cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infants Presenting with Recurrent Infections and Low Immunoglobulins: Characteristics and Analysis of Normalization

To better characterize infants presenting with diminished immunoglobulin levels and intact antibody formation, we present 49 such infants, correlating presenting characteristics with history and time to immunoglobulin normalization. Term infants with the following characteristics were included: 1) one or more immunoglobulin classes > 2SD below mean, 2) protective antibody titer to tetanus and diphtheria, 3) intact cellular immunity, 4) no features of other syndromes. The children were 69.4% male and had recurrent otitis media (77.6%), wheezing (61.2%), and atopy (26.5%). Diminished IgA (95.9%) was most common, but 65.3% had multiple isotypes diminished. During follow-up, 25/49 (51%) normalized immunoglobulins, of whom 80% were male; only 48% normalized in infancy. Female immunoglobulin normalization was significantly delayed (p < .001). No deaths or serious infections occurred. This phenotype is predominantly seen in male infants with otitis media and wheezing. Female infants have significantly delayed immunoglobulin normalization. Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy can be diagnosed only retrospectively.
A general class of Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics methods and implications for fluid mixing problems

Various formulations of smooth-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) have been proposed, intended to resolve certain difficulties in the treatment of fluid mixing instabilities. Most have involved changes to the algorithm which either introduce artificial correction terms or violate arguably the greatest advantage of SPH over other methods: manifest conservation of energy, entropy, momentum, and angular momentum. Here, we show how a class of alternative SPH equations of motion (EOM) can be derived self-consistently from a discrete particle Lagrangian (guaranteeing manifest conservation) in a manner which tremendously improves treatment of instabilities and contact discontinuities. Saitoh & Makino recently noted that the volume element used to discretize the EOM does not need to explicitly invoke the mass density (as in the 'standard' approach); we show how this insight, and the resulting degree of freedom, can be incorporated into the rigorous Lagrangian formulation that retains ideal conservation properties and includes the 'Grad-h' terms that account for variable smoothing lengths. We derive a general EOM for any choice of volume element (particle 'weights') and method of determining smoothing lengths. We then specify this to a 'pressure-entropy formulation' which resolves problems in the traditional treatment of fluid interfaces. Implementing this in a new version of the GADGET code, we show it leads to good performance in mixing experiments (e.g. Kelvin-Helmholtz & blob tests). And conservation is maintained even in strong shock/blastwave tests, where formulations without manifest conservation produce large errors. This also improves the treatment of sub-sonic turbulence, and lessens the need for large kernel particle numbers. The code changes are trivial and entail no additional numerical expense. This provides a general framework for self-consistent derivation of different 'flavors' of SPH.
Recombinant BDNF Rescues Deficits in Basal Synaptic Transmission and Hippocampal LTP in BDNF Knockout Mice

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed at high levels in hippocampal neurons, and its expression is modulated by neural activity. Knockout mice can be used to study the roles of molecules like BDNF in synaptic plasticity with more molecular specificity than is possible using pharmacological approaches. Because in conventional knockouts the disrupted gene product is absent in all tissues throughout the life of the animal, developmental effects may complicate the interpretation of deficits in the adult. Rescue experiments can help to distinguish between developmental and acute requirements for the missing gene product. We here demonstrate that treatment of hippocampal slices from BDNF knockout mice with recombinant BDNF completely reverses deficits in long-term potentiation and significantly improves deficits in basal synaptic transmission at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse. Thus, BDNF has an acute role in hippocampal synaptic function.
The Motivational Interviewing Navigation Guide: a process for enhancing teachers' motivation to adopt and implement school-based interventions

There is a critical need to engage theory-driven research related to the deployment of mental health promotion initiatives and student outcomes. A growing body of research supporting the use of motivational interviewing and engagement strategies in education suggests that this approach may be promising to better understand mechanisms through which coaches, mentors or consultants influence the change in behaviour and improve the implementation of effective practices. Motivational interviewing is a specific approach to engagement that works to raise motivation for fostering change, and may also serve as a useful approach for maximizing teachers' roles within school-based mental health promotion efforts. In this article, we describe the Motivational Interviewing Navigation Guide (MING), which consists of a five-step process to motivate teachers to implement critical features of an intervention with fidelity. In addition, the potential barriers to implement the MING approach, as well as recommendations for fu...
Long-Term Genetic Stability and Population Dynamics of Laboratory Strains of Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract Measures of genetic differentiation between populations are useful tools for understanding the long-term dynamics of parasite communities. We followed the allele frequencies of microsatellite markers in samples taken over a period of 16 yr from the Case Western Reserve University-Naval Medical Research Institute (CWRU-NMRI) laboratory strain of Schistosoma mansoni. DNA was isolated from pooled samples of adults, eggs, or cercariae collected at 46 time points and genotyped for 14 tri- or tetranucleotide microsatellite markers. For comparison, 2 S. mansoni reference strains (Biomedical Research Institute-NMRI, which has a common origin with the CWRU line, and PR-1) were analyzed over shorter periods of time. We observed that the long-term allele frequencies are generally stable in large laboratory populations of this parasite, and a high degree of similarity was observed between the allele frequencies of consecutive samples from different developmental stages. The CWRU strain, however, showed 2 per...
Characterization of the gene encoding the iron-sulfur protein subunit of succinate dehydrogenase from Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The iron-sulfur protein (Ip) subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (and complex II of the electron transport chain) is highly conserved in evolution [Gould et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86 (1989) 1934–1938]. We have cloned the Drosophila melanogaster Ip-encoding gene ( SdhB ) by genomic library screening using the human Ip-encoding cDNA as a probe at low stringency. A 2.7-kb fragment containing SdhB has been sequenced and shown to comprise the entire transcribed region and more than 900 bp of promoter region. The gene contains three exons and two small introns of 272 and 56 nt, respectively, and is transcribed into an mRNA of 1205 nt (plus poly(A) tail). The deduced amino-acid (aa) sequence shows strong similarities with Ip peptides from Escherichia coli , yeasts, plants and mammals, with 100% aa identity around the three Cys clusters which form the non-heme iron-sulfur centers. In situ hybridization on polytene chromosomes maps SdhB to band 42D 1–5 on the right arm of the second chromosome next to the centromere. Developmental and tissue-specific Northern blots show a single transcript of 1.3 kb in all tissues. However, its abundance varies during development and in the major body segments of the adult fly. Pupae have very low levels of transcript, in contrast to larvae. It is most abundant in the adult thorax and low in abdominal tissues.
Glucosyltransferase activity in a water extract of maize pollen.

Glucosyltransferase activity was extracted from maize pollen in distilled water. The enzymatic reaction required UDP-glucose, mercaptoethanol and Ca++, and had a pH optimum at 8.2. Either kampferol or quercetin served as a substrate. Michaelis-Menten constants obtained were 0.6×10-4 M for quercetin and 0.74×10-3M for UDP-glucose. Ammonium-sulfate precipitation of the enzyme gave a 4fold purification.
Regional cerebral volume loss associated with verbal learning and memory in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Twenty-seven research participants with dementia of the Alzheimer type were studied with the California Verbal Learning Test (D. C. Delis, J. H. Kramer, E. Kaplan, & B. A. Ober, 1987) and standardized volume measures of the mesial temporal cortical gray matter, neocortical gray matter, thalamus, and caudate nuclei, from magnetic resonance imaging. A pattern of atrophic brain changes in the mesial temporal lobes (MTL) and the thalamus, with relatively less severe atrophy in the neocortical gray matter, was associated with poorer learning of the word list. Similar patterns of brain atrophy were observed for measures of delayed recall and recognition hits. However, for delayed recall, neither contribution was statistically significant, and for recognition hits. MTL was only at the trend level for significance. These results provide evidence that the verbal memory deficit of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated not only with the mesial temporal limbic cortex, thought to be the site of earliest and most severe patholog y in AD, but also with damage in the thalamus.
Skin Permeation Rate as a Function of Chemical Structure

Multilinear and nonlinear QSAR models were built for the skin permeation rate (Log Kp) of a set of 143 diverse compounds. Satisfactory models were obtained by three approaches applied: (i) CODESSA PRO, (ii) Neural Network modeling using large pools of theoretical molecular descriptors, and (iii) ISIDA modeling based on fragment descriptors. The predictive abilities of the models were assessed by internal and external validations. The descriptors involved in the equations are discussed from the physicochemical point of view to illuminate the factors that influence skin permeation.
Dose distribution under external eye shields for high energy electrons

Effectiveness of eye shields in reducing the dose to the eye lens from 6 and 9 MeV electron beams from a linear accelerator has been evaluated. The thickness of the shields made from cerrobend was such that only bremsstrahlung photons were transmitted. A shield with a diameter of 1.3 cm and thickness of 1 cm was adequate for the 9 MeV electron beam. The optimum shield to phantom surface distance was 1 cm or less. The same shield with a thickness of 0.5 cm was found to be ineffective with a 6 MeV electron beam. The dose under the shield is greater than predicted by transmission measurements because of the contribution of phantom and electron cone generated scattered electrons.
Muscle protein metabolism in the elderly: influence of exercise and nutrition.

Although the causes of sarcopenia are multi-factorial, at least some, such as poor nutrition and inactivity, may be preventable. Changes in muscle mass must be a result of net muscle protein breakd...
Central nervous system involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: an analysis of risks and prevention strategies in the post-rituximab era

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) occurs infrequently (approximately 5%), but is almost universally fatal. Controversy exists regarding which factors most reliably identify high risk patients in the post-rituximab era. Clarification is also needed regarding the value of prophylaxis strategies when contemporary rituximab-based chemotherapy regimens (chemoimmunotherapy) are used. A systematic review with focus on the era of chemoimmunotherapy has been performed. Involvement of > 1 extranodal site plus an elevated lactate dehydrogenase level identifies individuals at highest risk (> 20%) for CNS recurrence who merit additional evaluation. Only certain solitary extranodal sites (testis, kidney and breast, but not bones, orbit or epidural space) appear to confer higher risk in patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy. Data from studies employing modern regimens suggest that intrathecal prophylaxis is ineffective even for high risk populations. Systemic prophylaxis (e.g. high dose methotrexate) may be useful, but does not have strong support in the literature. A significant portion of patients with high risk features (˜25%) may already have subclinical CNS disease, which requires alternative detection and treatment strategies. Flow cytometry is a promising approach with increased sensitivity. Widespread use of this approach could redefine what risk and prophylaxis mean. An algorithm for incorporating risk factors, evaluation and treatment is presented.
Medication-Related Complications in the Trauma Patient:

Trauma patients are twice as likely to have adverse reactions to medication as nontrauma patients. The need for medication in trauma patients is high. Surgery is often necessary, and immunosuppression and hypercoagulability may be present. Adverse drug events can be caused in part by altered pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and polypharmacy. Medications may also have serious long-term adverse effects, which must be considered. It is not the purpose of this review article to discuss all adverse effects of all medications. This article will discuss the more common adverse effects of medications for trauma patients in the acute care setting, in the following categories: pain control, sedation, antibiotics, seizure prophylaxis in head trauma, atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism prophylaxis, hemodynamic support, adrenal insufficiency, factor VIIa.
Ge epitaxial refill deposition techniques for fabricating pedestal transistor structures

An etch-epitaxial refill technique is described for the fabrication of integrated high-speed Ge transistor structures having a pedestal configuration. The device areas surrounding 0.1 ohm-cm mesa structures were refilled with Ge having a resistivity range of 1 to 10 ohm-cm, providing low parasitic capacitance in the passive area of the base-collector junction. Processes and techniques were developed for minimizing the ridge that tends to form at the edge of the deposited SiO2, mask. Electrical properties and junction characteristics of the epitaxial regions are discussed and some device results presented.
Select metal adsorption by activated carbon made from peanut shells.

Abstract Agricultural by-products, such as peanut shells, contribute large quantities of lignocellulosic waste to the environment each growing season; but few, if any, value-added uses exist for their disposal. The objective of this study was to convert peanut shells to activated carbons for use in adsorption of select metal ions, namely, cadmium (Cd2+), copper (Cu2+), lead (Pb2+), nickel (Ni2+) and zinc (Zn2+). Milled peanut shells were pyrolyzed in an inert atmosphere of nitrogen gas, and then activated with steam at different activation times. Following pyrolysis and activation, the carbons underwent air oxidation. The prepared carbons were evaluated either for adsorption efficiency or adsorption capacity; and these parameters were compared to the same parameters obtained from three commercial carbons, namely, DARCO 12 × 20, NORIT C GRAN and MINOTAUR. One of the peanut shell-based carbons had metal ion adsorption efficiencies greater than two of the three commercial carbons but somewhat less than but close to Minotaur. This study demonstrates that peanut shells can serve as a source for activated carbons with metal ion-removing potential and may serve as a replacement for coal-based commercial carbons in applications that warrant their use.
Complete sequence of the Salmonella typhimurium gene encoding malate dehydrogenase

Abstract The nucleotide (nt) sequence of mdh (encoding malate dehydrogenase) in Salmonella typhimurium is presented. The relative positions of argR (encoding arginine represser) and mdh on the chromosome of S. typhimurium were determined from analysis of the nt sequence. The homology of the 3′-terminal end with only one of two published mdh sequences in Escherichia coli identifies the correct sequence in this organism.
Persistence of Theiler's Virus Infection Following Promotion of Central Nervous System Remyelination

Chronic infection of SJL/J mice with the Daniel's strain of Theiler's virus develop primary demyelination, viral persistence but minimal central nervous system (CNS)-type remyelination. In contrast, treatment of virus-infected mice with sera or immunoglobulin G (IgG) from mice immunized with homogenized spinal cord (SCH) emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant promotes CNS remyelination. We measured levels of infectious virus, virus antigen and virus-specific antibody to determine if treatments which promote CNS remyelination are able to modulate infection. Levels of virus-specific antibody were higher in mice treated with SCH/IgG than control treatment groups and correlated positively with extent of remyelination. Although number of virus antigen-positive cells in spinal cord was less in mice treated with SCH/IgG than mice treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/IgG, there was only a slight negative correlation with extent of remyelination by regression analysis. Titers of infectious virus isolated three to six months following infection were not different among treatment groups. Even though treatment of mice with SCH/IgG reduced number of virus antigen-positive cells and enhanced levels of virus-specific antibody, CNS remyelination can occur despite presence of infectious virus.
Identification of a human cytomegalovirus virus DNA segment that complements an adenovirus 5 immediate early mutant

Abstract Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) complements adenovirus mutant d1312, which is completely defective for expression of the adenovirus immediate early Ela gene region, for lytic growth (Tevethia and Spector,1984). This assay defines at least one HCMV function, activation of the transcription of adenovirus early genes in trans, that must be provided for dl 312 replication in coinfected cells. We show here that trans-activation depended on the expression of one or more HCMV gene. Human embryonic lung cells were transfected with dl 312 DNA-protein complex and either HCMV DNA or recombinant plasmids containing the adenovirus Ela gene region or HCMV (Towne strain) DNA fragments. Replication of dl 312 occurred only in cells that received both DPC and either the Ela gene, HCMV DNA, or the Xba I-E HCMV DNA fragment (0.68 to 0.77 map units). In addition, we show that HCMV also complemented adenovirus mutant pm 975 for growth in 0.2% serum. Since pm 975 grows poorly in low concentrations of serum due to a defect in an E1a gene product, this assay identified a second HCMV Ela-like function.
Microbially mediated carbon cycling as a control on the δ 13 C of sedimentary carbon in eutrophic Lake Mendota (USA): new models for interpreting isotopic excursions in the sedimentary record

An isotopic study of various carbon phases in eutrophic Lake Mendota (Wisconsin, USA) indicates that the δ13C composition of sedimentary organic and inorganic carbon has become more negative in response to increasing microbially mediated carbon cycling and processes associated with the intensification of seasonal and long-term eutrophication. Progressive increases in the contributions of isotopically depleted chemoautotrophic and methanotrophic biomass (reflected in the −40 to −90‰ values of hopanols and FAMES), attributed to seasonal and long-term increases in production and expansion of the anaerobic water mass, accounts for carbon isotopic trends towards depleted δ13C values observed in both seasonal varves and over the past 100 years. Changes in the intensities of certain microbial processes are also evident in the sedimentary geochemical record. During the period of most intense cultural eutrophication, when the oxic-anoxic interface was located close to the surface, methanogenesis/methanotrophy and the oxidation of biogenic methane increased to the extent that significant quantities of 13C-depleted CO2 were added into the epilimnion. This depleted CO2 was subsequently utilized by phytoplankton and incorporated into CaCO3 during biogenically induced calcite precipitation. A comparative study between eutrophic Lakes Mendota and Greifen, further indicate that the extent of nutrient loading in the epilimnion determines whether the δ13C record of sedimentary organic carbon reflects intensification of microbial processes in the hypolimnion and sediments, or changes in the primary productivity in the photic zone. From this comparison, a series of eutrophication models are developed to describe progressive transitions through thresholds of microbial and eukaryotic productivity and their influence on the δ13C record of sedimentary carbon. With increasing eutrophication, the models initially predict a negative and then a subsequent positive carbon isotopic excursion reflecting the changing influence of 13C-deleted microbial biomass relative to 13C-enriched photoautrophic biomass. These eutrophication models provide a framework to evaluate carbon cycling processes in modern environments and have significant implications for interpreting carbon isotopic excursions in the sedimentary record.
Review : Neuronal Precursor Cells and Neurogenesis in the Adult Forebrain

Neuronal precursor cells persist in the forebrain of a wide variety of adult vertebrates and have been found in cultures derived from fish, birds, rodents, and humans. These cells reside within the periventricular epen dymal/subependymal zone (SZ), rather than the brain parenchyma. In vivo, these precursors may generate neurons that are recruited to restricted regions, such as the avian neostriatum and mammalian olfactory bulb. In vitro, however, neuronal precursor cells have been found to be distributed more widely than suggested by the limited distribution of adult neurogenesis in vivo; in the adult rat brain, new neurons arise from SZ explants derived from most of the surface of the lateral ventricular system. In primates, although the postnatal forebrain SZ largely ceases neurogenesis in vivo, it too retains the capacity for neuronal production in vitro, as dem onstrated in explants of adult human temporal lobe SZ. In mammals, the division of these precursor cells may be regulated by both epidermal an...
Are intensivists safe

In this issue, Levy and colleagues explore the effects of ICU physician staffing models on mortality. Their findings not only refute the claim that intensivist-staffed ICUs improve outcomes but rai...
Specific DNA amplification utilizing the polymerase chain reaction and random oligonucleotide primers: application to the analysis of antigen receptor variable regions.

ABSTRACT The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows rapid amplification of DNA of known sequence. In many situations, part of a genetic sequence is known, but adjacent sequences of interest are unknown. This is common in investigations of antigen receptor genes from B and T lymphocytes, which are composed of a constant region of known sequence and a variable region, for which the sequence may not be known. Herein is described a method to amplify DNA when sequence information is available for only one primer. This procedure utilizes a primer of known sequence in conjunction with a mixture of short random primers. Application of this method to the amplification of T-cell antigen receptor cDNA is described.
Characteristics of the polyamide-epoxy resin system†‡

Polyamide resins, from a dimeric acid mixture, have been interacted with low-molecular-weight resins with terminal epoxy groups. The reaction mechanisms of the primary and secondary amino groups of the polyamide resins with the epoxy groups are discussed. Comparison is made with the reaction conditions and the properties of the resultant blends when epoxy resins are interacted with amine hardening agents. The polyamide-epoxy thermoset blends are highly adhesive, partly due to the high concentration of polar groups, and have unusual flexibility because of the high degree of internal plasticization due to the fatty character of the polyamide resin. The physical properties of various blends are tabulated, and their current and prospective uses discussed.
Solution of the Pontriagin-Vitt equation for the moments of time to first passage of the randomly accelerated particle by the finite element method

The Pontriagin–Vitt equation governing the mean of the time of first passage of a randomly accelerated particles has been studied extensively by Franklin and Rodemich.1 In their paper is presented the analytic solution for the two-sided barrier problem and solutions by several finite difference procedures. This note demonstrates solution of the problem by a Petrov–Galerkin finite element method using upstream weighting functions,2 shown to give rapidly convergent results. In addition, the equation is generalized to include higher statistical moments, and solutions for the first few ordinary moments are reported.
Group interactions in a game engine class

This paper shares our experience in the first two offerings of a Game Engine class at University of California Santa Cruz in the Spring and Fall 2007 quarters. These two quarters were drastically different from each other particularly in the number of students enrolled in each class -- 13 (12 males, 1 female) in Spring 2007, and 3 (all males) in Fall 2007. The paper also describes some adjustments made to accommodate this difference as well as some lessons learned from these two initial offerings.
On the Subfamily Astatinae, with a Systematic Study of the Genus Astata of America North of Mexico (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Throe genera of Astatinae are recognized, namely, Diploplectron Fox, Astata Latreille, and Dryudella Spinola, the last-named having formerly been considered a subgenus of Astata . These are discussed and keyed. Astata is characterized, the biology of its species is summarized. Twelve Nearctic species, one with two subspecies, are keyed, described, and discussed, and their probable relationships are evaluated. New to science are: Astata bakeri , A. nubecula bechteli , A. boharti , A. clypeata , and A. williamsi , all western in their distribution though A. bakeri is reported also from Ontario.
Automatic Brightness Controls Of Fluoroscopic Image Systems

As a prelude to the ABC Panel discussion I appreciate this opportunity to discuss the technical aspects and philosophy of one member of industry towards automatic brightness control of fluoroscopic image systems. I shall begin with a brief review of alternate approaches to ABC.© (1975) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Satisfaction in Communication: An Examination of the Downs-Hazen Measure

First-line supervisors from five textile mills located in the southeast completed the eight-scale Downs-Hazen measure of satisfaction in communication. These data were examined to determine the dimensional stability and the intrascale internal consistency of the measure. The results indicate that, although an eight-factor solution is reasonable, only in a few instances is the generated subscale structure as originally hypothesized. Further, the subscales do not appear orthogonal.
Evaluation of the importance of the relative velocity during evaporation of drops in sprays

The importance of relative velocity past individual drops composing a burning spray with an envelope flame is estimated by applying the Bellan and Cuffel (1983) spray evaporation model to an ambient flow going around the spray without penetrating it. The model assumes a spherical spray composed of monodisperse uniformly distributed droplets which all move at the same speed, and relative gas/spray velocities, and spray radii used were representative of boiler and furnace operations. Numerical calculations indicate that the spray is more prone to ambient flow penetration for leaner mixtures (particularly for n = 1/cu cm), lower initial temperatures of gas phase and droplet, and more dilute spray configurations.
Experimental validation of CFD simulations of a lab‐scale fluidized‐bed reactor with and without side‐gas injection

Fluidized-bed reactors are widely used in the biofuel industry for combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification processes. In this work, a lab-scale fluidized-bed reactor without and with side-gas injection and filled with 500–600 μm glass beads is simulated using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code Fluent 6.3, and the results are compared to experimental data obtained using pressure measurements and 3D X-ray computed tomography. An initial grid-dependence CFD study is carried out using 2D simulations, and it is shown that a 4-mm grid resolution is sufficient to capture the time- and spatial-averaged local gas holdup in the lab-scale reactor. Full 3D simulations are then compared with the experimental data on 2D vertical slices through the fluidized bed. Both the experiments and CFD simulations without side-gas injection show that in the cross section of the fluidized bed there are two large off-center symmetric regions in which the gas holdup is larger than in the center of the fluidized bed. The 3D simulations using the Syamlal-O'Brien and Gidaspow drag models predict well the local gas holdup variation throughout the entire fluidized bed when compared to the experimental data. In comparison, simulations with the Wen-Yu drag model generally over predict the local gas holdup. The agreement between experiments and simulations with side-gas injection is generally good, where the side-gas injection simulates the immediate volatilization of biomass. However, the effect of the side-gas injection extends further into the fluidized bed in the experiments as compared to the simulations. Overall the simulations under predict the gas dispersion rate above the side-gas injector. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Infrared and Computational Studies of Spontaneously Adsorbed Amine Reagents on YBa2Cu3O7: Structural Characterization of Monolayers atop Anisotropic Superconductor Surfaces

Methods capable of forming highly organized monolayers on top of YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO), a high-Tc superconductor, have been identified and are described for the first time. Here, grazing reflectance inf...
On the Light Verb Hypothesis

Selon Kitahara (1997), les categories fonctionnelles seraient motivees grammaticalement par les donnees resultant de la forme phonetique et/ou de la forme logique ou de maniere interne a la theorie, excepte les verbes supports qui seraient uniquement motives de maniere interne a la theorie. L'A. s'oppose a cette proposition et veut demontrer que la justification du verbe support est d'ordre morphophonetique et semantique comme toutes les autres categories fonctionnelles. L'A. s'appuie sur l'etude du semi-auxiliaire anglais do. Plus fondamentalement, il en decoule qu'aucune categorie fonctionnelle ne peut etre justifiee de maniere interne a la theorie
Strategies for delivering porphyrinoid-based photosensitizers in therapeutic applications

Delivery strategies for porphyrinoid-based photosensitizers for use in therapeutic applications are based on a myriad of factors, which include porphyrinoid structure, solubility and cellular targets. These drug-delivery methods include encapsulation, hydrogels, protein carriers, nanoparticles and polymeric micelles among others. This article reviews the strategies for delivering porphyrinoids published to date and will focus on porphyrins, corroles, chlorins, bacteriochlorins, porphyrazines and phthalocyanines. Highlighted are the most recent and different strategies used for each of the corresponding porphyrinoid-based macrocycles.
Hydrogen isotope exchange reactions between hydrous minerals and molecular hydrogen: I. A new approach for the determination of hydrogen isotope fractionation at moderate temperatures

Molecular hydrogen was used as an exchange medium to make indirect determinations of hydrogen isotope fractionation factors between hydrous minerals (epidote, kaolinite, muscovite, biotite, and hornblende) and water at temperatures between 150 and 400°C. Hydrogen isotope exchange between hydrous minerals and H2 is found to be unusually rapid at these temperatures and, in the absence of reducible iron, may represent true diffusive exchange. Two methods were used for the exchange: (1) the molecular hydrogen provided an “infinite” reservoir of H2 and (2) the mineral provided an “infinite” reservoir of H2. Results of these methods are in good agreement for epidote and kaolinite, suggesting that “surface effects” are not important for these experiments. Fractionation factors in the epidote-H2 system, expressed as 1000lnα, increase linearly with increasing 1T2 (or decreasing temperature) between temperatures of 150 and 400°C. This behavior is also true for epidote-water fractionation factors calculated from published H2O (vapor) — H2 and H2O (vapor) — H2O(liquid) fractionation factors. Values of 1000lnα for kaolinite-H2 and muscovite-H2 fractionation factors are similar and also decrease linearly with increasing 1T2 between 200 and 275°C, and 200 and 400°C, respectively. There is a small departure from such linearity at temperatures of less than 200°C for the kaolinite-H2 system. The trends of the calculated kaolinite-H2O fractionation factors with temperature are similar to those previously published, with a maximum at about 200°C. Muscovite-H2O fractionation factors also decrease with decreasing temperatures and become increasingly positive at temperatures lower than about 225°C. Problems of reduction of iron and a concomitant increase in the amount of water were encountered in exchange experiments involving biotite, hornblende, and, to a lesser extent, muscovite. The consequences of these reactions were the production of apparent relatively small mineral-H2 and large mineral-H2O equilibrium fractionation factors and support the hypothesis that hydroxyl groups are added to sites linked to iron and that there is indeed a compositional effect on hydrogen isotope fractionations in mineral-H2O systems. The new equilibrium fractionation factors determined in this study do not unambiguously resolve serious conflicts in data published by previous workers, but do provide some important constraints on the direction and magnitude of the DH fractionation factors between water and the common rock-forming minerals.
A simple liquid medium for chlamydospore formation in Candida albicans

A new, relatively simple and inexpensive liquid medium was devised to produce all structural forms ofC. albicans. Optimum conditions to induce the yeast cells, germ tubes, pseudohyphae and chlamydospores along with the methods to obtain them are described.
Lithic microwear analysis in archeology

Stone tools are the most durable and ubiquitous residue of prehistoric hominid activity. For this reason, archeologists attempt to learn as much as possible about hominid behavior from the analysis of lithic artifacts. Lithic microwear analysis reconstructs aspects of stone-tool use from patterned variation in the traces of microscopic wear on those tools. The analysis of lithic microwear traces has increased our understanding of how stone tools were used in contexts ranging from the early Pleistocene to the ethnographic present.
DETECTION OF FREE CHLORIDE IN CONCRETE BY NMR

Laboratory experiments to detect chloride in a cement matrix using pulse nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were conducted. The coils were in the centimeter scale and the magnetic field was 2.35 T. NMR signals were obtained from both aqueous chloride solution and samples of both regular and white Portland cement (WPC). A concrete sample from a sidewalk that had been in the field for 20 years was also tested. The experiments demonstrated that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a centimeter-scale cement sample volume is so small, even after averaging, that sample volumes much lower than that are unlikely to produce measurable signals at fields of 1 T or below. The consequence is that the potential for realizing an embedded NMR-based sensor including the magnet is low. Parametric studies identify feasible alternative coil diameters and magnetic field strengths for detecting chloride ion concentrations in hardened concrete.
Genes, gene knockouts, and mutations in the analysis of gap junctions.

Gap junctions are cell junctions found between most cells and tissues. They contain membrane channels that mediate the cell-to-cell diffusion of ions, metabolites, and small cell signaling molecules. Cell–cell communication mediated by gap junctions has been proposed to have a variety of functions, including roles in regulating events in development, cell differentiation, and cell growth and proliferation. The analysis of these possibilities has been confounded by the fact that there are over a dozen connexin genes encoding polypeptides that make up vertebrate gap junctions. This complexity, coupled with the fact that most cells express multiple connexin isotypes, likely explains why recent studies using reverse genetic and genetic approaches to disrupt connexin gene function have yielded only limited insights into the physiological roles of gap junctions. Nevertheless, studies in vivo and in vitro together have provided evidence for gap junctions being involved in the regulation of cell metabolism, growth, and differentiation in restricted cell and tissue types. Surprisingly, studies in invertebrates suggest that their gap junctions are encoded not by connexins, but by a family of proteins referred to as innexins. Analysis of various Drosophila and C. elegans mutants suggest that innexins may be functional homologs to the connexins. However, whether innexins are the elusive invertebrate gap junction proteins or, rather, accessory proteins that facilitate gap junction formation remains an open question. Given the rapid progress being made in the cloning and functional analysis of gap junctions in many diverse species, confusion and difficulties with nomenclature are coming to a head in this rapidly expanding field. It may be timely to form a Nomenclature Committee to establish a uniform classification scheme for naming gap junction proteins. Dev. Genet. 24:1–4, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Parametric identification of transient electromagnetic systems

Abstract Data into and out of a transient eletromagnetic system are considered in the framework of modern system identification. System solutions that take the form of a complex exponential series are discussed. Since the identification of the parameters in the series is non-linear, emphasis shifts to the identification of the parameters in the difference equation whose solution is the exponential series. The subject is cast in the formalism of system identification with generalizations to more complex systems. Two examples are given, one involving an actual electromagnetic experiment.
The predictability of a flow which possesses many scales of motion

It is proposed that certain formally deterministic fluid systems which possess many scales of motion are observationally indistinguishable from indeterministic systems; specifically, that two states of the system differing initially by a small “observational error” will evolve into two states differing as greatly as randomly chosen states of the system within a finite time interval, which cannot be lengthened by reducing the amplitude of the initial error. The hypothesis is investigated with a simple mathematical model. An equation whose dependent variables are ensemble averages of the “error energy” in separate scales of motion is derived from the vorticity equation which governs two-dimensional incompressible flow. Solutions of the equation are determined by numerical integration, for cases where the horizontal extent and total energy of the system are comparable to those of the earth's atomsphere. It is found that each scale of motion possesses an intrinsic finite range of predictability, provided that the total energy of the system does not fall off too rapidly with decreasing wave length. With the chosen values of the constants, “cumulus-scale” motions can be predicted about one hour, “synoptic-scale” motions a few days, and the largest scales a few weeks in advance. The applicability of the model to real physical systems, including the earth's atmosphere, is considered. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1969.tb00444.x
Thermal expansion of rare earth metals

Thermal expansion measurements at temperatures ranging up to 900\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C for polycrystalline samples of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, and Yb metals are reported. La, Ce, Pr, and Nd exhibit plastic flow properties at temperatures well below their melting points. High-temperature phase transformations are reported for Pr, Nd, and Yb. The coefficient of expansion for Yb is found to be three times as large as the coefficients for the other metals reported. Negative coefficients are observed near the Curie points of Gd, Tb, and Dy.
Performance of Runtime Optimization on BLAST

Optimization of a real world application BLAST is used to demonstrate the limitations of static and profile-guided optimizations and to highlight the potential of runtime optimization systems. We analyze the performance profile of this application to determine performance bottlenecks and evaluate the effect of aggressive compiler optimizations on BLAST. We find that applying common optimizations (e.g. O3) can degrade performance. Profile guided optimizations do not show much improvement across the board, as current implementations do not address critical performance bottlenecks in BLAST. In some cases, these optimizations lower performance significantly due to unexpected secondary effects of aggressive optimizations. We also apply runtime optimization to BLAST using the ADORE framework. ADORE is able to detect performance bottlenecks and deploy optimizations resulting in performance gains up to 58% on some queries using data cache prefetching.
Histamine enhances cytotrophoblast invasion by inducing intracellular calcium transients through the histamine type-1 receptor

Blastocyst implantation and pla- centation require molecular and cellular interactions between the uterine endometrium and blastocyst trophectoderm. Previous studies showed that hista- mine produced in the mouse uterine luminal epithe- lium interacts with trophoblast histamine type-2 receptors (H2) to initiate blastocyst implantation. However, it is unknown whether similar histamine activity is operative in humans. Using a human cell line (HTR-8/SVneo) derived from first-trimester cytotropho- blasts that expresses both histamine type-1 receptor (H1) and H2, we found that histamine promotes cyto- trophoblast invasiveness specifically through activation of H1. Stimulation of H1 in human cytotrophoblasts by histamine induced intracellular Ca 2þ (Ca 2þ i) transients by activating phospholipase C and the inositol trispho- sphate pathway. The enhanced invasion induced by histamine was blocked by pretreatment with H1 antagonist or by chelation of Ca 2þ i. These findings suggest possible differences between rodents and humans in histamine signaling to the trophoblast. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 68: 345-353, 2004. 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Architectural patterns of U.S. public safety networks: a fuzzy set qualitative comparison analysis

This paper contains analysis and some initial insights into the patterns of information technology (IT) architecture found in United States' public safety networks (PSNs). A PSN is understood to be an inter-organizational collaboration enabled by IT in support of the information sharing and interoperability needs of police and associated public safety organizations. We know the information systems designed and used by PSNs are often complex, expensive, and must support multiple public safety agencies. Improving our understanding of PSN IT architecture patterns could lead to improved designs and possibly improved performance of PSNs themselves. Data collected on 61 PSNs are analyzed using fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The fsQCA method is explained in detail for those unfamiliar with this technique. Results illuminate (1) functionally similar configuration patterns of IT architecture among PSNs and (2) multiple architectural patterns associated with PSN performance.
Protein and electroretinogram changes in the alleles of the norp Ap12Drosophila phototransduction mutant

Abstract The protein differences found in the norp A P12 phototransduction mutant were studied in six other norp A alleles. The two proteins which had altered concentrations in the norp A P12 mutant were found to have altered concentrations in each of the other alleles. The amount of concentration change varied with the particular allele and appeared related to the reduced visual receptor potentials observed in the mutant. The alleles with the more altered protein concentration exhibited the smaller receptor potentials while alleles with less altered protein concentrations exhibited the larger receptor potentials. Each of the observable protein subunits in the Drosophila melanogaster eye were characterized as to mobility and molecular weight. Fourteen protein subunits were characterized. No mobility changes were detected in any of the eye proteins nor were there any clear concentration changes observed, except for the two proteins altered in all norp A alleles.
The challenges of integrating instrumentation with inflatable aerodynamic decelerators

New Entry, Decent, and Landing (EDL) technologies are being explored to facilitate the landing of high mass vehicles. Current EDL technologies are limited due to mass and volume constraints dictated by launch vehicle fairings. Therefore, past and present technologies are now being considered to provide a mass and volume efficient solution, including Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators (IADs). To better define the instrumentation challenges posed by IAD technology development, a survey was conducted to identify valuable measurements for ground and flight testing of the flexible materials and structures used in their design. From this survey many sensing technologies and systems were explored specific to the stacked torus IAD, resulting in a down-selection to the most viable prospects. The majority of these systems, including wireless data acquisition, were then rapid prototyped and evaluated during component level testing to determine the best integration techniques specific to a 3m and 6m diameter stacked toroid IAD. Each sensing system was then integrated in support of the Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator ground test campaign. In this paper these IAD instrumentation systems are described along with their challenges in comparison to traditional rigid aeroshell systems. Requirements resulting from the survey are listed and instrumentation integration techniques and data acquisition are discussed.
Drawing lines in the Drosophila wing: initiation of wing vein development.

Abstract It has been proposed that wing veins in Drosophila form at boundaries between discrete sectors of cells that subdivide the anterior–posterior axis of the developing wing primordium. Recently, analysis of events underlying initiation of vein formation suggests that there is a general developmental mechanism for drawing lines between adjacent domains of cells, which is referred to as ‘for-export-only-signaling’. In this model, cells in one domain produce a short range signal to which they cannot respond. As a consequence of this constraint, cells lying in a narrow line immediately outside the signal-producing domain are the only cells that can respond to the signal by activating expression of vein-promoting genes.
Susceptibility of mouse liver DNA to digestion by S1 nuclease: Absence of age-related change

The sensitivity of native liver DNA to S1 nuclease did not increase with age in C57BL/6J mice up to 30 mo (the average lifespan). These data fail to confirm previous reports implying an increase of single-stranded regions in DNA from old mice.