cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation of Microexplosion Phenomena in Emulsified Vegetable Oil-Methanol Blends

Secondary atomization is one of the most attractive and misunderstood effects in the combustion of microemulsified fuel blends. The occurrence of secondary atomization has been studied to determine its effects on improved combustion efficiency especially when low vapor pressure fuels are used. Several methods to detect microexplosion as alternative to secondary atomization have been considered including acoustic signal processing. As part of the physical characterization of an emulsified vegetable oil-methanol blend, microexplosion behavior of fuel blend droplets has been observed to take place under certain environmental conditions. Droplets microexplode as methanol surrounded by vegetable oil molecules flashes or microexplodes under intense temperature and intense droplet pressure. The droplets of emulsified methanol-in-oil break up forming tiny droplets with greater surface-to-volume ratio in the process. To understand the effects of emulsification on microexplosion, characterization of secondary atomization has been performed using a temperature probe, a high-speed camera and an acoustic sound signal processor. Experiments have been conducted at temperatures similar to those encountered in liquid fuel boilers. The acoustic signal data were analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to define and understand the overall microexplosion process. Also, the effect of temperature, droplet sizes and the percentage of methanol in the vegetable oil blend have been studied to understand what leads to a higher probability of microexplosion occurrence. A correlation between the analyzed acoustic signal data and high speed images were used to differentiate between the different microexplosion events. The results of the study can be useful in predicting the occurrence of microxplosion in liquid fuel boiler which should result in more complete combustion processes, reducing contaminant levels significantly.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Mixing Structure of Plane Self-Preserving Buoyant Turbulent Plumes

Measurements of the structure of plane buoyant turbulent plumes are described, emphasizing conditions in the fully developed (self-preserving) portion of the flow. Plumes were simulated using helium/air sources in a still and unstratified air environment. Mean and fluctuating mixture fractions were measured using laser-induced iodine fluorescence. Present measurements extended farther from the source (up to 155 source widths) and had more accurate specifications of plume buoyancy fluxes than past measurements and yielded narrower plume widths and different scaled mean and fluctuating mixture fractions near the plane of symmetry than previously thought. Measurements of probability density functions, temporal power spectra, and temporal integral scales of mixture fraction fluctuations are also reported
Informational diversity over time and the optimality of monetary equilibria

Abstract The temporal realizations of a random state variable in an overlapping generations model create an informational diversity between members of different generations and require a reexamination of the optimality that competitive equilibria might display in such an environment. Using an optimality criterion that reflects this informational diversity we prove the optimality of competitive equilibrium in a model with a fixed stock of fiat money, a single-spot market, and good endowments that follow a Markov process. The need for an optimality criterion that incorporates informational diversity is further motivated by studying the same model with the operation of complete contingent commodities markets.
Tocolytic and hemodynamic effects of nifedipine in the ewe

The ability of the calcium antagonist nifedipine to inhibit uterine contractions during labor and in the postpartum period was measured in the ewe. The hemodynamic effects of tocolytic doses of this drug were measured and compared with the hemodynamic effects of equivalent doses of ritodrine. Intravenous nifedipine was found to be a potent tocolytic agent that completely inhibited uterine activity even in advanced labor when administered at infusion rates that resulted in only mild hemodynamic effects. At tocolytically similar infusion rates nifedipine produced significantly less increase in maternal heart rate than did ritodrine.
A flow injection system for measurement of chemical response time of microelectrodes

Abstract A system for the measurement of the chemical response time (response to a rapid change in ionic activity) of ion-selective microelectrodes is described. The system is based on the flow injection technique. Results are presented for microchloride and potassium ion-selective field effect transistors. It is shown that these devices are sufficiently fast to study transient intracellular processes occurring on a time scale of a few seconds.
Getting an Edge — Use of Stimulants and Antidepressants in College

Dr. Richard Kadison reports that increasing numbers of students, and sometimes their families, request medication to provide an “edge,” even if the students have no clinically significant impairment of functioning. They think of such drugs as safe “brain steroids” that help to maximize performance with minimal risk.
Lifting obstructions, ordinary obstructions and spherical fibrations

Given a continuous map from a smooth manifold into the base space of a sphere bundle and a lifting, defined outside a regular subset (called the “defect set”), there are obstructions to extend the lifting and there are obstructions to extend the lifting as an ordinary map into the total space. We prove a relation between these two types of obstructions, involving a sort of universal obstruction, and compute this universal obstruction for some concrete examples.
The Effect of Geography, Education and Labor Market Segregation on Women’s Economic Status in New York State

Using census data, the author looks at the relationships between gender earnings disparities and several dimensions, including geographic location, level of education, and employer type. White men's earnings are generally higher than that of all women and all minority men and that while men earn more than women within almost all population segments, the disparities between White women and White men are different from those between women of color and men of color. The greatest earnings parity between men and women exists within metropolitan areas. While earnings increase for both women and men as education increases, the earnings gap between women and men remains fairly consistent, with the category of professional degrees, where the gap is much larger being an exception. The greatest earnings disparities exist among the self-employed and within local government and the greatest gender earnings parity within the federal government, suggesting that where requirements for parity are institutional, they reduc...
Epidemiology of Cancer and Other Systemic Effects Associated with the Use of Smokeless Tobacco

Persons who use chewing tobacco and snuff experience an increased risk of oral cancer. Because of the pharmacologic properties of nicotine and other constituents of smokeless tobacco, there is also concern that smokeless tobacco products may lead to cardiovascular diseases as well. The relatively few human population studies to date conflict with respect to whether smokeless tobacco use elevates cardiovascular risk factors or leads to cardiovascular disease or death from cardiovascular causes. Hemoglobin adducts to carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco products are measurable in the blood of smokeless tobacco users, indicating that smokeless-tobacco-related carcinogens circulate throughout the body. This prompts a concern that smokeless tobacco may increase risks of other cancers as well. The evidence to date from epidemiologic studies indicates no relationship between smokeless tobacco and bladder cancer, but there is suggestive evidence linking smokeless tobacco use to prostate cancer risk. Only sing...
Reliability and validity of computer scoring of behavioral sleep-wake states in rats and rabbits

Previous studies in human infants, rabbits, and rats have shown that states of sleep and wakefulness can be reliably identified from motility signals produced by respiration and body movement. Thoman has described a computer-scoring algorithm for automated scoring of behavioral states from motility signals in human infants. In the present studies, we report the use of the computer scoring program with motility signals obtained from electronic activity monitors. In the newborn rabbit, computer classification of the data into behavioral states agreed with visual scoring of the motility signals. In infant and adult rats, computer scoring across the entire age range was validated against direct behavioral observations, video-taped observations, and visual scoring of the motility signal. This procedure permits prolonged recordings of freely moving animals and eliminates the need for an observer to be present.
Glucose turnover in fasted cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) as measured by (2-3H), (6-3H) and (U-14C) glucose

Abstract 1. 1. Mixtures of (2- 3 H) and (U- 14 C) or (6- 3 H) and (U- 14 C) glucose were injected as single doses into fasted Cynomolgus monkeys to obtain rates of glucose utilization, percentage of 14 C recycling, percentage of glucose #/rarr2; fructose-6-phosphate substrate cycling, mean transit time and total body mass of glucose. 2. 2. Rates of utilization were estimated to average 4.9, 4.0 and 3.0 mg/min per kg body weight with (2- 3 H), (6- 3 H) and (U- 14 C) glucose as tracers, respectively. 3. 3. Heuristic evidence is presented to show that an anomaly in mean transit time is related to discrimination against the (2- 3 H) isotope. 4. 4. The rates of glucose utilization obtained for monkeys are similar to those reported for other mammalian species: however, they are markedly less than values reported for the chicken and considerably greater than those reported for fish.
A short proof of Darboux's lemma

Abstract Elementary asymptotic methods suffice to establish asymptotic series for the coefficients of analytic functions with algebraic singularities.
Modifier role of internal H + in activating the Na + –H + exchanger in renal microvillus membrane vesicles

The intracellular pH in animal cells is generally maintained at a higher level than would be expected if H+ were passively distributed across the plasma membrane1. In a wide variety of cells including sea urchin eggs2, skeletal muscle3, renal and intestinal epithelial cells4–6, and neuroblastoma cells7, plasma membrane Na+–H+ exchangers mediate the uphill extrusion of H+ coupled to, and thus energized by, the downhill entry of Na+. Plasma membrane vesicles isolated from the luminal (microvillus, brush border) surface of renal proximal tubular cells possess a Na+–H+ exchanger4,5 that seems to be representative of the Na+–H+ exchangers found in other tissues. For example, the renal microvillus membrane Na+–H+ exchanger, like other N+–H+ exchangers, mediates electroneutral cation exchange4,5, is sensitive to inhibition by the diuretic drug amiloride5,8, and has affinity for Li+ in addition to Na+ and H+ (refs 5, 9). Here we have examined the effect of internal H+ on the activity of the Na+–H+ exchanger in renal microvillus membrane vesicles. Our results suggest that internal H+, independent of its role as a substrate for exchange with external Na+, has an important modifier role as an allosteric activator of the Na+–H+ exchanger. Allosteric behaviour with respect to internal H+ is a property that would enhance the ability of plasma membrane Na+–H+ exchangers to extrude intracellular acid loads and thereby contribute to the regulation of intracellular pH.
Using Network Science to Understand the Structure of Brazilian Popular Music

When it comes to music, everyone has an opinion. With Brazilian music is not different, people can be attached to certain songs because they remind them of special moments and places. Hence, it is hard to talk about how good a piece of music really is for a specific person. This paper delves into a controversial issue because it attempts to describe the music of a country (comprising of several sub-genres) and quantify the importance of musicians in that country using techniques rooted in Network Science. Brazilian music has been influenced by many cultures (as a result of the miscegenation in the history of Brazil) and has influenced many other styles of music, more prominently, Jazz. In this paper, we work with a large database of albums of Brazilian music and study the structure of collaborations between the musicians. Collaboration was modelled as a social network of musicians and then analyzed from different perspectives with the goal of describing the importance of musicians in a more scientific manner. We identified what we call the scaffolding of Brazilian music -- the fact that the network is maintained connected due to musicians that, although unknown to most of the population, are responsible for the connectedness of the network.
How Does Objective Quality Affect Perceived Quality? Short-Term Effects, Long-Term Effects, and Asymmetries

We examine the relationship between objective and perceived quality for 241 products in 46 product categories over a period of 12 years. On average, we find that the effect of a change in objective quality is not fully reflected in customer perceptions of quality until after about six years. In the first year after a quality change, only about 20% of the total effect over time is realized. These effects are significantly larger and quicker for a decrease in quality relative to an equivalent increase. Interestingly, we also find that brand reputation has a “double” advantage. High-reputation brands are rewarded three years quicker for an increase in quality and punished one year slower for a decrease in quality compared to low-reputation brands. These differences in response time are a meaningful measure of brand equity. Finally, we examine the differences in quality effects across several product- and category-specific variables and discuss the implications of our findings.
Improving the “global use” of ultrasound for central venous access: a new supraclavicular scan by microconvex probe

Background Ultrasound (US) is increasingly used as a “global” tool to assist all the steps of a central venous catheter insertion procedure: choice of vein/approach, needle guidance during venepucture, prevention of primary malposition, rule out of pleural complications. While approach choosing and needle guidance are now well standardized, US-based prevention of primary malposition and rule out of pleural complications are still a matter of debate. US based prevention of primary malposition of a central catheter relies on [1-4]: rule out of catheter misdirection in the superior vena cava (SVC) tributary veins (so called “negative assessment”) identification of the tip within the right atrium and/ or in the lower part of the SVC (so called “positive assessment”). Tip position may be evaluated:
Does reading in an alphasyllabary affect phonemic awareness? Inherent schwa effects in Marathi-English bilinguals

The extent to which speakers of alphasyllabaries develop phonemic awareness is unclear. In alphasyllabaries, diacritics are used to mark all vowels following consonants, except for the schwa vowel, which is inherent in every consonant, and is marked or unmarked depending on its position within a word. We used Marathi as an example alphasyllabary language to explore schwa awareness. We tested the awareness shown by Marathi-English bilinguals for the schwa vowel compared with awareness for marked vowels and with vowel awareness in English. In Marathi, participants were significantly more accurate at identifying initial schwas (expressed by a graph) than medial (unexpressed) or final schwas (expressed by a diacritic) and were more accurate at identifying other vowels in the medial or final positions than the schwa. Across languages, participants were significantly more likely to omit medial and final schwa vowels in Marathi than in English. The results suggest that biliterate speakers of alphasyllabaries hav...
Numbers of rosette forming cells in human peripheral blood

Abstract Thymus-derived (T-cell) and “bursal” derived (B-cell) lymphocytes in human peripheral blood were quantitated by assaying percentages of cells forming erythrocyte rosettes. T-cell rosettes were formed with neuraminidase treated sheep erythrocytes. B-cell rosettes were formed with complement coated sheep erythrocytes. Large differences in the percentages of T-rosette forming cells were noted depending on the method used to assay these cells. When rosette forming cells (RFC) and non-RFC were counted concurrently the percentage of T-cell rosettes were 53–75% whereas methods involving the separate counting of RFC and total cells gave T-cell RFC percentages of 23–40%. These differences were due to the “co-rosetting” of non-RFC into the T-cell rosette clusters. This occurred because of the gentleness required to resuspend the fragile T-cell rosettes. “Co-rosetting” was demonstrated by forming stable complement receptor rosettes with complement-coated human erythrocytes and resuspending them either gently or vigorously. Significantly higher percentages of rosettes were noted with gentle cell suspension than with vigorous resuspension. The percentages of rosette forming T-cells in human peripheral blood are therefore lower than previously estimated.
The biomechanical demands of standing yoga poses in seniors: The Yoga empowers seniors study (YESS).

The number of older adults participating in yoga has increased dramatically in recent years; yet, the physical demands associated with yoga performance have not been reported. The primary aim of the Yoga Empowers Seniors Study (YESS) was to use biomechanical methods to quantify the physical demands associated with the performance of 7 commonly-practiced standing yoga poses in older adults. 20 ambulatory older adults (70.7 + − 3.8 yrs) attended 2 weekly 60-minute Hatha yoga classes for 32 weeks. The lower-extremity net joint moments of force (JMOFs), were obtained during the performance of the following poses: Chair, Wall Plank, Tree, Warrior II, Side Stretch, Crescent, and One-Legged Balance. Repeated-measure ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to identify differences in JMOFs among the poses. Electromyographic analysis was used to support the JMOF findings. There was a significant main effect for pose, at the ankle, knee and hip, in the frontal and sagittal planes (p = 0.00 – 0.03). The Crescent, Chair, Warrior II, and One-legged Balance poses generated the greatest average support moments. Side Stretch generated the greatest average hip extensor and knee flexor JMOFs. Crescent placed the highest demands on the hip flexors and knee extensors. All of the poses produced ankle plantar-flexor JMOFs. In the frontal plane, the Tree generated the greatest average hip and knee abductor JMOFs; whereas Warrior II generated the greatest average hip and knee adductor JMOFs. Warrior II and One-legged Balance induced the largest average ankle evertor and invertor JMOFs, respectively. The electromyographic findings were consistent with the JMOF results. Musculoskeletal demand varied significantly across the different poses. These findings may be used to guide the design of evidence-based yoga interventions that address individual-specific training and rehabilitation goals in seniors. This study is registered with NIH Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT 01411059
Identification of evolutionarily meaningful information within the mammalian RNA editing landscape

A large comparative genomic sequence study has determined the extent of conservation between RNA editing sites within the mammalian evolutionary tree.
Previous Marriage and the Lesbian Wage Premium

This paper provides insight into the wage gap between partnered lesbians and other groups of women. Using data from the 2000 Decennial Census, we find that wages of never-married lesbians are significantly higher than wages of previously married lesbians and other groups of women. Results indicate that controlling for previous marriage reduces the estimated lesbian wage premium by approximately 20 percent. Our research also reveals that wage patterns of previously married lesbians mirror those of cohabiting heterosexual women. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that the lesbian wage premium is driven, in part, by differences in the labor-market commitment of lesbians and heterosexual women.
Performance of the human “counting machine”: evaluation of manual microscopy for enumerating plankton

In this study, live plankton (� 50 mm in minimum dimension) in samples were counted by three analysts to determine counting rates, accuracy and precision of manual microscopy. Counting rates were compared with sample characteristics (e.g. concentration of dead organisms). In separate experiments, plankton proxies, spherical microbeads (49 and 150 mm in diameters), were added to samples with varying degrees of debris loading, including samples from full-scale, replica ballast tanks. These analyses were used to test the hypothesis that as debris loading increases, counting rate increases and accuracy decreases. Highly concentrated samples and samples with high concentrations of dead plankton resulted in significantly slower counting rates. The recovery of 50-mm microbeads was lowest (75%) in laboratory samples that contained the highest debris load. The recovery of 150mm microbeads was very high (.98%) in laboratory samples with and without debris. Field samples from the replica ballast tank were highly turbid, and microbead recoveries were low for both microbead sizes. Sample quality, therefore, will affect counting rates and accuracy and will limit the volume of the sample that can be analyzed within short-time windows available for counting live plankton samples.
Altered Gq/G11 guanine nucleotide regulatory protein expression in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma: Role in mitogenesis

Guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G-proteins) represent an important transmembrane pathway whereby extra-cellular signals are transduced to intracellular signaling pathways. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade has been identified as a key factor in transducing numerous mitogenic stimuli. MAPK activity is regulated via numerous receptor types, including those linked to Gq/G11-proteins, which regulate phospholipase-C activity. We hypothesized that alterations in a Gq/G11-PLC pathway may contribute to the enhanced cellular mitogenesis characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), possibly via a MAPK-dependent pathway. By using an in vivo model of HCC we investigated changes in Gq/G11-protein expression in tumorigenic tissue versus adjacent, non-neoplastic liver. In addition we addressed the role of Gq/G11-proteins in the regulation of MAPK-linked mitogenesis by using rat hepatic tumorigenic cells (H4IIE) and isolated hepatocytes in culture. Western blot analysis showed significant increases in Gqalpha and G11alpha expression in tumorigenic liver versus normal liver specimens, an effect that was augmented in cultured H4IIE cells versus isolated cultured hepatocytes. Furthermore, phosphoinositol specific phospholipase-C (PLC) activity was significantly increased in HCC versus normal liver. A specific PLC inhibitor (Et-18-OCH3) caused a dose-dependent decrease in serum stimulated DNA synthesis in both cultured H4IIE cells and isolated rat hepatocytes, the H4IIE cell line showing greater sensitivity to Et-18-OCH3. In addition, serum-stimulated MAPK activity was significantly enhanced in H4IIE versus cultured hepatocytes. Moreover, treatment with Et-18-OCH3 significantly attenuated serum stimulated MAPK activity in both cultured hepatocytes and H4IIE cells. Furthermore, U73122 (Gqalpha-PLC specific uncoupler) and GP2A (Gqalpha specific inhibitor) mirrored the effects of those observed for Et-18-OCH3 whereas PD98059 (specific MEK inhibitor) completely abolished serum-stimulated DNA synthesis in tumorigenic H4IIE cells. We conclude that HCC is associated with enhanced Gq/G11-PLC expression/activity as compared with normal liver. Furthermore, a PLC-linked MAPK cascade plays a significant role in the progression of the enhanced mitogenesis characteristic of HCC.
Asthma and the Diversity of Fungal Spores in Air

The diversity of fungal spores in air is vast ([1], [2], Figure 1), but research on asthma focuses on a handful of easily identified, culturable species. Ecologists are developing new tools to probe communities and identify the full complement of fungi in habitats. These tools may enable identification of novel asthma triggers, but scientists involved in public health or medicine rarely interact with mycologists focused on ecology. With this primer, my aim is to facilitate communication by providing doctors with a basic, modern guide to spores, by teaching mycologists the essential facts of asthma, and by providing patients with a succinct summary of what is known about spores and asthma. By highlighting the use of emerging metagenomics technologies in ecology, I intend to illustrate how these tools might be used to more thoroughly understand the potential diversity of fungi involved in asthma.
A Class of Transformation Covariate Regression Models for Estimating the Excess Hazard in Relative Survival Analysis

Relative survival is the standard measure of excess mortality due to cancer in population-based cancer survival studies. In relative survival analysis, the observed hazard for cancer patients is the sum of the expected hazard for the general cancer-free population and the excess hazard associated with a cancer diagnosis. Previous models for relative survival analysis have assumed that the excess hazard rate is related to covariates by additive or multiplicative regression models. In this paper, a transformation covariate regression model is developed for estimation of the excess hazard rate, which includes both the additive and the multiplicative regression models as special cases. The baseline excess hazard rate and time-dependent hazard ratios can be approximated by means of regression splines, and the parameter estimates can be obtained using a standard statistical package. As is demonstrated through simulation, the proposed transformation hazards model provides a reasonably good fit to typical relative survival data. For illustration purposes, the sex difference in relative survival for lung and bronchus cancer patients is examined using data from population-based cancer registries (1973–2003).
The Currency of DeLillo's Cosmopolis

Don DeLillo's novel Cosmopolis employs postmodern, derealized money to represent the psychic and social conditions of the early twenty-first century, as embodied by billionaire Eric Packer. The yen on which Packer bets, and loses, his fortune reveals currency's role as a signifier of desire. Ultimately, the presence of the rat as a “unit of currency” demonstrates the undeniable power of countercurrencies, of which the most significant is the human body.
In search of solutions to grapevine trunk diseases through “crowd-sourced” science

Trunk diseases create tremendous problems for the viticulture industry causing significant economical losses due to reduced yields, increased crop management costs for cultural and chemical preventive measures, and shortened life span of the vines (Munkvold et al., 1994; Bertsch et al., 2013). No cures are currently available and the diseased wood is typically removed to limit the spread of infection to other permanent structures of the vine. Knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the development of these diseases is still limited. Recent advancements in genome sequencing technologies (so-called, Next Generation Sequencing) allow us to quickly catalog the entire repertoire of virulence functions of a plant pathogen, a rapid acquisition of a huge amount of information for organisms that were previously uncharacterized. We have recently released the draft genome sequences of pathogens associated with three major trunk diseases of grapevine: esca dieback (Phaeoacremonium aleophilum), botryosphaeria dieback (Neofusicoccum parvum), and eutypa dieback (Eutypa lata). All data, including the raw sequencing data, have been deposited in public databases (GenBank WGS and SRA archives) and are also hosted on the Cantu Lab website (http://cantulab.github.com). The data is freely available to anybody with no restrictions. Sequencing, assembly and preliminary genomic analyses are described in the journal Genome Announcements published by the American Society of Microbiology (Blanco-Ulate et al., 2013a,b,c). These one-page reports provide scientists that want to use the genomic information with details on the pathogen strains sequenced and how the sequencing and assembly were performed. With the exception of the genome of Botrytis cinerea (Amselem et al., 2011) the fungal agent of bunch rot, to our knowledge these are the first genomes of fungal grape pathogens publicly available. Updates to the current genome versions will be readily shared through the Cantu lab website hosted by GitHub (http://github.com), which will also provide a centralized repository for bioinformatic scripts and pipelines used in the genome analyses. The availability of newer versions will be communicated through Twitter (@CantuLab), or any social media that is widely used. By sharing these novel genomic sequences through rapid public release, we hope to stimulate research/scientific crowdsourcing to understand how these destructive pathogens cause disease, reducing grapevine yield and lifespan. This aggregation of talent and complementary expertise, with no need to initiate formal collaborations, will significantly reduce the time needed to solve these critical viticulture problems. We also hope that our openness will help promote the more collaborative model of scientific approach.
Geometry and kinematics of the Nuncios detachment fold complex: Implications for lithotectonics in northeastern Mexico

[1] Using recent geologic mapping combined with digital elevation data, aerial photo interpretation, and cross section balancing, we describe the three-dimensional (3-D) geometry and kinematics of the Nuncios Fold Complex in the Monterrey Salient of northeastern Mexico. This map-scale, evaporite-cored detachment fold structure involves Upper Jurassic through Cretaceous rocks deformed during the Laramide orogeny and comprises two westward plunging anticlines and an intervening, eastward plunging syncline. Seven balanced cross sections and a 3-D model of this north vergent structure document substantial along-strike variations in both fold geometry and detachment depth, suggesting that 3-D flow of the detachment layer may have occurred during folding. Comparison of folds in the Monterrey Salient with those in the neighboring Parras Basin suggests that the latter south vergent folds root to a shallower detachment. We suggest that northward transport of the Monterrey Salient folds on the lower evaporite detachment may have been inhibited by a thick sequence of foreland basin rocks in the northeastern Parras and southern La Popa basins and that the smaller, south verging folds formed where the lower detachment was abandoned and slip was transferred to the shallower detachment, forming a triangle zone at the front of the Sierra Madre orogenic wedge.
Numerical evaluation of adaptive base-isolated structures subjected to earthquake ground motions

In this study, the seismic response of a scale-model, base-isolated, multistory structure is numerically investigated. At the isolation level, the structure is equipped with isolation bearings combined with adaptive (semiactive) fluid dampers. The behavior of the dampers is controlled according to an H∞ optimal feedback control algorithm which utilizes a fuzzy logic approach to establish weighting functions. Numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the dynamic response of the isolated test structure when different damping mechanisms (passive, semiactive, or active) are incorporated within the isolation system. The numerical simulations indicate that, in comparison to an isolation system with high passive damping, an isolation system with semiactive damping can be effective in simultaneously controlling the response of the structure while limiting the isolation system response.
Thermal Tolerance Responses of Laboratory-Acclimated and Seasonally Acclimatized Atlantic Stingray, Dasyatis sabina

Abstract Atlantic stingrays, Dasyatis sabina, inhabit shallow bays subject to rapid temperature changes, yet little is known about their thermal tolerance strategies. We quantified critical thermal maxima (CTMaxima) and minima (CTMinima) of Atlantic stingrays from St. Joseph's Bay, Florida. Spiracle contraction cessation for more than one minute was the experimental endpoint. Laboratory-acclimated fish held at 10.8, 20.5, or 35.1 C exhibited CTMaxima of 35.7, 39.3, or 43.2 C, and CTMinima of 0.8, 4.8, or 10.8 C, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that CTMaxima increased by 0.31 C and CTMinima decreased by 0.41 C for every 1.0 C increase in acclimation temperature. Atlantic stingrays exposed to diel thermoperiods of 34.0–37.3 C and 7.0–11.0 C had CTMaxima of 43.1 and 33.4 C and CTMinima of 9.6 and 0.3 C, respectively, suggesting that fish acclimated to low cycle temperatures. A thermal tolerance polygon produced from laboratory data had an area of 978 C2, the third largest ever measured in a fish. ...
Inheritance of the Chediak-Higashi syndrome in cats

The phenotypes with respect to the Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) of 245 cats from 67 matings were analyzed. It was determined that the gene for feline CHS, like that in other species with CHS, is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner with complete penetrance. We propose the symbol ch for the gene for CHS in cats. Additional studies revealed enlarged periodic acid-Schiff positive granules in renal tubule cells in CHS cats, which provides further evidence of the homologous nature of CHS among the various species in which it occurs.
Salesperson Lone Wolf Tendencies: The Roles of Social Comparison and Mentoring in a Mediated Model of Performance

Despite contemporary shifts in sales organizations toward more collaborative work, the sales profession tends to comprise many individuals with a psychological preference to work alone, known as “lone wolf tendencies” (LWT). For this reason, theory about LWT has been almost exclusively developed in the sales literature. The current literature has largely assumed that lone wolfism is an innate characteristic, and results have been mixed with regard to the relationship between LWT and sales performance. This study considers an alternative to this prevailing assumption and proposes a nurture model of LWT in which one’s level of exposure to social workplace interactions (i.e., social comparison and career mentoring) may influence LWT. Our research questions are tested in a sample of 279 business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) salespeople using structural equation modeling. Results support our social learning-based hypotheses and reveal a positive association between LWT and job involvement a...
A Numerical Study on the Influence of Hole Aspect Ratio on the Performance Characteristics of a Hole-Pattern Seal

In turbomachinery, annular seals are used to reduce leakage between regions of high and low pressure. Many configurations of annular seals have been developed and studied in the literature including plain, labyrinth, pocket-damper, honeycomb, and hole-pattern. In machines experiencing stability issues, honeycomb and hole-pattern type seals have been used to replace labyrinth seals. Bulk-flow models are typically used to predict the leakage and dynamic coefficients of hole-pattern seals, relying on empirically derived friction factor coefficients. Previous experimental studies have shown that, for hole-pattern seals, the leakage and stator friction factor are strongly influenced by hole-depth. However, this behavior is not a monotonic function of hole-depth, a fact that might reduce confidence in future bulk-flow model predictions if not properly accounted for. A recent numerical study has highlighted the role of vortex formation in the holes which has a strong influence on the flow in the clearance region. Depending on the shape of the vortex, the flow in the hole can act much like a pinch valve, reducing the effective clearance of the jet flow.In this paper, computational fluid dynamics simulations of several hole-pattern seal configurations have been performed to study the effect of hole-aspect ratio (depth versus diameter) on the leakage and friction factors. The Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations with k-e turbulence model were solved using ANSYS CFX. It was found that the shape of the hole influences the vortex formation within the hole, effecting the jet flow in the clearance region and the seal leakage. The results show that the leakage is heavily dependent on the hole diameter in addition to the hole depth. The relationship between the friction factors and the geometry of the seal was found to be non-monotonic. It is therefore difficult to develop a friction factor model that will accurately encompass all configurations and it is recommended that friction factor data be interpolated from experimental or numerical results.© 2014 ASME
Inhibitory effect of antiviral compounds on viruses in vivo and in mouse ascites cells in vitro.

SummaryThe antiviral activities of a number of known antiviral compounds, including HBB, 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine, fluoro-phenylalanine, N-methylisatin-thiosemicarba-zone, ammonium sulfate, Statolon and Hele-nine on Columbia SK and LCM virus propagation in cultures of mouse ascites tumor cells have been described. These compounds were also compared with several other compounds not previously recognized as antiviral: methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone. 1,6-dinitronaphthalene, phosphotungstic acid, the dihexachlorocyclopentadiene adduct of naph-thalene-3-sulfonic acid-2-carboxylic acid and vit, B12. Statolon was effective against Columbia SK infection in the mouse when given prophylactically 2 days before inoculation of the virus.
A sociologist looks at crowds: Innovation or invention?

Crowd-based organizational models are purported to be more open and participatory than traditional organizational forms. But are they novel inventions or permutations of forms that have existed previously? This essay examines the wide array of innovations pursued under the umbrella label of crowd phenomena and asks whether they have altered traditional ways of organizing. The ramifications of crowds for both workers and consumers are also discussed. Central features of crowd organizing include spot transactions, short-term relations, demand-based pricing, heterogeneous demand, and reputations established through feedback mechanisms. Security and formality appear to have been replaced by openness and precariousness. The essay concludes with a call for further study of the contents of crowd-generated products and services.
Abnormal IgA Glycosylation in Children with Henoch-Schnlein Purpura Nephritis

Objective To explore the abnormal IgA glycosylation in children with Henoch-Schnlein purpura nephritis(HSPN).Methods The binding capacity of vilsa villosa lectin(VVL) to serum IgA1 was detected by VVL binding ELISA to indirectly reflect IgA1 glycosylation in healthy children and 20 HSPN children.Increased binding capacity showed abnormal IgA glycosylation.Results The serum IgA1 in children with HSPN showed significantly higher VVL binding capacity than that in healthy children [(0.36±0.06)U vs(0.12±0.07)U,t=3.658;P0.05].Conclusion Children with HSPN have abnormal IgA glycosylation.
Roentgenographically occult lung cancer. A ten-year experience.

During the past 10 years, 54 patients, all men, were found to have roentgenographically occult lung cancer. The mean age was 61 years (range 45 to 76 years). All patients had abnormal findings on sputum cytologic study (carcinoma in 41 patients and squamous cell atypia in 13). The cancer was localized by bronchoscopy in all patients (range one to five examinations, mean 1.5). Seventy-five percent of the tumors were localized within 169 days of the abnormal sputum cytologic examination. Pulmonary resection for cure was performed in all patients: lobectomy in 38, pneumonectomy in nine, and bilobectomy in seven. Operative mortality was 5.6% (three patients). Fifty-eight cancers were resected, all squamous cell carcinomas (two had a component of large cell cancer). Tumor TNM classification (AJC) was TIS N0 M0 in 19 patients, T1 N0 M0 in 25, T0 N1 M0 in five, T2 N1 M0 in four, and T3 N0 M0 in one. Overall 5 year actuarial survival rate (lung cancer deaths only) was 90%. Five-year survival rate for the 44 patients with TIS N0 M0 and T1 N0 M0 neoplasms was 91%. Currently, 21 patients have died, but only 10 of lung cancer. Subsequent additional lung cancer developed in 12 patients (22%). Eleven of these patients had a second primary squamous lung cancer, six of which again were occult. We conclude that patients with occult lung cancer have a strong likelihood of long-term survival if treated early. Close surveillance is indicated because of the high incidence of a second primary lung cancer.
An Auto-Associative Residual Processing and K-means Clustering Approach for Anemometer Health Assessment

This paper presents a health assessment methodology, as well as specific residual processing and figure of merit algorithms for anemometers in two different configurations. The methodology and algorithms are applied to data sets provided by the Prognostics and Health Management Society 2011 Data Challenge. The two configurations consist of the “paired” data set in which two anemometers are positioned at the same height, and the “shear” data set which includes an array of anemometers at different heights. Various wind speed statistics, wind direction, and ambient temperature information are provided, in which the objective is to classify the anemometer health status during a set of samples from a 5 day period. The proposed health assessment methodology consists of a set of data processing steps that include: data filtering and pre-processing, a residual or difference calculation, and a k-means clustering based figure of merit calculation. The residual processing for the paired data set was performed using a straightforward difference calculation, while the shear data set utilized an additional set of algorithm processing steps to calculate a weighted residual value for each anemometer. The residual processing algorithm for the shear data set used a set of auto-associative neural network models to learn the underlying correlation relationship between the anemometer sensors and to calculate a weighted residual value for each of the anemometer wind speed measurements. A figure of merit value based on the mean value of the smaller of the two clusters for the wind speed residual is used to determine the health status of each anemometer. Overall, the proposed methodology and algorithms show promise, in that the results from this approach resulted in the top score for the PHM 2011 Data Challenge Competition. Using different clustering algorithms or density estimation methods for the figure of merit calculation is being considered for future work.
Microgrids and other Local Area Power and Energy Systems

Describing the formation, integration, planning, composition and operation of microgrids, this book explains how local power systems can address limitations in conventional electric power grids and provides insights into the practical implementation needs and outcomes of microgrid technology. All aspects of microgrid design and applications are covered, including the main technologies involved in microgrids and other local area power and energy systems. The reliability and economic characteristics of microgrid system architecture, energy storage and grid interaction are explored in depth. Over 300 illustrations and real-world application examples make this a fully self-contained resource, ideal for graduate students and professionals in electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering and materials science.
Does Participation in Music and Performing Arts Influence Child Development

This article reconsiders the association between childhood arts participation and cognitive and developmental outcomes. Using data from a large, nationally representative sample with extensive covariates, we employ propensity score weighting to adjust comparisons of children who do and do not participate in arts education (music and performing arts lessons) to address potential confounding from selection into arts education. We examine a broad range of outcomes in adolescence and early adulthood (e.g., GPA, self-esteem, college attendance). Our results show that selection into arts education is at least as strong as any direct effect on outcomes, providing no support for the causal associations between arts participation and cognitive outcomes. We do find that arts education increases arts engagement during young adulthood.
Reviews of research funded by U.S. Institute of Educational Sciences: A case of reading development and instruction

Empirical research is a critical in the field of education, however, research funding sources are often hard to identify. In this study, we examined how National Center for Education Research (NCER...
Deciphering Elevated Microsatellite Alterations at Selected Tetra/Pentanucleotide Repeats, Microsatellite Instability, and Loss of Heterozygosity in Colorectal Cancers.

Elevated microsatellite alterations at selected tetranucleotide repeats (EMAST) are common in colorectal cancers (CRCs). The association between EMAST and classic mono/dinucleotide microsatellite instability (MSI) is unknown. We assessed the stability of 13 tetranucleotide and three pentanucleotide repeat markers in tumor and normal tissue from 22 MSI-high and 107 microsatellite-stable CRC samples. When present, instability was observed at tetra/pentanucleotide repeats and was defined as elevated microsatellite alterations at selected tetra/pentanucleotide repeats–high (EMASTP-H; ≥30% instability), –low (EMASTP-L;
Role of Immunohistochemistry in the Detection of Targetable Mutations

Testing for EGFR gene mutations and ALK rearrangements has entered everyday clinical practice for the management of patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. With the development of more sensitive molecular techniques to detect specific mutations, small biopsy and cytologic specimens are being used more frequently for diagnostic work-up and molecular characterization of lung carcinoma. Molecular testing, however, is not widely offered due to cost constraints and technical complexity, including highly skilled and trained personnel to perform and interpret the results. Despite suitability of small biopsy and cytologic material for molecular tests, samples are periodically inadequate for molecular tests. Therefore, immunohistochemical stains offer the potential to detect mutant proteins as an alternative or adjunct to molecular techniques thereby expanding availability of molecular characterization of tumors.