cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Selection of Technologies in a Multiple Stage, Multiple Objective Wastewater Treatment System

In this paper, a multiple stage wastewater treatment system (WTS) is solved for the selection of technological options at each stage to minimize (economic cost, size, odour emissions) and to maximize (nutrient recovery, robustness, global desirability). Stages in the wastewater treatment system are the levels of treatment. There are 17 levels of treatment, where the first 11 levels are for the liquid treatment and the last 6 levels are for the solid treatment. This results in a 20-dimensional, continuous-state, 17-stage, 6-objective, stochastic optimization problem. The resulting multiple stage, multiple objective (MSMO) WTS is solved using the three-phase methodology in conjunction with the multiple objective version of high-dimensional, continuous-state, stochastic dynamic programming (SDP). The three-phase methodology comprises the input phase, the matrix generation phase and the weighting phase. The primary goal of three-phase methodology is to obtain weight vectors at each stage of the WTS utilizing expert's opinions in the input phase, computing pairwise comparison matrices at each stage using the geometric mean-based methods in the matrix generation phase, and then calculating weight vectors at each stage using the eigenvector method in the weighting phase. The weight vectors are then used to scalarize the vector optimization problem, which is solved using the high-dimensional, continuous-state SDP augmented for handling multiple objectives at each stage. The results obtained are practical as evidenced by the selection of new technologies in levels 1 and 5 thereby validating expert's decision to include them in the evaluation process. In addition to encouraging reviews from WTS experts, the implementation results satisfy a set of external constraints in the form of interstage dependencies between technological options in the WTS. Furthermore, the solution technique presented here utilizes expert's opinions in the solution development process, and is quite general in its application to a variety of large-scale MSMO problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acoustic Characteristics of Simulated Respiratory-Induced Vocal Tremor

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of respiratory forced oscillation to the acoustic characteristics of vocal tremor. Method Acoustical analyses were performed to det...
Surgical Stricturoplasty in the Treatment of Ileal Pouch Strictures

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of stricturoplasty and endoscopic balloon dilatation in the treatment for ileal pouch strictures. Consecutive inflammatory bowel disease patients with pouch strictures seen at our Pouch Center from 2002 to 2012 were studied. The efficacy and safety of stricturoplasty (vs. endoscopic balloon dilation) were evaluated with both univariate and multivariate analyses. A total of 167 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 16 (9.6 %) with surgical stricturoplasty and 151 (90.4 %) with endoscopic balloon dilation. Ninety-four patients (56.3 %) were male, with a mean age at the diagnosis of pouch stricture of 41.6 ± 13.2 years. Fifty-one patients (30.5 %) had multiple pouch strictures, while 100 (59.9 %) patients had strictures at the pouch inlet. The mean length of pouch strictures was 1.2 ± 0.6 cm. No difference was found between the stricturoplasty and endoscopic dilation groups in clinicopathological variables, except for the degree of strictures (p = 0.019). After a mean follow-up of 4.1 ± 2.6 years, pouch stricture recurred in 92 patients (55.1 %) and 21 (12.6 %) patients developed pouch failure. The time interval between the procedure and pouch stricture recurrence or pouch failure was longer in the stricturoplasty group than that in the endoscopic dilation group (p < 0.001). Patients in the two groups had similar overall pouch survival rates and stricture-free survival rates. In the multivariate analysis, stricturoplasty vs. endoscopic dilation was not significantly associated with either overall pouch survival or stricture-free survival. There was no difference in the procedure-associated complication rates between the two groups. Surgical stricturoplasty and endoscopic dilation treatment are complimentary techniques for pouch strictures. Repeated endoscopic dilatations are often required, while surgical stricturoplasty appeared to yield a longer time interval to stricture recurrence or pouch failure.
A Solution of Einstein's Field Equations fora Tachyonic Gas: Possible Astrophysical Applications

In this paper we show that a change in the signs of some of the metric components of the solution of the field equations for the classical cosmic string results in a solution which we interpret as a time-dependent wall composed of tachyons. We show that the walls have the property of focusing the paths of particles which pass through them. As an illustration of this focusing, we demonstrate the results of a simple simulation of the interaction between one such tachyon wall and a rotating disk of point masses. This interaction leads to the temporary formation of spiral structures. These spiral structures exist for a time on the order of one galactic rotation.
Yin Yang 1 regulates the transcriptional repression of survivin

Abstract The mechanisms for regulation of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) Survivin in cells undergoing stress associated with tumor development and the tumor microenvironment are not well understood. The stress response transcription factors HIF-1α and Yin Yang 1 (YY1) were hypothesized to contribute to the upregulation of Survivin in tumor cells. As expected, U2OS cells overexpressing HIF-1α showed a 2- to 3-fold transactivation when transfected. Surprisingly, when YY1 was overexpressed in this survivin promoter reporter system, luciferase expression was repressed 30- to 40-fold. YY1 involvement in survivin promoter repression was confirmed using siRNA directed against YY1. These studies showed that knockdown of YY1 releases the survivin promoter from the observed repression and leads to a 3- to 5-fold increase in promoter activity above basal levels. A U2OS cell line containing a stable YY1 Tet-off system was used to determine whether a temporal increase in YY1 expression affects Survivin protein levels. A low to moderate decrease in Survivin protein was observed 24 h and 48 h after Tet removal. Studies also confirmed that YY1 is capable of directly binding to the survivin promoter. Collectively, these findings identify novel basal transcriptional requirements of survivin gene expression which are likely to play important roles in the development of cancer and resistance to its treatment.
Affective Consequences of Teachers' Psychological Investment

AbstractThis research tested a paradigm of teachers’ psychological investment that hypothesized levels of interaction between teachers’ affective reactions to student success and failure and their psychological conditions (burned out, worn out, or healthy). Data collected from 740 elementary and secondary teachers during 1988-89 showed that affects of anger, guilt, pride, and disappointment both varied with and could be predicted from knowledge of teachers’ psychological condition. Of greatest concern are the worn-out teachers, who were three times more prevalent (18%) in the teacher population than were burned-out teachers. Worn-out teachers demonstrated the lowest levels of anger, guilt, pride, and disappointment in reaction to student success and failure.
On-line medical record/RIS/PACS interface

The University of Florida Medical Center has developed an On-Line Medical Record (OLMR) that serves as a repository of patient information from a number of individual department databases, the Radiology Information System included, and builds a comprehensive electronic patient based chart. The OLMR, widely used by clinicians to view information on test results, will be expanded to add image and graphics display capabilities, and will require pointers to PACS images.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Defining public relations roles in the U.S.A. using cluster analysis

This exploratory study attempted to discover key public relations (PR) practitioner roles through a survey design using factor-cluster analysis. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) partnered with the researchers by inviting PRSA members to complete a survey in which 256 members participated. Although different items were used, the results of this study were similar to the findings of a study conducted on European PR practitioners by Beurer-Zullig, Fieseler, and Meckel (2009) thus suggesting concurrent validity. Five PR roles were found incorporating personal characteristics, modes of communication, management and technical functions, perceived level of respondent strategic planning process involvement, and attitudes about communication goals and PR measurement (including perceived competency). The roles were labeled negotiator, policy advisor, brand officer, internal communicator, and press agent. The negotiator and policy advisor roles, which were management positions, viewed measurement research as important in the practice of PR.
NORADRENERGIC NEURONS - MORPHINE-INHIBITION OF SPONTANEOUS ACTIVITY

Abstract The effect of morphine sulfate on the spontaneous firing rate of norepinephrine-containing neurons in the locus coeruleus was studied in rats. Morphine sulfate was found to selectively inhibit neuronal activity in the locus coeruleus but had no effect on the firing rate of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Naloxone, a morphine antagonist, blocked and reversed the morphine-induced inhibition of locus coeruleus cells. Chlorpromazine, in contrast to its anti-amphetamine effects, did not antagonize the depression of spontaneous activity of the NE cells by morphine. Naloxone was ineffective in blocking or reversing d-amphetamine inhibition of noradrenergic neuron activity. A noxious stimulus (toe pressure) transiently increased the firing rate of neurons in the locus coeruleus. This response was markedly reduced by morphine sulfate. These findings suggest that morphine may exert at least part of this analgesic action through decreasing locus coeruleus impulse flow. However, the mechanism by which morphine decreases noradrenergic neuronal activity remains to be elucidated.
Characteristics of semiconductor gas sensors II. transient response to temperature change

Abstract Temperature-stimulated transient responses of the conductance of SnO 2 gas sensors, as exemplified by the Taguchi Gas Sensor (TGS), are comprehensively studied. These responses are determined at many temperatures for sensors exposed to several fixed concentrations of oxygen in nitrogen. The dynamic response of conductance exhibits complex kinetics characterized by time constants which range, depending on ambient conditions, from seconds to days. Measurement results are analyzed in the light of a proposed model of device behavior. This heuristic model is constructed by combining some fundamental experimental observations with kinetic predictions of the barrier layer theory of adsorption. The analyses result in identification of the physical mechanisms responsible for the complex kinetics and long time constants. We find that sensor conductance is controlled by an intergranular potental barrier consequent to oxygen adsorption. The barrier potential exhibits an Elovich-type rate kinetic and its functional dependences on sensor temperature for several oxygen partial pressures are determined. In addition, the long-term drift of the TGS results from the diffusion of a native non-stoichiometric defect, an oxygen vacancy, evoked by changes in temperature or ambient oxygen pressure.
Integration sites for genetic elements in prokaryotic tRNA and tmRNA genes: sublocation preference of integrase subfamilies

Most classical integrases of prokaryotic genetic elements specify integration into tRNA or tmRNA genes. Sequences shared between element and host integration sites suggest that crossover can occur at any of three sublocations within a tRNA gene, two with flanking symmetry (anticodon-loop and T-loop tDNA) and the third at the asymmetric 3′ end of the gene. Integrase phylogeny matches this classification: integrase subfamilies use exclusively either the symmetric sublocations or the asymmetric sublocation, although tRNA genes of several different aminoacylation identities may be used within any subfamily. These two familial sublocation preferences imply two modes by which new integration site usage evolves. The tmRNA gene has been adopted as an integration site in both modes, and its distinctive structure imposes some constraints on proposed evolutionary mechanisms.
Learning algorithms for neural networks based on Quasi-Newton methods with self-scaling

Previous studies have suggested that, for moderate sized neural networks, the use of classical Quasi-Newton methods yields the best convergence properties among all the state-of-the-art. This paper describes a set of even better learning algorithms based on a class of Quasi-Newton optimization techniques called Self-Scaling Variable Metric (SSVM) methods. One of the characteristics of SSVM methods is that they provide a set of search directions which are invariant under the scaling of the objective function
Improved-accuracy phase angle measurement

A method for phase angle determination from measurement of three magnitudes, described in a recent paper (Middlebrook 1975), is extended to provide improved accuracy.
Modeling sideswipe in 2D oceanic seismic surveys from sonar data: Application to the Mariana arc

In two-dimensional (2D) marine seismic-reflection surveys, out-of-plane rough seafloor bathymetry can cause multiple oceanbottom reflections that complicate the interpretation of shallow reflections. Although migration corrects for the in-plane position of reflectors, it cannot resolve the inherent ambiguity in their out-of-plane positions. We show how swath bathymetry, routinely collected in many such surveys, can be used to model out-of-plane seafloor reflections and prevent their misinterpretation as subsurface geology. We use both raw and gridded multi-beam bathymetry data to build images that represent seafloor reflections in migrated seismic data. Comparison of these images to the seismic sections reveals whether suspicious features are out-of-plane water bottom reflections or subsurface reflections. Multi-channel seismic surveys across the Marianas intra-oceanic arc system provide examples where rough seafloor topography produced reflections that were initially misinterpreted. We use our seafloor reflection modeling (SRM) approach to help distinguish a possible landslide from a volcanic cone, to help distinguish real from apparent fault-plane reflections bounding a sediment-filled basin, and to verify that a possible magma chamber reflection results from sub-surface structure, not seafloor sideswipe.
Developing an Inverse Heat Conduction Analysis Tool for Real Time Heat Flux Estimation in Directional Flame Thermometer Application

Accurate measurement of heat flux and temperature can significantly affect the energy usage in several industrial applications, including furnace operation, metal processing, fire safety tests and more. Directional Flame Thermometers, or DFTs, offer the ability to use both temperature and heat flux measurements for furnace control. Currently, analysis of dynamic temperature data from the DFTs to compute heat flux information must be performed off-line at the conclusion of data-gathering by using software tools such as IHCP1D. Availability of a near real-time algorithm for accurate reduction of the data will allow for continual monitoring of the furnace during operation. This will result in better control over the process and significant savings in energy and cost. In this paper, a filter form of the inverse heat conduction algorithm is developed for utilization in DFTs. The algorithm is based on linearized solutions of the direct heat equation, and non-linear effects introduced by temperature dependent thermal properties are accounted for by interpolating of the resulting filter coefficients. The developed method is tested through several numerical experiments and also ANSYS model. A graphical user interface is developed in LabVIEW to provide a friendly interface for the end user. The temperature data measured by thermocouples on the DFT are transmitted to the computer through data acquisition card and the developed tool in LabView display the heat flux in a near real time fashion.© 2014 ASME
On the importance of the embodiment of technology effect: A comment on Denison's growth accounting methodology

Abstract Denison has presented a powerful set of arguments as to why technology embodiment is not important. While his argument that embodiment does not appreciably raise the rate of return of new investment is correct, it leaves out the effect of obsolescence on measurement of the rate of return on all investment. Correctly handled, adjustment for obsolescence raises the estimated contribution of investment to growth. His calculations of the effect of new investment on average age ignore the increased retirement of old capital caused by new investment.
The problem of lead in mexican pottery.

Abstract Much public attention has been focused in the United States on utilitarian Mexican pottery as a source of lead poisoning. Our work demonstrates that, if a firing temperature of at least 1150° is used, lead-glazed earthenware is made safe for the storage and preparation of foods. Examination by d.c. arc emission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction shows that the lead then remains in crystalline form. An exchange-equilibrium for lead between solutions and earthenware material is postulated.
Attitudes towards requiring ignition interlocks for all driving while intoxicated offenders: findings from the 2010 HealthStyles Survey

Ignition interlocks are effective in reducing recidivism among driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders while installed on their vehicles. However, the devices are not widely used in the USA. This survey gauged public support for requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted DWI offenders including first-time offenders. 69% of respondents supported such a policy. Support was lowest (38%) among persons who reported drinking and driving in the past 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that support varied little by region, community size or most measured individual characteristics. Persons who did not drink and drive were 80% more likely to support the requirement than those who drink and drive. These findings suggest that laws requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted DWI offenders may face the most opposition in communities with high levels of drinking and driving.
Rheolytic percutaneous thrombectomy for acute pulmonary embolism in a pediatric patient.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism can have significant hemodynamic effects in both adults and children. We describe the case of a 10-year-old boy who developed cardiogenic shock after suffering a massive pulmonary embolism. A significant thrombus burden was removed using a catheter-based strategy of rheolytic thrombectomy, leading to stabilization of the patient. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Finite element methodology for elastic‐plastic fracture problems in three dimensions

The governing finite element system for elastic-plastic analysis of fracture specimens in three dimensions is formulated. The formulation accounts for mixed material hardening, finite strains, finite rotations and plastic incompressibility. The implementation of these aspects into a computational formula is presented and alternative formulations are compared. Small strain theory is recovered as a special case of the present formulation. Analysis is performed on a finite thickness centre-cracked specimen. The grid characteristics required for converged solutions are discussed. The effects of material hardening model and specimen thickness are studied. The local yield state is examined as a gauge of the local deformation processes. The implications for the fracture behaviour of the specimen are discussed. Local surface displacements are compared to experimentally measured yield surfaces. The formulation is shown to predict extremely accurate local deformation in the neighbourhood of the crack front. Contrary to the few three-dimensional fracture studies carried out to date, this analysis concentrates on the local deformation behaviour which ultimately controls fracture. Accurate resolution of this behaviour is essential before meaningful fracture criteria in three dimensions can be developed.
Efficient Synthesis Of Arrays Of Amino Acid Derived Ugi Products With Subsequent Amidation

Several amino acid derived iminodicarboxylicacid monomethylesters have been converted into a small array of amide derivatives. Sequentially, we were using an Ugi reaction of alpha-amino acids, followed by a mild and efficient amidation. Thus we added to this well-known Ugi scaffold another dimension of diversity, thereby enhancing it is potentially use in the combinatorial and medicinal chemistry of multi component reactions (MCRs) and drug discovery. Synthesis of an exemplary array and pharmacophore features are discussed.
MODULATION OF PRIMARY COSMIC-RAY INTENSITY

It is assumed that the cosmic-ray particles observed at the earth are of galactic origin, except for the occasional bursts from solar flares. With this interpretation the 11-year variation of the cosmic-ray intensity and the Forbush decreases represent depressions of the steady galactic intensity. The observed rigidity dependence of the depression indicates that magnetic fields are responsible. A quantitative investigation of the possible motion and configuration of magnetic fields capable of producing the observed effects is carried out. It is shown that, within the limitations imposed by what we think we know today of the galactic magnetic field, of solar activity, and of interplanetary fields, serious difficulties are encountered by any mechanism, such as Morrison's interplanetary cloud model, modulating the galactic cosmic-ray intensity throughout the solar system.
Discontinuation of antithrombotic therapy for a year or more in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices

The recommended anticoagulation regimen during continuous-flow axial left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is aspirin and warfarin with a targeted international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0. We report two patients in whom recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding during LVAD support necessitated discontinuation of this anti-thrombotic regimen for a year or more. Despite this, neither patients developed thrombotic complications during 29 patient-months of follow-up. An acquired von Willebrand factor (VWF) abnormality reflected by the absence or decreased abundance of the highest molecular weight multimers was demonstrated in both patients. The gold standard test for platelet function, light transmission platelet aggregometry was measured in one patient and was normal, indicative that the predominant abnormality in the coagulation profile of these patients is an acquired VWF syndrome. Clinical trials are required to address the question whether it is safe to discontinue anticoagulation in LVAD patients with acquired VWF abnormalities.
Financial remuneration for clinical and behavioral research participation: ethical and practical considerations.

Purpose Although the practice of providing payment to clinical research participants has been ongoing for more than a century, it remains an ethically controversial topic among members of the research community. The aims of this commentary are to summarize ethical and practical considerations regarding financial remuneration of research participants and to make recommendations for researchers contemplating this practice. Methods A PubMed search was conducted to explore the ethical implications surrounding financial remuneration and review the body of empiric data on this topic. Results Financial remuneration is perceived to be ethically acceptable by many researchers and research participants and can be helpful in the recruitment process. It is recommended that when investigators are contemplating whether to offer payment to research participants, they should consider the nature of the study and the potential benefits and risks to the participants, institutional or organizational guidelines, and cultural and societal norms specific to the population being studied. Conclusions Financial remuneration has the ability to serve as a sign of appreciation for the contributions of research participants and a way to facilitate clinical and behavioral research.
Mapping the viral genetic determinants of endothelial cell tropism in human cytomegalovirus

Endothelial cells are natural sites of infection for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and are increasingly recognized to play an important role in viral dissemination, as well as provide access to underlying tissues and organs. However, the viral factors required for endothelial cell tropism are poorly defined. The goals of the project were to develop a system to study endothelial cell infectivity factors in HCMV, and map the viral genetic determinants required for these tropism functions. HCMV infection of primary aortic endothelial cells (AEC) was studied as a means to evaluate aspects relevant to both pathogenesis of acute infection and chronic vascular diseases. A series of HCMV virus strains was screened for endothelial tropism by comparing replication efficiencies on AEC. A virus strain that was efficient for replication (AD169varATCC), and a virus strain that was restricted for replication (Toledo), were selected for further analysis and characterization. We present evidence for a novel HCMV endothelial tropism factor that functioned following viral internalization across the endothelial cell plasma membrane and prior to nuclear entry. This factor may be involved in intracellular transport of the virion capsid-tegument structure. Complementation approaches using pseudotype virus infection of AEC demonstrated that the tropism defective strain could be rescued in trans. This supported the existence of a viral encoded tropism determinant. Using a gain of function approach, endothelial cell infectivity of the non-tropic HCMV strain Toledo was rescued with AD169 cosmid sequences. Tropism-specific viral genetic determinant(s) may be mapped to a region of the AD169 viral DNA encompassing UL48-56.
Excitation of high-spin states in 49Ti by the (p, π-) and (d, α) reactions

States in 49Ti have been studied by the 51V(d, α)49Ti reaction with 28 MeV deuterons. Angular distributions are used to pick out those states that are populated by ΔL = 6 angular momentum transfer. Comparison with microscopic distorted wave calculations using f72 shell-model spectroscopic amplitudes suggest that the strong states observed at 3968 and 4388 KeV in the (d, α) reaction have spins 152− and 192− respectively, and are the same states that have been strongly in recent (p, π-) experiments.
The Preparation of Five Cation-Saturated Bentonites and the Determination of Their Exchangeable Cations†

Procedures are described for the preparation of five cation-saturated bentonites. The principle employed involves the phenomenon of cation exchange in clays. The determinations of the exchangeable cations in the bentonites were carried out using a modified procedure of Mehlich's original method for the same determination in soils.
Nonadiabatic bonding interactions in sub-keV ion-solid processes

Abstract Interactions between energetic ions and atoms in a solid are usually treated using a simple density functional model and superposition of static atomic charge densities. This procedure ignores dynamic valence electron processes such as electronic redistribution and formation of transient bonding interactions (protobonds). Semiclassical estimates are used to argue that such dynamic bonding effects can develop within the femtosecond timescales characteristic of sub-keV atomic collisions. Molecular dynamics simulations are then used to establish that systems exist in which such protobonding interactions dominate the ion-solid. Based on these simulations, the need for a nonadiabatic velocity and history-dependent description of very low energy ion beam processes is discussed.
Measuring and modeling the composition and temperature-dependence of surface tension for organic solutions

Surface tensions for a wide variety of pure organic and mixed organic/salt solutions were measured at 25 and 5 °C using the Wilhelmy plate method. Langmuir adsorption parameters for the organic compounds were extracted by fitting the surface tension data to the Szyszkowski equation. In a mixed organic/salt solution, the surface tension was primarily controlled by the organic component, even when the mass ratio of salt to organic in solution exceeded threefold. Excellent agreement was found between measured surface tension values at 5 °C and those predicted by the Szyszkowski equation using Langmuir adsorption parameters extracted at 25 °C. This finding may have important implications for cloud formation studies where the onset of activation often occurs at temperatures below 25 °C.
Computing the Area of a Spherical Polygon of Arbitrary Shape

An algorithm for determining the area of a spherical polygon of arbitrary shape is presented. The kernel of the problem is to compute the interior angle at each vertex of the spherical polygon; a well-known relationship between the area of a spherical polygon and the sum of its interior angles then may be exploited. The algorithm has been implemented as a FORTRAN subroutine and a listing is provided. Both algorithm and subroutine are general in their capabilities and can be used, for example, to determine the area of a spherical polygon containing one or more holes.
Photodecomposition of dichloromethane catalyzed by tetrachloroferrate(III) supported on a Dowex anion exchange resin.

The FeCl4− ion, heterogenized on a Dowex ion exchange resin, catalyzes the aerobic photodecomposition of neat CH2Cl2. Phosgene production was used to characterize the extent of decomposition, although it appears to be a secondary product from the decomposition of chloroform, which is suggested to arise from the reaction of dichloromethanol with hydrogen chloride. The yield of CHCl3 increases when the production of phosgene is suppressed by water or acetonitrile. CuCl42−, likewise heterogenized on Dowex, is photocatalytically inactive.
Immobilization and release of the redox mediator ferrocene monocarboxylic acid from within cross-linked p(HEMA-co-PEGMA-co-HMMA) hydrogels.

Cross-linked hydrogels are synthesized from hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), polyethyleneglycol methacrylate (PEGMA), and N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-acrylamide (HMMA) [p(HEMA-co-PEGMA-co-HMMA) hydrogels] containing 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 12 M % of the cross-linker tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) and are loaded during synthesis with the well-known redox mediator, ferrocene monocarboxylic acid (FcCOOH). In the absence of FcCOOH, the M% TEGDA in deionized (DI) water (48%; 1 mol % TEGDA to 32%; 12 mol % TEGDA) scales with the cross-link density in accordance with Flory−Huggins−Rehner theory. The release profiles of FcCOOH from hydrogel slabs (43.0 mM) into 0.1 M HEPES/0.1 M KCl buffer are determined from the oxidation peak current of FcCOOH via cyclic voltammetry (100 mV/s) and are decidedly Fickian with overall diffusion coefficients that range from 2.64 × 10−8 cm2/s (1 mol % TEGDA) to 4.87 × 10−9 cm2/s (12 mol % TEGDA) and with n parameters that approximated 0.5 but nonetheless linearly declined from 0...
The Innocence Project at Twenty: An Interview with Barry Scheck

The late 1980s witnessed the debut of DNA on the stages of the world's judiciaries. In the United Kingdom, DNA “minisatellites” (discovered by Sir Alec Jeffreys and chronicled previously in this series of PLOS Genetics interviews) made their breathtaking appearance in two compelling stories: an immigration case and a double rape-murder case in which a village's entire male population offered up its blood for testing. Meanwhile in the United States, the plodding search for “RFLPs” (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) ultimately gave rise to a set of DNA markers that wended their way into the American courtroom. Directing, producing, and starring in the saga of this transformational technology were a pair of New York lawyers, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, whose relentless efforts and strict adherence to scientific principles have reshaped the landscape of criminal justice far beyond the application of DNA testing.
A Comparison of Corneal Storage in Moist Chamber and McCarey-Kaufman Medium in Human Keratoplasty

We examined the graft clarity and clinical outcome of 130 patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty with donor preservation in either McCarey-Kaufman (MK) medium or moist chamber. We found comparable results with both methods of preservation in our two best prognostic groups. We feel MK medium is an excellent alternative to moist chamber preservation when used within 48 hours after the donor's death.
Creation of a six-atom ‘Schrödinger cat’ state

Among the classes of highly entangled states of multiple quantum systems, the so-called 'Schrodinger cat' states are particularly useful. Cat states are equal superpositions of two maximally different quantum states. They are a fundamental resource in fault-tolerant quantum computing and quantum communication, where they can enable protocols such as open-destination teleportation and secret sharing. They play a role in fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and enable improved signal-to-noise ratios in interferometry. Cat states are very sensitive to decoherence, and as a result their preparation is challenging and can serve as a demonstration of good quantum control. Here we report the creation of cat states of up to six atomic qubits. Each qubit's state space is defined by two hyperfine ground states of a beryllium ion; the cat state corresponds to an entangled equal superposition of all the atoms in one hyperfine state and all atoms in the other hyperfine state. In our experiments, the cat states are prepared in a three-step process, irrespective of the number of entangled atoms. Together with entangled states of a different class created in Innsbruck, this work represents the current state-of-the-art for large entangled states in any qubit system.
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator forms macromolecular complexes with PDZ domain scaffold proteins.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), an epithelial Cl– channel defective in cystic fibrosis, is localized at the apical membrane of epithelial cells. CFTR interacts with a number of ion channels (outwardly rectifying chloride channels, epithelial sodium channels, and inwardly rectifying potassium channels), protein kinases A and C, and putative protein phosphatases and ATP transporters. These data suggest that CFTR may exist in macromolecular complexes with these and other scaffolding proteins at the apical membrane. PDZ domain proteins have been shown to localize and cluster CFTR in the Golgi and at the plasma membrane. This review highlights the role of PDZ domain proteins in regulating the trafficking and processing of CFTR.
Differential localization of antigonadotropic and vasotocic activities in bovine and rat pineal

Abstract Bovine pineal glands were separated into stalk and parenchymal portions and extracted separately for both pineal antigonadotropic and neurohypophysial activities. Bioassay of these extracts localized neurohypophysial hormone activity to the stalk and antigonadotropic activity to the pineal parenchyma. Destalked rat pineals were devoid of neurohypophysial hormone activity at the concentrations employed. Whereas the injection of purified extracts containing pineal antigonadotropin reduced ventral prostate weights in mice, vasotocin was without such actions. these results fail to support pineal (parenchymal) localization of vasotocin and a reproductive role for this neurohypophysial peptide.
Role of unattended ground sensors (UGS) in regional confidence building and arms control

Although the Cold War has ended, the world has not become more peaceful. Without the stability provided by an international system dominated by two super-powers, local conflicts are more likely to escalate. Agreements to counter destabilizing pressures in regional conflicts can benefit from the use of cooperative monitoring. Cooperative monitoring is the collecting, analyzing, and sharing of information among parties to an agreement. Ground sensor technologies can contribute to the collection of relevant information. If implemented with consideration for local conditions, cooperative monitoring can build confidence, strengthen existing agreements, and set the stage for continued progress. This presentation describes two examples: the Israeli-Egyptian Sinai agreements of the 1970s and a conceptual example for the contemporary Korean Peninsula. The Sinai was a precedent for the successful use of UGS within the context of cooperative monitoring. The Korean Peninsula is the world`s largest military confrontation. Future confidence building measures that address the security needs of both countries could decrease the danger of conflict and help create an environment for a peace agreement.
Book Review of In the Presence of Grief: Helping Family Members Resolve Death, Dying, and Bereavement Issues

In the Presence of Grief: Helping Family Members Resolve Death, Dying, and Bereavement Issues by Dorothy S. Becvar, 2001, New York: Guilford Press, 284 pages, $23.00, ISBN 1–57230–937–7.
Planck-mass-rotons cold dark matter hypothesis

Sakharov's conjecture that the vacuum is densely occupied with Planck-mass maximons is taken as a model to explain the missing mass as rotons of a superfluid made up from the Planck-mass maximons. Because rotons require a finite excitation energy, they not only can account for the missing mass but, in addition, can mimic a small, positive cosmological constant. According to Sakharov, the large vacuum energy of the Planck-mass maximons is compensated by “ghost particles.” In the proposed superfluid vacuum model, we assume that the compensation is done by a large, negative cosmological constant instead.
Cloning, Characterization, and Chromosomal Localization of a Human 5-HT6 Serotonin Receptor

We describe the cloning and characterization of a human 5-HT6 serotonin receptor. The open reading frame is interrupted by two introns in positions corresponding to the third cytoplasmic loop and the third extracellular loop. The human 5-HT6 cDNA encodes a 440-amino-acid polypeptide whose sequence diverges significantly from that published for the rat 5-HT6 receptor. Resequencing of the rat cDNA revealed a sequencing error producing a frame shift within the open reading frame. The human 5-HT6 amino acid sequence is 89% similar to the corrected rat sequence. The recombinant human 5-HT6 receptor is positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase and has pharmacological properties similar to the rat receptor with high affinity for several typical and atypical antipsychotics, including clozapine. The receptor is expressed in several human brain regions, most prominently in the caudate nucleus. The gene for the receptor maps to the human chromosome region 1p35-p36. This localization overlaps that established for the serotonin 5-HT1D alpha receptor, suggesting that these may be closely linked. Comparison of genomic and cDNA clones for the human 5-HT6 receptor also reveals an Rsal restriction fragment length polymorphism within the coding region.
ISOLATION OF PYRITE SPHERULES FROM RECENT SEDIMENTS

A microscopic examination of approximately 200 sediment samples, mostly freshwater in origin, revealed an abundance of pyrite spherules in virtually all fine-grained deposits that contained organic matter and reduced sulfur compounds. A speciel study was made of the spherules in deep-water sediments of Little Round Lake, Ontario. The spherules there numbered approximately 450,000 per gram of dry sediment, accounting for 0.6% of the inorganic matter in the sediment. They ranged in diameter from 2 to 100 µ, but 75% or more had a diameter less than 11 µ. A method is described for the isolation of spherulitic pyrite from recent sediments based on heavy mineral centrifugation, flotation of pyrite spherules, and differential sedimentation of pyrite after rupturing the spherules into their component microcrystals. A sample of spherulitic pyrite isolated from the sediments of Little Round Lake was composed as follows: 53.16% sulfur, 46.59% iron, 0.13% silicon and 0.009% carbon, with only 0.11% of the weight unaccounted for. The silicon was thought to be partly due to contamination from other heavy minerals. Calculations based on the observed carbon content made it seem unlikely that the spherules could contain the organic microfossils that other workers have reported. The sulfur in the pyrite showed a 0.4% depletion in S34 as compared to sulfate-sulfur in the surface water of the lake. Attempts to synthesize pyrite spherules in the laboratory were unsuccessful.
Androgen metabolism in cirrhosis of the liver

Abstract Androgen metabolism was studied in male patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The plasma level, metabolic clearance, and production rates of testosterone were decreased while the conversion ratio and rate transport constant of testosterone to androstenedione was increased. Administration of testosterone produced a marked increase in the metabolic clearance rate of testosterone indicating that parenchymal hepatic dysfunction per se was not the cause for the reduced clearance rate. Moreover, the patients were found to have normal testicular reserve for the biosynthesis of testosterone as indicated by an almost fourfold increase in the plasma concentration of testosterone following the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. These data demonstrate that the reduced production rate of testosterone in male cirrhotics is not due primarily to testicular disease but possibly reflects hypothalamic-pituitary suppression secondary to increased circulating estrogens. The increase in the rate of conversion of testosterone to androstenedione, found in the present study, is consistent with this hypothesis. The present investigation thus provides quantitative data on the hypogonadal state in cirrhosis and suggests possible mechanisms for the alteration in androgen metabolism.
Thermosyphons and foundation design in cold regions

Abstract Laboratory tests were conducted with two full-size, two-phase commercial thermosyphons in an atmospheric wind tunnel at the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. The test variables were air velocity and evaporator slope angle. The air velocity ranged from 0 to 5.2 m/s. The evaporator angles were varied from 0 to 12°, measured from the horizontal. The effect of nearby walls on thermosyphon performance was also investigated. The air temperature for all tests was about − 18°C. Test results are presented with thermal conductance of the thermosyphon as a function of air velocity and evaporator slope angle. The heat transfer conductance was found to increase with increasing air velocity and increasing evaporator slope angle. The use of thermosyphons in a slab-on-grade foundation design on permafrost was modeled using the finite element technique. Depth of thaw within the fill decreases with increased thermosyphon conductance and increased insulation thickness. The simulations indicate that it is slightly better to place the thermosyphon evaporator vertically towards the fill base.
Phonologic errors in the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia

Background: One of the distinguishing characteristics of logopenic progressive aphasia (LPA) is phonologic errors, but few data exist that document the frequency of such errors across a variety of language tasks.Aims: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of phonologic errors across a variety of spoken language tasks in participants with LPA.Methods & Procedures: Detailed descriptive analysis was based on data obtained from video recordings of 22 participants with LPA. Nine tasks were analysed for phonologic errors.Outcomes & Results: All participants made some phonologic errors, with presence/absence of such errors varying across tasks. Tasks that were most likely to elicit phonologic errors were reading nonwords, repetition of multisyllabic words, reading irregular words, and the 15-item Boston Naming Test. Factors such as task nature or complexity, severity of aphasia, and, possibly, education influenced the frequency of phonologic errors.Conclusions: Our findings support the c...
Two Contrasting Versions of the Optimal Active Vehicle Suspension

Etude de 2 indices de performances qui conduisent a des lois de reaction variable a l'etat optimal pour la force de suspension
Neuropsychological outcome at age 5 following unilateral neonatal brain lesion. 1728

Retrospective studies of neonates who sustain unilateral brain lesions demonstrate small but persistent deficits contralateral to lesion side. Prospective studies have generally been constrained by small sample size, variability in age of lesion onset, and wide range of ages when outcome has been assessed. We report neuropsychological outcome at age five for 24 children who were ascertained in the neonatal period to have unilateral brain lesions (LL=12; RL=12). The sample is part of a cohort of 152 critically ill term neonates (> 2kg) who received routine neonatal neuroimaging (US/CT) following ECMO treatment for cardiorespiratory failure and were available for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation at age 5. The lesion groups were comparable in terms of birthweight, GA, Apgar scores, neuroimaging severity score, ethnicity, maternal education, and age at test. One child (RL) had post-neonatal seizures. We compared performance on neuropsychological measures presumed subserved by the right hemisphere (e.g. visual/spatial, left-hand use) and left hemisphere (e.g. language, right-hand use). Data were converted to z-scores. The RL group showed a visual/spatial deficit relative to language, and the LL group showed the corresponding language deficit relative to visual/spatial skills. Verbal and visual memory scores were equivalent. One child in each group was left-hand dominant. Visual/motor tasks were poorer for the LL group, given the dominant hand was contralateral to the side of lesion. Overall, the effect was predictable for lesion side, although the effect size was small. Our data suggest residual effects at age five within the general pattern of recovery following lateralized neonatal brain injury. [Funded by NIH/NINDS]
Urban geography I: Locating urban theory in the ‘urban age’

In the midst of what has been termed the ‘urban age’, two divergent approaches to understanding life in cities have emerged. In this first of three urban geography progress reports, I engage these ...
Transvection: allelic cross talk

La transvection est une interaction allelique qui depend de l'appariement des chromosomes ou de la proximite des alleles. C'est un phenomene genetique rare et inexplique, qui est connu depuis 1954, et qui pourrait apporter des informations interessantes sur le controle des genes. L'auteur passe en revue les connaissances actuelles qu'on a de ce phenomene