cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supercritical CO2-assisted, silicone-modified wood for enhanced fire resistance

A composite fabrication method is reported that incorporates silicones into bulk aspen substrates and subsequently crosslinks the additives in situ. This process utilizes supercritical CO2, a non-toxic and easily recoverable solvent, as a transport and reaction medium resulting in aspen composites that have been uniformly infused with silicone. Flexure properties of aspen–silicone composites were determined to be indistinguishable from those of aspen. However, after thermal degradation, the residual flexure properties of the composite char were significantly improved compared to the virgin aspen char. Energy release rate, total energy released, and char yield of aspen and aspen–silicone composites were measured and a significant improvement in all three of these fire-resistance parameters was observed after the incorporation of silicone. Samples were also exposed to a controlled thermo-oxidative environment under an applied stress to measure lifetimes of each sample at given temperatures and stress levels. This data were subjected to an Arrhenius analysis and show a good linear correlation. Composite systems demonstrate significantly longer lifetimes than virgin aspen and the slopes of all lines are nearly identical, suggesting that no change in the chemical degradation mechanism has occurred.
Effects of triparanol and 20,25-diazacholesterol in CNS of rat: Morphological and biochemical studies

Wistar strain of rats received daily intraperitoneal or oral administration of Triparanol, 250 mg per kg of body weight or 20,25-diazacholesterol either 30 mg or 60 mg per kg of body weight starting at the age of 5 days old. Prominent intracytoplasmic osmiophilic inclusions identical to those found in the rats treated with AY9944 (Suzukiet al., 1973) and degeneration of myelin sheaths and oligodendroglia were seen in the myelinating white matter of rats sacrificed after 3, 6, and 9 injections of Triparanol.
Arsenite-induced changes in methylation of the 70,000 dalton heat shock proteins in chicken embryo fibroblasts

Summary Methylated lysyl and arginyl residues are present in the two major heat shock proteins, hsp70A and hsp70B, of chicken embryo fibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that this methylation can be modulated by sodium arsenite, a chemical that increases the synthesis of hsp70. In particular, in hsp70A the amount of e-N-trimethyl-lysine significantly decreases and the amount of e-N-dimethyl-lysine and e-N-monomethyl-lysine increases, while in hsp70B, the quantity of NG-monomethyl-arginine is reduced fivefold after arsenite treatment. To determine the specificity of these changes in methylation the pool size of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) and the total cellular level of methylated protein was measured. After arsenite treatment, no significant change in AdoMet pool size and the level of protein methylation was observed with the exception of an apparent increase in NG-monomethyl-arginine in total cellular protein. Thus, the arsenite-induced changes in methylation of hsp70 polypeptides are not a generalized phenomenon and may reflect a modulation in the structure or function of these two polypeptides after their induced synthesis by this chemical.
Introns: Mighty Elements from the RNA World

The discovery of RNA-based enzymatic activity by Thomas Cech’s and Sidney Altman’s laboratories was a momentous event that led Walter Gilbert to the concept of an “RNA world”—a primitive ancient stage of life that existed before the appearance of DNA and protein molecules. A year later, Gilbert formulated “the exon theory of genes,” which hypothesized that introns are very ancient genetic elements present at the earliest stages of life in the RNA world. This theory has been fiercely debated and still has vigorous supporters and opponents. In this communication, we explore peculiarities in the RNA-protein world and their effect on intron–exon structures. We demonstrate that these peculiarities, which exist in the absence of DNA, could shed light on introns’ original functions as well as the important role they might have played in the origin of life. For ancient DNA-lacking cells, a crucial problem existed in distinguishing two distinct subsets of RNAs: those messenger molecules coding for proteins and those heritable genetic molecules complementary to messenger RNAs that propagate the genetic information through generations. We propose that ancient introns could act as markers of RNA subsets, directing them to different functions.
ENHANCED CEREBRAL PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN DEVELOPING HYPOTHYROID RATS: EVIDENCE FOR DELAYED MATURATION

(1) Neonatal hypothyroidism resulted in a 40% increase in the incorporation of [14C]leucine into protein by cerebral cortical slices from 25-day-old rats. The uptake of the [14C]-labelled amino acid into the acid-soluble free amino acid pool was similar in hypothyroid and control groups which excluded the possibility that transport differences contributed to the observed differences in incorporation. (2) The conversion of [14C]leucine in the free amino acid pool to other metabolites was substantially greater in the hypothyroid state compared to euthyroid controls. (3) The correction of the incorporation data for radioactivity associated with [14C]leucine in the precursor pool, provided an estimate of cerebral protein synthetic rate which was markedly higher in thyroid hormone-deficient-rats compared to litter mate controls. (4) The administration of L-thyroxine to hypothyroid animals for two successive days essentially returned the accelerated metabolism of the precursor pool leucine to normal but failed to ameliorate the increased incorporation into protein. (5) Incubations conducted in the presence of high exogenous leucine levels, to eliminate possible differences in intracellular free amino acid pool size, provided additional evidence for an increased rate of cerebral protein synthesis in 25-day-old hypothyroid rats compared to controls. (6) The results are compatible with a retardation in the normal developmental decline in the rate of cerebral protein synthesis associated with hypothyroidism.
Distribution of patches within vulnerable systems: a distributed model

This paper proposes an architecture for automated patch distribution on the network through a peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture. The authors contend that use of P2P systems to distribute software patches on networked computers will reduce average time of patch installation after release and improve compliance with patch installation due to ease of deployment. To facilitate such a patch distribution scheme, a standardized format for specification of patches based on a new XML schema that the authors have developed, entitled, software patch specification markup language (SPSML) is also presented.
Atherosclerosis and Aneurysm of Aorta in Relation to Smoking Habits and Age

A direct relationship between the extent of atherosclerotic lesions and smoking habits and age was found in a study of 1,412 aortas collected at autopsy from male patients from 1965 to 1970. The extent of the lesions was recorded using grading systems for formation of plaques, ulceration, and calcification. These findings increased with the number of cigarettes smoked and were greater in ex-cigarette smokers and pipe or cigar smokers than in nonsmokers. More extensive alterations were found in the abdominal aorta than in the thoracic aorta. Aneurysms were found eight times more frequently among those smoking one to two packs of cigarettes per day than in nonsmokers. Black subjects showed about one-half the number of aneurysms and fewer extensive atherosclerotic lesions than white subjects. At ages oyer 65 years, abdominal aortic aneurysms were found in 11 percent of all men and in 16 percent of the heavy smokers.
Residual Stress, Fracture, and Adhesion in Sputter-Deposited Molybdenum Films

Atomistically deposited films may form with high residual stresses which may be either tensile or compressive in nature. These film stresses represent stored strain energy which may affect the adhesion of the film-substrate couple and in the limit may cause spontaneous fracture at or near the film-substrate interface (loss of adhesion). In the post cathode magnetron sputter deposition of molybdenum films, we have found that the intrinsic film stresses are generally anisotropic and may easily exceed the fracture or adhesive strength of the film-substrate couple. The residual stress anisotropy in the film is dependent on the orientation with respect to the post cathode and the magnitude and nature of the stresses are very dependent on the deposition conditions, particularly gas pressure during sputtering. By using a pressure-cycling technique, we have deposited thick (5 microns) films of molybdenum which have little residual stress or stress anisotropy.
A mechanism for the Venus thermospheric superrotation

A physical mechanism for in situ forcing of the Venus thermospheric superrotation is developed, which is in accord with the bulk of the constraining observations. Saturation of small- to medium-scale internal gravity waves in the thermosphere can supply the necessary accelerations of the mean flow if the waves have predominantly large westward phase speeds, characteristic of the wind speeds in the upper clouds. Several scenarios for wave forcing are examined, and the Lindzen-Holton parameterization is used to derive wave-induced accelerations of the mean flow. The results are compared to the VTGCM model, which uses a similar wave drag parameterization with an ad hoc (empirically based) asymmetry parameter to model the superrotation.
Host preferences of cherry- and hawthorn-infesting populations of Rhagoletis pomonella in Utah

Etude du choix de la plante hote pour 2 souches de R.p., l'une se developpant sur C.d., l'autre sur P.c.
A parallel-polled virtual output queued switch with a buffered crossbar

Input buffered switches with virtual output queues (VOQ) are scalable to very high speeds, but require switch matrix scheduling algorithms to achieve high throughput. Existing scheduling algorithms based on parallel request grant-accept cycles cannot natively support variable length Ethernet packets. A parallel-polled VOQ (PP-VOQ) architecture is proposed that natively supports variable length packets. Small amounts of FIFO buffering within a crossbar are used. Using simulation, the PP-VOQ with buffered crossbar switch is shown to have lower switch delay at high offered loads than an iSLIP switch for both cell and variable-length packet traffic. The PP-VOQ switch does not require internal speed-up or complex reassembly mechanisms. The priority mechanism implemented in both the iSLIP and PP-VOQ switches are demonstrated to provide guaranteed rate and bounded delay for schedulable traffic.
Activation of octamer-containing promoters by either octamer-binding transcription factor 1 (OTF-1) or OTF-2 and requirement of an additional B-cell-specific component for optimal transcription of immunoglobulin promoters.

Abstract Several distinct octamer-binding transcription factors (OTFs) interact with the sequence ATTTGCAT (the octamer motif), which acts as a transcription regulatory element for a variety of differentially controlled genes. The ubiquitous OTF-1 plays a role in expression of the cell cycle-regulated histone H2b gene as well as several other genes, while the tissue-specific OTF-2 has been implicated in the tissue-specific expression of immunoglobulin genes. In an attempt to understand the apparent transcriptional selectivity of these factors, we have investigated the physical and functional characteristics of OTF-1 purified from HeLa cells and both OTF-1 and OTF-2 purified from B cells. High-resolution footprinting and mobility shift-competition assays indicated that these factors were virtually indistinguishable in binding affinities and DNA-protein contacts on either the H2b or an immunoglobulin light-chain (kappa) promoter. In addition, each of the purified factors showed an equivalent intrinsic capacity to activate transcription from either immunoglobulin promoters (kappa and heavy chain) or the H2b promoter in OTF-depleted HeLa and B-cell extracts. However, with OTF-depleted HeLa extracts, neither factor could restore immunoglobulin gene transcription to the relatively high level observed in unfractionated B-cell extracts. Restoration of full immunoglobulin gene activity appears to require an additional B-cell regulatory component which interacts with the OTFs. The additional B-cell factor could act either by facilitating interaction of OTF activation domains with components of the general transcriptional machinery or by contributing a novel activation domain.
Hedge Funds: Do They Do What They Say They Do?

The purpose of this research is two-fold, to determine if hedge funds follow their stated strategy styles and to examine how hedge funds’ strategy allocations evolve over time in response to changed economic and market conditions. Our key advance is that we show that standard linear style models like that of Sharpe (1992) can be applied to hedge fund returns as long as the returns of the style indices in the model themselves display the nonlinear option-like characteristics of hedge fund returns. For our research, the returns of our sample of Funds of Hedge Funds are strongly correlated to the returns of portfolios of hedge fund investment style indices. In this way, we capture the spirit of Fung & Hsieh's (2002) Asset-Based Style Factors for Hedge Funds. Based on our results, it appears that the answer to the first question is “somewhat”, while we find ample evidence of significant shifts in allocation among the Fund of Hedge Funds from the first sample period (1997-2001) to the second (2002-2006). The changes in allocation appear to rationally reflect the changed economic conditions and investment opportunities existing at the time.
Development and Initial Validation of a Pictorial Quality of Life Measure for Young Children with Asthma

Objective To develop and assess the psychometric properties of a pictorial version of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Methods A pictorial PAQLQ was administered to 101 children with mild to severe asthma between 5 and 7 years of age. A subgroup of 48 children followed longitudinally completed the established version of the PAQLQ. Results A confirmatory factor analysis with modifications supported the factor structure of the established PAQLQ. The pictorial measure exhibited internal consistency reliability and convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity. Conclusions Results suggest that the pictorial version of the PAQLQ has an underlying factor structure that is similar to that of the established PAQLQ. Future research with larger and diverse samples is needed to confirm the factor structure of the pictorial PAQLQ.
A generic micromachined silicon platform for high-performance RF passive components

This paper describes the development of a micromachined silicon platform fabricated using the dissolved wafer process that supports: (1) high self-resonance frequency and quality factor inductors suspended on a dielectric membrane, (2) low-loss thin-film capacitors, and (3) polysilicon resistors. The process uses deep boron diffusion to create silicon anchors, which support a stress compensated dielectric membrane. A thick resist mold is used to gold electroplate the inductor, top capacitor plate, and bonding pads. This platform can be used to build miniature high-performance transceivers or other RF subsystems using either hybrid-attached surface-mount components or flip-chip bonded RF circuits. Using this technique, a Colpitts transmitter with a five-turn dielectric suspended inductor was designed and fabricated. The transmitter oscillates in the frequency band of 275-375 MHz, consumes 200 µA when operated continuously and 100 µA when amplitude modulated (on-off keying) at a rate of 1 Mbps (50% duty cycle).
Admission and power control for cognitive radio networks by sequential geometric programming

In cognitive radio (CR) networks, power control is an effective means to limit the interference caused by the CRs upon the incumbent primary users (PUs) to ensure cohabitation of the two systems. When all CR links can not be active at the same time due to excessive interference, an admission control mechanism is necessary to schedule the CR links. Key to both tasks is accurate knowledge of the CR-to-PU channel gains. However, CRs generally face difficulties in estimating the channel gains very accurately, often due to lack of explicit support from the PU systems. In this work, admission and power control algorithms are developed to account for channel uncertainty through probabilistic interference constraints. Both log-normal shadowing and small-scale fading effects are considered through suitable approximations. The resulting problems can be solved via sequential geometric programming. The admission control is based on solving feasibility problems, whereby CR links violating the interference constraints the most are dropped progressively. The feasible point thus found to initialize the power control iterative solver.
Optical Hartley transforms

The two-dimensional Hartley transform is of particular interest not only as a tool for analysis and processing of images and other two-dimensional functions, but because it can be implemented optically without introducing the phase ambiguities associated with intensity-only observations of Fourier transforms. The Hartley transform property of producing real transforms from real inputs means that square law detection introduces only a sign ambiguity, which can be resolved much more easily than a phase ambiguity. This suggests applications in optical signal processing, holography, and optical diffraction. >
Computational benefits of social learning mechanisms: Stimulus enhancement and emulation

Social learning in robotics has largely focused on imitation learning. In this work, we take a broader view of social learning and are interested in the multifaceted ways that a social partner can influence the learning process. We implement stimulus enhancement and emulation on a robot, and illustrate the computational benefits of social learning over individual learning. Additionally we characterize the differences between these two social learning strategies, showing that the preferred strategy is dependent on the current behavior of the social partner. We demonstrate these learning results both in simulation and with physical robot ‘playmates’.
On the interference modelling aspects of a UTRAN forward link

In this paper, we derive closed form equations for the mapping of Eb/Nt against multipath impulse responses for two types of RAKE receivers (max-ratio and weighted max-ratio combiner) for a UTRAN forward link. Based upon these derivations and simulation results, we show that the frame erasure rate curves are nearly identical for various multipath scenarios when they are mapped against the average of Eb/Nt measured at every slot during an interleaving period. We also identify a class of multipath channels based upon their power delay profiles for which the classical way of estimating interference fails, and requires inclusion of correlation effects at certain fingers of the RAKE receiver.
Development of a high bandwidth merged logic/DRAM multimedia chip

This paper describes the design methodology and the implementation of a merged logic/DRAM multimedia chip. The design is based on 0.25 micron DRAM-based CMOS technology with 4-layers of metal with device performance enhancement. Details of the architecture and system design of the multi-media was described in Katayama et. al. (1996). The present chip consists of 64 Mb of synchronous DRAM which is organized in two banks of eight 8 Mb SDRAM macros, a gate-array memory control and bus control unit, a custom-designed 8/spl times/32-bit parallel graphic processor, a 64-bit parallel ports for data transfer to/from the host processor bus, a 32-bit serial port for video display, and on-chip PLL. The multi-media co-processor chip provides high-density unified memory, high bus bandwidth (4.3 GB/s peak) and 1+GB/s BITBLT processing functions for an external host processor. The current design, floorplan and layout are structured in a way that, we believe, will provide a general framework for other merged logic/DRAM, ASIC+DRAM design for system scale integration.
From the Ground Up: Rethinking Industrial Agriculture

From the Ground Up:Rethinking Industrial Agriculture. Helena Norberg-Hodge. Peter Groeing. and John Page. London: Zed Books, 2001.
Structural Engineering for Complex-Shaped Tall Buildings

Early design of tall buildings culminated with the emergence of the International Style, which produced many Miesian towers all over the world for decades. Today, however, as is true of other building types, multiple design directions are prevalent for tall buildings. This contemporary design trend has produced various building forms, such as twisted, tilted, and free forms, as are the cases with the Chicago Spire in Chicago, Signature Tower in Dubai and Phare Tower in Paris, respectively. This paper presents performance-based structural engineering options for various complex-shaped tall buildings. For each complex form category, tall buildings are designed with various contemporary structural systems, and the structural efficiency of each system, in conjunction with the building form, is studied. Parametric structural models are used for this study to investigate the impacts of the variation of important geometric configurations of complex-shaped tall buildings.
Usefulness of Two-Dimensional Speckle Strain for Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Deformation in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

We investigated the influence of ≥70% luminal coronary artery stenosis on regional diastolic deformation at rest using 2-dimensional strain echocardiography. We prospectively imaged patients during/within 24 hours of coronary angiography. Longitudinal systolic (SRs), early (SRe), and late diastolic strain rates, systolic, early, and late diastolic strain and times to isovolumic relaxation and peak SRe were measured in the 3 major vascular territories. Regions subtended by ≥70% coronary stenosis were labeled ischemic. Ischemic regions were compared with the same region in patients without significant coronary stenosis. Of 61 enrolled patients (38 men), 39 had ≥70% coronary stenosis (1 vessel in 14, 2 vessels in 15, 3 vessels in 10), and 15 had normal coronary arteries. There were no significant differences between the normal and ischemic groups with regard to age (59 ± 13 vs 64 ± 10 years, p = 0.20), clinical variables (dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes), systolic (130 ± 26 vs 139 ± 31 mm Hg, p = 0.38) or diastolic (72 ± 13 vs 72 ± 11 mm Hg, p = 0.81) blood pressure and ejection fraction (58 ± 12% vs 56 ± 11%, p = 0.66). SRs and SRe were significantly decreased in ischemic compared with normal regions in all vascular distributions. SRs and SRe together (values below cutoff) or SRe alone were the most specific (93%) and SRe or SRs below cutoff the most sensitive (93%) parameters for detecting ischemic regions. In conclusion, analysis of regional deformation by 2-dimensional strain echocardiography enables detection of significantly diseased coronary arteries at rest. Altered diastolic deformation at rest identifies regions subtended by ≥70% coronary stenosis with high specificity.
Predictors of selecting atomoxetine therapy for children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

Study Objective. To investigate predictors of beginning treatment with atomoxetine, a new attention-deficit—hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug, shortly after it was introduced into the marketplace compared with well-established stimulants for children in a managed care setting. Design. Retrospective cohort analysis. Data Source. Managed care claims database. Patients. A total of 45,144 patients aged 18 years or younger who filled a prescription for an ADHD-specific drug. Measurements and Main Results. For each patient, the most recent start of therapy between April 1 and December 31, 2003, was categorized by drug: atomoxetine; any stimulant; or short-, intermediate-, or long-acting stimulant. The categories were based on the first use of the drug without use of a drug in that same category in the previous 3 months. Logistic regression analysis of past-year administrative claims was applied to determine predictors of the start of specific pharmacotherapy. Patients with a claim of ADHD with hyperactivity were 1.50 times more likely to begin therapy with atomoxetine than with any stimulant (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–1.58). Patients with a history of tics (odds ratio [OR] 3.11, 95% CI 2.54–3.82), anxiety (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.24–1.48), pervasive developmental disorders (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.69–2.37), or frequent use of behavioral care services (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.21–1.48) were predisposed to starting treatment with atomoxetine relative to any stimulant, but patients with obesity were not (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53–0.87). A short-acting stimulant was specifically preferred for patients with narcolepsy or hypersomnolence (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.20–0.56). Alcohol dependence, but not drug dependence or drug abuse, was predictive of the selection of atomoxetine over a short-acting stimulant (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.25–7.09). Conclusion. Atomoxetine therapy was systematically preferred for patients with psychiatric comorbidities, contraindications to stimulants, or relatively heavy use of behavioral health care.
Privatizing Social Security

Abstract This paper studies the political sustainability of the existing pay-as-you-go Social Security system in the face of recent demographic patterns. We analyze different approaches to privatizing the system and consider what it would require for them to be politically implementable. The analysis is based on an overlapping-generations economy where an initial generation would choose to implement a pay-as-you-go social insurance system. We study the sustainability of this system in each subsequent period. We describe some transition policies that make the current generations of agents at least as well off as the maintenance of the Social Security system. All feasible transition policies use debt to finance the benefits during the transition period, shifting at least some of the cost to unborn generations.
Parameterization of Mixed Layer Eddies. Part I. Theory and Diagnosis

Ageostrophic baroclinic instabilities develop within the surface mixed layer of the ocean at horizontal fronts and efficiently restratify the upper ocean. In this paper a parameterization for the restratification driven by finite-amplitude baroclinic instabilities of the mixed layer is proposed in terms of an overturning streamfunction that tilts isopycnals from the vertical to the horizontal. The streamfunction is proportional to the product of the horizontal density gradient, the mixed layer depth squared, and the inertial period. Hence restratification proceeds faster at strong fronts in deep mixed layers with a weak latitude dependence. In this paper the parameterization is theoretically motivated, confirmed to perform well for a wide range of mixed layer depths, rotation rates, and vertical and horizontal stratifications. It is shown to be superior to alternative extant parameterizations of baroclinic instability for the problem of mixed layer restratification. Two companion papers discuss the numerical implementation and the climate impacts of this parameterization.
Production Capacity: Its Bases, Functions and Measurement

The concept of capacity in humans and processes is nebulous and is often confused with other notions such as performance, output, throughput, etc. As a consequence, the measurement of ‘capacity’, which is often taken as ‘well known’, has remained uncharted ground. Knowledge of a plant’s capacity is required for the whole gamut of activities that are related to the field of production planning and control, from plant location and sizing to the daily scheduling of operations. This chapter proposes four kinds of ‘capacity’; they are nominal, operational, planned, and realized capacities. It also contends that in the majority of cases one cannot measure capacity, any one of the four types, by a crisp number, but that its proper identification requires distribution of values and a probability statement attached to these values. This view necessitates a different type of analysis (of existing processes) and synthesis (of proposed ones) that is different in methodology as well as conclusions.
Persistent homology approximations of network distances

This paper presents methods to compare high order networks using persistent homology. High order networks induce well-founded homological features and the difference between networks is measured by the difference between the homological features. This is a reasonable approximation to a valid metric in the space of high order networks modulo permutation isomorphisms. The approximations succeed in discriminating engineering research communities from mathematics communities.
Nanostructure resonances

Coherent electron propagation is discussed for a class of nanostructures in which a 'T' arrangement of quasi-linear conductors has a closed cavity element at the bottom of the T and electrons are transmitted between the ends of the T bar. It is proposed that resonant transmission effects will occur when propagation from the upright T element into the bar is made weak, by a constriction or a gate potential. The transmission properties are investigated analytically in terms of the S matrix of the T structure, and resonance effects are found. >
Income Shifting Incentives and Offshored U.S. Jobs

This paper examines if, when, and to what extent international income shifting incentives explain where multinational firms move offshored U.S. jobs. Using a small, detailed sample of offshored jobs from a program within the Department of Labor called Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), I find that tax incentives have a material impact on where firms move offshored U.S. jobs. However, across certain sourcing arrangements, types of firms, and types of jobs, the results indicate that tax incentives have little or no association with where offshored U.S. jobs are moved, suggesting that there is significant cross-sectional variation in the degree to which tax incentives distort labor offshoring decisions. These findings are relevant to those seeking to understand the real effects and welfare consequences of incentives created by current U.S. international tax policy.
Flow Structures and Fluid Transport for the Hydromedusa Sarsia Tubulosa

The flow structures produced by the hydromedusa Sarsia tubulosa are examined using direct numerical simulation Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS). Sarsia tubulosa uses a jetting type of propulsion, emitting a single strong, fast moving vortex ring during each swimming cycle while a secondary vortex of opposite rotation remains trapped within the subumbrellar region. This secondary vortex has not been observed prior to this study. The ejected vortex is highly energetic and moves away from the hydromedusa very rapidly. We find that Sarsia tubulosa swims with a Strouhal number of 0.1. This means that vortices produced by Sarsia tubulosa move away from the hydromedusa at a rate of about 10 diameters per swimming cycle. This presents very little feeding opportunity during swimming for the hydromedusa. Finally, we examine the pressure on the interior bell surface and the velocity profile in the wake of Sarsia tubulosa. We find that the swimming closely resembles a slug of fluid being shot from the velar opening and might be closely approximated by a slug model. All results are based on numerical simulations of the swimming hydromedusa. This paper has been prepared for submission to the 19th AIAA Computational Fluid Dynamics conference in the catagory of Lagrangian and vortex methods
Effect of Bile Salt-Binding Resins on the Morphology of Rat Jejunum and Colon A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

One mechanism suggested to account for the hypocholesteremic effect of dietary fibers is their ability to sequester bile salts. Since bile salts have been found to alter intestinal structure, the morphological effects of several commonly used, xenobiotic, bile salt-binding agents was investigated. Wistar rats were fed a purified stock diet, ad libitum, for 6 weeks containing either 2% cholestyramine, 2% colestipol, or 2% DEAE-Sephadex. The bile salt-binding capacity of these substances was testedin vitro using taurocholate and glycocholate. The effect ofin vivo feeding of the resins was to evoke ultrastructural topographical deviations from control appearance in both jejunal and colonic mucosae. Colonic cell injury was more severe than that observed in the jejunum of both colestipol- and DEAE-Sephadex-fed animals while the reverse was true for the rats fed cholestyramine. The degree of distortion in each condition was positively correlated with the extent of bile salt-binding capabilityin vitro. The rank order of both effects in terms of increasing severity was DEAE-Sephadex < colestipol < cholestyramine.
Research on Fracture Toughness of Q460 Equal-leg Angles Used in Transmission Tower

The fracture toughness of Q460 steel used in transmission tower was studied by three-point bending test at low temperature.The result about different specification and different steel show that the lower the temperature is,the greater the impact of thickness on CTOD value is,and increasing the thickness can reduce the toughness of steel.The steel was more susceptible to brittle fracture.Conventional mechanical properties and fracture toughness is very different and the yield strength has a certain impact on the fracture toughness for different batches of angle steel.So it is important that upper limit of yield strength of high-strength angle steel should be controlled.
Rapid and sensitive detection of heat-liable I enterotoxin genes of enterotoxigenic Echerichia coli by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Objective:To develop a technique for detection of LT Ⅰgene of enterotoxigenic Echerichia coli(ETEC) using a novel DNA amplification procedure designated Loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP).Methods:The heat-liable Ⅰ enterotoxin genes of ETEC was amplified by LAMP,and compared with PCR.Results:Compared with PCR,the LAMP method was performed under isothermal conditions.Its specificity was 100% and the sensitivity was 10-fold higher than that of conventional PCR.Conclusion:This LAMP-based assay is simple,rapid,sensitive and specific.No specialized equipment is needed which makes it is more economical and practical.This assay is expected to become a valuable tool for rapid diagnosis in ETEC infection.
The Semantics of Corrections

In each sentence, the speaker makes a mistake, signals that they've made a mistake uh, sorry, and finally corrects their mistake.
Chemical Characterization and Cycling of Dissolved Organic Matter

Abstract This chapter summarizes advances in our knowledge of dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition, with a particular emphasis on studies completed over the last decade that utilize high-field nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry, proteomics, and related immunochemical assays. Up to 75% of marine DOM can now be recovered for analysis using solid-phase extraction, ultrafiltration, or electrodialysis/reverse osmosis. Spectral and chemical analyses show carbohydrates, proteins, and structurally complex carboxyl-rich aliphatic matter (CRAM) contribute the majority of characterized material. The chemical composition of DOM has a large impact on its accumulation and residence time in the ocean. Carbohydrates and proteins are cycled much more quickly, have much shorter residence times and lower global inventories than CRAM. Processes that lead to the accumulation of carbohydrates and proteins are highly selective, and only a specific fraction of these biopolymers escape degradation to accumulate as DOM. The origin and fate of CRAM are largely unknown, although recent studies suggest a portion of this material has been subjected to elevated temperatures, either in hydrothermal systems or during biomass burning of terrestrial organic matter before transport to the ocean. Radiocarbon measurements and global surveys of deep-sea DOM concentration are providing new insights into the location and timescale of refractory DOM removal processes, significantly enhancing our understanding of CRAM cycling.
Do perceptions of the utility of ethics affect academic cheating

Academic cheating is an epidemic that higher educational institutions have struggled to contain. The pervasiveness of cheating among business majors is alarming as students who cheat in the academic setting are more likely to engage in unethical behavior while in the workplace (Carpenter et al., 2004; McCabe et al., 1996; Nonis & Swift, 2001). While the business and accounting literature has previously explored academic and demographic characteristics associated with cheating, the extant research has not explored whether there is a relationship between students' perceptions as to the utility of ethics in the workplace (defined as the importance employers place on ethics when hiring applicants for entry-level positions) and the prevalence of academic cheating. Thus, the purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between undergraduate business and accounting students' perceptions of the utility of ethical behavior in the workplace and their likelihood to cheat in school. Using PLS-SEM, this study concludes that the frequency of cheating in each of the four categories examined (planned cheating, spontaneous cheating, plagiarism, and improper use of resources) was predicted to increase for every standardized increase in rank of ethics toward less important. The relationship existed even when testing for social desirability bias.
Delay in Diagnosis of Vertebral Osteomyelitis Affects the Utility of Cultures.

Introduction Obtaining blood or tissue cultures prior to administration of antibiotics has been the standard of care in the treatment of osteomyelitis of the spine. A delay in diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis is the primary culprit for the inaccuracy of blood cultures and biopsies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of spinal osteomyelitis in patients where the infecting organism was identified through cultures in contrast to cases where the cultures continued to be negative. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed the database of spinal osteomyelitis cases presented at a high-volume institution from 2001-2011. This resulted in 91 patients (51 men and 40 women) who had a mean age of 59 years with a mean follow-up of four years. Delay in diagnosis was defined as greater than 2.5 months from first ER visit for non-specific back pain to diagnosis of osteomyelitis without antibiotic treatment in the interim. Nineteen patients had a delay in diagnosis (DD) and 72 were diagnosed early (ED). Outcomes evaluated include clearance of infection, clinical outcomes measured by Oswestry disability index scores (ODIs), and the efficacy of blood cultures and biopsies. Results The ED group had a higher odds ratio of osteomyelitis clearance compared to the delay in diagnosis group and this trended toward significance [p=0.08]. The mean improvements in ODIs were significantly greater in the ED group compared to the DD group. Positive blood cultures were more positive when drawn within one month compared to after one month [p=.001]. Percutaneous biopsy cultures were more positive when drawn within 2.5 months compared to after 2.5 months [p=.025]. Open biopsy cultures were more positive when drawn within 4.5 months compared to after that [p Discussion We found that delayed diagnosis may negatively affect the treatment outcome as evidenced by the greater improvements in ODI scores among those diagnosed early. Although we were unable to show a difference in clearance between early and delayed diagnosis, it is quite possible that larger cohorts may have shown this given the trend toward significance. Conclusion Hence, an early diagnosis has improved vertebral osteomyelitis clearance and clinical outcomes, and blood cultures and biopsies may have a low yield if delayed.
A Carbon-Cotton Cathode with Ultrahigh-Loading Capability for Statically and Dynamically Stable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Sulfur exhibits a high theoretical capacity of 1675 mA h g–1 via a distinct conversion reaction, which is different from the insertion reactions in commercial lithium-ion batteries. In consideration of its conversion-reaction battery chemistry, a custom design for electrode materials could establish the way for attaining high-loading capability while simultaneously maintaining high electrochemical utilization and stability. In this study, this process is undertaken by introducing carbon cotton as an attractive electrode-containment material for enhancing the dynamic and static stabilities of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. The carbon cotton possessing a hierarchical macro-/microporous architecture exhibits a high surface area of 805 m2 g–1 and high microporosity with a micropore area of 557 m2 g–1. The macroporous channels allow the carbon cotton to load and stabilize a high amount of active material. The abundant microporous reaction sites spread throughout the carbon cotton facilitate the redox chemist...
Patterns of Molecular Response to and Relapse After Combination of Sorafenib, Idarubicin, and Cytarabine in Patients with Newly Diagnosed FLT3-Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Abstract 2079 Poster Board II-56 Background: Sorafenib is an orally active multi-kinase inhibitor with potent activity against FLT3 and the Raf/ERK/MEK pathway, Significant clinical activity of sorafenib in patients (pts) with AML and FLT3 mutation has been reported anecdotally and in phase I trials. We have reported the results of a clinical trial in which sorafenib 400 mg po bid ×7 days, was combined with cytarabine 1.5 gm/m 2 iv over 24 hours daily × 4 (× 3 for pts over 60) and Idarubicin 12 mg/m 2 iv daily × 3 (ASH 2008, abstract 768) in pts younger than 65 with AML. Pts achieving CR received up to 5 cycles of consolidation with Idarubicin 8 mg/m2 iv × 2 and cytarabine 0.75 gm/m2 iv daily × 3 in addition to continuous Sorafenib 400 mg po bid × 28 days (cycle=4-6 weeks). Maintenance with Sorafenib 400 mg bid would continue for up to a year after consolidation. In in-vitro culture studies, exposure of AML cell lines to sorafenib induces kinase domain (KD) resistant mutations Aim : To determine the pattern of molecular response and relapse in pts with mutated FLT3 receiving this regimen. Methods: FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) and codon 835/836 KD point mutation status were determined in DNA from initial, post-induction, follow-up, and relapse bone marrow samples by a PCR-based method with an analytical sensitivity of 1-2%. FLT3 allele burden was determined by ratios of the area under the PCR amplicon peak. Flow cytometry was used to track the levels of residual leukemic blasts. In addition relapsed samples were analyzed for KD mutations in FLT3 exons 16, 17, 20 and 21 using PCR-based Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA. Results: Eighteen pts (median age 54 years, range 20-65) with newly diagnosed AML and mutated FLT3 were treated in this phase II study. Fifteen pts had FLT3-ITD, 2 had FLT3-TKD, and 1 had both with 5 pts having low FLT3 mutant burden (present in Conclusions: Induction therapy with Sorafenib, Idarubicin, and Cytarabine is effective in reducing the mutated clone in pts with mutated FLT3 but does not universally eradicate it. Continuous therapy with sorafenib in induction may potentially be beneficial in further reducing the leukemic clone; however, the extent of suppression of the clone post-induction is not predictive of relapse. No secondary FLT3 mutations were found in the evaluated pts at relapse suggesting factors other than mutations conferring resistance to sorafenib may be important. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor approved for hepatocelular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. Sorafenib has shown in vitro activity against FLT3 mutated leukemia cells. This study is to proof this concept that sorafenib will increase the response rate in FLT3 positive AML patients, which is off-label use.. Ravandi: Bayer & Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria.
Effectiveness of a Perioperative Transthoracic Ultrasound Training Program for Students and Residents.

Objective Focused ultrasound (US) is being incorporated across all levels of medical education. Although many comprehensive US courses exist, their scope is broad, requiring expert instructors, access to simulation, and extensive time commitment by the learner. We aim to compare learning across levels of training and specialties using a goal-directed, web-based course without live skills training. Design A prospective observational study of students and residents from medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. Analysis compared pretests and posttests assessing 3 competencies. Individual mean score improvement (MSI) was compared by paired-sample t -tests and MSI among cohorts by analysis of variance, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. McNemar test compared those who agreed or strongly agreed with survey items with those who did not before and after intervention. Setting Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL residency training programs in Medicine, Surgery, and Anesthesiology. Results A total of 180 trainees participated. A significant MSI was noted in each of 3 competencies in all 3 cohorts. Students’ ( S ) MSI was significantly higher than residents’ ( R ) and interns’ ( I ) in US “knobology” and window recognition [ S = 2.28 ± 1.29/5 vs R = 1.63 ± 1.21/5 (p = 0.014); vs I = 1.59 ± 1.12/5 (p = 0.032)]; students’ total score MSI was significantly higher than residents [7.60 ± 3.43/20 vs 5.78 ± 3.08/20 (p Conclusions Learners across levels of medical training and specialties can benefit from a brief, goal-directed, web-based training with early incorporation producing maximal yield.
Sensory and cognitive contributions to age-related changes in spoken word recognition

Many older adults experience declines in auditory and cognitive abilities that negatively affect language comprehension, including spoken word recognition. In the case of auditory function, poor neural responses to sound at the earliest stages of auditory processing may adversely affect phoneme identification, and ultimately, lexical access. Declines in cognitive functions, such as inhibitory control or working memory, may also impede word recognition. Furthermore, complex interactions between auditory and cognitive declines make it difficult to distinguish these possible causes of age differences in speech perception. We review age-related changes in spoken word recognition, with respect to current models of this process. Then, we invoke frameworks of sensory–cognitive compensation and argue that online, sensitive measures of sensory processing and of comprehension are important in distinguishing between effects of sensory and cognitive decline. We conclude that investigations of spoken word recognition in older listeners must carefully assess listener differences at early levels of auditory processing, in conjunction with cognitive abilities.
Distinct Quaternary Structures of Lon Protease Control Substrate Degradation

The Lon protease controls cell division in response to stress and is the major protease that degrades misfolded and damaged proteins. Previous studies indicated that Lon is a ring-shaped homo-hexamer. using biophysical techniques we now demonstrate that E. coli Lon also exists as larger oligomers at physiological protein concentrations. The structure of these large complexes, reconstructed by electron microscopy, reveals that Lon assembles into a dodecamer in which the protease cores are on the distal ends and the two hexamers are linked by a matrix formed by the N domains. Importantly, the Lon hexamer is ∼10-fold faster ATPase and is ∼20-fold more active in degrading some classes of substrates than is the dodecamer. This difference in degradation rate is not observed with small degron tagged substrates. We propose a model in which the Lon dodecamer uses a gating mechanism to exclude some classes of proteins allowing the enzyme's substrate profile to be altered by its assembly state.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide