cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of a surface-tension gradient on the performance of a micro-grooved heat pipe: an analytical study

We investigate effects of surface-tension gradients on the performance of a micro-grooved heat pipe in this work. The surface-tension gradient force is accounted for in the present model, and expressions for radius of curvature, liquid pressure, liquid velocity, and maximum heat throughput are found analytically using a regular perturbation technique. With a favorable surface-tension gradient, the liquid pressure drop across the heat pipe can be decreased by ∼90%, and the maximum heat throughput can be increased by ∼20%. In contrast, using an unfavorable surface-tension gradient, the liquid pressure drop increases by ∼150%, and the maximum heat throughput decreases by ∼15%. For the same values of the favorable and unfavorable surface-tension gradients, the unfavorable effect is more pronounced than the favorable one. The effects of the surface-tension gradients are found to be increasing with the corner angle of a polygonal heat pipe. Adverse effects of the surface-tension gradient could be due to the variations in the liquid temperature and/or surfactant concentration. Nevertheless, a favorable situation where the surface-tension gradient can facilitate the liquid flow in a heat pipe can also be obtained using a suitable surfactant, surface charge, etc., and then the performance of a micro heat pipe can be improved.
Migraine in children.

Summary Twenty cases of migraine in childhoodhave been reported and representative case histories presented. Factors of allergy, heredity, and presence of cerebral dysrhythmia are presented and discussed. The importance of early recognition of this syndrome is stressed.
Quantized fracture mechanics

A new energy-based theory, quantized fracture mechanics (QFM), is presented that modifies continuum-based fracture mechanics; stress- and strain-based QFM analogs are also proposed. The differentials in Griffith's criterion are substituted with finite differences; the implications are remarkable. Fracture of tiny systems with a given geometry and type of loading occurs at ‘quantized’ stresses that are well predicted by QFM: strengths predicted by QFM are compared with experimental results on carbon nanotubes, β-SiC nanorods, α-Si3N4 whiskers, and polysilicon thin films; and also with molecular mechanics/dynamics simulation of fracture of carbon nanotubes and graphene with cracks and holes, and statistical mechanics-based simulations on fracture of two-dimensional spring networks. QFM is self-consistent, agreeing to first-order with linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), and to second-order with non-linear fracture mechanics (NLFM). For vanishing crack length QFM predicts a finite ideal strength in agre...
Intraoperative Optical Spectroscopy Identifies Infiltrating Glioma Margins with High Sensitivity

OBJECTIVE: Adult gliomas have indistinct borders. As the ratio of neoplastic cells to normal cells becomes lower, the ability to detect these cells diminishes. We describe a device designed to augment intraoperative identification of both solid tumor and infiltrating tumor margins. METHODS: A novel, intraoperative, optical spectroscopic tool, using both white light reflectance and 337-nm excitation fluorescence spectroscopy, is described. Discrimination algorithms have been developed to segregate neoplastic tissues from normal glial and neuronal elements. The spectroscopy device was used to measure 5 to 10 locations during glioma resection. Beneath the tool, a biopsy sample was obtained and the pathological results were reviewed in a blinded fashion. Samples were classified as solid tumor, infiltrating tumor, or normal gray or white matter. Comparisons were made between the optical spectra and the histopathological results of sampled areas in evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the tool for tissue discrimination. RESULTS: Spectral data were obtained from 24 patients with glioma and from 11 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. A sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 89% in discriminating solid tumor from normal tissues were obtained. In addition, infiltrating tumor margins were distinguished from normal tissues with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 93%. CONCLUSION: We have developed a handheld, optical spectroscopic device that may be used rapidly and in near real time with high sensitivity and reproducibility as an optical tissue discrimination tool in glioma surgery.
Anomalous Sports Performances

Summary This article discusses a lesson in which students explore the binomial probability distribution by considering anomalous performances in sports.
Infiltrated multiscale porous cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract A Sm 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3− δ (SSC)–BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.2 O 3− δ (BZCY) composite cathode with multiscale porous structure was successfully fabricated through infiltration for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The multiscale porous SSC catalyst was coated on the BZCY cathode backbones. Single cells with such composite cathode demonstrated peak power densities of 0.289, 0.383, and 0.491 W cm −2 at 600, 650, 700 °C, respectively. Cell polarization resistances were found to be as low as 0.388, 0.162, and 0.064 Ω cm 2 at 600, 650 and 700 °C, respectively. Compared with the infiltrated multiscale porous cathode, cells with screen-printed SSC–BZCY composite cathode showed much higher polarization resistance of 0.912 Ω cm 2 at 600 °C. This work has demonstrated a promising approach in fabricating high performance proton-conducting SOFCs.
Comparative susceptibility of the copepod Acanthocyclops vernalis to a microsporidian parasite, Amblyospora connecticus, from the mosquito Aedes cantator

Abstract The comparative susceptibility of each developmental stage of the copepod Acanthocyclops vernalis to Amblyospora connecticus, a microsporidian parasite of the mosquito Aedes cantator, was determined in laboratory transmission tests. Adult female and juvenile copepodid stage A. vernalis were found to be susceptible, while adult male and larval nauplii stages were not. Parasite development is restricted to the median ovary and paired lateral oviducts, which become swollen and noticeably distended in host female copepods. Ovarian infection interferes with normal egg production and appears to explain the differential susceptibility of each host developmental stage to infection. Observations of naturally acquired infection in field populations of A. vernalis were consistent with the laboratory studies. No infections were detected in adult males or gravid females and only female copepods without egg sacs (20%, n = 613) were found to be infected.
Ontogeny of "aberrant" responses in the mating pattern of male guinea pigs.

Analysis of the behavioral development of 64 socially-reared guinea pigs revealed that the head-shaking which frequently in trudes into the mating pattern of adult isolation-reared males is a common response among young animals. The behavioral context in which young socially-reared animals typically display head-shaking includes the pre-copulatory hip-sway-purring display and running (pursuit). The aberrant behavior of adult isolation-reared males may stem from a post-isolation “stimulus overload” which causes the mating pattern to get sidetracked into another pattern with which it shares common elements.
Metropolitanism and the Transformation of Urban Space in Nineteenth-Century Colonial Metropoles

In this paper, I argue that the nineteenth-century movement of "metropolitanism" was a transnational attempt to rebuild and re-imagine cities in a bourgeois image and through a capitalist process of investment. This movement began with the attempt by wealthy residents of imperial metropoles to remake their cities in ways that created greater social distance between themselves and their colonies-both external and internal. I explore how a discourse with specific urban content can engender a movement that revolutionizes people's view of the city. The analysis points toward a revitalization of this movement in the present moment of global transformations, suggesting that the reshaping of urban social organization and urban institutions through transnational processes is not new. [urban, metropolitanism, colonialism, housing, architecture]
Truncation error bounds for limit-periodic continued fractionsK(an/1) with liman=0

Truncation error bounds are developed for continued fractionsK(a n /1) where |a n |?1/4 for alln sufficiently large. The bounds are particularly suited (some are shown to be best) for the limit-periodic case when lima n =0. Among the principal results is the following: If |a n |??/n p for alln sufficiently large (with constants ?>0,p>0), then |f?f m |?C[D/(m+2)] p(m+2) for allm sufficiently large (for some constantsC>0,D>0). Heref denotes the limit (assumed finite) ofK(a n /1) andf m denotes itsmth approximant. Applications are given for continued fraction expansions of ratios of Kummer functions1 F 1 and of ratios of hypergeometric functions0 F 1. It is shown thatp=1 for1 F 1 andp=2 for0 F 1, wherep is the parameter determining the rate of convergence. Numerical examples indicate that the error bounds are indeed sharp.
Catecholamine metabolism during clonidine withdrawal

Abrupt cessation of clonidine treatment in hypertensive patients may precipitate a withdrawal syndrome. Since this drug is likely to be more widely prescribed to normotensive patients with neuropsychiatric diseases, we studied neurochemical, cardiovascular, and behavioral changes upon placebo substitution in seven patients receiving clonidine (6 μg/kg/day for 3 weeks) for treatment of alcohol amnestic disorder. Urinary excretion of all major catecholamine metabolites returned to pretreatment levels 3–5 days after discontinuing clonidine, without significant overshoot. The percentage increase during clonidine withdrawal of the norepinephrine metabolite normetanephrine was greater than were those of vanillylmandelic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), or the epinephrine metabolite metanephrine. Excretion of the dopamine metabolites homovanillic acid and 3-methoxytyramine did not change. Total plasma MHPG, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were significantly elevated above pretreatment values 72 h after the last dose of clonidine. There was an enhancement of episodic memory compared to predrug values but no other behavioral changes were noted during clonidine withdrawal. These findings are consistent with augmented catecholamine release and central noradrenergic activation which may produce psychopathology in some psychiatric patients during clonidine withdrawal.
How Effective Are the New Auto-Instructional Materials and Devices?

This paper rapidly reviews 30 research articles and attempts to use the data derived from these studies to evaluate the effectiveness of auto-instructional materials. The instructional areas covered are: elementary school, high school, special education, armed forces, and industrial use. There is no attempt to evaluate the research designs used in the studies, as this vital point was not within the aims of the paper. The primary goal is to point out that effectiveness of auto-instructional materials means more than that they "teach better." Fifteen possible criteria of effectiveness are presented and the studies reporting data to each of these criteria are listed. The reader interested in doing research in this area is directed to a more detailed study of the particular research areas of interest. A 32 item bibliography is included.
A structured approach to teaching operating systems principles using a high level concurrent programming language

The educational objectives of two upper level operating systems courses are discussed. The instructional environment in which these courses are taught is also described. The primary goal is to expose students to all of the important issues involved in designing and implementing operating systems. Students should start with the architecture of the target machine and proceed through to an implementation of some functioning operating system. This is a difficult task to achieve in the confines of a single semester. However, a careful choice of software exercises that start very simply and build on each other to illustrate important points, and a high level language facility for writing operating system programs have combined to produce a successful experiment. This technique is applied in a senior level Computer Science course on Operating Systems Principles and a graduate level course on Real Time Systems. The program development system described is not only a good educational tool, but also provides a vehicle for research in comparing concurrency constructs in languages and the performance and architectural implications of concurrent programs.
Electro-Mechanical Coupling in Charged Liposome Suspensions

Like-charged liposomes in aqueous suspension interact by mutual electrostatic repulsions. When the mean distance between liposomes is comparable to, or less than, several Debye screening lengths, the suspension self-organizes, develops a colloid osmotic pressure, and exerts an expansive force on the container walls. The result is an electrostatically stabilized gel whose rigidity is related to the liposome charge, size, concentration, and solution ionic strength. It is in principle possible to measure the liposome charge by measurement of the bulk elastic constants of the gel. Here we use an oscillating laser-tweezer technique, described previously, to measure the shear modulus (G') of the gel in deionized water as a function of the intrinsic liposome charge at various POPG:POPC stoichiometries. The shear modulus is proportional to the second derivative of the interaction potential energy with respect to the direction of shear. The interaction potential can be modeled as a screened Coulomb potential in the Debye-Huckel approximation with an effective liposome charge Z∗ (Alexander et al., 1984). The experimental G' as a function of liposome intrinsic charge (Zo) is maximal at Zo=20,000-30,000, while the theory gives a G' maximum at Z∗=300-400. The relation of Zo to Z∗ yields information on interfacial phenomena at the liposome surface via Poisson-Boltzmann analysis. The magnitudes of the experimental G' values are 3-5x higher than those calculated by the Z∗ Debye-Huckel theory, which ignores liposome size. A more realistic theory using the Derjaguin potential for sphere-sphere repulsions yields G' closer to the experimental values.
A Novel Approach to Identify and Map Kitten Clusters Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS): A Case Study From Tompkins County, NY

A retrospective study using a geographic information system (GIS) was conducted to capture, map, and analyze intake data of caregiver (owner)-surrendered kittens (aged 0–6 months) to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Tompkins County, NY, from 2009 to 2011. Addresses of caregiver-surrendered kittens during the study period were mapped (n = 1,017). Mapping and analysis of the resultant data set revealed that the distribution of kittens was nonrandom. Seventeen statistically significant (p = .001) clusters were identified, 1 of which was the SPCA of Tompkins County (due to anonymously surrendered nonhuman animals). The remaining 16 clusters were composed of 52 homes; 27.5% (280/1,017) of the kittens in the data set originated from these 52 homes. The majority of kittens within clusters were surrendered from high-density residential and manufactured residential home parks. Analyzing such clusters using GIS is a novel approach for targeting spay/neuter and educational programs to a...
Chemical composition of sulfate as a function of particle size in New York summer aerosol

Aerosol samples from a New York City site have been collected by a variety of sampling techniques during August, 1976 and analyzed for sulfate and related cationic species as a function of particle size from > 7 ..mu..m to 0.95, but there is an indiction of other variable sources of strong acid which somewhat confound the data.
WALL DEPOSITION OF SMALL SUSPENDED PARTICLES IN A TURBULENT CHANNEL FLOW

Abstract The diffusion of small suspended particles in a turbulent channel flow is studied by solving the transport advection-diffusion equation. The mean flowfield in the channel is simulated using a two-equation k-ϵ turbulence model. Deposition velocity is evaluated at different sections in the channel for different particle sizes and flow Reynolds numbers. The effects of turbulence dispersion and Brownian diffusion on particle deposition velocity are discussed. The variation of particle deposition velocity with particle diameter, density and flow Reynolds number are analyzed. The wall deposition velocities for different size particles are compared with those obtained by other models.
Conformational analysis of 3-buten-2-ol: A model asymmetric olefin

Abstract The conformational energy of 3-buten-2-ol has been investigated using ab initio molecular orbital theory. Six energy minima have been located, the lowest energy two of which are the same as those assigned in a recent microwave study of the molecule. Rationale for the observed preferences are advanced.
Formative Mexican Chiefdoms and the Myth of the "Mother Culture"

Abstract Most scholars agree that the urban states of Classic Mexico developed from Formative chiefdoms which preceded them. They disagree over whether that development (1) took place over the whole area from the Basin of Mexico to Chiapas, or (2) emanated entirely from one unique culture on the Gulf Coast. Recently 21 put forth 11 assertions in defense of the second scenario, which assumes an Olmec “Mother Culture.” This paper disputes those assertions. It suggests that a model for rapid evolution, originally presented by biologist Sewall Wright, provides a better explanation for the explosive development of Formative Mexican society.
The new normal: immunomodulatory agents against sepsis immune suppression

Sepsis is the leading cause of death among critically ill patients in intensive care units, and treatment options are limited. Therapies developed against the proinflammatory stage have failed clinically; therefore, new approaches that target the host immune response in sepsis are necessary. Increasing evidence suggests that a major pathophysiological event in sepsis is immune suppression, often resulting in secondary fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Recent studies from animal sepsis models and patient samples suggest that cytokines such as interleukin-7 (IL-7), IL-15, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as well as co-inhibitory molecule blockade, such as anti-programmed cell death receptor-1 (anti-PD-1) and anti-B and T lymphocyte attenuator (anti-BTLA), may have utility in alleviating the clinical morbidity associated with sustained sepsis. This review discusses some of these novel immunomodulatory agents and evaluates their potential use as therapeutics.
Inhibition of NMDA‐receptor mediated response in the rat medial prefrontal cortical pyramidal cells by the 5‐HT3 receptor agonist SR 57227A and 5‐HT: Intracellular studies

The techniques of intracellular recording and single-electrode voltage-clamp were used to study the effect of serotonin (5-HT) and the selective 5-HT3 receptor agonist SR 57227A on N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-evoked responses in pyramidal cells of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in in vitro brain slice preparations. Bath application of 5-HT or SR 57227A produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of NMDA-induced membrane depolarization, action potentials, and inward current. The depressant action of 5-HT and SR 57227A had a slow onset and showed no signs of receptor desensitization. This action was markedly attenuated or completely blocked by the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists granisetron and BRL 46470A, but not other receptor antagonists. In addition to inhibiting NMDA-evoked responses, SR 57227A also depressed significantly pharmacologically isolated, NMDA receptor-mediated, monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) elicited by electrical stimulation of the forceps minor; this inhibitory action was blocked by BRL 46470A but not other 5-HT receptor antagonists. Perfusion of Ca2+-free or low Ca2+ plus Cd2+ artificial cerebrospinal fluid prevented electrical stimulation-induced EPSCs, but did not affect the inhibitory action of 5-HT and SR 57227A. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that 5-HT and SR 57227A interact with 5-HT3-like receptors to produce a direct inhibitory action on NMDA receptor-mediated response in pyramidal cells of the mPFC. Synapse 29:257–268, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
T1 relaxation measurement with solvent suppression.

Three solvent-suppression pulse sequences of varying complexity were incorporated into the standard inversion recovery pulse program and experimentally evaluated. The least complex suppression sequence involves a composite 90° pulse. A more complex sequence utilizes an excitation sculpting sequence requiring pulsed field gradients, and the most complex sequence incorporates an excitation sculpting sequence with selective rf pulses and gradient pulses. The quality of the spectral data and the accuracy of T1 measurements of the investigated suppression schemes were evaluated using three aqueous samples with increasing proton content in the water solvent, i.e. by volume 100% D2O, 80/20% D2O/H2O, and 100% H2O. For lines removed from the water resonance the T1 values were generally very consistent between all pulse sequences tested. For lines less than about 200 Hz from the water signal the T1 measurements become less reliable but are still possible for most of the tested pulse programs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hemolysis in left ventricular assist device: A retrospective analysis of outcomes

Background Hemolysis is becoming increasingly recognized as a major complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. Data regarding risk factors, prevalence, and outcomes are limited. To better define the characteristics and prognosis of hemolysis, we present a retrospective case-control study of LVAD patients in our institution. Methods A detailed record review was conducted of 18 patients supported with the HeartMate II (HMII; Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) who were diagnosed with hemolysis, and their data were compared with 82 patients who received an LVAD implant during the same period who did not develop hemolysis. Patients were excluded if they did not survive hospitalization at the time of LVAD implantation. The primary end points of this analysis were time to death and time to first hospitalization. Results Of 100 total patients, 18 HMII patients (18%) were diagnosed with hemolysis. Those with hemolysis were younger, had significantly higher lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin levels, lower international normalized ratio, and no difference in cannula velocities by transthoracic echocardiography. Patient survival in the hemolysis group was markedly decreased at 1 year (38.9% vs 89.3%, p p = 0.57) were observed. Partial to complete thrombosis was noted in all of the pumps at explant. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that hemolysis is associated with high mortality, likely serving as a marker of pump thrombosis. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin levels are important indicators for hemolysis, and lower international normalized ratio may pre-dispose for this worrisome condition. Diagnosis should prompt clinicians to consider pump exchange or explant, listing for transplantation, or intensifying anti-coagulation.
Axonal transport of adeno-associated viral vectors is serotype-dependent

We have previously shown that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) undergoes anterograde axonal transport in rat and non-human primate brain. We screened other AAV serotypes for axonal transport and found that AAV6 is transported almost exclusively in a retrograde direction and, in the same way as AAV2, it is also neuron-specific in rat brain. Our findings show that axonal transport of AAV is serotype dependent and this has implications for gene therapy of neurological diseases such as Huntington's disease.
The structure of the cold-stable kinetochore fiber in metaphase PtK1 cells.

When metaphase PtK1 cells are cooled to 6–8 ° C for 4–6 h the free, polar, and astral spindle microtubules (MTs) disassemble while the MTs of each kinetochore fiber cluster together and persist as bundles of cold-stable MTs. These cold-stable kinetochore fibers are similar to untreated kinetochore fibers in both their length (i.e., 5–6 μm) and in the number of kinetochore-associated MTs (i.e., 20–45) of which they are comprised. Quantitative information concerning the lengths of MTs within these fibers was obtained by tracking individual MTs between serial transverse sections. Approximately 1/2 of the kinetochore MTs in each fiber were found to run uninterrupted into the polar region of the spindle. It can be inferred from this and other data that a substantial number of MTs run uninterrupted between the kinetochore and the polar region in untreated metaphase PtK1 cells.
High‐level expression of the bacterial opd gene in Drosophila melanogasten improved inducible insecticide resistance

The bacterial parathion hydrolase gene (opd) was expressed in transformed D. melanogaster under the control of an hsp70 promoter. Transformed lines carrying chimaeric genes designed for either cytoplasmic or secretory expression exhibited high- or low-level heat-shock-inducible transient resistance to paraoxon respectively. Greatest levels of resistance occurred approximately 12-16 h after heat shock and well after periods of maximal transcription. Insecticide resistance conferred by the cytoplasmic form of opd is expressed as a semidominant trait.
Eddy growth and mixing in mesoscale oceanographic flows

We study the relation between changes in the Eulerian topology of a two dimensional flow and the mixing of fluid particles between qualitatively different regions of the flow. In general time dependent flows, streamlines and particle paths are unrelated. However, for many mesoscale oceanographic features such as detaching rings and meandering jets, the rate at which the Euierian structures evolve is considerably slower than typical advection speeds of Lagrangian tracers. In this note we show that for two-dimensional, adiabatic fluid flows there is a direct relationship between observable changes in the topology of the Eulerian field and the rate of transport of fluid particles. We show that a certain class of flows is amenable to adiabatic or near adiabatic analysis, and, as an example, we use our results to study the chaotic mixing in the Dutkiewicz and Paldor (1994) kinematic model of the interaction of a meandering barotropic jet with a strong eddy.
Peritoneal macrophages are distinct from monocytes and adherent macrophages

Abstract Objective Peritoneal macrophages are used in many studies related to atherosclerosis. In situ , they are non-adherent and upon culturing, they adhere and function as scavengers of modified lipoproteins and dead apoptotic cells. They also produce growth factors, suggesting that they may provide life-supporting function as well. In this study, we propose that macrophage adherence plays a major role in their function and propose a novel concept that non-adherent macrophages are poor scavengers and may delay the process of apoptosis by secretion of growth factors. Methods and results We analyzed non-adherent and adherent macrophages for changes in receptor expression, growth factor production and function by microarrays, real-time PCR, and western blot analyses. Our results indicate that adherent macrophages have increased expression of scavenger receptors as compared to fresh peritoneal cells. While genes for many growth factors were expressed in both non-adherent and adherent macrophages, the milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 protein (MFG-E8) that recognizes and takes up apoptotic cells was specifically enhanced in non-adherent cells. Furthermore, early apoptotic endothelial cells demonstrated signs of delayed apoptosis when incubated in the presence of peritoneal lavage fluid that was shown to contain MFG-E8. Functional arrays indicated that peritoneal non-adherent macrophages represent a class of macrophages, distinct from either blood monocytes or adherent cultured macrophages. Conclusions These results suggest that the adherence status of macrophages may play a major role in their functions.
Sharpening advanced land imager multispectral data using a sensor model

ABSTRACT The Advanced Land Imager (ALI) instrument on NASAs Earth Observing One (EO-1) satellite provides for nine spectral bands at 30m ground sample distance (GSD) and a 10m GSD panchromatic band. This report describes an image sharpening technique where the higher spatial resolution information of the panchromatic band is used to increase the spatial resolution of ALI multispectral (MS) data. To preserve the spectral characteristics, this technique combines reported deconvolution deblurring methods for the MS data with highpass filter-based fusion methods for the Pan data. The deblurring process uses the point spread function (PSF) model of the ALI sensor. Information includes calculation of the PSF from pre-launch calibration data. Performance was evaluated using simulated ALI MS data generated by degrading the spatial resolution of high resolution IKONOS satellite MS data. A quantitative measure of performance was the error between sharpened MS data and high resolution reference. This report also compares performance with that of a reported method that includes PSF information. Preliminary results indicate improved sharpening with the method reported here. Keywords: Advanced Land Imager, sharpening, sensor model, PSF
NOx decomposition and reduction by methane over La2O3

Abstract Nitric oxide reduction by methane was conducted in a quartz microreactor from 773 to 973 K over La2O3, a good methane oxidative coupling catalyst. La2O3 is a better catalyst than MgO and Li/MgO for this reaction because: (1) it has a much higher specific activity, (2) the presence of oxygen enhances the rate of reduction, and (3) it gives a selectivity to nitrogen that is close to 100%. Both Li/MgO and La2O3 catalyst systems have rates that increase continuously with temperature and exhibit no bend over. The apparent activation energy for nitric oxide reduction by methane over La2O3 was 24.4 kcal/mol (26.0 kcal/mol with oxygen present), and the reaction orders in CH4, NO and O2 were 0.26, 0.98 and 0.50, respectively. Unlike Li/MgO, La2O3 is also active for direct nitric oxide decomposition, but the activity is noticeably lower than that for nitric oxide reduction by methane. Both the direct decomposition of nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxide and their reduction by methane were also studied on La2O3. The rate of direct nitrous oxide decomposition was quite high and essentially unaltered by the presence of methane; in contrast, the rate of nitrogen dioxide decomposition was very low. However, the rate of nitrogen dioxide reduction to nitrogen was greatly enhanced by methane, and the rate became comparable to that for nitric oxide reduction by methane in the presence of 1.0% O2. Methane oxidative coupling over this La2O3 catalyst was verified using oxygen and nitrous oxide as oxidants, whereas little or no coupling occurred when nitric oxide or nitrogen dioxide was used. At this time, the high NOx reductive activity of La2O3 and other coupling catalysts is attributed to the formation of surface methyl radicals.
Disparities in Receipt of Lymph Node Biopsy Among Early-Stage Female Breast Cancer Patients

Accurate staging of early breast cancer requires pathological assessment of axillary lymph node involvement. We evaluated the proportion of women receiving surgery for early-stage breast cancer who do not receive any lymph node biopsy (LNB) and factors associated with not receiving LNB. Patients receiving surgery for early-stage breast cancer (T1a/T1b/T1c/T2N0) during the period 2003–2005 were selected from the National Cancer Database. Patient sociodemographic, clinical, health insurance, and facility information was collected. Logistic regression was used to assess factors predictive of not receiving LNB. The number of women meeting study inclusion criteria was 184,050, 11% of whom did not receive any LNB. Compared with White patients, Black patients had greater likelihood [odds ratio (OR) 1.10, p < 0.001] of receiving no LNB; there were no significant differences for Hispanic or other non-White patients. Individuals who were uninsured (OR 1.24, p < 0.0005) or covered by Medicare at age <65 years (OR 1.29, p < 0.0001) had greater likelihoods of no LNB compared with those with private insurance. Medicaid patients and Medicare patients ≥65 years were not significantly different from private insurance patients. Compared with the youngest quartile of patients (age ≤51 years), patients in the oldest quartile (age ≥73 years) were more than three times as likely (OR 3.30, p < 0.0001) not to receive any LNB. We conclude that, while guidelines indicate that LNB may be considered optional in certain patient groups, it remains a key component in determining stage, and thereby prognosis and appropriate treatment options. These results indicate that significant disparities exist in sampling of axillary lymph nodes among women with early-stage breast cancer.
Endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms with detachable coils: angiographic and clinical outcomes in 115 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Because of their anatomic configuration, middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms are most often treated with surgical clipping. However, endovascular coil embolization of these aneurysms is an increasingly used alternative. We retrospectively reviewed the anatomic and clinical outcomes of patients with MCA aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment at our institution. METHODS: One hundred fifteen MCA aneurysms in 115 patients (mean age, 55.1 years) were treated by an endovascular technique from April 1990 to March 2007. Forty-eight patients (42%) presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 67 patients (58%) had unruptured aneurysms. Fifty-three aneurysms (46%) were small with a small neck, 28 (24%) were small with a wide neck, 22 (19%) were large, and 12 (11 %) were giant. RESULTS: Angiographic results immediately after embolization showed complete occlusion in 53 aneurysms (46%), a neck remnant in 51 (44%), and incomplete occlusion in 3 (3%). Because of anatomic difficulties, we could not embolize 8 aneurysms (7%). Thirteen patients underwent combined treatment that included endovascular and extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery. Morbidity and mortality rates were 6.9% (8 patients) and 3% (3 patients), respectively. Procedure-related complications were encountered in 10 patients (9%). Seventy patients had long-term follow-up angiograms. Seven aneurysms (10%) were recanalized; all were large or giant. One partially embolized large aneurysm ruptured 13 months after embolization. CONCLUSION: In this series, endovascular coil embolization of MCA aneurysms has morbidity and mortality rates comparable to those of conventional surgical clipping. Combined treatment of endovascular and bypass surgery can successfully treat large or giant complex fusiform MCA aneurysms.
Gene transfer into human hepatoma cells by receptor-associated protein/polylysine conjugates.

Receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a ligand for all members of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor families. RAP is internalized into cells via receptor-mediated endocytic trafficking, making it an attractive mechanism for efficient gene delivery. In this study, we have developed a gene delivery system using RAP as a targeting ligand. A RAP cDNA lacking a C-terminal heparin-binding domain was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from a human liver cDNA library and was reamplified by using a primer containing a cysteine codon at its carboxyl end to facilitate its conjugation to polylysine (polyK). RAP was purified using a bacterial expression system and coupled to poly-d-lysine (PDL) or poly-l-lysine (PLL) of average MW 50 kDa via the heterobifunctional cross-linker SPDP. Using fluorescence-labeled RAP ligand, cellular uptake of the transfection complexes into HepG2 cells was shown to be highly efficient and more specific to PDL-conjugated RAP compared with PLL-conjugated one. Plasmid DNA cont...
Simultaneous measurement of glucose and glutamine in insect cell culture media by near infrared spectroscopy.

The purpose of this study was to develop non- invasive techniques to monitor the composition of cell culture media in insect cell bioreactors. Such a monitor could be used in conjunction with a fed-batch feeding scheme to ensure that cells are maintained in an optimal environment for growth and protein production. Glucose and glutamine concentrations in an insect cell culture bioreactor were determined off-line with near-infrared (NIR) absorption spectroscopy. Spectra were collected from 5000 to 4000 cm ˛1 with a 1.5-mm optical path length. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was applied to correlate the collected spectra with the concentration of the desired analytes. Under the culture conditions evaluated here, glucose and glutamine concentrations ranged from 38 to 55 mM and from 3t o 13 mM, respec- tively. Accurate measurements of glucose and glutamine in insect cell culture samples were possible over these entire ranges. The standard error of prediction (SEP) and mean percent error (MPE) for glutamine were 0.52 mM and 5.3%, respectively. Glucose could be measured with an SEP of 1.30 mM and an MPE of 2.3%. These levels of error are quite low considering the changing complexity of the growth media due to the shifting levels of amino acids, carbohydrates, yeastolate, proteins, and cell de- bris. This study represents an important step in the de- velopment of noninvasive on-line monitoring devices for cell culture bioreactors. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 11-15, 1997.
Preclinical 1H-MRS neurochemical profiling in neurological and psychiatric disorders

The ongoing development of animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders in combination with the development of advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and instrumentation has led to increased use of in vivo proton NMR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for neurochemical analyses. 1H-MRS is one of only a few analytical methods that can assay in vivo and longitudinal neurochemical changes associated with neurological and psychiatric diseases, with the added advantage of being a technique that can be utilized in both preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, recent progress in the use of 1H-MRS to investigate animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders is summarized with examples from the literature and our own work.
Quantum Morphing and the Jones Polynomial

We will explore the experimental observation that on the set of knots with bounded crossing number, algebraically independent Vassiliev invariants become correlated, as noticed first by S. Willerton. We will see this through the value distribution of the Jones polynomial at roots of unit. As the degree of the roots of unit is getting larger, the higher order fluctuation is diminishing and a more organized shape will emerge from a rather random value distribution of the Jones polynomial. We call such a phenomenon “quantum morphing”. Evaluations of the Jones polynomial at roots of unity play a crucial role, for example in the volume conjecture.
A Statistical Method for Assessing Peptide Identification Confidence in Accurate Mass and Time Tag Proteomics

Current algorithms for quantifying peptide identification confidence in the accurate mass and time (AMT) tag approach assume that the AMT tags themselves have been correctly identified. However, there is uncertainty in the identification of AMT tags, because this is based on matching LC-MS/MS fragmentation spectra to peptide sequences. In this paper, we incorporate confidence measures for the AMT tag identifications into the calculation of probabilities for correct matches to an AMT tag database, resulting in a more accurate overall measure of identification confidence for the AMT tag approach. The method is referenced as Statistical Tools for AMT Tag Confidence (STAC). STAC additionally provides a uniqueness probability (UP) to help distinguish between multiple matches to an AMT tag and a method to calculate an overall false discovery rate (FDR). STAC is freely available for download, as both a command line and a Windows graphical application.
Examining organizational climate in institutions of higher education

Two major questions related to organizational climate have existed in the organizational theory literature for the past twenty years. First, at what level of analysis should the construct of climate be operationalized (i.e., does climate have greater relevance at an organizationwide or subunit level?). Second, in what specific ways do organizations with positive climates differ from those with comparatively more negative climates. This study examines organizational climate in nine four-year public colleges and utilizes data from 2,937 respondents. The most significant findings are: (1) Climate does have relevance at the organizational level in that it distinguishes carnpuses from one another, but subunits, particularly academic departments, account for the largest proportion of variance; (2) administrators have significantly and consistently more positive perceptions of organizational climate than do faculty; (3) faculty at campuses with comparatively more positive climates report greater goal clarity and performance standards.
Mastery Level Learning and the Art of Database Design

Database design is as much an art as it is a science. In order for students to become skilled enough to produce an effective design, they will need to achieve the synthesis level of Bloom's taxonomy. Given the effort involved in reaching that level, a constructivist approach must be used to teach the course. However, even using a project based approach may not be sufficient. B ased on learning styles research, it can be shown that learners with a mastery level coping style will be more likely to stick with the process long enough to achieve the synthesis level than will lea rners with a helpless learning style. The process described in this paper incorporates many standard database teaching techniques, along with an innovative example and various pedagogical techniques to help the students adopt a mastery level mindset and ac hieve the necessary level of cognitive skill to effectively design databases.
The Extent and Relevance of Pre-High School Attrition and Delayed Education for Hispanics:

Hispanics have a high dropout rate from school. Using the 1976 Survey of Income and Education, analyses were conducted to assess when in the schooling process Hispanics drop out from school. Focusing on Hispanics aged 14 to 25 years, findings suggest that 40% of all Hispanic dropouts leave school before reaching the 10th grade, with most of the pre-high school attrition occurring at the junior high school level. Dropping out among Hispanics peaks in the 11th grade (30% of all Hispanic dropouts), followed by a sharp decline in the 12th grade (7%). Pre-high school attrition clearly is a serious problem for Hispanics, suggesting the need for investigation focusing on the critical junior high school period in which significant numbers of Hispanic youth not only drop out of school, but also experience substantial delays in their educational progress. It is also suggested that pre-high school attrition statistics be placed in the category of social indicators which are analyzed on a regular basis for Hispanics,...
Target identification with wave-based matched pursuits and hidden Markov models

The method of matched pursuits is an algorithm by which a waveform is parsed into its fundamental constituents here, in the context of short-pulse electromagnetic scattering, wavefronts, and resonances (constituting what we have called wave-based matched pursuits). The wave-based matched-pursuits algorithm is used to develop a codebook of features that are representative of time-domain scattering from a target of interest, accounting for the variability of such as a function of target-sensor orientation. This codebook is subsequently used in the context of a hidden Markov model (HMM) in which the probability of measuring a particular codebook element is quantified as a function of target-sensor orientation. We review the wave-based matched-pursuits algorithm and its use in the context of an HMM (for target identification). Finally, this new wave-based signal processing algorithm is demonstrated with simulated scattering data, with additive noise.
Intelligent power management in SHEV based on roadway type and traffic congestion levels

This paper presents a machine learning approach to train an intelligent power controller for a series hybrid electric vehicle. The proposed machine learning approach exploits the best efficiency of the components associated with the roadway type and traffic congestion level to reduce the overall fuel consumption. [Given certain non changeable parameters such as the generator efficiency, the battery parameters, and the engine efficiency, the optimal system point can be calculated.] The algorithm itself will be able to exploit the road conditions at a given time, but only an average value of the road conditions. It is the goal of this paper to further refine the standard best efficiency control schemes by utilizing the road type prediction and dynamically controlling the engine/generator power to best match not only the best efficiency calculations but also an optimal prediction of the road conditions, not just the average.
Preparation of Ultrathin Nanocomposite Films from Exfoliated Aluminosilicate/Coumarin Dye Complexes and Cationic Polyelectrolytes by Layer-by-Layer Deposition

Multilayer nanocomposite films have been prepared from exfoliated aluminosilicate/coumarin dye complex through layer-by-layer self-assembly using cationic polyelectrolytes. Coumarin dye molecules were intercalated into the layered aluminosilicate by an ion exchange reaction. Particles of the hectorite/dye complex were delaminated by extensive shaking and sonication of their water suspension into 2π3 nm-thin silicate layers with molecules of the dye adsorbed on their surface. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy data are in agreement with such a model. Ultrathin multilayered films were prepared using layer-by-layer self-assembly from the aluminosilicate platelets and a cationic polyelectrolyte polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDAC). Linear build-up of the films up to 20 cycles was demonstrated and investigated using absorption spectroscopy and spectrofluorometer. The resulting transparent films have exhibited strong characteristic blue-green fluorescence due to coumarin dye molecules adhered to the exfoliated hectorite platelets.
A study on MMC model and its current control strategies

Modular multilevel is a new type of topological structure. The voltage source converter that adopts this type is named as Modular Multilevel Converter-MMC. In this paper, the operating principle of MMC is analysed and the mathematical model based on switching function is presented, and then average value model of MMC in DQ coordinates is deduced in order to meet the requirements of MMC control system design. The non-linear current decoupling control strategy is proposed. Computer simulation is performed to verify the MMC model and the efficiency of current control strategy. In addition, the simulation results show good performance and the quick response ability of the proposed controller.