cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer mediated communication, the invisible college and visiting scholars: An exploratory study

ACADEMICS WHO COMMUNICATE WITH COLLEAGUES about cutting-edge scholarship often contribute more to their discipline. Using computer mediated communication (CMC) technologies such as electronic mail and academic discussion lists, scholars can easily connect with peers scattered around the globe. Since CMC makes academic discourse easy, scholars who communicate with computer technologies may have a greater potential to exchange information and begin contributing original scholarship to their discipline. The attitudes and opinions of visiting scholars at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst regarding academic use and benefits of CMC for global academic interaction were explored. Results showed that nearly all respondents used computer mediated communication, even if they did not use CMC prior to arriving at the University of Massachusetts. Much of their use concentrated on exchanging work-related messages with colleagues, especially colleagues at other institutions. For the most part, respondents were positive about the benefits derived from their use of computer mediated communication. Participants found the enhanced contact and collaboration with colleagues outside of the University of Massachusetts to be the greatest value. The respondents also predicted that CMC will be necessary for academics to be professionally active and competitive in the future and reported that CMC is changing the way academic researchers collaborate.
Evaluation of the humoral immune response in mice orally vaccinated with live recombinant attenuated Salmonella enterica delivering a secreted form of Yersinia pestis PsaA.

Yersinia pestis PsaA is an adhesin that is synthesized inside macrophages. Here, we evaluated the immune profile of codon-optimized Y. pestis PsaA synthesized in a live recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccine (RASV) strain χ9558. Oral immunization of BALB/c mice with χ9558(pYA3705) delivering a secreted form of PsaA, elicited a systemic PsaA-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) response but offered limited protection against lethal challenge with the intranasally introduced Y. pestis CO92 strain. Our results suggest that appropriate fine-tuning of Y. pestis PsaA delivery by RASV could improve its protective role in curtailing plague colonization and infection.
Effects of Feed Restriction on Growth and Reproduction in Randombred and Selected Lines of Japanese Quail

Feed restriction (70% of ad libitum consumption) was carried out from 1 d after hatching until 44 d in a randombred quail line and until 28 d in a quail line selected for high 4-wk BW. Body weights of restricted quail were significantly lower than ad libitum controls during restriction. Two weeks after restriction ended, however, BW were no longer different. Mortalities were twice as high under restriction. Hatchability of eggs was not affected by restriction, but restricted quail of the selected line laid fewer double-yolk eggs than ad libitum controls.
Different isoforms of the C. elegans FGF receptor are required for attraction and repulsion of the migrating sex myoblasts

The Caenorhabditis elegans FGF receptor, EGL-15, is alternatively-spliced to yield two major isoforms that differ in their extracellular domains. The EGL-15(5A) isoform is necessary for the gonadal chemoattraction of the migrating sex myoblasts (SMs), while the EGL-15(5B) isoform is required for viability. Here we show that 5A is predominantly expressed in the M lineage, which gives rise to the migrating SMs and their sex muscle descendants, while 5B is predominantly expressed in the hypodermis. Tissue-specific expression, however, explains only part of the functional differences between these two receptor isoforms. 5A can carry out the reciprocal essential function of 5B when expressed in the hypodermis, but 5B is incapable of carrying out SM chemoattraction. Our data, therefore, indicate that the structural differences in these two isoforms contribute to their functional differences. Two lines of evidence indicate that the 5B isoform also plays a role in SM migration, implicating it in the repulsion that is observed when the chemoattraction is compromised. Thus, structural differences in the extracellular domains of these two isoforms can specify either attraction to or repulsion from the gonad.
A Coulomb collision model for PIC plasma simulation

A new approach to modeling partially collisional plasmas that provides a smooth transition from the fluid (Coulomb collision dominated) to the fully kinetic PIC (collisionless) limit is presented. In addition to the usual quantities of mass, charge, and velocity, each particle carries an isotropic Maxwellian velocity distribution. Higher resolution of velocity space is achieved by generating more particles using a procedure that preserves the first four velocity moments. This velocity space fragmentation is essential for capturing non-Maxwellian plasma behavior. The model developed here allows the efficient simulation of partially collisional plasmas by reducing both the number of particle pairings required per time step and the number of particles needed to retain non-Maxwellian plasma behavior. The method produces reasonable results when the time step is large relative to the collision frequencies and works in the limit of one particle per species per cell. Particle merging can be exploited to control the number of particles in a natural way. The collision process is fully three-dimensional and conserves energy and momentum exactly. Results from 3v and 1d3v simulations are presented and compared with previous multi-fluid and fully kinetic PIC simulations.
Influenza A Virus RNA Polymerase Subunit PB2 Is the Endonuclease Which Cleaves Host Cell mRNA and Functions Only as the Trimeric Enzyme

Abstract The influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase catalyzes several reactions in transcription and replication of the genome RNA. The first step in viral mRNA synthesis is the endonucleolytic cleavage of host cell mRNAs containing a cap structure to generate capped primers that are 10-14 nucleotides long which are then used to prime transcription of virus-specific mRNAs. To analyze the properties of the capped RNA-specific endonuclease associated with the influenza virus polymerase and the roles of each of the three subunits in transcription initiation, we established an in vitro assay to investigate this endonucleolytic cleavage reaction. This assay consists of an artificial RNA substrate containing a cap-0 structure at its 5′ end and a partial alfalfa mosaic virus RNA 4 (AIMV RNA 4) sequence which had been shown to be cleaved by the influenza polymerase. Results showed that purified virion ribonucleoprotein complexes cleaved the RNA substrate specifically to generate a capped 14-nt RNA fragment for use as primer to initiate viral mRNA synthesis. Purified polyclonal anti-PB 2 IgG inhibited the endonuclease activity, but anti-PB1 and anti-PA antibodies did not inhibit the cleavage. Partially purified trimeric polymerase expressed by recombinant baculovirus in insect cells cleaved the artificial substrate, but if one or two subunits were removed from the polymerase complex, the cleavage activity was totally lost. Our results suggest that viral PB 2 protein is the endonuclease that cleaves host cell mRNA to produce the primer used to initiate transcription; however, association with the other two enzyme subunits seems to be required for this PB 2 function.
The direct measurement of Ga in binary PuGa alloys using X-ray spectrometic techniques†‡

Three X-ray spectrometric procedures have been developed to directly measure the Ga content in binary PuGa alloys. In one procedure en energy-dispersive spectrometer is used; in the other two a wavelengh-dispersive spectrometer is used. Certified reference alloys with known Ga content have been produced, and simple procedures to handle them safely have been developed. We have constructed an energy-dispersive spectrometer system for analyzing Pu-containing materials and charactrerized the low energy gamma-ray spectrum of Pu.
Cochleostomy management in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct receiving cochlear implants

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is the most common, radiographically evident abnormality of the inner ear in association with congenital or early onset sensorineural hearing loss. It can occur in isolation or in association with other inner ear malformations, such as the Mondini malformation. Cochlear implantation is an effective hearing rehabilitation option for patients with profound hearing loss, even in the presence of EVA and many other inner ear anomalies. However, congenital anomalies of the inner ear are associated with an increased incidence of both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak at cochleostomy and aberrant facial nerve course, which can lead to postoperative CSF leak, meningitis, and facial nerve complications in association with cochlear implantation. In isolated EVA, a CSF leak is presumably caused by the dilated endolymphatic sac, which defectively allows communication with the subarachnoid space CSF in the posterior fossa. Additionally, occult osseous modiolar and interscalar septum deficiencies may exist and, thus, allow communication with the subarachnoid space CSF at the distal internal auditory canal. Therefore, modifications of the cochleostomy technique may be necessary in patients with EVA and other inner ear anomalies. We routinely use temporalis muscle to pack the cochleostomy site after electrode insertion. Additionally, oxidized nitrocellulose and temporalis muscle are used to pack the eustachian tube before cochleostomy to prevent CSF rhinorrhea in such patients.
Statistics of power-dropout events in semiconductor lasers with time-delayed optical feedback

Semiconductor lasers with delayed optical feedback display a complex variety of dynamical behaviors governed by the deterministic, nonlinear interaction between the electromagnetic field and the semiconducting material, and noise arising from the quantum-mechanical process of spontaneous emission of photons @1#. This situation arises when the beam generated by the laser reflects from a distant surface and is reinjected into the laser. The specific type of behavior depends sensitively on the laser-surface distance and the reflectivity of the surface. Reflectivities as low as 10 26 , such as that arising from spurious reflections from optical fiber junctions or compact disks, can significantly alter the laser dynamics. From a practical perspective, the performance of devices based on semiconductor laser elements is often degraded by these effects; hence it is important to uncover their origin so they can be avoided or dynamically con
Estimation of the components in titanation mixture used in the synthesis of polyolefin catalysts

Traditional Ziegler Natta catalysts used for making polyethylene and polypropylene involve titanation of Mg based supports like magnesium ethoxide using a mixture of TiCl4 and chlorobenzene. Chloroalkoxy titanium species like TiCl3(OEt) are generated in the process which gets mixed with the titanation mixture. This necessitates the need for a quick, reliable and easy method of analysis for arriving at the correct composition of the residual titanation mixture so that the same can be reused after adjusting the TiCl4 and chlorobenzene contents. Estimation of TiCl3(OEt) and TiCl4 separately and also in synthetic mixtures of both has been carried out through a simple acid–base titration. The method is based on the concept that TiCl3(OEt) and TiCl4 liberate stoichiometric amounts of HCl on aqueous or alkaline hydrolysis which can be estimated by an acid–base titration. The analysis has been carried out using different synthetic mixtures of TiCl3(OEt) and TiCl4 in chlorobenzene. TiCl3(OEt) and TiCl4 were subsequently estimated by a combination of acid–base titration/UV-vis spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC). By accounting for the titanium content due to TiCl3(OEt) and subtracting the same from the overall titanium content, the titanium content from TiCl4 was worked out. The concept and the method developed have been validated through a parity plot. A complementary method for estimating the ethoxy content in TiCl3(OEt) was also used wherein the ethoxy group was quantitatively converted into ethylbenzoate (EB) through esterification employing benzoyl chloride. The TiCl4.ethyl benzoate adduct was further hydrolysed to liberate an equivalent amount of ethylbenzoate which was estimated by quantitative GC.
The Effect of surface head on infiltration rates based on the performance of ring infiltrometers and ponds

Studies with infiltrometers and small ponds indicate that the normal relatively low infiltration rates of certain soils may be increased by providing sufficient depth of water or surface head on the soil surface. Infiltration rates increased directly proportional to head motivating flow in infiltrometers and ponds on untreated soil under water-spreading conditions. Hydraulic head loss and length of saturated soil column explain why greater increases in infiltration rates occurred with increases in surface head on untreated soil than on a soil rendered more permeable by treatment. Hydraulic head losses were obtained with infiltrometers equipped with manometers located 1 ½ 4 ½, and 7 ½ inches below the soil surface. The resistance of untreated soil to flow reduced the total head motivating flow to a negligible amount at a depth of 7 ½ inches below the soil surface. Where hydraulic head exists at the bottom end of an infiltrometer extending into the soil, the need for a “balanced buffer” rather than a “partial buffer” or an “excessive buffer” to prevent lateral flow is discussed. Piezometric heads in relatively pervious soil horizons below the soil surface within and outside of a pond are reported.
Quantitative Analysis of Carotenoids and Carotenoid Esters in Fruits by HPLC: Red Bell Peppers

The carotenoids of red bell peppers were analyzed without saponifi-cation by high performance liquid chromatography using octadecyl silica as stationary and methanol-ethyl acetate as mobile phases. The red bell peppers contained 280 ug/gm total carotenoids. Capsanthin accounted for 60% of the total carotenoids. Also present were 11%beta-carotene and 20% capsorubin. Capsanthin was acylated with C12 to C18 saturated fatty acids.
Does Hypercapnia Ameliorate Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury in Neonatal Rats?

Therapeutic hypercapnia (TH), an intentional inhalation of CO2, has been shown to improve pulmonary function in certain models of lung injury. We tested the null hypothesis that TH does not improve hyperoxic lung injury in neonatal rats. The prospective, randomized study was set at Research laboratory in Children’s Hospital. Forty-five newborn rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 15/group), and exposed to 96 h of normoxia (FiO2 = 0.21), hyperoxia (FiO2 > 0.98), and TH (FiO2 = 0.95, FiCO2 = 0.05). Lung histology, wet-weight to dry-weight ratio, and concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10) were used to evaluate pulmonary damage. Using a scale of 0–4, the total scores for lungs hypercellularity, inflammation, and hemorrhage was significantly increased from a median value of 1.5 in normoxia to 2.5 in hyperoxia (P < 0.05) and 3.0 with TH (P < 0.001, nonparametric ANOVA). The interstitial space relative to the alveolar space, as a measure of hypercellularity, was increased by 18% during hyperoxia and by 44% with TH compared with normoxia. TH significantly increased the size of the interstitial space by 22% compared with hyperoxia (P < 0.001). The lung wet-weight to dry-weight ratio was increased by 10% in both hyperoxic groups (P < 0.001). Both hyperoxic groups showed significant reductions in the concentration of IL-1β compared with normoxia (P < 0.001), whereas the ratio of IL-1β to IL-10 was significantly decreased, indicating an anti-inflammatory trend. TH does not prevent histological manifestations of hyperoxic lung injury in spontaneously breathing neonatal rats and may worsen the outcome.
Abstract 4802: Cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 1 (CECR1) is overexpressed and hypomethylated in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL BACKGROUND and PURPOSE: Salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is the second most common malignancy of the salivary glands. It is characterized by a heterogeneous morphology, perineural invasion, and a variable clinical course. The molecular mechanisms underlying ACC are still unknown. We previously developed a high-throughput integrative epigenomic screening method to discover novel proto-oncogene candidates in ACC. With this screening method, we found that cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 1 (CECR1) was a promising oncogene candidate for ACC. CECR1 encodes a member of a subfamily of the adenosine deaminase protein family and acts as a growth factor through its adenosine deaminase activity. No previous studies have correlated CECR1 in human cancers. In the current study, we validated several features of CECR1 in primary ACC samples, including promoter methylation status and expression levels. METHODS and RESULTS: Bisulfite genomic sequencing was first employed to analyze the DNA methylation levels in the promoter of CECR1 in four ACC samples and four normal salivary gland tissues. Decreased methylation in CECR1 was found in three out of four ACC samples compared to zero out of four normal tissues. Secondly, quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMSP) was performed in a larger ACC cohort including 15 ACCs and 18 normal tissues. Consistent with the bisulfite genomic sequencing results, significant demethylation of CECR1 was detected in ACC samples (methylation levels ranged from 0.1 to 300.1; median, 19.8) compared to normal tissues (range from 10.2 to 600.0; median, 235.6), p < 0.05. Thirdly, we induced global demethylation in an ACC cell line, ACC83, by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine/ trichostatin A (5 Aza dC/TSA) treatment. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that CECR1 was significantly re-expressed in 5 Aza dC/TSA treated cell lines. Lastly, we analyzed the expression levels of CECR1 by qRT-PCR in the same ACC cohort. We found significant overexpression of CECR1 in ACCs compared to normal salivary tissue, p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to associate elevated CECR1 levels with salivary gland ACC. The transcription of CECR1 appears to be upregulated by promoter demethylation. Both overexpression and promoter hypomethylation of CECR1 are hallmarks of ACC. CECR1 might play an important role in salivary gland ACC. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Functional studies of CECR1's role(s) in the carcinogenesis of salivary gland ACC are underway. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4802. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4802
Emotional Development: Action, Communication, and Understanding

The chapter begins by addressing the theoretical platform endorsed by the authors that consists of an integration of functionalist perspectives with dynamic systems and social contextualism. This integrated perspective entails a flexible approach to emotional behavior: Expressive behavior, action tendencies, and cultural influence on emotion meaning all have their place in understanding emotional development. The chapter goes on to examine early emotional development, highlighting the importance of emotion communication as evidenced in infants through their emotional signaling to caregivers, their social referencing to significant others, and their growing skills at affective sharing with others. The final half of the chapter examines the development of eight specific skills of emotional competence, emphasizing their social effectiveness and individual adaptiveness. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions, including what may be the relational limits of emotion, individual differences in emotional responsiveness to contextual cues, attention processes, and emotion-related goals, some of which may become interiorized with development. Keywords: adolescent development; childhood development; emotion; emotional competence; functionalism; infanct development; social context; social effectiveness
Thermal Stresses in Nonlinearly Viscoelastic Solids

Three different rheological models are aplied to the study of transient and residual thermal stresses in amorphous polymers cooled across the glass transition.
Systematics and Future Projections Concerning Redox-Noninnocent Amide/Imine Ligands

An analysis of the conjugative possibilities of dienes carrying two terminal heteroatom donors shows some generalizations of these as possible redox-active (redox “noninnocent”) ligands. If the two E=C functionalities (E = O,S, NR, CHR) are connected by an odd number of sp2-hybridized atoms, full conjugation between the two terminal E donors is not possible, a situation which is found both in 2,6-bis(imino)pyridine (BIMPY) and beta-diketiminate ligands; the character of their redox noninnocence is thus altered, compared to 1,4-diheterodienes. Some insight into the BIMPY ligand comes from the analog where one imino arm is absent. The traditional stereochemical relationships which govern conjugation in arenes are analyzed for their implications for different bis(imino)pyridine isomers, and also for 2,6-dipyrimidyl- and dipyridazinyl-pyridines, as generalizations of the classic terpyridyl ligands. Factors which favor oxidized vs. reduced ligand forms are discussed.
Using concept maps in digital libraries as a cross-language resource discovery tool

The concept map, first suggested by Joseph Novak, has been extensively studied as a way for learners to increase understanding. We are automatically generating and translating concept maps from electronic theses and dissertations, for both English and Spanish, as a DL aid to discovery and summarization.
The Topographic Approach to Locating High‐Yield Wells in Crystalline Rocks: Does It Work?

Despite convincing evidence that fracture trace mapping can be extremely useful in locating sites for high-yield wells, well drillers persist in using the “lay of the land” to select well sites. This paper examines: (1) the value of topographic variables in predicting the productivity of wells in crystalline rocks; and (2) whether topographic data for well sites can increase the accuracy of well yield predictions based on fracture trace data alone. Topographic and fracture trace data for 29 wells in the Georgia Piedmont and Blue Ridge area were studied. Regression analysis revealed that the LeGrand (1967) point value (TOPO) explained only 0.3% of the variation in the productivity of the 29 wells. More explanation was afforded by the less subjective topographic variables, distance from the well to the nearest valley or draw axis (DISTV), and the difference in elevation between the nearest valley or draw axis and the well site (ELEV). Together these variables still explained only 15.3% of the variation in well productivity. Brook (1988) showed that a single fracture trace variable, distance from the well to the nearest fracture trace intersection (DISTIN), explained 59% of the variation in the productivity of the 29 wells and that the two variables well depth and DISTIN explained 81% of the variation in well productivity. Addition of the topographic variables TOPO, DISTV, and ELEV to the models of well productivity developed by Brook (1988) did not greatly improve the explanation. None of the added variables were significant at the 0.05 confidence level. Results, therefore, indicate that well productivity is only poorly related to topographic characteristics, perhaps explaining why so many of the wells drilled in crystalline rocks using the “lay of the land” have a low yield or are dry regardless of their topographic locations.
Indoor Tanning and Adolescents: Dependency or Self-Medication?

This article was prompted by a review of a 2006 survey by Zeller and colleagues of adolescents on indoor tanning behavior. A brief overview of the study is provided. Then, pointing to the parallel between indoor tanning dependence and diagnostic criteria, the neurobiological basis for indoor tanning is expanded with discussion of the circadian cycle. Implications for clinical practice, research, and public policy are identified for this at-risk population.
Combined pyrolysis and radiochemical gas chromatography for studying the thermal degradation of epoxy resins and polyimides. I. The degradation of epoxy resins in nitrogen between 400°C and 700°C

The thermal degradation of a bisphenol A-based epoxy resin (EP 274) cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) and with phthalic anhydride (PA) was studied using a radiochemical pyrolysis gas chromatography technique. Conclusive evidence for some of the degradation mechanisms of these resins was obtained by pyrolyzing samples containing various 14C-labelled groups and analyzing the products using this method.
The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of endometrial abnormalities

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography for endometrial abnormalities in women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Methods: In a prospective study, 136 consecutive patients underwent transvaginal ultrasonography, hysteroscopy, and endometrial sampling through suction curettage or directed biopsy. The ultrasonographic findings were evaluated on the basis of the final diagnosis established by hysteroscopy and histologic examination. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and likelihood ratios were used. Likelihood ratios algebraically combine sensitivity and specificity to describe more than the independent values themselves, specifically the change in odds favoring disease given a particular test result. Results: In 21 of the 136 patients, hysteroscopy detected polyps or submucous myomas, which curettage failed to detect. In 67 premenopausal women, ultrasonography demonstrated a sensitivity in diagnosing endometrial abnormalities of 88% and a specificity of 68%, using a cutoff point of 5 mm of the single-layer endometrial thickness. The positive likelihood ratio was 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66–4.55) and the negative likelihood ratio 0.18 (95% CI 0.07–0.46). In 69 postmenopausal women, using a cutoff point of 3 mm, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were 97%, 74%, 3.7 (95% CI 2.18–6.38), and 0.04 (95% CI 0.01–0.28), respectively. Conclusions: Transvaginal ultrasonography is an excellent first-step diagnostic method of excluding endometrial abnormalities in women with postmenopausal bleeding but is of limited use in premenopausal women with irregular bleeding. Ultrasonography may reduce the number of invasive endometrial investigations by approximately 40%.
Income Level and the Ethics of Tax Evasion

Income was another variable tracked in the World Values surveys. One might assume a priori that the more income one has, the less aversion there will be to tax evasion because of the feeling by the relatively rich that they are being overtaxed and exploited. On the other hand, those in the poorer income groups might have less aversion to tax evasion because of their inability to pay. Thus, there is a need to conduct a test to learn what the relationship is between income level and attitude toward tax evasion.
Concanavalin A in a dimeric crystal form: revisiting structural accuracy and molecular flexibility

A structure of native concanavalin A (ConA), a hardy perennial of structural biology, has been determined in a dimeric crystal form at a resolution of 1.56 A (space group C2221; unit-cell parameters a = 118.70, b = 101.38, c = 111.97 A; two molecules in the asymmetric unit). The structure has been refined to an Rfree of 0.206 (R = 0.178) after iterative model building and phase-bias removal using Shake&wARP. Correspondence between calculated water–tyrosine interactions and experimentally observed structures near the saccharide-binding site suggests that the observed interactions between Tyr12 and water in various crystal forms are to be expected and are not unique to the presence of an active site. The present structure differs from previously reported atomic resolution structures of ConA in several regions and extends insight into the conformational flexibility of this molecule. Furthermore, this third, low-temperature, structure of ConA in a different crystal form, independently refined using powerful model-bias removal techniques, affords the opportunity to revisit assessment of accuracy and precision in high- or atomic resolution protein structures. It is illustrated that several precise structures of the same molecule can differ substantially in local detail and users of crystallographic models are reminded to consider the potential impact when interpreting structures. Suggestions on how to effectively represent ensembles of crystallographic models of a given molecule are provided.
Synthesis of an optimal large‐scale interconnected system by structural parameter method coupled with multilevel technique

The combined use of the structural parameter method and the multi-level technique is proposed for optimal process system synthesis. An iterative procedure for implementing the technique is presented. The use of this technique is illustrated by synthesis of a reactor-separator system. On propose l'usage conjoint de la methode de parametres structuraux et de la technique de niveaux multiples pour faire la synthese d'un systeme de processus optimal. On presente un procede iteratif pour mettre la technique en oeuvre. On illustre l'emploi de la methode mise au point, au moyen de la synthese d'un systeme de reacteurs et separateurs.
Estimating Sensible and Latent Heat Fluxes Using the Integral Method from in situ Aircraft Measurements

AbstractIn September 2009, several Aerosonde unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were flown from McMurdo Station to Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, with the purpose of collecting three-dimensional measurements of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) overlying a polynya. Temperature, pressure, wind speed, and relative humidity measurements collected by the UAVs were used to calculate sensible and latent heat fluxes (SHF and LHF, respectively) during three flights. Fluxes were calculated over the depth of the ABL using the integral method, in which only measurements of the mean atmospheric state (no transfer coefficients) were used. The initial flux estimates assumed that the observations were Lagrangian. Subsequent fluxes were estimated using a robust and innovative methodology that included modifications to incorporate adiabatic and non-Lagrangian processes as well as the heat content below flight level. The SHF ranged from 12 to 485 W m−2, while the LHF ranged from 56 to 152 W m−2. The importance of properly mea...
HPLC analysis of PAMAM dendrimer based multifunctional devices

Comprehensive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were performed on poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer based multifunctional devices. The nanometer-size devices were synthesized by conjugating partially acetylated (Ac) poly(amidoamine) dendrimers of generation 5 (G5) with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), folic acid (FA) and methotrexate (MTX). The devices are intended for targeted intracellular drug delivery to tumor cells through the folate receptor. Methods were developed for detection and separation of various surface functionalized dendrimer conjugates and small molecules (FITC, FA, MTX) using a common gradient. Results indicate that the HPLC technique can be used as a quality control tool for determining purity of the G5 carrier, its acetylated form, and mono-, bi- and tri-functional nanodevices. More importantly, the chromatograms of these novel nanodevices, reported for the first time, provide information on critical properties such as polydispersity, surface heterogeneity and solubility. The benchmark data can be used to optimize the physicochemical properties of the conjugates to improve drug delivery to cancer cells.
Assimilating ontological additions in convergent negotiation protocols

We consider negotiation protocols in which each offer contains a price and a description from some given ontology. If the opposing negotiation agents do not share the same version of this ontology, for instance because not all have been made aware of the latest changes, then a fixed communication protocol may be expected to fail when one opponent is faced with an offer including a concept novel to it. However, the communication may proceed if the agent is allowed to ask for, receive and assimilate the missing information. This information may come from the other partner, a trusted source, or the human that the agent is serving. We propose a method whereby assimilation is accomplished dynamically so that existing conversations do not need to be abandoned. Our setting employs negotiation protocols that are required to be convergent, i.e. to make progress by exploring a finite negotiation space and thus terminate, either with a mutually acceptable offer or with an indication that no such offer exists. We show that existing convergent negotiation protocols, when applied in a setting that allows assimilation of monotonic additions, retain the property of convergence despite the permissibility of messages that do not meet the condition of making progress. We motivate the work within an e-marketplace where negotiation is over product features and can lead the conversation deeper into specific features, about which some fact may not be mutually known until more information is shared.
The Synthesis and Borohydride Reduction of some Alloxazine Derivatives

Unequivocal syntheses of N(1 or 3)-mono-substituted 7, 8-dimethylalloxazines are described. The borohydride reduction of various alloxazines has been studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, in the absence of light. These reactions are discussed in relation to other work on 7, 8-dimethylisoalloxazines (flavins) and on certain flavoproteins.
Clinical interventions to reduce secondhand smoke exposure among pregnant women: a systematic review

Objective To conduct a systematic review of clinical interventions to reduce secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smoking pregnant women. Data sources We searched 16 databases for publications from 1990 to January 2013, with no language restrictions. Study selection Papers were included if they met the following criteria: (1) the study population included non-smoking pregnant women exposed to SHS, (2) the clinical interventions were intended to reduce SHS exposure at home, (3) the study included a control group and (4) outcomes included either reduced SHS exposure of non-smoking pregnant women at home or quit rates among smoking partners during the pregnancy of the woman. Data extraction Two coders independently reviewed each abstract or full text to identify eligible papers. Two abstractors independently coded papers based on US Preventive Services Task Force criteria for study quality (good, fair, poor), and studies without biochemically-verified outcome measures were considered poor quality. Data synthesis From 4670 papers, we identified five studies that met our inclusion criteria: four focused on reducing SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women, and one focused on providing cessation support for smoking partners of pregnant women. All were randomised controlled trials, and all reported positive findings. Three studies were judged poor quality because outcome measures were not biochemically-verified, and two were considered fair quality. Conclusions Clinical interventions delivered in prenatal care settings appear to reduce SHS exposure, but study weaknesses limit our ability to draw firm conclusions. More rigorous studies, using biochemical validation, are needed to identify strategies for reducing SHS exposure in pregnant women.
Incidence of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity and Postoperative Neurologic Symptoms Associated With 12,668 Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks: An Analysis From a Prospective Clinical Registry

Background and Objectives There are varying reports on the incidence of major morbidity associated with peripheral regional anesthesia. Our objective was to contribute to the knowledge regarding the incidence of local anesthetic systemic toxicity and postoperative neurologic symptoms in the setting of ultrasound-guided peripheral regional anesthesia. Methods During an 8-year period, 12,668 patients undergoing peripheral regional anesthesia were evaluated. Using a clinical registry, incidence rates of postoperative neurologic symptoms, local anesthetic toxicity, pneumothorax, and vascular trauma were calculated. Univariate analysis was used to identify risk factors for postoperative neurologic symptoms. We defined postoperative neurologic symptoms as any sensory or motor dysfunction present for more than 5 days and anatomically consistent with the possibility of contribution from the nerve block. Results The incidence (per 1000 blocks) of adverse events across all peripheral regional anesthetics was 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.7) for postoperative neurologic symptoms lasting longer than 5 days, 0.9 (95% CI, 0.5–1.7) for postoperative neurologic symptoms lasting longer than 6 months, 0.08 (95% CI, 0.0–0.3) for seizure, 0 (95% CI, 0–0.3) for pneumothorax, 0.6 (95% CI, 0.2–1.2) for unintended venous puncture, 1.2 (95% CI, 0.7–2.0) for unintended arterial puncture, and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.2–3.0) for patients having unintended paresthesia during block placement. There were no cardiac arrests. Conclusions In the setting of a surgical procedure, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is associated with the risk of long-term postoperative neurologic symptoms. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity, however, is extremely uncommon.
High genetic diversity in a rare and endangered sunflower as compared to a common congener

Determining the genetic structure of isolated or fragmented species is of critical importance when planning a suitable conservation strategy. In this study, we use nuclear and chloroplast SSRs (simple sequence repeats) to investigate the population genetics of an extremely rare sunflower, Helianthus verticillatus Small, which is known from only three locations in North America. We investigated levels of genetic diversity and population structure compared to a more common congener, Helianthus angustifolius L., using both nuclear and chloroplast SSRs. We also investigated its proposed hybrid origin from Helianthus grosseserratus Martens and H. angustifolius. Twenty-two nuclear SSRs originating from the cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) expressed sequence tag (EST) database, and known to be transferable to H. verticillatus and its putative parental taxa, were used in this study thereby allowing for statistical control of locus-specific effects in population genetic analyses. Despite its rarity, H. verticillatus possessed significantly higher levels of genetic diversity than H. angustifolius at nuclear loci and equivalent levels of chloroplast diversity. Significant levels of population subdivision were observed in H. verticillatus but of a magnitude comparable to that of H. angustifolius. Inspection of multilocus genotypes also revealed that clonal spread is highly localized. Finally, we conclude that H. verticillatus is not of hybrid origin as it does not exhibit a mixture of parental alleles at nuclear loci, and it does not share a chloroplast DNA haplotype with either of its putative parents.
Cryotherapy of cardiac arrhythmia: From basic science to the bedside

This review focuses on the basic science of cellular destruction by tissue freezing and application of transvenous cryocatheter technology to treat cardiac arrhythmia. Ideally, foci for arrhythmias are selectively ablated, arrhythmogenic tissues are destroyed, and reentry circuits are bisected in order to silence adverse electrical activity, with the goal of restoring normal sinus rhythm. The mechanism of ablation using cryotherapy results in distinct lesion qualities advantageous to radiofrequency (Khairy P, Chauvet M, Lehman J, et al. Lower incidence of thrombus formation with cryoenergy versus radiofrequency catheter ablation. Circulation 2003;107:2045–2050). This review is devoted to the mechanism of cryoablation, postablation histopathological changes, and how this information should be used by the clinicians to improve safety and maximize ablation success.
Tumor Necrosis Factor–Mediated E2F1 Suppression in Endothelial Cells: Differential Requirement of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signal Transduction Pathways

After balloon angioplasty, locally expressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- disrupts endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and reendothelialization of the injured vessel. We have previously reported that TNF inhibits the EC cycle and downregulates the transcription factor E2F1. Ectopic expression of E2F1 at the site of injury improves reendothelialization of the injured vessel. In this study, we report that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are differentially required for E2F1 expression and activity in ECs. Overexpression of constitutively active JNK1 mimicked TNF-mediated inhibitory events, whereas dominant-negative JNK1 prevented these effects. E2F cis elements in the promoter of E2F1 gene mediate suppressive actions of TNF, because removal of these sites rendered E2F1 promoter activity insensitive to TNF. JNK1 physically interacted with E2F1 and inactivated it via direct phosphorylation. Additionally, TNF inhibited Rb phosphorylation and dissociation from E2F1. Overexpression of constitutively active p38 MAPK facilitated Rb-E2F1 dissociation, whereas that of dominant-negative p38 MAPK did not. Taken together, these data suggest a differential requirement of JNK1 and p38 MAPK in TNF regulation of E2F1. Targeted inactivation of JNK1 at arterial injury sites may represent a potential therapeutic intervention for ameliorating TNF-mediated EC dysfunction. (Circ Res. 2003;93:932-940.)
A framework for analog circuit verification

A computer environment, Nectar, that integrates an array of circuit verification capabilities in a comprehensive program is presented. Nectar emphasizes design tasks and hides the idiosyncrasies of individual tools. The components and features of the analog design framework are presented. An implementation of the rule-based expert system component of the framework results in an over tenfold increase in speed, thus giving the environment additional corrective capabilities. Another major component described is a rule editor, which simplifies the extension of the knowledge base of Nectar. >
Ileo post-operatorio versus occlusione intestinale

Cinque giorni prima avete asportato al paziente un’appendice perforata (Cap. 28), somministrato antibiotici per 2–3 giorni (Cap. 42) ed ora vi aspettate che entro oggi mangi (Cap. 41) per poterlo mandare a casa. Invece il paziente se ne sta a letto immusonito e con un addome disteso e, di tanto in tanto, vomita bile. I familiari vi chiedono esattamente cio che voi stessi vi state chiedendo: “qual e il problema?”
Spectra that behave like power-laws are not necessarily power-laws

Abstract It is shown that measured power spectral densities (spectra) that closely resemble power-law spectra may, in fact, have mathematical forms that are not power laws in the mathematical sense. If power spectral estimates show a good fit to a straight line on a log–log plot over a finite frequency range, that is not sufficient evidence to conclude that the mathematical form of the spectrum is, in fact, a power-law over that range. It is also pointed out that to accurately fit a power-law function to experimental data using linear least squares techniques in log–log space, as is often done in practice, it is essential that the data is uniformly distributed along the abscissa in log-space (in the stochastic sense) or, otherwise, the data must be linearly interpolated onto a uniform grid to ensure that the data employed in the fitting procedure is equally weighted along the abscissa. These two important points are not widely appreciated by researchers in the field and the pitfalls associated with commonly used fitting techniques are often overlooked in the analysis of solar wind data.
The Garden Place - One Year Later

This case presents a series of financial events for students to record and to use in preparing financial statements.
Spectral analysis of quadratic variation in the presence of market microstructure noise

We analyze the ex-post variation of equity prices in the frequency domain. A realized periodogram-based estimator is proposed, which consistently estimates the quadratic variation of the log equilibrium price process. For prices which are contaminated by market microstructure noise, the proposed estimator behaves like a filter: it removes the noise by filtering out high frequency periodograms. In other words, the proposed estimator converts high frequency data into low frequency periodograms. We show, through a simulation study and an application to the General Electric transaction prices, that the proposed estimator is insensitive to the choice of sampling frequency and it is competitive with other existing volatility measures.
Up from Slavery and Down to Peonage: The Alonzo Bailey Case

BOOKER T. Washington and Alonzo Bailey never met, yet their lives interacted in dramatic fashion. Though they were both black, their conditions were as unlike as the prince and the pauper. Washington, an educator and politician, lived in the ethereal realm of Presidents, millionaires, journalists, and "best" southern whites. Bailey, an agricultural worker, existed in the "other America" at the bottom of the social order, a peon. He lived the life of a toad under the harrow. As Washington personified the heights that a Negro could achieve, Bailey plumbed the black man's depths of misery. Yet, Washington's compassion for Bailey, not as an individual, but as a long-sought symbol of injustice, led him into a secret effort to test the Alabama contract labor law that had brought Bailey from freedom into peonage. The Bailey case not only revealed peonage, as lifting a rotten log exposes the crawling life underneath, but also illuminated the secret life of Washington. His life bent to the wind, accommodating to the oppression of the era's social weather, but the Bailey case signified that in at least one instance Washington made his unique contribution to civil rights. The labor law that ensnared Bailey was only one of many ways that a laborer could fall into peonage. A legacy of the Mexican War, peonage quickly domesticated itself in the United States. Striking at the practice in New Mexico of using United States soldiers to return peons to their masters, Congress outlawed the institution in 1867 and applied the prohibition to the states as well as to New Mexico.' Throughout the late-nineteenth century, however, peonage became inextricably confused with the worst abuses