cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallization and Its Effect on the Processing of Polypropylene

In this article, the kinetics of crystallization for semi-crystalline polymers has been successfully incorporated into a cavity flow simulation. The flow resistance, in terms of filling pressure, can be significantly underestimated if crystallization is neglected during the calculation. In addition, the filling behavior for nucleated semi-crystalline materials is quite different from that of its virgin counterpart. With this simulation, the crystallinity distribution and degree of crystallinity in the part can be predicted at any instant of processing time, and hence part quality can be predicted accordingly.
Domestic Transitions, Desiccation, Agricultural Intensification, and Livelihood Diversification among Rural Households on the Central Plateau, Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT Understanding how and why domestic groups alter their function and form has long been a theme within anthropology. Numerous accounts have detailed the processes that drive household transformations and their underlying mechanisms. Mostly, these studies describe how domestic groups fission and fuse between extended and nuclear forms. In recent years, scholars have emphasized that these transformations should be understood within larger contexts of social and environmental change. Mossi communities on the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso provide an excellent opportunity to explore such processes because the large extended households documented 30 years ago were predicted to decline and eventually disappear. In this study, I examine dynamics of household transformations and test the validity of this prediction. I use perspectives from sustainability science and computer-simulation modeling to understand how regional desiccation, agricultural intensification, and livelihood diversification articulate with domestic transitions.
Abstract 3194: Thymidine Kinase 1 staining aids in lung cancer prognosis

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Lung cancer kills more patients than breast, colon, prostate, melanoma, and kidney cancers combined. One way to improve the high lung cancer mortality rate is through early detection and better prognosis. There have been attempts to establish spiral CT scan imaging protocols or early detection assays to improve the diagnosis of lung cancer. Although these detection methods show merit, they are often costly, and are only useful for a subset of the potential lung cancer population such as high-risk smokers. One biomarker that shows promise is Thymidine Kinase 1 (TK1). Recently, it has been demonstrated that TK1 has diagnostic potential in both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, the present study was conducted to elucidate whether TK1 could be used in early detection and lung cancer prognosis. Five tissue microarrays (TMA) including a lung carcinoma screen, lung adenocarcinoma grade III, large cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and one normal lung TMA consisting of 376 lung cancer tissue cores from 172 patients and 63 control lung tissue cores from 22 normal individuals, were stained with a TK1 monoclonal antibody produced by our lab. Mesothelioma and some of the lung cancers including squamous cell, small cell, adenosquamous cell, undifferentiated, adenocarcinoma, and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma stained positive for TK1. Papillary carcinoma, sarcoma, neuroendrocrine carcinoma, and undifferentiated large cell carcinoma showed considerably less TK1 staining. Normal and inflammatory lung tissue showed zero to minimal staining which was significantly different from positively stained lung cancer tissue. There are various increasing grades of squamous cell carcinoma patients from grade I, I-II, II, II-III and III. There was a definitive increase in TK1 staining as the grade of the lung tumor increase. A similar pattern was found with adenocarcinoma tissue grade II, II-III, and III; the more progressive the tumor, the more intense the TK1 staining. This preliminary data supports further investigation of TK1 as a marker for early detection and prognosis of numerous lung cancer subtypes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3194. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3194
Replacement-clutching and annual nesting of California condors

Observations since 1981 have conclusively documented the capacity of California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) to lay replacement clutches within breeding seasons and to nest successfully on an annual basis. Deliberate encouragement of these capacities led to a better than three-fold increase in reproduction of the remnant population in 1983 and 1984. In summarizing a wealth of data on the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Koford (1953) found no evidence that wild pairs might lay more than a single egg in a breeding season. No clutches of more than one egg and no cases of replacement laying following egg loss had ever been documented. Koford noted (p. 85) that "if second layings occur, egg collectors should have discovered this fact long ago." In addition, he concluded that a pair of condors cannot produce more than one young every two years because of the time required to raise the young. These assertions, coupled with Koford's conclusion that individuals take at least six years to reach sexual maturity, led to a widespread perception among ornithologists that one of the major causes of endangerment of the California Condor was a remarkably limited reproductive potential. In this paper, however, we summarize recent findings on replacement clutches and annual nesting which indicate that the reproductive capacities of the species have been significantly underestimated.
Experimentation as a Tool for the Performance Evaluation of Big Data Systems

The complex big data systems of today are difficult, if not impossible, to model analytically. The challenges of these distributed and parallel data processing systems include heterogeneous network communication, a mix of storage, memory, and computing devices, and common failures of communication and devices. Particular challenges with big data systems include the variety and volume of data that place previously unseen stresses on distributed computing systems. Experimentation using production-quality hardware and software and realistic data is required to understand system tradeoffs. At the same time, experimental evaluation has challenges, including access to hardware resources at scale, robust workload characterization, data characterization, configuration management of software and systems, and sometimes insidious optimization issues around the mix of software stacks or hardware/software resource allocation. In this talk we present a number of the research challenges when experimentation is used as a tool for the performance evaluation of big data systems, some approaches to solutions, and open questions for this area.
Design parameters and optimization of anodic protection systems

Anodic protection (A.P.) for corrosion control is based on the principle of protecting a metal or alloy from corrosion by raising the electrochemical potential of its surface to a value at which a protective oxide film (passive film) is formed and maintained. The principles of design of anodic protection systems are not very well developed. This paper discusses several important basic design concepts and describes several equations which can be used for the design and optimization of anodic protection systems for corrosion control.
Heparin trisaccharides with nonreducing 2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl end-groups suitable as substrates for catabolic enzymes

Abstract Heparin trisaccharides having the sequence O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-α- d -glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-α- l -idopyranosyluronic acid-(1→4)-2,5-anhydro- d -[1-3H]mannitol have been prepared, as substrate models for studying sulfatases of heparan sulfate catabolism, by α- l -iduronidase cleavage of previously reported heparin tetrasaccharides, with additional chemical and enzymic modification as required. Three series are described, including isomeric sulfate esters of that trisaccharide with no N-substituent, with N-acetyl substitution, and with N-sulfate substitution. New features of the substrate specificity of the hydrolases used, including iduronate sulfatase, α- l -iduronidase, glucosamine 6-sulfate sulfatase, and heparin sulfamidase, were observed, and simple procedures for partial purification of these hydrolases are reported. The structures assigned to the trisaccharides are supported by the mode of preparation, reactions, regularities in electrophoretic behavior, and identities of the products of deamination.
Contour Photography Of The Optic Nerve Head: Stereometric Basis

Three dimensional analysis of the optic nerve head is important in the detection and treatment of eye diseases, particularly glaucoma. In glaucoma, the fluid pressure within the eye increases. Since there is a wide variability in people's sensitivity to elevated pressure, it is not possible to predict which eye will be damaged by a given pressure. The side effects of treatment preclude treating everyone with elevated pressure. However, those eyes susceptible to elevated pressure slowly begin to show erosion of the optic nerve head. The erosion process progresses very slowly and imperceptibly. By the time it can be detected visually, permanent visual loss has often occurred.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A study of unitary approaches to inelastic scattering

Abstract A study is made of several unitary approximations for inelastic molecular collisions. The unitary methods are applied to a three-dimensional atom-breathing sphere model of the HeCO system and a collinear atom—harmonic oscillator collision model. Comparisons are made with exact quantum mechanical calculations. The present techniques utilize the simplicity of low-order perturbation theory but, unlike perturbative approaches, are not restricted to weak interactions and provide high-order, non-perturbative information such as multiquanta transitions. Moreover, some of the unitary procedures investigated provide meaningful results even if the Born series diverges. However, if the interaction is relatively strong, a suitable distorted-wave treatment of the collision dynamics is necessary to achieve reasonable accuracy with the unitary approximations. The results of this study clearly reveal the utility as well as the limitations of unitary approaches to inelastic scattering.
The relationship of the Maudsley Personality Inventory to depression in addicts

OST PREVIOUS STUDIES of opiate addicts using the Maudsley (MPI) or Eysenck (EPI) Personality Inventories have demonstrated high neuroticism scores and low extraversion scores compared to normal samples.‘-’ This pattern of high neuroticism and low extraversion is also characteristic of depressed patients and has suggested that the MPI may be measuring some aspects of depression in addicts.‘,‘O In a recent study comparing addicts to normals on each item of the EPI, which is an updated version of the MPI, depressive symptom items were found to be the best discriminators between addicts and normals.’ However, the addicts were not compared to a group of depressed patients without addiction. Although addicts have a high prevalence of depression,” no study has directly investigated the relationship of depression diagnoses in addicts to the MPI. Thus, two important issues remain to be addressed: first, whether addicts generally have the same pattern of MPI responses as nonaddict depressives, and second, whether depressed addicts have the same item response pattern and scoring on the MPI as other nonaddict depressed patients.‘2.‘” In addition to comparisons of individual items and of the traditional two factor scores of the MPI, other factors or item response patterns may be unique to addict samples. A recent factor analysis of the EPI in a normal sample by Howarth and Browni demonstrated 13 factors which included neuroticism and extraversion items. They concluded that extraversion in particular was not a univocal scale and suggested that several personality traits were measured by this item pool. Although previous studies have not demonstrated any difference in symptom patterns between addicts and nonaddict depressives,ls an extraversion subscale might measure an important clinical difference between these two depressed groups. From this review of the available studies on the EPI and MPI in addicts and depressives, we have designed a study to address the following questions: first, are the previous factor analyses that suggest several separate factors within the MPI extraversion item pool replicable for an addict sample? Second, is the MPI able to distinguish depressed addicts from normals, from nondepressed addicts, and from nonaddict depressives? And third, if high neuroticism and low extraversion are
A radioimmunoassay for quantifying carbonic anhydrase isozymes in crude lysates.

A radioimmunoassay was developed for quantifying each of the two genetically distinct forms of primate carbonic anhydrase, carbonic anhydrases I and II, in unpurified lysates. Under the given experimental conditions, the assay is capable of detecting a minimum of 0.025 μg of carbonic anhydrase I and 0.005 μg of carbonic anhydrase II. There is approximately 98% reproducibility upon repeated assays of a given hemolysate.
Professionalism in the match process: the rules and ethics of recruitment.

The National Resident Matching Program remains the best available approach to bring together residency applicants and programs in a structured but unpressured manner. However, studies suggest that violations of the spiritand the law of the match occur regularly, with resultant frustration and cynicism for participants. Translating professional medical ethics precepts to the NRMP process could improve participant satisfaction. Implementation would require applicants, programs, medical schools, and sponsoring institutions to take ownership of match behavioral standards. Areas for potential process changes are participant education, enhanced NRMP communication, credible information exchange, and post-interview contacts.
e-PKGene: A knowledge-based research tool for analysing the impact of genetics on drug exposure

e-PKGene (http://www.pharmacogeneticsinfo.org) is a manually curated knowledge product developed in the Department of Pharmaceutics at the University of Washington, USA. The tool integrates information from the literature, public repositories, reference textbooks, product prescribing labels and clinical review sections of new drug approval packages. The database's easy-to-use web portal offers tools for visualisation, reporting and filtering of information. The database helps scientists to mine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information for drug-metabolising enzymes and transporters, and provides access to available quantitative information on drug exposure contained in the literature. It allows in-depth analysis of the impact of genetic variants of enzymes and transporters on pharmacokinetic responses to drugs and metabolites. This review gives a brief description of the database organisation, its search functionalities and examples of use.
American Youths' Access to Substance Abuse Treatment: Does Type of Treatment Facility Matter?.

Using data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study examines whether several social exclusion and psychological factors affect adolescents' receipt of substance abuse treatment. Multinomial logistic regression techniques were used to analyze data. The study asked how the specified factors provide pathways to receipt of specialty and non-specialty substance abuse treatment, as compared to receiving no treatment. The results suggest that, for adolescents, there are racial/ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic differences in receiving substance abuse treatment; there is also a role played by race/ethnicity in income's effect on treatment receipt. Policy implications are briefly discussed.
The growing importance of mTORC1-S6K1 signaling in kidney

renal hypertrophy, which aptly describes the condition of increased kidney mass attributable to enlargement more so than proliferation of tubular and glomerular cells, can occur under many circumstances, but the underlying mechanism(s) remain poorly understood. Diabetes mellitus is a common disease
Fitting multivariate polynomial growth curves in two‐period crossover designs

We discuss the statistical analysis of data from two clinical trials using crossover designs. In both studies, response was observed repeatedly over time in each treatment period. The first study involves repeated measurements of a single response variable whereas the second involves bivariate response. Methods are described for fitting polynomial growth curves to achieve data reduction in a two-stage approach to the analysis of crossover designs. Thus, a multivariate parametric analysis frequently can be conducted even when the sample sizes are somewhat small as is the case in many crossover designs. Hypotheses that are usually of interest in crossover designs can be tested in the second stage of the analysis. Methods for testing the multivariate general linear hypothesis as a basis for statistical inference in such problems are discussed.
Sodium chloride, osmolyte, and osmolarity effects on blastocyst formation in bovine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cultured in simple serum-free media

Purpose: A simple serum-free medium (KSOM), relatively low in NaCl concentration, has been developed for culturing mouse zygotes produced in vivo. The present studies were designed to test modifications of this medium to establish optimal conditions for culture of bovine embryos produced in vitro. Methods: Embryos were produced by standard in vitro fertilization procedures. They were cultured for 6 days in media varying in NaCl concentration and osmolarity with and without osmolytes, betaine or inositol. Results: Increasing the NaCl concentration from 95 to 108.5 and 122 mM decreased blastocyst formation (P<0.05). Partial substitution of NaCl by sorbitol indicated that both NaCl concentration and osmolarity were important. Neither betaine nor inositol protected the embryos against high concentrations of NaCl. Conclusions: The concentration of NaCl should not be higher than 95 mM and the total osmolarity of the medium should be between 250 and 270 mosmol.
Mitochondrial superoxide and hydrogen peroxide generation, protein oxidative damage, and longevity in different species of flies

The objective of this study was to further elucidate the role of oxidative stress in the aging process by determining whether or not the rates of mitochondrial superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, the activity of cytochrome c oxidase, and the concentration of protein carbonyls are correlated with the life span potential of different species. A comparison was made among five different species of dipteran flies, namely, Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), Musca domestica (house fly), Sarcophaga bullata (flesh fly), Calliphora vicina (blow fly) and Phaenecia sericata (a species of blow flies), which range more than 2-fold in their life span potentials. The average life span potential of these species was found to be inversely correlated with the rates of mitochondrial superoxide and H2O2 production and with the level of protein carbonyls, and to be directly related to the activity of cytochrome c oxidase. The significance of these findings in context of the validity of the oxidative stress hypothesis of aging is discussed. It is inferred that longer life span potential in these insect species is associated with relatively low levels of oxidant generation and oxidative molecular damage. These results accord with our previous findings on different mammalian species.
Mycotic aneurysms of the intrapulmonary arteries

In the case presented, multiple aneurysms of the peripheral pulmonary arteries occurred in a child with secondary pulmonary hypertension complicated by bacterial endocarditis. Study of other reported cases suggests that pulmonary hypertension may be significantly associated with the development of mycotic aneurysms. As surgical resection of aneurysms has been at least temporarily successful, increased attention may be given to control of infection in these patients and to the appreciation of the frequency of aneurysms of the main pulmonary artery as well as peripheral pulmonary arteries in patients with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension complicated by bacterial endocarditis.
Electrical Detection of Biological Conjugation by AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors

The article presents the electrical detection of streptavidin and monokin induced by interferon gamma proteins and hybridization process of single strand DNA by AlGaN/GaN HFETs. For protein conjugation detection, AlGaN gate surface was functionalized by oxidation, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane treatment, and biotinylation using NHS-sulfo-biotin. For streptavidin (STA) detection, at different ionic strengths, the effect of Debye length on detection sensitivity has been demonstrated. For DNA hybridization detection, 12-mer prime ssDNA with matched and mismatched sequences were used as probe and target molecules.
Faces of the cone of Euclidean distance matrices: Characterizations, structure and induced geometry

In this paper we obtain new characterizations of the faces of the cone of Euclidean distance matrices. In one case the characterization is based on a special subspace associated with each distance matrix, in other case on linear restrictions of coordinate matrices. We also relate the faces to the supporting hyperplanes of the cone, and we show how the supporting hyperplanes induce certain geometry on the configurations that belong to that face.
Vibration Analysis and Health Monitoring of Cracks in Composite Disk Rotor Systems

Cracks and voids are common defects in rotating systems and are a precursor to fatigue-induced failure. Identifying the presence and growth of cracks is a critical concept for the health monitoring and diagnostics of such systems. A combined computational and experimental study of the vibration characteristics of a composite hub flywheel rotor system with a cracked hub disk is presented. First, experimental testing of both in-plane and out-of-plane vibration characteristics using a rotor with a composite disk hub supporting a relatively massive rim was conducted. A crack was deliberately introduced into the hub disk during fabrication. Based upon these results, a finite element (FEA) model was developed to further explore the relationship between natural frequencies and crack properties. Finally, a simplified theoretical model for the primary in-plane vibration mode was developed and used in a series of parametric studies. Good agreement was found between the model predictions and the experimental results. It was observed that the presence of a crack tends to affect both the magnitudes and distribution of the rotor natural frequencies. Certain primary frequencies for rotors with a crack are smaller than for those without a crack. In addition, the frequency values of associated with the “in-crack” direction are generally smaller than those associated with the “off-crack” direction, introducing a non-symmetry into the rotordynamics which can serve as an indicator for rotor health monitoring.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Electrical properties of hollow glass particle filled vinyl ester matrix syntactic foams

Low dielectric constant materials play a key role in modern electronics. In this regard, hollow particle reinforced polymer matrix composites called syntactic foams may be useful due to their low and tailored dielectric constant. In the current study, vinyl ester matrix/glass hollow particle syntactic foams are analyzed to understand the effect of hollow particle wall thickness and volume fraction on the dielectric constant of syntactic foams. The dielectric constant is found to decrease with increase in the hollow particle volume fraction and decrease in the wall thickness. Theoretical estimates are obtained for the dielectric constant of syntactic foams. Parametric studies are conducted using the theoretical model. It is found that a wide range of syntactic foam compositions can be tailored to have the same dielectric constant, which provides possibility of independently tailoring density and other properties based on the requirement of the application.
State-of-Practice Technologies on Accelerated Urban Highway Rehabilitation: I-15 California Experience

This case study paper presents an innovative fast-track approach applied to a heavily trafficked urban freeway reconstruction project in Southern California. Badly deteriorated truck lanes in both directions along a 4.5-km stretch of I-15 were rebuilt from the gravel base up. The operations, estimated to take 10 months using traditional nighttime closures, were completed in two 9-day continuous closures with round-the-clock (about 210 h for each direction) operations. This “Rapid Rehab” project adopted state-of-practice technologies to accelerate construction, mitigate traffic disruptions, and propagate project information. As a result, traffic demand through the construction work zone was reduced by 20% and the maximum peak-hour delay was reduced by 50%. The estimated benefits of accelerated reconstruction on this project included a 28% reduction in agency cost and 29% time value savings to road users, compared to the traditional approach of using repeated nighttime closures. Web surveys showed dramatic changes in public perception of the Rapid Rehab approach from initial reluctance and objection to positive support.
Utilization of an Interview-Based Classification Instrument A Study of Correctional Halfway Houses

Presently halfway houses are not being fully utilized; this may be partly due to the unclear guidelines regarding residential placement. The reported research tested the validity of a classification instrument, the Level of Supervision Inventory (LSI), with incarcerated offenders placed into halfway houses. The LSI yielded impressive predictions of both inprogram and postprogram recidivism, it demonstrated acceptable internal reliability, and the instrument showed convergent validity. Furthermore, the LSI provided not only an assessment of risk but it also identified the needs of offenders that can be used to select treatment goals and evaluate intervention programs.
Balanites wilsoniana: elephant dependent dispersal?

This study demonstrates that forest elephants (Loxodonta africana) play a key role as seed dispersal agents for the upper canopy forest tree, Balanites wilsoniana. Seed that passed through elephants had a much greater probability of germinating (50.7%) than seeds from fruits eollected directly from the tree (3%). Of 515 seeds that were collected from under parent trees, 89.1% were rotten at the time of collection, 2.6% had been eaten by forest pigs, 2.8% had been killed by squirrels, and 0.7% had been killed by insect damage. The remaining 4.8% of the seeds were still alive. In 150 hours of focal observations on B. wilsoniana trees, two fruits were seen to be destroyed by squirrels, no fruits were seen to be consumed by potential dispersers, and no evidence of scatter hoarding was found. Experimental seedling stations placed out under parent trees and away from parent trees indicated no significant effect of dispersal on seedling survival. Although elephants are not essential for the successful germination of B. wilsoniana seeds, they do greatly increase probability of germination and play a vital role in their dispersal, suggesting that this is a highly interdependent plant-animal seed dispersal system.
Taking it personally: personal knowledge management

Purpose – Aims to discuss personal knowledge management along with its potential benefits and challenges.Design/methodology/approach – Provides a summary of personal knowledge management.Findings – Personal knowledge management is aimed at helping the individual to overcome the frustrations associated with information overload and allowing them to improve their personal effectiveness.Originality/value – Contains useful information on personal knowledge management.
Personality-impression formation as a function of visual cues and set.

Summary.-In 2-person simulated employment interviews, blindfolded interviewers (N = 119) perceived interviewees in general in the same ways as did seeing interviewers (N = 256). In accord with Asch's hypothesis on the centrality of the cold-warm construct, the effect of the advance set warm is to enhance the frequency with which interviewers select warm-related words as descriptive of interviewees; the effect of the advance set cold is to lower that frequency. In this paper, one of a ~eries,~ the authors report the results of an experiment designed to show the effects upon the outcome of an interview of the blockage of all visual cues. During one entire academic quarter (Spring, 1968) all students who volunteered to serve and did serve as Ss in an experiment on "employment interviewing" were blindfolded, so that neither interviewer nor interviewee saw his partner before, during, or after an interview. Control Ss were students not blindfolded, tested in quarters preceding or subsequent to that reserved for the testing of Ss deprived, by blindfold, of the visual cues ordinarily present during a two-person face-to-face interview. The first student to arrive at a prearranged time was assigned the role of interviewer; the second-if he were found to be unacquainted with the firstwas assigned the role of interviewee. This process continued until all volunteers for a given experimental session had been assigned. Those assigned the role of interviewer were sent to one room; those assigned the role of interviewee were sent to another. Each S assigned the role of interviewee was told that his only obligation during the ensuing interview would be to answer honestly-and within reasonany question put to him by his interviewer. Each S assigned the role of interviewer was told that his obligation was to interview his partner in such manner as to enable him-subsequent to the in
Purification of the enzyme reducing bisulfite to trithionate from Desulfovibrio gigas and its identification as desulfoviridin

An enzyme which catalyzes the reductive formation of trithionate from sulfite is present in extracts of the sulfate reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio gigas and has been termed, bisulfite reductase. This activity has been purified and the enzyme identified as the green pigment, desulfoviridin, by gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. The stoichiometry of the reduction of sulfite to trithionate is established and some physical properties of the enzyme reported.
Molecular Koch's Postulates Applied to Microbial Pathogenicity

Microbial genetics and molecular cloning now permit us to routinely isolate specific genes from a variety of microbial pathogens. Obviously not all genes from pathogenic microorganisms play a role in pathogenicity or virulence. Just as Koch's postulates were formulated to identify the causal relationship between an organism and a specific disease, the notion is presented here that a form of molecular Koch's postulates is needed when examining the potential role of genes and their products in the pathogenesis of infection and disease.
Information systems design: an empirical study of feedback effects

Abstract Feedback is an important component of any dynamic system, and should receive attention as a design issue in information systems. The study presents a model which shows the function of feedback in management information systems. The potential effect of task-specific feedback on the judgement of the decision-maker is tested empirically. Both the model and empirical results provide guidance about the role of feedback in information systems design. Empirical results demonstrate that there remains a strong bias towards overconfidence even with feedback. However, the presence of immediate feedback does lower confidence and raise decision quality.
Neural mechanisms of early postinflammatory dysmotility in rat small intestine

Although human postinflammatory dysmo- tility is known, so far animal studies have primarily investigated changes during inflammation. Here, we focused on postinflammatory changes in rat jejunal myenteric plexus and jejunal motility. Evolution of ethanol/2,4,6-tri-nitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)- induced inflammation was assessed histologically and by measuring myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). Elec- tromyography and immunohistochemistry were per- formed 1 week after ethanol/TNBS and also after N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) adminis- tration. Ethanol/TNBS induced a transient inflam- mation, with normalization of MPO and histological signs of an early phase of recovery after 1 week. The number of cholinergic neurones was not altered, but myenteric neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-im- munoreactivity was significantly lower in the early phase of recovery after TNBS compared with water (1.8 ± 0.2 vs 3.5 ± 0.2 neurones ganglion )1 , P < 0.001). Interdigestive motility was disrupted with a loss of phase 1 quiescence, an increase of migrating myo- electric complex cycle length, a higher number of non- propagated activity fronts and a decrease of adequately propagated phase 3 s after TNBS. Admin- istration of L-NAME resulted in a similar disruption of interdigestive motility patterns. In the early phase of recovery after ethanol/TNBS-induced jejunal inflam- mation, a loss of motor inhibition occurs due to a decrease of myenteric nNOS activity. These observa- tions may provide a model for early postinflammatory dysmotility syndromes.
Recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into the adult rat retina

PURPOSE. The present study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of gene transfer into the retina of adult rats, using a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus vector expressing a reporter gene. METHODS. Purified recombinant adenovirus expressing s-galactosidase (lac Z) (Ad5.hCMV. lac Z) at doses ranging from 1.4 × 10 2 to 1.4 × 10 6 plaque-forming units (pfu) were injected into the subretinal space of adult Lewis rats. The presence of lac Z was determined by histochemical assay and reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT PCR) of total RNA extracted from eyes injected with recombinant adenovirus expressing lac Z. RESULTS. As assessed by biomicroscopy, the expression of lac Z was highest in the retinal pigment epithelium in a localized area corresponding to the site of injection. The level of lac Z expression was correlated with the amount of virus delivered to the subretinal space. Persistent but decreasing expression of lac Z was noted over time. RT PCR revealed the expr...
Geochemical studies of clay minerals III. The determination of free silica and free alumina in montmorillonites

Abstract Determination of free silica by the method proposed made possible the derivation of logical formulas for several specimens of montmorillonites for which the formulas could not be derived from the analyses alone. Other montmorillonites, for which logical formulas could be derived from their analyses, were found to contain small amounts of free silica or free alumina. Others were found to contain neither free silica nor free alumina. The method consists of the following steps: (1) digestion of 1 g of the specimen with 0.5 N NaOH solution in a covered platinum crucible or dish on a steam bath for 4 hrs, stirring the mixture at 30-min intervals, (2) filtration of the undissolved material, followed by washing several times with 1% NaOH solution, (3) neutralization of the filtrate with HCl, addition of 5 ml HCl in excess and determination of SiO and Al 2 O 3 in the usual way and (4) calculation of the amount of free SiO 2 or free Al 2 O 3 if any and the amount of attack of the clay structure by the treatment from the ratio of SiO 2 to Al 2 O 3 dissolved and the ratio of SiO 2 to Al 2 O 3 obtained on analysis. Tests with 5% Na 2 CO 3 solution, the reagent formerly used for the solution of free SiO 2 in rocks and minerals, showed that solution of opal by this reagent is always fractional, never complete, no matter how small the amount present or how long the period of treatment. Re-treatment of the sample results in 90–95% solution if 10 mg or less of opal is present, but for larger amounts of opal the percentage dissolved decreases as the amount present increases. On the other hand, 75 ml of 0.5 N NaOH completely dissolves as much as 400 mg of opal in 4 hrs digestion in a covered platinum crucible or dish, on a steam bath. However, a weaker solution or a shorter period of digestion does not effect complete solution. The same amount (75 ml) of 0.5 N NaOH also dissolves 90 mg of cristobalite and 57 mg of quartz having a grain size of less than 2 microns. Use of NaOH also permits determination of the amount of alumina dissolved, and estimation of the extent to which the clay structure was attacked by the treatment.
Structural and functional analysis of a new subfamily of glycosyltransferases required for glycosylation of serine-rich streptococcal adhesins.

Serine-rich repeat glycoproteins (SRRPs) are a growing family of bacterial adhesins found in many streptococci and staphylococci; they play important roles in bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Glycosylation of this family of adhesins is essential for their biogenesis. A glucosyltransferase (Gtf3) catalyzes the second step of glycosylation of a SRRP (Fap1) from an oral streptococcus, Streptococcus parasanguinis. Although Gtf3 homologs are highly conserved in SRRP-containing streptococci, they share minimal homology with functionally known glycosyltransferases. We report here the 2.3 Å crystal structure of Gtf3. The structural analysis indicates that Gtf3 forms a tetramer and shares significant structural homology with glycosyltransferases from GT4, GT5, and GT20 subfamilies. Combining crystal structural analysis with site-directed mutagenesis and in vitro glycosyltransferase assays, we identified residues that are required for UDP- or UDP-glucose binding and for oligomerization of Gtf3 and determined their contribution to the enzymatic activity of Gtf3. Further in vivo studies revealed that the critical amino acid residues identified by the structural analysis are crucial for Fap1 glycosylation in S. parasanguinis in vivo. Moreover, Gtf3 homologs from other streptococci were able to rescue the gtf3 knock-out mutant of S. parasanguinis in vivo and catalyze the sugar transfer to the modified SRRP substrate in vitro, demonstrating the importance and conservation of the Gtf3 homologs in glycosylation of SRRPs. As the Gtf3 homologs only exist in SRRP-containing streptococci, we conclude that the Gtf3 homologs represent a unique subfamily of glycosyltransferases.
An investigation of contents and use of the home wardrobe

The home wardrobe is a complex and variable system, interacted with daily by its user/manager in a time- and resource-constrained decision-making process. Ubiquitous computing technology offers advantages in augmenting the decision-making process, and the potential to simultaneously encourage sustainable behaviors. In this study we present an empirical analysis of the contents of 11 home wardrobes and 3-6 months of daily dressing decisions for 5 users. We find that an average of only 7% of our female participants' wardrobes and 47% of our male participants' wardrobes are in regular use. In addition, we present an analysis of wardrobe contents, outfit composition, and garment utility in the wardrobe.
ETR cesium maintenance and repair

The procedures are described by which the Air Force Eastern Test Range's (ETR) cesium beam frequency standards (cesiums) are maintained and repaired. The ETR uses over 75 cesiums, distributed among various instrumentation sites throughout the range, as primary frequency standards in precise time and time interval (PTTI) systems. These cesiums perform critical-mission support functions and must be maintained at a high state of readiness. The Air Force regulations authorizing local (ETR) repairs are briefly examined. Maintenance routines and repair procedures, from fault determination to certification of repair, are presented. Repair facilities and test equipment are described. And finally, the authors comment on what is needed from industry and government to facilitate frequency standard procurement and repair. >
Aircraft trajectory planning with collision avoidance using mixed integer linear programming

Describes a method for finding optimal trajectories for multiple aircraft avoiding collisions. Developments in spacecraft path-planning have shown that trajectory optimization including collision avoidance can be written as a linear program subject to mixed integer constraints, known as a mixed-integer linear program (MILP). This can be solved using commercial software written for the operations research community. In the paper, an approximate model of aircraft dynamics using only linear constraints is developed, enabling the MILP approach to be applied to aircraft collision avoidance. The formulation can also be extended to include multiple waypoint path-planning, in which each vehicle is required to visit a set of points in an order chosen within the optimization.
Population pharmacokinetic modeling of the interaction between the P-glycoprotein inhibitor PSC-833 and mitoxantrone in pediatric leukemia patients

Aim PSC 833 is a safer and more potent P-glycoprotein inhibitor than its parent drug, cyclosporine. It has significant pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions with common chemotherapeutic drugs. To examine and quantify this interaction, we modeled the change in clearance of the antileukemic drug mitoxantrone (MTX) upon the co-administration of PSC. Methods PSC and MTX PK data on 14 patients were obtained from a Phase I clinical trial with pediatric patients having acute leukemia. On day 1, patients received MTX as an IV infusion of 10mg/m2 over 15 min. From day 2 to 5, the dose was halved and PSC was given as a 2mg/kg loading dose over 2h along with a continuous infusion at varying dose levels (8, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. Both the PSC and MTX data were fit to 2-compartment models. The effect of PSC on MTX clearance was modeled as follows: CLMTX= CL0+(CL1−CL0) * PSC/(PSC+EC50) where CL0 is the baseline clearance, CL1 is the asymptotic value of CL (when PSC ∞) for large concentrations of PSC. Results The population parameter estimates (%CV) obtained using NONMEM were: CLPSC=1.2 L/h (58%), V1PSC=2.4 L, V2PSC=41.5 L (473%) CL0= 16.5 L/h (47%), CL1=6.12 L/h (64%), EC50=0.5 mg/L, V1MTX=23.2 L, V2MTX=98.5 L. Conclusions We successfully modeled PSC and MTX PK and their interaction in pediatric leukemia patients. Our model allows us to estimate CLMTX at different PSC concentrations. PSC has a large effect on CLMTX (73% reduction). Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P32–P32; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.013
Thrust Characterization of a Bioinspired Vortex Ring Thruster for Locomotion of Underwater Robots

A new type of thrusting technology, loosely inspired by the locomotion of cephalopods, offers promising low-speed maneuvering capabilities for a new generation of underwater vehicles and robots. The actuators consist of a small cavity with a moving wall on one side and an orifice on the other side. The net effect of periodic movement of the moving wall is the ingestion of low-momentum fluid inside the cavity and then the expulsion of the fluid as a pulsatile jet from the orifice, with no net mass flux. Continuous operation of the actuator results in a synthetic jet. The actuators provide a net positive momentum flux with zero net mass flux. They are compact with no extruding components to negatively impact the vehicle's drag at cruising speed. Parameters controlling the pulsatile jet and its thrust are identified. The thruster was empirically tested for a large range of frequencies and stroke ratios. The thrust characteristics of the device with respect to frequency was seen to converge to a single thrust coefficient. A model was developed to predict the thrust coefficient. The effect of the stroke ratios on the thrust coefficient is investigated. The model accurately predicts the observed thrust coefficient for stroke ratios up to five where the vortex ring pinchoff occurs. The accuracy of the model degrades for stroke ratios above the formation number where part of the expelled jet is pulled back into the cavity. Additionally, these devices have thrust tracking times faster than those reported for typical propellor-type thrusters, and deliver a fully quantized level of thrust.
Thermal management of a 3D chip stack using a liquid interface to a synthetic jet cooled spreader

The present investigation focuses on the design of a unique liquid interface thermal management solution for a 3D chip stack that is embedded within a cavity, in a heat spreader cooled by an array of synthetic jet actuators. The heat sink module was previously reported by the authors, who achieved an overall heat transfer coefficient of ∼70 W/m2.K. The radial heat sink exploits enhanced, small-scale heat transfer that is affected by a central array of synthetic jet actuators. This approach is very effective due to the short radial thermal path of the cooling air along the fins which couples rapid, time-periodic entrainment and ejection of cool and heated air, respectively to increase the local heat transfer coefficient on the air-side. The key focus of this paper is the numerical simulation of the dielectric liquid interface used to efficiently transmit the heat from the high power 3D stacked electronics to the heat sink base. The coupled natural convection in the fluid and conduction in solid spreaders sandwiched between the tiers of the stack form a novel efficient, passive and scalable thermal management solution.
Stochastic methodology for prognostics under continuously varying environmental profiles

We present a stochastic modeling framework for sensor-based degradation signals that predicts, in real time, the residual lifetime of individual components subjected to a time-varying environment. We investigate the future environmental profile that is deterministic and evolves continuously. Unique to our model is the union of historical data with real-time sensor-based data to update the degradation model and the residual life distribution (RLD) of the component within a Bayesian framework. The performance of our model is evaluated on the basis of degradation signals from both numerical experiments and a case study using real bearing data. The results show that our approach accurately estimates the RLD by incorporating the environmental effects and utilizing the real-time observations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 6: 260–270, 2013
Lithological mapping in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, the Barramiya area, using Landsat thematic mapper (TM)

The Barramiya area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, comprises a variety of Late Proterozoic rocks including serpentinites, island-arc assemblage of metasediments and metavolcanics, and syntectonic granitoids. Lithological mapping in the Barramiya area is carried out by using Landsat thematic mapper (TM) image enhancement techniques, including RGB band ratio and supervised classification images. The significant spectral characteristics of serpentinites have been used previously by other authors to map these rocks using different band ratio images. In the current study, band ratio images (5/3, 5/1, 7/5), and (7/5, 5/4, 3/1) together with supervised classification techniques are used and proved effective for lithological mapping of the serpentinite rocks. Integrating previous knowledge lithological mapping studies of the study area and our visual interpretations of the different enhanced Landsat images, we mapped, in detail, the distribution of the Pan-African serpentinites in the Barramiya area. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.