cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors Captopril and Enalapril on the Development of Oxygen Induced Lung Injury in the Rat.† 1563

Certain ACE inhibitors can decrease pulmonary and renal fibrosis resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation, possibly related to their intrinsic free radical scavenging properties. This study was designed to determine if ACE inhibitors can alter the pattern of lung injury and fibrosis induced by prolonged hyperoxia. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: control (receiving neither oxygen nor drug), oxygen exposed controls(receiving no drug), oxygen exposed Captopril treated (a thiol containing ACE inhibitor), and oxygen exposed Enalapril treated (a non-thiol containing ACE inhibitor). Rats were exposed to 98-100% oxygen for 36 hours; 90% oxygen for 36 hours then maintained in 80% oxygen until their sacrifice on study day 5, 25, or 48. Captopril (400mg/L) and Enalapril (260mg/L) were provided continuously via drinking water. Samples of blood, lung and liver were examined for histologic and biochemical evidence of injury. Weight gain was decreased in all oxygen exposed animals regardless of drug treatment. Histologic evidence of acute oxygen toxicity (pulmonary edema) was present in all oxygen exposed animals regardless of therapy. Intensity of immunostaining for α-SMA (a marker of transformed myofibroblasts) seen around respiratory bronchioles, in alveolar walls and at septal tips was decreased with chronic ACE inhibitor treatment. Immunostaining of lipocytes and type II alveolar epithelial cells with PCNA (a marker of the S1 phase of cellular division) was prominent in all oxygen exposed animals on day five, but decreased at later time points. Intensity and distribution of immunostaining for PDGF and fibronectin was not altered by drug treatment. Immunostaining of liver and lung lipocytes and large airway epithelium with TGFβ decreased with chronic ACE inhibitor treatment. Staining for collagen deposition and elastic fibers around respiratory bronchioles, in alveolar walls and at septal tips was less prominent in ACE inhibitor treated animals at 45 days. We suggest that ACE inhibitors may decrease the long term effects of hyperoxia in rats through their effect on TGFβ production.
Industrial reallocation across US cities, 1977–1997

Abstract Between 1977 and 1997, US employment shifted dramatically in favor of industries that used skilled labor intensively. During this same period, some cities withered while others prospered. This paper examines employment growth in 39 industries across 316 cities to evaluate the importance of learning by doing, industry-specific location fundamentals, human capital externalities, and hiring cost explanations in these geographic shifts. Growth in industries that used skill intensively was particularly sensitive to the presence of local human capital. That growth was almost always negatively related to the initial size of the industry within the city implies a limited role for learning by doing and industry-specific location fundamentals stories.
The structure of consciousness

Subjective awareness may depend on neural networks in the brain supporting complex wiring schemes and dynamic patterns of activity.
Binding site graphs: a new graph theoretical framework for prediction of transcription factor binding sites.

Computational prediction of nucleotide binding specificity for transcription factors remains a fundamental and largely unsolved problem. Determination of binding positions is a prerequisite for research in gene regulation, a major mechanism controlling phenotypic diversity. Furthermore, an accurate determination of binding specificities from high-throughput data sources is necessary to realize the full potential of systems biology. Unfortunately, recently performed independent evaluation showed that more than half the predictions from most widely used algorithms are false. We introduce a graph-theoretical framework to describe local sequence similarity as the pair-wise distances between nucleotides in promoter sequences, and hypothesize that densely connected subgraphs are indicative of transcription factor binding sites. Using a well-established sampling algorithm coupled with simple clustering and scoring schemes, we identify sets of closely related nucleotides and test those for known TF binding activity. Using an independent benchmark, we find our algorithm predicts yeast binding motifs considerably better than currently available techniques and without manual curation. Importantly, we reduce the number of false positive predictions in yeast to less than 30%. We also develop a framework to evaluate the statistical significance of our motif predictions. We show that our approach is robust to the choice of input promoters, and thus can be used in the context of predicting binding positions from noisy experimental data. We apply our method to identify binding sites using data from genome scale ChIP–chip experiments. Results from these experiments are publicly available at http://cagt10.bu.edu/BSG. The graphical framework developed here may be useful when combining predictions from numerous computational and experimental measures. Finally, we discuss how our algorithm can be used to improve the sensitivity of computational predictions of transcription factor binding specificities.
Nonclassical, distinct endocytic signals dictate constitutive and PKC-regulated neurotransmitter transporter internalization

Neurotransmitter transporters are critical for synaptic neurotransmitter inactivation. Transporter inhibitors markedly increase the duration and magnitude of synaptic transmission, underscoring the importance of transporter activity in neurotransmission. Recent studies indicate that membrane trafficking dynamically governs neuronal transporter cell-surface presentation in a protein kinase C-regulated manner, suggesting that transporter trafficking profoundly affects synaptic signaling. However, the molecular architecture coupling neurotransmitter transporters to the endocytic machinery is not defined. Here, we identify nonclassical, distinct endocytic signals in the dopamine transporter (DAT) that are necessary and sufficient to drive constitutive and protein kinase C-regulated DAT internalization. The DAT internalization signal is conserved across SLC6 neurotransmitter carriers and is functional in the homologous norepinephrine transporter, suggesting that this region is likely to be the endocytic signal for all SLC6 neurotransmitter transporters. The DAT endocytic signal does not conform to classic internalization motifs, suggesting that SLC6 neurotransmitter transporters may have evolved unique endocytic mechanisms.
MBC94, a Conjugable Ligand for Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Imaging

Cannabinoid CB 2 receptor is a particularly attractive target for noninvasive imaging of neuroinflammation and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy. Its expression is low to undetectable in healthy brain and induced in resident microglial cells (the macrophage of the brain) after cerebral ischemia, injury, and in neuroinflammatory disease. Additionally, immune cells migrating across the blood-brain barrier typically express CB 2 receptors, which adds to the expression pool of this target and provides a reliable indicator of inflammation in the brain. Here, we synthesized a novel conjugable CB 2 receptor ligand, mbc94, which has a terminal amino group that allows for facile conjugation to imaging moieties. A near-infrared (NIR) dye labeled mbc94, NIRmbc94, was developed for CB 2 targeted imaging. Preliminary evidence, including in vitro fluorescence imaging and a competition study, showed that NIRmbc94 specifically labeled CB 2-expressing cells.
Virus-Induced Hemolysis in Erythrocytes Deficient in Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase

Red cells from individuals deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase undergo increased autohemolysis when incubated in the presence of influenza-A virus. Normal red cells, but not those from individuals deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, show increased activity of the hexose monophosphate shunt in the presence of the virus. This increase in shunt activity appears to be related to oxidation of cellular sulfhydryl groups.
DISPERSION RELATION IN LIQUID HELIUM

THE normal mode representation1 of the excitations in liquid helium describes the thermodynamic behaviour below the lambda point as the vibrational modes among a temperature dependent population of diatomic rotors. The excitation spectrum has now been obtained from the theory on the assumption of an observed empirical relation.
Intratest Rod-and-Frame Test Scores for Females

Morf, Kavanaugh, and McConville ( 1971 ) tested Elliott's ( 1961 ) hypothesis that inaccurate Rod-And-Frame Test (RFT) performance is partly attributable to uncertain conditions and/or arousal properties of the testing situation. They reasoned that "if arousal induced by the testing situation produces a decrement in RFT performance, then this effect should dissipate as RFT testing progresses" (p. 727). Morf, et al. (1971) found the usual sex differences in RFT scores, women making higher scores than men. Comparisons between the two blocks of eight trials for each sex also showed that men became more accurate as testing progressed while women's scores did not change significantly. Following the suggestion of Morf, et al. ( 1971) that the laboratory conditions associated with the standard RFT are more likely to induce arousal and/or uncertainty in S than the portable RFT they used, the author attempted to test Elliott's hypothesis by using the standard RFT with a woman as E. In the first experiment, 40 women were administered two blocks of 8 trials with a 2-min. rest between blocks. No differences were found between the block means of 2.78 and 2.45 (SDs = 3.90 and 3.52). In order to facilitate the opportunity to observe any arousal reduction in RFT performance as a function of repeated test trials, 40 more women were administered three blocks of S trials. Once again, no differences were found between means of 2.97, 2.75, and 2.80 (SDs = 3.97, 3.46, and 3.47 ) respectively. While the present experiments tend to support the findings of Morf, et al. (1971) with regard to RFT performance by women, it is still unclear as to whether or not the RFT conditions engender arousal in either sex. It seems that before any conclusions can be drawn, the arousal properties of the test situation would have to be determined for both sexes. Thus, the present findings may simply reflect the stability of RFT performance over trials.
Track edge phenomena in thin film longitudinal media

Isolated transitions recorded with a thin-film inductive head on thin-film isotropic media and read with a magnetoresistive sensor can exhibit waveform distortions characterized by a shift of the base line between readback pulses. The amount of the base-line shift (BLS) increases with increasing write current, decreasing trackwidth, and decreasing medium coercivity. The source of the BLS is shown experimentally to be localized at track edges. A model based on the creation of magnetic dipoles along each edge of the data track is proposed to explain the observed waveform deformation. The width of the dipole distribution is estimated by deconvolving a measured BLS track profile with a measured readback-sensitivity track profile. Calculated BLS profiles based on this dipole model agree well with the experimental observation. >
Studies on the production of Digitalis cardenolides by plant tissue culture I. Determination of digitoxin and digoxin contents in first and second passage calli and organ redifferentiating calli of several Digitalis species by radioimmunoassay

With first and second passage calli induced from seedlings of Digitalis purpurea, D. lanata, D. lutea, D. mertonensis, D. ambigua and D. ferruginea Gigantea and those induced from leaf discs of D. purpurea and D. lanata, the contents of digitoxin and digoxin equivalents were assayed and compared with the contents involved in the inocula. Although the total contents of digitoxin and digoxin equivalents in the first passage calli induced from seedlings varied between zero and nine times as high as in the original seedlings, those in the second passage calli were almost undetectable. The total contents of digitoxin equivalents in the first passage calli induced from leaf discs of D. purpurea were approximately equal to those in the original leaf discs, but those in the second passage calli were less than those in the inocula. In the first passage calli induced from leaf discs of D. lanata, the total contents of digitoxin equivalents decreased but those of digoxin equivalents slightly increased. However, in the second passage calli, the amounts of both cardenolides decreased. Root-forming calli accumulated no more digitoxin nor digoxin equivalents than completely dedifferentiated calli. However, shoot-forming calli accumulated considerable amounts of cardenolides, which were assayed as digitoxin and digoxin equivalents by radioimmunoassay.
Use of the adolescent SASSI in a juvenile correctional setting

The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-Adolescent (SASSI-A) is used in evaluation and treatment planning for incarcerated juveniles. Validity of the SASSI-A in a juvenile correctional facility was examined using archival data. Findings generally support the validity of SASSI-A substance use scales. However, there is concern regarding the potential for ethnic bias in this setting. Cut-scores suggest that the SASSI-A may best be used for detecting problematic alcohol consumption using the Face Valid Alcohol Scale 3. Future studies should more closely investigate whether the three underlying dimensions of the SASSI-A are useful in treatment planning. Results are presented in light of the relatively new SASSI-A2.
3D Visualization of thermal resistance and condensation problems using infrared thermography for building energy diagnostics

Building deteriorations instigated by material degradations or moisture intrusions are the primary causes for energy inefficiency in many existing buildings. For choosing appropriate retrofits, it is important to carefully diagnose and analyze building areas in need of improvements. In addition to reliable sensing and analysis of as-is energy performance, an intuitive recording and visualization of energy diagnostic outcomes are also critical to effectively illustrate the as-is building conditions to homeowners during retrofit decision-making processes. Toward this goal, this paper presents a thermography-based method to visualize the actual thermal resistance and condensation problems in 3D while taking static occlusions into account. First, several overlapping digital and thermal images are collected from the building areas under inspection. Using a computer vision method– consisting of image-based 3D point cloud and mesh modeling algorithmsactual 3D spatio-thermal actual 3D spatio-thermal models are generated where surface temperature can be queried at the level of 3D points. Based on the resulting 3D spatio-thermal models and by measuring the reflected and dew point temperatures, the actual R-values of building assemblies are calculated, and the condensation issues are analyzed. Taking static occlusions into account, (1) the distribution of the actual thermal resistance over each building assembly, (2) the detected building areas with condensation problems, and (3) the corresponding geometrical and thermal characteristics are jointly visualized within a 3D environment. To validate the method and investigate the perceived benefits, four experiments have been conducted in existing buildings. Surveys are also conducted by professional energy auditors. The proposed method provides 3D visual representation of the actual thermal resistance distributions and building areas associated with condensation issues at the level of 3D points across geometrical forms while taking static occlusions into account. The experimental results and the feedback received from the professionals show the promise of the proposed method in facilitating systematic post-examination of building deteriorations and support retrofit decision-makings. Ultimately, converting surface temperature data obtained from an IR camera into 3D visualization of energy performance metrics and possible condensation problems enables practitioners to better understand the as-is building conditions.
Spectral receptive field properties explain shape selectivity in area V4.

Neurons in cortical area V4 respond selectively to complex visual patterns such as curved contours and non-Cartesian gratings. Most previous experiments in V4 have measured responses to small, idio...
Cadherin and catenin alterations in human cancer.

Among the hallmarks of cancer are defective cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Alterations in cadherin-catenin complexes likely have a major contributing role in cell-adhesion defects in carcinomas arising in many different tissues. E-cadherin, the prototypic member of the cadherin transmembrane protein family, regulates cell adhesion by interacting with E-cadherin molecules on opposing cell surfaces. E-cadherin's function in cell adhesion is also critically dependent on its ability to interact through its cytoplasmic domain with catenin proteins. A diverse collection of defects alter cadherin-catenin function in cancer cells, including loss-of-function mutations and defects in the expression of E-cadherin and certain catenins, such as alpha-catenin. Although there is much evidence that beta-catenin is deregulated in cancer as a result of inactivating mutations in the APC and AXIN tumor-suppressor proteins and gain-of-function mutations in beta-catenin itself, the principal consequences of beta-catenin deregulation in cancer appear to be largely distinct from the effects attributable to inactivation of E-cadherin or alpha-catenin. In this review, we highlight some of the specific genetic and epigenetic defects responsible for altered cadherin and catenin function in cancer, as well as potential contributions of cadherin-catenin alterations to the cancer process.
Construction of trivariate compactly supported biorthogonal box spline wavelets

We give a formula for the duals of the masks associated with trivariate box spline functions. We show how to construct trivariate nonseparable compactly supported biorthogonal wavelets associated with box spline functions. The biorthogonal wavelets may have arbitrarily high regularities.
Studies in the renormalization-prescription dependence of perturbative calculations

Now that the quantitative testing of perturbative quantum chromodynamics (QCD) has become a major experimental and theoretical effort, it is important to understand the renormalization-prescription dependence of perturbative calculations. We stress the phenomenological importance of finding a definition of the QCD expansion parameter which reduces the magnitude of high-order corrections. We give explicit arguments suggesting that a choice of coupling based on momentum-space subtraction can be phenomenologically useful. Examples from QCD and QED are used to illustrate these arguments, and we also discuss possibilities for refining them.
Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in children with overactive bladder refractory to pharmacotherapy.

Objectives To examine the outcome of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) use in children with overactive bladder refractory to behavioral and anticholinergic therapy. Methods We reviewed the data of 18 children (13 girls and 5 boys; mean age 9 years) with overactive bladder refractory to standard therapy who underwent at-home TENS treatment twice daily for 20 minutes. Symptoms and objective measures (noninvasive uroflowmetry and postvoid residual urine volume) were noted at baseline and after treatment. Results Of the 18 children, 15 had pretreatment incontinence and 3 had only increased urgency/frequency. The incontinence group averaged 3.2 ± 2.1 daytime accidents. The mean length of TENS use was 8 ± 7 months, and the mean follow-up after starting TENS was 13 ± 9 months. Of the 15 patients with incontinence, 2 became dry (13%), 9 were significantly improved (60%), and 4 reported no improvement (27%). Of 12 children with marked urinary frequency, 8 had significant symptom improvement. Noninvasive uroflow and postvoid residual urine volume measurements were not significantly different statistically before and after treatment. Pretreatment patient sex, age, and frequency of wetting were not predictive of the outcome. A post-TENS parabolic uroflow curve showed a statistically significant correlation with patients who became dry or improved ( P = 0.018). Conclusions The results of our study have indicated that TENS use in children with incontinence refractory to pharmacotherapy is safe and well tolerated. The encouraging results of this treatment modality in the refractory patient population warrant additional study of the pediatric overactive bladder.
Nutritive value of diets containing triticale and varying mixtures of triticale and maize for growing-finishing swine

Abstract Two trials were conducted to evaluate triticale (CV Beagle 82) and various mixtures of triticale and maize in diets for growing-finishing swine. The grain source was either triticale or maize or three mixtures containing 3:1, 1:1 or 1:3 mixes of maize and triticale. Diets were formulated to be equal in lysine content (triticale averaged 0.42% lysine, air dry basis). Each trial utilized 75 pigs (26 kg) with each treatment assigned to three pens of five pigs each. Grower diets (0.77% lysine) were given from 26 to 59 kg liveweight and finisher diets (0.61% lysine) from 59 to 98 kg. Over both trials, during the grower phase, the addition of triticale to the diet caused a slight, but linear reduction in average daily gain (P
Regulation of glottal closure and airflow in a three-dimensional phonation model: Implications for vocal intensity control

Maintaining a small glottal opening across a large range of voice conditions is critical to normal voice production. This study investigated the effectiveness of vocal fold approximation and stiffening in regulating glottal opening and airflow during phonation, using a three-dimensional numerical model of phonation. The results showed that with increasing subglottal pressure the vocal folds were gradually pushed open, leading to increased mean glottal opening and flow rate. A small glottal opening and a mean glottal flow rate typical of human phonation can be maintained against increasing subglottal pressure by proportionally increasing the degree of vocal fold approximation for low to medium subglottal pressures and vocal fold stiffening at high subglottal pressures. Although sound intensity was primarily determined by the subglottal pressure, the results suggest that, to maintain small glottal opening as the sound intensity increases, one has to simultaneously tighten vocal fold approximation and/or stiffen the vocal folds, resulting in increased glottal resistance, vocal efficiency, and fundamental frequency.
Rat tibial osteotomy model providing a range of normal to impaired healing

The purpose of this study was to develop an inexpensive and easily implemented rat tibial osteotomy model capable of producing a range of healing outcomes. A saw blade was used to create a transverse osteotomy of the tibia in 89 Sprague-Dawley rats. A 0.89 mm diameter stainless steel wire was then inserted as an intramedullary nail to stabilize the fracture. To impair healing, 1, 2, or 3 mm cylindrical polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spacer beads were threaded onto the wires, between the bone ends. Fracture healing was evaluated radiographically, biomechanically, and histologically at 5 weeks. Means were compared for statistical differences by one-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak multiple comparison testing. The mean number of "cortices bridged" for the no spacer group was 3.4 (SD ± 0.8), which was significantly greater than in the 1 mm (2.3 ± 1.4), 2 mm (0.8 ± 0.7), and 3 mm (0.3 ± 0.4) groups (p < 0.003). Biomechanical results correlated with radiographic findings, with an ultimate torque of 172 ± 53, 137 ± 41, 90 ± 38, and 24 ± 23 N/mm with a 0, 1, 2, or 3 mm defect, respectively. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that this inexpensive, technically straightforward model can be used to create a range of outcomes from normal healing to impaired healing, to nonunions. This model may be useful for testing new therapeutic strategies to promote fracture healing, materials thought to be able to heal critical-sized defects, or evaluating agents suspected of impairing healing.
Graphics Processing Unit Implementation of Multilevel Plane-Wave Time-Domain Algorithm

A graphics processing unit implementation of the multilevel plane-wave time-domain algorithm for rapidly evaluating transient electromagnetic fields generated by large-scale dipole constellations is proposed. The implementation achieves 50 × speedup and 60%-75% memory reduction compared to its serial CPU implementation.
Feed forward control of an activated sludge process

Abstract The control of an activated sludge process is an inherently difficult problem. The non-linearty of the process, the wide range of operating conditions, and the lack of a really suitable control variable all contribute to this difficulty. A computer simulation of a perfectly mixed aeration tank was used to show that feed forward control is the most suitable control method for a wide range of operating conditions. In particular, proportional control with measurement of the substrate flow rate and manipulation of the rate of return sludge was as effective as much more complex combinations of feed forward and feed back controllers. There was some indication that on—off control would be highly effective.
Bayesian Modeling of Age-Specific Survival in Bird Nesting Studies under Irregular Visits

Dans cet article, nous presentons un modele bayesien d'estimation de la duree d'utilisation des nids d'oiseaux, prenant en compte l'anciennete de ces nids, et permettant de traiter le cas ou les observations sur le terrain ne sont pas effectuees regulierement. Apres avoir explore des distributions a priori aussi bien informatives que non-informatives, nous nous arretons a la distribution a priori dite «du reference», laquelle permet de resoudre, dans une certaine mesure, le probleme de la specification de l'hyperparametre. Lorsque les risques instantanes de disparition des nids, en fonction de leur anciennete, ne sont pas constants dans le temps, il s'avere que l'approche bayesienne produit des estimations plus precises que la methode classique de Mayfield. Cette approche permet de plus au biologiste de reperer des taux de survies importants ou, au contraire, faibles, durant toute la periode de nidification. En pratique, il est courant de collecter, dans une seule et meme etude, des donnees tres differentes par exemple, des nids sont vieux et d'autres pas, ou bien encore certains nids sont observes regulierement tandis que d'autres ne le sont qu'irregulierement. L'approche bayesienne s'adapte a n'importe quelle combinaison de ces techniques d'echantillonnage, en supposant toutefois que ni la frequence des observations des nids, ni la mesure de leur anciennete n'ont d'influence sur leur duree d'utilisation. Nous illustrons ces methodes par l'analyse d'un jeu de donnees portant sur les colins a gorge blanche du Missouri.
Secular trends in psychiatric diagnoses of suicide victims.

Abstract Post-mortem psychiatric diagnoses are compared in two cohorts of male suicides from St. Louis (1956–1957) (Robins, 1981) and San Diego (1981–1982) (Rich et al., 1986). Similar structured interviews and diagnostic criteria had been used in both assessments. Substance/alcohol abuse has remained the major diagnosis in suicides under age 60. Rates of depressive disorder alone have decreased overall, due mostly to decreased rates in the elderly. Thus, depression occurs more frequently in younger ages. Comorbid depression and substance/alcohol abuse has also increased in younger ages. Implications in terms of the so-called ‘cohort effect’ are discussed.
Oncology: The role of partial nephrectomy in wilms tumor

Wilms tumor represents the most common pediatric renal malignancy and the fourth most common childhood cancer overall. Overall survival from Wilms tumor has increased to over 90 % secondary to multidisciplinary therapy and multi-institutional cooperative group trials. Recent therapeutic focus has shifted to reduction in treatment morbidity and renal preservation while maintaining the high survival rates. Partial nephrectomy is an integral component of the multimodal treatment protocols for Wilms tumor patients with bilateral disease, solitary kidney, or predisposing syndromes. Recent consideration has been given to utilization of nephron sparing surgery (NSS) in carefully selected patients with nonsyndromic unilateral Wilms tumor. While long-term, prospective data in this subgroup of patients is not yet available, case series demonstrate comparable oncologic outcomes after partial versus radical nephrectomy. The relative rarity of Wilms tumor, especially those amenable to upfront partial nephrectomy, presents a challenge to conducting controlled trials.
Anisotropic electro-optic effect on InGaAs quantum dot chain modulators

We investigated the anisotropic electro-optic (EO) effect on InGaAs quantum dot (QD) chain modulators. The linear EO coefficients were determined as 24.3 pm/V (33.8 pm/V) along the [011] direction and 30.6 pm/V (40.3 pm/V) along the [011¯] direction at 1.55 μm (1.32 μm) operational wavelength. The corresponding half-wave voltages (Vπs) were measured to be 5.35 V (4.35 V) and 4.65 V (3.86 V) at 1.55 μm (1.32 μm) wavelength. This is the first report on the anisotropic EO effect on QD chain structures. These modulators have 3 dB bandwidths larger than 10 GHz.
Numerical analysis of a shell-and-tube latent heat storage unit with fins for air-conditioning application

Abstract Free cooling is an effective way to make good use of night cold energy and helps to reduce air-conditioning energy consumption in the daytime. This research proposed integrating a new-type of shell-and-tube based phase change material (PCM) thermal storage system with conventional air-conditioner to increase cooling coefficient of performance (COP). The proposed PCM thermal storage unit uses two different kinds of media (water and air) for the heat transfer fluids (HTF). Water is used for charging loop while air is used for discharging loop. The two HTFs better fit the heat transfer needs of nighttime’s free cooling harvest and daytime’s condensing water use by the air-conditioning system. A numerical model for the PCM thermal storage unit has been developed, particularly with consideration of staged natural convection effects in PCM melting process. The numerical model equipped with a new PCM staged effective thermal conductivity has been validated by experimental data. Numerical study has evaluated the effects of HTF inlet temperature, mass flow rate and conductive fin height on the PCM thermal storage system’s performance. Modeling results show that HTF mass flow rate and fin height need to be designed through an optimization process according to the cooling load profile and achieve best performance of the PCM thermal storage system. Effectiveness of this proposed PCM thermal storage system is generally higher than 0.5. Case study of replacing conventional cooling tower by the proposed PCM thermal storage system for a water-cooled air-conditioner shows a COP value increase of about 25.6%.
The dynamics of precipitate evolution in elastically stressed solids-II. Particle alignment

Abstract The effects of elastic stress on the spatial distribution and morphology of misfitting particles during coarsening in an elastically anisotropic system are examined. No assumptions are made on the morphology of the particles; they evolve in a manner consistent with the diffusion and elastic fields in the system. Through these calculations we have identified the microstructural signature of elastic-stress induced particle migration. In addition, we find that elastic stress leads not only to particle alignment along the elastically soft directions of the crystal, but also prevents particle coalescence. When the particles are aligned along the elastically soft directions of the crystal the morphology of the particles differs from the equilibrium shape of isolated particles in a manner which depends on the size of the particles. In addition, the elastic-stress induced equilibrium separation between aligned particles decreases with increasing particle size. We show that the effects of elastic stress, due to either applied tractions or other particles, on the morphology and spatial distribution of the particles can be understood in terms of the configurational forces generated by this stress. Configurational force fields generated by misfitting particles are used to explain the results of our dynamical calculations.
Offenders with Intellectual Disability: Characteristics, Prevalence, and Issues in Forensic Assessment.

Although the problem of people with disabilities as victims of crime has been well recognized, the known characteristics of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) also make them vulnerable to becoming perpetrators of crimes. Most such crimes are minor, but the 2002 Atkins v. Virginia decision called national attention to people with ID and people with dual diagnoses who commit capital crimes. This article reviews the data on offenders with intellectual and dual disabilities and the challenges related to their diagnoses and their roles in the criminal justice system. Offenders with ID are overwhelmingly individuals with mild intellectual disability, and their characteristics largely resemble those of offenders who do not have an ID diagnosis. They do not engage predominantly in any one form of criminal behavior, and their readily identifiable characteristics do not set them apart from offenders without a disability. However, their intellectual limitations make it more difficult for them to understand t...
Comparing Medians: An Overview Plus New Results on Dealing With Heavy-Tailed Distributions

The author provides a review of methods for comparing medians, with an emphasis on comparing two groups. A fairly broad perspective is provided with a summary of the relative merits associated with different strategies. Included as a special case are well-known rank-based techniques. In addition, the author reports new results on comparing the medians of independent groups when sample sizes are small. A concern about virtually all methods for comparing measures of location is that the actual Type I error probability can be well below the nominal level when sampling from heavy-tailed distributions and simultaneously sample sizes are small. This has practical implications about power. Methods are described that correct this problem.
14C dating of ancient rock art: A new application of plasma chemistry

We have developed a new statically operated oxygen plasma method that allows direct14C dates to be obtained from ancient rock paintings. The method is applicable even to paintings on limestone (CaCO3) walls. A sample of a pictograph which had naturally spalled offa shelter wall in the Lower Pecos region of Texas was subjected to a low temperature (∼ 150°C) oxygen plasma to selectively remove the organic carbon-containing material used in the paint as CO2, without contamination from the limestone substrate. The Zurich EHT accelerator mass spectrometer was then used to determine the radiocarbon age of this prehistoric rock painting. It was successfully dated at 3865 ± 100 years BP, in good accord with the archaeological context which has set the onset of this Pecos River style of pictograph between 4100 and 3200 years BP. The method appears feasible and is applicable to rock art in which organic materials were used in the paint.
The Mixed Blessings of Self-Knowledge in Behavioral Prediction: Enhanced Discrimination but Exacerbated Bias

Four experiments demonstrate that self-knowledge provides a mixed blessing in behavioral prediction, depending on how accuracy is measured. Compared with predictions of others, selfknowledge tends to decrease overall accuracy by increasing bias (the mean difference between predicted behavior and reality) but tends to increase overall accuracy by also enhancing discrimination (the correlation between predicted behavior and reality). Overall, participants’ self-predictions overestimated the likelihood that they would engage in desirable behaviors (bias), whereas peer predictions were relatively unbiased. However, selfpredictions also were more strongly correlated with individual differences in actual behavior (discrimination) than were peer predictions. Discussion addresses the costs and benefits of selfknowledge in behavioral prediction and the broader implications of measuring judgmental accuracy of judgment in terms of bias versus discrimination.
Evaluation of Chemicals for Control of Slugs on Field Corn in Ohio

Field tests were made in 1968 to evaluate carbaryl. phorate, Zectran® (4-dimcthylamino-3.5-xylyl methylcarbamate) Zinophos® ( O, O -diethyl O -2-pyrazinyl phosphorothioate). Frescon® (4-tritylmorpholine). Dinoseb (dinitro-o-sec-butylphenol). and Ortho Bug-Geta® meal (5% calcium arsenate and 3.25% metaldehyde), for control of the slugs. primarily the gray garden slug. Deroceras reticulatum (Muller), which caused widespread damage in field corn in Ohio in 1968. Phorate applied 4—6 hours after dark as an emulsion at a rate of I and 1.5 lb/acre was the most effective, and there was little difference between the 2 rates. Also, the metaldehyde meal was effective when it was applied at a rate of 2 lb of actual metal metaldehyde per acre.
Mapping the Stability of Human Brain Asymmetry across Five Sex-Chromosome Aneuploidies

The human brain displays stereotyped and early emerging patterns of cortical asymmetry in health. It is unclear if these asymmetries are highly sensitive to genetic and environmental variation or fundamental features of the brain that can survive severe developmental perturbations. To address this question, we mapped cortical thickness (CT) asymmetry in a group of genetically defined disorders known to impact CT development. Participants included 137 youth with one of five sex-chromosome aneuploidies [SCAs; XXX (n = 28), XXY (n = 58), XYY (n = 26), XXYY (n = 20), and XXXXY (n = 5)], and 169 age-matched typically developing controls (80 female). In controls, we replicated previously reported rightward inferior frontal and leftward lateral parietal CT asymmetry. These opposing frontoparietal CT asymmetries were broadly preserved in all five SCA groups. However, we also detected foci of shifting CT asymmetry with aneuploidy, which fell almost exclusively within regions of significant CT asymmetry in controls. Specifically, X-chromosome aneuploidy accentuated normative rightward inferior frontal asymmetries, while Y-chromosome aneuploidy reversed normative rightward medial prefrontal and lateral temporal asymmetries. These findings indicate that (1) the stereotyped normative pattern of opposing frontoparietal CT asymmetry arises from developmental mechanisms that can withstand gross chromosomal aneuploidy and (2) X and Y chromosomes can exert focal, nonoverlapping and directionally opposed influences on CT asymmetry within cortical regions of significant asymmetry in health. Our study attests to the resilience of developmental mechanisms that support the global patterning of CT asymmetry in humans, and motivates future research into the molecular bases and functional consequences of sex chromosome dosage effects on CT asymmetry.
Enhanced coactivator binding and transcriptional activation of mutant vitamin D receptors from patients with hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets by phosphorylation and vitamin D analogs.

In this study, we report that the function of certain mutant VDRs from patients with hereditary HVDRR can at least be partially restored by phosphorylation and hexafluoro 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 analogs. Our study provides new insights into mechanisms involved in enhancement of mutant VDR function. Introduction: 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR) is a rare genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR). In this study, we examined VDR from patients with HVDRR having mutations in the ligand-binding domain (F251C, I268T, H305Q, E420K). We examined methods of restoring transcriptional activity of these mutants and the mechanisms involved. Materials and Methods: Reporter gene transcriptional assays were used to examine the activation of mutant VDRs. Western-blot analysis, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays, and chromatin immunopre- cipitation (ChIP) assays were also used in this study. Results: Using mutant VDRs, H305Q, F251C, I268T, and 10 �8 M 1,25(OH)2D3, only 10-30% of the activity of wildtype (WT) VDR in activating 24(OH)ase transcription was observed. The transcriptional response of mutant VDR mutants was significantly enhanced 2- to 3-fold by co-treatment of VDR mutant transfected COS-7 cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 and okadaic acid (OA; inhibitor of phosphatase; 50 nM). The H305Q mutant was the most responsive (90% of the response exhibited by WT VDR was restored). The E420K mutant was unresponsive to 1,25(OH)2D3 in the presence or absence of OA. The increased transcriptional response correlated with an increase in the interaction between DRIP205 and the mutant VDR. We further provide evidence that OA induces the phosphorylation of CREB-binding protein (CBP), indicating for the first time a correlation between phosphorylation of CBP and enhanced VDR function. Hexafluoro 1,25(OH)2D3 analogs (RO-26-2198 and RO-4383561) also resulted in at least a partial restoration of the transcriptional responsiveness of mutant VDRs I268T, F251C, and H305Q. Our data indicate that the enhanced potency of the hexafluoro analogs may be caused by increased DRIP205 and glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP-1) binding to VDRs and enhanced association of VDRs with DNA, as suggested by results of ChIP assays. Conclusion: Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms involved in the enhancement of VDR function by both phosphorylation and hexafluoro analogs and forms a basis for future study of vitamin D analogs or specifically designed kinase activity mediators as potential therapy for the treatment of selected patients with HVDRR. J Bone Miner Res 2005;20:1680-1691. Published online on April 27, 2005; doi: 10.1359/JBMR.050410
Report on stratosphere research at the University of Rochester

With aid from the Smithsonian Institution, we have undertaken a preliminary study of fluctuations in the ultra-violet output from the Sun. In order to free these measurements as far as possible from uncertainties in atmospheric transmission it has seemed desirable to attempt them from high-altitude sounding-balloons working well into the stratosphere. At present we are using filters to isolate a wave-length region slightly longer than the Hartley band of ozone, so that there are no uncertainties in atmospheric transmissions due to fluctuation either in the amount or vertical distribution of the ozone. In connection with this program we have completed a subsidiary development which is of interest in upper-air exploration with sounding-balloons. The development involves a procedure and instruments for the continuous triangulation upon a balloon while in flight, and the transmission of the balloon's position to a pick-up car, or cars, in the field, in order to expedite the recovery of valuable apparatus. The development is not completed in all respects, but that part pertaining to the continuous triangulation and plotting during the balloon's flight is complete, and has been through successful field-tests. In principle it is, of course, very simple. In detail, however, it has required the development of two unusual balloon-theodolites of great telescopic power, and a mechanical plotting-instrument of accuracy comparable to the theodolites to permit minute-to-minute determination of the coordinates of the balloon in space. The scheme has proved workable, even with very small sounding-balloons, up to distances of 100 km or more and provides a powerful tool for this class of work.
THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE ACTION OF STRYCHNIN IN FROGS.

In order to establish the influence of temperature upon the effect of varying doses of strychnin injected into frogs, the animals must be kept under observation for several days and at various definite degrees of temperature. Statements that the animal was kept "cold," "at room temperature," or "warm" are insufficient. With a certain dose tetanus may result constantly at 30° C. yet never appear at 21° C., and either of these temperatures might be described as warm, when compared to a room temperature of 15° C. Furthermore an animal may apparently fail to respond in the cold to an injection of certain doses of strychnin and yet be found in tetanic convulsions the next day. That an animal may have late, long lasting, or strong tetanus while kept at such a low temperature as 5° C. after an injection of a dose of strychnin smaller than 0.01 of a milligram per frog emphasizes the fact that great caution must be exercised in formulating laws as to the influence of temperature on drug action. The main results of this investigation may be summarized as follows: Doses of strychnin amounting to 0.0006 of a milligram per gram of frog will cause tetanus at all temperatures between 5° C. and 30° C., although at low temperatures the tetanus may appear late. A dose of 0.0003 of a milligram per gram of frog will frequently produce tetanus at 5° C. as well as at 30° or 27° C., but may nevertheless fail to produce any reaction at such an intermediary temperature as 21° C. Smaller doses, 0.0002 of a milligram per gram, will cause tetanus in the cold but not at high temperatures. It may be stated in general that in frogs kept at low temperatures the tetanic state sets in later, continues longer, and each tetanic attack is of longer duration, while in the interval between the attacks the state of tonus is higher and the animals are more irritable than when they are kept at higher temperatures.
Characterization and analysis of photonic crystal coupled waveguides

Techniques for analyzing symmetric and asymmetric polarized modes in coupled photonic crystal waveguides are presented. The techniques employed include the plane wave method (PWM) and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Two variants of a photonic crystal directional coupler consisting of air holes in silicon are discussed. Additionally, fabricated photonic crystal directional couplers are characterized and experimental results are presented. Applications for photonic crystal directional couplers include frequency-selective filters, dispersion compensators, and optical switches.
The function of the bcl-x promoter in erythroid progenitor cells.

The protein Bcl-xL is essential for survival of erythroid progenitor cells, and it increases substantially during late erythrocyte differentiation due to an increase of mRNA. We mapped the transcription start sites of bcl-x mRNA in mouse and human erythroblasts, and we analyzed the function of the mousebcl-x promoter by transient and stable transfection assays in a mouse erythroid cell line using plasmids containing thebcl-x promoter fused to a luciferase reporter gene. In mouse erythroblasts, a cluster of start sites at positions −664, −655, and −644 relative to the ATG initiation codon account for almost all transcripts. Human erythroblasts exhibit a start site at −654 that is homologous to the triplet in the mouse. A short sequence element in the mouse bcl-x promoter that includes nucleotides −1804 through −1734 was identified as very important for transcription. This element also showed strong enhancerlike activity in concert with the SV40 promoter in an enhancer test vector. Analyses of mutations indicated that 2 short sequences within the element, about 15 base pair apart, are necessary for full enhancer activity. Gel shift experiments with oligonucleotides representing these sequences revealed specific binding of nuclear proteins from erythroblasts. Some of these proteins are regulated during the late erythroid differentiation.