cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WE-C-WAB-06: Effects of Radiation On Functional Bone Marrow in Patients with Pelvic Malignancies

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that pelvic bone marrow fat fraction (FF) (i.e., quantity of fat relative to water) varies with glucose metabolism and radiation dose in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. Methods: 34 patients with pelvic malignancies were enrolled from 2009‐2012 on prospective trials; 31 received concurrent chemotherapy. All patients underwent baseline 18F‐FDG‐PET and quantitative MRI with IDEAL‐IQ. 9 patients underwent PET/CT simulation, 15 PET/CT, and 10 PET‐only. 18 and 14 patients underwent IDEAL‐IQ at mid‐treatment and 1–3 weeks post‐treatment, respectively. PET‐only scans were rigidly registered to the planning CT (pCT). PET/CT and IDEAL‐IQ scans were deformably registered to the pCT (Velocity AI, Atlanta, GA). Each image was resampled to the pCT, creating a database of FF, dose, and body weight‐standardized uptake value (SUVbw) for each voxel. Analyses were performed on pelvic bone from L5 to ischia. Spearman rank correlation coefficients (SRCC) were estimated comparing SUVbw and dose vs. FF1, ΔFF21, and ΔFF31. FF1 represents FF at baseline and ΔFF21 and ΔFF31 represent change in FF from baseline to mid‐and post‐treatment, respectively. Mean SRCCs were tested for significance using a 2‐sided t‐test. Results: Data analysis was completed for 15 patients (13 gynecologic, 7 anal cancer). We observed a significant negative correlation between SUVbw and FF1, and significant positive correlations between SUVbw and ΔFF21 and ΔFF31 (Table), indicating that high metabolic activity correlated with lower FF (a surrogate for red marrow) and increased conversion to fat (yellow marrow) during radiotherapy. We observed significant positive correlations between radiation dose and ΔFF21 and ΔFF31, indicating that regions of higher dose were more likely to convert to fat (Table). No correlation was observed between dose and FF1. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that red marrow has higher metabolic activity, and is more likely to convert to yellow marrow during radiotherapy, in a dose‐dependent manner. Funding has been provided by NIH R21 Research Grant (#CA162718‐01) and by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Identifying and Managing Bias

Christian, S. E. (2012). Overcoming bias: A journalist's guide to culture & context. Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb Hathaway. 224 pp., $46.00 (Pbk), $23.00 (Ebook). Amid the extensive body of literature t...
Discovery of a novel TLR2 signaling inhibitor with anti-viral activity

Blockade of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammatory responses represents a new approach in the development of anti-inflammation therapeutics. In the present study, we have screened for TLR2-mediated inflammation inhibitors from small molecule compound libraries using a sensitive cell line stably expressing TLR2, CD14, and an NF-kappaB-driven-luciferase reporter gene. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) was used as a virus model. This arenavirus activates a TLR2/CD14-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway. We have identified 10 potential anti-inflammatory compounds out of 101,306 compounds. We further evaluated 1 of these positive compounds, E567. We demonstrated that compound E567 efficiently inhibits both LCMV and Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) induced cytokine responses in both human and mouse cell cultures. We also demonstrated that E567 inhibits cytokine responses in the mouse. Remarkably, E567 is also capable of inhibiting LCMV replication in mice. This is a new model for developing drugs for use in treating viral illnesses.
Fast compression of seismic data with local trigonometric bases

Our goal in this paper is to provide a fast numerical implementation of the local trigonometric bases algorithm in order to demonstrate that an advantage can be gained by constructing a biorthogonal basis adapted to a target image. Different choices for the bells are proposed, and an extensive evaluation of the algorithm was performed on synthetic and seismic data. Because of its ability to reproduce textures so well, the coder performs very well, even at high bitrate.
Euripides' Second Thoughts

The Hippolytus that has survived as a classic for over two millennia was one of Euripides' two dramatic presentations of Phaedra's love for her stepson and its disastrous results. The surviving play (called either "Stephanias" or "Stephanephoros," to distinguish it from the lost "Kalyptomenos") is, by the testimony of the hypothesis, the later of the two, produced in 428 B.C.E.1 In it, the ancient editor tells us, that which was considered aTrpeTrES Kal KaT1yOpiaS atlov in the earlier play has been corrected (c I will take this view of the two plays' chronology as a given.3 Attempts to reconstruct the
PERFORMANCES AND ATTITUDES OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS USING PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION TEXTS

Abstract Can social work education profit from the use of programmed instruction materials? How do social work students feel about using such materials of instruction? An attempt to answer these questions was the major goal of this study. Based on the performances of the students tested, programmed instruction was a most effective method of learning the relevant, basic ideas in at least one area of social work, namely, mental retardation. The generally favourable attitudes expressed by these students toward programmed instruction would lead us to conclude that they are certainly willing to utilise such a method to enhance their knowledge as long as it is not the only method at their disposal.
Susceptibility of equine chorionic girdle cells to lymphokine-activated killer cell activity.

PROBLEM: Equine chorionic girdle cells are a subpopulation of highly invasive trophoblast cells that attach and invade the uterine epithelium on Day 35 (Day 0 = day of ovulation). These invading chorionic girdle cells form endometrial cups that are associated with a marked local maternal leukocytic response that may result in the demise of the cups at Day 120 of pregnancy. Once endometrial cups become established in the uterine wall they do not express MHC antigens, and therefore may only be susceptible to non-MHC restricted cytotoxic cells. The susceptibility of cultured chorionic girdle cells to LAK cell cytotoxicity was tested in order to evaluate the role of this type of cytotoxicity in the life-cycle of endometrial cup tissue. METHODS: Chorionic girdle cells from ten Day 34 conceptuses were collected, cultured, and used as a target cell in a lymphokine activated killer assay to determine if these cells were susceptible to lymphokine activated killing. RESULTS: Cultured chorionic girdle cells demonstrated similar in vitro morphological features and patterns of antigen expression to those seen in vivo in endometrial cups. Cultured chorionic girdle cells were susceptible to lymphokine activated killing. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphokine activated killer cells may play a role in the degeneration of endometrial cup tissue. The potential mechanisms of regulation of uterine LAK cell activity in the horse are discussed.
Increased vigilance needed for the detection of thrombotic complications of central venous access in adolescent cystic fibrosis patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CT) is a genetically inherited, multisystem condition, resulting from abnormal salt and water transport across epithelial surfaces. Advances in medical treatments have resulted in vastly improved care of CF patients. This has led to the increased survival of CF sufferers from early childhood in the 1940s to nearly 40 years of age in 2012 (1). These therapies include nebulized and inhaled mucolytics, and bronchodilators, as well as prophylactic antibiotics and physiotherapy. Most CF patients require some form of long-term venous access for ease of administration of repeated courses of intravenous antibiotics. Some of our patients are fitted with a totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) referred to as a Port-A-Cath. Over time, these indwelling devices present their own complications. We report a series of three patients with potentially life-threatening thrombotic and thromboembolic phenomena arising from their indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs).
Synthesis of Lipid-linked Arabinofuranose Donors for Glycosyltransferases

Mycobacteria and corynebacteria use decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-arabinofuranose (DPA) as a critical cell wall building block. Arabinofuranosyltransferases that process this substrate to mediate cell wall assembly have served as drug targets, but little is known about the substrate specificity of any of these enzymes. To probe substrate recognition of DPA, we developed a general and efficient synthetic route to β-d-arabinofuranosyl phosphodiesters. In this approach, the key glycosyl phosphodiester bond-forming reaction proceeds with high β-selectivity. In addition to its stereoselectivity, our route provides the means to readily access a variety of different lipid analogues, including aliphatic and polyprenyl substrates.
Prevention of cytomegalovirus disease.

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important pathogen in the human herpes family for immunocompromised hosts. Recognition and monitoring of CMV disease has been improved due to development of four quantitative laboratory assays for CMV: antigenemia, polymerase chain reaction for CMV DNA, branched DNA assay, and the hybrid capture assay. Prevention of posttransplant CMV disease is possible with acyclovir or ganciclovir. Preemptive therapy, which is treatment begun when a laboratory marker signifies impending tissue-invasive CMV disease, offers a cost-effective alternative to prophylaxis, but could be initiated too late in cases of fulminant CMV. Future strategies for control of CMV disease include determining the threshold quantity of CMV (‘viral load’) capable of producing tissue damage, developing drugs with a better therapeutic index than the presently available compounds, and insights into CMV pathogenesis especially regarding tissue tropism of the virus, which varies according to the underlying basic disease of the host.
The impact ofThe Wall Street Journal’s closely watched reports on short-term interest rates

Using a reduced-form macroeconomic model, suggested by the Real Economic Activity hypothesis, in this study the authors examine the effect of certain economic indicators, published weekly byThe Wall Street Journal, on interest rates, for the period November 1987–November 1989. The results suggest that unexpected M3 announcements significantly affect market interest rates. However, there is no evidence of significant announcement effects for the other government statistics (new jobless claims, auto sales, M1, and M2). The evidence suggests that financial markets have not considered information in these economic announcements to be particularly newsworthy, in the face of M3 announcements.
Glutamatergic antagonists do not attenuate light-induced Fos protein in rat intergeniculate leaflet

Photic information that entrains circadian rhythms is transmitted to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) from the retina and from the retinorecipient intergeniculate leaflet (IGL). Expression of light-induced Fos protein in SCN neurons is correlated with the effectiveness of such light to induce phase shifts, and is prevented by pretreatment with glutamate receptor antagonists that prevent phase shifts as well. In the present study we demonstrate that treatments with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor antagonists prior to light pulses during the subjective night have no effect on light-induced Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) in IGL neurons despite attenuating Fos-IR in the SCN. Transmission of photic information along retinogeniculate and retinohypothalamic pathways appears to be mediated by different mechanisms.
Optimum Adaptive Reception for Binary Sequences

The a posteriori probability density function p(?|X1, X2,...,Xk), where the Xi, i=1, 2, ..., K, represent Kvector-valued observations statistically related to the random vector ?, appears in many applications of the methods of statistical inference to problems in pattern recognition and statistical communication theory. In this paper, it is shown that for equally likely binary sequences (M= 2) of anticorrelated patterns for signals observed in additive Gaussian noise, a device that computes p?|X1, X2, XK) can be synthesized from a correlator, a simple instantaneous nonlinearity, and a multiplier. These results are used to derive some equally simple structures for various optimum nonsupervised estimators, pattern recognition machines, and signal detectors.
Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infections in female adolescents.

To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infection in an urban adolescent population, 100 sexually active female adolescents were screened with endocervical cultures for Chlamydia , in addition to bacterial cultures, Gram stains, wet mounts, and Papanicolau smears. C. trachomatis was isolated from 22% of these patients. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from only 3% of this population. No historical or clinical features were specific to those with positive chlamydial cultures, although cervical inflammation was noted more frequently. Treatment with tetracycline or erythromycin produced bacteriologic cure in 95% of culture-positive patients.
Changes in Consumption and Activities in Retirement

The simple one-good model of life-cycle consumption requires "consumption smoothing." According to previous results based on partial spending and on synthetic panels, British and U.S. households apparently reduce consumption at retirement. The reduction cannot be explained by the simple one-good life-cycle model, so it has been referred to as the retirement-consumption puzzle. An interpretation is that at retirement individuals discover they have fewer economic resources than they had anticipated prior to retirement, and as a consequence reduce consumption. This interpretation challenges the life-cycle model where consumers are assumed to be forward looking. Using panel data on anticipated consumption changes at retirement and on recollected consumption changes following retirement, we find that the median recollected change in spending at retirement is zero and that the recollections are broadly consistent with anticipations. Based on a measure of total spending in true panel we find that the actual mean and median changes are slightly positive. Therefore, we find no retirement-consumption puzzle.
San Antonio Mountain Experiment (SAMEX)

Abstract The San Antonio Mountain Experiment (SAMEX) involves a 3325 m. conically shaped, isolated mountain in north-central New Mexico where hourly observations of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation are being taken at nine locations over a three- to five-year period that began in 1980. The experiment is designed to isolate the effect of topography on these meteorological variables by using a geometric configuration sufficiently simple to lead to generalized results. One remote automatic weather station (RAWS) is located at the peak (3322 m); four are located at midslope (3033 m) on southwest, southeast, northeast, and northwest aspects; and four are at the base (2743 m) on southwest, southeast, northeast, and northwest aspects. The surface observations are supplemented by rawinsonde, pibal, tethersonde, and constant-level balloon observations at selected times during each year. The unique set of meteorological data collected in the experiment will be used to 1) ...
The canonical sheaf of Du Bois singularities

We prove that a Cohen–Macaulay normal variety X has Du Bois singularities if and only if π∗ωX′(G)≃ωX for a log resolution π:X′→X, where G is the reduced exceptional divisor of π. Many basic theorems about Du Bois singularities become transparent using this characterization (including the fact that Cohen–Macaulay log canonical singularities are Du Bois). We also give a straightforward and self-contained proof that (generalizations of) semi-log-canonical singularities are Du Bois, in the Cohen–Macaulay case. It also follows that the Kodaira vanishing theorem holds for semi-log-canonical varieties and that Cohen–Macaulay semi-log-canonical singularities are cohomologically insignificant in the sense of Dolgachev.
Inelastic microstructural failure modes in crystalline materials: The Σ33A and Σ11 high angle grain boundaries

The initiation and evolution of microstructurally induced failure mechanisms in crystalline materials with coincident site lattice (CSL) high angle grain boundaries (GBs) have been investigated. A constitutive formulation that couples a rate-dependent multiple-slip crystalline formulation, through internal variables, to evolutionary equations for the mobile and immobile dislocation densities, has been developed. This dislocation-density based constitutive formulation is used with specialized computational schemes to investigate failure modes in f.c.c. crystalline materials with Σ11 and Σ33a CSL GBs. The interrelated effects of mobile and immobile dislocation densities, lattice rotation, localized plastic slip, and high angle GB misorientations on the evolution of failure modes that can occur owing to dislocation pile-ups and slip-rate blockage and transmission at the GB have been investigated. Comparisons have been made with experimental results and observations, and results from this study are consistent with experimental observations that transgranular failure can occur owing to single dislocation pile-ups at the GB for the Σ11 and Σ33a CSL GBs.
Creatine kinase-MB does not add additional benefit to a negative troponin in the evaluation of chest pain.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether current troponin assay alone can be used for initial screening for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and whether creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) can safely be eliminated from this evaluation in the emergency department (ED). Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients who had cardiac troponin T (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) and CK-MB ordered at an urban academic level 1 trauma center with more than 55,000 annual visits. Patients with troponin testing in the ED were identified over a period of 12 months, and corresponding CK-MB indexes were examined identifying patients with negative troponins ( 6.0). In these patients, further cardiac markers, hospital course, and 30-day mortality were then evaluated. A 99% confidence interval around point estimate was used in data analysis. Results During the study period, there were 11,092 separate ED patient encounters where a patient had at least one troponin resulted. Most (97.9%) of the samples had an associated CK-MB ordered. There were 7545 initial negative troponins representing 68% of all initial samples. Seven of these had an associated positive MB index. When subsequent troponins were evaluated, an additional 4910 negative troponins were identified, with 4 patients having a positive MB. None of these 11 patients were judged to have ruled in for AMI by the treating physicians. The rate of true-positive CK-MB index with negative troponin was 0% (99% confidence interval, 0-0.04%). Conclusion Our results suggest that CK-MB is not necessary in the initial screening for AMI and may safely be omitted in patients with negative troponins.
Laminagraphy: methods and application in oraldiagnosis 88

Superimposition of tissue structures in a diagnostic radiographis minimized with laminagraphy. History, methods, and application are described.
Moment-Generated Solution to the Hubbard Narrow-Energy-Band Model

A solution to the Hubbard model is presented which invokes the single assumption that the low-energy peak in the spectral weight function can be well approximated by a function which duplicates its zeroth, first, and second moments to a given order in the bandwidth. The solution takes advantage of the rigorous moment relations of Harris and Lange. A simple, exact, and unambiguous technique to evaluate the correlation functions, required for the moment relations, in the atomic limit is developed. These functions are used to calculate the moments which in turn generate a spectral weight function with no restriction on the electron density. The ground-state energy for the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic configurations are calculated and compared. The model is found to be ferromagnetic for moderate densities.
Status claims, performance expectations, and inequality in groups

Abstract We state and test two new theoretical assumptions regarding effects of explicit status claims upon others' performance expectations and the consequent group hierarchy: (1) that any such claim is aggregated with other status information, and (2) that the weight of the effect of a claim is a direct function of the status position of the person expressing it. Added to the core assumptions of theories of status generalization, the new assumptions account for phenomena also called “second-order expectations” and “status cues.” Results from a six-condition experimental test support the ideas, and permit comparing our assumptions with two variant mechanisms. We consider some uses of the extended theory, including interventions to control status effects within groups and legitimating and de-legitimating group hierarchies.
Are two voices better than one? Predicting permanency in minority youth using multi-informant mental health and strength data.

Among youth in child welfare ages 6–17 years, 40 % meet the criteria for one or more DSM diagnoses. For minority youth in child welfare, poor mental health is compounded by limited access to care and racial disparity bias, leading to poorer outcomes. This paper uses data collected and analyzed by an automated behavioral health assessment system for a multiyear study that focused on ways to improve case planning in child welfare. Youth, their caseworkers, and, in some cases, parents completed assessments that measured and monitored the youths’ needs and strengths. More than 60 % of youth participating in the study were African-American; permanency rates after six months of case planning were found to be only one third. Predictive factors related to better behavioral health and permanency outcomes are identified and discussed, as well as the implications for improving case planning by incorporating the views of multiple informants, including the youth.
Empirical resonance energies for benzene and pyridine

Empirical resonance energies are calculated for benzene and pyridine from both experimental ΔHfo data and from total molecular energies obtained using the 6-31G* basis set as the energy change for three distinct types of reaction. The results show that the aromatic stabilization of pyridine and benzene is essentially the same.
Time-resolved characterization and energy balance analysis of implosion core in shock-ignition experiments at OMEGA

Time-resolved temperature and density conditions in the core of shock-ignition implosions have been determined for the first time. The diagnostic method relies on the observation, with a streaked crystal spectrometer, of the signature of an Ar tracer added to the deuterium gas fill. The data analysis confirms the importance of the shell attenuation effect previously noted on time-integrated spectroscopic measurements of thick-wall targets [R. Florido et al., Phys. Rev. E 83, 066408 (2011)]. This effect must be taken into account in order to obtain reliable results. The extracted temperature and density time-histories are representative of the state of the core during the implosion deceleration and burning phases. As a consequence of the ignitor shock launched by the sharp intensity spike at the end of the laser pulse, observed average core electron temperature and mass density reach T ∼ 1100 eV and ρ ∼ 2 g/cm3; then temperature drops to T ∼ 920 eV while density rises to ρ ∼ 3.4 g/cm3 about the time of peak compression. Compared to 1D hydrodynamic simulations, the experiment shows similar maximum temperatures and smaller densities. Simulations do not reproduce all observations. Differences are noted in the heating dynamics driven by the ignitor shock and the optical depth time-history of the compressed shell. Time-histories of core conditions extracted from spectroscopy show that the implosion can be interpreted as a two-stage polytropic process. Furthermore, an energy balance analysis of implosion core suggests an increase in total energy greater than what 1D hydrodynamic simulations predict. This new methodology can be implemented in other ICF experiments to look into implosion dynamics and help to understand the underlying physics.
THE EFFECT OF STEAM ON THE TRANSVERSE STRENGTH OF FIRECLAY BRICKS1

In connection with an investigation of checker brick for carbureters of water-gas machines, it was considered desirable to find out whether or not fireclay brick suffered an appreciable decrease in transverse strength when exposed to the action of steam at a high temperature. Except for occasional references to the “destructive action” of steam, no information on this score was found in the literature. This paper describes experiments in which standard straight bricks at 11,00°C were subjected to the action of steam at the same temperature and the resulting change in transverse strength measured. No significant decrease in strength due to the action of steam alone was found.
The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimter and the Laser Ranging System on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

The design of Lunar Orbiter laser altimeter on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is presented. The one-way laser ranging system that provides precision tracking of the spacecraft position from Earth is also described.
An interesting case of bilateral bifid insertion of superior rectus muscle as an intra-operative finding in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism

We report a case of bilateral bifid insertion of superior rectus muscles, in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism as an incidental intraoperative finding during eye muscle surgery. The muscle was successfully operated on and the patient did well postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this anomaly.
A time-reversal mirror in a solid circular waveguide using a single, time-reversal element

The ability of a single acoustic element to produce a compact time domain signal from a multi-mode solid cylindrical waveguide using a time-reversal mirror (TRM) is considered. Two, single element, longitudinal contact transducers were used to excite and receive multiple longitudinal modes in a fused quartz waveguide in a TRM experiment. The TRM is demonstrated to be effective with the limited information from a single longitudinal transducer. Experimental results are presented along with a simple interpretation that shows how a TRM with only a single element can be used as a practical sensor.
Magnetically-driven bi-directional optical microscanner

A magnetically-driven bi-directional optical microscanner has been designed, fabricated and characterized. Magnetic and structural modeling and analysis has been applied to the design of the scanner. The micromachined scanner can be operated bi-directionally under the condition of static operation. Under dynamic operation, the prototype scanner has shown stable bi-directional scanning performance at the operating frequency of 30 Hz, corresponding to 60 Hz in the regular uni-directional scanner. Compared with a conventional scanner, the microscanner has the advantages of low power consumption due to its small size and high scanning efficiency as a result of unique bi-directional actuation.
Vocal-Diary: A Voice Command based Ground Truth Collection System for Activity Recognition

We present Vocal-Diary, a voice command based ground truth collection system that uses grammar based commands from residents to log start and end of activities. Vocal-Diary ensures robustness in the presence of sounds from different environmental noise and day-to-day conversation by using two-way acknowledgement and integrating speaker recognition in the pipeline. Vocal-Diary also utilizes the sensor data produced by the underlying activity recognition system to query residents periodically to check if they forgot to log any activity. Evaluation shows that Vocal-Diary increases precision by at least 40% and recall by at least 10% compared to a system that uses voice command recognition without any acknowledgement and speaker recognition.
Identification of a Second Poly(A) Polymerase in Escherichia coli

A second poly(A) polymerase (PAP II) has been identified in Escherichia coli using a strain carrying a deletion of pcnB (the structural gene for PAP I; Cao and Sarkar, 1992b) and pnp-7 (a null mutation in the structural gene for polynucleotide phosphorylase). While PAP I has a M(r) of 53,000, PAP II is a smaller protein with a native M(r)-35,000. PAP II differs from PAP I in preferring poly(A) over tRNA primers and being more thermolabile. The presence of multiple poly(A) polymerases in E. coli raises interesting questions regarding the role of polyadenylation in mRNA synthesis and decay.
On the Analysis of Vector Meson Production by Polarized Photons

The formalism necessary to analyze production of vector mesons with polarized photons (~p --*pV) is.presented in detail. The decay angular distribution of the vector mesons is parameterized by the density matrices pOl, 0t = 0, 1, 2, 3. Restrictions on the numerical values of the density matrix elements are derived. From the symmetry properties of the helicity amplitudes, it is shown that at high o i_l~knl energies the combinations Pkk' =F , ' ~-kk' to leading order in energy receive only contributions from natural (unnatural) parity exchange in the t-channel. It is shown that this is true in any coordinate system which can be reached from the vector-meson helicity system by a rotation around the normal to the production plane. The values of the density matrices as predicted by various models: ele- mentary 0 :~ exchange, spin independence, helicity conservation, are given.
Shale-Gas Permeability and Diffusivity Inferred by Improved Formulation of Relevant Retention and Transport Mechanisms

A theoretically improved model incorporating the relevant mechanisms of gas retention and transport in gas-bearing shale formations is presented for determination of intrinsic gas permeability and diffusivity. This is accomplished by considering the various flow regimes according to a unified Hagen–Poiseuille-type equation, fully compressible treatment of gas and shale properties, and numerical solution of the non-linear pressure equation. The present model can accommodate a wide range of fundamental flow mechanisms, such as continuum, slip, transition, and free molecular flow, depending on the prevailing flow conditions characterized by the Knudsen number. The model indicates that rigorous determination of shale-gas permeability and diffusivity requires the characterization of various important parameters included in the present phenomenological modeling approach, many of which are not considered in previous studies. It is demonstrated that the improved model matches a set of experimental data better than a previous attempt. It is concluded that the improved model provides a more accurate means of analysis and interpretation of the pressure-pulse decay tests than the previous models which inherently consider a Darcian flow and neglect the variation of parameters with pressure.
Locating Pentecostals at the Hermeneutical Round Table

Utilizing evangelical, rabbinic, and literary critical hermeneutical methods as dialogue partners, I will suggest in this article five emphases that distinguish a Pentecostal approach to Scripture: (1) Pentecostal readings are narrative rather than propositional. (2) They are dynamic rather than static. (3) They are experience-based. (4) They seek encounter more than understanding. (5) They are pragmatic, emphasizing transformation and application.
Does PTSD transcend cultural barriers : A study from the Khmer adolescent refugee project

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether the factor structure of the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) syndrome in Cambodian refugee youth resembles earlier reported factor studies in Caucasian samples. Method 194 Khmer adolescent refugees who reported prior significant trauma (most of it massive war trauma as children) were administered the PTSD module of the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents, as part of an epidemiological study on the effects of war on this group of refugees. Results The following four factors were found: arousal, avoidance, intrusion, and numbing. A confirmatory factor analysis using data from the parents of this sample yielded a good fit for the four-factor solution based on the youth data. Conclusions The four-factor solution from this sample resembled earlier studies on traumatized Caucasian and African-American adults. These results lend further credibility to the veracity of this diagnosis with refugee samples. PTSD as a result of prior was trauma appears to surmount the barriers of culture and language in this sample.
Storm-time fingerprints and global profiles of ULF wave power at geosynchronous orbit

Abstract We examine the relationship between long-period (Pc4 and Pc5) ULF wave power and the rapid increase in relativistic electron fluxes observed during some magnetic storms. A qualitative comparison of the ULF dynamic power spectra of the total field magnitude (compressional component) during two major storms indicates a sustained, broadband enhancement of ULF power beginning in the main phase and extending well into the recovery phase for the storm with relativistic electrons. The ULF compressional power increase appears more narrowband and not as sustained during the storm without such electrons. A statistical study using a database of 42 isolated storms indicates that an extended period of elevated Pc5 power throughout the recovery phase may be necessary for electron energization. A similar, albeit weaker effect is observed for Pc4 waves. Finally, the average local-time profiles of Pc4 and Pc5 wave power at geosynchronous orbit are calculated for the early, intermediate, and late stages of the recovery phase for our storm database. A clear difference in the local-time distribution of Pc5 power during the early recovery phase between storms with relativistic electrons and those without is observed. In both cases, there is a Pc5 power peak in the afternoon. However, there are also comparable levels of wave power in the morning sector for storms during which electrons are accelerated to relativistic speeds. This may indicate that high Pc5 power levels occurring on both the dawn and dusk flanks are necessary to “kickstart” the electron acceleration and are one of the factors in differentiating between magnetic storms with enhanced relativistic electron fluxes and those without.
Potential regulatory sequences in the untranslated regions of the baboon MHC class Ib gene, Paan-AG, more closely resemble those in the human MHC class Ia genes than those in the class Ib gene, HLA-G

The baboon major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib gene, Paan-AG, is structurally similar to the human MHC class Ia gene, HLA-A, but exhibits characteristics similar to those of the class Ib gene HLA-G. These include limited polymorphism, alternative splicing of a single message, and restricted tissue distribution, with high expression in the placenta. In order to determine whether regulatory elements controlling expression of Paan-AG resemble those of HLA-A or HLA-G, we cloned the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of Paan-AG. Unexpectedly, sequence comparisons showed that potential regulatory elements in Paan-AG strikingly resembled those in HLA-A and differed in major respects from those in HLA-G. Unlike HLA-G, Paan-AG contained an intact interferon-γ stimulated response element (ISRE) in the promoter. Studies using luciferase reporter assays showed that the Paan-AG ISRE was functional. The basal activity of the Paan-AG ISRE and its response to interferon-γ was similar to that of class Ia MHC genes. Further, we identified an ISRE in the 3′ untranslated region of Paan-AG that is known to be functional in HLA-A2 but is deleted in HLA-G. These experiments predict that functional studies may demonstrate differences in regulation of expression of Paan-AG and HLA-G genes, which could restrict the use of the baboon as a primate model for studying HLA-G expression and function.
Thermochemical analysis of MgB2 synthesis by molecular-beam epitaxy

Abstract In this paper we report a study that correlates the properties of superconducting MgB 2 thin films with molecular-beam-epitaxy deposition parameters. We show the utility of using a thermochemical analysis of MgB 2 synthesis to predict optimal growth conditions. The growth of stoichiometric films with improved crystalline quality can be achieved at enhanced temperatures using high reactant fluxes. High B flux enhances the sticking coefficient of Mg and facilitates higher growth temperatures and improved structural and electrical properties. With a Mg flux of ∼16 A/s and a substrate temperature of 300°C, a superconducting transition temperature ( T c ) of 37.7 K with a narrow transition width ( Δ T c 1 K ) was observed. Our work shows that a growth model must include the strong dependence of the Mg sticking coefficient on B flux.
A modified Cebeci-Smith model for sedimentsuspending flow

A modified Cebeci-Smith model for the velocity profile in sediment-suspending flow has been developed. Measured velocity profiles from two different data sets have been used as a basis of comparison to determine the degree of validity of the model. The model proves to be an asymptote toward which data trend for low values of y +.
Risk of co-occuring psychopathology: Testing a prediction of expectancy theory

Despite the high impact of anxiety sensitivity (AS; a fear of anxiety related sensations) research, almost no research attention has been paid to its parent theory, Reiss' expectancy theory (ET). ET has gone largely unexamined to this point, including the prediction that AS is a better predictor of number of fears than current anxiety. To test Reiss' prediction, we used a large (N = 317) clinical sample of anxiety outpatients. Specifically, we examined whether elevated AS predicted number of comorbid anxiety and non-anxiety disorder diagnoses in this sample. Consistent with ET, findings indicated that AS predicted number of comorbid anxiety disorder diagnoses above and beyond current anxiety symptoms. Also, AS did not predict the number of comorbid non-anxiety diagnoses when current anxiety symptoms were accounted for. These findings represent an important examination of a prediction of Reiss' ET and are consistent with the idea that AS may be a useful transdiagnostic treatment target.
Modeling and prediction of ventilation methane emissions of U.S. longwall mines using supervised artificial neural networks

Abstract Methane emissions from a longwall ventilation system are an important indicator of how much methane a particular mine is producing and how much air should be provided to keep the methane levels under statutory limits. Knowing the amount of ventilation methane emission is also important for environmental considerations and for identifying opportunities to capture and utilize the methane for energy production. Prediction of methane emissions before mining is difficult since it depends on a number of geological, geographical, and operational factors. This study proposes a principle component analysis (PCA) and artificial neural network (ANN)-based approach to predict the ventilation methane emission rates of U.S. longwall mines. Ventilation emission data obtained from 63 longwall mines in 10 states for the years between 1985 and 2005 were combined with corresponding coalbed properties, geographical information, and longwall operation parameters. The compiled database resulted in 17 parameters that potentially impacted emissions. PCA was used to determine those variables that most influenced ventilation emissions and were considered for further predictive modeling using ANN. Different combinations of variables in the data set and network structures were used for network training and testing to achieve minimum mean square errors and high correlations between measurements and predictions. The resultant ANN model using nine main input variables was superior to multilinear and second-order non-linear models for predicting the new data. The ANN model predicted methane emissions with high accuracy. It is concluded that the model can be used as a predictive tool since it includes those factors that influence longwall ventilation emission rates.
NADPH oxidase is involved in angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiac muscle cells: Effects of apocynin

Angiotensin II stimulates NADPH oxidase activity in vascular cells. However, it is not fully understood whether angiotensin II, which plays an important role in heart failure, stimulates NADPH oxidase activation and expression in cardiac myocytes. Previous studies have shown that angiotensin II induces myocyte apoptosis, but whether the change is mediated via NADPH oxidase remains to be elucidated. In this study we proposed to determine whether angiotensin II stimulated NADPH oxidase activation and NADPH oxidase subunit p47-phox expression in H9C2 cardiac muscle cells. If so, we would determine whether the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin prevented angiotensin II-induced apoptosis. The results showed that angiotensin II increased NADPH oxidase activity, p47-phox protein and mRNA expression, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis in H9C2 cells. Angiotensin II elevated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, decreased Bcl-2 protein, and increased Bax protein and caspase-3 activity. Apocynin treatment inhibited angiotensin II-induced NADPH oxidase activation and increases in p47-phox expression, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis. The effect of apocynin on apoptosis was associated with reduced p38 MAPK activity, increased Bcl-2 protein, and decreased Bax protein and caspase-3 activity. These results suggest that angiotensin II-induced apoptosis is mediated via NADPH oxidase activation probably through p38 MAPK activation, a decrease in Bcl-2 protein, and caspase activation.
Development of a Vibrational Hydration Ruler

Amino acids covalently modified with spectroscopic reporters offer the potential to probe local protein hydration with high spatial and temporal resolution when coupled with the appropriate spectroscopic technique. Three azidophenylalanine residues have been synthesized and, in combination with the commercially available 4-azido-L-phenylalanine, form a series of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) containing the azide vibrational reporter at varying distances from the aromatic ring of phenylalanine. The azide vibrational reporter was selected due to the position, sensitivity and extinction coefficient of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration. The sensitivity of the azide reporters for these UAAs was investigated in solvents that mimic distinct local protein environments. Three of the four azido modified phenylalanine residues were successfully genetically incorporated into a surface site in superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) utilizing an engineered, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in response to an amber codon with high efficiency and fidelity. The site-specific incorporation of these UAAs was verified by SDS-PAGE and ESI-Q-TOF mass analysis. IR spectroscopy was then utilized to probe the protein hydration state for the azide group in these sfGFP constructs.
Correlated random effects models with unbalanced panels

Abstract I propose some strategies for allowing unobserved heterogeneity to be correlated withobserved covariates and sample selection for unbalanced panels. The methods are extensions of the Chamberlain–Mundlak approach for balanced panels when explanatory variables are strictly exogenous conditional on unobserved effects. A byproduct is fully robust Hausman tests for unbalanced panels. Even for nonlinear models, in many cases the estimators can be implemented using standard software. The framework suggests straightforward tests for sample selection that is correlated with unobserved shocks while allowing selection to be correlated with the observed covariates and unobserved heterogeneity.
Novel regenerable N-halamine polymeric biocides. III. Grafting hydantoin-containing monomers onto synthetic fabrics

A novel cyclic-amine monomer, 3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (ADMH) was synthesized and characterized. ADMH alone could not be grafted onto ordinary polymers. However, the presence of triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (TATAT) remarkably enhanced the ADMH grafting yield onto synthetic fabrics. The influences of reaction conditions on the grafting copolymerization were investigated. After chlorine bleach treatment, hydantoin units in the grafted copolymers were transformed into N-halamine structures. Treated samples exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, and the functional properties were shown to be durable and regenerable. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1517–1525, 2001
TNF-α-induced cell death in ethanol-exposed cells depends on p38 MAPK signaling but is independent of Bid and caspase-8

Alcoholic liver disease is associated with an increase in the number of necrotic and apoptotic liver parenchymal cells. Part of this injury is mediated by TNF-alpha. Ethanol exposure sensitizes cells to the cytotoxic effects of TNF-alpha. This may be due, in part, to the increased propensity of the mitochondria in ethanol-exposed cells to induction of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) by various agents, including the proapoptotic protein Bax. This idea is supported by the observation that increased cell death induced by TNF-alpha in ethanol-exposed cells was dependent on development of the MPT. In the present study, we elucidate the pathways through which ethanol exposure enhances TNF-alpha induction of the MPT and the resulting cytotoxicity. Specifically, ethanol-exposed cells display caspase-8- and Bid-independent cell killing during TNF-alpha treatment. Moreover, the ethanol-enhanced pathway is dependent on p38 MAPK signaling, which brings about caspase-3 activation, mitochondrial depolarization, accumulation of cytochrome c in the cytosol, and the translocation of Bax to the mitochondria. Additionally, ethanol-exposed cells display a blunting of TNF-alpha-induced Akt activation and Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death phosphorylation that may account, in part, for the increased sensitivity of the mitochondria to Bax-mediated damage.