cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis and management of tritruncal heart in an infant.

taneous abortions. The management strategy of the patients herein was flexible due to unpredictable pathologic and clinical evolution of the tumor. At birth, PGE1 therapy and adequate atrial-level shunting, requiring atrial septostomy in 1 patient, were necessary due to univentricular physiology with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow. Unexpectedly, both neonates presented severe pulmonary hypertension, only partially responsive to intravenous and inhaled pulmonary vasodilators. Prematurity and persistent fetal circulation were thought to be responsible; only after postmortem diagnosis of patient 2 did we identify recurrent pulmonary embolism due to tumor calcification and fragmentation. Retrospectively, therefore, the rationale for delaying surgical excision (low body weight, prematurity, expectation of spontaneous regression) appears unjustified. On the contrary, intracardiac masses with clinicopathologic features inconsistent with cardiac rhabdomyoma must be referred for early surgical excision to allow for diagnosis and prevention of life-threatening embolism. Furthermore, when fetal-type rhabdomyoma is identified in a child, genetic counseling must consider the possibility of occurrence of the tumor in future pregnancies and should advise in utero echocardiographic screening. In the case of diagnosis, however, any decision to interrupt pregnancy should take into consideration the fact that radical resection in infancy is feasible and no association with tuberous sclerosis has been reported.
Mentors decrease compliance with best sterile practices during central venous catheter placement in the Trauma Resuscitation Unit

Background: In the academic trauma unit during initial evaluation and resuscitation of trauma victims, central venous catheters are often placed by multiple operators. There are few data on compliance with accepted, standard sterile practices during such procedures. Methods: Prospective data were tabulated from video capture of 144 consecutive central venous catheterizations in a trauma resuscitation unit, during peak hours, by a team of trained video technicians. The physicians were surgical and emergency medicine residents. The number of primary operators (trainees) and secondary operators (mentors) for each line was recorded from the video analysis, as well as physician adherence to the use of maximum barrier precautions (MBP; sterile gown, gloves, full operative drape, cap, and mask). Procedures were stratified by level of urgency: Emergent (n = 7), semi-emergent (n = 20), and elective (n = 113). Results: The subclavian vein was used for 73% of the elective catheter placements. For elective central ve...
A virtual memory based runtime to support multi-tenancy in clusters with GPUs

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are increasingly becoming part of HPC clusters. Nevertheless, cloud computing services and resource management frameworks targeting heterogeneous clusters including GPUs are still in their infancy. Further, GPU software stacks (e.g., CUDA driver and runtime) currently provide very limited support to concurrency.In this paper, we propose a runtime system that provides abstraction and sharing of GPUs, while allowing isolation of concurrent applications. A central component of our runtime is a memory manager that provides a virtual memory abstraction to the applications. Our runtime is flexible in terms of scheduling policies, and allows dynamic (as opposed to programmer-defined) binding of applications to GPUs. In addition, our framework supports dynamic load balancing, dynamic upgrade and downgrade of GPUs, and is resilient to their failures. Our runtime can be deployed in combination with VM-based cloud computing services to allow virtualization of heterogeneous clusters, or in combination with HPC cluster resource managers to form an integrated resource management infrastructure for heterogeneous clusters. Experiments conducted on a three-node cluster show that our GPU sharing scheme allows up to a 28% and a 50% performance improvement over serialized execution on short- and long-running jobs, respectively. Further, dynamic inter-node load balancing leads to an additional 18-20% performance benefit.
A rapid method for PCR detection of bovine materials in animal feedstuffs

Rapid identification of bovine materials in animal feedstuffs is essential for effective control of a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. We have developed a rapid method for the detection of the presence of bovine materials in animal feeds. Animal feed samples were prepared by a Chelex-100 treatment method, then subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. The assay can be completed in 2 h including 30 min for sample preparation, 35-65 min for PCR cycling and 30 min for gel electrophoresis. This method is not only rapid, simple and consistent, but also avoids a hazardous waste disposal issue associated with a previously described guanidine thiocyanate (GuSCN) extraction-PCR method.
Organoarsenic polymers containing arsinic acid and arsenyl groups

Abstract Condensation reactions between difunctional Grignard reagents (prepared from α, ω-polymethylene dibromides and magnesium metal) and diethylaminodichloroarsine yield intermediates which, upon hydrolysis and oxidation, form organoarsenic polymers of the general formula These substances are polyelectrolytes soluble only in aqueous inorganic bases. Crosslinked polymeric organoarsenic oxides were obtained by oxidation of the reaction product from AsCl3 and difunctional Grignard reagents. Elemental analyses do not correspond to the values calculated for the theoretical formula ([ -(CH 2 ) n/2 ] 3 AsO) x (n=6,8,10). ) These polymers are insoluble in all solvents investigated. The i.r. spectra, differential thermal and thermal gravimetric data and results of intrinsic viscosity studies are discussed.
Long-Range Dispersal and High-Latitude Environments Influence the Population Structure of a "Stress-Tolerant" Dinoflagellate Endosymbiont

The migration and dispersal of stress-tolerant symbiotic dinoflagellates (genus Symbiodinium) may influence the response of symbiotic reef-building corals to a warming climate. We analyzed the genetic structure of the stress-tolerant endosymbiont, Symbiodinium glynni nomen nudum (ITS2 - D1), obtained from Pocillopora colonies that dominate eastern Pacific coral communities. Eleven microsatellite loci identified genotypically diverse populations with minimal genetic subdivision throughout the Eastern Tropical Pacific, encompassing 1000’s of square kilometers from mainland Mexico to the Galapagos Islands. The lack of population differentiation over these distances corresponds with extensive regional host connectivity and indicates that Pocillopora larvae, which maternally inherit their symbionts, aid in the dispersal of this symbiont. In contrast to its host, however, subtropical populations of S. glynni in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) were strongly differentiated from populations in tropical eastern Pacific. Selection pressures related to large seasonal fluctuations in temperature and irradiance likely explain this abrupt genetic discontinuity. We infer that S. glynni genotypes harbored by host larvae arriving from more southern locations are rapidly replaced by genotypes adapted to more temperate environments. The strong population structure of S. glynni corresponds with fluctuating environmental conditions and suggests that these genetically diverse populations have the potential to evolve rapidly to changing environments and reveals the importance of environmental extremes in driving microbial eukaryote (e.g., plankton) speciation in marine ecosystems.
Grain Refinement Induced by a Pulsed Magnetic Field and Synchronous Solidification

An experimental study on the influence of a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) on the unidirectional solidification of pure aluminum is reported. The forced convection induced by PMF encourages a thermal homogenization of the liquid zone ahead of the solidification front. Meanwhile, synchronous solidification occurs under high magnetic intensity to form fine equiaxed grains in the entire ingot. The solidification time exhibits a trend of going from initial ascent to subsequent decent with increasing magnetic intensity. Finally, the solidification times of various temperature measurement points in the casting approach a convergence point at a magnetic intensity of 0.154 T, at which the finest grain size appears in the ingots. A thermodynamic expression with the application of PMF is discussed.
Semitelechelic HPMA Copolymers Functionalized with Triphenylphosphonium as Drug Carriers for Membrane Transduction and Mitochondrial Localization

Semitelechelic HPMA (N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) copolymers possessing a single terminal lipophilic triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation and fluorescent labels were synthesized to determine how the attached cation affected cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking. In vitro mitochondrial uptake fluorescence quenching assays using isolated mouse liver mitochondria indicated that only lower molecular weight ( 5 kDa) semitelechelic copolymers, microinjected into cultured cells indicated that the TPP moiety did not significantly localize the polymers to mitochondria.
Differentiating the performance of systems more reliably

The system of measuring the performance of a Web system using a workload generator can be modeled as a closed interactive system. In such a system, the throughput and the mean response time are related by the response time law. However, we find that a measured throughput and a corresponding measured mean response time can have significantly different accuracy. As a result, one metric may be more reliable than the other to identify the better of two given configurations of a Web system, which is an important problem that appears frequently in practice. Using simulation, we derive rules of thumb that characterize when throughput is more reliable than mean response time. Also, we explain these rules of thumb analytically. Specifically, we refine the response time law using the central limit theorem and formally define the asymptotic reliability of an estimator of a metric. Using these analytical frameworks, we provide insights into when and why one metric is more reliable than the other.
Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA base excision repair are affected differently by caloric restriction.

SPECIFIC AIMSAging is associated with increasing levels of oxidative damage and mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and these are prevented by caloric restriction (CR). We tested the hypothesis that CR initiates a program of enhanced mtDNA repair, allowing maintenance of mitochondrial genomic integrity and function throughout the extended life span of CR mice.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Caloric restriction lowers DNA repair activity in brain and kidney but not liver mitochondriaMost DNA repair processes present in the nucleus have not yet been detected in mitochondria, and may be absent. However, mitochondria possess a significant capacity for the repair of oxidative DNA damage via base excision repair (BER). The ability of CR and pair-fed (PF) mouse mitochondria to repair damaged DNA was assessed by measuring BER activity in mitochondrial extracts prepared from liver, brain, and kidney mitochondria. Mice were maintained on CR (60% caloric intake) and PF (100% caloric intake) diets for 14 months beginning at...
Matching models in the analysis of cross-classifications

Inference models motivated by the combinatorial chance literature and the concept of object matching may be used in the analysis of a contingency table if the conditional assumption of fixed row and column totals is imposed. More specifically, by developing a matching reinterpretation for several problems of interest in the prediction analysis of cross-classifications—as defined by Hildebrand, Laing and Rosenthal, appropriate significance tests can be given that may differ from those justified by the more common multinomial models. In the course of the paper the distinction between a degree-1 statistic (based on the relationship between single objects) and a degree-2 statistic (based on the relationship between object pairs) is reviewed in some detail. Also, several specializations are presented to topics of current methodological importance in psychology; for instance, a number of references are made to the measurement of nominal scale response agreement between two raters.
VARIATION IN ERYTHROCYTE ENZYME ACTIVITY AMONG PRIMATE SPECIES

Abstract 1. 1. Significant differences between species in the mean level of enzyme activity, ranging from 50 to 400%, were detected during a study of 10 enzymes from erythrocytes of humans and five non-human primates. 2. 2. The activity differences were consistent with variation, between species, at the structural loci for specific enzymes rather than differences in mean cell age, hemoglobin content or other pleiotropic effects. 3. 3. For seven of the eight loci at which direct comparisons among the six species could be made, the number of species-specific activity differences was greater than the number of variants observed by electrophoresis. 4. 4. Thus not only do activity measurements detect previously “hidden” variation among species but they also provide information regarding genetic differences which may be of potential physiological and/or selective relevance.
The single pulse galvanostatic method applied in the millimicrosecond range to the determination of the exchange current density of the Ag/AgNO 3, NaNO3-KNO3 (molten) system

Abstract The exchange current density for the metal-molten salt system Ag/AgNO 3 , NaNO 3 -KNO 3 has been determined by the single pulse galvanostatic method in an apparatus which enables the evaluation of the double layer capacity and exchange current in one experimental set-up. The range of applicability of the single pulse galvanostatic method is less than that formerly estimated. A detailed analysis is given.
Three-dimensional structure of the platelet integrin recognition segment of the fibrinogen gamma chain obtained by carrier protein-driven crystallization

We have developed a method for crystallizing small functional protein segments so that their three-dimensional structure can be determined by x-ray diffraction analysis. This method consists of linking a small protein segment of unknown tertiary structure to either the amino or carboxyl terminus of a larger carrier protein of known tertiary structure. Crystallization of the small segment is then driven by crystallization of the carrier protein. Using this approach, we have obtained crystals of the human fibrinogen gamma-chain carboxyl-terminal segment linked to the carboxyl terminus of chicken egg white lysozyme. The three-dimensional structure of the carboxyl-terminal segment of the fibrinogen gamma chain was determined by x-ray diffraction analysis at a resolution of 2.4 A. This segment encompasses the recognition site for the integrin alpha IIb beta 3 receptor on activated platelets and for the clumping receptor on pathogenic staphylococci and also bears donor and acceptor sites for factor XIIIa-catalyzed crosslinking of fibrin. Therefore, the structural information derived from our analysis will provide a rational basis for the design of inhibitors of these important functions of fibrinogen. Moreover, carrier protein-driven crystallization will facilitate the determination of the three-dimensional structure of functional segments of other proteins that are, like fibrinogen, difficult to crystallize in toto.
Final Corrective Action Study for the Former CCC/USDA Facility in Hanover, Kansas

Past operations at a grain storage facility formerly leased and operated by the Commodity Credit Corporation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) in Ramona, Kansas, resulted in low concentrations of carbon tetrachloride in groundwater that slightly exceed the regulatory standard in only one location. As requested by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the CCC/USDA has prepared a Corrective Action Study (CAS) for the facility. The CAS examines corrective actions to address groundwater impacted by the former CCC/USDA facility but not releases caused by other potential groundwater contamination sources in Ramona. Four remedial alternatives were considered in the CAS. The recommended remedial alternative in the CAS consists of Environmental Use Control to prevent the inadvertent use of groundwater as a water supply source, coupled with groundwater monitoring to verify the continued natural improvement in groundwater quality. The Commodity Credit Corporation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (CCC/USDA) has directed Argonne National Laboratory to prepare a Corrective Action Study (CAS), consistent with guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE 2001a), for the CCC/USDA grain storage facility formerly located in Ramona, Kansas. This effort is pursuant to a KDHE (2007a) request. Although carbon tetrachloride levels at themore » Ramona site are low, they remain above the Kansas Tier 2 risk-based screening level (RBSL) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 {micro}g/L (Kansas 2003, 2004). In its request for the CAS, the KDHE (2007a) stated that, because of these levels, risk is associated with potential future exposure to contaminated groundwater. The KDHE therefore determined that additional measures are warranted to limit future use of the property and/or exposure to contaminated media as part of site closure. The KDHE further requested comparison of at least two corrective action alternatives to the 'no-action' alternative, as the basis for the Draft Corrective Action Decision for the site. The history and nature of the contamination and previous investigations are summarized in Section 2. Also included in Section 2 is an evaluation of human and environmental targets and potential exposure pathways. Section 3 describes the corrective action goals and applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs). Section 4 describes four alternatives, Section 5 analyzes the alternatives in detail, and Section 6 compares the alternatives. Section 6 also includes a summary and a recommended corrective action.« less
Sucrose esters of carboxylic acids in glandular trichomes ofSolanum berthaultii deter settling and probing by green peach aphid.

Removal of type B trichome exudate fromSolanum berthaultii leaflets leads to a decrease in tarsal gumming and mortality and an increase in feeding by the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae. Type B trichome exudate of theS. berthaultii accession PI 473331 is composed of a complex of 3′,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl sucroses containing primarily short-chain branched carboxylic acids. The acyl constituents are primarily derived from 2-methylpropanoic, 2-methylbutyric, and 8-methylnonanoic acids but constituents derived fromn-decanoic and dodecanoic acids are also present. Sucrose esters inhibit settling and probing by aphids in glass feeding cages.
Forest fire burn areas in Western Canada modeled as self-similar criticality

Abstract Forest fire burn areas in the western Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia have cumulative frequency-area distributions that are well described by a power law or an upper-truncated power law. The power law scaling extends over as many as five orders of magnitude and is observed for different geographical regions and for time intervals ranging from 1 to 40 years. The observed scaling exponent varies both geographically within and between provinces and temporally between annual records. The temporal variability decreases at the decadal scale, suggesting that decadal distributions may be useful for long term fire control planning within a geographical region. For example, for all of Alberta, based on the scaling parameters that describe the 1961–2000 record, we expect approximately 24 fires per year of 100 ha or larger. Unlike the original self-organized criticality (SOC) forest fire model that produces a single scaling exponent, the self-similar criticality (SSC) model replicates the range of scaling exponents observed for cumulative frequency-area distributions of natural forest fires.
Improving the writing of accounting students: A cooperative venture

Abstract Many accounting departments have initiated programs to integrate writing into the accounting curriculum; others have just begun the process. The purpose of this paper is to present the unique features of the writing program used at our university. As with many programs, this one elevates our accounting students' perceptions about the importance of writing, and improves the quality of accounting students' writing within the framework of the kinds of writing accountants actually do on the job. What's different about our approach is (1) a transition workshop, (2) the collaboration of an accounting instructor, a writing consultant, and professional accountants, and (3) a unique way of incorporating peer reviews. After these differences are discussed, a final section of the paper provides recommendations for designing a writing program.
In-situ laser recrystallization of CVD silicon films

Polycrystalline silicon films were deposited on single-crystal silicon substrates from a SiH/sub 4/-H/sub 2/ mixture at 660/sup 0/C and epitaxially recrystallized with ruby laser pulses during the deposition. The surface morphology was found to depend critically on the surface conditions of the substrate. Using appropriate cleaning procedures, 0.5 and 1.0 micron thick layers were deposited and laser recrystallized during the deposition. Ion scattering/channeling analysis showed that the layers were single crystalline with a high degree of perfection. Using TEM, dislocation densities of 10/sup 3/-10/sup 4/ cm/sup -2/ were found, but some areas were dislocation free. 5 figures.
Pharmacological manipulation of the mammalian circadian clock: Implications for the control of seasonal reproductive cycles

Although artificial control of the light cycle can be used to regulate the seasonal reproductive cycle of many animals under laboratory conditions, such regulation is often not possible in a standard agricultural environment. An alternative strategy for regulating the seasonal reproductive cycle of photoperiodic animals is to use drugs that either mimic the effects of light on reproductive function or that induce an alteration in the way the circadian clock system is entrained by the light cycle. The ability to use drugs to achieve these objectives has been demonstrated in the laboratory, but it remains to be determined if such an approach can be used to regulate the breeding season of farm animals under normal agricultural conditions.
Comparison of estrogen-responsive plasma protein biomarkers and reproductive endpoints in sheepshead minnows exposed to 17β-trenbolone

Protein profiling can be used for detection of biomarkers that can be applied diagnostically to screen chemicals for endocrine modifying activity. In previous studies, mass spectral analysis revealed four peptides (2950.5, 2972.5, 3003.4, 3025.5m/z) in the plasma of estrogen agonist-treated male and gravid female sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus, SHM), which served as distinct estrogenic biomarkers. In this study, a 21-day reproductive assay with adult SHM was conducted to investigate possible dose-related effects of the synthetic androgen, 17beta-trenbolone, on expression of these four estrogen-responsive peptides. In addition, the response of the peptide biomarkers were compared to traditional reproductive endpoints of fecundity, histopathology, secondary sex characteristics, length, weight, hepatosomatic index, female gonadosomatic index and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels. Fish were continuously exposed to 0.005, 0.05, and 5.0 microg/l, a solvent control (triethylene glycol, TEG), and a seawater control (SW) using an intermittent flow-through dosing system. Plasma was analyzed for the presence of the four peptide biomarkers by MALDI-TOF MS and VTG protein by quantitative ELISA. Male fish from the trenbolone treatments and controls showed no expression of the four peptide biomarkers or measurable levels of VTG. The estrogen-responsive biomarkers and plasma VTG were constitutively expressed in females from the SW, TEG, 0.005 and 0.05 microg/l exposures. All four peptide biomarkers were significantly reduced (p<0.0002 to p<0.005) at the 5.0 microg/l treatment level which corresponded with significant reductions in fecundity and changes in ovarian morphology. A distinct but non-significant reduction in VTG was also observed in female fish from the 5.0 microg/l treatment. Results of this study suggest application of these estrogen-responsive protein biomarkers may be a cost effective alternative to fecundity measures which are labor intensive and expensive to conduct.
Defining glial cells during CNS development

Neuroglia are non-neuronal cells in the nervous system and are involved in virtually every aspect of neural function. Because of the ambiguity of glial function, the definition of glial cells relies chiefly on structural and biochemical characteristics. The use of molecular markers in identifying glial cells along their differentiation pathways is further complicated by recent findings that many of the molecules are also expressed by cells of the neuronal lineage. So, how specific are glial markers and how can a glial cell be defined during development?
Unsupervised learning algorithm for signal separation

We present a neural network capable of separating inputs in an unsupervised manner. Oja's rule and Self-Organizing map principles are used to construct the network. The network is tested using 1) straight lines 2)MNIST database. The results demonstrate that the network can operate as a general clustering algorithm, with neighboring neurons responding to geometrically similar inputs.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Fixed-Dose Comparison of Paroxetine and Placebo in the Treatment of Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder

BACKGROUND This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out to determine the effectiveness and safety of various daily dosages of paroxetine for the treatment of generalized social anxiety disorder. METHOD A 1-week, single-blind, placebo run-in was followed by 12 weeks of double-blind treatment. 384 eligible patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for social anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to receive paroxetine, 20 (N = 97), 40 (N = 95), or 60 mg (N = 97), or placebo (N = 95) once daily in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. Primary efficacy variables included mean change from baseline in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) total score and proportion of patients exhibiting a therapeutic response (defined as a Clinical Global Impressions-Global Improvement scale [CGI-1] score of 1 or 2). RESULTS In the last-observation-carried-forward analyses, patients treated with paroxetine, 20 mg/day, had significantly greater improvement on mean LSAS total scores compared with those receiving placebo (p < .001), while the incidence of responders, based on the CGI-I rating, was significantly greater with paroxetine, 40 mg/day, than with placebo (p = .012). Patients treated with paroxetine, 20 and 60 mg, also had significantly better responses on the social item of the Sheehan Disability Scale than did patients treated with placebo (p < .019). The completer analyses showed a significant difference between the placebo group and the 20-mg and 40-mg paroxetine groups on LSAS total score and rate of response (p < or = .006). There were no serious adverse experiences attributed to paroxetine treatment. CONCLUSION Paroxetine, 20 mg/day, is an effective and safe treatment for patients with generalized social anxiety disorder and significantly improves social anxiety, avoidance of social interactions, social disability, and overall clinical condition. Further data analyses are needed to determine whether more specific guidelines for paroxetine dosage escalation in social anxiety disorder can be drawn.
Resource use by an introduced and native carrion flies

The carrion fly Chrysomya rufifacies has recently been introduced to North America. Larvae of this species are facultative predators on other carrion larvae, and are known to reduce populations of the New World fly Cochliomyia macellaria in the laboratory and in certain field situations. In order to identify conditions under which native taxa might avoid interaction with the invader, we examined broad patterns of resource use by capturing postfeeding larvae as they left a carcass. The Calliphorinae were least similar to C. rufifacies since they were able to exploit smaller carrion, showed a peak in density during cold weather while C. rufifacies numbers were low, and occurred much earlier than the invader during succession within a carcass. Phormia regina also was most abundant during cold weather. The Sarcophagidae were able to exploit smaller carcasses than the invader but are likely to encounter it in larger carcasses. C. macellaria was the species most similar to C. rufifacies in carrion use, and probably is reduced in number by the invader wherever they coexist. In contrast to all other taxa, C. rufifacies exited a carcass alone, suggesting that other larvae of the same age were attacked. Manipulation of a conspicuous predator, the ant Solenopsis invicta, revealed a negative effect on numbers of P. regina and C. macellaria.
Differential regulation of prostatic protein kinase C isozymes by androgens.

Multiple isozymes of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) were isolated from the rat ventral prostate. The enzyme exists mainly as type II (β), and type III (α) forms, and it is possible that type II isozyme may comprise the subspecies β1 and β2. The total and specific activities of prostatic PKC isoforms were reduced in castrated animals; this decrease was specific since administration of androgens to castrated animals reversed such a decline. Also, there was a differential response to androgen deprivation so that type III isozyme declined at a faster rate than that of type II. Thus, our studies show for the first time that PKC of the rat ventral prostate comprises multiple isozymes, and that the activity of these various forms are differentially regulated by androgens.
The flow and displacement in porous media of fluids with yield stress

We study the mobilization and subsequent flow in a porous medium of a fluid with a yield stress, modeled as a Bingham plastic. We use single-capillary expressions for the mobilization and flow in a pore-throat, and a pore-network model that accounts for distributed yield-stress thresholds. First, we extend the statistical physics method of invasion percolation with memory, which models lattice problems with thresholds, to incorporate dynamic effects due to the viscous friction following the onset of mobilization. Macroscopic relations between the applied pressure gradient and the flow rate for single-phase flow are proposed as a function of the pore-network microstructure and the configuration of the flowing phase. Then, the algorithm is applied to model the displacement of a Bingham plastic by a Newtonian fluid in a porous medium. The results find application to a number of industrial processes including the recovery of oil from oil reservoirs and the flow of foam in porous media.
Federal monitoring activities related to food and nutrition: How do they compare?

Abstract Several nutrition monitoring related activities are carried out by the federal government in the United States. These include the What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (WWEIA, NHANES), the Total Diet Study (TDS), and the Nutrient Availability Data (NA). The intent, purpose, and methodology of the activities, and their inter-relationships were examined. Mean intakes of selected nutrients common to the datasets were compared. It is important to consider the purpose of these datasets when comparing results.
Supersaturation in the peripheral retina.

Foveal and peripheral hue-scaling data were obtained for a 1° foveal stimulus and a 3° stimulus presented at 10° retinal eccentricity under both bleach (reducing rod input) and no-bleach (permitting rod input) conditions. Uniform appearance diagrams (UADs) were generated from the data. Peripheral stimuli appeared more saturated than foveal stimuli (i.e., supersaturated), especially in the green–yellow region of the UADs. This effect was particularly pronounced for the peripheral bleach condition. The range of wavelengths perceived as green–yellow in the peripheral retina was expanded as compared to the fovea, while the range of wavelengths experienced as blue–green was compressed. This indicates that there are shifts in the unique hue loci with retinal location. While several factors can be ruled out as potential causes for these perceptual differences, the underlying mechanism of this supersaturation effect in the peripheral retina is unknown.
The use of a self-imposed timeout procedure in the modification of excessive alcohol consumption

Abstract The present study investigated the efficacy of a specific self-control procedure, self-imposed timeout, in reducing the excessive alcohol consumption of two subjects (husband and wife). Each of three target behaviors, amount of alcohol per drink, number of drinks per day, and rate of consumption were treated sequentially in a multiple baseline design. Results demonstrate that treatment of the target behaviors successfully reduced total alcohol consumption to acceptable levels over the seven week program and that these reductions were maintained as long as one year after the timeout contingency had been withdrawn.
Laser operation near 5 μm of vibrationally excited F-center/CN− molecule defect pairs in CsCl crystals, pumped in the visible

Abstract The association of F-centers to CN - defects in alkali halide crystals forms “F H (CN - )” complexes which under excitation of their electronic absorption transitions in the visible produce optical emission from the vibrationally excited CN - molecular states around 5 μm. In the host CsCl, with the most efficient F-center/CN - molecule coupling, laser oscillation has been obtained at temperatures up to 77 K on the three strongest vibrational emission transitions at 2000, 2025 and 2050 cm -1 . Threshold pump powers are in the mW range.
Role of zatebradine and propranolol in attenuation of tachycardia produced by dobutamine in pigs.

Background: Zatebradine is a new specific bradycardic agent that selectively slows the depolarization in the pacemaker cells of the sinoatrial node. The purpose of our investigation was to determine whether the tachycardia induced by dobutamine can be attenuated by the administration of zatebradine. The results were compared with those produced by propranolol, which is used in the treatment of sinus tachycardia. Methods: Twelve pigs were anesthetized with sodium pentobar-bital, intubated, and ventilated. After baseline hemodynamic measurements were obtained, dobutamine was administered until the heart rate reached 25% above baseline. Animals were randomized to one of two groups. Group I received zatebradine, 0.5 mg/kg IV, and Group II received propranolol, 0.5 mg/kg IV. Results: Dobutamine 10 μg.kg -1 .min -1 increased the heart rate (HR) by 25%, and increased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), left ventricular (LV) dP/dt, and cardiac output (CO) (P<0.05). Zatebradine decreased the HR to baseline (P<0.05) without affecting left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LV dP/dt, or CO. Stroke volume (SV) increased significantly (P<0.05). Propranolol also reduced HR to baseline, but decreased LV dP/dt, LVSP, CO, and SV (P<0.05). Conclusion: Zatebradine effectively attenuates the tachycardia caused by dobutamine in anesthetized pigs, without reducing cardiac performance.
Cooperative interaction between protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 with epidermal growth factor receptor blockade in lung cancer

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) targeting in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an established treatment modality, yet only benefits a minority of patients. STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription-3) plays an important role in the oncogenic signal transduction pathway of NSCLC. Inhibition of STAT3 results in NSCLC growth inhibition and apoptosis. We have previously shown that combined inhibition of EGFR and STAT3 by small molecules resulted in improved therapeutic efficacy as compared to blocking EGFR alone. However, the STAT3 protein has a number of endogenous negative regulators including PIAS3 (Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT3). In this study we investigated for the first time the role of PIAS3 in modulating oncogenic EGFR-STAT3 signaling pathway in lung cancer and the antiproliferative effect of using PIAS3 in conjunction with EGFR blockade in NSCLC. We demonstrate that PIAS3 is expressed in variable degrees in all NSCLC cells. EGF and IL-6 stimulation resulted in the association of PIAS3 with STAT3. The PIAS3/STAT3 complex then bound the STAT3 DNA binding sequence resulting in STAT3 regulated gene expression. Over-expression of PIAS3, using a PIAS3 expression construct, decreases STAT3 transcriptional activity. Furthermore, over-expression of PIAS3 consistently decreased proliferation. EGFR blockade and PIAS3 over-expression in combination had significantly greater anti-proliferative effects as compared to either EGFR blockade or PIAS3 over-expression alone. In conclusion, PIAS3 is expressed in NSCLC cell lines and its over-expression decreased STAT3 transcriptional activity, decreased proliferation of NSCLC cells and when used in conjunction with EGFR inhibitors, increased the anti-proliferative effects.
Active power — Voltage control scheme for islanding operation of inverter-interfaced microgrids

Efficient and effective use of renewable energy, distributed generation and energy storage can potentially solve global problems such as energy crisis and climate change. A promising solution to interconnecting these distributed energy resources with the grid is the microgrid paradigm. A microgrid may comprise a variety of inverter-interfaced distributed energy resources such as photovoltaic arrays, wind turbines, fuel cells, microturbines, energy storage devices (such as batteries, super-capacitors) and controllable loads. The microgrid paradigm provides considerable control flexibility: it can be connected with the utility grid, or it can operate isolated from the main grid in case of disturbances or faults. A key issue is how to control the parallel inverters in islanding operation so as to achieve high performance of power and voltage regulations in the microgrid. This paper presents a new active power and voltage control scheme for inverters and a droop control method for the power sharing among the parallel inverter-interfaced distributed energy resources. The proposed control method is tested in two scenarios: (1) a single inverter operated in the islanding mode, (2) two parallel inverters operated in the islanding mode. Simulation results suggest that this control method can control the active power and voltage magnitude of the single inverter very well and regulate the parallel-connected inverters as well.
DIVERGENT EFFECTS OF CHAPERONE OVEREXPRESSION AND ETHANOL SUPPLEMENTATION ON INCLUSION BODY FORMATION IN RECOMBINANT ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract The proper folding of aggregation-prone recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli can be facilitated by co-overexpressing specific molecular chaperones or by culturing the cells in the presence of ethanol or other agents that upregulate the synthesis of all heat-shock proteins (hsps). We have investigated the effect of combining direct chaperone overproduction with ethanol supplementation on the cytoplasmic folding of two aggregation-prone model proteins, preS2-S′-β-galactosidase and human SPARC. In 25-ml shake flask cultures grown at 30°C, addition of 3% (v/v) ethanol to the growth medium prior to inoculation improved the chaperone-mediated increase in the yields of active preS2-S′-β-galactosidase 1.5- to 2-fold. When cultures overexpressing the dnaKJ operon were grown in the presence of ethanol, the levels of enzymatic activity were 5-fold higher relative to control cells and preS2-S′-β-galactosidase aggregation was almost entirely abolished. Combining DnaK–DnaJ overexpression and growth of the cells at temperatures lower than 30°C did not result in a comparable increase in activity. Although the individual effects of ethanol supplementation and dnaKJ overproduction were more limited when the culture volume was raised, a synergistic improvement in preS2-S′-β-galactosidase activity was observed when the two approaches were used in concert. In contrast, ethanol supplementation promoted the aggregation of human SPARC, a protein exhibiting a chaperone dependency similar to that of preS2-S′-β-galactosidase. Our results show that ethanol can exert complex and divergent effects on inclusion body formation and that the beneficial effect of the solvent on recombinant protein folding cannot simply be explained by an increase in the intracellular concentration of molecular chaperones.
Partial pressures of Hg(g) and Te2(g) in Hg-Te system from optical densities

Abstract The partial pressures of Hg( g ) and Te 2 ( g ) in equilibrium with Hg-saturated HgTe( c ), Te-saturated HgTe( c ), and some Hg-Te melts between about 400° and 700°C have been determined by measuring the optical density of the coexistent vapor as a function of wavelength. In agreement with mass spectrographic data, no evidence was obtained for HgTe( g ) molecules. The partial pressures of the elements depend strongly on the composition of the solid phase. The maximum value of p Hg in equilibrium with HgTe( c ) is 19 atm, the pressure over Hg-saturated HgTe( c ) between 643° and 656°C. At 670°C, the maximum melting point, p Hg = 12.5 atm. At any temperature Hg( g ) is the predominant vapor species over HgTe( c ) of any composition. Liquidus temperatures for compositions between 31 and 58.5 at. % Te have been obtained from the partial pressure data, which also show that at 488°C Hg-saturated HgTe( c ) contains 49.9 ±0.2 at. % Te and Te-saturated HgTe( c ) contains less than 50.5 at. % Te. The Gibbs free energy of formation of HgTe( c ) from Hg( g ) and Te 2 ( g ), which is practically independent of the composition of the solid phase, is found to be Δ G ° = −41.66 + 42.71 (10 −3 ) T kcal/mole.
Modification and Evaluation of a Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Quality-of-Life Instrument

Objectives To modify the existing 45-item Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) Quality-of-Life (QOL) instrument (VPIQL), to assess the modified instrument for reliability, and to provide further validation. Design Validation convenience sample from a previously conducted pilot study. Setting Two academic tertiary referral medical centers. Participants Deidentified data were used from 29 patients with VPI and 29 control patients aged 5 to 17 years and their parents. Main Outcome Measures Patients and parents completed the VPIQL and a generic pediatric QOL instrument (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Version 4 [PedsQL 4-0 ]). Twenty-two items were removed from the VPIQL for ceiling effects, floor effects, and redundancy to produce the modified instrument: the VPI Effects on Life Outcomes instrument (VELO). The VELO was tested for internal consistency (Cronbach α), discriminant validity (paired t test with control patients), and concurrent validity (Pearson correlation with the PedsQL 4-0 ). These analyses were also completed for the parents. Results The 45-item VPIQL was reduced to the 23-item VELO, which had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α, .96 for parents and .95 for patients with VPI). The VELO also discriminated well between the patients with VPI and the control patients, with a mean (SD) score that was significantly lower (worse) for patients with VPI (67.6 [23.9]) than for control patients (97.0 [5.2]) (P 4.0 (r = 0.73) among the patients with VPI. Similar results were seen in parent responses. Conclusions The VELO is a 23-item QOL instrument that was designed to measure and follow QOL in patients with VPI, with less burden than the original VPIQL. The VELO demonstrates internal consistency, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity with the PedsQL 4-0 .
Sensitive Developmental Period of Last-Instar German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) to Fenoxycarb and Hydroprene

The sensitive developmental period of last-instar German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), to topical applications (10 micrograms/microliters) of fenoxycarb and hydroprene was determined. Developmental duration of last instars treated with fenoxycarb on days 1, 3, or 6 was 9-11 d longer than the development of nymphs treated with hydroprene or acetone. In addition, fenoxycarb caused mortality in 59% of the nymphs treated on day 6. A high level of wing twisting and sterility was observed among female and male cockroaches treated with fenoxycarb or hydroprene on days 1, 3, or 6 of the last stadium. Nymphal production by adults treated with juvenoids on day 9 of the last stadium (3-4 d before eclosion) was not affected. Our findings show that the sensitive developmental period for juvenoid-induced effects in last-instar B. germanica is limited to the first half of the stadium.
Intergroup contact and pluralistic ignorance.

The present work examined the relationship between people’s own interpretations of why they avoid intergroup contact and their interpretations of why out-groups avoid intergroup contact. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that Whites and Blacks would like to have more contact with the out-group but believe the out-group does not want to have contact with them. Studies 3–5 show that Whites and Blacks make divergent explanations about their own and their potential out-group partner’s failure to initiate contact. Specifically, individuals explained their own inaction in terms of their fear of being rejected because of their race but attributed the out-group members’ inaction to their lack of interest. Study 6 examined the behavioral consequences of this self– other bias. Finally, Study 7 applied theoretical work on the extended contact hypothesis to explore a means to reduce this self– other bias. The implications of these studies for improving intergroup interactions are discussed. Research on intergroup contact has a rich history in social psychology, with scholars devoting considerable effort to investigating factors that facilitate smooth intergroup interactions. Much of this work has considered the relationship between dominant group members’ beliefs about minority groups and their experiences during intergroup encounters (e.g., Dovidio, Kawakami, & Gaertner, 2002; Richeson & Shelton, 2003; for reviews, see Fiske, 1998; Mackie & Smith, 1998; Pettigrew, 1998). More recently, researchers have begun to take the view from the other side of the interaction by examining minority group members’ perspectives on intergroup encounters (for reviews, see Crocker, Major, & Steele, 1998; Major, Quinton, & McCoy, 2002). One disturbing finding from the majority of this research is that whenever possible, both dominant and minority group members avoid interacting with out-group members. The purpose of the present research was to explore individuals’ construals for their own and out-group members’ avoidance of intergroup contact. We argue that people fail to recognize that out-group members’ avoidance of intergroup contact reflects the same interpersonal concerns as their own. Further, we argue that this attributional bias has important implications for initiating future intergroup interactions as well as for the perpetuation of negative intergroup relations.