cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dinucleotide repeat in the third intron of the FABP3/MDGI putative tumor suppressor gene.

The product of the cardiac fatty acid binding protein (also known as mammary­ derived growth inhibitor: MDGI) has been shown to have modest antiproliferative activity for human breast cancer cells in vitro (Grosse et at., 1991). It has recently been demonstrated that human breast cancer cells transfected with a MDGI expression construct exhibit a reduced proliferation rate and reduced tumorgenicity in nude mice as compared to controls (Huynh et ai., 1995). These results suggest that MDGI has tumor suppressor activity. The FABP3IMDGI gene has been mapped to chromosome 1 at p32p33 (Peeters et ai., 1991; Troxler et at., 1993). Here we describe a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat within the third intron of the FABP3/MDGI gene. This highly informative marker will be extremely useful in genotyping studies of chromosome 1 in the region of FABP3/MDGI. In particular, this polymorphism will be useful in studies of tumor types in which loss of MDGI function might contribute to the tumor phenotype. A AEMBL3 F ABP3 genomic clone was isolated by hybridization with the F ABP3 cDNA. Sequence analysis revealed a (GT) 14 repeat located in the third intron ofthe gene. Unique sequences flanking this repeat were identified and used to design polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for amplification of the repeat-containing region. This repeat was found to be highly polymorphic (GenBank Accession no. U40222). Primers were developed flanking this polymorphism [Forward (98F-1): 5'-TGCCTGTCTT AAGGATTTGCTG-3' (Coding strand); Reverse (98F-2): 5'-CACCATTGCGAGCATTCTACCC-3' (Antisense strand)]. PCR amplifications were performed in a total volume of 10 III containing 20 ng genomic DNA, 0.25 11M of each primer, 0.025 11M 32p end-labeled forward primer, 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.3, 50 mM KCl , 1.25 mM MgCI2, 25 11M each dNTP, 0.2 U Taq polymerase. Cycling parameters were as follows: 940 C for 30 seconds, 60'C for 30 seconds, and n 'c for 60 seconds for 28 cycles. Samples were electrophoresed in a 6% polyacrylamide gel for 2 hours at 2000Y. The gels were dried and exposed to film (OMAT-AR, Kodak). Allele sizes were determined by comparison to an M13mpl8 DNA sequencing ladder.
A Basis Set of Re6Se8 Cluster Building Blocks and Demonstration of Their Linking Capability: Directed Synthesis of an Re12Se16 Dicluster

A previously developed solid-state route (dimensional reduction) has led to the first molecular clusters containing the face-capped octahedral [Re6(μ3-Q)8]2+ core (Q = S, Se). Among these is the protonated cluster [Re6Se7(SeH)I6]3-, whose substitution reactions have been examined in an effort to create a set of site-differentiated precursors for forming multicluster assemblies. Reaction with Et3P under reflux with different conditions of reactant mole ratio and time affords the clusters fac-[Re6Se8(PEt3)3I3]1- (2), trans- (3) and cis-[Re6Se8(PEt3)4I2] (4), [Re6Se8(PEt3)5I]1+ (5), and [Re6Se8(PEt3)6]2+ (6). The synthesis of fully substituted 6 in quantitative yield required the forcing conditions of 20 equiv of phosphine in refluxing DMF for 3 days. Reaction of 4 with AgBF4 in dichloromethane/acetonitrile gave cis-[Re6Se8(PEt3)4(MeCN)2]2+ (7); a similar reaction of 5 yielded [Re6Se8(PEt3)5(MeCN)]2+ (8) and that of [Re6Se7(SeH)I6]3- led to fully substituted [Re6Se8(MeCN)6]2+ (9). The structures of clusters ...
EFFECT OF VARIOUS NITROGENOUS COMPOUNDS ON DEPRESSION OF NITROGENASE ACTIVITY IN CULTURED RHIZOBIUM SPP.

The nitrogenase enzyme activity of free-living, microaerobically grown Rhizobium japonicum 61A76, USDA 83 and Rhizobium sp. 32H1 was depressed by ammonia, several individual amino acids and complex nutrients like casamino acids and yeast extract when added to cultures growing on glutamate or aspartate. The extent of depression of nitrogenase activity by these nitrogen-containing compounds was concentration-dependent but varied with the Rhizobium strain. Higher depression of activity with ammonia was noted in strains which had better uptake of ammonia under the microaerobic conditions that are essential for nitrogenase synthesis in rhizobia.
The importance of structure and bonding in semiconductor surface chemistry: hydrogen on the Si(111)-7 × 7 surface

In this work we present a scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy study of the chemistry of H on the Si(111)-7 × 7 surface. We show that the structure and nature of the bonding at the surface controls the reactivity and determines the types of hydride species present on the surface. The reactivity is dominated by the relaxation of the strained bonds formed by the reconstruction. The limited number of such bonds accounts for the apparent saturation of H on this surface. Both the kinds of hydrides present on the surface and their relative populations are determined by the manner in which this relaxation occurs. At low temperatures, the strain in the adatom backbonds is relaxed by the formation of adatom trihydride species while at higher temperatures relaxation occurs via the formation of bulk-like adatom islands. The strained restlayer can only be effectively relaxed at higher temperatures and results in the formation of a 1×1 structure. In all, the surface structure attempts to approximate that of the unstrained bulk. Desorption of H2 from this surface results in the rearrangement and the ultimate breakup of the adatom islands, the adatoms they contain are redistributed over the surface, eliminate H from the restlayer, and result in the re-establishment of a 7×7 adatom structure.
Clinical approach to obscure GI bleeding - Diagnostic testing and management

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) can present as a diagnostic dilemma and management can be challenging. The search for causes of OGIB is usually centered on visualizing the small bowel, and in the past decade, the technology to visualize the entire small bowel has significantly advanced. Moreover, small bowel endoscopic imaging has replaced, in many instances, prior radiographic evaluation for obscure GI bleeding. These new modalities, such as small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE), balloon-assisted deep enteroscopy [double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and single balloon enteroscopy (SBE)], and overtube-assisted deep enteroscopy (spiral enteroscopy), are paving the way toward more accurately identifying and treating patients with OGIB. We will review the diagnostic modalities available in evaluating a patient with OGIB and also propose the management based on clinical and endoscopic findings.
Effects of hypophysectomies and thyroxine replacement upon the initiation of tail regeneration in the lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

A histological evaluation of the effects of hypophysectomy and throxine therapy in young tail regenerates was carried out in the small iguanid lizard, Anolis c. carolinensis. Hypophysectomy caused a delay but did not inhibit blastema formation. The growth of the ependyma into the wound region was delayed in hypophysioprivic regenerates by about a week. Growth and differentiation of hypophysioprivic regenerates after blastema formation was variable, ranging from virtually no growth to the formation of a differentiated but very small protuberance. However, actual tail elongation was inhibited by hypophysectomy. In those hypophysioprivic regenerates that did show signs of differentiation, muscle groups were poorly defined, scanty in appearance and not as well differentiated as the cartilage tube. Thyroxine treatment in the young hypophysioprivic regenerates stimulated normal growth and normal appearance and differentiation of promuscle and procartilage aggregates as well as the growth of the ependymal tube into the blastema.
Binge Drinking, Poor Mental Health, and Adherence to Treatment Among California Adults with Asthma

Binge drinking and poor mental health may affect adherence to treatment for individuals with asthma. The purposes were to (a) examine the relationship of self-reported binge drinking and mental health to adherence to daily asthma control medications and (b) identify other demographic and health-related factors associated with asthma control medication adherence. Secondary analyses of 2003 adult California Health Interview Survey data were undertaken, and these analyses identified 3.2 million California adults who had been told by a physician they had asthma. Of these, approximately 1.7 million were symptomatic. Binge drinking significantly predicted medication nonadherence among California adults with symptomatic asthma (OR = .63, 95% CI = .45-.89), whereas poor mental health did not. Other predictors of nonadherence (odds ratios 1, p < .05) were older age, more frequent asthma symptoms, more ER visits, more missed work days, being African American, and being a non-citizen. Intervention efforts could be directed toward improving medication adherence among adult asthma patients who engage in risky health behaviors such as binge drinking. Also at risk for medication nonadherence and therefore good targets for asthma control medication management interventions are adults who are overweight, younger (18-44 age range), have some college education, and no usual source of medical care.
The Problem of Excessive Commercial Bank Earnings

Changes in composition of commercial bank assets and earnings, 365. — The problem posed by these developments, 368. — Possible action by the banks themselves, 369. — Inadequacy of such measures, 373. — The Economist's proposal, 374. — Proposals for Government action: nationalization, 376; special taxes on banks, 378; new reserve requirements, 380; special Treasury obligations, 382; restricting types of Government securities held, 385. — Necessity of some action, 388.
Characterization of acetylcholine receptor isolated from Torpedo californica electroplax through the use of an easily removable detergent, β-d-octylglucopyranoside

Non-ionic detergents used for the solubilization and purification of acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica electroplax may remain tightly bound to this protein. The presence of detergent greatly hinders spectrophotometric and hydrodynamic studies of the receptor protein. beta-D-Octylglucopyranoside, however, is found to be effective in solubilizing the receptor from electroplax membranes with minimal interference in the characterization of the protein. The acetylcholine receptor purified from either octylglucopyranoside- or Triton X-100-solubilized extracts exhibits identical amino acid compositions, alpha-Bungarotoxin and (+)-tubocurarine binding parameters, and subunit distributions in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The use of octylglucopyranoside allows for the assignment of a molar absorptivity for the purified receptor at 280 nm of approx. 530000 M-1 . cm-1. Additionally, successful reconstitution of octylglucopyranoside-extracted acetylcholine receptor into functional membrane vesicles has recently been achieved (Gonzales-Ros, J.M., Paraschos, A. and Martinez-Carrion, M. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 1796--1799). Removal of octylglucopyranoside by dialysis does not alter the specific toxin and antagonist binding ability of the receptor or its solubility at low protein concentrations. Sedimentation profiles of the purified acetylcholine receptor in sucrose density gradients reveal several components. Sedimentation coefficients obtained for the slowest sedimenting species agree with previously reported molecular weight values. Additionally, the different sedimenting forms exhibit distinctive behavior in isoelectric focusing gels. Our results suggest that both the concentration and type of detergent greatly influence the physicochemical behavior of the receptor protein.
Self-assembled metal–organic squares derived from linear templates as exemplified by a polydentate ligand that provides access to both a polygon and polyhedron

Di- 1a and tetranuclear 1b metal–organic squares have been obtained from bis- and tetra(pyridyl)cyclobutanes synthesized in the solid state, respectively; for 1b, a cyclobutane with two different metal binding subunits supports the formation of a polygon and polyhedron.
Spatial and temporal contours in economic losses from natural disasters: A case study of Florida

In this study, we addressed impacts of natural disasters on economic status in coastal and disaster-prone areas within the context of previous theoretical and empirical literature. Our spatio-temporal model accounted for nonlinear causality and spatial heterogeneity in assessment of unexpected disaster events employing a Matern covariance structure, an empirical variogram, kriging, spatial regression, and spatial-temporal model. Empirically, we developed this model to estimate the natural disaster risk using county-level data in the U.S. State of Florida. Despite high prediction errors, empirical results suggest that both Atlantic and Gulf Coast counties experienced significant negative economic impacts of natural disasters.
Broken Brains and Broken Homes: The Meaning of Special Education in an Appalachian Community

In this article, I explore the meaning of disability within the everyday lives of Clear River third-grade students. The concept of a disability narrative is developed to explain how expert disability labels shape the experience of academic performance and failure. Previous studies of disability labeling have neglected the life of the label after it has become entextualized. I focus on how the layperson translates the technical language of experts into the moral language of everyday life. [labeling, special education, narrative, discourse, cultural circulation]
Effects of Fatigue Produced by Isokinetic Exercise on the Communication Ability of Aphasic Adults

The Porch Index of Communicative Ability (PICA) was administered to 16 aphasic adults following periods of isokinetic exercise and rest. Results support the previous clinical observation that fatig...
Central Macular Splaying and Outer Retinal Thinning in Asymptomatic Sickle Cell Patients by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose To investigate the prevalence and degree of macular thinning on optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) in African-American female patients with asymptomatic sickle cell disease. Design Prospective comparative case series. Methods Twenty-one sickle cell patients (42 eyes) without other systemic or ocular diseases and 18 healthy control patients (33 eyes) underwent SD-OCT. Images were manually segmented to measure inner retinal thickness (IRT) and outer retinal thickness (ORT). Central macular (central 1 mm), parafoveal (0.5–1.5 mm eccentricity), and perifoveal (1.5–3 mm eccentricity) thickness measurements were obtained in sickle cell patients and age/gender/race-matched healthy control subjects. Results Central macular total thickness (CMT) in sickle cell patients was 220 ± 3 μm (mean ± SEM), which was significantly lower ( P P P P P P = .16, respectively). Conclusions Manual segmentation of SD-OCT images revealed significant total retinal thinning in the central macula and splaying in asymptomatic sickle cell patients. Retinal thinning was predominately in outer retinal layers in central macula and parafoveal regions.
Determining the duration of the juvenile phase of Coreopsis grandiflora (Hogg ex Sweet.), Gaillardia×grandiflora (Van Houtte), Heuchera sanguinea (Engelm.) and Rudbeckia fulgida (Ait.)

Abstract The juvenile phase of Coreopsis grandiflora `Sunray', Gaillardia×grandiflora `Goblin', Heuchera sanguinea `Bressingham', and Rudbeckia fulgida `Goldsturm' was characterized by exposing plants with 0 to 20 nodes to cold treatments at 5°C. After 0, 10, or 15 weeks cold treatment, plants were grown at constant 20° C under a 9 h photoperiod with 4 h night-interruption lighting (22:00 to 02:00 h; long days) or under a 9 h photoperiod (short days). Based on flowering percentage and time to flower, we concluded that the juvenile phase of Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Heuchera, and Rudbeckia ended when they had approximately 8, 16, 19, and 10 nodes, respectively. Coreopsis required cold treatments to flower. A cold treatment was not required for flowering of Gaillardia and Rudbeckia; however, such treatment improved their flowering percentage and greatly accelerated flowering. Increasing cold duration from 10 to 15 weeks did not influence time to flower of Coreopsis, Gaillardia, and Rudbeckia; however, the increase enhanced flowering percentage of Coreopsis and Gaillardia and hastened flowering of Heuchera. Heuchera was a day-neutral plant after ten weeks cold treatment, Rudbeckia was an obligate long-day plant, and Gaillardia and Coreopsis were quantitative long-day plants.
Retrieval of tropical cyclone statistics with a high-resolution coupled model and data

When observations are assimilated into a high-resolution coupled model, a traditional scheme that preferably projects observations to correct large-scale background tends to filter out small-scale cyclones. Here we separately process the large-scale background and the small-scale perturbations with low-resolution observations for reconstructing historical cyclone statistics in a cyclone-permitting model. We show that by maintaining the interactions between small-scale perturbations and successively corrected large-scale background, a model can successfully retrieve the observed cyclone statistics that in return improve estimated ocean states. The improved ocean initial conditions together with the continuous interactions of cyclones and background flows are expected to reduce model forecast errors. Combined with convection-permitting cyclone initialization, the new high-resolution model initialization along with the progressively advanced coupled models should contribute significantly to the ongoing research on seamless weather-climate predictions.
Seasonal Segmentation of the Tourism Market Using a Benefit Segmentation Framework

This study reports an attempt to segment the travel market by showing how different factors influenced choice in different seasons. Results showed that benefits sought for each season differ, and people seeking a combination of benefits during one season may not be the same people seeking the same benefits during another season.
Identification of the Cilium Binding Epitope of the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae P97 Adhesin

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonizes the swine respiratory tract at the level of ciliated cells by attaching specifically to the cilium membrane. This interaction involves an adhesin called P97; the cilium binding activity of this protein was localized to the carboxy terminus, which included two repeat regions, R1 and R2 (T. Hsu, S. Artiushin, and F. C. Minion, J. Bacteriol. 179:1317-1323, 1997). To further delineate the molecular mechanisms of M. hyopneumoniae interactions with ciliated epithelium, we used a bank of transposon inserts in the cloned P97 gene to identify the site for cilium binding by testing the truncated gene products in an in vitro microtiter plate adherence assay. These studies showed that the cilium binding site was located in the AAKPV(E) repeat sequence of P97, referred to as the R1 repeat. For functional binding, at least seven AAKPV(E) repeats were required. The adherence-blocking monoclonal antibody F1B6 also recognized this region but required fewer AAKPV(E) repeats for recognition. We then constructed R1 region-lacZ gene fusions and used the resulting R1 repeat-beta-galactosidase fusion proteins in an in vitro assay to confirm the role of R1 in cilium binding. A comparison of the R1 regions of M. hyopneumoniae strains displaying variation in cilium adherence failed to identify changes that could account for the differences in adherence shown by the strains. Thus, we concluded that other proteins, in addition to P97, must be involved in cilium adherence, possibly in combination with P97.
Bounds on error probabilities for the block fading channel

This paper considers single-input multioutput (SIMO) block fading channels. Several upper and lower bounds on the achievable frame error probabilities (FEPs), with continuous as well as finite input alphabets, are derived. Based on these bounds, we obtain achievability and converse results which connect the achievable FEPs to the respective outage probabilities. Moreover, these bounds can be leveraged to obtain bounds on the FEPs of some multiinput multioutput (MIMO) space-time transceiver architectures such as BLAST and those with orthogonal designs as inner codes.
Outcomes after multivessel or culprit‐Vessel intervention for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction in patients with multivessel coronary disease: A Bayesian cross‐design meta‐analysis

Introduction During primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary disease can undergo either multivessel intervention (MVI) or culprit-vessel intervention (CVI) only. Background Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) support the use of MVI, but cohort studies support the use of CVI. Methods We developed Bayesian models that incorporated parameters for study type and study outcome after MVI or CVI. Results A total of 18 studies (4 RCTs, 3 matched cohort studies, and 11 unmatched observational studies) enrolled 48,398 patients with STEMI and multivessel CAD and reported outcomes after MVI or CVI-only at the time of primary PCI. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model, we found that the point estimates replicated previously reported trends, but the wide Bayesian credible intervals (BCI) excluded any plausible mortality difference between MVI versus CVI in all three study types: RCTs (odds ratio [OR] 0.60, 95% BCI 0.31–1.20), matched cohort studies (OR 1.37, 95% BCI 0.86–2.24), or unmatched cohort studies (OR 1.16, 95% BCI 0.70–1.89). Both the global summary (OR 1.10, 95% BCI 0.74–1.51) and a sensitivity analysis that weighted the RCTs 1–5 times as much as observational studies revealed no credible advantage of one PCI strategy over the other (OR 1.05, 95% BCI 0.64–1.48). Conclusions Bayesian approaches contextualize the comparison of different strategies by study type and suggest that neither MVI nor CVI emerges as a preferred strategy in an analysis that accounts mortality differences. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Institutional review board challenges related to community-based participatory research on human exposure to environmental toxins: A case study

Background: We report on the challenges of obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) coverage for a communitybased participatory research (CBPR) environmental justice project, which involved reporting biomonitoring and household exposure results to participants, and included lay participation in research. Methods: We draw on our experiences guiding a multi-partner CBPR project through university and state Institutional Review Board reviews, and other CBPR colleagues’ written accounts and conference presentations and discussions. We also interviewed academics involved in CBPR to learn of their challenges with Institutional Review Boards. Results: We found that Institutional Review Boards are generally unfamiliar with CBPR, reluctant to oversee community partners, and resistant to ongoing researcher-participant interaction. Institutional Review Boards sometimes unintentionally violate the very principles of beneficence and justice which they are supposed to uphold. For example, some Institutional Review Boards refuse to allow report-back of individual data to participants, which contradicts the CBPR principles that guide a growing number of projects. This causes significant delays and may divert research and dissemination efforts. Our extensive education of our university Institutional Review Board convinced them to provide human subjects protection coverage for two community-based organizations in our partnership. Conclusions: IRBs and funders should develop clear, routine review guidelines that respect the unique qualities of CBPR, while researchers and community partners can educate IRB staff and board members about the objectives, ethical frameworks, and research methods of CBPR. These strategies can better protect research participants from the harm of unnecessary delays and exclusion from the research process, while facilitating the ethical communication of study results to participants and communities.
Potent and selective PKC inhibitory 5-membered ring analogs of balanol with replacement of the carboxamide moiety

Balanol ((−)-1) is a potent protein kinase inhibitory natural product isolated from the fungus Verticillium balanoides. The lack of cellular activity and protein kinase C selectivity in balanol has prompted a search for analogs that incorporate these properties. This paper describes the synthesis and biological activity of such compounds with substitution similar to balanol, but with a single atom bridge in place of the carboxamide moiety.
Understanding Barriers to Mental Health Care for Recent War Veterans Through Photovoice

Despite an urgent need for mental health care among U.S. service members returning from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, many veterans do not receive timely or adequate treatment. We used photovoice methods to engage veterans in identifying barriers to utilizing mental health services. Veterans described how key aspects of military culture and identity, highly adaptive during deployment, can deter help-seeking behavior and hinder recovery. Veterans' photographs highlighted how mental health symptoms and self-coping strategies operated as barriers to care. Many veterans' photos and stories revealed how negative health care encounters contributed to avoidance and abandonment of treatment; some veterans described these experiences as re-traumatizing. Visual methods can be a powerful tool for engaging recent war veterans in research. In particular, community-based participatory research approaches, which have rarely been used with veterans, hold great promise for informing effective interventions to improve access and enhance provision of patient-centered care for veterans.
Extended defects, ideal strength and actual strengths of finite-sized metallic glasses

Abstract Initial condition dependence is the key to understanding the difference between ideal strength and actual strength of both crystalline and amorphous materials. Besides intrinsic structural heterogeneities in metallic glasses (MGs), a class of “extended defects” based on the “connected atomistic free volume” (CAFV) is proposed to define the microstructure (initial condition), which is crucial to understanding the strength. To explore these concepts and theories, deformation of finite-sized MG samples with different populations of pre-existing extended defects (damages) are simulated using a nanometer-scale shear transformation zone (STZ) model based on microelasticity and the kinetic Monte Carlo method. A “smaller is stronger” effect on the peak stress of simulated true stress–strain curves is seen in samples with pre-existing damage introduced as post-activated STZ clusters. Samples with “chemically contaminated” surface STZs also exhibit a size effect on the peak stress, and depending on whether the surface STZs are softer or harder than the bulk STZs, smaller can be either weaker or stronger.
Analysis of the interaction of an electron beam with a solar cell. III - The effect of spacial variations of the number density of recombination centers on SEM measurements

By means of an exactly soluble model the short circuit current generated by a scanning electron microscope in a P-N junction has been determined in cases where the trap density is inhomogeneous. The diffusion length for minority carriers becomes then dependent on the spacial coordinates. It is shown that in this case the dependence of the Isc on characteristic parameters as cell thickness, distance of the beam excitation spot from ohmic contacts, etc., becomes very intricate. This fact precludes the determination of the local diffusion length in the usual manner. Although the model is somewhat simplified in order to make it amenable to exact solutions, it is nevertheless realistic enough to lead to the conclusion that SEM measurements of bulk transport parameters in inhomogeneous semiconductor material are impractical since they may lead to serious errors in the interpretation of the data by customary means.
ANN based electromagnetic models for the design of RF MEMS switches

Artificial neural network (ANN)-based modeling approach for the design of radio frequency microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches is presented. In the proposed methodology, a finite element method analysis is performed for the switch characterization and for the creation of training and testing sets for the ANN. Developed full-wave/ANN models allow for circuit level design, simulation, and optimization in a schematic of a circuit simulator. The simulation time is reduced for two orders of magnitude, while the accuracy of the full-wave method is maintained.
Modeling of dense gas–solid reactive mixtures applied to biomass pyrolysis in a fluidized bed

A model is presented for mathematically describing the thermofluid dynamics of dense, reactive, gas–solid mixtures. The model distinguishes among multiple particle classes, either on the basis of their physical properties (diameter, density) or through their thermochemistry (reactive versus inert particles). A multifluid approach is followed where macroscopic equations are derived from the kinetic theory of granular flows using inelastic rigid-sphere models, thereby accounting for collisional transfer in high-density regions. Separate transport equations are constructed for each of the particle classes, allowing for the description of the independent acceleration of the particles in each class and the interaction between size classes, as well as for the equilibration processes whereby momentum and energy are exchanged between the respective classes and the carrier gas. Aimed at high-density suspensions, such as fluidized beds, the relations obtained for the stress tensor are augmented by a model for frictional transfer, suitably extended to multiple-class systems. This model, previously derived, is here enlarged to include heat and mass transfer, as well as chemical reactions and is therefore applicable to general gas–solid combustion systems. The noteworthy novelties of the model with respect to other derivations in the literature include: (i) a systematic and consistent derivation of the solids transport equations and transport properties within the multifluid concept, allowing for non-equilibrium effects between the respective particle classes, (ii) the ability to explicitly account for the possibility of porous solid fuel particles, and (iii) the modeling of multiple chemical reactions in both gas and solid phases and the associated effects of heat and mass transfer. The model, which includes a separately validated chemistry model, is applied to high-temperature biomass particle pyrolysis in a lab-scale fluidized bed reactor and is used to obtain yield of reaction products. The results indicate that, at fixed initial particle size, the fluidizing gas temperature is the foremost parameter influencing tar yield. The biomass feed temperature, the nature of the feedstock, and the fluidization velocity all have minor impact on the yield. It is also shown that the fluidizing gas temperature can be optimized for maximizing the tar yield.
Comment On: ‘Early Silurian Palaeolatitude of the Springdale Group Redbeds of Central Newfoundland: A Palaeomagnetic Determination With A Remanence Anisotropy Test For Inclination Error’ By J. P. Hodych and K. L. Buchan

SUMMARY Recent palaeomagnetic results from coeval Silurian sedimentary and volcanic rocks of Newfoundland yield contradictory results, with shallow characteristic directions recorded by the redbeds and steeper characteristic directions recorded by the volcanics. In their recent paper on the Springdale Group redbed, Hodych & Buchan (1994a) argue that the redbed magnetization is more reliable based on a fold test, dual-polarity magnetization, conglomerate test and an IRM acquisition experiment specifically designed to test for compaction or inclination error. Accordingly, these authors dismiss the volcanic results as well as the Silurian reference poles for Laurentia, citing possible remagnetization or other complications. However, we argue that the IRM experiments of Hodych & Buchan (1994a) are flawed and do not necessarily resolve the question of inclination error. Moreover, we point out that the conglomerate test is incomplete and that the proposed tectonic reconstruction based solely on the redbed magnetization implies a unique tectonic scenario that is incompatible with out present understanding of Silurian palaeogeography.
Modeling growth stocks via birth-death processes

The inability to predict the future growth rates and earnings of growth stocks (such as biotechnology and internet stocks) leads to the high volatility of share prices and difficulty in applying the traditional valuation methods. This paper attempts to demonstrate that the high volatility of share prices can nevertheless be used in building a model that leads to a particular cross-sectional size distribution. The model focuses on both transient and steady-state behavior of the market capitalization of the stock, which in turn is modeled as a birth–death process. Numerical illustrations of the cross-sectional size distribution are also presented.
Hopelessness and terminal illness: The construct of hopelessness in patients with advanced AIDS

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the construct of hopelessness in the context of a life-threatening or terminal illness is a complex and challenging undertaking. The objective of this study was to examine the construct of hopelessness in patients with advanced AIDS by examining the structure of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in this specific population. METHODS: For the past three decades, the primary measure used to study hopelessness in a variety of populations has been the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Several factor analytic studies have been published using this scale, with studies of nonclinical samples typically describing a two-factor model (optimism and pessimism), whereas clinical samples have consistently generated a third factor (lack of motivation to make changes). We used confirmatory factor analysis to analyze two data sets in patients with AIDS. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in two samples of patients with far advanced AIDS revealed a clear superiority for a three-factor model. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The Beck Hopelessness Scale has unique characteristics when applied to a terminally ill population. The implications of these results for studies of terminal illness are discussed. Language: en
Radiologic Importance of a High-Resistive Vertebral Artery Doppler Waveform on Carotid Duplex Ultrasonography

Objective. The appearance of the vertebral artery (VA) waveform on a pulsed Doppler examination performed during standard carotid duplex ultrasonography (CDU) may suggest vertebrobasilar disease. We sought to determine the radiographic importance of high-resistive (HR) pulsed Doppler VA waveforms seen on CDU. Methods. The Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory database was queried for CDU studies noting the HR VA Doppler signal. Studies with unilateral or bilateral HR and antegrade VA waveforms with correlative neuroimaging studies within 60 days were included. Imaging reports were reviewed to determine the following: (1) a normal VA; (2) at least moderate distal VA or basilar artery (BA) stenosis, occlusion, or dissection; (3) a congenitally diminutive VA; or (4) other abnormalities. Results. Of 1338 studies with 1 or more HR VA waveforms, 79 studies met all inclusion criteria (n = 157 arteries) and had adequate correlative neuroimaging. There were 90 HR VAs, and HR waveforms were equally distributed between right and left sides. The mean peak systolic velocity of HR versus low-resistive (LR) VAs was 51.7 versus 63.6 cm/s (P = .04); the mean end-diastolic velocity of HR versus LR VAs was 4.6 versus 17.3 cm/s (P < .001); and the resistive index of HR versus LR VAs was 0.92 versus 0.73 (P < .001). Of all HR VAs, 18.9% were normal; 38.9% had distal vertebrobasilar stenosis or occlusion ; 35.6% were congenitally diminutive; and 6.7% had other abnormalities (proximal stenosis, excessive tortuosity, fibromuscular dysplasia, and BA hypoplasia). Conclusions. The finding of an HR spectral Doppler signal in the VA was associated with major vertebrobasilar disease (46% of cases) and should prompt additional neuroimaging in the appropriate clinical situation.
Gauge-invariant correlation functions for the Ising-gauge Ising-Higgs system in 2 dimensions

Abstract We use recent calculations of correlation functions of the 2-dimensional Ising model in the presence of a magnetic field to study the Z 2 -gauge Z 2 -Higgs system in 2 dimensions. We study both the correlation of two plaquettes and the gauge-invariant correlation of Higgs fields. From these we are able to discuss criteria for confinement in the presence of matter.
Vertical Transmission of Biosynthetic Plasmids in Aphid Endosymbionts (Buchnera)

This study tested for horizontal transfer of plasmids among Buchnera aphidicola strains associated with ecologically and phylogenetically related aphid hosts (Uroleucon species). Phylogenetic congruence of Buchnera plasmid (trpEG and leuABC) and chromosomal (dnaN and trpB) genes supports strictly vertical long-term transmission of plasmids, which persist due to their contributions to host nutrition rather than capacity for infectious transfer. Synonymous divergences indicate elevated mutation on plasmids relative to chromosomal genes.
Variance-reduced Monte Carlo solutions of the Boltzmann equation for low-speed gas flows: A discontinuous Galerkin formulation

We present and discuss an efficient, high-order numerical solution method for solving the Boltzmann equation for low-speed dilute gas flows. The method's major ingredient is a new Monte Carlo technique for evaluating the weak form of the collision integral necessary for the discontinuous Galerkin formulation used here. The Monte Carlo technique extends the variance reduction ideas first presented in Baker and Hadjiconstantinou (Phys. Fluids 2005; 17, art. no. 051703) and makes evaluation of the weak form of the collision integral not only tractable but also very efficient. The variance reduction, achieved by evaluating only the deviation from equilibrium, results in very low statistical uncertainty and the ability to capture arbitrarily small deviations from equilibrium (e.g. low-flow speed) at a computational cost that is independent of the magnitude of this deviation. As a result, for low-signal flows the proposed method holds a significant computational advantage compared with traditional particle methods such as direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supporting intercultural collaboration with dynamic feedback systems: preliminary evidence from a creative design task

Intercultural collaboration is often hampered by the manner in which teams communicate, or fail to com-municate, their ideas, concerns, and feelings. Computer-mediated communication and the virtual nature of collaboration tend to exacerbate such communication issues into problems of conversation dominance, misattribution, and group conflict. New communication tools have the potential to mitigate some of these problems by augmenting individuals' and team's awareness of their communication inputs and processes. We explore how such feedback affects the communication content, attention distribution, and affective states of Chinese and American collaborators engaged in a creative de-sign task. We describe our tool, present preliminary findings from an ongoing lab experiment, and discuss next steps in our research regarding ways of detecting the impact of real-time conversation feedback in inter-cultural collaboration environments.
Rigorous Guided-Wave Solutions for Planar Grating Structures

An exact solution is described for electromagnetic problems posed by dielectric-layer configurations that include planar gratings. Because it represents the modes guided by the grating structure in an implicit analytical form, this solution can readily clarify and accurately quantify the wave effects associated with the presence of the grating. Examples worked out for grating-assisted directional couplers reveal that design criteria based on approximate coupled-wave considerations may lead to operating conditions that are less than optimal.
Emerging challenges: Mobile networking for “Smart Dust”

Large-scale networks of wireless sensors are becoming increasingly tractable. Advances in hardware technology and engineering design have led to dramatic reductions in size, power consumption and cost for digital circuitry, wireless communications and Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). This has enabled very compact, autonomous and mobile nodes, each containing one or more sensors, computation and communication capabilities, and a power supply. The missing ingredient is the networking and applications layers needed to harness this revolutionary capability into a complete system. We review the key elements of the emergent technology of “Smart Dust” and outline the research challenges they present to the mobile networking and systems community, which must provide coherent connectivity to large numbers of mobile network nodes co-located within a small volume.
Photonic Properties of Dendrons and Dendrimers Incorporating Bis-(Diphenylphosphino)Diphenylpolyenes

Substituent effects are quite important in fine tuning the photonic properties of conjugated molecules. In designing new chromophores, electron-donating or withdrawing substituents affect the electron distribution in the conjugation sequence, and previous studies to establish structure- property relationships have noted that when second row elements replace first row elements in the structure (e.g. S for O in donor groups), large enhancements of both the second and third order optical nonlinearity are observed. However, along with the observed enhancement of the nonlinearity, a red-shift in the absorption spectra occurs, often with peak broadening and tailing. This absorptivity-nonlinearity trade-off has been a constant concern in proposing organic materials for electro-optic device applications. In this presentation we will review our recent activity in designing new chromophores wherein P replaces N in donor groups and dendrimer building blocks, and the consequences and opportunities resulting from the observed large blue shifts in the spectra.
The rotation-vibration structure of the SO2 C̃1B2 state explained by a new internal coordinate force field

A new quartic force field for the SO2 C(1)B2 state has been derived, based on high resolution data from S(16)O2 and S(18)O2. Included are eight b2 symmetry vibrational levels of S(16)O2 reported in the first paper of this series [G. B. Park et al., J. Chem. Phys. 144, 144311 (2016)]. Many of the experimental observables not included in the fit, such as the Franck-Condon intensities and the Coriolis-perturbed effective C rotational constants of highly anharmonic C state vibrational levels, are well reproduced using our force field. Because the two stretching modes of the C state are strongly coupled via Fermi-133 interaction, the vibrational structure of the C state is analyzed in a Fermi-system basis set, constructed explicitly in this work via partial diagonalization of the vibrational Hamiltonian. The physical significance of the Fermi-system basis is discussed in terms of semiclassical dynamics, based on study of Fermi-resonance systems by Kellman and Xiao [J. Chem. Phys. 93, 5821 (1990)]. By diagonalizing the vibrational Hamiltonian in the Fermi-system basis, the vibrational characters of all vibrational levels can be determined unambiguously. It is shown that the bending mode cannot be treated separately from the coupled stretching modes, particularly at vibrational energies of more than 2000 cm(-1). Based on our force field, the structure of the Coriolis interactions in the C state of SO2 is also discussed. We identify the origin of the alternating patterns in the effective C rotational constants of levels in the vibrational progressions of the symmetry-breaking mode, νβ (which correlates with the antisymmetric stretching mode in our assignment scheme).
Towards Management as a Service

For incarnating the Web as the dominant application style of the Internet, the Web itself is becoming an unlimited platform for almost all business in the Internet. Such a phenomenon is called Web as the platform, which brings opportunities and challenges to information technology. In this position paper, the management issue of the Web, one of the key technical challenges of the Web as the platform, is explored. At first, the management requirements induced by the features of the Web are summarized. Then, the "Management as a Service" is proposed as a solution to the Web management issue. Followed by identified technical challenges, the PKUAS service-oriented management is introduced as a case study to illustrate how to make "Management as a Service" feasible.
Differentiating between Store Images: An Evaluation of Three Scaling Methods

Three Semantic scaling methods - the Semantic Differential, Stapel and Likert were evaluated in terms of their ability to differentiate between the “relative” images of competing retailing institutions. The Stapel scaling method was found to be more effective in differentiating between the images. This finding is particularly relevant in situations where the institutions of interest are highly similar.
Post-embryonic development of canal and superficial neuromasts and the generation of two cranial lateral line phenotypes

The relatively simple structural organization of the cranial lateral line system of bony fishes provides a valuable context in which to explore the ways in which variation in post-embryonic development results in functionally distinct phenotypes, thus providing a link between development, evolution, and behavior. Vital fluorescent staining, histology, and scanning electron microscopy were used to describe the distribution, morphology, and ontogeny of the canal and superficial neuromasts on the head of two Lake Malawi cichlids with contrasting lateral line canal phenotypes (Tramitichromis sp. [narrow-simple, well-ossified canals with small pores] and Aulonocara stuartgranti [widened, more weakly ossified canals with large pores]). This work showed that: 1) the patterning (number, distribution) of canal neuromasts, and the process of canal morphogenesis typical of bony fishes was the same in the two species, 2) two sub-populations of neuromasts (presumptive canal neuromasts and superficial neuromasts) are already distinguishable in small larvae and demonstrate distinctive ontogenetic trajectories in both species, 3) canal neuromasts differ with respect to ontogenetic trends in size and proportions between canals and between species, 4) the size, shape, configuration, physiological orientation, and overall rate of proliferation varies among the nine series of superficial neuromasts, which are found in both species, and 5) in Aulonocara, in particular, a consistent number of canal neuromasts accompanied by variability in the formation of canal pores during canal morphogenesis demonstrates independence of early and late phases of lateral line development. This work provides a new perspective on the contributions of post-embryonic phases of lateral line development and to the generation of distinct phenotypes in the lateral line system of bony fishes. J. Morphol. 277:1273-1291, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.