cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How does vestibule surface charge affect ion conduction and toxin binding in a sodium channel

We describe various models for the dielectric geometry and pore mouth charge distribution of a Na channel. The electric potential due to the vestibule charges is then computed on the basis of the nonlinear Possion-Boltzmann equation. The results are used to account for the effect of permeant ion concentration and ionic strength on channel conductance and on toxin association rate constants for Na channels. We find that a single negatively charged group near the entrance to the channel constriction is adequate to account for deviations from Michaelis-Menten conductance kinetics and for the concentration dependence of toxin-binding coefficients. We find further that only a limited range of vestibule geometries and pore mouth charge distributions are consistent with experiment.
Energy resolution and angular-broadening effects in Compton-profile anisotropy measurements

The effects of detector resolution and angular broadening on $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray Compton-profile anisotropy measurements are studied. Angular broadening limits the experiments to scattering angles near 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. For such angles, the resolution of the profiles improves with increase in incident photon energy ${E}_{0}$, up to ${E}_{0}\ensuremath{\sim}600$ keV. However, the slight improvement in resolution possible for ${E}_{0}g200$ keV does not produce an appreciable change in the accuracy of the measurements. This is demonstrated by broadening theoretical anisotropy curves with resolution functions appropriate to 60-, 160-, and 500-keV photons scattered at 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Although for high-incident-energy photons (${E}_{0}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}2$ MeV) significant improvement in detector resolution is possible for low scattering angles, it is shown that the conditions of high ${E}_{0}$ and low scattering angle produce angular-broadening effects many times as significant as the detector resolution for these cases.
A study of the catalytic properties of pyruvate kinase isozymes from salmon and an examination of their functional relationships

Two major isozymes of pyruvate kinase that differ in electrophoretic and kinetic properties are found in salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Type M occurs in cardiac and skeletal muscle, while type K is the main isozyme of the other tissues. We have been examining the structural and kinetic properties of the pyruvate kinase isozymes of salmon in an effort to assess their regulatory properties as well as their structural and functional relationships to the isozymes from “higher” vertebrates. We find that type K pyruvate kinase has hyperbolic kinetics with both phosphoenolpyruvate and ADP but that the apparent affinities for the two substrates are interdependent. That is, decreased affinities for phosphoenolpyruvate occur at higher concentrations of ADP and vice versa. In contrast, salmon type M pyruvate kinase has slightly sigmoidal kinetics with phosphoenolpyruvate, indicative of cooperative interactions among subunits of the latter isozyme. However, the affinity of this isozyme for each substrate is much less effected by the concentration of the other substrate. Salmon type K pyruvate kinase binds Mg++ cooperatively in the absence of fructose bisphosphate, where as type M binds Mg++ twice as tightly but in a non cooperative fashion. Both enzymes are inhibited to a similar extent by ATP, but they may differ in the nature of this inhibition. The salmon isozymes differ from avian and mammalian pyruvate kinase in that they are much less susceptible to inhibition by alanine and phenylalanine. The kinetic properties of salmon type K pyruvate kinase imply it to be more amenable to regulation that salmon type M, a situation that is also true for the corresponding isozymes from birds and mammals. Nevertheless, the two salmon isozymes appear to be more similar kinetically to each other than are types K and M pyruvate kinases from higher vertebrates, suggesting less evolutionary divergence for the salmon isozymes.
Noise-Error Determination of Combinational Circuits by Walsh Functions

The stochastic behavior of digital combinational circuits is analyzed by the use of Walsh functions. An n-input Boolean function is represented as a Walsh series and the error caused by noise is measured in terms of a distance which is the fraction of the time that the system output due to noise-corrupted signal differs from that due to signal alone. It is shown that the error can be expressed as the sum of two parts: one part depends only on noise statistics, and the other on both signal and noise. Some interesting properties of both parts are discussed and typical examples are given.
Thinking about the needy, justice, and international organizations

This article has three main parts, Section 2 considers the nature and extent to which individuals who are well-off have a moral obligation to aid the world’s needy. Drawing on a pluralistic approach to morality, which includes consequentialist, virtue-based, and deontological elements, it is contended that most who are well-off should do much more than they do to aid the needy, and that they are open to serious moral criticism if they simply ignore the needy. Part one also focuses on the United States, and illustrates both how incredibly wealthy the U.S. is and some of the spending habits of its citizens; however, its considerations apply to the well-off generally. Section 3 considers whether justice provides reasons for helping the needy. Noting that justice in an extremely complex notion, it discusses numerous considerations relevant to justice’s scope and implications, including an extended Rawlsian conception of justice, an absolute conception, a comparative conception, the distinction between natural and social justice, and various elements of common-sense morality. Section 2 also distinguishes between agent-relative justice-based reasons, which are relevant to whether we act justly, and agent-neutral justice-based reasons, which are relevant to whether we have reasons of justicefor acting. Correspondingly, it argues that even if one can ignore the needy without acting unjustly, as philosophers like Robert Nozick and Jan Narveson contend, there may be powerful reasons of justicefor addressing their plight. Section 4 briefly address the responsibilities of international organizations like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organization (WTO). Drawing on Section 2, it is suggested that in addition to standard reasons to act justlytowards needy members of the world’s community, there will be reasons of justicefor such organizations to aid the needy in both present, and future, generations. The article concludes by contending that the well-off in countries like the U.S. have reason to view international organizations like the World Bank, IMF, and WTO as their agents, and to seek to insure that they alleviate misfortunes amongst the world’s needy.
Mood regulation expectancies, affect intensity, dispositional coping, and depressive symptoms: A conceptual analysis and empirical reanalysis.

Abstract In a recent article, Flett, Blankstein and Obertinsky (1996, Personality and Individual Differences, 20, 221–228) examined cross-sectional relations between affect intensity, generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation (NMR expectancies), coping dispositions, and depression in a sample of 153 women. However, they did not report partial correlations of affect intensity and NMR expectancies, independent of each other, with coping and depression. Such information is needed for development of models of the coping process which integrate the roles of temperament variables, such as affect intensity, and cognitive-social learning person variables, such as NMR expectancies. Reanalysis of Flett etal.'s correlation matrix revealed that affect intensity and NMR expectancies were each independently associated with distinct coping dispositions, but that only NMR expectancies were independently associated with depressive symptoms.
Theory of magnetostatic waves in moving ferrite films and applications to rotation rate sensing

A first-order field theory for electromagnetic waves in moving ferrites and ferrite thin films is presented. The dominant effect of the motion is found to be the Doppler-shifted frequency observed in the moving frame. This gives rise to an anomalously large shift in wavenumber, due to the dispersive nature of the ferrite medium. Because of the large effect, it is suggested that a moving-medium experiment using magnetostatic waves could be used to distinguish between various competing forms for the dispersion term in the Fresnel-Fizeau coefficient. The results of the field theory are discussed with relation to relative and absolute rotation rate sensing. The author describes how magnetostatic waves could be used to measure relative rotation rates if confined to propagate around the perimeter of a rotating disk. Since the phase shift would be established in the time required to propagate around the disk, the response time could be significantly shorter than conventional tachometers. An experiment with counterpropagating magnetostatic waves is suggested to clarify the effect of a magnetic medium on the magnitude of the Sagnac effect. >
A Grading System for the Stimulation of Outside Reading

Author's summary.— A method is offered whereby definite rewards, in the form of grades, may be used to stimulate student participation in outside reading without unbalancing one's grade curve for the class; also a novel method for checking and accrediting supplementary reading—a system which has much to recommend it besides being easy for the teacher.
Residence time distributions of paper pulp slurries in vertical laminar flow

The hydrodynamic behavior of paper pulp slurries in vertical laminar flow has been observed and modeled. Radiotracers were used to tag both the liquid and solid phases of slurries flowing in 4 and 30 cm pipes. Residence time distributions were determined for each phase and were used to derive and compare several flow models. A model consisting of a central core in plug flow circumscribed by a clear Newtonian annulus provides a good representation of the observed slurry behavior. Correlations between the model parameters and the Reynolds number and slurry consistency are presented, and implications of the results on the design of slurry flow reactors are discussed.
Influence of Fas on the regulation of the response of an anti-nuclear antigen B cell clonotype to foreign antigen

A peripheral B cell tolerance checkpoint appears to be operative during the germinal center (GC) reaction. We previously showed that a transgenic BCR clonotype that is ‘dual reactive’ for the hapten arsonate (Ars) and nuclear auto-antigens is stimulated to enter the GC response via Ars immunization. However, the participation of this clonotype in this response wanes with time and it gives rise to few memory B cells capable of mounting a secondary anti-Ars IgG response. Enforced expression of Bcl-2 partially rescues the GC and memory B cell responses of this clonotype, suggesting that apoptotic pathways are involved in the action of the GC tolerance checkpoint. Since GC B cells substantially up-regulate levels of expression of the Fas apoptotic death receptor, we determined whether an intrinsic Fas deficient could rescue the participation of this clonotype in the GC response. It could not, strongly indicating that Fas expression by autoreactive GC B cells is not necessary for their elimination. In addition, experiments in which Fas-sufficient dual reactive clonotype B cells were transferred to Fas-deficient hosts revealed an absence of participation of these B cells in the GC and IgG anti-Ars responses. We present data consistent with the idea that T cells in Fas-deficient hosts are primed to express elevated levels of FasL and eliminate antigen-activated B cells that up-regulate Fas.
Intravenous Milrinone in Cardiac Surgery

Phosphodiesterase enzymes (PDE) are ubiquitous in the cardiovascular system and have characteristic substrate specificities, kinetic characteristics, and responses to pharmacologic agents [1, 2]. Phosphodiesterases terminate the actions of cyclic 3,5-nucleotides (eg, adenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate [cAMP]) by catalyzing their hydrolysis. Phosphodiesterase inhibition increases intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations, and these second messengers have major hemodynamic effects. Several PDE inhibitors are approved currently in a number of countries; however, the bipyridines (milrinone and inamrinone, formerly amrinone) and the imidazolones (enoximone) are the intravenous PDE inhibitors used clinically for ventricular dysfunction [3, 4]. Milrinone is the most recent fraction III PDE inhibitor approved for use in the United States as a short-term intravenous treatment of patients with acute decompensated heart failure. It is also available in a number of other countries. There are several PDEs in myocardium, including a Ca 2 /calmodulin‐activated PDE, a cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate (cGMP)‐stimulated PDE, and a low-Km, cGMP‐inhibited PDE. Milrinone inhibits the low-Km, cGMP‐inhibited PDE (also called fraction III) most potently. It also produces both positive inotropic effects and vasodilation by increasing cAMP concentrations [5]. This review focuses on recent studies investigating the use of milrinone in patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures and includes some relevant data from patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods A search of the MEDLINE database from 1975 to 2000 was conducted to identify pertinent articles using the
Expressing functional domains of mouse calponin: involvement of the region around alanine 145 in the actomyosin ATPase inhibitory activity of calponin

Previously, we attributed the binding of F-actin to the 38-residue stretch of gizzard calponin encompassing the sequence A145-Y182 and postulated the hexapeptide motif VKYAEK, representing residues 142-147, as a putative actin-binding site [Mezgueldi, M., Fattoum, A., Derancourt, J. & Kassab, R. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 15943-15951]. Herein, the nature of the ATPase inhibitory amino acids of calponin and their relative position within the actin binding domain was investigated by expressing the following fragments of mouse calponin with or without substitution or deletion of the hexapeptide V142-K147: amino acids 1-228 (CaP1-228), 45-228 (CaP45-228), 131-228 (CaP131-228), and CaP1-228 with substitution of A145 with S (CaP1-228A145S) or deletion of V142-K147 (CaP1-228de1142-147). All the recombinant fragments displayed most of the biochemical properties of the smooth muscle purified calponin including (a) expected electrophoretic mobility, (b) heat stability, (c) binding to actin, tropomyosin and calmodulin, and (d) zero-length cross-linking to actin switched by calmodulin in a calcium-dependent fashion. However, while the wild-type recombinant fragments inhibit the acto-S-1 ATPase activity to the same extent as do the parent calponin, modulation of the hexapeptide by either substitution or deletion strongly affect the inhibitory activity with only slightly decreasing actin binding capacity. The data indicate that the stretch VKYAEK is crucial for ATPase inhibition by calponin but represents only part of the actin-binding domain. These results are discussed in terms of multiple contact sites between actin and calponin.
Bone Anabolic Responses to Mechanical Load In Vitro Involve COX-2 and Constitutive NOS

Mechanical stimulation is essential for maintaining the homeostasis and architecture of connective tissues including bone. The purpose of our study was to test the importance of several potential signaling intermediates in the anabolic responses of bone to loads applied with a newly developed micromechanical loading device. Tibial bones excised from 7- to 8-day-old CD-1 mice were cyclically loaded at 1 Hz, 1000 muepsilon (microstrain) at a peak load of 100 mN. DNA and protein synthesis were evaluated by measuring the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 14C-proline, respectively. The roles of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, and glutamate receptor-gated Ca2+ channeling were examined by incubating the bones in the presence of each of their specific inhibitors. The results indicate that COX-2 and constitutive NOS are important signaling molecules in the anabolic responses of neonatal tibial bone to the micromechanical load in vitro.
An Interactive, Source-Centric, Open Testbed for Developing and Profiling Wireless Sensor Systems

The difficulty of developing wireless sensor systems is widely recognized. Problems associated with testing, debugging, and profiling are key contributing factors. While network simulators have proven useful, they are unable to capture the subtleties of underlying hardware, nor the dynamics of wireless signal propagation and interference; and physical experimentation remains a necessity. To this end, developers increasingly rely on shared deployments exposed for physical experimentation. Sensor network testbeds are under development across the world. We present a complementary testbed architecture that derives its novelty from three characteristics. First, the system is interactive; users can profile source and network level components across a network in real time, as well as inject transient state faults and external network traffic. Second, the system is source-centric; it enables automated source code analysis, instrumentation, and compilation. Finally, the design is open; developers can extend the set of exposed inter faces as appropriate to particular projects without modifying the underlying middleware. We present the testbed design and implementation, a graphical user interface, a shell-based macro programming interface, example scenarios that illustrate their use, and discuss the testbed's application in the research and teaching activities at client institutions.
Screening-Enhanced Optical Absorption and the Search for M 3 Critical Points

The optical absorption spectrum near an ${M}_{3}$ critical point of a model doped semiconductor or metal is calculated as a function of screening wave vector, using a realistic effective-mass model and a statically screened final-state interaction, but neglecting exchange. Wavelength-modulation line shapes are derived by direct (analytic) differentiation, and it is shown that screening enhances the absorption spectrum and its derivatives near an ${M}_{3}$ threshold. Experiments to detect ${M}_{3}$ critical points should concentrate on materials with heavy band masses near the conduction-band minimum and light (negative) masses at the band maximum.
Radio Propagation Following World War II

Since the early 1940's the development of new propagation modes has greatly increased man's ability to communicate. Some of the outstanding advances are briefly reviewed.
An elliptic filter design for the Space Shuttle vibro-acoustic experiment

An elliptic filter is presented whose purpose is to detect an impending launch by listening for a 600-Hz tone characteristic of the auxiliary power units (APUs). These are activated between five and ten minutes prior to launch. The filter comprises the key element in an APU detection circuit, and it is implemented using a pair of generalized impedance converters (GIC) in cascade. The GIC configuration is highly insensitive to changes in both its passive and its active parameters, is capable of implementing a large variety of biquadratic filter functions, and is thus an excellent choice for active filters. The two GIC sections represent biquadratic factors which individually implement a high-pass and a low-pass notch filter. When placed in cascade, the result is a very narrow band elliptic filter. This paper includes measurements of the sensitivity of the filter to changes in its parameters. >
The traveling salesman problem in surgery: economy of motion for the FLS Peg Transfer task

Background In the Peg Transfer task in the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) curriculum, six peg objects are sequentially transferred in a bimanual fashion using laparoscopic instruments across a pegboard and back. There are over 268 trillion ways of completing this task. In the setting of many possibilities, the traveling salesman problem is one where the objective is to solve for the shortest distance traveled through a fixed number of points. The goal of this study is to apply the traveling salesman problem to find the shortest two-dimensional path length for this task.
Cc Chemokine Receptor 2 Is Critical for Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a CD4+ T lymphocyte–mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration, demyelination, and paralysis. We previously demonstrated a role for chemokines in acute and relapsing EAE pathogenesis. Presently, we investigated the role of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in acute EAE. CCR2−/− mice did not develop clinical EAE or CNS histopathology, and showed a significant reduction in T cell– and CNS-infiltrating CD45highF4/80+ monocyte subpopulations. Peripheral lymphocytes from CCR2−/− mice produced comparable levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2 in response to antigen-specific restimulation when compared with control mice. Adoptively transferred myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55–specific T cells lacking expression of CCR2 were able to induce EAE, whereas CCR2−/− recipients of wild-type T cells failed to develop disease. These results suggest that CCR2 expression on host-derived mononuclear cells is critical for disease induction.
Multi-objective routing in integrated services networks: A game theory approach

The multiobjective routing problem in multiple-class integrated services networks is presented. A multiserver two-class queuing model is introduced, where packets from the first class can be queued, while packets from the other class are blocked when the number of packets in the system exceeds some threshold. Therefore, the first class wants to minimize its average packet delay, while the other class wants to minimize its blocking probability. The resulting multiobjective routing problem is formulated as a Nash game, where each class tries to minimize its own cost function in competition with the other class. The routing policy for a two-server parallel system is derived and the strategy and performance of each class are shown. >
Pneumococcal Necrotizing Pneumonia in Utah: Does Serotype Matter?

Background. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children. Despite the use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the incidence of pneumococcal necrotizing pneumonia (PNP) has been increasing. Our objectives were to describe temporal trends in PNP and to evaluate pneumococcal serotypes associated with PNP in Utah. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of all children <18 years of age who were cared for at a tertiary care children's hospital and who had blood, lung tissue, broncheoalveolar lavage, or pleural fluid cultures that grew S. pneumoniae, as well as radiographic evidence of pneumonia, from January 1997 through March 2006. All S. pneumoniae isolates were typed. Results. A total of 124 children with pneumococcal pneumonia were identified, and 33 (27%) of these children had radiographic evidence of PNP. During the period 1997-2000, 5 (13%) of 39 cases of culture-confirmed pneumococcal pneumonia were associated with PNP. In contrast, during the period 2001-2006, 28 (33%) of 85 pneumococcal pneumonia cases were complicated by PNP (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-12.03). Non-7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes comprised 49% of the isolates during 1997-2000 and 88% of isolates during 2001-2006 (odds ratio, 7.89; 95% confidence interval, 2.91-21.90). Pneumonia due to serotype 3 was most often associated with PNP. Eleven (79%) of 14 cases of serotype 3-associated pneumonia were associated with PNP. When compared with all other serotypes, serotype 3 was strongly associated with necrosis (odds ratio, 14.67; 95% confidence interval, 3.39-86.25). Conclusions. PNP is a serious and increasingly common complication of S. pneumoniae pneumonia in Utah. Infection with serotype 3 is associated with an increased risk of developing PNP. The increase in the incidence of infection due to nonvaccine serotypes reported worldwide and the changing epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease should be considered when developing vaccine strategies.
Thrombocytosis during antifungal therapy of candidemia.

BACKGROUNDSecondary, “reactive,” thrombocytosis has been attributed to bacterial infection and treatment with multiple pharmaceuticals and may be associated with an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal tract bleeding and thrombotic events (eg, stroke).OBJECTIVETo characterize the dynamics of thrombocytosis in patients with candidemia receiving antifungal therapy.METHODSWe initiated a retrospective observational description of patients with candidemia who were treated with antifungal agents. A total of 108 patients diagnosed with candidemia between August 1995 and September 2003 at our teaching hospital were enrolled. Three groups (candidemia with antifungal therapy, candidemia without antifungal therapy, antifungal therapy without candidemia) of patients >18 years of age were evaluated for the resence of thrombocytosis. Platelet administration, pharmacologic or pathologic contributors to thrombocytosis, and other pertinent details related to an elevation of platelet counts were scrutinized.RESULT...
Self-Delivered Home-Based Mirror Therapy for Lower Limb Phantom Pain

Home-based patient-delivered mirror therapy is a promising approach in the treatment of phantom limb pain. Previous studies and case reports of mirror therapy have used a therapist-guided, structured protocol of exercises. No case report has described treatment for either upper or lower limb phantom pain by using home-based patient-delivered mirror therapy. The success of this case demonstrates that home-based patient-delivered mirror therapy may be an efficacious, low-cost treatment option that would eliminate many traditional barriers to care.
New materials from proteins and peptides.

In this review we highlight recent accomplishments in the design of materials from proteins and peptides. Examples include hydrogels made from aggregating designed β-hairpin peptides, whose physical properties respond to small changes in the amino acid composition of the peptide; materials that combine different segments of natural elastomeric proteins – such as elastin, resilin, silk fibroin whose bulk properties are dictated in unanticipated ways by their composition; and hydrogels formed by strings or arrays of protein modules, which are cross-linked by multivalent versions of their peptide ligands, and which may exhibit exquisite stimuli-responsive behavior. The suitability of the unique properties of such new materials for practical applications is also considered.
Spliceosomal Proteins in Plants

The spliceosome is a large nuclear structure consisting of dynamically interacting RNAs and proteins. This chapter briefly reviews some of the known components and their interactions. Large-scale proteomics and gene expression studies may be required to unravel the many intricate mechanisms involved in splice site recognition and selection.
It’s Gang Life, But Not As We Know It The Evolution of Gang Business

Based on fieldwork with gangs and interviews with gang members in London, United Kingdom, this article illustrates how recreation, crime, enterprise, and extralegal governance represent sequential actualization stages in the evolutionary cycle of street gangs. Gangs evolve from adolescent peer groups and the normal features of street life in their respective neighborhoods. In response to external threats and financial commitments, they grow into drug-distribution enterprises. In some cases, gangs then acquire the necessary special resources of violence, territory, secrecy, and intelligence that enable them to successfully regulate and control the production and distribution of one or more given commodities or services unlawfully. Territory is first claimed then controlled. Likewise, violence is first expressive then instrumental. With each step, gangs move further away from “crime that is organized” and closer to “organized crime.”
Growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium sporogenes in Cottage Cheese in Modified Atmosphere Packaging

Abstract Low fat cottage cheese (pH 5.14) was inoculated with three strains of Listeria monocytogenes , serotypes 1 a , and 4 b , an isolate from a dairy processing plant, and Clostridium sporogenes ATCC 3584. The cheese was packaged with or without added dissolved CO 2 in polystyrene tubs overwrapped with or without high barrier heat shrink film and stored at 4, 7, and 21°C for up to 63 d. The concentration of CO 2 in the container headspace was 35% (vol/vol). The Co 2 concentration in that headspace declined by one-third over the 63 d of storage at 4°C. Clostridium sporogenes failed to grow under any condition applied in this study. In the conventionally packaged cottage cheese, L. monocytogenes increased from 10 4 to 10 7 cfu/g after lag phases of 28 and 7 d at 4 and 7°C, respectively. In contrast, L. monocytogenes failed to grow in cottage cheese packaged with CO 2 and stored at 4°C up to 63 d and increased from 10 4 to 10 5 cfu/g in products packaged with CO 2 at 7°C. These data suggest that the addition of Co 2 to cottage cheese to extend shelf-life does not represent an increased Listeria or botulism hazard but that cottage cheese could be a vehicle for listeriosis.
Applications of zeolites in petroleum refining

Zeolites, or more broadly molecular sieves, can be found in a majority of the major catalytic processes in today’s petroleum refinery. This paper provides an overview of the use of zeolite catalysts in today’s petroleum refineries, and emphasizes some of the newer refining applications including gasoline sulfur removal and dewaxing via isomerization. Zeolite catalysts are also finding new applications at the refinery–petrochemical complex interface. These applications will also be highlighted.
Address-Event Video Streaming over Wireless Sensor Networks

The paper explores an algorithm and methodology for realtime video compression and communication over sensor network. Video is encoded using the address-event representation (AER) and using custom image sensors capable of detecting intensity-differences (motion) information. The work focuses on keeping a constant low bit-rate over sensor network channels based on ZigBee radios, so that the motion information in an image can degrade gracefully when the resolution or the image content is varied over time. The paper shows that a 320times240 video stream can be compressed up to 50 times while being intelligible for interpreting motion patterns. This compression requires zero computation when the image is encoded with AER. The work will be applied to remote monitoring of home-care patients and surveillance
Reprocessing of Spent Nuclear Fuel: A Policy Analysis

Nuclear spent fuel reprocessing has lately reemerged as a subject of debate in the energy policy world. Since a 1977 Presidential Directive which deferred reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), the United States has utilized a “once through” or “open cycle” system of nuclear fuel processing, which leaves most of the energy content in uranium unused. Current reprocessing technology increases the cost of nuclear electricity while only offering limited storage benefits. Advanced technologies have the potential to increase proliferation resistance, the need for more geologic repositories, and allow the United States to regain an international presence in reprocessing technology. The United States should not immediately engage in spent fuel reprocessing, but should begin aggressive research and development for new reprocessing technologies.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A prospective study of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreatic cancer pain☆

Abstract Background: Celiac plexus neurolysis, a chemical splanchnicectomy of the celiac plexus, is used to treat pain caused by pancreatic cancer. Most commonly, celiac plexus neurolysis is performed percutaneously under CT or fluoroscopic guidance, but can also be performed with EUS. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the efficacy of EUS celiac plexus neurolysis in the management of pain caused by pancreatic cancer. Methods: In this prospective study conducted in a community-based referral hospital, 58 patients with painful and inoperable pancreatic cancer were evaluated at 8 observation points before and after EUS celiac plexus neurolysis for up to 6 months. The following data were collected: age, gender, tumor location, vascular invasion, adjuvant therapy, and laboratory tests including prothrombin time, and complete blood counts were obtained at baseline (before EUS celiac plexus neurolysis); pain scores, morphine use, and adjuvant therapy were assessed at each observation. Results: Pain scores were lower ( p = 0.0001) 2 weeks after EUS celiac plexus neurolysis, an effect that was sustained for 24 weeks when adjusted for morphine use and adjuvant therapy. Forty-five of the 58 patients (78%) experienced a decline in pain scores after EUS celiac plexus neurolysis. Chemotherapy with and without radiation also decreased pain after EUS celiac plexus neurolysis ( p = 0.002). Procedure-related transient abdominal pain was noted in 5 patients; there were no major complications. Conclusions: EUS celiac plexus neurolysis is safe and controls pain caused by unresectable pancreatic cancer. (Gastrointest Endosc 2001;54:316-24.)
Effect of a Dietary Imbalance of Lysine on Protein Metabolism in the Chick

Abstract IN STUDYING the effect of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian tuberculosis (TB) infections on protein metabolism in the chick, lysine was found to be significantly depressed in the liver (Squibb, 1964a; Squibb et al., 1965). Dietary supplementation of this essential during disease involvement failed to restore levels in the liver. This finding demonstrated the importance of determining the extent that surfeit lysine might imbalance a normal diet and influence the cellular environment. In the work reported here, two levels of l -lysine were added to a normal balanced diet for a 14-day test period and the effects of the excess lysine observed on various parameters associated with protein metabolism in the chick. PROCEDURE The experiment was carried out in a laboratory standardized to permit evaluation of periodicity since a number of stresses may affect the patterns of diurnal rhythms of tissue constituents (Squibb, 1966). The animal laboratory was isolated, air-conditioned, . . .
Reciprocal localization of Nod and kinesin fusion proteins indicates microtubule polarity in the Drosophila oocyte, epithelium, neuron and muscle

Polarization of the microtubule cytoskeleton is an early event in establishment of anterior-posterior polarity for the Drosophila oocyte. During stages 8-9 of oogenesis, when oskar mRNA is transported to the posterior pole of the oocyte, a fusion protein consisting of the plus-end-directed microtubule motor kinesin and beta-galactosidase (Kin:beta gal) similarly localizes to the posterior pole, thereby suggesting that plus ends of microtubules are pointed to the posterior. In this paper, we have substituted the motor domain of Kin:beta gal with the putative motor domain (head) from the kinesin-related protein Nod. In cells with defined microtubule polarity, the Nod:beta gal fusion protein is an in vivo minus-end reporter for microtubules. Nod:beta gal localizes to apical cytoplasm in epithelial cells and to the poles of mitotic spindles in dividing cells. In stage 8-10 oocytes, the Nod fusion localizes to the anterior margin, thus supporting the hypothesis that minus ends of microtubules at these stages are primarily at the anterior margin of the oocyte. The fusion protein also suggests a polarity to the microtubule cytoskeleton of dendrites and muscle fibers, as it accumulates at the ends of dendrites in the embryonic PNS and is excluded from terminal cytoplasm in embryonic muscle. Finally, the reciprocal in vivo localization of Nod:beta gal and Kin:beta gal suggests that the head of Nod may be a minus-end-directed motor.
Toughening of Polypropylene with Calcium Sulfate Whiskers Treated by Coupling Agents

Calcium sulfate whiskers are modified by three kinds of coupling agents. The modified calcium sulfate whiskers are then introduced into polypropylene to prepare calcium sulfate whiskers/PP composites. Mechanical strength tests show that notched izod impact of polypropylene increases dramatically by adding calcium sulfate whiskers. When a silicane coupling agent KH-570 is adopted to modify calcium sulfate whiskers at 30 % (w/w) of whiskers, the notched izod impact of composites can increase by nearly 60 %. SEM is utilized to observe the impact fracture surface morphology of the composites and the distribution of calcium sulfate whiskers in the PP matrix. The results indicate that the surface treatment can promote uniform distribution of calcium sulfate whiskers in the PP matrix, and improve the notched izod impact and toughness of composites. Coupling agents play a role in toughening for the calcium sulfate whiskers/PP composites.
MRI and CT of the Uterus

Computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis requires good contrasting of the gastrointestinal tract; this is achieved by oral application of about 1000 ml of an appropriate contrast medium solution, which the patient starts drinking about 1 hour before the examination. Retrograde contrasting of the rectosigmoid is normally not required, but is recommended for evaluating a possible infiltration of the colon in patients with suspicion of an advanced ovarian carcinoma (in such cases about 250 ml of the contrast solution are sufficient). The bladder should be well filled with urine. Since a precontrast examination is not required, CT starts directly with the intravenous bolus enhanced contrast study. It is important to ensure adequate contrast enhancement of both the arteries and the veins in order to facilitate the differentiation of suspicious lymph nodes from vascular structures. A digital radiogram for adjustment of the first scanning plane is not required. When conventional CT is used (i.e., without spiral technique), scanning should proceed from the floor of the pelvis in a cranial direction to make optimal use of the strong contrast enhancement of the uterus and ovaries in the early phase after application of the contrast agent.
AI and Education: Celebrating 30 Years of Marriage.

This article describes contributions that artificial intelligence (AI) has made and needs to continue to make towards long-term educational goals. The article articulates two challenges in education that require the use of AI: personalizing teaching and learning 21st century skills. This article first describes AI and some of its history and then suggests why AI is invaluable to development of instructional systems. Instructional systems that use AI technology are described, e.g., computational tools that personalize instruction, enhance student experience and supply data for development of novel education theory development. Additionally, some intelligent tutors supply researchers with new opportunities to analyze vast data sets of instructional behavior and learn how students behave.
Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions by Reaction Products from Poly (methyl acrylate) and Amino Acids

Water-soluble polymers were prepared by the reaction of poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA) with thiols such as α-thioglycerine (TG), 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) or 2-mercaptoethylamine (MEA) in the presence of sodium hydroxide. These polymers reacted with copper (II) ion in a dilute aqueous solution to form complexes which had a good foaming ability. The visible spectra of these complexes changed slightly with pH. Copper (II) ion was removed efficiently from the aqueous solution by means of foam treatment around pH 7 at which the complex solution gave absorption maximum. More than 97% of copper and more than 99.9% of nickel, cobalt, manganese and cadmium were removed by the foam treatment.
Fundamentals of Energy Transfer During Picosecond Irradiation of Silicon

The fundamentals of energy transfer in semiconductors during and following pulsed laser excitation are reviewed within the frame of results obtained in picosecond laser experiments. This paper discusses the theoretical processes as well as the experimental evidence, which sets limits of electron and lattice temperature of irradiated silicon. Simple thermal melting is the most probable explanation for the laser induced phase transitions observed.
Near-Surface VOID Detection using a Seismic Landstreamer and Horizontal Velocity and Attenuation Tomography

The detection and characterization of subsurface voids plays an important role in the study of karst formations and clandestine tunnels. Horizontal velocity and attenuation tomography (HVAT) using offset-fan shooting and a towed seismic land streamer is a simple, rapid, minimally invasive method that shows promise for detecting near-surface voids and providing information on the orientation of linear voids. HVAT surveys were conducted over a known subsurface steam tunnel on the University of Connecticut Depot Campus, Storrs, Connecticut. First-arrival travel-time and amplitude data were used to produce two-dimensional (2D) horizontal (map view) velocity and attenuation tomograms. In addition, attenuation tomograms were produced based on normalized total trace energy (TTE). Both the velocity and TTE attenuation tomograms depict an anomaly consistent with the location and orientation of the known tunnel; the TTE method, however, requires significantly less processing time, and therefore may provide a path forward to semi-automated, near real-time detection of near-surface voids. Further study is needed to assess the utility of the HVAT method to detect deeper voids and the effects of a more complex geology on HVAT results.
A Framework for Understanding Social Criticism of Advertising

Meaningful responses to the social criticism of advertising depend upon the advertiser's awareness of the critical arguments as well as upon an objective evaluation of their validity and the premis...
THE AUDITORY FUNCTION OF THE SWIMBLADDER OF THE JEWEL FISH(HEMICHROMIS BMACULATUS)

Microphonic potentials in response to acoustic stimuli were recorded from theinner ear of the jewel fish(Hemichromis bimaculatus)before and after removal of theswimbladder.Microphonic audiogram based on a 20 μV response criterion in-dicates that the ear of jewel fish can detect sound from 50 to 500 Hz,maximumlytuned at frequencies 200 Hz.The amplitude of microphonic potential from fisheswith the swimbladder intact was proportional to sound pressure.After the swim-bladder was removed sound pressure sensitivity at 200—300 Hz was reduced by5—6 dB.
E. B. Wilson on 'Keynes on Probability'

Wilson attempted to review the TP in 1923, but, lacking a knowledge of George Boole’s interval valued approach to probability, upon which Keynes built his logical approach to probability, he failed completely to recognize what it was that Keynes was doing. He admitted this in the review. Without a knowledge of Boole, he was doomed to fail.Wilson tried again in 1934. This time, he had figured out what it was that Boole and Keynes were doing. Unfortunately, he could not grasp or understand the concept of incomplete information, data, evidence or knowledge. He could not fathom the need for indeterminate (uncertain) probabilities. He could not understand the concept of uncertainty and its relationship to the weight of the evidence. He also misrepresented what Keynes had done in chapter 15 and failed to acknowledge that he had obtained his source from the A Treatise on Probability. His solution is merely a variation on a theme that had already been done by Keynes in 1921 in chapter 15 on pp. 162-163.
Influence of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive lung disease on multiple sclerosis disease course.

Background:Comorbidities are known to affect multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in a number of ways, including delaying time to diagnosis and reducing health-related quality of life.Objective:To determine the impact of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive lung disease on disease course in MS patients.Methods:The Knowledge Program is a database linked to our electronic medical record allowing capture of patient and clinician reported outcomes. Through Knowledge Program query and chart review, we identified all relapsing-remitting MS patients seen between 1 January 2010 and 29 May 2012 and acquired their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results and comorbidities. Linear and logistic regression models with adjustment for important covariates were used to determine whether the comorbidities affected outcomes over a 3-year period.Results:Hypertension, diabetes, and obstructive lung disease, but not hyperlipidemia, impacted clinical outcomes, including walking speed, self-reported disa...
Multi-Product Kanban System Based on Modified Genetic Algorithm

Kanban system plays an important role in many manufacturing systems. The design of a Kanban system addresses the selection of two important parameters, i.e., the number of Kanbans and the lot size. This problem has been tackled in a number of studies using simulation models. But in the absence of an efficient gradient analysis method of the objective function, it is time-consuming in solving large-scale problems using a simulation model coupled with a meta-heuristic algorithm. In this chapter, a gradient-based heuristic is applied to a genetic algorithm for the design of a multi-product Kanban system. Several case studies in different sizes have been tried out and solutions from the modified genetic algorithm were compared to those from the classical genetic algorithm. Notable improvements in computing times or solutions by the modified genetic algorithm can be observed.