cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mental retardation and perception of global motion

We have found that mildly mentally retarded adults are impaired in their perception of global stereoscopic forms (Fox & Oross, 1988) in ways that cannot be attributed to peripheral visual deficits or failures to comprehend. To assess the generality of that result, we measured the ability of mentally retarded adults to perceive kinematographic forms. Mentally retarded and nonretarded adults were presented with a two-choice, forced-choice detection task requiring the location of a target's spatial position. The discriminability of the forms was varied by systematic reductions in both element density and temporal correlation. We found that, relative to nonretarded adults, mentally retarded adults exhibited large qualitative deficits in their ability to discriminate these kinematographic forms when either density or correlation was reduced. After considering a number of alternative interpretations of these data based on factors such as peripheral visual impairment and a failure to attend, we could find none more compelling than a perceptual interpretation, which posits a deficit within the short-range motion system.
Effects of Friedreich's ataxia GAA repeats on DNA replication in mammalian cells

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a common hereditary degenerative neuro-muscular disorder caused by expansions of the (GAA)n repeat in the first intron of the frataxin gene. The expanded repeats from parents frequently undergo further significant length changes as they are passed on to progeny. Expanded repeats also show an age-dependent instability in somatic cells, albeit on a smaller scale than during intergenerational transmissions. Here we studied the effects of (GAA)n repeats of varying lengths and orientations on the episomal DNA replication in mammalian cells. We have recently shown that the very first round of the transfected DNA replication occurs in the lack of the mature chromatin, does not depend on the episomal replication origin and initiates at multiple single-stranded regions of plasmid DNA. We now found that expanded GAA repeats severely block this first replication round post plasmid transfection, while the subsequent replication cycles are only mildly affected. The fact that GAA repeats affect various replication modes in a different way might shed light on their differential expansions characteristic for FRDA.
Interactions of perfluorocarbon liquids and silicone oil as characterized by mass spectrometry

Background Perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCL) are used extensively in complex vitreoretinal surgery, sometimes before the placement of silicone oil (SiO). We suspected that PFCL and SiO interact physically when in opposition, potentially making their removal more difficult. The nature of some of these interactions was explored using a mass spectrometric approach in in-vitro and in-vivo samples.
Dynamical properties of two dimensional hubbard clusters

Abstract Numerical results for the density of states, N ( ω ), to remove or add electrons and the optical conductivity σ 1 (ω) are presented for a two dimensional Hubbard model. As technique we used the Lancsos method on finite clusters of 4 × 4 and √10 × √10 sites. If the coupling constants take values comparable to the bandwidth i.e., U / t ≈8−10, many experimental features found in the high-Tc cuprate superconductors are qualitatively reproduced. In particular we have observed states filling the Mott gap upon doping and the presence of a mid-infrared band in the optical conductivity.
Experimental laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis induces the reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus

PURPOSE: We determined whether laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis acts as a trigger for the reactivation and ocular shedding of herpes simplex virus type-1 in a rabbit latency model. METHODS: Herpes simplex virus type-1 latently infected rabbits were divided into three treatment groups: Group I received surface excimer laser ablation in both eyes (positive control), Group II received laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis in both eyes, and Group III received no treatment (negative control). Eyes were cultured daily for 10 days to determine herpes simplex virus type-1 reactivation. RESULTS: The number of herpes simplex virus type-1 positive eye cultures and total herpes simplex virus type-1 shedding days were significantly greater after surface excimer laser ablation and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis compared with the untreated control group (P < 0.002 and P < 0.000001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis as well as surface excimer laser ablation act as a trigger for the reactivation of herpes simplex virus type-1 in the rabbit latency model.
Marital treatment following early infant death

In recent years, clinicians have become increasingly more aware of the high risk of psychiatric disability when parents are unable to mourn the loss of a stillborn baby or a neonate. The literature discussing the psychodynamic functions of this mourning process and the social as well as intrapsychic defenses against it is examined. A clinical illustration suggests how difficulty in acknowledging the ongoing significance of the infant's death can have major ramifications within both the marital relationship and the treatment context. Countertransference issues are found to be particularly important.
Insights into the Spin-Forbidden Reaction between L2Pd0 and Molecular Oxygen

The reaction between dioxygen and palladium(0) is a key step in palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions. The spin-forbidden reaction between (en)Pd and O2 has been analyzed by spin-unrestricted density functional methods and shown to proceed by a stepwise process involving (1) formation of a triplet η1-superoxo−PdI adduct, (2) spin-crossover from the triplet to the singlet surface, and (3) collapse of the singlet η1-superoxo−PdI adduct into an η2-peroxo−PdII complex. Delocalization of spin density from triplet O2 onto the palladium center in the first step reduces the exchange interaction between the unpaired spins and facilitates crossover from the triplet to singlet surface.
Silicon feedback to improve frequency of high-performance microprocessors: an overview

In modern high-performance microprocessors designed using advanced process technologies, the frequency of the part is often slower than what the static timing analysis tools predict before tape out. We give an overview of techniques used to observe the failing path on the tester, identify the dominant devices impacting the delay of the path, and learn from the failing path to fix other similar paths in the design. In particular, we describe a support vector machine based approach for learning from speedpaths observed in silicon.
The sequestration of ethane on Titan in smog particles

Prior to the visit of the Cassini-Huygens probe there, planetary scientists expected to find a giant ocean of liquid ethane on Saturn's moon Titan. Exposure to solar ultraviolet light over the life of the Solar System should have produced enough ethane, from methane dissociation, to form a satellite-wide ocean a kilometre deep. But no ocean was found, just a cloud of ethane above the southern pole and a few lakes. Donald Hunten explains the dearth of liquid ethane by its condensation on the abundant smog particles, rather than into liquid drops at low temperatures. This dusty combination of smog and ethane — or 'smust' — may form deposits several kilometres thick on Titan's surface. The mysterious absence or rarity of liquid ethane on Titan is explained by its condensation onto the smog particles in the atmosphere at the cold temperatures. This dusty combination of smog and ethane forms deposits several kilometres thick on the surface, named 'smust'. Saturn's largest satellite, Titan, has a dense atmosphere of nitrogen with a few per cent of methane1. At visible wavelengths its surface is hidden by dense orange-brown smog, which is produced in the stratosphere by photochemical reactions following the dissociation of methane by solar ultraviolet light. The most abundant of the products of these reactions is ethane, and enough of it should have been generated over the life of the Solar System to form a satellite-wide ocean one kilometre deep2. Radar observations3 have found specular reflections in 75 per cent of the surface spots observed, but optical searches for a sun-glint off an ocean have been negative4. Here I explain the mysterious absence or rarity of liquid ethane: it condenses onto the smog particles, instead of into liquid drops, at the cold temperatures in Titan's atmosphere. This dusty combination of smog and ethane, forming deposits several kilometres thick on the surface, including the observed dunes and dark areas, could be named ‘smust’. This satellite-wide deposit replaces the ocean long thought to be an important feature of Titan.
Intermediate-range order in binary chalcogenide glasses: The first sharp diffraction peak☆

The structure factor of SiS/sub 2/, SiSe/sub 2/, GeS/sub 2/, and GeSe/sub 2/ glasses, and of GeSe/sub 2/ liquid, have been measured using time-of-flight, pulsed-neutron diffraction. An ubiquitous first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) appears at /approximately/1 /angstrom//sup /minus/1/ and is a signature of intermediate-range order. In GeSe/sub 2/, the FSDP of the liquid at 1084 K and of the glass at 10 K have the same halfwidth and position in reciprocal space. The origin of the FSDP in these systems is discussed in terms of correlations arising in large ring structures. It is shown that the intensities of the FSDP's scale with coherent scattering from A-A and A-X correlations in the rings (A = Si or Ge; X = S or Se). Departures from simple scaling indicate a change in the ring sizes contributing to the FSDP. 11 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.
Development of a phosphate-free home laundry detergent

A group of multifunctional surfactants was synthesized in order to arrive at materials which might function well in hard water. The salts of alkylaryl sulfopropionates, ; alkylaryl sulfonamides of taurine R-C6H4-SO2NHCH2CH2SO3Na; and the alkylaryl sulfonamide of aminoethylsulfuric acid R-C6H4-SO2NHCH2CH2OSO3Na were found to be quite effective. These compounds were synthesized via conventional routes and their biodegradability was established. These materials were formulated into the detergents with the aid of various organic and inorganic builders other than condensed phosphates. The detergency of these materials was evaluated with the aid of standard test cloths. Analogously formulated detergents based upon linear alkylbenzenesulfonate were also included for comparison in this evaluation study. It was found that a number of fairly satisfactory phosphate-free heavy duty detergent formulations could be developed.
Inner Core Rotation Rate from Small-Scale Heterogeneity and Time-Varying Travel Times

The time it takes seismic waves to propagate from South Atlantic earthquakes through the inner core to station COL in Alaska has decreased systematically over the past 30 years. Travel times from three earthquakes in 1991 to an array of 37 seismometers in Alaska suggest that lateral gradients in seismic wavespeeds are steep in this part of the inner core. This combination of observations can be explained by postulating that the inner core is rotating 0.2° to 0.3° per year faster than the mantle.
Phasic and tonic neuromuscular systems in the abdominal extensor muscles of the crayfish and rock lobster

Abstract 1. 1. The histological and physiological features of the deep and superficial extensor muscles in the abdomen of the crayfish (Procambarus) and rock lobster (Panulirus) were investigated. 2. 2. The deep muscles consist entirely of rapidly contracting muscular elements which have the histological features of “phasic” muscle fibres. They have short (2–4 μ) sarcomeres and a uniform distribution of the myofilaments. In many cases adjacents parts in these muscles show electronic interaction. 3. 3. The superficial extensor muscles contract slowly and are histologically of the “tonic” type. The sarcomeres are relatively long (9–11 μ) and the myofibrils are grouped in clumps. 4. 4. From each segmental ganglion, the deep extensors receive four (rock lobster) or five (crayfish) excitor axons, and one inhibitor. Two of the excitors and the inhibitor send branches to the next posterior segment. 5. 5. The excitor axons typically produce large electrical responses, often spike-like, for each impulse. The responses fatigue readily with repeated stimulation. Post-tetanic potentiation of electrical and mechanical responses is often seen following a train of closely spaced impulses in certain of the axons. 6. 6. The excitor axons of the superficial extensor muscles give small junctional potentials which generally undergo facilitation with repeated stimulation and show little fatigue. 7. 7. The muscle fibres and axons of the deep muscles are adapted for phasic contraction, whereas the corresponding elements of the superficial muscles are adapted for tonic contraction.
Information and literacy in a time of AIDS: observations of Ethiopia today: a case for grey literature

Reviews the poor availability of white literature on AIDS, for use by both health workers and the general public in Ethiopia, as a case for using grey literature to raise awareness.
Influence of Hyperthyroidism on the Effects of Norepinephrine on Myocardial Adenyl Cyclase Activity and Contractile State

Although it has been suggested that hyperthyroidism augments the physiologic effects of catecholamines on the heart, this hypothesis has recently been questioned. Since adenyl cyclase is thought to mediate these physiologic effects, we sought to determine if any biochemical or physiologic evidence of potentiation could be demonstrated by comparing the relative potency of norepinephrine to activate myocardial adenyl cyclase and to augment the intrinsic contractile properties of right ventricular papillary muscles in hearts obtained from euthyroid and hyperthyroid cats. Norepinephrine produced a dose-related (1×10−8- 5×10−6m) increase in adenyl cyclase activity in tissue from both euthyroid and hyperthyroid animals; however, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups at any dose level. In addition, no differences between the groups existed when the net production of cyclic 3′,5′- AMP was examined as a function of the time of incubation. Similarly, no change in sensitivity to norepinephrin...
Patterns of presentation in heroin overdose resulting in pulmonary edema

The study objective was to describe the morbidity of patients presenting with heroin overdose (HOD)-induced noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) at an urban ED. A retrospective chart review of patients presenting between 1996 and 1999 with the diagnosis of HOD was conducted. Using a standardized data abstraction form, information on prehospital care, ED care, demographics, and cointoxications was collected. One hundred twenty-five charts (78%) were available for review. Of these, 13 (10%) were diagnosed with NCPE and all were male. In the field, NCPE patients had an average relative risk of 6, a Glasgow Coma Scale of 4, and all needed naloxone. The average admitted duration of use was 2.9 years for those who developed NCPE compared with 13.2 years for those who did not. Five (42%) NCPE patients tested positive for cocaine use and 7 (58%) tested positive for alcohol. In this cohort, the NCPE patients were male and less experienced users with initial low relative risk and Glasgow Coma Scale which demanded prehospital naloxone use. (Am J Emerg Med 2003;21:32-34.
Directional solidification of HgCdTe and HgZnTe in a transverse magnetic field

Hg(0.80)Cd(0.20)Te crystals were grown vertically in a transverse magnetic field by directional solidification. The effect of a magnetic field on the nature of fluid flow in the melts was investigated by measuring compositional variations along the axial and radial directions of the grown ingots. Magnetic field effects were shown to be significant over the entire field range employed (i.e., 2 to 5 kG). The axial compositional profiles (determined by precision density measurements) showed an abrupt decrease in the mole fraction of CdTe when the field was applied. Radial compositional mapping by IR transmission and X-ray energy dispersion spectrometry indicated that the solid-liquid interface evolved through three stages when the field was applied (i.e., from a radially symmetric concave interface to an off-center concave shape when the field was initially applied, then to a tilted plane, and, finally, to an off-center concave interface). The axial compositional profile of an Hg(0.84)Zn(0.16)Te ingot showed similar field effects.
Travel health information at commercial travel websites.

Background: Internet travel purchases accounted for 10% of the travel industry revenue generated in 2001. To ensure that travelers remain healthy during excursions to developing countries, travel health information needs to be available at commercial travel websites. We evaluated the current availability of travel health information at these websites. Methods: The existence, adequacy and ease of access of the travel health information provided on commercial travel websites was assessed through a review of the top 25 airline and 20 discount travel websites. Each site was examined to determine whether it provided general information, such as jet lag, or international travel health information, such as malaria prophylaxis. We also assessed hyperlinks to external travel health information websites, such as the CDC, when provided. Results: Travel health information was not available at 20 (44%) commercial travel websites, including 36% of airline and 55% of the discount travel websites. Twenty-eight percent of airline websites contained general information only, 8% links only, and 28% general and international information. Travel health information available at discount travel websites included 10% general only, 30% link only, and 5% general and international information. On average, it took three clicks to access travel health information. Keywords clicked to access travel health information frequently did not obviously refer to health. Each of the six travel health website links provided accurate vaccine and travel health information. However, several links lacked disease-specific maps and details of disease risk (i.e. seasonal and regional variations of malaria risk). Conclusions: Travel health information on commercial travel websites may be the only data available to travelers purchasing online. The information currently provided is generally inadequate. Ideally, commercial travel websites would provide uniform information that is accurate and easily accessible. Internationally recognized organizations should consider establishing guidelines for the information provided on commercial travel websites.
Computer compatible servo system for cyclotron RF

Abstract A new servo control system, which allows computer as well as manual setup of the rf-system of the MSU-cyclotron has been built and tested. It features automatic switching to phase detectors when the desired positions are reached in order to fine-tune the system if the rf-drive goes on.
Prenatal exposure to cocaine disrupts cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in rats

Cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was tested in adult offspring of Sprague-Dawley dams that had been injected subcutaneously with 40 mg/kg/3cc cocaine HCl (C40) daily from gestational days 8-20, pair-fed (PF) dams injected with saline, and nontreated control (LC) dams. C40 and PF dams gained significantly less weight than LC dams, although offspring body weights did not differ among the three prenatal treatment groups at birth or in adulthood. Significant place conditioning was obtained in LC and PF offspring when either 2.0 or 5.0 mg/kg of cocaine was paired with the designated place. In contrast, C40 offspring did not exhibit place conditioning at either training dose. Yet, all animals exposed to 5 mg/kg of cocaine during conditioning exhibited less activity during the test (when no cocaine was given) than controls given unpaired exposures to the apparatus and cocaine and C40 offspring did not differ from LC and PF offspring in this respect. Therefore, despite their lack of a conditioned place preference for cocaine, rats that had been exposed gestationally to cocaine nevertheless revealed an effect of cocaine during conditioning in one aspect of their test behavior. Possible explanations for the lack of cocaine-induced place preference in these animals include a learning deficit or a change in cocaine's effectiveness as a reward.
Control of separated flow past a backward facing step in a microchannel

A key concern for microdevice design is its power consumption. When such a device involves microflows, actively controlling the flow losses often reduces the power requirements. In the present study, a microsynthetic jet is proposed as a flow control device. The method used is an automated design optimization methodology coupled with computational fluid dynamics. Microflows in the Knudsen number (Kn) range of 10−3 to 10−1 are modeled using a Navier–Stokes solver but with slip velocity and temperature jump boundary conditions derived for microsized geometries. First, an uncontrolled flow past a backward facing step in a channel is computed. Then, a synthetic jet actuator is placed downstream of the step where the separation occurs. A large number of test cases have been analyzed. It has been observed that the reattachment point of the separated flow and the flow dissipation are quite sensitive to the location and the geometry of the synthetic jet, as well as the parameters of the oscillating membrane. The best flow control, defined as the largest decrease in dissipation, is obtained when the actuator cavity width and the membrane oscillation amplitude are increased simultaneously.
The teaching of program correctness

For the past seven years, including three years at the University of California (Berkeley) and four years at The George Washington University, this author has taught material relating to the correctness of programs in both undergraduate and graduate courses.The simplest material on correctness that we teach is the proof of correctness of Euclid's algorithm, implemented as a program in FORTRAN, AL-GOL 60, PL/I, or BASIC, depending on the language to which elementary students are first introduced. (It would work just as easily in PASCAL.) This proof is found in (1), pp. 14-20. We usually give a simplified version of it, because the program in (1), for purposes of efficiency, works by dividing and taking the remainder, and we feel it is easier to illustrate the relevant concepts by using an algorithm that works by simple subtractions.
The chemotaxonomy of Parka decipiens from the lower old red sandstone, Scotland (U.K.)

Abstract Chemical analyses of the hydrocarbon, amino acid, and carbohydrate constituents of the fossil remains of Parka suggest the genus is referable to the Chlorophyta. Gas chromatograms of the reproductive and vegetative areas of thalli show a smooth distribution of normal, saturated acids with maxima at C 16 and C 12 , respectively. Esters of organic-soluble compounds isolated from reproductive areas are characteristically longer in their carbon chain-lengths and show higher maxima. Mass spectra of acid mixtures (before esterification) reveal various series of phenyl- and naphthylaromatic acids, phenols, and dicarboxylic acids. Acid hydrolysis indicated the presence of various polysaccharides rich in mannose and glucose, while enzymatic catalysis with α- and β-amylases and cellulase/chitinase mixtures indicate the presence of α-(1 → 4) and β-(1 → 4) glucopyranose linkages suggesting the presence of starch and cellulose, respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis coupled to mass spectroscopy reveal the presence of sterane derivatives (stigmatane and ergostane) associated with representative genera of the Chlorophyta.
A high-level expression vector for human cells

Abstract We have developed a vector (pSupexp), for high-level expression of genes, that is dependent on transactivation of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) by the HIV-1 transactivator protein. Tat. The foreign gene, expressed under transcriptional control of the HIV-1 LTR, and the tat gene, expressed under transcriptional control of SV40 early promoter, are expressed from the same plasmid. The vector also has the neomycin resistance-encoding gene ( neo ), with G418 being used as a dominant selection marker for stable expression. We have cloned the bacterial cat gene into pSupexp and measured transient CAT production in human HeLa and A549 cells. Our results indicate that pSupexpCAT expresses about 25- to 68-fold higher levels of CAT activity as compared to other standard SV40- and Rous sarcoma virus-based vectors, and three- to fivefold more activity than the cytomegalovirus-based vector. Immunoprecipitation of the CAT protein also revealed a high level of production in human cells.
A novel system for measuring liquid flow rates with nanoliter per minute resolution

An experimental system for liquid flow-rate measurements of pressure-driven flow through microchannels is described. The displacement of a meniscus is tracked in a precision borehole using a laser distance meter mounted on a feed-back controlled traversing stage. Successful measurements of flow rates as small as 30 pl/s are reported when using non-evaporative hexadecane, and evaporative fluids such as ethanol are measured at flow rates of 0.1 nl/s. The set-up can also be used for measurements in time-dependent flows. Finally, a discussion of the influence of dissolved nitrogen on the measured flow rates is given.
The adventures of a “different” pair

Gerry Smith had been a fellow in the Neuropsychiatry Division at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. There, he and Paul McHugh first worked together. This is the story of the formation of their two companion careers in physiology and behavior and the issues they confronted at this early stage.
The Polypeptide Composition of Moving and Stationary Neurofilaments in Cultured Sympathetic Neurons

Studies on the axonal transport of neurofilament proteins in cultured neurons have shown they move at fast rates, but their overall rate of movement is slow because they spend most of their time not moving. Using correlative light and electron microscopy, we have shown that these proteins move in the form of assembled neurofilament polymers. However, the polypeptide composition of these moving polymers is not known. To address this, we visualized neurofilaments in cultured neonatal mouse sympathetic neurons using GFP-tagged neurofilament protein M and performed time-lapse fluorescence microscopy of naturally occurring gaps in the axonal neurofilament array. When neurofilaments entered the gaps, we stopped them in their tracks using a rapid perfusion and permeabilization technique and then processed them for immunofluorescence microscopy. To compare moving neurofilaments to the total neurofilament population, most of which are stationary at any point in time, we also performed immunofluorescence microscopy on neurofilaments in detergent-splayed axonal cytoskeletons. All neurofilaments, both moving and stationary, contained NFL, NFM, peripherin and α-internexin along >85% of their length. NFH was absent due to low expression levels in these neonatal neurons. These data indicate that peripherin and α-internexin are integral and abundant components of neurofilament polymers in these neurons and that both moving and stationary neurofilaments in these neurons are complex heteropolymers of at least four different neuronal intermediate filament proteins.
Modeling VARTM Processes With Hybrid Media Incorporating Gravity Effects

Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) processes are increasingly used in manufacturing scale-up composite applications. Accordingly, gravity can significantly influence the flow behavior i...
What Obstetrician-Gynecologists Think of Preconception Care

Objectives: To describe obstetrician-gynecolog-ists’ opinions of preconception care (PCC) and ascertain patient uptake for this service. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 1105 ACOG members in August 2004. Results: There was a 60% response rate. Most physicians think PCC is important (87%) and almost always recommend it to women planning a pregnancy (94%); 54% do so with women who are sexually active. Around a third (34%) thought their patients usually do not plan their pregnancies and 49% said very few pregnant patients came in for PCC. Of those who obtain PCC, they were believed to do so more likely to assure a healthy pregnancy (83%) than because of an elevated risk for birth defects (20%). Of 11 issues presented, cigarette smoking and folic acid supplementation were rated the most important for PCC counseling; exercise and environmental concerns were the least important. Conclusions: Physicians are willing to provide PCC but few patients are accessing such services.
Graph-theoretic modelling of epicyclic gear systems

New graph theoretic models of gears, gear trains and geared systems are developed, which are suitable for computer aided kinematic and dynamic analyses. A lumped parameter model of ideal non-deforming gears is used. Methodologies of modelling of rigid bodies and linkages using graph theory are extended to include gear members. Rigid arms model the contact between the gear pair. Gear pair-carrier assemblies are modelled as multi-terminal subsystems. A hyper-edge in the rotation graph representing the three bodies of the gear pair-carrier trio has the fundamental law of gearing constraint as an associated terminal equation. Gear pair-carrier subassemblies are over constrained kinematically. Assuming that the gear pair and carrier dimensions are designed so that the constraints are satisfied identically, the system can be seen as having excess consistent equations kinematically and dynamically which may be set aside during the analysis of the system. The methodology is applied to planar involute profile spur gear systems but may be extended further. Example models for fixed, epicyclic and planetary gear trains are developed. A detailed model and analysis of a gear slider mechanism is given.
Mixed-matrix membranes containing MOF-5 for gas separations

Abstract Metal–organic framework 5 (MOF-5) nanocrystals with a high surface area (3000 m 2 /g) and high thermal stability (up to 400 °C) were synthesized and added to Matrimid ® to form mixed-matrix membranes for gas separations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the membrane cross-sections revealed significant plastic deformation of the polymer matrix owing to the strong affinity between the MOF-5 and Matrimid ® . At 30% MOF-5 loading, the permeabilities of the gases tested increased 120% while the ideal selectivities remained constant compared to Matrimid ® . Residual gas analysis of permeates of gas blends with different mixture ratios revealed an increase in selectivity for CH 4 .
THERMAL LOSSES FROM FLUIDS UPWELLING IN A CONDUIT, AND THE EFFECT ON SURFACE HEAT FLOW

Abstract The thermal disturbance to fluid flow in a fracture conduit of limited extent can be modelled well by conduction from a cylindrical pipe. At a depth large compared to the largest dimension of flow, as seen in cross-section, the heat gain or loss to the surroundings becomes numerically about equal to the thermal conductivity of the rock. There are no free parameters. If the flow approaches an isothermal surface at 90°, there is a somewhat greater loss near the surface. This is not sufficient to disturb the strong and nearly linear correlation between temperature and flow rate expected for one-way upwelling flows in a geothermal gradient, in the range of flow rates between 0.1 and 10 kg/s. The distance over which flows approach a constant temperature rise (or fall, if downwelling) is approximately mass flow × specific heat ÷ thermal conductivity. The temperature rise is that length × the geothermal gradient. Disturbance to the surface heat flow around an isolated upwelling varies inversly with radius out to about 20% of the source depth and then drops off more steeply. The parameter is temperature rise × conductivity ÷ 2π. A modest flow of 0.35 kg/s changes the heat flow by more than 10% out to a radius of 1 km, if the source is sufficiently deep. More seriously, vertical gradient measured in a borehole is disturbed substantially to a depth equal to the separation of conduit and borehole. The solution could be applied to diffusion of a chemical species if that process could be treated linearly.
Promyelocytic leukemia protein in retinoic acid-induced chromatin remodeling of Oct4 gene promoter.

Promyelocytic leukemia (Pml) protein is required for Oct4 gene expression and the maintenance of its open chromatin conformation in stem cells. In proliferating stem cells, Pml-nuclear body, along with transcription factors TR2, SF1 and Sp1 and Brg1-dependent chromatin remodeling complex (BRGC), associates with conserved region 1 (CR1) of this promoter to maintain a nucleosome-free region for gene activity. Retinoic acid (RA) rapidly down-regulates Pml, resulting in the replacement of BRGC with Brm-containing remodeling complex (BRMC), disassociation of SF1 and SP1, retaining of TR2, recruitment of RIP140, G9a and HP1γ, and sequential insertion of two nucleosomes on CR1 that progressively displays repressive heterochromatin marks. This study demonstrates a functional role for Pml in maintaining a specific open chromatin conformation of the Oct4 promoter region for its constant expression in stem cells; and illustrates the mechanism underlying RA-induced chromatin remodeling of Oct4 gene in differentiating cells, in which Pml plays a critical role. The study also demonstrates a novel mode of chromatin remodeling which occurs by repositioning and sequentially inserting nucleosomes into a specific region of the gene promoter to compact the chromatin in differentiating cells.
Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of adjuvant pamidronate with palliative radiotherapy and intravenous doxorubicin for canine appendicular osteosarcoma bone pain.

Background: Canine osteosarcoma (OSA) causes focal malignant osteolysis leading to severe pain. Despite the documented efficacy of radiotherapy or IV aminobisphosphonates for managing cancer bone pain, their potential combined therapeutic value has not been reported in OSA-bearing dogs. Hypothesis: Pamidronate combined with standardized palliative therapy will improve pain control and bone biologic effects in OSA-bearing dogs. Animals: Fifty dogs with appendicular OSA treated with standardized palliative therapy and either pamidronate or sterile saline. Methods: Randomized, prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Treatment responses for dogs receiving standardized palliative therapy with (n = 26) or without (n = 24) adjuvant pamidronate were serially evaluated for changes in subjective pain scores, urine N-telopeptide (NTx) excretion, primary tumor relative bone mineral density (rBMD), and computerized pressure platform gait analysis. Results: Median duration of subjective pain relief for dogs treated with adjuvant pamidronate or placebo was 76 and 75 days, respectively (P= .39). Forty percent (20/50; pamidronate [11/26] and placebo [9/24]) of dogs experienced durable analgesia, defined by pain alleviation ≥112 days. For patients achieving durable pain control, dogs treated with pamidronate achieved greater reductions in NTx excretion and larger increases in rBMD compared with placebo controls. Changes in peak vertical force assessed by computerized pressure platform gait analysis correlated with pain alleviation in OSA-bearing dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Combining pamidronate with standardized palliative therapy is safe, but does not clearly improve pain alleviation. However, in dogs achieving durable pain control, adjuvant pamidronate appears to decrease focal bone resorption in the local tumor microenvironment.
Kinetics of soot oxidation by NO2.

Modern technologies use NO2 to promote low temperature soot oxidation for diesel particulate filter regeneration. Most previous methods studied soot oxidation with NO2 using offline methods such as thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). In this study, the online aerosol-technique of high-temperature oxidation tandem differential mobility analysis (HTO-TDMA) is used to study kinetics of soot oxidation with NO2 under N2 environment. This method has significant advantages over previous offline methods in reducing heat and mass transfer diffusion limitations to the soot surface. Soot particles are exposed to varying temperature and NO2 concentration inside the furnace resulting from thermal decomposition of NO2 to NO. This causes soot oxidation rates to vary throughout the furnace. In this study, variations in temperatures, NO2 concentrations and particle residence times are thoroughly accounted for the first time, and soot oxidation rates are derived. Soot oxidation rate is calculated as a function of Arrhenius rate constant Asoot, activation energy Esoot, and partial pressure of NO2 PNO2 within the furnace at temperatures ranging 500- 950 C. Results suggest Asoot and Esoot values for soot oxidation with NO2 of 1.68 nm K-0.5 s-1 (Nm-2)-n and 46.5 kJ mol-1 respectively. The activation energy for soot oxidation with NO2 is significantly lower thanmore » oxidation with air. However, ppm levels of NO2 cause soot oxidation at low temperatures suggesting NO2 is a stronger oxidant than O2. This study also shows that a semi-empirical approach with just a few kinetic parameters could represent varying soot oxidation rates in a diesel engine cylinder or on a diesel particulate filter. Further studies should be directed towards understanding synergistic effects of other oxidants as O2 and H2O in addition to NO2 using the HTO-TDMA method.« less
The spheno-occipital synchondrosis fuses prematurely in patients with Crouzon syndrome and midface hypoplasia compared with age- and gender-matched controls.

Purpose Premature closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) has been associated with midface hypoplasia in animal models and patients with specific forms of syndromic craniosynostosis. The present study aimed to characterize SOS fusion in patients with Crouzon syndrome. Patients and Methods A case-control study was performed in patients with Crouzon syndrome treated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from 1984 to 2012. The cases included patients with Crouzon syndrome and at least 1 high-quality computed tomography (CT) scan in which SOS patency could be assessed. Age- and gender-matched control CT scans were identified for comparison. The patient age at the CT scan was evaluated as the predictor, with SOS patency identified as the outcome variable. Three independent reviewers with high inter-rater reliability graded the SOS patency as open, partially fused, or completely fused. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the Crouzon group and the controls. Results During the study period, 30 patients were identified with Crouzon syndrome. A total of 24 patients, all with midface hypoplasia and with 112 cranial CT scans, met the inclusion criteria. Accordingly, 112 age- and gender-matched control CT scans were assessed. No patient in the control group had midface hypoplasia. Within the Crouzon group, the average age at complete closure (14.0 ± 3.4 years) evident on the CT scan was significantly younger than that in the control group (16.6 ± 2.2 years; P = .0152). The average age when the scans showed complete patency of the SOS in the Crouzon group (1.3 ± 1.1 years) was significantly younger than that in the control group (3.2 ± 2.3 years; P = .0001). Conclusions The SOS closes significantly earlier in patients with Crouzon syndrome compared with age- and gender-matched controls. The strong statistical correlation supports premature closure of the SOS as a possible mechanistic contributor to midface hypoplasia.
Convergence of two-locus gamete frequencies in random mating age-structured populations☆

Abstract We study two models describing infinite random mating age-structured populations. Under model I, the number of matings at any time is proportional to the number of mature females at that time, and the fecundity of a mating is assumed to be a product of factors that depend upon the ages of the mates, but not upon sex. Under model II, individuals can mate only with others of the same age group, and the number of matings of individuals of an age group is, at any time, proportional to the number of females of that age group. If model II holds, or the special case of model I in which the fecundity of all matings is the same, it is possible to show that, in the long run, allele frequencies converge and the gametic disequilibrium approaches zero at a geometric rate. A heuristic argument and a numerical example suggest that these things are also more generally true for model I. A good approximation to the time that it takes to reduce the gametic disequilibrium by a fraction equal to the recombination rate turns out to be the measure of the generation interval in Leslie's theory of population growth.
Adaptive On-Chip Power Supply With Robust One-Cycle Control Technique

In this paper, an integrated adaptive-output switching converter is proposed. The design employs a one-cycle control for fast line regulation and a single outer loop for tight load regulation and fine tuning. A switched-capacitor integrator is introduced to the one-cycle control to obtain positive integration with a single positive power supply, allowing a standard low-cost CMOS fabrication process. To improve the efficiency, a dynamic loss control technique is presented. The converter was designed and fabricated with 0.35 mum N-well CMOS process. With a supply voltage of 3 V, a voltage ripple of less than plusmn20 mV is measured. The maximum efficiency is 92% with a load power of 475 mW. The converter exhibits a tracking speed of 23.75 mus/V for both start-up and reference voltage transitions. The recovery time for a 20% load change is approximately 9.5 mus.
Structural characteristics of cobalt particles in a 9.5%Co-ZSM-5 catalyst

Abstract A detailed structural study of cobalt particles in a 9.5%Co-ZSM-5 catalyst was made using X-ray diffraction and analytical transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained from these two techniques show that the cobalt particles contain a high concentration of basal plane stacking faults. On the average one out of every 12 basal planes is faulted. It is suggested that atoms of a particle which lie at positions on the surface where intersection stacking faults exist may be the origin of active sites.
Aphid-barley interactions mediated by water stress and barley resistance to Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Plant water stress and aphid resistant barley affects performance of 2 aphids found on barley, Hordeum vulgare L, and plant response to their feeding. Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), and corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), densities were measured on barley resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible to Russian wheat aphid; the barley was grown under water stressed and nonwater stressed soil conditions. Russian wheat aphid densities increased more under water stressed conditions than nonwater stressed conditions. Conversely, corn leaf aphid densities were greater when water was readily available to the plant, indicating that the effect of plant stress need not be consistent among species of herbivores even for insects of apparent similar feeding strategies, such as aphids. Plant resistance status mediated plant stress effects on aphid performance. Russian wheat aphid densities were greater on the moderately susceptible and susceptible barley lines, and water stress enhanced this trend. These trends resulted in corresponding increases in plant damage. But corn leaf aphid densities did not differ significantly among the barley lines, indicating that barley bred for Russian wheat aphid resistance did not result in a parallel trend of resistance to corn leaf aphid. Plant health was much less affected by corn leaf aphid. These results further emphasize that interspecific aphid variation in performance on plants exist. At a very practical level, when Russian wheat aphid resistance is incorporated into commercial lines, the effect of water stress on Russian wheat aphid feeding damage may be largely overshadowed by plant tolerance to the damaging aphid. Water management geared toward optimizing plant health may reduce effects of Russian wheat aphid when using susceptible commercial barley lines, but it should only be considered an aid to other control tactics given the susceptibility of the plant.
Antifoam action by solid particles

Abstract Inert hydrophobic solid particles have been found to exhibit antifoam action for many systems. A mechanism for particle-induced film rupture is proposed, and a hydrodynamic analysis is performed to determine criteria for effective action. A comparison of predictions from the analysis with experimental data indicates that the particle shape, the receding contact angle, q rec , and the adsorption rate for the surfactant solution are the critical parameters.
Influence of crystal expansion/contraction on zeolite membrane permeation

X-ray diffraction was used to measure the unit cell parameters of B-ZSM-5, SAPO-34, and NaA zeolite powders as a function of adsorbate loading at 303 K, and in one case, at elevated temperatures. Most adsorbates expanded the zeolite crystals below saturation loading at 303 K: n-hexane and SF6 in B-ZSM-5, methanol and CO2 in SAPO-34, and methanol in NaA zeolite. As the loadings increased, the crystals expanded more. Changes in the unit cell volumes of B-ZSM-5 and SAPO-34 zeolite powders correlated with changes in permeation through zeolite membranes defects. When the zeolite crystals expanded or contracted upon adsorption, the defect sizes decreased or increased. In B-ZSM-5 membranes, the fluxes through defects decreased dramatically when n-hexane or SF6 adsorbed. In contrast, i-butane adsorption at 303 K contracted B-ZSM-5 crystals at low loadings and expanded them at higher loadings. Correspondingly, the flux through B-ZSM-5 membrane defects increased at low i-butane loadings and decreased at high loading because the defects increased in size at low loading and decreased at high loadings. At 398 K and 473 K, n-hexane expanded the B-ZSM-5 unit cell more as the temperature increased from 303 to 473 K. The silicalite-1 and B-ZSM-5 unit cell volumes expanded similarly uponmore » n-hexane adsorption at 303 K; boron substitution had little effect on volume expansion.« less
Yeast AEP3p Is an Accessory Factor in Initiation of Mitochondrial Translation

Initiation of protein synthesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts normally uses a formylated initiator methionyl-tRNA (fMet-tRNAfMet). However, mitochondrial protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can initiate with nonformylated Met-tRNAfMet, as demonstrated in yeast mutants in which the nuclear gene encoding mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (FMT1) has been deleted. The role of formylation of the initiator tRNA is not known, but in vitro formylation increases binding of Met-tRNAfMet to translation initiation factor 2 (IF2). We hypothesize the existence of an accessory factor that assists mitochondrial IF2 (mIF2) in utilizing unformylated Met-tRNAfMet. This accessory factor might be unnecessary when formylated Met-tRNAfMet is present but becomes essential when only the unformylated species are available. Using a synthetic petite genetic screen in yeast, we identified a mutation in the AEP3 gene that caused a synthetic respiratory-defective phenotype together with Δfmt1. The same aep3 mutation also caused a synthetic respiratory defect in cells lacking formylated Met-tRNAfMet due to loss of the MIS1 gene that encodes the mitochondrial C1-tetrahydrofolate synthase. The AEP3 gene encodes a peripheral mitochondrial inner membrane protein that stabilizes mitochondrially encoded ATP6/8 mRNA. Here we show that the AEP3 protein (Aep3p) physically interacts with yeast mIF2 both in vitro and in vivo and promotes the binding of unformylated initiator tRNA to yeast mIF2. We propose that Aep3p functions as an accessory initiation factor in mitochondrial protein synthesis.