cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural soil pipes release peat carbon to atmosphere

A significant amount of organic carbon and carbon dioxide is stored within the partially decomposed plant remains that make up peatlands in northern climates. If this carbon were released to the atmosphere, it could affect climate. In peatlands, soil pipes—naturally occurring tubes of various sizes—could provide a route for deeply buried carbon to escape to the atmosphere. To learn more about the sources of carbon being emitted to the atmosphere in peatlands, Billett et al. measured carbon amounts and isotope ratios in particulate carbon, dissolved organic carbon, methane, and carbon dioxide released from three natural peat pipes and the downstream catchment outlet of a small peatland in northern England. Isotope ratios provide an indication of the source and age of the carbon; generally, deeper carbon is older.
A geometric algorithm for voice activity detection in nonstationary Gaussian noise

A new algorithm for voice activity detection in additive nonstationary noise is presented. The algorithm utilizes the differences of the probability distribution properties of noise and speech signal. The Magnitude Density (MDF) and the Magnitude Distribution Functions (MDF) are defined. The noise level is monitored for automatic threshold estimation. The estimate is shown to be accurate also when analysis windows do not fully contain non-speech signals and in the presence of non-stationary noise. The algorithm has been applied different type of noises (traffic, water, restaurant, ect.). The voice activity detection algorithm is shown to operate reliably in SNRs down to 0 dB and noise variance up to 10 dB/sec.
Evasion of innate and adaptive immune responses by influenza A virus

Host organisms have developed sophisticated antiviral responses in order to defeat emerging influenza A viruses (IAVs). At the same time IAVs have evolved immune evasion strategies. The immune system of mammals provides several lines of defence to neutralize invading pathogens or limit their replication. Here, we summarize the mammalian innate and adaptive immune mechanisms involved in host defence against viral infection and review strategies by which IAVs avoid, circumvent or subvert these mechanisms. We highlight well-characterized, as well as recently described features of this intriguing virus-host molecular battle.
Hypothyroidism affects dopamine D2 modulation of metabolism, body temperature, and breathing frequency in young female hamsters (1178.1)

Previous work from our laboratory showed that administration of 1 mg/kg bromocriptine (B), a D2 receptor agonist, stimulated body temperature, metabolism and ventilation in older hypothyroid females, but depressed these variables in older euthyroid female hamsters without affecting the expression of D2 receptors in various brain regions. This project investigated how hypothyroidism (induced by administration of propylthiouracil in drinking water) affected body temperature, ventilation and metabolism in young euthyroid and hypothyroid female hamsters following administration of vehicle and B. We hypothesized that the physiological responses of 2 month old females to B (1mg/kg) would be similar to those observed in older hypothyroid female hamsters. Results indicated that administration of 1 mg/kg B had little effect on breathing in young euthyroid and hypothyroid female hamsters. A higher dose, 3 mg/kg B, decreased body temperature and frequency of breathing in euthyroid hamsters, but stimulated metabolic ...
PLL synchronization for coded modulation

Joint maximum-likelihood estimation of data and reference phase is a preferred method of reception/phase synchronization for trellis-coded modulations. Often, this joint estimation process is too complex. To avert this problem several researchers have proposed methods that decouple data and phase estimation. In such schemes, tentative data estimates are required by the synchronizer, and to improve these estimates, their release to the synchronizer is delayed. However, this delay also slows the synchronizer's response to rapid phase reference changes. The effect of this delay is explored. Also presented is an improved synchronizer that, although it operates without delay, suffers from few of the effects associated with poor data estimates. >
Extracardiac anomalies, aneuploidy and growth retardation in 100 consecutive fetal congenital heart defects.

The importance of extracardiac anomalies in 100 consecutive fetuses with congenital heart disease was evaluated. The most common cardiac diagnoses were hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 35% and atrioventricular canal defect in 15%. Extracardiac anomalies were present in 42%, abnormal karyotype in 19% and intrauterine growth retardation in 20%. There were 45 survivors (35 required neonatal surgery, ten did not require early surgery) and 80% (36/45) of the survivors had isolated congenital heart disease. Extracardiac anomalies and abnormal karyotype were more frequently present in non-survivors (p < 0.001). Also, intrauterine growth retardation was more frequent in non-survivors (p < 0.05).
Biochemistry and physiology of n-3 fatty acids.

Considering the n-3 fatty acids to be partial agonists relative to n-6 fatty acids helps consolidate into a unified interpretation the many diverse reports and controversies on the actions of these two types of essential fatty acids. Some research reports illustrate the similarities between these two types and some emphasize the differences, leaving readers to evaluate the status of n-3 fatty acids from a viewpoint that is conceptually similar to regarding a glass of water as half empty or half full. Both n-3 and n-6 types of fatty acids must be obtained through the diet because they are not synthesized de novo by vertebrates. Both types can support important physiological and developmental processes, can form eicosanoids (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, lipoxins, etc.), can be esterified to and hydrolyzed from tissue glycerolipids, and can be metabolically elongated and desaturated to a variety of highly unsaturated fatty acids. However, some nonesterified n-6 acids are vigorously converted to potent n-6 e...
Collaborative Face Recognition Using a Network of Embedded Cameras

In this chapter, we describe the design and implementation of a distributed real-time face recognition system using a network of embedded cameras. We consider a scenario that simulates typical corridors and passages in airports and other indoor public spaces, where real-time human identification is of prime significance. We characterize system performance on an embedded camera network testbed which is assembled using commercial off-the-shelf components. We quantify the impact of multiple views on the accuracy of face recognition, and describe how distributed pre-processing and local filtering help in reducing both the network load, and the overall processing time.
Stochasticity and irreversibility in infinite mechanical systems

The concepts of KoZmogorov entropy and Kolmogorov flows are extended to quantum dynamical systems described in the language of von Neumann algebras. This generalization carries over to the quantum realm the result that the entropy of non-singular K-flows is strictly positive ; in particular, this entropy is again infinite for the quantum generalization of the flow of Brownian motion.
Glucose transporter isotypes switch in T-antigen-transformed pancreatic beta cells growing in culture and in mice.

Abstract High-level expression of the low-Km glucose transporter isoform GLUT-1 is characteristic of many cultured tumor and oncogene-transformed cells. In this study, we tested whether induction of GLUT-1 occurs in tumors in vivo. Normal mouse beta islet cells express the high-Km (approximately 20 mM) glucose transporter isoform GLUT-2 but not the low-Km (1 to 3 mM) GLUT-1. In contrast, a beta cell line derived from an insulinoma arising in a transgenic mouse harboring an insulin-promoted simian virus 40 T-antigen oncogene (beta TC3) expressed very low levels of GLUT-2 but high levels of GLUT-1. GLUT-1 protein was not detectable on the plasma membrane of islets or tumors of the transgenic mice but was induced in high amounts when the tumor-derived beta TC3 cells were grown in tissue culture. GLUT-1 expression in secondary tumors formed after injection of beta TC3 cells into mice was reduced. Thus, high-level expression of GLUT-1 in these tumor cells is characteristic of culture conditions and is not induced by the oncogenic transformation; indeed, overnight culture of normal pancreatic islets causes induction of GLUT-1. We also investigated the relationship between expression of the different glucose transporter isoforms by islet and tumor cells and induction of insulin secretion by glucose. Prehyperplastic transgenic islet cells that expressed normal levels of GLUT-2 and no detectable GLUT-1 exhibited an increased sensitivity to glucose, as evidenced by maximal insulin secretion at lower glucose concentrations, compared with that exhibited by normal islets. Further, hyperplastic islets and primary and secondary tumors expressed low levels of GLUT-2 and no detectable GLUT-1 on the plasma membrane; these cells exhibited high basal insulin secretion and responded poorly to an increase in extracellular glucose. Thus, abnormal glucose-induced secretion of insulin in prehyperplastic islets in mice was independent of changes in GLUT-2 expression and did not require induction of GLUT-1 expression.
Simulation Studies of Ion Dynamic Effects on Dense Plasma Line Shapes

Computer simulations have been widely used in studying dense plasma Properties1 including the local field properties important in spectral line broadening calculations2. We will review here a more recent use of simulation, possibly less familiar to this audience, where the time dependent ionic microfield generated by computer simulation of a plasma is used directly as a time dependent external potential for the evolution of the electronic structure of an ion. This permits calculation of the dipole correlation function and thus line shapes with the inclusion of ion dynamic effects.
Immunocytochemical and neurochemical evidence for age-related loss of GABA in the inferior colliculus: implications for neural presbycusis

The present study describes substantial, selective, age-related loss of the putative inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CIC) of rat based on immunocytochemical and neurochemical data. For immunocytochemistry, neurons in the CIC were immunolabeled using an antibody against a GABA conjugate in young adult (2- to 7-month-old) and aged (18- to 29-month-old) Fischer-344 rats. Computer-assisted morphometry was then used to generate maps of GABA- immunoreactive neurons in the CIC. The number of GABA-positive neurons was reduced 36% in the ventrolateral portion of the CIC of aged animals (93 neurons/mm2) compared to their matched young adult cohorts (145 neurons/mm2; p less than 0.01). For neurochemistry, basal and K(+)- evoked release of the endogenous amino acids GABA, glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), and tyrosine (Tyr) from micropunches of the CIC were measured in 8 age-paired animals from the 2 age groups using high- performance liquid chromatography. Overflow of radiolabeled acetylcholine (3H-ACh) was also determined. In both age groups, K(+)- evoked release of GABA, Glu, Asp, and 3H-ACh from CIC punches was significantly enhanced above basal efflux (+200, +215, +163, and +309%, respectively), while Tyr release was unchanged. Evoked release of 3H- ACh and all amino acids except Tyr showed substantial Ca2+ dependence. A significant (p less than 0.05) age-related reduction in both basal (- 35%) and K(+)-stimulated (-42%) efflux of GABA from the CIC was observed. A corresponding decrease in postrelease tissue content of GABA in CIC of aged rats was observed (-30%, p less than 0.05). In contrast, tissue content as well as basal and evoked release of Glu, Asp, Tyr, and 3H-ACh was similar between the 2 age groups. Age-related GABA neurochemical changes described in the CIC were not observed in the release of the other amino acids or 3H-ACh from either the rostral ventrolateral medulla or the somatosensory cortex, 2 brain regions involved in processing non-auditory sensory input. These data support previous findings that GABA, Glu, Asp, and ACh may subserve neurotransmission in the CIC. Additionally, these data provide clear evidence for a pronounced, region- and neurotransmitter-selective, age- related reduction of GABA in the CIC. These findings support the hypothesis that impairment of inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in the CIC may contribute to abnormal auditory perception and processing seen in neural presbycusis.
Hot-gas cleanup−sulfur recovery technical, environmental, and economic issues

Abstract Advanced high-efficiency integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power systems employing hot-gas cleanup are being developed to produce electric power from coal. Hot-gas cleanup consists of hot particulate removal and hot-gas desulfurization (HGD) technologies that match or nearly match the temperature and pressure of the gasifier and turbine generator. HGD is carried out using solid regenerable metal oxide sorbents that can remove the sulfur down to low parts per million and can be regenerated with air for multicycle operation. Economic studies have shown that HGD results in lower capital and operating costs than conventional cold gas desulfurization. Development of efficient sorbent desulfurization-regeneration reactor and tailgas treatment subsystems properly integrated with the overall IGCC systems is a key requirement for successful commercialization of HGD.
Diffraction Characteristics of a Linear Zone Plate

The focusing, resolving, and diffracting properties of a linear zone plate in the neighborhood of the principal positive focus are examined theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical analysis employs both elementary and Kirchhoff diffraction theory; the experimental work was done using a helium–neon gas laser and a 200-line plate. A numerical comparison between theory and experiment shows good agreement for the choice of parameters employed.
Speech and Swallowing in Parkinson's Disease.

Dysarthria and dysphagia occur frequently in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Reduced speech intelligibility is a significant functional limitation of dysarthria, and in the case of PD is likely related articulatory and phonatory impairment. Prosodically-based treatments show the most promise for addressing these deficits as well as for maximizing speech intelligibility. Communication-oriented strategies also may help to enhance mutual understanding between a speaker and listener. Dysphagia in PD can result in serious health issues, including aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration. Early identification of swallowing abnormalities is critical so as to minimize the impact of dysphagia on health status and quality of life. Feeding modifications, compensatory strategies, and therapeutic swallowing techniques all have a role in the management of dysphagia in PD.
Green's relations for regular elements of sandwich semigroups, II; semigroups of continuous functions

A sandwich semigroup of continuous functions consists of continuous functions with domains all in some space X and ranges all in some space Y with multiplication defined by fg = f oαo g where α is a fixed continuous function from a subspace of Y into X . These semigroups include, as special cases, a number of semigroups previously studied by various people. In this paper, we characterize the regular elements of such semigroups and we completely determine Green's relations for the regular elements. We also determine the maximal subgroups and, finally, we apply some of these results to semigroups of Boolean ring homomorphisms.
Stable high-titer n-butanol production from sucrose and sugarcane juice by Clostridium acetobutylicum JB200 in repeated batch fermentations

The production of n-butanol, a widely used industrial chemical and promising transportation fuel, from abundant, low-cost substrates, such as sugarcane juice, in acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation was studied with Clostridium acetobutylicum JB200, a mutant with high butanol tolerance and capable of producing high-titer (>20 g/L) n-butanol from glucose. Although JB200 is a favorable host for industrial bio-butanol production, its fermentation performance with sucrose and sugarcane juice as substrates has not been well studied. In this study, the long-term n-butanol production from sucrose by JB200 was evaluated with cells immobilized in a fibrous-bed bioreactor (FBB), showing stable performance with high titer (16-20 g/L), yield (∼ 0.21 g/g sucrose) and productivity (∼ 0.32 g/Lh) for 16 consecutive batches over 800 h. Sugarcane thick juice as low-cost substrate was then tested in 3 consecutive batches, which gave similar n-butanol production, demonstrating that JB200 is a robust and promising strain for industrial ABE fermentation.
Inactivation of particle-associated microorganisms in wastewater disinfection: modeling of ozone and chlorine reactive diffusive transport in polydispersed suspensions.

Abstract Occlusion of microorganisms in wastewater particles often governs the overall performance of a disinfection system, and the associated health risks of post-disinfected effluents. Little is currently known on the penetration of chemical oxidants into particles developed in wastewater treatment. In this work, a reactive transport model that incorporates intra- and extra-particle chemical decay, radial intra-particle diffusion, mass transfer resistance at particle surfaces, and non-linear reaction kinetics within a competitive multi-particle size aqueous environment, was used to analyze the penetration of ozone and chlorine into wastewater particles. Individual characteristics from two secondary wastewater treatment facilities were used in model calibration. Simulations revealed that significant ozone transport within particles greater than 6 μm required large initial concentrations to exhaust the preferential reaction with aqueous soluble matter. Chlorinated samples exhibited apparently slower reactions and thus deeper penetration (22–40 μm). Chlorine penetration was less sensitive to variations in the extra-particle reaction and disinfectant concentration than ozone. Model simulations that considered elevated initial concentrations of chemical disinfectants revealed that complete inactivation of all particle size domains was not possible with current disinfection practices (e.g., contact times). Reduction in the health risks associated with wastewater particles requires treatment that efficiently balances particle removal (filtration) and particle inactivation (disinfection).
Luteotropin in pseudopregnant, hypophysectomized rabbits: positive effect of estrone and negative effect of LH.

Bovineluteinizinghormone (LH), injected subcutaneously at 12-hr intervals, did not exhibit luteotropic properties in hypophysectomized pseudopregnant rabbits. Estrone, 50 μg or 1 mg daily, did maintain the weight and morphology of the corpora lutea for at least 11 days following hypophysectomy, and the effect of this estrogen was not modified by supplemental treatment with LH. Therefore, LH acted neither antagonistically nor synergistically with estrone. The previously described luteolytic effect of small dosages of exogenous LH appeared to be independent of pituitary stimulation, since luteal regression did not differ significantly in hypophysectomized and intact LHtreated animals. (Endocrinology 81: 1435, 1967)
Discovery of selective inhibitors of the Clostridium difficile dehydroquinate dehydratase.

A vibrant and healthy gut flora is essential for preventing the proliferation of Clostridium difficile, a pathogenic bacterium that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms. In fact, most C. difficile infections (CDIs) occur after broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, which, by eradicating the commensal gut bacteria, allows its spores to proliferate. Hence, a C. difficile specific antibiotic that spares the gut flora would be highly beneficial in treating CDI. Towards this goal, we set out to discover small molecule inhibitors of the C. difficile enzyme dehydroquinate dehydratase (DHQD). DHQD is the 3rd of seven enzymes that compose the shikimate pathway, a metabolic pathway absent in humans, and is present in bacteria as two phylogenetically and mechanistically distinct types. Using a high-throughput screen we identified three compounds that inhibited the type I C. difficile DHQD but not the type II DHQD from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a highly represented commensal gut bacterial species. Kinetic analysis revealed that the compounds inhibit the C. difficile enzyme with Ki values ranging from 10 to 20 µM. Unexpectedly, kinetic and biophysical studies demonstrate that inhibitors also exhibit selectivity between type I DHQDs, inhibiting the C. difficile but not the highly homologous Salmonella enterica DHQD. Therefore, the three identified compounds seem to be promising lead compounds for the development of C. difficile specific antibiotics.
Assessing the associations of sodium intake with long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a hypertensive cohort.

Hypertension affects approximately 30% of all US adults1 and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.2 Although antihypertensive medication is the mainstay of blood pressure (BP) control, dietary sodium restriction has been widely recommended as a public health measure for both prevention and treatment of hypertension.3 Sodium restriction has been found to lower mean BP,4–6 with a recent Cochrane review indicating an average systolic BP (SBP) reduction of 3.5% in hypertensive patients when sodium intake was reduced by 125 mmol/day.7 At the same time, controversy exists on whether this sodium–BP effect actually translates to cardioprevention because intensive sodium restriction may have adverse effects on insulin resistance, triglycerides, and sympathetic nervous system activation.7,8 Studies directly examining the association between sodium intake and cardiovascular outcomes have produced conflicting results, with some finding a direct association, some showing an inverse or J-shaped curve, and others finding no relation to cardiovascular disease mortality. The lack of a consistent association is highlighted by the recent Institute of Medicine report,9 which concluded that the available data preclude a recommendation to restrict sodium to <2,300mg per day, as well as a recent meta-analysis demonstrating no association between reduced sodium intake and cardiovascular mortality despite a significant reduction in BP.10 Average sodium intakes vary widely across geographic locales, and differences among the populations studied may partially account for the seemingly inconsistent results.11–32 This variation underscores the importance of population-specific studies. In the United States, an adverse association of lower sodium intake with cardiovascular outcomes in a group of healthy hypertensive patients was reported in 1995. During an average of 3.8 years of follow-up, with a mean sodium intake of 115 mmol, an inverse association with myocardial infarction (MI) was found.13 Our study describes the association of sodium intake with long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in this same cohort, now after nearly 20 years of mean follow-up. This represents the longest follow-up to date of baseline sodium excretion with mortality outcomes in hypertensive subjects.
Purification of the ‘link proteins’ from bovine articular cartilage and comparison with ‘link proteins’ from nasal septum

Summary Proteoglycan links are glycoproteins present in cartilage ground substance which are reportedly involved in stabilizing the interaction between two other components of cartilage, proteoglycan subunit and hyaluronic acid. These proteins have been isolated and purified in the past by equilibrium density centrifugation. Presented here, for the first time, is evidence for the purification of the links from bovine articular cartilage using a new method which does not involve equilibrium density centrifugation. The results indicate that the articular cartilage links have properties similar to those of the nasal septum links.
Serum‐free light chain analysis by crossed immunoelectrophoresis: Correlation with plasmapheresis in light chain disease nephropathy

The technique of crossed immunoelectrophoresis (X-IEP) has been used to quantify free monoclonal light chains (LC) directly in the serum of patients with light chain disease, without preliminary gel or membrane filtration of serum to separate whole immunoglobulin. LC concentration is proportional to the area under an immunoprecipitin peak formed by LC in the patient's serum and an anti-LC antibody of appropriate specificity. Light chains of beta electrophoretic mobility can be processed in the standard X-IEP technique at pH 8.6. Light chains of gamma mobility must be processed in a modified technique using a pH of 5.0 and a carbamylated antiserum in the second dimension gel. Dose response curves obtained from the method in serial dilution experiments with sera from 18 patients gave correlation coefficients greater than or equal to 0.99. Replicate measurements of absolute LC concentration on the same specimens were within +/- 10%. The method can also detect polymerized light chains. Serum light chain levels were measured during the course of plasmapheresis therapy in three patients with light chain disease and renal failure. Light chain levels were shown to fall after plasmapheresis and to rise rather rapidly in the interval between treatments.
Problem‐Based Learning: A Learning Environment for Enhancing Learning Transfer

This chapter provides a conceptual foundation and rationale, as well as instructional design guidelines, for using problem-based learning (PBL) to enhance adult learners' learning transfer.
OGO-E Cosmic Radiation - Nuclear Abundance Experiment

Information on the detailed charge and energy spectra of galactic and solar cosmic rays is required for a better understanding of the production, acceleration and modulation of those cosmic rays. This experiment consists of a set of three detector assemblies to measure the differential energy spectra of protons and heavier nuclei through calcium (Z = 20) in the range of 400 Kev to 1 Bev/nucleon, and an extensive electronics system to implement the logic, perform pulse height analysis, measure particle fluxes, monitor experiment performance and interface with the OGO data system. The detector systems described here are the design of F. B. McDonald, V. K. Balasubrahmanyan, D. E. Hagge, B. Teegarden and G. H. Ludwig of the Goddard Space Flight Center.
The Importance of the Source of Isolated Soybean Protein in Nutrition

Abstract A large number of studies on the zinc requirements of poultry have been conducted with purified diets containing isolated soybean protein obtainable from the Dracket Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, and later from Archer Daniels Midland Co. of the same address, under the trade name of ADM-Assay Protein C-l (ADM-C-1). This particular preparation has become unavailable and nutritionists have been forced to consider other materials. We have compared ADM-Assay protein C-l with Assay Protein C-l obtainable from Skidmore Enterprises, Cincinnati, Ohio, (Skid-C-1) and RP-100 obtainable from Ralston Purina Co., St. Louis, Missouri. The results of our experiments in which a comparison of these sources of isolated soybean protein was made for the growth of turkey poults are given in this report. The composition of the zinc deficient diet is given in Table 1. The protein source was added at a level of 330 gm./kg. diet. In the absence of any supplementary zinc, …
Ampicillin in the treatment of acute suppurative meningitis

During 1963 and 1964 in vitro sensitivity studies indicated that ampicillin waseffective against the three common etiologic agents of bacterial meningitis in children. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid studies revealed high blood levels and detectable cerebrospinal fluid levels of ampicillin in patients with and without meningeal disease but the mean cerebrospinal fluid/serum ratio was significantly higher in patients with bacterial meningitis. Twenty-eight children with acute bacterial meningitis were treated with ampicillin alone. No significant differences in mortality or complications were noted when the results of this therapy were compared with those in two groups of patients treated with conventional “triple therapy.”
Railway Workers and Relational History: Arabs and Jews in British-Ruled Palestine

During the period of Ottoman rule over the Arab East, from 1516 until the end of the First World War, the term Palestine (Filastin) denoted a geographic region, part of what the Arabs called al-Sham (historic Syria), rather than a specific Ottoman province or administrative district. By contrast, from 1920 to 1948, Palestine existed as a distinct and unified political (and to a considerable extent economic) entity with well-defined boundaries. Ruled by Britain under a so-called mandate granted by the League of Nations, Palestine in that period encompassed an Arab majority and a Jewish minority.
Behavior of particles in a liquid-solids fluidized bed

The mechanics of particle motion in a fluidized bed were studied by focusing on the microscopic behavior of the particles. The local displacements of nylon particles fluidized by liquid were measured by the micro-capacitance method, and the resultant time series was analyzed by determining its auto-correlation function and the corresponding power spectrum. This has given rise to a stochastic or statistical model of particle displacements in the fluidized bed. This model visualizes the particle motion in a fluidized bed to consist of the random movement, generating irregular signals, and the linear movement, generating wave-like signals.
The preparation of seven N-substituted malonyl guanidine derivatives†

Methods of synthesis are described for seven new N-substituted malonyl guanidine derivatives which are analogs of phenobarbital (a malonyl urea derivative).
Assessment of Personal Protective Equipment Use Among Farmers in Eastern North Carolina: A Cross-sectional Study

Agriculture consistently ranks among the top hazardous occupations, accounting for a significant number of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Eastern North Carolina has a significant number of small, independent, family-run, owned, and operated farms. However, little is known about perception, behavior, training, accessibility, or purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety among farmers in the region. In this study, telephone interviews were conducted among participating farmers between March and June 2012 (N = 129). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine associations between PPE behavior and workplace hazards, health-related concerns, and wearing and purchasing PPE. Findings indicated that personal behavior of wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) and protection from the sun among farmers was low. However, a relatively high percentage of farmers reported wearing PPE when working with agricultural chemicals. Most farmers received training from agricultural extension offices. The findings indicate that, in general, farmers are well aware of the risks associated with occupational hazards and recognize concern for health and safety protection in the workplace. Transitioning these concerns into preventative action remains a challenge and priority for the agricultural health professional.
Evaluation of a Social Cognitive Theory-Based Yoga Intervention to Reduce Anxiety

Yoga is often viewed as a form of alternative and complementary medicine, as it strives to achieve equilibrium between the body and mind that AIDS healing. Studies have shown the beneficial role of yoga in anxiety reduction. The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate a 10-week social cognitive theory based yoga intervention to reduce anxiety. The yoga intervention utilized the constructs of behavioral capability, expectations, self-efficacy for yoga from social cognitive theory, and included asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), shava asana (relaxation), and dhyana (meditation). A one-between and one-within group, quasi-experimental design was utilized for evaluation. Scales measuring expectations from yoga, self-efficacy for yoga, and Speilberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory, were administered before and after the intervention. Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed to compare pre-test and post-test scores in the two groups. Yoga as an approach shows pro...
On the convergence of parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations of LJ38.

The convergence of parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations of the 38-atom Lennard-Jones cluster starting from the Oh global minimum and from the C5v second-lowest-energy minimum is investigated. It is found that achieving convergence is appreciably more difficult, particularly at temperatures in the vicinity of the Oh → C5v transformation when starting from the C5v structure. A strategy combining the Tsallis generalized ensemble and the parallel tempering algorithm is implemented and used to improve the convergence of the simulations in the vicinity of the Oh → C5v transformation.
Clairvoyant perception of target material in three states of consciousness.

-Four Ss with histories of reported spontaneous ESP occurrence participated in 8 sessions per S. Each session consisted of 3 trials in which the contents (art prints) of sealed envelopes were assessed by clairvoyant means. One trial took place'while S was in his ordinary waking stare, one while S was in a self-induced altered conscious state, and one while S was in an altered state induced by sensory-bombardment techniques. Written transcripts of each S's statements were given to 3 outside evaluators who ranked each transcript against the 4 possible art prints in [he target pool randomly selected for that session. Using median ranks of 1 and 2 as "hits" and ranks of 3 and 4 as "misses," the 4 Ss were awarded a total of 58 "hits" and 38 "misses" (CR = 2.04, p = .041, twotailed). S-judgings produced a total of 61 "hits'' and 35 "misses" (CR = 2.65, p = .008, two-railed).
Schryer-Walker quasi-exact solutions to the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations

The Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equations describe the dynamics of ferromagnets. Using various assumptions, several exact solutions to this nonlinear system are determined in Refs. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65 (1990) 787; J.F. Dillon, Domains and domain walls, in: G.T. Rado, H. Suhl (Eds.), A Treatise on Modern Theory and Materials. Vol. 3: Magnetism, Academic Press, New York, 1963; J. Nonlinear Mech. 36(4) (2001) 571; J. Appl. Phys. 45 (1974) 5406; Phys. Rev. B 43 (1991) 5908]. This paper generalizes these previous results and develops several quasi-exact solutions. The accuracy of these quasi-exact solutions is illustrated in several examples.
A multivariate description of change in body shape of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) during smoltification

Abstract Morphometric and hormonal variability was examined in yearling coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) from the Trinity River Hatchery, CA. Body shape was evaluated by principal component analysis on a variance-covariance matrix of 26 truss measurements. Values of body shape — as measured by principal component two (PC II) — gradually increased from January until the middle of March, and then declined steadily until mid-April. The peak value of PC II occurred near the first new moon of the vernal equinox. Values of plasma thyroxine (T 4 ) and PC II were not statistically correlated; however, peak values T 4 coincided with peak values of PC II in March and April. These coincidental changes in accord with a lunar-related schedule of smoltification indicate that changes in body form in coho salmon are associated with the parr-smolt transformation. We tentatively interpret PC II as differential growth of the ventral portion of the caudal peduncle. Because of the pronounced changes, and the accuracy and simplicity of the technique, a simple morphological index of smoltification may be possible using truss morphometric measurements.
Severe Hypercalcemia as a Harbinger of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Case: An 8-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with a history of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, and weight loss of 18 lb over 3 weeks. The only significant examination finding was moderate dehydration. She was found to have severe hypercalcemia (serum calcium, 20 mg/dL). The complete blood count was normal. She was treated successfully for hypercalcemia with hyperhydration, furosemide, calcitonin, and pamidronate. A few days later, she developed pancytopenia when her bone marrow biopsy specimen established the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Conclusions: Hypercalcemia presents with nonspecific symptoms of nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, constipation, and tiredness. It can be a harbinger of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Normal complete blood cell count at presentation does not exclude the diagnosis of leukemia.
Nonlinear Response of Plain-Orifice Injectors to Nonacoustic Pressure Oscillations

The response of plain-orifice injectors to finite amplitude nonacoustic pressure pulsations within the downstream chamber was addressed with a series of unsteady axisymmetric Navier-Stokes calculations. Linear theories are reviewed and it is shown that results can be collapsed to a single curve when characterizing the response in terms of a frequency related to the fluid transit time within the orifice passage. Computational results were obtained for a wide range of frequencies, perturbation amplitudes, flow conditions, and orifice designs to quantify the effects of nonlinear fluid mechanics. In general, the simulations all show an unforced response (or self-pulsation) due to instabilities of the vena contracta region lying downstream of the inlet lip. For conditions pertinent to rocket injectors, the nonlinear response is generally bounded by the linear theory (except at high frequencies, in which self-pulsations not accounted for in linear theory remain present). Although a local resonance condition exists when the driving frequency is near the natural/unforced oscillation frequency of the injector, the overall response in this region is still bounded by the linear theory. The effects of orifice rounding and orifice length are also studied parametrically.
Comparison of OG1RF and an Isogenic fsrB Deletion Mutant by Transcriptional Analysis: the Fsr System of Enterococcus faecalis Is More than the Activator of Gelatinase and Serine Protease

The FsrABC system of Enterococcus faecalis controls the expression of gelatinase and a serine protease via a quorum-sensing mechanism, and recent studies suggest that the Fsr system may also regulate other genes important for virulence. To investigate the possibility that Fsr influences the expression of additional genes, we used transcriptional profiling, with microarrays based on the E. faecalis strain V583 sequence, to compare the E. faecalis strain OG1RF with its isogenic mutant, TX5266, an fsrB deletion mutant. We found that the presence of an intact fsrB influences expression of numerous genes throughout the growth phases tested, namely, late log to early stationary phase. In addition, the Fsr regulon is independent of the activity of the proteases, GelE and SprE, whose expression was confirmed to be activated at all three time points tested. While expression of some genes (i.e., ef1097 and ef0750 to -757, encoding hypothetical proteins) was activated in late log phase in OG1RF versus the fsrB deletion mutant, expression of ef1617 to -1634 (eut-pdu orthologues) was highly repressed by the presence of an intact Fsr at entry into stationary phase. This is the first time that Fsr has been characterized as a negative regulator. The newly recognized Fsr-regulated targets include other factors, besides gelatinase, described as important for biofilms (BopD), and genes predicted to encode the surface proteins EF0750 to -0757 and EF1097, along with proteins implicated in several metabolic pathways, indicating that the FsrABC system may be an important regulator in strain OG1RF, with both positive and negative effects.
Electrical stimulation of cardiac myocytes

The influence of nonuniform cell shape and field orientation on the field stimulation thresholds of cardiac myocytes was studied both experimentally and computationally. The percent change in excitation threshold, which was studied with patch clamp technique, was found to be 182±83.1% (mean ±SD) higher when the electric field (EF) was parallel to the transverse cell axisversus the longitudinal axis (p<0.0006). On reversing the polarity of the applied EF, the percentage change in threshold was observed to increase by 98.9±71.0% (p<0.0002), implying asymmetry of the stimulation threshold of isolated myocytes. Finite element models were made to investigate the distribution of the transmembrane potential of these experimentally studied myocytes. A typical cell model showed that the maximum transmembrane potential induced on opposite ends of the cell was 39.1 mV and −46.5 mV for longitudinal field (aligned with the long axis of the cell), but was 40.5 mV and −44.8 mV for transverse field (aligned with the short axis of the cell). More significantly, it was found that the maximum transmembrane potential occurred at discrete points or “hot spots” on the cell membrane. It is hypothesized that the depolarization of the cell initiates at the hot spot and then spreads over the entire cell. The different excitation thresholds for different polarities of the applied EF can be explained by the different maximum induced at the opposite ends of the cell.
Efficient and cost effective reburning using common wastes as fuel and additives

Abstract Potential substitutes of natural gas and lignite fly ash as NO and HCN reducing agents, respectively, for heterogeneous reburning were examined in a bench-scale apparatus equipped with a simulated reburning and a burnout furnace. Selection of NO reducing agent is based on fuel volatility and nitrogen functionality. HCN reducing agent selection is based on literature data. A wide range of waste materials and industrial by-products show overall NO reduction efficiency up to 88% at reburning stoichiometric ratio 0.90 or 0.95. Mixed fuel containing scrap tire and Fe 2 O 3 is particularly effective. Though its cost is constrained by the energy-intensive operation of grinding the tire, the estimated raw-material cost is better than that of natural gas reburning and highly competitive against SCR. A first-level approximation study of the selectivities of nitrogen species to form NO in burnout zone reveals the importance of HCN and char nitrogen reaction mechanisms.
Dual Processor Scheduling with Dynamic Reassignment

The problem of finding an optimal dynamic assignment of a modular program for a two-processor system is analyzed. Stone's formulation of the static assignment problem is extended to include the cost of dynamically reassigning a module from one processor to the other and the cost of module residence without execution. By relocating modules during the course of program execution, changes in the locality of the program can be taken into account. It is shown that network flow algorithms may be used to find a dynamic assignment that minimizes the sum of module execution costs, module residence costs, intermodule communication costs, and module reassignment costs. Techniques for reducing the size of the problem are described for the case where the costs of residence are negligible.
Extra-hypothalamic lesions associated with gold-thioglucose induced obesity.

ConclusionGoldthioglucose administration to inbred C57 Black and CBA mice, in amounts sufficient to induce hyperphagia and massive weight gain, results in lesions of nuclei adjacent to the area postrema of the medulla oblongata, to the median eminence of the hypothalamus, to the supraoptic crest between the hypothalamus and the basal telencephalon, and between the subcommissural and subfornical organs associated with the midbrain-epithalamic transition and the hippocampal formation. The hypothesis is advanced that the observed distribution of the lesions is related to deficiency of the blood-brain barrier at these sites.
Time-Domain Configuration of Certain Narrow Frequency-Bandwidth Pulses

In mode-locked laser studies and other applications, it is desirable to derive relationships giving the time-domain length and the properties of the waveform under the envelope for pulses presenting narrow spectral widths, without performing inverse-Fourier-transform calculations. The method presented is based on an approximate expression for the transform of a sinusoid with variable frequency, and leads to simple rules for pulse-length evaluation from the frequency-domain phase function. If the phase function has no inflection points, the length is approximately equal to the range covered by the slope of the phase function, and the actual waveform sweeps monotonically in frequency. When inflection points occur, the pulse comprises several superimposed envelopes, each modulating a monotonically swept sinusoid. The effect of dispersive filters is also analyzed. Illustrative examples are discussed numerically.
Revisiting the short cervix detected by transvaginal ultrasound in the second trimester: why cerclage therapy may not help.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors that are associated with increased neonatal morbidity in patients who were treated for sonographic evidence of internal os dilation and distal cervical shortening during the second trimester. Study Design: From May 1998 to June 2000 patients between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation with the following sonographic criteria were randomly assigned to McDonald cerclage or no cerclage: internal osdilation and either membrane prolapse into the endocervical canal at least 25% of the total cervical length but not beyond the external os or a shortened distal cervix Results: Of the 135 patients, 20 patients declined randomization, and 2 patients were diagnosed with acute chorioamnionitis. Of the 113 patients remaining, 55 patients were randomly assigned to the cerclage group, and 58 patients were randomly assigned to the no cerclage group. There were 8 rescue cerclage procedures (4 in each group). Regression analysis showed that readmission for preterm labor, chorioamnionitis, and abruption were consistently associated with early gestational age at delivery and increased morbidity. Cerclage did not affect perinatal outcome. Conclusion: The sonographic findings of second trimester internal os dilation, membrane prolapse, and distal cervical shortening likely represent a common pathway of several pathophysiologic processes. Use of cerclage does not alter any perinatal outcome variables. Increased neonatal morbidity in these patients appears to be associated with subclinical infection, preterm labor, and abruption. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:1098-1105.)