cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Androgen receptor molecular biology and potential targets in prostate cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is a key transcriptional regulator and therapeutic target in prostate cancer. During androgen deprivation therapy to treat metastatic prostate cancer, surviving cells acquire increased AR signaling through a variety of mechanisms, one of which is enhanced interactions with AR coactivators. One recently identified AR-specific coregulator expressed only in human and nonhuman primates is the melanoma antigen gene protein-A11 (MAGE-11). MAGE-11 increases AR transcriptional activity through direct interactions with AR and other coactivators, and its levels increase during prostate cancer progression to castration-recurrent growth. The MAGE-11 gene is located at Xq28 on the human X chromosome as part of an X-linked MAGE gene family of cancer–testis antigens. MAGE-11 stabilizes AR when androgen levels are low, and functions in a transcriptional hub to promote AR-mediated gene activation. The evolutionary development and organization of the MAGE-11 gene within the cancer–testis antigen family suggests that MAGE-11 provides a gain-of-function to AR among primates in both normal physiology and cancer, and may serve as a therapeutic target in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Bubble Formation and Coalescence Under the Influence of Electric Fields

The high heat transfer rates associated with phase-change processes, such as boiling, make them an attractive solution in a range of industrial operations. In terrestrial conditions, the buoyancy force is responsible for bubble removal from the surface, which is essential for heat removal from the surface. Since in space the gravity level is orders of magnitude smaller than on earth, bubbles formed during boiling remain attached at the surface and they also show a tendency to coalesce. As a result, the amount of heat removed from the heated surface is different from terrestrial conditions and it can decrease considerably.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Dielectronic satellite spectra of hydrogenlike chromium.

Calculations of atomic parameters for dielectronic satellite lines of hydrogenlike chromium have been performed in the intermediate-coupling scheme with the inclusion of effects of configuration interaction. The doubly excited intermediate resonance states considered are chemically bond2l nl' SLJ>, n = 2, 3, and 4 with all allowed values of l and l'. The Hartree-Fock-Slater atomic model is used to calculate transition rates. X-ray and Auger transition energies are corrected for relativistic effects. Radiative and radiationless transition rates, fluorescence yields, nonradiative branching ratio, and lifetime of these doubly excited states are reported. For the wavelengths of a few strong satellite lines, effects of self-energy and vacuum polarization are included in our calculation. Dielectronic recombination rate coefficients are presented as a function of electron temperature.
p-Norm bounds on the expectation of the maximum of a possibly dependent sample

Abstract Let X 1 , X 2 ,…, X n be identically distributed possibly dependent random variables with finite p th absolute moment assumed without loss of generality to be equal to 1. Denote the order statistics by X 1: n , X 2: n ,…, X n : n . Bounds are derived for E ( X n : n ) when it is assumed that the X i 's are (i) arbitrarily dependent and (ii) independent. The effect of assuming a symmetric common distribution for the X i 's is discussed. Analogous bounds are described for the expected range of the sample. Bounds on expectations of general linear combinations of order statistics are described in the independent case.
Effect of tension-free vaginal tape procedure on urodynamic continence indices.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To assess the difference in measured urethral function before and after tension-free vaginal tape procedure (TVT). METHODS: Women who underwent TVT for genuine stress incontinence with or without intrinsic sphincter deficiency completed this study. Multichannel urodynamic testing was performed preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. Maximum urethral closure pressure and pressure transmission ratio were recorded. Valsalva leak point pressures were determined at 150 mL and at full bladder capacity. Resting and straining urethral angles were measured using the cotton swab technique. Subjects completed both the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and Urodynamic Distress Inventory preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-five consecutive women were studied. Twenty-three (65.7%) had a preoperative diagnosis of intrinsic sphincter deficiency as defined by maximum urethral closure pressure less than 20 cm H2O and/or Valsalva leak point pressure less than 60 cm H2O. Subjective and objective success rates were 91% and 83%, respectively. Subjects showed an 86.8% (95% CI 71.9%, 100.0%) improvement in their Incontinence Impact Questionnaire score and a 72.9% (95% CI 62.6%, 83.1%) improvement in their Urodynamic Distress Inventory score. The mean change in maximum urethral closure pressure was −1.3 cm H2O (95% CI −5.9, 3.3), whereas the pressure transmission ratio increased 15.7% (95% CI 5.0%, 26.3%). The mean decrease in straining urethral angle was 16.3° (95% CI −23.9°, −8.7°). Cured subjects demonstrating hypermobility preoperatively continued to do so postoperatively. CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in pressure transmission ratio, but not maximum urethral closure pressure, after TVT. These changes are similar to those reported after retropubic urethropexy and traditional sling procedures. The effectiveness of the TVT sling does not appear to depend on a clinically significant change in the straining urethral angle.
Deciding type equivalence in a language with singleton kinds

Work on the TILT compiler for Standard ML led us to study a language with singleton kinds: S(A) is the kind of all types provably equivalent to the type A. Singletons are interesting because they provide a very general form of definitions for type variables, allow fine-grained control of type computations, and allow many equational constraints to be expressed within the type system.Internally, TILT represents programs using a predicative variant of Girard's Fo enriched with singleton kinds, dependent product and function kinds (S and P), and a sub-kinding relation. An important benefit of using a typed language as the representation of programs is that typechecking can detect many common compiler implementation errors. However, the decidability of typechecking for our particular representation is not obvious. In order to typecheck a term, we must be able to determine whether two type constructors are provably equivalent. But in the presence of singleton kinds, the equivalence of type constructors depends both on the typing context in which they are compared and on the kind at which they are compared.In this paper we concentrate on the key issue for decidability of typechecking: determining the equivalence of well-formed type constructors. We define the lPSS
A small-area light intensity modulator implemented in silicon

Summary form only given. The authors demonstrate an optical modulator designed to provide a practical interface between silicon ICs and fiber-optic systems. The device uses the strongest optical effect in silicon, free-carrier optical dispersion, and the mode-filtering properties of single-mode optical fibers as the basis for a 200-mHz bandwidth reflection-type intensity modulator at 1.3- mu m wavelength. In contrast to the more familiar waveguide modulators, this silicon modulator's small size and vertical structure give it a much higher bandwidth (albeit with lower modulation depth) and allow it to be monolithically integrated anywhere on a silicon integrated circuit. The device was demonstrated in a simple fiber experiment using a CW 1.3- mu m laser diode. The modulator achieves 10% optical modulation depth over a 200-MHz bandwidth when under a forward bias of 10 mA and RF root-mean-square current also of 10 mA. >
Tunneling between Luttinger liquids

The exact solution of the one-dimensional Hubbard model (for repulsive and attractive U) is used to calculate the tunneling rates of single electrons and Cooper pairs between two quantum wires. The critical exponents for the tunneling at small frequencies and low temperatures is obtained by means of the mesoscopic energy spectrum and conformal field theory. The situations of crossing wires, tunneling at a boundary, and resonant tunneling (through a bound state) are considered.
On building minimum cost communication networks over time

This paper deals with the problem of minimizing the present worth of expenditures needed to enlarge the capacity of a communications network over time so as to meet rising traffic demands. Eight general “tests” are given for improving network solutions. The tests require only a moderate amount of computation and have the property that they will improve a wide class of non-optimal solutions. It is observed that for a large subclass of practical problems, the dynamic problem of building a network over time may be converted to a static problem for most of the computations. This suggests a strong similarity between the optimal solutions to both problems.
A-kinase anchoring proteins: protein kinase A and beyond

Compartmentalization of kinases and phosphatases is a key determinant in the specificity of second messenger mediated signaling events. Localization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and other signaling enzymes is mediated by interaction with A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). In the past year there have been many advances in our understanding of AKAPs, particularly in the field of the functional consequences of PKA anchoring.
Banking 2015: a classic strategy battle of scale vs focus

Purpose – This article examines the trends that will likely define the future of the retail banking industry in the next decade and the strategic imperatives for success.Design/methodology/approach – Scenario technology and trend analysis.Findings – Large players will generate higher aggregate profits by reaping the benefits of super scale, while niche players will aggressively pursue the most desirable customers by addressing their needs in distinct ways – those in the middle will get squeezed.Research limitations/implications – Combining the results of the IBM CEO survey with market research and interviews with industry executives, the authors have identified five key areas of ongoing innovation that have the potential to fuel enormous growth for the retail banking industry: retail payments, mortgage loans, account and product integration, global expansion and the customer experience.Practical implications – There are four strategic imperatives banks must follow to cultivate innovation and position them...
Spin Resonance of Impurity Atoms in Silicon

An explanation is proposed for the weak satellite lines observed in the microwave electron spin resonance of Group V impurity atoms in silicon. The satellites occur halfway between the main hyperfine lines. It is proposed that the satellites represent the resonance of pairs of impurities close enough together for their exchange interaction to be very large compared to the hyperfine coupling. Mathematical details are worked out.
Convergence rates of a global optimization algorithm

This paper presents a best and worst case analysis of convergence rates for a deterministic global optimization algorithm. Superlinear convergence is proved for Lipschitz functions which are convex in the direction of the global maximum (concave in the direction of the global minimum). Computer results are given, which confirm the theoretical convergence rates.
Functional mapping of the human brain with near-infrared spectroscopy in the frequency-domain

Comparison of the spatial and temporal information retrieved from near-infrared phase and average intensity (DC) data reveals that these data types can play a complementary role in the study of the temporal and spatial features of the optical response associated with brain activation during a finger-tapping test. The optical data have been collected with a frequency-domain tissue imager at two wavelengths (690 and 830 nm) and have been analyzed using standard filtering and folding-average procedures. DC and phase data show different temporal and spatial features. A plausible explanation of the different behavior of DC and phase data has been attempted by using Monte Carlo simulations.
Blind deconvolution of ultrasound images

We address the problem of improving the resolution of ultrasound images using blind deconvolution. The transducer measurement, that forms the ultrasound image, can be expressed as the convolution of two terms, the tissue response and the ultrasonic system response, plus additive noise. The quantity of interest is the tissue response, however, due to the convolution operation, we measure a blurred version of it, which obscures the fine details in the image. Our goal is to remove the blurring caused by the ultrasonic system, in order to enhance the diagnostic quality of the ultrasound image. Under the assumption that speckle behaves as an i.i.d. zero-mean non-Gaussian process, we were able to reconstruct the blurring kernel using bicepstrum operations on corresponding A-scan lines. Based on the estimated blurring kernel we performed deconvolution on the measured image. Preliminary results obtained from ultrasound images of a tissue mimicking phantom indicate significant resolution improvement.
Arthroscopic decompression at the suprascapular notch: a radiographic and anatomic roadmap.

Background Arthroscopic decompression of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) at the suprascapular notch is a technically demanding procedure. Additional preoperative and intraoperative information may assist surgeons. The purpose of this study was to (1) identify which imaging modality most accurately represents the anatomic distance to the notch and (2) quantify the mean intraoperative distances from routine arthroscopic portals to the notch. Methods Ten matched pairs of fresh cadaveric shoulders were imaged by roentgenogram, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and 3-dimensional (3D) CT, followed by arthroscopic SSN decompression at the notch and anatomic dissection. Measurements obtained included the distances from the anterolateral, posterior, and SSN portal sites to the notch in addition to the distance from the anterolateral acromion to the notch. Statistical analysis with Spearman correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to determine the correlation and agreement between measurements. Results The preoperative imaging modality with the highest correlation to anatomic distances from the anterolateral acromion to the notch was 3D CT ( R s = 0.90, P Conclusions Preoperative imaging with 3D CT may assist surgeons in performing arthroscopic SSN decompression. Understanding of the mean distances from the portal sites to the suprascapular notch and being cautious of arthroscopic instruments placed beyond 9 cm from laterally based portals may result in safer intraoperative medial dissection.
Some further observations on tubular reactor stability

A necessary and sufficient condition for stability of the empty adiabatic tubular reactor with axial mixing is derived which depends upon steady state information alone. The stability conditions require the solution of a linear ordinary differential equation and the character of this solution determines the stability or instability of the system without the use of transient calculation. The lumped constant reactor is always stable. The method of computation requires a minimum amount of memory capacity in a digital computer and could be carried out on an analogue computer with ease. La condition necessaire et suffisante de stabilite d'un reacteur tubulaire adiabatique avec diffusion axiale seulement est derivee. L'utilisation de cette condition de stabilite ne requiert la solution que d'une equation differentielle lineaire ordinaire, les proprietes de cette solution determinent le caractere de stabilite ou d'instabilite du systeme sans qu'il soit necessaire d'effectuer des calculs relatifs a l'etat transitoire. On a decouvert ainsi qu'un reacteur dans Iequel il n'y aurait pas de diffusion selon la direction axiale serait toujours stable. La methode de calcul ne requiert qu'un minimum de memoire de la part d'une calculatrice numerique et pourrait facilement etre realisee a l'aide d'une calculatrice de type analogique.
Breakfast Consumption With/Without Dietary Supplement Use Favorably Impacts Daily Nutrient Intake of Ninth-grade Students

Abstract The nutritional contribution of breakfast and vitamin-mineral supplement (VMS) use at breakfast on total daily intake of 15-year-old students was assessed. Twenty-hour dietary recalls were collected on 711 9th grade students (60% female; 84% white; mean age 14.8yrs) attending 12 separate high schools. Analysis of variance, Pearson's chi-square, and Breznahn-Shapiro method with Scheffe probabilities were used to analyze nutrient intake, dietary adequacy, and non-orthogonal comparisons, respectively. 135 (19%) skipped breaks a higher percentage of non-whites (32%) than whites (16%) skipped breakfast (p
Actin-binding protein is a component of bovine erythrocytes

Actin-binding protein (ABP) is a well-characterized polypeptide capable of crosslinking filamentous actin. To date, this polypeptide has been shown to exist in a number of tissues and cultured cell lines. This report shows that by using a panel of three monoclonal antibodies for immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analysis, that ABP is present in bovine erythrocytes. Moreover, the data obtained suggest that this protein is a component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton. Additionally, bovine erythrocyte ABP is shown to possess both an apparent molecular weight and an isoelectric point identical to that of bovine smooth muscle filamin, implying that these two polypeptides are identical. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Stagnation of Indian Exports, 1951–1961

Introduction, 604. —I. India's loss in expanding world markets, 606. — II. Empirical evidence that this declining market share was caused by an increase in the price of Indian exports relative to competitors' prices, 608. — III. Policies adopted by the Indian government to achieve goals with higher priority than export promotion, 611. — IV. Policy implications of the historical analysis if the Indian government should adopt a more vigorous export promotion policy, 617. —Appendix, 619.
Low-Coherence Reflectometry Through Scattering Media with Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing in a Thin Nonlinear Optical Layer

We have demonstrated the coherence filtering operation for optical low-coherence reflectometry via degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) in a thin nonlinear optical layer. To perform proof-of-principle DFWM experiments, we use a thin dye solution with a thermally-induced optical nonlinearity. In contrast to previous works, which used c.w. light-emitting diodes or Fourier-transform limited ultra-short laser pulses, we have used broad-band nanosecond laser pulses for depth resolved measurements through scattering media.
Effect of Gastric Resective Surgery on Experimental Atherogenesis

Abstract In Rhesus monkeys on a 1 per cent cholesterol diet for periods up to twenty-six months, vagotomy and hemigastrectomy provided no protection against hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis; rather in this study the degree of hypercholesterolemia and severity of atherosclerosis were greater in the gastrectomized animals than in control animals on the same diet.
Occlusion Detection for Highway Traffic Analysis with Vision-based Surveillance Systems

The vision-based traffic monitoring system provides an attractive solution in extracting various traffic parameters such as the count, speed, flow and concentration from the processing of video data captured by a camera system. The detection accuracy is however affected by various environment factors such as shadow, occlusion, and lighting. Among these, the occurrence of occlusion is one of the major problems. In this work, a new scheme is proposed to detect the occlusion and determine the exact location of each vehicle. The proposed algorithm is based on the matching of images from multiple cameras. In the proposed scheme, we do not need edge detection, region segmentation, and camera calibration operations, which often suffer from the variation of environmental conditions. Experimental results are given to verify that the proposed technique is effective for vision-based highway surveillance systems.
Woodrow Wilson and the Study of Administration: A New Look at an Old Essay

Unquestionably, Woodrow Wilson's scholarly essay, “The Study of Administration,” (1887) stands as an historic landmark in American administrative thought. As Leonard D. White once wrote, “Wilson's essay introduced this country to the idea of administration.” Based upon the recent publication of the Woodrow Wilson papers by Princeton University Press, the present paper attempts to examine the origin and enduring contribution of Wilson's administrative thought. The central thesis of the paper is that Wilson's administrative theories grew out of the salient ideas of late nineteenth century America, particularly, Social Darwinism and the pressing demands for political reform. In many respects, however, Wilson's essay created more issues than it resolved since it failed to delineate clearly the substance and boundaries of the field of administration.
Bounds on the extremal eigenvalues of the finite element stiffness and mass matrices and their spectral condition number

Abstract Computable bounds are established on the extremal eigenvalues of the stiffness and mass matrices. These are then applied to study the dependence of the spectral condition number of the “stiffness” and “mass” (Gram) matrices on the discretization and intrinsic parametetr of fourth- and second-order field problems and some other inherently ill-conditioned problems.
The dependence of the plasma conductivity on frequency and collision time

Abstract The drift velocity ( T = time) of electrons in a plasma exposed to an external radiation field E( T ) is calculated by a method which takes the finite duration of encounters between charged particles explicitly into account. Orbits of electrons passing through the nearest neighbor zone of an ion and exposed to the field of that ion and to the radiation field are computed as function of the collision parameter p , the gas kinetic velocity v, and the time of closest approach between electron and ion, is obtained as an average over the stochastic variables p , v , T 0 , and is found to satisfy the equation m and −ϵ are the electron mass and charge, respectively. The coefficient of dynamical friction mν c ( ω ) is a function of the radiation frequency ν 0 of the form , where ν c is the conventional collision frequency, P m the average distance between neighboring ions, and p 0 the collision parameter corresponding to 90°-deflection.
Constitutional Jurisprudence: Reviving Praxis in Public Administration

This article argues that American public administrative thought rests on philosophically pragmatic premises that treat praxis as an exercise in relating explanatory theories to empirically derived ...
Laboratory investigations of the impact of dry deposition of SO2 and wet deposition of acidic species on the atmospheric corrosion of galvanized steel

Abstract A series of short-term laboratory experiments were conducted in which galvanized steel samples were exposed to sub-ppm levels of SO2. Dew was produced periodically on the test panels, and, at the end of some experiments, panels were sprayed with solutions of various pH levels. Both dew and rain rinse samples were analyzed for SO32−, SO42− and Zn. The laboratory results suggest that as a first approximation the damage to galvanized steel induced by the dry deposition of SO2 can be calculated by equating the dry SO2 flux to the Zn corrosion flux. SO2 will deposit onto a fresh dry surface until an amount similar to that of a monolayer has formed. Under wet conditions, the dry deposition flux is controlled by the gas-phase resistance of the atmosphere. Wet deposition of ammonium bisulphate induces corrosion which depends not only on the pH of the incident rain, but also on the exposure history of the samples.
Failure of naloxone to modify the effects of chlorpromazine and d-amphetamine on avoidance behavior in the squirrel monkey.

Lever-pressing by squirrel monkeys was maintained under a continuous avoidance schedule in which each response postponed for 30 s the delivery of an electric shock to the tail. Dose-response curves were determined for chlorpromazine (0.03–0.3 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (0.03–1.0 mg/kg) administered alone and administered concomitantly with 1.0 or 10 mg/kg of aaloxone. The dose-response curves for chlorpromazine and d-amphetamine were similar to those previously reported for monkeys under other schedules of shock-maintained behavior: Chlorpromazine decreased responding in a dose-related manner while d-amphetamine increased responding at low doses and disrupted behavior at the highest dose. Naloxone did not modify the effects of chlorpromazine, and d-amphetamine. These results suggest that interactions observed previously between naloxone and nonopiate drugs on behavior in pigeons and rodents are not general phenomena in all animal species.
Modelling human development and disease in pluripotent stem-cell-derived gastric organoids

Gastric diseases, including peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, affect 10% of the world's population and are largely due to chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. Species differences in embryonic development and architecture of the adult stomach make animal models suboptimal for studying human stomach organogenesis and pathogenesis, and there is no experimental model of normal human gastric mucosa. Here we report the de novo generation of three-dimensional human gastric tissue in vitro through the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. We show that temporal manipulation of the FGF, WNT, BMP, retinoic acid and EGF signalling pathways and three-dimensional growth are sufficient to generate human gastric organoids (hGOs). Developing hGOs progressed through molecular and morphogenetic stages that were nearly identical to the developing antrum of the mouse stomach. Organoids formed primitive gastric gland- and pit-like domains, proliferative zones containing LGR5-expressing cells, surface and antral mucous cells, and a diversity of gastric endocrine cells. We used hGO cultures to identify novel signalling mechanisms that regulate early endoderm patterning and gastric endocrine cell differentiation upstream of the transcription factor NEUROG3. Using hGOs to model pathogenesis of human disease, we found that H. pylori infection resulted in rapid association of the virulence factor CagA with the c-Met receptor, activation of signalling and induction of epithelial proliferation. Together, these studies describe a new and robust in vitro system for elucidating the mechanisms underlying human stomach development and disease.
Passion, Joy, and Love: A Second Path to Publication

There are at least two ways to get published. The first and probably more commonplace is to work diligently on a project, and then seek an interested and willing publisher. Most who aspire to the lofty state of authorship probably follow this path.
Macralstonine from Alstonia muelleriana

Abstract Macralstonine has been isolated from the alkaloidal fraction of Alstonia muelleriana. This supports the close phytochemical relationship between this species and A. macrophylla inferred in other recent work.
The effect of the addition of low molecular weight poly(dl-lactide) on drug release from biodegradable poly(dl-lactide) drug delivery systems

Abstract Biodegradable films and microspheres were prepared from blends of high and low molecular weight poly( dl -lactide) with molecular weights of 120,000 and 2000, respectively, by solvent casting and an emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Salicylic acid, caffeine, and quinidine were chosen as model compounds. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the films and microspheres. The addition of low molecular weight poly( dl -lactide) clearly accelerated the release of drug from both films and microspheres. Biodegradable drug delivery systems were prepared with durations of action between several hours to months by varying the amount of low molecular weight poly( dl -lactide). This technique allowed control over the drug release with a single, biodegradable homopolymer. In the case of quinidine, interactions with the carboxyl groups of poly( dl -lactide) occurred and complicated the release pattern.
Optimization in engineering design

This paper presents a method for solving a class of constrained optimization problems in finite-dimensional spaces. This type of problem usually arises in connection with parameter optimization in engineering design. Most often, these problems consist of incorporating upper and/or lower bounds on the variables in otherwise unconstrained optimization problems. The proposed method replaces the original optimization problem withm constraints (m>1) by a sequence of optimization problems with one constraint only. The theory behind this method is discussed in the subsequent sections.
Derivation of Correction Terms to the Eikonal Expansions in the Abrasion-Ablation Model for the Light Ions in High Energy Collisions

The analytical abrasion-ablation model is widely used for the quantitative predictions of the neutron and light ion spectra from high energy collisions. The abrasion stage of the current model is based on the Glauber multiple scattering theory and applies the small angle approximation which assumes the longitudinal momentum transfer for the scattering amplitude to be small. However, for reactions with three or more particles in final state the validity of Glauber model is not clear. In this work we have extended the current abrasion model to include higher order terms to the first order Eikonal scattering using a perturbation approach. The perturbation approach uses an expansion of the Fourier Bessel series in the scattering amplitude in terms of Legendre polynomials, thus creating an infinite series. This expansion eliminates the small angle approximation used in the Glauber-type Eikonal approximation and hence extends it to larger angles and low energy regions. A comparison of this model with two and four correction terms respectively is made with the currently existing model for the derivations of angular distributions and double differential cross-sections for various light ion projectile target data sets.
SCREENING ANALYSIS OF METAL HYDRIDE BASED THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER PLANTS

Abstract Concentrating solar power plants represent a competitive option to produce electric power only if equipped with suitable thermal energy storage. Metal hydride material-based thermochemical hydrogen storage is a very attractive solution to store high temperature solar thermal energy. A literature review of some of the past and more recent investigations on using metal hydrides for thermal energy storage has been carried out. Based on findings from this review and new material property data, a preliminary material techno-economic analysis was performed to select the most promising candidate metal hydrides as well as to examine their behavior under different operating conditions. The performance was evaluated adopting simplified system models and the results were compared against the US Department of Energy targets including installed cost, exergetic efficiency, operating temperature and volumetric energy density. Selected sensitivity analyses for the most promising materials have also been carried out in order to evaluate the influence of solar plant and material properties on the overall system installed cost. Results demonstrated that the selected storage systems, based on currently available metal hydride high temperature materials (i.e. NaMgH3, TiH2 and CaH2), are able to achieve and exceed many of the targets such as volumetric energy density (25 kWhth/m3) and operating temperature (600 °C). Material modifications as well as heat exchange system improvements are also discussed in the paper, with the aim of reducing the overall thermal energy storage specific cost and helping to meet and exceed all of the targets.
The effect of lattice disorder on the thermodynamic properties of the F.C. tetragonal β1-NiZn alloys

Abstract Thermodynamic properties of binary β 1 -NiZn alloys exhibiting the f.c. tetragonal superlattice structure have been determined using the dew-point technique over the temperature interval. 789°K to 1022°K. Variations of thermodynamic activity and partial entropy of Zn with deviations from the stoichiometric composition determined experimentally are in good agreement with those predicted by theory.
Preservice teachers' selection and use of content area literacy strategies

ABSTRACT Preservice teachers' selection and use of specific vocabulary and comprehension teaching strategies for a microteaching session in a field-based practicum attached to a required content area literacy course are described. Also, the degree to which these preservice teachers used their microteaching strategies in practicum assignments and student teaching is charted. Twenty-seven preservice content area teachers participated in the first phase of the study. They represented core content areas as well as art and music. The results revealed (a) substantial variability within and across disciplines in strategy selection, with 14 different strategies chosen for microteaching; (b) that 2 of 10 preservice teachers interviewed reported they continued to use the original strategy selected in subsequent practicum experiences; and (c) that 8 of 10 teachers interviewed reported using one of the content area literacy strategies from the course in subsequent practicums. Qualitative data from the interviews supp...
Importance of in vitro experimental conditions on protein release kinetics, stability and polymer degradation in protein encapsulated poly (d,l-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) microspheres

Two proteins, carbonic anhydrase (Mr 31 000) and bovine serum albumin (Mr 66 000), have been encapsulated as model protein drugs within microspheres composed of relatively fast degrading poly(d,l-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid, 50/50). The microspheres were incubated by employing two different in vitro experimental sets of the release system: polypropylene tube and dialysis bag. The protein stability problems, such as chemical degradation and aggregation, were investigated by analysis of released protein in the phosphate buffered saline medium and unreleased protein within the microspheres. Analysis of unreleased protein was performed after direct extraction from the microspheres by means of an electric field using a gel electrophoresis apparatus. Degradation of the microspheres incubated in the tube caused a significant pH decrease from pH 7.4 to below pH 3 after a one-month incubation period. This resulted in severe hydrolysis of both the released protein in the medium and the unreleased protein within the microspheres. However, the released protein in the medium and the unreleased protein within the microsphere exhibited less severe chemical degradation when the microspheres were incubated in the dialysis bag which permitted a constant pH. The microspheres in the tube demonstrated a significant decrease in polymer molecular weight and a pronounced morphological change over time, as compared to those in the dialysis bag. There was no apparent effect of encapsulated protein on the polymer degradation in either experimental set.
Report on a case series investigating a neurostimulation device for the treatment of pain and improvement of mobility and function following elbow surgery

Abstract A group of seven patients received neurostimulation (Stimpod) post-tennis or golfer's elbow surgery as their sole treatment to relieve acute post-operative pain, improve mobility and function. Patients undergoing the above-mentioned surgery have had chronic pain with and without neuropathic symptoms for a prolonged period. There is usually severe injury with active inflammatory processes due to the surgery. It was thought that treating these patients aggressively early post-operatively may expedite pain relief and the healing process. Method After their surgery, seven patients were given neurostimulation for three treatments of 20 min each on the brachial plexus during the 10 days before the splint was removed. This was followed by 6 treatments, twice weekly of 20 min each after the splint was removed. At each of these treatments 5-min stimulation were administered to four areas: the nerve supply (1) superior and (2) inferior to the elbow and (3 and 4) on either end of the wound. Patients were evaluated for pain with the visual analogue scale, movements of flexion and extension measured with a goniometer, strength and flexibility with a 12-movement activity scale, status of the wound and satisfaction with treatment, mobility and function. These measures were re-evaluated telephonically at one, three and six months after the last treatment. Results Significant pain relief was achieved by all of the seven patients before the splint was removed at the 4th treatment. Pain relief, range of movement and function was greatly improved at the final (9th) treatment by six of the seven patients and this was maintained with nearly full improvement of the above parameters for most of the participants at one month after the last treatment. Two patients had to have re-operation due to requiring more extensive surgery in the one patient and falling and injuring the original surgical site in the other patient. At three and six months after the last treatment full improvement in all the parameters above was maintained in the remaining five patients who also had excellent wound healing and satisfaction with their treatment, mobility and function. Conclusion It appears that the neurostimulation (Stimpod) has the capacity to improve acute post-surgical pain and reduce pain, improve mobility, function and stimulate wound healing once the splint was removed. This treatment is relatively cost effective, is non-invasive and of short duration. Positive effects were all maintained at 6 months.
Drug Testing of Health Care Professionals to Improve Overall Wellness and Patient Care

There has been a renewed call for comprehensive drug testing of health care professionals, including preemployment screening, random testing, and “postincident” testing following preventable advers...
Need for Cognition and false recall

Abstract Two experiments investigated whether Need for Cognition (NFC) affected false recall in the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) paradigm. In the first experiment, participants were presented with DRM lists and given one attempt to recall the items. In the second experiment, participants were presented with DRM lists under full or divided attention and were given three consecutive recall tests. In Experiment 2, high-NFC individuals exhibited increased false recall across successive recall attempts in both the full and divided attention conditions whereas low-NFC individuals did not. Furthermore, high-NFC individuals in the full attention condition exhibited increased levels of true recall across successive tests. These results show that the individual differences in the ways in which individuals process information can affect true and false recall in the DRM task.
Initial Attempt to Develop an AFP Gene Regulation Analysis System

This is a preliminary report on methods being developed for the isolation of rat AFP messenger RNA and the synthesis of DNA complementary to this mRNA. Using Morris hepatoma 7777 as source material, AFP-synthesizing polysomes have been isolated by indirect immunoprecipitation. The 18S Poly A + RNA (putative mRNAAFP) recovered from these polysomes by differential centrifugation and oligo-dT cellulose chromatography, was translated in a reticulocyte cell-free system into a peptide immunoprecipitable by anti-AFP sera (and not by anti-albumin sera) and co-migrating with native AFP on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. DNA complementary to the mRNA was synthesized by the use of avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. The cDNA probe is highly homogeneous, as judged by alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation, and yields a 1/2 C,t value of 8.5 times 10-3 with its template. Preliminary hybridization experiments indicate that sequences hybridizable to the cDNA probe constitute 3.0%, 0.5%, and 0.008% of the total poly A + polysomal RNA populations of 13 day old rat liver, Morris hepatoma 7777 and adult rat liver, respectively.
On aspects of university and performance for closed hashing

We consider two hashing models for storing a set S ⊂ {0, 1, 2, …, m - 1} in a table T of size n.The first model uses universal hashing for a partially loaded table. A set of hash functions is universal if, for any the input set, a randomly selected function has an efficient expected performance. Universal hash functions originate in [CW79], where they were used for open hashing using chaining. [CW79] poses as an open question whether comparable results can be achieved for any closed hashing schemes.The second model is perfect hashing for a full table. In preprocessing the input set is used to determine a hash function that achieves some desired performance criteria. This model was used among others in [ME82] and [FKS84].In both models a key problem is to construct a “small” set of functions, which will permit a short description (program) for each function in the set.We show, for the first time, that universal hashing can be successfully used for closed hashing and in particular for double hashing. Specifically, the set of congruential polynomials of O(log n) degree is universal for double hashing if the table load is below .75; the program size (or number of random bits generated by the algorithm) is O(log log m + log2n).For perfect hashing, we obtain nearly tight results on the size of oblivious O(1)-probe hash functions: Oblivious k-probe hash functions require O(n/k2e-k + log log m) bits of description.A probabilistic construction is presented, which shows that oblivious k-probe hash functions, can be specified in O(ne-k + log log m) bits, which nearly matches the above lower bound.We give a variation of an O(1) time 1-probe (perfect) hash function that can be specified in O(n + log log m) bits, which is tight to within a constant factor of the lower bound.In view of the adaptive schemes presented in [FNSS88], these bounds establish a significant gap between oblivious and non-oblivious O(1)-probe search.
Evidence for a Large-Scale Remnant of Subducted Lithosphere Beneath Fiji

We combine spatial variations of P- and S-wave speeds, 1000 fault plane solutions, and 6600 well-determined hypocenters to investigate the nature of subducted lithosphere and deep earthquakes beneath the Tonga back-arc. We show that perplexing patterns in seismicity and fault plane solutions can be accounted for by the juxtaposition of a steep-dipping Wadati-Benioff zone and a subhorizontal remnant of slab that is no longer attached to the actively subducting lithosphere. The detached slab may be from a previous episode of subduction along the fossil Vitiaz trench about 5 to 8 million years ago. The juxtaposition of slabs retains a large amount of subducted material in the transition zone of the mantle. Such a configuration, if common in the past, would allow the preservation of a primordial component in the lower mantle.
An experimental investigation of the vortex-excited vibrations of pivoted tapered circular cylinders in uniform and shear flow

Abstract A systematic experimental investigation to understand the effect of flow and structural non-uniformity on vortex-excited vibrations is underway at the University of Notre Dame's Hessert Center for Aerospace Research. The experiments are designed to investigate the effects of axial taper of a circular cylinder and its interaction with shear in the approach flow on the structural response to vortex shedding. The dynamic response characteristics of a pivoted, tapered circular cylinder subjected to vortex-excited vibrations in a wind tunnel are reported here. In all, six scenarios of tapered pivoted cylinders in uniform and shear flows were investigated. The salient features of the experimental investigations and the experimental observations are presented here as time histories of the structural displacements, structural response amplitudes as a function of flow speed and power spectral densities of the near wake velocity fluctuations. The results of the experimental investigations indicate that the response of axially varying structures to vortex-excited vibrations is quite different from those of uniform cylinders (Balasubramanian et al., J. Fluids. Struct. 14 (2000) 65). The range of locked-in structural response is found to be very sensitive to the relative orientation between the flow-gradient and axial taper of the cylinder.
A Hepatic Lipase Gene Promoter Polymorphism Attenuates the Increase in Hepatic Lipase Activity With Increasing Intra-abdominal Fat in Women

High hepatic lipase (HL) activity is associated with an atherogenic lipoprotein profile of small, dense LDL particles and lower HDL(2)-C. Intra-abdominal fat (IAF) is positively associated with HL activity. A hepatic lipase gene (LIPC) promoter variant (G-->A(-250)) is associated with lower HL activity, higher HDL(2)-C, and less dense LDL particles. To determine whether the LIPC promoter polymorphism acts independently of IAF to regulate HL, 57 healthy, premenopausal women were studied. The LIPC promoter A allele was associated with significantly lower HL activity (GA/AA=104+/-34 versus GG=145+/-57 nmoles x mL(-1) x min(-1), P=0.009). IAF was positively correlated with HL activity (r=0.431, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed a strong relationship between both the LIPC promoter genotype (P=0. 001) and IAF (P<0.001) with HL activity. The relationship between IAF and HL activity for carriers and noncarriers of the A allele was curvilinear with the carriers having a lower apparent maximum level of plasma HL activity compared with noncarriers (138 versus 218 nmoles x mL(-1) x min(-1), P<0.001). In addition, the LIPC A allele was associated with a significantly higher HDL(2)-C (GA/AA=16+/-7 versus GG=11+/-5 mg/dL, P=0.003). We conclude that the LIPC promoter A allele attenuates the increase in HL activity due to IAF in premenopausal women.
Resisting HRD's resistance to diversity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically illustrate how human resource development (HRD) resists and omits issues of diversity in academic programs, textbooks, and research; analyze the research on HRD and diversity over a ten‐year period; discuss HRD's resistance to diversity; and offer some recommendations for a more authentic integration of diversity into HRD research, teaching, and practice.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes common HRD textbooks and refereed diversity research over a ten‐year period to examine the amount of HRD research is being conducted in the area of diversity.Findings – The paper found that HRD overwhelmingly omits diversity topics, in contradiction to its claims of “diversity” as a legitimate part of the field. The paper concludes that HRD's omission of diversity is a form of resistance since fundamentally addressing diversity threatens HRD's performative frameworks and practices.Practical implications – The paper has implications for scholars and pract...