cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of palladium by cold atom solution atomic absorption.

One of the largest obstacles in miniaturizing traditional atomic spectroscopic sources is the need for a thermal/electrical source for free atom production. A single article in the literature has demonstrated atomic absorption detection of Ag, Cu, and Pd in solution at room temperature for atoms in the gas phase, which may ultimately permit miniaturization. Unfortunately, several laboratories have found that reproducing the phenomenon has been difficult. Without a sound fundamental explanation of the processes leading to the signal, one must conclude that it can be done, but some unsuspected and unknown design/methodological nuances are responsible for only a single reported success. Gas phase atoms could exist at room temperature “in solution” if the atoms were trapped in very small bubbles. In the current study, submicrometer-sized bubbles were created in a flow-through cell during the mixing of an alcohol−water solution containing a reducing agent with water containing the analyte. A repeatable atomic ...
A Virtual Machining Model for Sustainability Analysis

Sustainability has become a very significant research topic since it impacts many different manufacturing industries. The adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices and technologies offers industry a cost effective route to improve economic, environmental, and social performance. As a major manufacturing process, the machining system plays an important role for sustainable manufacturing on the factory floor. Therefore, technologies for monitoring, analyzing, evaluating, and optimizing the sustainability impact of machining systems are critical for decision makers. Modeling and Simulation (M&S) can be an effective tool for success of sustainable manufacturing through its ability to predict the effect of implementing a new facility, process without interrupting real production. This paper introduces a methodology that provides a traditional virtual Numerical Control (NC) machining model with a new capability — to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of machining system based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The objective of the methodology is to analyze the sustainability impacts of machining process and determine a better plan for improving the sustainable performance of machining system in a virtual environment before work orders are released to the shop floor. Testing different scenarios with simulation models ensures the best setting option available can be chosen. The virtual NC model provides the necessary data for this assessment. In this paper, a list of environmental impact indicators and their metrics has been identified, and modeling elements for sustainable machining have been discussed. Inputs and outputs of the virtual machining model for sustainable machining are described. A case study to experiment the proposed methodology is discussed.
A 'fly-by' killing with a primordial cellular weapon

Autophagy has been suggested—on the basis of in vitro studies—to be involved in defense against bacterial challenge. A study in drosophila now shows the importance of autophagy in vivo and links a pattern recognition receptor to the autophagy pathway.
Trends in prenatal sonography use and subsequent urologic diagnoses and abortions in the United States

Objectives: Prenatal sonography has enabled fetal diagnosis of urologic conditions and is now commonly used in the US. The impact of this technology on the incidence of pedi- atric urological diagnoses is unknown. We sought to assess trends in prenatal sonography and resulting urologic diagnoses and/or abortions. Methods: Using administrative codes in Ingenix, a claims database of individuals with employer-based insurance, we identified women undergoing prenatal ultrasounds (1998e 2005). These were linked to claims for subsequent abortions, live births, and postnatal urologic diagnoses in resulting offspring. Results: 99.07% of women underwent ultrasound and childbirth. Ultrasound use among women whose pregnancies proceeded to birth increased from 90,568 to 96,866 per 100,000 mothere infant pairs from 1998 to 2005. Of women who did or did not undergo ultrasounds, 1.25% and 0.66% had infants with urologic diagnoses, respectively. The rates of prenatal ultrasound-de- tected urinary tract anomalies increased from 1032.26 per 100,000 live births in 1999 to 1225.71 per 100,000 live births in 2005. Conclusions: Prenatal ultrasound is widely used, but increased utilization of this diagnostic modality did not seem to be associated with abortions. The rate of pediatric urologic diagnoses in infants who had received prenatal ultrasound did not rise significantly over time.
Aristotle on Focal Meaning and the Unity of Science

(111) In Metaphysics r2, which reports his mature views on this subject, Aristotle finally struck upon the discovery that the verb "to be" itself was a case of systematic ambiguity (of a sort which Owen labels focal meaning ambiguity). Moreover, this discovery influenced him to reverse his previous estimation of the prospects for a universal science, and even to resurrect in the Metaphysics the Platonic program that he himself had dismissed as futile in his earlier works.
Spared descending pathways mediate locomotor recovery after subtotal spinal cord injury

The location of pathways responsible for locomotor recovery after incomplete spinal cord injury has been studied in adult rats. Animals were allowed to recover from subtotal mid-thoracic cord section which spared left lateral and ventral funiculus fibers. Subsequent lumbar commissurotomy or left thoracic cord hemisection abolished the locomotor recovery. Spared descending fibers passing through the initial incomplete cord lesion appear to mediate locomotor recovery.
Effect of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Alkalinity on the Density of Arctic Ocean Waters

At constant temperature, the density of deep waters in the oceans is higher than that of surface waters due to the oxidation of plant material that adds NO3, PO4, and Si(OH)4, and the dissolution of CaCO3(s) that adds Ca2+ and HCO3. These increases in the density have been used to estimate the absolute salinity of seawater that is needed to determine its thermodynamic properties. Density (ρ), total alkalinity (TA), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) measurements were taken on waters collected in the eastern Arctic Ocean. The results were examined relative to the properties of North Atlantic Waters. The excess densities (Δρ = ρMeas − ρCalc) in the surface Arctic waters were higher than expected (maximum of 0.008 kg m−3) when compared to Standard Seawater. This excess is due to the higher values of the normalized total alkalinity (NTA = TA * 35/S) (up to ~2,650 μmol kg−1) and DOC (up to ~130 μmol kg−1) resulting from river water input. New measurements are needed to determine how the DOC in the river waters contributes to the TA of the surface waters. The values of Δρ in deep waters are slightly lower (−0.004 ± 0.002 kg m−3) than that in Standard Seawater. The deep waters in the Arctic Ocean, unlike the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans, do not have significant concentrations of silicate (maximum ~15 μmol kg−1) and that can affect the densities. Since the NTA of the deep Arctic waters (2,305 ± 6 μmol kg−1) is the same as Standard Seawater (2,306 ± 3 μmol kg−1), the decrease in the density may be caused by the lower concentrations of DOC in the deep waters (44–50 μmol kg−1 compared to the Standard Seawater value of 57 ± 2 μmol kg−1). The relative deficit of DOC (7–13 μmol kg−1) in the deep Arctic waters appears to cause the lower densities (−0.004 kg m−3) and Absolute Salinities (S A, −0.004 g kg−1). The effect of increases or decreases in Δρ and δS A due to DOC in other deep ocean waters may be hidden in the correlations of the changes with silicate. Further work is needed to separate the effects of SiO2 and DOC on the density of deep waters of the world oceans.
Image-guidance for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Image-guided surgery (IGS) is a critical tool. However, its clinical validity remains controversial. A review of indications and a consensus based on literature are presented. Methods: Literature review. Results: Traditional indications remain valid. Novel applications have emerged, and the reliability of IGS has been consistently endorsed. Although evidence is based on scattered reports and expert opinions, the use of IGS in approved instances is regarded as the state of the art. Conclusions: IGS is reliable, and a scientific validation of outcomes would entail unethical strategies. An expanding spectrum of indications is anticipated, although IGS does not replace proper training.
Renal Dysfunction and Discharge Destination in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Identifying predictors of outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may improve understanding of factors that contribute to recovery. We determined whether indices of renal insufficiency would predict early outcome in patients with ICH without established chronic kidney disease (CKD). Consecutive ICH patients discharged from a university stroke service between September 2005 and June 2009 were evaluated for proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) on admission. Patients with known CKD were excluded. The outcome assessed was discharge to home directly from the inpatient stroke service (vs transfer to rehabilitation, higher-level care unit, or nursing home). Independent effects of renal insufficiency on outcome were evaluated using multivariate regression modeling. Of 94 patients with recent ICH, 84 (89%) met the study inclusion criteria. In unadjusted analyses, patients discharged to home were less likely to have proteinuria (28% vs 57.9%; P=.02) and low eGFR (12.1% vs 30.2%; P=.06). After adjusting for 13 confounders, the likelihood of being discharged to home were lower in patients with initial proteinuria alone (odds ratio [OR]=0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.07-2.58), low eGFR alone (OR=0.24; 95% CI=0.04-1.39), or both conditions simultaneously (OR=0.20; 95% CI=0.02-1.76), but none of these associations reached statistical significance. In this study, proteinuria or low eGFR on admission were not independently linked with discharge directly to home. Larger studies are needed to further explore this issue, however.
Northwestern Tanzania on a Single Shilling: Sociality, Embodiment, Valuation

The process of fermenting banana juice and ground millet into banana beer is an elaborate craft, practiced and appreciated by Haya men. As is the case in many African communities where the plenitude and desirability of beer is intimately connected with, if not indistinguishable from, the establishment and vigor of sociality itself, Haya brewers and drinkers are scrupulously attentive to the details of this often lengthy procedure (Carlson 1989; Karp 1980; Taylor 1991 ).' Many told me of their concern that jealous neighbors or sorcerers (often one and the same in Haya neighborhoods) would spoil their efforts by pouring kerosene into the frothy mixture during the night. But Haya evaluations of the fine points of the brewing process are by no means limited to anxious attempts to safeguard their valuable libations; there is, in fact, what can best be described as an aesthetic of beer production, and it is the demands of this aesthetic that dictate a careful and precise technique. Haya brewers say that it takes three days to prepare olubisi (fresh) banana beer from the juice of special beer bananas fermented with ground, often roasted millet.2 The beer is stored in the dugout canoe (obwato) in which the banana juices are first extracted, and must rest overnight and then the entire next day (the second day) before being ready to serve on the following morning (the third day). Over the course of these days and nights, samples from the developing mixture are frequently tasted to scrutinize and savor the brew. It is especially important to test the beer on the second day, when the millet has begun to draw the sugars out of the banana juice but has not yet fully converted them into alcohol. This heady, oversweet concoction, having rested for one full day after being squeezed, is called omulala (the sleeper) and is a highly prized drink in its own right. One man even described a well-made omulala as "a gift for a king." But omulala is not only enjoyed for its own sake, since it is taken as a critical index
Effects of pathway and neuronal aging on the specificity of motor axon regeneration.

Abstract Youth is a strong predictor of functional recovery after peripheral nerve repair, while adulthood is commonly associated with poor outcome. Identification of the factors responsible for this difference could form the basis for strategies to improve regeneration in adults. Preferential reinnervation of motor pathways by motor axons (PMR) occurs strongly in young rats, but is often absent in older animals, and thus parallels the overall trend for superior results in young individuals. These experiments evaluate the individual contributions of peripheral nerve age and motoneuron age to the decline in regeneration specificity (PMR) which accompanies the aging process. The femoral nerves of young and old Lewis rats were removed as inverted “Y” grafts from the femoral trunk proximally to the terminal muscle and cutaneous branches distally. These grafts were transferred from (1) old to young, (2) young to old, (3) old to old, and (4) young to young bilaterally in 10 individuals per group. After 8 weeks of regeneration, reinnervation of cutaneous and muscle branches was assessed by dual labeling with HRP and Fluoro-Gold. Motor neuron regeneration was random in old to old (mean muscle branch (M) = 159, mean cutaneous branch (C) = 168), but PMR was seen when young pathways were used in old animals (M = 163, C = 116). PMR was vigorous when either type of graft was used in young animals (young graft, M = 218, C = 134; old graft, M = 204, C = 127). In this model, motoneuron age appears to be the primary determinant of specificity. However, the pathway also makes significant contributions, as shown by the ability of young pathways to generate specificity in old animals. Manipulation of graft Schwann cell behavior might therefore be an appropriate strategy to improve outcome in older individuals.
Split-cavity cross-coupled extrinsic fiber interferometer

A new configuration of the extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer that eliminates the need for biasing the phase difference at the quadrature point is presented. This new version based on four-beam interference utilizes two sensor heads on a single directional coupler in a split- cavity cross-coupled extrinsic fiber interferometer (SCEFI) arrangement. The spectrum analysis scheme devised for signal demodulation allows a linear readout of the phase shift. Both dynamic as well as static phase shifts are considered. Significant applications of the SCEFI are also discussed.
Polyamines in normal and cataractous human lenses: evidence for post-translational modification.

Abstract The polyamine composition of normal and cataractous human lenses has been studied. Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) have been shown to occur in the unbound form in the acid-soluble fraction and in the bound form in the acid-insoluble fraction of the lens. It has also been shown that only putrescine occurs in both conjugated and non-conjugated states in the lens, while putrescine as well as spermidine occur in both forms in the aqueous fluid. Estimation of the polyamine content in cataractous lenses indicates elevated levels of both bound and unbound polyamines in these lenses in comparison to the normal lenses. Evidence is presented which indicates an increase in the level of polyamines covalently bound to protein, in a γ-glutamyl linkage, in the cataractous lens.
On the Theory of Printed Wire Antennas

In this paper, the theory of wire antennas printed on grounded dielectric substrates is presented. Pocklington's integral equation is solved by Moment Methods to obtain the current distribution of printed wire dipoles, including printed dipoles in array configurations. Essential to the analysis is the correct solution of Sommerfeld type integrals for field and source points located on the substrate. The antenna characteristics such as input and mutual impedance, as well as radiation patterns will be discussed. The importance of surface wave modes will also be emphasized.
The Assessment Process in Wisconsin: Perceptions of Ebd Teachers

The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the evaluation procedures and instruments used for placement decisions in programs for children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD), and (b) determine the usefulness of evaluation information in the development of individual education programs (IEPs) and instructional planning. Four hundred fifty of the approximately 1300 teachers of students identified as EBD in Wisconsin were randomly selected to respond to a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to provide information about two recent referrals, including: (a) whether the student was placed in an ED program, (b) what evaluation instruments/ procedures were used by each member of the multi-disciplinary (M-team), (c) how helpful the evaluation data were in the development of IEPs and as well as for instructional planning, and (d) what factors influenced the choice of evaluation instruments/procedures.The most frequently used evaluation instruments/procedures typically have be...
Definitive diagnosis in children with congenital hypothyroidism.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the definitive diagnosis and underlying causes of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in eligible children through the use of a standardized protocol. Study design Children ≥3 years of age with CH without an identified permanent cause underwent a diagnostic algorithm. Eligible subjects had an anatomically normal thyroid or had not undergone imaging studies. After thyroxine was discontinued for 4 weeks, thyroid function tests and a thyroid ultrasound were obtained. An abnormal ultrasound was followed by a 99m Tc thyroid scan. A perchlorate washout test was performed in subjects with a normal ultrasound but abnormal thyroid function tests. Children with normal results were followed for 1 year. Results Of 33 children, 17 were boys. Nine (27%) had an absent or ectopic thyroid, 12 (36%) had dyshormonogenesis, and 12 (36%) had transient CH. Average thyroxine dose before medication discontinuation was 2.9 ± 0.83 μg/kg in permanent cases versus 2.0 ± 0.53 μg/kg in transient ( P Conclusions A significant percentage of children with CH have a transient requirement for thyroid hormone. A standardized protocol with thyroid ultrasonography is a safe and sensitive approach to a trial off of thyroxine in select patients.
Analysis of consumers' willingness to pay for new food prepared from cowpea flour

Consumers' willingness to pay for cowpea products was analysed by a multi-ordered response model. The analysis indicated that sociodemographic factors are weakly linked to consumers' willingness to pay while product characteristics are strongly linked. Marketing promotion is possible. Thus, akara products, made from cowpea paste, have potential for extending the utilization of cowpeas.
Complex instruction: Equity in cooperative learning classrooms

(1999). Complex instruction: Equity in cooperative learning classrooms. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 38, Building Community Through Cooperative Learning, pp. 80-86.
The combination of polymicrobial sepsis and endotoxin results in an inflammatory process that could not be predicted from the independent insults.

Abstract Background. The variable clinical profile observed in critically ill patients is the result of multiple factors. Genetic determinants have recently been shown as confounding factors in the response to injury. However, other elements, such as the environment and the type of injury, could modify this response. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of combining insults and different genetic backgrounds on the inflammatory response. Materials. Male mice, C57BL/6J (B6) and A/J, were randomized to undergo cecal ligation and single puncture (CLP) or sham operation (SOP). After 24 h of recovery, mice were randomized again into two groups, one group was injected with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 15 mg/kg) and the other was injected with normal saline (NS). An additional experimental group included mice that were not operated (NOP) and injected with LPS. Mice were evaluated by plasma cytokine content. Results. The combination of insults resulted in an apparent additive effect for some cytokines, such as interleukin (IL) 6. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was considerably lower in the combined injury group with respect to injection of LPS alone. There was no relevant difference in IL-10 levels between any group, except that its decay was slower in the CLP + LPS group. Overall, cytokine levels were different between B6 and A/J mice indicating a genetic contribution. Conclusions. These results indicate that the response to stress is the combination of the type of injury and the genetic background of the subject. These observations also illustrate the difficulty in predicting the inflammatory response and underlying mechanism based on cytokine plasma levels.
Risks of Endoscopic Hemostasis

Complications of endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding may result from patient- and procedure-related factors. Cardiopulmonary complications occur as a result of the sedation used, comorbid illnesses, and type of endoscopic procedure performed. As GI bleeding is a potentially life-threatening emergency, endoscopic procedures often need to be performed in patients with other acute illnesses, including acute myocardial infarction. Although endoscopy usually can be performed safely in this setting, high-risk criteria identify patients at increased risk for complications. In patients at high risk of aspiration, such as those with altered mental status or with massive upper GI bleeding, elective endotracheal intubation is recommended. In addition to patient-related factors, procedural risks depend on the site of bleeding, source of bleeding, and type of endoscopic intervention used. Specific techniques of endoscopic hemostasis are associated with certain complications, but treatment-specific precautions may be taken to reduce complications. Attention to endoscopic technique and patient factors is needed to minimize risk during endoscopic treatment of hemorrhage.
Automated multifilter rotating shadow-band radiometer: an instrument for optical depth and radiation measurements

The multifilter rotating shadow-band radiometer is a ground-based instrument that uses independent interference-filter-photodiode detectors and the automated rotating shadow-band technique to make spectrally resolved measurements at seven wavelength passbands (chosen at the time of manufacture between 350 nm and 1.7 µm) of direct-normal, total-horizontal, and diffuse-horizontal irradiances. This instrument achieves an accuracy in direct-normal spectral irradiance comparable with that of tracking radiometers, and it is more accurate than conventional instruments for the determination of the diffuse and total-horizontal spectral irradiances because the angular acceptance function of the instrument closely approximates the ideal cosine response, and because the measured direct-normal component can be corrected for the remaining angular acceptance error. The three irradiance components are measured with the same detector for a given wavelength. Together with the automated shadow-band technique, this guarantees hat the calibration coefficients are identical for each, thus reducing errors when one compares them (as opposed to measurements made with independent instruments). One can use the direct-normal component observations for Langley analysis to obtain depths and to provide an ongoing calibration against the solar constant by extrapolation to zero air mass. Thus the long-term stability of all three measured components can be tied to the solar constant by an analysis of the routinely collected data.
Ultrasound bent-ray tomography using both transmission and reflection data

Ultrasound bent-ray tomography can produce the sound-speed distribution of the breast for detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. However, the conventional ultrasound ray tomography uses only transmission data, leading to low-resolution images. We develop a new ultrasound bent-ray tomography technique using both transmission and reflection data to improve sound-speed reconstructions. We employ an ultrasound reflection imaging technique, Kirchhoff migration, to obtain the locations of reflectors for calculating arrival times of ultrasound refection signals. We use both first-arrival times (time-of-flights) of ultrasound transmission data and arrival times of ultrasound reflection data for sound-speed reconstructions. Our numerical studies show that our new ultrasound bent-ray tomography using both transmission and reflection data significantly improves the image resolution and sound-speed reconstructions compared to the conventional ultrasound ray tomography using only transmission data.
A Randomized Trial of the Effect of Soft Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children

Purpose Soft contact lenses have been reported to increase the progression of myopia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether soft contact lenses affect the progression of myopia in children. Methods Children between the ages of 8 and 11 years with -1.00 to -6.00 D myopia and less than 1.00 D astigmatism were randomly assigned to wear soft contact lenses (n = 247) or spectacles (n = 237) for 3 years. Refractive error and corneal curvatures were measured annually by cycloplegic autorefraction, and axial length was measured annually by A-scan ultrasound. Multilevel modeling was used to compare the rate of change of refractive error, corneal curvature, and axial length between spectacle and contact lens wearers. Results There was a statistically significant interaction between time and treatment for myopia progression (P = 0.002); the average rate of change was 0.06 D per year greater for contact lens wearers than spectacle wearers. After 3 years, the adjusted difference between contact lens wearers and spectacle wearers was not statistically significant (95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.46 to 0.02). There was no difference between the two treatment groups with respect to change in axial length (ANCOVA, P = 0.37) or change in the steepest corneal curvature (ANCOVA, P = 0.72). Conclusions These data provide reassurance to eye care practitioners concerned with the phenomenon of "myopic creep." Soft contact lens wear by children does not cause a clinically relevant increase in axial length, corneal curvature, or myopia relative to spectacle lens wear. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00522288.).
Transient increases in methylbutenol emission following partial defoliation of Pinus ponderosa

Methybutenol (MBO or 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol) is a five-carbon alcohol produced and emitted in large amounts by many species of pine native to Western North America. Upon entering the atmosphere, MBO may engage in a series of chemical reactions which may ultimately lead to the production of tropospheric ozone which is a damaging pollutant. While the physical factors controlling MBO emission are well understood, the ecological factors controlling MBO emission have yet to be addressed. This study examines the response of MBO emission from Pinus ponderosa to herbivory simulated by needle clipping. Following defoliation early in the season, MBO emission from some plants tripled but similar increase did not occur later in the season. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the variable response of MBO emission to defoliation may have been due to the action of insect herbivores early in the season, or may have been due to phenological changes in the plants over the course of the season.
Parallel optical fuzzy logic inference using a SLM-based architecture

Abstract A new optoelectronic fuzzy inference system is proposed for processing a large number of fuzzy rules in parallel. The proposed system using spatial light modulator implements various membership functions as well as max–min inference. It has the features of easy implementation and large data processing capability. The membership function decomposition method is used to save space bandwidth and accommodate multiple-input fuzzy inference.
Patterns of genetic structure in the endangered aquatic gastropod Valvata utahensis (Mollusca: Valvatidae) at small and large spatial scales

Summary 1. The aquatic snail Valvata utahensis (Gastropoda: Valvatidae) is a federally endangered aquatic mollusk known only from the Snake River in southern Idaho, U.S.A. The Snake River, like many other large river systems in the western United States, has undergone substantial anthropogenic modifications in recent history that have altered water flows, changed physicochemical attributes of the water and produced an overall spatially fragmented aquatic system. 2. Because little is currently known about the basic biology and life history of V. utahensis, we conducted a detailed genetic analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in this species from six locations along the Snake River. This study was designed to discern (i) levels of within-location genetic diversity, (ii) patterns of genetic structure at small spatial scales (i.e. within sampling locations) and (iii) patterns of genetic structure at large spatial scales (among sampling locations). 3. We show that comparable levels of nuclear genetic variation exist within each of the six locations examined. However, reduced mitochondrial sequence diversity was observed at Thousand Springs compared with the other locations examined. 4. We further illustrate that V. utahensis shows no genetic structure within locations over relatively small physical distances up to approximately 3 km. We suggest that active dispersal of individuals via crawling and passive dispersal because of downstream displacement or floating behaviours may have produced this pattern. However, at large spatial scales genetic structure generally followed an isolation-by-distance pattern. This pattern was not directly correlated with the connectivity of locations through the river corridor and suggested the possible role of episodic passive dispersal via avian waterfowl or the effects of historical floods throughout the Snake River c. 14 000 years ago.
Exergy-based optimal control of a vapor compression system

Abstract Exergy-based analysis and optimization has been successfully used to design a variety of thermal systems to achieve greater efficiency. However, the advantages afforded by exergy destruction minimization (EDM) at the design stage have not been translated to closed-loop operation of thermal systems such as vapor compression systems (VCSs). Through online optimization and control, VCSs can effectively respond to disturbances, such as weather or varying loads that cannot be accounted for at the design stage, while simultaneously maximizing system efficiency. Furthermore, in applications where VCSs encounter high frequency disturbances, such as in refrigerated transport applications or passenger vehicles, optimizing efficiency at steady-state conditions alone may not lead to significant reductions in energy consumption. In this paper we design the first exergetic, or second law, optimal controller for a canonical four-component vapor compression system (VCS). A lumped parameter moving boundary modeling framework is used to model the two heat exchangers in the VCS. A model predictive controller is then designed and implemented in simulation using a dynamic exergy-based objective function to determine the optimal control actions for the VCS to maximize exergetic efficiency while achieving a desired cooling capacity. Simulation results show that an exergy-based model predictive controller minimizing exergy destruction achieves over 40% greater exergetic efficiency during operation than a comparable first law MPC. Moreover, the distribution of exergy destruction across individual components offers new insight into the effect of variable-speed actuators on system efficiency in VCSs.
Technology and communication design: crossroads and compromises

As I prepare to teach the latest iteration of my course in Visualizing Information, I am struck by how quickly visualization software and techniques are advancing. As an academic, whose primary job is as a researcher and teacher, my relationship with technology is rooted at the crossroads of excitement and dread; of just catching up and being perpetually behind. I feel excitement that advancements in web functionality and design, visualization techniques, and other technology-enabled practices are finally happening and can benefit my work and the work of my students. Conversely I am filled with dread that I rarely feel fully in-the-know, much less at the bleeding edge of these developments because my job doesn't necessarily reward that kind of knowledge. As a graduate student in the fall of 2000 (Is that really 14 years ago?) I earned a webmaster certification and followed that by helping in the redesign of several websites at my university. A decade later, as an assistant professor on the tenure clock, I was composing an academic webtext and I found myself needing the help of an undergraduate student to teach me how to integrate something called jQuery into my HTML5. I was dismayed over how rusty my skills had become once my tenure responsibilities had taken over.
Digital pulse-shape discrimination applied to an ultra-low-background gas-proportional counting system: first results

A new ultra-low-background proportional counter design was recently developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). This design, along with an ultra-low-background counting system which provides passive and active shielding with radon exclusion, has been developed to complement a new shallow underground laboratory (~30 m water-equivalent) constructed at PNNL. After these steps to mitigate dominant backgrounds (cosmic rays, external gamma-rays, radioactivity in materials), remaining background events do not exclusively arise from ionization of the proportional counter gas. Digital pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) is thus employed to further improve measurement sensitivity. In this work, a template shape is generated for each individual sample measurement of interest, a “self-calibrating” template. Differences in event topology can also cause differences in pulse shape. In this work, the temporal region analyzed for each event is refined to maximize background discrimination while avoiding unwanted sensitivity to event topology. This digital PSD method is applied to sample and background data, and initial measurement results from a biofuel methane sample are presented in the context of low-background measurements currently being developed.
Aldehyde-alcohol reactions catalyzed under mild conditions by chromium(III) terephthalate metal organic framework (MIL-101) and phosphotungstic acid composites.

Porous materials based on chromium(III) terephthalate metal organic frameworks (MIL-101) and their composites with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) were studied as heterogeneous acid catalysts in aldehyde-alcohol reactions exemplified by acetaldehyde-phenol (A-P) condensation and dimethylacetal formation from benzaldehyde and methanol (B-M reaction). The MIL-101 was synthesized solvothermically in water, and the MIL101/PTA composite materials were obtained by either impregnation of the already prepared MIL-101 porous matrix with phosphotungstic acid solution or by solvothermic treatment of aqueous mixtures of Cr(NO3)3, and terephthalic and phosphotungstic acids. The MIL101/PTA materials appeared to be effective catalysts for both A-P and B-M reactions occurring at room temperature, with half-lives ranging from 0.5 h (A-P) to 1.5–2 h (B-M) and turnover numbers over 600 for A-P and over 2900 for the B-M reaction, respectively. A synergistic effect of the strong acidic moieties (PTA) addition to mildly acidic Bron...
Reactivity of the invariant cysteine of silver hake parvalbumin (Isoform B) with dithionitrobenzoate (DTNB) and the effect of differing buffer species on reactivity

Abstract Covalent and non-covalent homo- and hetero-dimerization has been implicated as a means of functional regulation in members of the EF-hand family of calcium-binding proteins, including oncomodulin, S100, troponin C and calmodulin. The presence of an invariant cysteine at position 18 in all β-lineage parvalbumins suggests an important function for this sulfhydryl-containing amino acid. The chemical reactivity of Cys-18 toward the thiol-directed reagent dithionitrobenzoate (DTNB) (in a variety of solvent systems) was examined in this study to obtain information on differences in reactivity of the group in the calcium-bound versus the metal-free protein. Under our experimental conditions, the purified parvalbumin isoform from the silver hake employed was shown to be a mixture of monomeric protein (with a free thiol at the Cys-18 position) and disulfide-linked `dimeric' protein. The monomeric protein, but not the disulfide-linked `dimeric' protein, proved to be reactive towards DTNB and it was determined that the reaction occurs at a significantly greater rate with protein in the presence of excess EDTA than with just the calcium-loaded protein, indicating a conformational change in the apo-protein which exposes the Cys-18 thiol to the sulfhydryl-directed reagent. This is in agreement with the observations of Clayshulte et al. (1990) on oncomodulin, and also with Donato and Martin (1974) in their work with carp β-parvalbumin, but in contrast to the observations of Mutus et al. (1988) also with oncomodulin. The experimental kinetic profiles associated with the reaction of DTNB and SHPV-B were fitted to a simple model containing multiple bi-molecular reactions. The results of molecular dynamics simulations, focused on the issue of solvent exposure of the Cys-18 thiol, are consistent with our interpretation of the kinetics. The reactivity of Cys-18 with DTNB predictably increased with pH, but, quite unexpectedly, the precise nature of the kinetic response was also found to depend rather dramatically on the nature of the buffer species employed. The buffer dependency of the reaction of DTNB with the Cys-18 sulfhydryl group is one of the more significant, and unexpected, findings of this study. The dramatic changes in Cys-18 modification kinetic profiles observed with buffers of different ionic character (NH 4 HCO 3 , Tris–HCl, piperazine) clearly demonstrate that buffer selection is not a trivial matter. Buffers that have significant metal ion complexing power can easily sequester trace metal ions, and protein thiol-disulfide kinetic studies performed in the presence of such buffers can exhibit dramatically altered kinetic behavior when compared to similar studies performed in metal-free buffer systems.
The state of psychological measures for adult sexual offenders

The core treatment targets (CTTs) in sex offender treatment programs across much of North America are relatively consistent. These interventions address deficits such as cognitive distortions, victim empathy, and problem-solving. Such deficit areas are thought to be linked to sexual offending and increased risk of recidivism, which is the distal outcome used to evaluate a program's success. Few programs discuss the proximal outcomes, which are changes in the CTTs. To effectively measure proximal outcomes, researchers and clinicians need to be aware of and use valid and reliable instruments to assess progress in the CTTs. This paper provides a thorough review of the available instruments that measure the common CTTs in sex offender treatment programs. For each CTT, we present a brief description of the construct, the available instruments, the known psychometric properties, and whether the measures have been cross-validated with sex offenders.
Smoking and Cognitive Impairment: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that there is an inverse relationship between smoking and cognitive impairment by examining the prevalence and incidence of such impairment in a representative cohort of older urban residents. DESIGN: Survey follow-up with three interviews over a 4-year period. SETTING: City of Cleveland, Ohio. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred forty-seven survivors of a population-based, multi-stage probability sample of urban residents, aged 74 years and older in 1984. MEASUREMENTS: Past and present cigarette smoking was measured in 1984 by direct questioning. Cognitive impairment was measured in 1984, 1987, and 1988 by the 10-item Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Mortality was determined at each interview date, and death certificates were obtained. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis, stratified analysis, and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 99 cases of cognitive impairment at baseline among 628 individuals for whom complete data were available. Crude data suggest that the prevalence of cognitive impairment was lower among smokers than among non-smokers, but logistic regression, adjusted for age, income, and gender, showed this difference to be nonsignificant, OR 0.73; 95% CI (0.42,1.29). Fifty-one new cases of cognitive impairment occurred during the 4-year observation period. Neither the crude data nor logistic regression showed any significant relationship between smoking and the incidence of cognitive impairment, OR 1.03; 95% CI (0.54, 1.99). Four-year mortality did not differ significantly between these older smokers and non-smokers, but smokers died at a relatively younger age and were more likely to die of diseases associated with smoking. CONCLUSION: This study does not confirm the hypothesis that there is a negative relationship between smoking and cognitive impairment. The mortality data suggest that case-control prevalence studies of the hypothesized relationship may be distorted by complex life-long trends in behavior, morbidity, and mortality which could result in a misleading appearance of low prevalence of cognitive impairment among smokers. Additional large, prospective, population-based studies of the incidence of cognitive impairment and related disorders and possible protective or risk factors other than smoking are needed. J Am Geriatr Soc 44:905–909, 1996.
Rural-urban differences in the distribution of parent-reported risk factors for substance use among young adolescents.

Abstract Purpose: We examined rural–urban differences in cumulative risk for youth substance use. A recent report [National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) 2000] found that the rural–urban distribution of substance use and known risk factors for substance use differed; in many cases rural youth showed higher levels of use, as well as higher levels of risk factors. The current investigation, while not directly examining substance use, further examined rural–urban differences in the distribution of risk factors for youth substance use, based on information from parent reports. Method: Study 1 data were collected from a random sample of Midwestern parents ( n =339) with a young adolescent between the ages of 11 and 13 years. Study 2 data were collected from a second sample of Midwestern parents ( n =593). Results: Analyses of rural–urban comparisons demonstrated higher levels of cumulative risk among rural youth. An evaluation of the sensitivity of the analysis to rural–urban classification schemes indicated that the findings were robust, but that there was some minor variation in rural–urban differences by classification scheme. Implications: Results contribute to an explanation of findings from earlier reports of rural–urban differences in substance use, and suggest directions for future research on rural–urban distributions of youth risk factors.
Interacting Quasi-Two-Dimensional Sheets of Interlinked Carbon Nanotubes: A High-Pressure Phase of Carbon

A novel quasi-two-dimensional phase of carbon and the formation of a metastable hexagonal phase of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) by subjecting the SWCNT bundles to hydrostatic pressure. The chirality of the nanotubes determines the breaking of symmetry of the nanotubes under compression. Interestingly SWCNTs are found to undergo a mixture of sp(2) and sp(3) hybridization and are found to form novel interacting quasi-two-dimensional sheets of interlinked SWCNTs under hydrostatic pressure. Symmetry breaking, leading to the formation of highly directional bonds at stressed edges, is found to play an important role in the interlinking of the nanotubes. (3n + 3, 3n + 3) SWCNTs are found to acquire a hexagonal cross-section when subjected to hydrostatic pressures. The opening of a pseudogap is observed for small as well as large diameter armchair SWCNTs in nanotube bundles. Equilibrium separations calculated using the Leonard-Jones potentials indicate excellent agreement with the predictions of density functional calculations and experimental observations.
Brief report: Filial anxiety in mothers and daughters: Cross-validation of Cicirelli's (1988) Filial Anxiety Scale

This study replicated and extended prior research on filial anxiety by examining two generations of women in the same families. Eighty-five mothers and daughters completed several measures assessing filial anxiety, general anxiety, family relationships, self-efficacy in caregiving, filial responsibility, and perceived health. Results showed an exact replication of Cicirelli's (1988) two-factor solution of the Filial Anxiety Scale (FAS) for the middle-aged mothers, but a three-factor solution and some item overlap across factors for the undergraduate daughters. Mothers and daughters scored similarly on most of the other measures. Correlational results indicated that the different dimensions of the FAS relate differently with the other measures. Results are discussed in terms of the need for additional scale development with younger adults and in terms of the broader context of the correlational findings.
Use of the DNA polymerase chain reaction for homology probing: isolation of partial cDNA or genomic clones encoding the iron-sulfur protein of succinate dehydrogenase from several species

Abstract The DNA polymerase chain reaction was developed for in vitro amplification of specific DNA sequences, and it has been used for a wide variety of purposes in several fields. We have developed an application of the polymerase chain reaction that is useful for the isolation of partial cDNA or genomic clones of conserved genes. We used this technique to clone the gene encoding the iron protein subunit (27 kDa) of succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.5.1) from several species, including human, rat, Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mixed oligonucleotide primers corresponding to two conserved regions of the protein were used in conjunction with genomic and cDNA templates in the reaction. The primers contained all possible nucleotide combinations that could encode the corresponding peptide sequences. These oligonucleotide mixtures contained 262,144 (2(18] and 8192 (2(13] unique sequences, respectively. Use of the polymerase chain reaction for homology probing allows one to utilize more complex mixtures of oligonucleotides as probes than is possible with filter hybridization screening techniques. In addition, the polymerase chain reaction offers the advantage of synthesizing the DNA product directly, in some cases obviating the need to construct cDNA or genomic libraries. This application of the polymerase chain reaction should be useful not only for the identification of conserved genes in a variety of species but also for the isolation of previously unknown members of gene families.