cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NOx adsorption with CO and C2H4 on Pd/SSZ-13: Experiments and modeling

Abstract A transient monolith model containing microkinetic schemes for NO uptake and release over Pd/SSZ-13 without and with reductants CO or C2H4 is presented. The scheme involves three cationic Pd species (Z−[PdOH]+, Z−Pd2+Z−, Z−Pd+) as the active sites during uptake of NO, CO and C2H4, and their desorption and conversion at higher temperature. Kinetic parameters are estimated through a combination of density functional theory (DFT) estimates and a fit of uptake, desorption and conversion data. The tuned model is validated at different uptake temperatures, ramp rates, and flowrates. A “degree of uptake control” parameter is defined that helps to identify the step(s) that are uptake controlling. The model helps to interpret the data features and is used to identify operating conditions to meet application-relevant performance metrics, including NO trapping efficiency and NO release temperature. The model demonstrates higher NO uptake on Pd/SSZ-13 compared to Pd/ZSM-5.
Critical Factors to Consider in the Development of an Audit Client Engagement Decision Expert Support System: A Delphi Study of Big Six Practicing Auditors

This paper reports, in detail, the process and results of a Delphi Study that utilized partners from each of the Big Six accounting firms. The study identified those critical factors, alone or in combination, that would likely cause a firm to reject an existing or potential audit client. The paper reviews the literature about the audit client engagement decision and proposes the use of an export support system to help firms make this decision on an ongoing basis.
COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME AND TENSION TYPE HEADACHE IN COMPUTER WORKERS

Introduction: Nowadays, the average human uses digital tools for their daily needs such as work, study, and communication. One of the most commonly used is a computer. Long-term use of computers can cause several complex problems in the eyes and vision, such as eye fatigue, eye irritation, red eyes, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, and headache that can be referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome. Tension-Type headache (TTH) is a headache with a binding sensation with mild to a moderate intensity that lasts for several minutes to days, that might be caused by excessive contraction of muscle due to fatigue at work. Therefore, there is a possibility that there is an association between Computer Vision Syndrome and Tension-Type Headache. Purpose: To analyze the association between CVS and TTH in Computer Workers. Method: Cross-sectional design was used in this research, and the sampling method was consecutive sampling, and a questionnaire was used. The research period was two days, from 16th to 17th July 2019, at Graha Pena Building, Surabaya. Results: Respondent that experienced CVS was 61,9%, TTH was 27,6%, both CVS and TTH was 19,4%, and analysis with chi-square test, showed p=0,220 which means that there’s no association between CVS and TTH. Conclusion: There’s no association between CVS and TTH in Computer Workers.
Use of Magnets in Flexible Endoscopy

The use of magnets in endoscopy is of great interest, as they allow the endoscopist to remotely control endoscopic tools or devices by exerting magnetic force over the distance. Importantly, there are multiple gastrointestinal tract lesions that are challenging to reach endoscopically, and magnets could overcome this issue as well as to allow more precise control of multiple endoscopic devices. Magnets can improve the care of multiple diseases that involve endoscopic procedures, giving an amazing opportunity for research, patient care improvement, and to advance the field of endoscopy. In recent years, there have been multiple emerging applications for magnets in gastrointestinal endoscopy and although, in most cases, randomized clinical trials (RCT) are lacking; the current evidence come from multiple prospective observational studies that have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic magnetic devices. In this chapter, we review the evidence-based applications of magnets in flexible endoscopy of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and related evolving technology.
Behavioral Problems in Older Adults in Acute Care Settings: Challenges for Staff

Abstract The combination of mental and physical changes with age will impact agencies focusing on both acute and chronic problems. One of the biggest challenges for staff new to such patients is contending with agitated and aggressive behaviors. Conducting a needs assessment with staff is one method of mapping the nature and extent of problem behaviors for a specific setting. In the current study, a total of 71 staff members from different disciplines, across three acute care units and two VA health care facilities, completed a survey assessing the type and frequency of reported behavior problems, the extent to which staff members could identify and document relevant patient risk factors and to identify gaps in their training. Staff reported a large range of problem behaviors. They felt highly confident in their ability to respond effectively to the most frequently observed behaviors, such as patients appearing anxious or having difficulty concentrating and trouble sleeping. However, they felt less prepar...
A 0.4–1.6GHz spur-free bang-bang digital PLL in 65nm with a D-flip-flop based frequency subtractor circuit

A 0.4–1.6GHz spur-free bang-bang PLL (BBPLL) is demonstrated in a 65nm CMOS process where a standard D-flip/flop (DFF) based frequency subtractor is used in lieu of a conventional divider, for down-converting the feedback clock frequency. The inherent firstorder noise-shaping property allows the proposed frequency subtraction circuit to mitigate spur-noise issues found in conventional digital BBPLLs. The fabricated BBPLL including a 10bit ring-DCO circuit has an in-band phase noise of −97dBc/Hz at 100kHz and an integrated RMS jitter (from 20kHz to 2MHz) of 2.8ps while consuming 2.7mW at 1.6GHz and occupying 0.019mm2. The PLL circuit has an FoM of −226.7dB.
Religion as a Sociolinguistic Variable

When considering variables that are rarely coded for in sociolinguistic studies, we discovered that general demographic studies [e.g., the census, Pew Research studies] have only recently realized that the question sets provided for demographic information rarely permit coding of religion, or when they do, provide only coarse-grained coding; yet recent studies in sociolinguistics and social anthropology have demonstrated that fine-grained distinctions in religious identification are necessary to account for sociolinguistic variation. This paper reviews the information from both sociolinguistic studies and demographic studies which should be considered when developing a protocol for analysis of speech variation. The paper also points out that the variation is often due to network effects from the ‘community of practice’, but at least some of the variation can be traced to ideological positions or choice of referee, both of which appear to influence language use.
The Second Amendment in the States and the Limits of the Common Use Standard

This article shows how mechanical functionality and existing regulatory norms will shape the resolution disputes rooted in Heller’s common use standard.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae PAC2 Functions With CIN1, 2 and 4 in a Pathway Leading to Normal Microtubule Stability

The products of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CIN1, CIN2 and CIN4 genes participate in a nonessential pathway required for normal microtubule function. In this article, we demonstrate that the product of PAC2 also functions in this pathway. PAC2 deletion mutants displayed phenotypes and genetic interactions similar to those caused by cin1Δ, cin2Δ and cin4Δ. These include cold-sensitive microtubule structures and sensitivity to the microtubule depolymerizing agent benomyl. Involvement in a common functional pathway is indicated by the observation that all double mutant combinations are viable and no more affected than any single mutant. In addition, extra copies of CIN1 were found to suppress the benomyl sensitivity of pac2Δ, cin2Δ and cin4Δ, but not that caused by other mutations that affect microtubule function. Cin1p and Pac2p were found to be related in sequence to mammalian proteins that aid in the folding of β-tubulin into an assembly-competent state. Alleles of CIN1 were identified that could suppress the benomyl sensitivity of cin4-4 in a highly specific fashion. Our findings suggest that the guanine nucleotide-binding Cin4p interacts with Cin1p and regulates its tubulin folding activity.
Impact of scar, viable myocardium, and epicardial fat on substrate identification of ventricular tachycardia in a case with nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

A 56-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation after endocardial and epicardial radiofrequency catheter ablation for pleomorphic ventricular tachycardia. The myocardial substrate and epicardial fat were comprehensively analyzed with three-dimensional electroanatomic maps, late gadolinium enhanced ex-vivo cardiac magnetic resonance, and histological examination. The association of scar, viable myocardium, and epicardial fat with endocardial and epicardial electrogram voltage and duration was quantitatively defined. This case provides a unique opportunity to explore the reliability of electrical surrogates of scar in nonischemic cardiomyopathy. (PACE 2012;35:e345–e348)
Games, stories, or something more traditional: the types of assignments college students prefer

In this paper, we describe a study designed to examine the types of projects college students prefer in an introductory programming course. For three assignments in a course, students were given a choice among three project types: a game, a "choose your own adventure" story, and a more traditional project (such as a problem from the text book). During the semester, 35 of 49 projects submitted by students were the game option (71.4%), with only two projects submitted that were stories. A statistical analysis revealed that student choices on assignments did not appear to be related to their overall performance in the course. On an end of term survey, students commented that they often chose projects that had all requirements clearly explained, and avoided assignments that were open-ended in nature.
Methodology for estimating the critical resolved shear stress ratios of α-phase Ti using EBSD-based trace analysis

Abstract A novel method for calculating the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) ratios of different deformation system types in polycrystalline non-cubic metals has been developed. The mean CRSS ratios between different deformation systems were calculated for both commercially pure (CP) Ti and Ti–5Al–2.5Sn (wt.%) tensile deformed at ambient temperature and 455 °C using an in situ scanning electron microscope-based testing technique combined with electron backscattered diffraction. It was found that the relative activity of the different deformation systems changes as a function of alloying composition and deformation temperature. Prismatic slip was the most active deformation mode for CP Ti. CP Ti exhibited a lower resistance to prismatic slip at both ambient and elevated temperatures compared with Ti–5Al–2.5Sn. For Ti–5Al–2.5Sn, prismatic slip was the most active deformation system at ambient temperature although the basal slip activity significantly increased compared to CP Ti, mostly likely due to an increased c/a ratio resulting in a closer packed basal plane. At 455 °C, basal slip exhibited a lower CRSS than prismatic slip for Ti–5Al–2.5Sn. The relative activity of other deformation systems was also affected by alloying and temperature. The statistical resampling technique of bootstrapping was used to generate multiple equivalent data sets from which mean CRSS ratios between different deformation systems, and associated confidence intervals, could be deduced. It was found that the mean CRSS ratios at low and high strains varied slightly for the same testing conditions. Moreover, lesser activated slip systems resulted in relatively larger confidence intervals for the CRSS means. This variability may be attributed to a number of potential factors, including measurement errors, rotations of grains during deformation, local stress state variations, and work hardening. The analysis further suggests that awareness of the intrinsic statistical variability in CRSS ratios should be considered when formulating crystal plasticity constitutive models.
Intricacies of the single-scar technique for donor harvesting in hair transplantation surgery.

Background. Although single-scar techniques have been published and are used by approximately half of all surgeons, this approach is not as common as one might suspect. Objective. The objective is to demonstrate several surgical gems that make the single-scar donor technique a viable method that can be performed by the vast majority of hair restoration surgeons. Methods. The author presents various techniques such as postauricular skin elevation, subcutaneous undermining of the nape scalp, debulking of underlying scar tissue, temporary staple closure, and permanent double-layered closure using magnification (preferably 2.5 × or greater). All of these contribute to a loose closure with an aesthetically pleasing single donor scar after multiple surgeries. Results. Utilizing the various techniques described in this article, the author has been able to achieve a cosmetically attractive single scar after multiple surgeries in the vast majority of patients. Conclusion. An aesthetically pleasing single, thin donor scar is preferable to multiple scars or a thick single scar at the donor area after multiple hair restoration surgical procedures. The author presents several methods that help hair restoration surgeons conquer some of the obstacles that have deterred them from performing a single-scar technique with consistently excellent results.
Obesity and symptom burden in family medicine patients.

Background: Medical visits are initiated by patients in search of symptom relief. The extent to which obesity independently increases the risk of common symptoms is unknown. Objectives: To assess how obesity affects symptom burden among family medicine patients, after adjustment for severity of illness, via retrospective analysis of electronic medical records pertaining to 1738 adult family medicine patients treated in a large family medicine department in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Methods: A symptom index was used to measure symptom burden. Body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was measured during clinic visits. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test for an independent relationship between BMI category and the presence of three or more common symptoms. p ]Results: Adjusting for co-morbidity and other confounders using multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having a BMI ≥35 kg/m2 was independently related to symptom burden (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.80; 95% CI 1.24, 2.63). Patients with low and moderate co-morbidities (as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index) also had higher odds of reporting more symptoms (OR = 1.60; 95% CI 1.17, 2.17 and OR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.36, 2.56, respectively). Symptom burden increased with age. Odds of having three or more symptoms were lower for married patients (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.47, 0.83). Conclusions: In our sample of family medicine patients, increased symptom burden may be associated with a BMI ≥35 kg/m2. Lower levels of obesity do not appear to be related to symptom burden.
Development of an optical parametric generator with pulsed dye amplification for high-resolution laser spectroscopy

An injection-seeded optical parametric generator (OPG), coupled with three pulsed dye amplification (PDA) stages, was shown to produce tunable, narrow linewidth laser radiation. The OPG was composed of a pair of beta barium borate (β-BBO) crystals and pumped by the third harmonic (355 nm) output of a seeded Nd:YAG laser. The OPG was injection-seeded at the idler wavelength (824 nm) using an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) with a mode-hop-free tuning range of 20 GHz. Using the PDA stages, the OPG output signal (624 nm) was amplified to 19 mJ/pulse, while maintaining a spectral linewidth of approximately 160 MHz at full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) which was within a factor of 2 of the Fourier limit. A system of lenses and apertures was used to minimize amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in the PDA stages. Using the OPG/PDA system, two-photon laser-induced fluorescence measurements of atomic oxygen were performed by sum-frequency-mixing the 624-nm beam with the third harmonic output of the seeded Nd:YAG laser to generate approximately 1 mJ/pulse of ultraviolet radiation near 226 nm. Voigt line shapes were found to be in good agreement with oxygen atom spectra in atmospheric-pressure, laminar, counter-flow flames; the magnitude of Doppler and collisional broadening was approximately the same. The measured O-atom concentration profile was found to compare well with that calculated using an opposed-flow flame code.
Keeping Transcriptional Activators under Control

Transcriptional activators need to be modulated and eventually switched off after the initial event that triggers their activation. Here, we discuss how ubiquitination of activators and their proteasome-mediated turnover are crucial steps in this process.
Ground and excited states of zinc phthalocyanine, zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin, and azaporphyrin analogs using DFT and TDDFT with Franck-Condon analysis

The electronic structure of eight zinc-centered porphyrin macrocyclic molecules are investigated using density functional theory for ground-state properties, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) for excited states, and Franck-Condon (FC) analysis for further characterization of the UV-vis spectrum. Symmetry breaking was utilized to find the lowest energy of the excited states for many states in the spectra. To confirm the theoretical modeling, the spectroscopic result from zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is used to compare to the TDDFT and FC result. After confirmation of the modeling, five more planar molecules are investigated: zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin (ZnTBP), zinc tetrabenzomonoazaporphyrin (ZnTBMAP), zinc tetrabenzocisdiazaporphyrin (ZnTBcisDAP), zinc tetrabenzotransdiazaporphyrin (ZnTBtransDAP), and zinc tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (ZnTBTrAP). The two latter molecules are then compared to their phenylated sister molecules: zinc monophenyltetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (ZnMPTBTrAP) and zinc diphenylt...
Prospector II: Towards a knowledge base for mineral deposits

What began in the mid-seventies as a research effort in designing an expert system to aid geologists in exploring for hidden mineral deposits has in the late eighties become a full-sized knowledge-based system to aid geologists in conducting regional mineral resource assessments. Prospector II, the successor to Prospector, is interactive-graphics oriented, flexible in its representation of mineral deposit models, and suited to regional mineral resource assessment. In Prospector II, the geologist enters the findings for an area, selects the deposit models or examples of mineral deposits for consideration, and the program compares the findings with the models or the examples selected, noting the similarities, differences, and missing information. The models or the examples selected are ranked according to scores that are based on the comparisons with the findings. Findings can be reassessed and the process repeated if necessary. The results provide the geologist with a rationale for identifying those mineral deposit types that the geology of an area permits. In future, Prospector II can assist in the creation of new models used in regional mineral resource assessment and in striving toward an ultimate classification of mineral deposits.
The Role of Action Research in Fostering Culturally-Responsive Practices in a Preschool Classroom

Early childhood teachers and educational programs are expected to be the primary resources as children experience different and sometimes conflicting cultural contexts. Early educators can play a paramount role as young children move through fluid identities and start recognizing and navigating within and across spaces of cultural differences—e.g., between home cultures and the socially-dominant school culture. In this sense, we draw attention to a multi-year action research study, paying particular attention to the process whereby an early childhood teacher investigated, problematized, and challenged the nature of curriculum and practices in a diverse preschool classroom. We focus on the role of action research in fostering culturally-relevant teaching. As we do so, we analyze an early childhood teacher’s shifting perceptions of what it means to engage in culturally-relevant teaching, respecting and honoring cultural diversities.
The mechanical properties of thermite welds in premium alloy rails

Abstract In this paper the results of an investigation into the properties of 13 thermite rail welds produced using CrMo, CrV and chromium alloy rails, American Railway Engineering Association controlled-cooled rails (i.e. standard rails) and heat-hardened rails are reported. Various combinations of the rails were joined with weld metal produced by the aluminothermic reaction of “standard” and “alloy” thermite charges. After welding, the hardness profiles, the tensile properties, the impact energies and the macrostructures and microstructures of the welds were determined. Detailed examinations of the microstructures of the heat-affected zones and of the weld metals revealed that the thermite welding process produced welds compatible with rail service in that no martensite was ever observed in any of the welds regardless of the rail composition or of the weld metal composition. Despite the absence of martensite, very low impact energies (1.5–2.8 J at 293 K) were measured in Charpy V-notch specimens removed from the weld metals. The weld metals also exhibited only a 2%–6% reduction in area for tensile ductility. Predictably, all the weld metal fracture surfaces showed brittle-type transgranular cleavage. It was also shown that alloy weld metal is harder and stronger than standard weld metal. Depending on the preheat time, the Rockwell C hardness of alloy weld metal is approximately 28–34 HRC whereas that of standard weld metal is 20–27 HRC. Correspondingly, the tensile strengths and yield strengths of alloy weld metal were about 100–150 MPa greater than those of standard weld metal. Also studied were the properties and structures of specimens which straddled the region of minimum hardness along the outer edge of the heat-affected zone.
Soot volume fraction maps for normal and reduced gravity laminar acetylene jet diffusion flames

The study of soot particulate distribution inside gas jet diffusion flames is important to the understanding of fundamental soot particle and thermal radiative transport processes, as well as providing findings relevant to spacecraft fire safety, soot emissions, and radiant heat loads for combustors used in air-breathing propulsion systems. Compared to those under normal gravity (1-g) conditions, the elimination of buoyancy-induced flows is expected to significantly change the flow field in microgravity (O g) flames, resulting in taller and wider flames with longer particle residence times. Work by Bahadori and Edelman demonstrate many previously unreported qualitative and semi-quantitative results, including flame shape and radiation, for sooting laminar zas jet diffusion flames. Work by Ku et al. report soot aggregate size and morphology analyses and data and model predictions of soot volume fraction maps for various gas jet diffusion flames. In this study, we present the first 1-g and 0-g comparisons of soot volume fraction maps for laminar acetylene and nitrogen-diluted acetylene jet diffusion flames. Volume fraction is one of the most useful properties in the study of sooting diffusion flames. The amount of radiation heat transfer depends directly on the volume fraction and this parameter can be measured from line-of-sight extinction measurements. Although most Soot aggregates are submicron in size, the primary particles (20 to 50 nm in diameter) are in the Rayleigh limit, so the extinction absorption) cross section of aggregates can be accurately approximated by the Rayleigh solution as a function of incident wavelength, particles' complex refractive index, and particles' volume fraction.
Influence of Freezing (Thermal) Profiles on the Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Poly (L-Lactic Acid) Scaffolds

Bio-degradable Poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds were prepared by using thermal liquid-liquid phase separation method. A solution of PLLA-Dioxane was prepared by dissolving PLLA in dehydrated 1,4-Dioxane. This PLLA-Dioxane solution was then directionally frozen in vials of similar dimensions but made of different materials (borosilicate glass, aluminum and copper). The frozen solution was then placed in a freeze-dryer to allow for the frozen dioxane to sublimate or lyophilized. The porosities of the resulting PLLA scaffolds were calculated and their porous structures were studied and compared between the three different vials (and the corresponding cooling rates).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The Role of Hedonomics in the Future of Industry, Service, and Product Design: Panel Overview:

Hedonomics has been defined as “the branch of science which facilitates the pleasant or enjoyable aspects of human-technology interaction.” Hedonomics in general is a fairly new area in research an...
Evidence for translational repression of arginine biosynthetic enzymes in Escherichia coli: altered regulation in a streptomycin-resistant mutant.

The formation and repressibility of the arginine biosynthetic enzymes acetylornithine δ-aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.11), acetylornithine deacetylase (EC 3.5.1.16), ornithine carbamoyltransferase (EC 2.1.3.3), and argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1) were studied in an Escherichia coli W derivative (strain 250-10) that carries (a) a mutant allele of the argR regulatory gene causing a diminished repression-derepression range and (b) a streptomycin resistance mutation. In comparison with the streptomycin-sensitive parent 250, all four enzymes (a) are formed as smaller proportions of the total protein (overall range, 12% to 71%), whether the conditions are repressive (arginine excess) or derepressive (arginine restriction), and (b) show increased repressibility ratios, the carbamoyltransferase giving the largest increase (from 5.7 to 25.0). These effects appear to depend on the concurrent expression of the regulatory-gene and streptomycin resistance mutations, as indicated by analogous experiments with canavanine-resistant mutants of 250-10 that have partial argR− character. The results provide evidence for translational repression in the arginine system, and are interpreted in terms of a functional interaction of a mutant arginine repressor with a mutant S12 ribosomal protein. The locale of translational repression may be near the site of S12, and this mode of regulation may involve initiational selectivity of groupwise recognizable arginine messenger RNA's.
Phosphorylation of 130- and 95-kDa Substrates Associated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Receptor CD120a (p55)

Abstract Cross-linking of CD120a (p55), a receptor for tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), initiates downstream events, including the activation of protein Ser/Thr kinases. In this report, we have characterized two protein Ser/Thr kinase substrates that are intrinsically associated with CD120a (p55) in mouse macrophages, and we have investigated the mechanism involved in their phosphorylation. pp130 and pp95 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation with CD120a (p55) from lysates of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and were phosphorylated on Ser and Thr residues during in vitrokinase assays in the presence of [γ-32P]ATP. The level of phosphorylation of pp130 and pp95 was rapidly and transiently increased in response to TNFα in [32P]orthophosphate-labeled macrophages, although the level of pp130 protein associated with CD120a (p55) remained unchanged as detected by [35S]methionine labeling. In contrast, pp130 and pp95 were efficiently phosphorylated in in vitrokinase assays of CD120a (p55) immunoprecipitates from unstimulated cells, and the level of phosphorylation was rapidly and transiently reduced in response to TNFα. Both pp130 and pp95 were sensitive to dephosphorylation with purified protein phosphatase 2A, and okadaic acid, a PP1/PP2A inhibitor, mimicked the ability of TNFα to stimulate the phosphorylation of pp130 and pp95 in intact 32P-labeled macrophages. Collectively, these findings suggest that pp130 and pp95 are constitutively associated with CD120a (p55) and become inducibly phosphorylated in macrophages in response to TNFα. We propose that the underlying mechanism of their phosphorylation may involve the inactivation of a cytoplasmic pp130/pp95 Ser/Thr phosphatase.
Operating temperature compensation for LAIRD S-270

Thermal vision system with 2D sensor such as PtSi, InSb, MCT and any others in the commercial market is generally required to correct non-uniformity of response of every pixels in order to display satisfactory IR images. We have studied the non-uniformity correction methods for our thermal vision systems and in a previous study we proposed the most suitable non-uniformity correction method for PtSi SBD sensor. This method was optimized at a certain operating temperature, which was a room temperature. However thermal vision systems could be used at a various operating temperature. It is also obvious that his change of operating temperature causes input IR flux change to a sensor, this affects the accuracy of the measured results. Therefore, it is necessary not only to correct non-uniformity of each pixel but also to compensate this influence by the change of temperature to have a satisfactory IR image. In this paper, this compensation method is described. Besides, the result of this method is presented.
Allelopathic potential of Echinacea angustifolia D.C.

Abstract Echinacea angustifolia D.C., the common purple coneflower of the western Great Plains, has been shown to produce many biologically active compounds. The allelopathic potential of water soluble and volatile compounds from E. angustifolia plants from three separate populations was examined. Lettuce seeds ( Lactuca sativa ), the common allelopathy bioassay system, as well as seeds from two native species, Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) and Prairie Dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepis ), potential competitors of Echinacea , were germinated in the presence of aqueous extracts or crushed Echinacea tissues. Percent seed germination, root and shoot elongation and shoot chlorophyll content of the treated seedlings were measured. After 4 days (or 2 weeks for the native species), root extracts and volatiles caused inhibition of seed germination and/or root elongation in all three species. Extracts and volatiles from Echinacea shoots were generally less inhibitory to seed germination and growth. Chlorophyll content was lower in the seedlings treated with the Echinacea extracts and volatiles, with Echinacea roots again eliciting greater effects than shoots. The genetic source of the Echinacea volatiles and extracts also influenced the severity of allelopathic effects. Molecular genetic studies have shown that E. angustifolia plants are highly polymorphic and the wide range of growth inhibition effects produced by extracts and volatiles from different Echinacea plants is consistent with these genetic studies.
Reproductive performance and fatty liver in Guernsey cows

Abstract The relationship between fatty liver and reproductive performance was investigated in a commercial herd of Guernsey dairy cattle. Forty-two cows were sampled by liver biopsy at 1 week after calving, and divided into two groups, a fatty liver and a non-fatty liver group, on the basis of the level of liver fat. The cows in the fatty liver group had a milk yield of 5267 kg and a calving interval of 428 days compared with 4407 kg and 369 days for the cows in the non-fatty liver group. The reduced fertility was associated with an elongation in the interval from calving to first service of 20 days and with a reduced conception rate. The occurrence of fatty liver significantly impaired the reproductive performance of the cows.
Genetic regulation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in cultures of mouse fetal liver cells

Primary cultures of fetal liver cells were established from six inbred strains of mice to determine whether the genes regulating the induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) in adult livers in vivo also function in fetal liver cells maintained in culture. Fetuses were 19 days old and were derived from three inbred mouse strains (A/J, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J) which are classified genetically as aromatic hydrocarbon responsive and three strains (AKR/J, DBA/2J, SWR/J) which are classified as aromatic hydrocarbon non-responsive. Cells were induced with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and harvested for measurement of AHH activity, DNA content and amount of [3H]thymidine incorporated. The time course of induction of AHH activity by 3-MC was followed from around 60 h after cells were plated until 190 h when cells were at the end of exponential and at the start of stationary growth phase. Both basal and induced AHH activities generally rise to a peak value during exponential growth and then decline as cells reach stationary phase. During late exponential growth to early stationary growth phase, cells derived from responsive strains have higher induced enzyme activity than cells derived from non-responsive strains. Cells from aromatic hydrocarbon responsive mice attained maximal AHH activity with inducer concentrations of 0.05--0.10 micrograms 3-MC/ml. Cells from aromatic hydrocarbon non-responsive strains were maximally induced at 0.50 micrograms 3-MC/ml. The 5--10-fold difference between cells from responsive and non-responsive mice in concentration of 3-MC needed to induce AHH maximally is taken to indicate that genes controlling aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness in adult mouse livers in vivo also function in fetal mouse liver cells maintained in culture.
Imaging Prevalence of Sigmoid Sinus Dehiscence among Patients with and without Pulsatile Tinnitus

ObjectiveDefine the radiographic prevalence of sigmoid sinus diverticulum or dehiscence (SSDD) in patients with and without pulsatile tinnitus (PT).Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care university medical center.SubjectsPatients imaged between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2012.MethodsTwo groups were evaluated for SSDD. The first (“PT”) included patients whose radiology report indicated a clinical history of PT (n = 37 symptomatic ears in 30 patients). The second (“non-PT”) included all patients undergoing temporal bone high resolution CT (HRCT) between November 2011 and November 2012 (n = 308 ears in 164 patients) for reasons other than pulsatile tinnitus. Primary outcome measure was the radiographic presence of SSDD. Covariates including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and audiometric data were analyzed by independent t tests and Fisher’s exact test.ResultsWithin the PT group, SSDD was identified in 24% of ears (9/37) and 23% of patients (7/30); all SSDD patients were fe...
Noradrenaline and thyroid function regulate (Na+,K+)-adenosine triphosphatase independently in vivo.

Abstract We investigated interactions between noradrenaline and thyroid hormone status in the regulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase in vivo. Treatment with the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol or with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine did not prevent the increases in heart (Na+,K+)-ATPase associated with triiodothyronine treatment. Administration of methimazole did not prevent the increase in (Na+,K+)-ATPase indices in cerebral cortex and heart associated with subacute noradrenergic stimulation by yohimbine. There was no evidence for synergistic effects between thyroid hormone administration and noradrenergic stimulation by yohimbine. Thyroid hormone, unlike noradrenaline, mainly increased (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity with low affinity for ouabain. These results show that noradrenaline and thyroid hormone regulate (Na+,K+)-ATPase by largely independent mechanisms, and may regulate different populations of enzyme molecules.
Serum TSH concentration as an aid to monitoring compliance with thyroid hormone therapy in hypothyroidism

To monitor the compliance of patients taking levothyroxine as replacement therapy for primary hypothyroidism, the authors measured serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine index (FT4I), and free triiodothyronine index (FT3I) in patients attending the endocrine clinic. During a 6-month period, there were 159 visits by 132 patients with treated hypothyroidism. Five of the 132 patients had TSH levels greater than 12 microU/ml (normal, 0.3-5.7 microU/ml), with FT3I greater than 85 (normal, 70-160) and FT4I greater than 7 (normal, 4.2-11). Four others had TSH greater than 6 microU/ml with normal FT3I and normal FT4I. These nine patients had normal thyroid tests documented on replacement therapy in the past. Five of the nine admitted to discontinuing their medicine for more than 1 week or taking it erratically. Two untreated hypothyroid patients had daily thyroid function tests after they were started on full replacement doses of levothyroxine. Both achieved FT4I greater than 4.2 by day 8 and FT3I greater than or equal to 70 by day 18, but serum TSH concentration did not fall consistently below 20 microU/ml until day 23 in one patient and day 21 in the other and did not fall to the normal range by discharge at day 37 in one patient or day 42 in the other. Thus, although treatment with levothyroxine will normalize serum T4 and T3 concentrations within 3 weeks, normalization of serum TSH may take several more weeks. This prospective study in a large out-patient clinic shows that 4% of patients with treated primary hypothyroidism may have elevation of serum TSH to more than twice the upper limit of normal, while serum T4 and T3 are clearly normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Amantadine-induced coma

Amantadine has found use primarily as an antiviral agent and in the symptomatic treatment of parkinsonism. However, the use of amantadine for the subjective alleviation of fatigue in multiple sclerosis and in the treatment of agitated aggressive behavior in the traumatic brain injured patient has also been described. Side effects of amantadine are primarily related to the central nervous system and include hallucinations, confusion, and nightmares. Toxic manifestations include acute psychosis, coma, cardiovascular toxicity, and death. Amantadine toxicity is a particular problem in patients with renal insufficiency because 90% of an oral dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. We present a case of amantadine-induced coma in a patient with multiple sclerosis and end-stage renal disease. Moreover, this degree of amantadine toxicity was profoundly apparent at a drug level usually not associated with such a severe presentation.
Hematogenous Bacterial Meningitis in an Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1-Deficient Infant Mouse Model

Mice genetically deficient in the gene encoding for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) production were compared with wild-type mice after injection with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) or Streptococcus pneumoniae. The incidence of Hib bacteremia was greater in the ICAM-1-deficient mice than wild-type mice (P = .007), but mortality was greater for wild-type mice at 24 h (P = .03). In contrast, the incidence of S. pneumoniae bacteremia was equivalent but mortality was greater in ICAM-1-deficient mice at 24 h (P = .0003). More ICAM-1-deficient mice had cerebrospinal fluid cultures (CSF) positive for Hib (P = .04), whereas all animals at sacrifice had CSF cultures positive for S. pneumoniae. CSF white blood cell counts and histology of the meninges and cochlea were no different between groups for either organism. ICAM-1 deficiency may be protective early in Hib infection but has a detrimental effect in S. pneumoniae infection.
Computation of wall groups

However, most of these groups are still impossible to compute. Recent works of Browder [3], Lee [6], Shaneson [9] and Wall [l l] have been successful only in computing a very few special cases. All of their results rely more or less on the geometric interpretation of the Wall groups. In this paper we shall study the algebraic properties of the Wall groups and prove that, for each odd prime p, the Wall group L3(kp) is always zero (see (1.12)).
The Americans with Disabilities Act: Implications of supreme court decisions for case managers

Summary The Supreme Court interpreted the application of the ADA to be based on an individualized evaluation of a person's circumstances. A full, objective vocational evaluation continues to be a valuable tool for the employee, insurance company, employer, attorney, and judicial system. Case managers must continually evaluate an individual's potential in ligh of his or her circumstances, not just the medical diagnosis.
Neutron imaging for geothermal energy systems

Geothermal systems extract heat energy from the interior of the earth using a working fluid, typically water. Three components are required for a commercially viable geothermal system: heat, fluid, and permeability. Current commercial electricity production using geothermal energy occurs where the three main components exist naturally. These are called hydrothermal systems. In the US, there is an estimated 30 GW of base load electrical power potential for hydrothermal sites. Next generation geothermal systems, named Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), have an estimated potential of 4500 GW. EGSs lack in-situ fluid, permeability or both. As such, the heat exchange system must be developed or “engineered” within the rock. The envisioned method for producing permeability in the EGS reservoir is hydraulic fracturing, which is rarely practiced in the geothermal industry, and not well understood for the rocks typically present in geothermal reservoirs. High costs associated with trial and error learning in the field have led to an effort to characterize fluid flow and fracturing mechanisms in the laboratory to better understand how to design and manage EGS reservoirs. Neutron radiography has been investigated for potential use in this characterization. An environmental chamber has been developed that is suitable for reproduction of EGS pressures and temperatures and has been tested for both flow and precipitations studies with success for air/liquid interface imaging and 3D reconstruction of precipitation within the core.
Bayesian estimation under exponential failure distribution

Abstract The adhoc reliability of a series system with p- independent components is estimated. The life distribution for component i is assumed to have an exponential distribution with parameter θi. The reliability of the system reduces to a function, ξ, of θ = (θ1, θ2, …, θp). The maximum likelihood estimator and the Bayes estimator for component i of ξ are derived. The Bayes estimate is obtained using a special asymmetric loss function. The maximum likelihood estimator and the Bayes estimator for component i of ξ are compared using a nearness criterion.
Ankyrin and spectrin associate with voltage-dependent sodium channels in brain

The segregation of voltage-dependent sodium channels to specialized regions of the neuron is crucial for propagation of an action potential. Studies of their lateral mobility indicate that sodium channels are freely mobile on the neuronal cell body but are immobile at the axon hillock, presynaptic terminal and at focal points along the axon. To elucidate the mechanisms that regulate sodium channel topography and mobility, we searched for specific proteins from the brain that associate with sodium channels. Here we show that sodium channels labelled with 3H-saxitoxin (STX) are precipitated in the presence of exogenous brain ankyrin by anti-ankyrin antibodies and that 125I-labelled ankyrin binds with high affinity to sodium channels reconstituted into lipid vesicles. The cytoplasmic domain of the erythrocyte anion transporter competes for the latter interaction. Neither the neuronal GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor channel complex nor the dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor bind brain ankyrin. The results indicate that brain ankyrin links the voltage-dependent sodium channel to the underlying cytoskeleton and may help to maintain axolemmal membrane heterogeneity and control sodium channel mobility.
An elementary proof of a theorem of tacon

In this Note we give an elementary proof (based on a simple, seemingly new, characterization of compact operators) of a Theorem of Tacon [3].
40Ar/39Ar incremental heating plateaus for biotites with excess argon

The 40Ar/39Ar incremental-heating dating method has been applied to metamorphic biotite containing excess 40Ar. Samples from two localities, the Appalachian Piedmont of northern Delaware and the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Montana, U.S.A., which were previously shown to yield anomalous old K-Ar dates with no chronological significance, have been studied. The 40Ar/39Ar release spectra show generally well-defined plateaus with apparent ages within analytical uncertainty of those previously determined by conventional K-Ar. Similar results for biotite from other metamorphic localities have been reported. Thus, excess 40Ar-bearing biotite from regional metamorphic rocks appears to yield generally plateau-type incremental gas release patterns. Biotite with excess argon can show the same release for the radiogenic and incorporated 40Ar components which results from a uniform distribution of 40Ar relative to K or possibly from the method of argon release during vacuum heating. Biotite cooling ages and anomalously old dates may be indistinguishable by the incremental-heating method. For biotites, particularly those from metamorphic or slowly cooled rocks, well-defined 40Ar/39Ar plateaus cannot be unambiguously interpreted without a priori geochronological or geological information.
The Effects of Business Taxes On Output and Location of the Firm Under Uncertainty

In this article, a triangular production-location model is used to show that when output price is random, the imposition of business taxes (including lump-sum tax, profit tax, output tax, and input tax) can have significant effects on the optimal location and output of a firm attempting to maximize a von Neumann-Morgenstern utility function of profits. In addition, using the concept of differential incidence, the authors also made a comparison of the magnitudes of the impacts of these taxes on the output and location of the firm and indicates that the effects of these taxes differ according to the tax structure.
A VLSI implementation of a 16-kbps waveform coder using adaptive vector quantization

The development of an adaptive vector quantizer (AVQ) CODEC chip using open architecture silicon implementation system (OASIS) tools is presented. The goal of this effort is development of a 16-kbps AVQ coder prototype system which can be used as an alternative to the currently used 32-kbps adaptive delta pulse code modulation (ADPCM). The AVQ semi-custom chip layout uses 1.2- mu m SCMOS technology and consists of over 157000 transistors. The AVQ system is being designed with Mentor Graphics tools and is a 4-layer PC board encompassing over 50 analog and digital components. >