting a specific reference image. Registration performance was evaluated using segmented T1-weighted magnetic resonance images from the Nonrigid Image Registration Evaluation Project (NIREP), DTI and fMRI images. Implicit reference pair-wise (IRP) registration-a special case of IRG registration for two images-is shown to produce better relative overlap than IRG for pair-wise registration using the same small deformation, linear elastic registration model. However, IRP-G2R registration is shown to have significant transitivity error, i.e., significant inconsistencies between correspondences defined by different pair-wise transformations. In contrast, IRG registration produces consistent correspondence between images in a group at the cost of slightly reduced pair-wise RO accuracy compared to IRP-G2R. IRG spatial normalization of the fractional anisotropy (FA) maps of DTI is shown to have smaller FA variance compared with G2R methods using the same elastic registration model. Analyses of fMRI data sets with sensorimotor and visual tasks show that IRG registration, on average, increases the statistical detectability of brain activation compared to G2R registration.
Electrophoretic behavior of modified ovalbumins.

IT has been shown recently by Linderstrm-Lang and Ottesen1 that ovalbumin is transformed, by the action of a bacterial enzyme from Bacillus subtilis, into a protein that crystallizes as rectangular plates from ammonium sulphate. In an earlier paper2, MacPherson, Moore and Longsworth report that an ovalbumin component, A2 (characterized by its mobility in the electric field), increased at the expense of another one, A1, during storage of a salt-free, isoelectric solution under toluene. It therefore seemed of interest to compare the electrophoretic behaviour of the enzyme-modified ovalbumin with the A2 -form of the original protein.
Generating real-time complex event-processing applications

We propose to exploit the technology for complex event processing (CEP) embodied in the rule-based engine known as IBM Active Middleware Technology™ and extend it to the development of real-time CEP applications. Specifically, we propose to develop a framework that includes an integrated development environment (IDE) for defining rules, and, given a set of rules, generates code for a CEP application and enables us to determine time bounds on the response of this application to a set of supported events. In particular, the IDE helps determine a time bound for the execution time of the code corresponding to each rule. The calculation of time bounds is based on a set of benchmark measurements to be performed on the target hardware and involves code segments corresponding to basic operations. Although we assume the code generation phase produces Java™ code, the same approach can be applied to any other suitable programming language. In support of a feasibility argument for the proposed approach, we present some preliminary experimental results obtained on a partially implemented tool.
Energy Measurement Using a Resonator Based Time-of-Flight System

The resonant time-of-flight system which has been developed has several advantages over other potential approaches. The system is non-interceptive and nondestructive. The beam phase space is preserved. It is non-dispersive. Path length variations are not introduced into the beam transport which would reduce the timing resolution. It has a large signal-to-noise ratio when compared to non-resonant beam pick-up techniques. It provides the means to precisely set the linac energy and, potentially, to control the energy in a feedback loop is desired. It is less expensive than an equivalent magnetic system.
Oviduct fluid and heparin induce similar surface changes in bovine sperm during capacitation: a flow cytometric study using lectins.

Eight different lectins conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were used to screen for sperm plasma membrane changes during in vitro capacitation of bovine sperm. Analysis of lectin binding to sperm was done using flow cytometry. Of the eight lectins, only Triticum vulgaris (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA) binding to sperm was altered with capacitation. Capacitation of bovine sperm by heparin was found to decrease WGA binding to sperm by 78% (P < 0.05). The effect of capacitation by oviduct fluid was next compared with capacitation by heparin for changes in WGA binding to sperm. The effect of inhibiting capacitation with glucose on WGA binding was also determined. WGA-bound sperm were detected by flow cytometry as being present in two fluorescence peaks defined as low fluorescence (A) or high fluorescence (B) intensity. The percentage of sperm in peak A was greater for heparin and oviduct fluid-treated sperm compared to sperm incubated under noncapacitating conditions in only culture medium (P < 0.001). Capacitation with either heparin or oviduct fluid was inhibited by glucose as assessed by the ability of lysophosphatidylcholine (100 μg/ml) to induce acrosome reactions. Glucose also reduced the percentage of sperm in peak A for both heparin- and oviduct fluid-treated sperm (P < 0.01). We conclude that heparin or oviduct fluid induced changes on the sperm plasma membrane during capacitation. Binding sites for WGA on sperm were either structurally altered or lost during capacitation. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vocational interests of criminal offenders: a typological and demographic investigation

This study examined the vocational interests and personality characteristics of criminals (N — 201), using the Vocational Preference Inventory. The effectiveness of three criminal typologies and demographic information in differentiating and predicting levels of vocational interest was investigated. A multivariate analysis of variance yielded significant main effects with respect to racial, educational, and typological classifications. A significant interaction between race and typology is also discussed. In predicting and explaining vocational interest, multiple regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients illustrated the value of race, certain personality typologies, number of prior arrests, and number of years spent in prison. The results suggest that criminals express moderate interest in traditional occupations and have a differentiated set of vocational interests.
Improved Turnover Numbers in Palladium-Catalyzed Bisdiene Cyclization-Trapping using N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

An optimized palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst system effects the palladium-catalyzed bisdiene cyclization-trapping with phenol at the 0.01% catalyst loading level with a TON of 7.6 × 10 3 and TOF of 280 h ', values much higher than typically found for this and related carbocyclizations. The reaction scales well and the trans-substituted six-membered ring product is obtained in excellent yield on a 10-mmole scale without further optimization of the catalyst system or reaction conditions.
The Classical Sources of Lew Wallace’s Ben - Hur

Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was one of the most popular novels ever written, and its portrayal of ancient Rome and Roman institutions (e.g. chariot racing and penal system) influenced millions of people for well more than a century. Yet no one has ever identified Wallace’s classical sources or examined his research methodology. After discussing Wallace’s lack of formal education, this paper examines his access to and use of primarily Josephus, Plutarch, Homer, and other ancient and secondary sources, especially Gibbon and Pope, several problems (particularly the size of the Antioch Circus and length of the spina), and how subsequent theatrical and cinematic adaptations of the novel assumed, reinterpreted, or ignored the results of Wallace’s research.
Plastid targeting of E. coli β-glucuronidase and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in maize (Zea mays L.) cells

Dicot and monocot chloroplast targeting peptides (CTPs) were evaluated for their effect on targeting, processing, and expression of two reporter proteins in maize cells. When tested transiently in maize leaf protoplasts, the maize ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit CTP required the inclusion of the amino terminus of mature small subunit protein to target β-glucuronidase (GUS) to the plastid. To remove this amino terminal extension from GUS after import and processing, a repeat of the native processing site was inserted between the native mature protein and the reporter protein. This repeat processing site was used with less efficiency than the native site. Parallel constructs using the Arabidopsis thaliana small subunit and maize granule-bound starch synthase CTPs also localized GUS, but varied in repeat site use and GUS expression levels. Data from the CTP fusions with GUS were generally confirmed with fusions to an allosteric variant of E. coli ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Plastid targeting of this enzyme was required for starch enhancement of transgenic BMS cells.
Tritiated Digoxin Excretion of Patients Following Renal Transplantation

Four patients with a single allografted kidney were given 1.0 mg of tritiated digoxin intravenously. Compared with patients with two normally functioning kidneys, these patients exhibited increased digoxin serum levels, modestly reduced renal excretion, and increased stool excretion of digoxin during a 7-day study. When administration of digoxin is indicated for a patient with a renal transplant, it may be necessary to reduce the dose even though renal function appears to be adequate.
Methamphetamine preconditioning: differential protective effects on monoaminergic systems in the rat brain.

Pretreatment with methamphetamine (METH) can attenuate toxicity due to acute METH challenges. The majority of previous reports have focused mainly on the effects of the drug on the striatal dopaminergic system. In the present study, we used a regimen that involves gradual increases in METH administration to rats in order to mimic progressively larger doses of the drug used by some human METH addicts. We found that this METH preconditioning was associated with complete protection against dopamine depletion caused by a METH challenge (5 mg/kg × 6 injections given 1 h apart) in the striatum and cortex. In contrast, there was no preconditioning-mediated protection against METH-induced serotonin depletion in the striatum and hippocampus, with some protection being observed in the cortex. There was also no protection against METH-induced norepinephrine (NE) depletion in the hippocampus. These results indicate that, in contrast to the present dogmas, there might be differences in the mechanisms involved in METH toxicity on monoaminergic systems in the rodent brain. Thus, chronic injections of METH might activate programs that protect against dopamine toxicity without influencing drug-induced pathological changes in serotoninergic systems. Further studies will need to evaluate the cellular and molecular bases for these differential responses.
Trends in Atmospheric Science Journals: A Reader's Perspective

Abstract A survey of 22 atmospheric science journals shows that the number of published articles tripled in 30 years during 1965–95, so that it has become increasingly difficult to keep abreast of the literature. A total of 1642 peer-reviewed articles in the journals were categorized numerically in terms of features of the abstracts and the conclusions. Consistent differences were found between journals. Most journals are mediocre in terms of their reader-friendliness, with little or no improvement over recent decades. The abstract and/or the conclusions in many papers have become too long and too discursive, preventing the reader from making a rapid assessment of the papers' usefulness. These trends may retard atmospheric research. Therefore journal editors are urged to insist on some easy improvements.
Accidental isopropanol ingestion in children.

Objective To describe the clinical course and determine the minimal observation period required following isopropanol ingestion in children. Methods The emergency department records of children less than 6 years of age with isopropanol ingestion who presented between June 1992 and December 1998 were identified. Demographics, type, and amount of ingested substance, and time of ingestion were recorded. Symptoms, time of onset, and the results of physical examination and laboratory tests were collected. Group 1 included patients who did not have isopropanol level assayed, and group 2 members had isopropanol level assayed. Results Ninety-one cases of isopropanol ingestion were identified. Clinical evidence of toxicity was noted in 26 (29%) patients. Symptoms included spontaneous emesis in (24/26), ataxia (5/26), altered mental status (3/26), and apnea (1/26). Toxic isopropanol levels were noted in three patients; all had altered mental status. Clinical evidence of toxicity developed between 0.5 and 2 hours post-ingestion. Patients who ingested more than 1 ounce of isopropanol were more likely to become symptomatic (RR 4.26, 95% CI = 1.61-11.2). Conclusions An observation period of 2 hours post-ingestion can be used to rule out clinical toxicity in pediatric patients with suspected isopropanol ingestion. Patients with a history of ingesting more than 1 ounce are likely to develop adverse clinical effects. The development of altered mental status is the most useful clinical predictor of a toxic blood isopropanol level.
Trace-element zoning in a metamorphic garnet

Trace-element zoning has been measured in an amphibolite garnet from the Tauern window, Austria, by using an ion microprobe. Humps in the zoning profiles of Na, Sc, V, Y, and the heavy rare-earth elements mark a period of open-system behavior. These humps correspond to a part of the major-element zoning profile that is interpreted as a P-T reversal. The source of the mass excesses of these elements remains ambiguous: they were derived either on a thin-section scale by the breakdown of trace-element-enriched refractory minerals or externally from unusual trace-element-enriched fluids. P-T paths determined from garnet zoning may require modification if open-system behavior is important during garnet growth.
Hard neurologic signs and psychopathology in relatives of schizophrenic patients.

Abstract Previous research found more hard neurologic signs (i.e., signs that have localizing significance and exclude likely artifacts) in the nonschizophrenic relatives of schizophrenic patients than in control subjects, and in the psychiatrically normal relatives of schizophrenic patients compared with their ill relatives. Using interview-based DSM-III-R diagnosis and standard clinical neurological examinations on new samples, we found a trend to more hard signs in the 52 nonschizophrenic relatives of schizophrenic patients than in 20 control subjects, and significantly more signs in psychiatrically normal relatives than in ill ones. When pooled with previous data, signs were significantly higher in (1) relatives vs. controls and (2) normal vs. ill relatives, suggesting neurologic signs reflect an etiologic factor that often runs in families of schizophrenic patients.
On-site analysis of heavy metal contaminated areas by means of total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF)☆

Abstract In this paper the possibilities and restriction for applying the low power TXRF spectrometer PicoTAX for the one-site analysis of heavy metal contaminated soils and sediments are evaluated. Basis for this evaluation is the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program, conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Protection Agency (US EPA). During a measurement campaign, performed under realistic conditions, 320 soil and sediment samples were analyzed. The task was the fast analysis of the main target elements antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, vanadium, and zinc. These elements were present in wide ranging concentrations. Out of a set of seven primary and five secondary objectives the method detection limits, accuracy and precision of the TXRF measurements are discussed. In addition to the on-site measurements, the application of TXRF analysis for the analysis of soil- and sediment samples after complete microwave assisted acid digestion is reported. Recent instrument improvements have distinctly increased the quality of measurement results. A detailed description of these new developments and new measurement results are discussed
Metabolic Pathways in Immune Cell Activation and Quiescence

Studies of immune system metabolism ("immunometabolism") segregate along two paths. The first investigates the effects of immune cells on organs that regulate whole-body metabolism, such as adipose tissue and liver. The second explores the role of metabolic pathways within immune cells and how this regulates immune response outcome. Distinct metabolic pathways diverge and converge at many levels, and, therefore, cells face choices as to how to achieve their metabolic goals. There is interest in fully understanding how and why immune cells commit to particular metabolic fates and in elucidating the immunologic consequences of reaching a metabolic endpoint by one pathway versus another. This is particularly intriguing, given that metabolic commitment is influenced not only by substrate availability but also by signaling pathways elicited by metabolites. Thus, metabolic choices in cells enforce fate and function, and this area will be the subject of this review.
The kinetics of void annealing in neutron irradiated aluminum

The kinetics of void annealing in neutron-irradiated, high purity aluminum containing 0.006 void volume fraction was studied by means of dilatometry. Over the temperature range 358 to 573/sup 0/K, the isothermal recovery of void volume fraction exhibited a logarithmic kinetic behavior. The data were analyzed in terms of a recovery rate equation of the form df/dt = -fK/sub 1/exp - (Qo-..beta..f/RT). A theory for void annealing in irradiated aluminum is described based on the premise that voids shrinking under the action of interfacial forces emit single vacancies which migrate by diffusion to internal sinks where they are annihilated. In the theory, Q/sub 0/ is equal to the self diffusion activation energy. For the parameters Q/sub 0/ and K/sub 1/, satisfactory agreement between theory and experiment was achieved. The theory as presented cannot account for the parameter ..beta... Its influence on recovery was speculated to be related to the damage state of the material. The ratio-of-slopes method was used to analyze recovery rate data from isochronal experiments. In common with the isothermal results, the measured activation energy for void annealing was found to be a function of how much void volume fraction remained to be annealed. An approximate void size distributionmore » function was derived which agreed satisfactorily with experiment.« less
A new clustering method for detecting rare senses of abbreviations in clinical notes

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted Highlights? A new two-phase sense discrimination method for clinical abbreviations. ? The new clustering algorithm detected more rare senses than existing methods. ? An efficient way to build sense inventories of clinical abbreviations. Abbreviations are widely used in clinical documents and they are often ambiguous. Building a list of possible senses (also called sense inventory) for each ambiguous abbreviation is the first step to automatically identify correct meanings of abbreviations in given contexts. Clustering based methods have been used to detect senses of abbreviations from a clinical corpus 1]. However, rare senses remain challenging and existing algorithms are not good enough to detect them. In this study, we developed a new two-phase clustering algorithm called Tight Clustering for Rare Senses (TCRS) and applied it to sense generation of abbreviations in clinical text. Using manually annotated sense inventories from a set of 13 ambiguous clinical abbreviations, we evaluated and compared TCRS with the existing Expectation Maximization (EM) clustering algorithm for sense generation, at two different levels of annotation cost (10 vs. 20 instances for each abbreviation). Our results showed that the TCRS-based method could detect 85% senses on average; while the EM-based method found only 75% senses, when similar annotation effort (about 20 instances) was used. Further analysis demonstrated that the improvement by the TCRS method was mainly from additionally detected rare senses, thus indicating its usefulness for building more complete sense inventories of clinical abbreviations.
IS NITRIC OXIDE-DEPENDENT UTEROPLACENTAL FUNCTION REGULATED BY iNOS, NOT cNOS? AN ELECTROCHEMICAL AND GENE EXPRESSION EVALUATION. ▴ 1395

IS NITRIC OXIDE-DEPENDENT UTEROPLACENTAL FUNCTION REGULATED BY iNOS, NOT cNOS? AN ELECTROCHEMICAL AND GENE EXPRESSION EVALUATION. ▴ 1395
Sorption of methane in moist coal

Abstract The dependence on moisture content of the methane sorption capacity of four American coals has been investigated. Bituminous coals from Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania were studied at a temperature of 30 °C, and at pressures up to 60 atm. Methane capacity decreased with increasing moisture content up to a certain value of moisture content that was characteristic for each coal. Moisture present in excess of the critical value had no further effect on methane sorption. The critical values of moisture content, mc (wt %), were related to coal oxygen content, xo (wt %), by the expression mc = (XO + 1.51 )/(3.98 − 0.229 XO).