cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disproportionation and Polymerization of Plutonium(IV) in Dilute Aqueous Solutions

The rates of polymerization and disproportionation of Pu(IV) have been studied using low concentrations: (1.7 - 10) x 10{sup -}M Pu, (0.8 - 12) x 10{sup -}M HCl and 0.0iM ionic strength. Osmium(II) complexes such as the tris-4,4`-2,2`-bipyridine complex were found to react rapidly with Pu(IV) but very slowly, if at all, with Pu(IV) polymer, Pu(III), or Pu(V). Thus, it is possible to determine unreacted Pu(IV) in the presence of rection products by using Os(II) complexes. Disproportionation reaction products, Pu(III) and Pu(V), were determined using their reactions with Ce(IV) sulfate. We find -d[Pu(IV)]/dt = k`[Pu(IV)]{sup 2} at constant pH. Log k` varies from about 4.25 at pH 3 to about 7.0 at pH 4.1 (units for k` are M{sup -1}min{sup -1}). The [H{sup +}] dependence varies from about -2 to -3 over the pH range studied. The measured rate is the sum of those for polymerization and disproportionation; the latter reaction amounts to about 75% of the total at pH 3 and 20% at pH 4. The second-order rate constants for disproportionation are very much larger than expected on the basis of extrapolation from 0.2 to 1.0M HC10{sub 4} solutions. The products of the reaction do not affect the rate, but U(VI), aged Pu(IV) polymer, and CO{sub 2} increase the rate.
Evaluation of the performance of flow-through anodic fenton treatment in amide compound degradation.

A flow-through anodic Fenton treatment (FAFT) system based on the batch AFT technology was previously developed to degrade pesticides in aqueous solution. As one of a series of benchtop and pilot-scale studies in process optimization, the goal of the reported work is to evaluate the performance of the FAFT system under various operating conditions, which is critical to bringing this technology into practical general use in the field. For this purpose, the removal efficiency of the parent pesticide and the concentration of the hydroxyl radical in FAFT were calculated on the basis of a previously developed FAFT kinetic model and used for the evaluation. N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), an insect repellent, was used as a chemical probe. Experimental data showed that the key to a high treatment efficiency is to operate the FAFT system to achieve a maximum •OH production with a minimum input of energy and chemicals. For the anodic half-cell, the system should be operated under flow-through conditions with...
Linear and nonlinear auditory response properties of interneurons in a high-order avian vocal motor nucleus during wakefulness.

Motor-related forebrain areas in higher vertebrates also show responses to passively presented sensory stimuli. However, sensory tuning properties in these areas, especially during wakefulness, and...
The Atg6/Vps30/Beclin 1 ortholog BEC-1 mediates endocytic retrograde transport in addition to autophagy in C. elegans

Autophagy and endocytosis are dynamic and tightly regulated processes that contribute to many fundamental aspects of biology including survival, longevity, and development. However, the molecular links between autophagy and endocytosis are not well understood. Here, we report that BEC-1, the C. elegans ortholog of Atg6/Vps30/Beclin1, a key regulator of the autophagic machinery, also contributes to endosome function. In particular we identify a defect in retrograde transport from endosomes to the Golgi in bec-1 mutants. MIG-14/Wntless is normally recycled from endosomes to the Golgi through the action of the retromer complex and its associated factor RME-8. Lack of retromer or RME-8 activity results in the aberrant transport of MIG-14/Wntless to the lysosome where it is degraded. Similarly, we find that lack of bec-1 also results in mislocalization and degradation of MIG-14::GFP, reduced levels of RME-8 on endosomal membranes, and the accumulation of morphologically abnormal endosomes. A similar phenotype was observed in animals treated with dsRNA against vps-34. We further identify a requirement for BEC-1 in the clearance of apoptotic corpses in the hermaphrodite gonad, suggesting a role for BEC-1 in phagosome maturation, a process that appears to depend upon retrograde transport. In addition, autophagy genes may also be required for cell corpse clearance, as we find that RNAi against atg-18 or unc-51 also results in a lack of cell corpse clearance.
Relative Importance of Contact Conditions in Explaining Prejudice Reduction in a Classroom Context: Separate and Equal?

Research on contact theory has typically presented four major situational conditions of intergroup contact as separate and equally important in creating an environment that leads to lower levels of racial/ethnic prejudice. We empirically test this "separate and equal" assumption with a variety of student samples and outcome variables. Using data from three cohorts of high school students, as well as one middle school sample, we demonstrate that acquaintance potential and interdependence are the most consistent and robust predictors of prejudice reduction, outgroup orientation, and perceptions of a common ingroup identity. Findings concerning differences in the relative importance of these situational conditions for different racial/ethnic groups are also reported. Implications for implementing optimal contact conditions for prejudice reduction among various ethnic groups are drawn.
Mortality and need for reoperation in patients with mild-to-moderate asymptomatic aortic valve disease undergoing coronary artery bypass graft alone

Abstract Background Patients presenting for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may have concurrent asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic insufficiency (AI). This retrospective study was performed to evaluate outcomes in patients with aortic valve disease undergoing CABG with or without aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods Study groups included 414 patients undergoing combined AVR and CABG (AVR-CABG group) and 62 patients with asymptomatic mild-to-moderate AS, AI, or both undergoing CABG but not AVR (CABG group). End points included 30-day mortality rate, time to cardiac mortality, time to all-cause mortality, and time to aortic valve reoperation. Reoperation refers to surgery for replacement of the native aortic valve in the CABG group or replacement of the prosthetic aortic valve in the AVR-CABG group. Important patient characteristics affecting outcomes were determined by using Cox proportional-hazard analysis. These variables were then included in multivariable analyses by using logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional-hazard modeling to compare outcomes between each patient group. Results No difference was seen in any of the mortality end points between the CABG group and the AVR-CABG group after controlling for significant differences between the groups. However, the need for reoperation for AVR was significantly higher for the CABG group than the AVR-CABG group. For patients followed for up to 6 years, the estimated need for aortic valve reoperation was 24.3% in the CABG group versus 3% in the AVR-CABG group. Conclusion On the basis of these results, patients with asymptomatic AS or AI should be considered for AVR at the time of CABG. (Am Heart J 1999;138:791-7.)
Inferior vena caval masses identified by echocardiography

The most common cause of an inferior vena caval mass is renal cell carcinoma that extends through the lumen, occurring in 47 of 62 patients (85%). Detection of an inferior vena caval mass affects the surgical approach requiring cardiopulmonary bypass for resection when the mass extends to the heart.
Effect of contralateral finger touch on grip force control in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Objective It was recently shown that the magnitude of grip force utilized to lift and transport a hand-held object decreased if a light touch from the contralateral finger is provided [Aruin AS. Support-specific modulation of grip force in individuals with hemiparesis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2005;86:768–75]. The rationale of the study is to find out whether or not the individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) have the same behavior as control subjects. Methods Eight patients with MS and eight control subjects performed the task of lifting and transporting an instrumented object with provision of light touch of the contralateral index finger to the wrist of the target arm and without it. The tasks of placing the object on a shelf and a simulation of a drinking maneuver were studied. Peak grip force, force ratio, latency, and time lag were recorded and analyzed. Results The mean peak grip force decreased in conditions with application of light finger touch in patients and control subjects while performing both the experimental tasks. The force ratio also improved with application of light finger touch. Conclusions Individuals with MS apply smaller grip force if they utilize a finger touch. Significance Findings provide better understanding of how patients with MS control grip force and suggest that a light touch approach could be considered as a valuable modality in the rehabilitation of these patients.
Volumetric properties of NaBr (aq, m=0,05 to 3.0 mol.kg−1, T=322 to 550 K, p=0,8 to 32,6 MPa)

A vibrating-tube flow densitometer was used to obtain differences between the densities of NaBr(aq) and water from 0.05 to 3 kg·mol−1, 322 to 550 K, and 0.8 to 32.6 MPa. Multi-dimensional cubic splines were used to represent the apparent molar volume as a function of T, p, and m12, while being constrained by the Debye-Huckel limiting law. Recommended values of specific and apparent molar volumes were generated from the knots defining the apparent-molar-volume surface.
Maximum likelihood estimation of a multivariate linear functional relationship

Abstract Many authors have discussed maximum likelihood estimation in the simple linear functional relationship model. In this paper, we derive maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) for parameters in a much more general model. Several special cases including the multivariate linear functional relationship model are discussed. Estimators of some of the parameters are shown to be inconsistent.
Radial-profile and divergence measurements of combustion-generated soot focused by an aerodynamic-lens system

Abstract We used light-scattering techniques to measure the angular divergence of a soot-particle beam produced by an aerodynamic-lens system in common use. Soot was generated in an atmospheric coflow ethylene diffusion flame and focused using this aerodynamic-lens system. The width of the beam generated was probed every ∼32 μm over a range of more than 100 mm downstream of the exit nozzle by imaging laser light scattered from the particle beam onto an intensified CCD camera. We collected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids downstream of the exit nozzle and analysed the images to size the particles focused in the beam. Our measurements yield a divergence angle in the range of 2.24–2.59 mrad corresponding to a solid angle of 1.59–2.11×10 −5 sr for a soot lognormal size distribution with an average projected area equivalent diameter of 88 nm and median of 73 nm. We characterized three similar aerodynamic-lens systems. Our results demonstrate that the radial profile of the particle beam has more Gaussian character near the exit of the aerodynamic-lens system and is almost purely Lorentzian in character further downstream of the lens-system exit.
Determination of elastic constants of orthotropic plates by a modal analysis/Rayleigh-Ritz technique

The first part of this paper describes a computer programme in which equations derived by the Rayleigh-Ritz technique are used to model the vibrations of rectangular orthotropic plates. The characteristic functions of vibrating beams were used as the assumed functions for plates with boundary conditions consisting of clamped and free edges. Natural frequencies and mode shapes from the programme were verified by finite element analysis and modal analysis for square aluminium and graphite/epoxy plates. The plate vibration model was then incorporated into a second computer programme which was desgned to use the measured natural frequencies of orthotropic plates to determine the four apparent elastic constants. Natural frequencies measured by an impulse technique were used to determine two Young's moduli, the in-plane shear modulus, and a Poisson ratio for each plate.
Technological Management Learning: The Adoption of Electronic Data Interchange by Retailers

Considers EDI for retailers in the context of innovation theory. A case study of nine retailers who adopted EDI during 1987‐92 is used to discuss the reasons why EDI was delayed until 1986‐93 even though it was technically possible in the early 1980s. Argues that an innovation will not join the portfolio of “possibles” until three issues are resolved. These are (1) innovation “poles” to disseminate EDI know‐how, (2) cost and performance improvements to the technology, and (3) management learning, based (in this case) on learning developed from handling EPoS. Also considers the decision‐making process underlying EDI.
Circumferential Slot on a Charged Cylindrical Shell

Abstract An approximate solution to Laplace's equation in an axisymmetric geometry is constructed in terms of a pair of two simple functions for the potential in an aperture cut in an infinite conducting tube. The two halves of the tube are held at opposite potentials. Upon differentiation, one aperture potential function provides for a constant axial electric field, and the other recovers the expected edge-condition behavior at the knife-edge of a charged conductor. Continuity of potential and one simple integration, in the spirit of the generalized Ritz-Galerkin method, furnishes integral expressions for the required constants in the expansion. These integrals are evaluated using a combination of analytic regularization and quadrature. The validity of the two-term expansion is verified by comparison with an independent moment method calculation.
Factors affecting the vulnerability of female slum youth to HIV/AIDS in Delhi and Hyderabad, India

This paper builds upon the theoretical framework advanced by the growing literature on vulnerability. The paper explores how vulnerability to HIV/AIDS applies to young women living in the slum areas of New Delhi and Hyderabad. This circumscription of scope is based on a study on AIDS awareness levels in these two Indian cities conducted during summer of 2006. Using a qualitative approach, the paper offers insightful narratives from a sample of 26 women about their cultural and socio-economic circumstances with reference to HIV/AIDS. The excerpts from these women give a poignant view of their precarious circumstances with reference to lack of female autonomy, economic vulnerability, low AIDS awareness, and lack of access to pertinent information about HIV. The female youth were highly susceptible to the double bind of age and gender based hierarchies present in the patriarchal Indian social system.
Thermal decomposition of tetraamineplatinum(II) chloride by simultaneous TG/DTG/DTA/MS and direct insertion probe mass spectrometry

Simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and evolved gas analysis (EGA) by mass spectrometry (MS) have been used to determine the decomposition path for tetraamineplatinum(II) chloride and cis- and trans-diamineplatinum(II) chloride. Unequivocal identification of the evolved gases was done by direct insertion probe mass spectrometry.
Ethnobotanical observations from cabecar and guaymí settlements in central america

Ethnobotanical information was collected and the degree of acculturation was estimated for 3 Indian groups: 1) the Guaymi near Soloy, Panama, 2) the Guaymi near San Vito, Costa Rica, and 3) the Cabecar in the Telire Reserve, Costa Rica. In both Guaymi settlements, the introduction of cattle, cacao, and coffee had altered traditional agricultural systems. Also, the availability of modern agricultural seeds had reduced the planting frequency of indigenous crop varieties. In comparison, the Cabecar agricultural traditions in the isolated Telire Reserve remain essentially intact. of the persons interviewed, the Telire inhabitants were more willing to discuss and were more knowledgeable of native plant uses, especially medicinal uses, than either Guaymi group. Expeditions to these areas indicated that much ethnobotanical information remains undocumented, especially in the Telire Reserve, and that continual acculturation pressures leave little time to achieve complete documentation.
Translating Concern into Action: HIV Care Providers’ Views on Counseling Patients about HIV Prevention in the Clinical Setting

Recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines recommend that HIV care practitioners provide HIV prevention counseling to patients at routine medical visits. However, research shows that HIV care practitioners provide such counseling infrequently, presenting a challenge for clinics implementing these guidelines. Our qualitative study of 19 HIV care providers at an infectious diseases clinic in the southeastern US explored providers’ beliefs about their patients’ HIV transmission behaviors, expected outcomes of conducting HIV prevention counseling, and perceived barriers and facilitators to counseling. Providers’ concern about HIV transmission among their patients was high but did not “translate into action” in the form of counseling. They anticipated poor outcomes from counseling, including harm to patient–provider relationships, and failure of patients to change their behavior. They also listed barriers and facilitators to counseling, most importantly time, state reporting policies, and conversational triggers. Implications for implementation of CDC guidelines and clinic-based “Prevention with Positives” programs are discussed.
Determination of the Efficacy of Topical Oral Pilocarpine for Postirradiation Xerostomia in Patients With Head and Neck Carcinoma

Pilocarpine hydrochloride suspended in a candy-like pastille was evaluated as a topical treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients. This local delivery system, which differs from systemically administered pilocarpine preparations, was developed to hopefully maximize the local response and minimize the systemic side effects. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken to determine objective and subjective efficacy in reversing the decrease in salivation. Forty previously irradiated patients received increasingly higher pilocarpine dosages in pastilles for 5 successive weeks. At each successive dose of pilocarpine, no significant increased salivation was noted. However, 25 (74%) of 34 patients reported that pilocarpine alleviated their subjective xerostomia. Topical pilocarpine administration has shown similar results to previous systemic delivery methods for radiation-induced xerostomia, but with improved patient tolerance.
Preparation of PMDA/ODA polyimide membrane for use as substrate in a thermally stable composite reverse osmosis membrane

Abstract In this research, poly(pyromellitic dianhydride-co-4,4′-oxydianiline) (PMDA/ODA PI) has been developed as a substrate for a thermally stable composite reverse osmosis membrane. This substrate membrane was prepared by immersion precipitation of a casting solution composed of 15% polyamic acid (PAA) and 24% ZnCl2 additive. Zinc ions were able to interact with the carboxylic groups of PAA forming an ionic cross-linking structure which facilitated the formation of a membrane with improved surface properties, mechanical strength and permeability. The PAA membranes were chemically imidized by a mixture of acetic anhydride and triethylamine at 100 °C to prevent pore collapse. The conversion of PAA to PI was complete as determined by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The morphologies of the PI membranes were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Composite membranes were developed via interfacial polymerization of m-phenylenediamine (MPDA) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on the polyimide membranes. These composite membranes showed 98% rejection to 2.0 g/L NaCl solution with a permeation flux of 1.1 m3 m−2 day−1 at 55.2 bar and room temperature. This composite membrane demonstrated good thermal stability. As the test temperature increased from 25 °C to 95 °C, the permeated flux of 2.0 g/L NaCl solution increased 5.3 times from 0.74 m3 m−2 day−1 to 3.95 m3 m−2 day−1 with a stable rejection rate when the pressure was fixed at 27.6 bar.
Thermal Dependence of Young’s Modulus of Wood/Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites

The dependence of Young’s modulus on temperature and clay content of polyethylene/clay nanocomposites (PCN) and wood/polymer/clay nanocomposites (WPCN) is investigated. It is found that the moduli of PCN and WPCN vary linearly with temperature within 25 and 80°C. The addition of nanoclay in the presence of a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) compatibilizer blend results in an increase of the modulus and strength of the composites. The Young’s moduli of the PCN and WPCN decrease linearly with increase in temperature.
IMPROVING MACHINABILITY OF HIGH CHROMIUM WEAR-RESISTANT MATERIALS VIA LASER–ASSISTED MACHINING

The machinability of high chromium wear resistant materials is poor due to their high hardness with a large amount of hard chromium carbides. This study is focused on improving the machinability of high chromium wear resistant materials with different microstructures and hardness levels via laser-assisted machining (LAM). A laser pre-scan process is designed to preheat the workpiece before LAM to overcome the laser power constraint. A transient, three-dimensional LAM thermal model is expanded to include the laser pre-scan process, and is validated through experiments using an infrared camera. The machinability of highly alloyed wear resistant materials of 27% and 35% chromium content is evaluated in terms of tool wear, cutting forces, and surface integrity through LAM experiments using cubic boron nitride (CBN) tools. With increasing material removal temperature from room temperature to 400°C, the benefit of LAM is demonstrated by 28% decrease in specific cutting energy, 50% improvement in surface roughne...
Influence of water volume, surface area, and water replacement rate on weight gain of juvenile freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Abstract The effects of combinations of water volume, bottom surface area, and water replacement rate on weight gain of juvenile freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii , were evaluated in two experiments. Prawns were fed a semi-purified diet and individually cultured in clear plastic containers, which were circular and slightly tapered. Each container received an independent water supply in a flow-through system. This design was used to evaluate weight gain in the absence of potentially confounding effects of tactile, chemical and visual stimuli. The first experiment was a 2×2×2 factorial design consisting of two levels of each of the three factors, water volume (1375 and 700 ml), bottom surface area (70.9 and 35.4 cm 2 ), and water replacement rate (86 and 44 min). After 60 days, weight gain of juvenile prawns (initially 221.8 to 227.0 mg) was significantly greater (232%) under conditions of both greater water volume and bottom surface area. Higher water replacement did not compensate for lower water volume. There was significantly more weight gain (149%) with greater bottom surface area at the lower rate of water replacement. However, at the higher rate of water replacement, greater bottom surface area did not result in a significant increase in weight gain. The second experiment was designed to determine at what point the reduction in growth identified in the first experiment became operative. It consisted of two treatments in which weight gain at low water volume and bottom surface area (750 ml and 78.5 cm 2 ) was compared to that at high water volume and bottom surface area (1300 ml and 147.4 cm 2 ) at equal rates of water replacement. Mean stocking weight of the prawns was 7.9 mg and the duration of the experiment was 143 days. Reductions in weight gain began to occur when a critical biomass density of approximately 500 mg/l was attained as reflected in significant differences in weight-frequency distributions between treatments at 90 days and thereafter. The response also reflects a previously identified relationship between maximum density and body size for aquatic animals. A culture volume that allows for maximum, density-independent growth of animals for all treatments is needed for experiments in which growth (weight gain) of crustaceans is used as a response variable to compare performance of different diets. Knowledge of the biomass density that causes growth reduction can be practically applied to establish selective harvest or stock manipulation strategies whereby overall production per unit of time or space can be increased. Alternatively, knowledge of this density threshold can be used to reduce growth rates and thereby assist in distributing production through time.
Advanced on-FPA signal processing for staring IRFPAs

The U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) currently has efforts internally and externally to develop advanced readout integrated circuits (ROICs) with on- chip processing capabilities. We have funded Raytheon Infrared Operations through a Dual Use Science and Technology program to develo and fabricate an advance ROIC with processing features including non-uniformity correction, extended charge handling, motion detection and edge enhancement. This advanced ROIC has been demonstrated through the successful development of the 'Adaptive Infrared Sensors' camera. Discussions of the circuit concepts and architecture of the 'AIRS' ROIC/FPA, as well as simulation results and test results of the camera is presented. Our internal investigations has resulted in an advanced readout design capable of real-time spatial and temporal filtering, to perform edge detection, edge enhancement, motion detection, and motion enhancement. The details of the circuit design, simulation results, as well as test data is presented.
Emissions of NO and NH3 from a typical vegetable-land soil after the application of chemical N fertilizers in the Pearl River Delta.

Cropland soil is an important source of atmospheric nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH3). Chinese croplands are characterized by intensive management, but limited information is available with regard to NO emissions from croplands in China and NH3 emissions in south China. In this study, a mesocosm experiment was conducted to measure NO and NH3 emissions from a typical vegetable-land soil in the Pearl River Delta following the applications of 150 kg N ha−1 as urea, ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium bicarbonate (ABC), respectively. Over the sampling period after fertilization (72 days for NO and 39 days for NH3), mean NO fluxes (± standard error of three replicates) in the control and urea, AN and ABC fertilized mesocosms were 10.9±0.9, 73.1±2.9, 63.9±1.8 and 66.0±4.0 ng N m−2 s−1, respectively; mean NH3 fluxes were 8.9±0.2, 493.6±4.4, 144.8±0.1 and 684.7±8.4 ng N m−2 s−1, respectively. The fertilizer-induced NO emission factors for urea, AN and ABC were 2.6±0.1%, 2.2±0.1% and 2.3±0.2%, respectively. The fertilizer-induced NH3 emission factors for the three fertilizers were 10.9±0.2%, 3.1±0.1% and 15.2±0.4%, respectively. From the perspective of air quality protection, it would be better to increase the proportion of AN application due to its lower emission factors for both NO and NH3.
Exergy management between a building and its environment for residential hvac

AbstractEfficient use of a large quantity of low-grade energy that is available in the earth surrounding a typical residential structure can be realized by designing a HVAC system directly integrating the ground source with a dynamic building envelope. A continuous air duct constructed within the dynamic envelope is configured such that preconditioned air in the basement can be circulated between the shells of the wall. The result is that a large portion of the heat loss through the wall is the geosolar heat extracted from the ground, reducing the load of the home heating system. Air in the ventilation system may also be passed through the heat reservoir such that make-up air is prewarmed and cleaned before entering the interior. This geothermal component of the heating system is further enhanced by increasing the ambient temperature of the earth with unwanted heat absorbed by the roof of the structure during the summer months. The roof of the structure is fitted with narrowly spaced runs of cross-linked ...
Controls on late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eolian deposition of the western United States

Abstract The Oregon coastal dunes and Great Sand Dunes of Colorado illustrate the dynamic relationships between factors that enhance and inhibit eolian-sand deposition. Abundant sand supply, persistent sand-transporting winds, and a well-drained, low-relief surface are the most important enhancing factors. Sand supply is a function of source, concentration, and sand availability to the wind. Abundant precipitation does not preclude deposition of eolian sand. Inhibiting factors result in sand stabilization or reduction in sand supply and include water saturation to the surface of sand accumulation, freezing of sand moisture, formation of desert pavement, and, most importantly, vegetative cover. Inhibiting factors are directly or indirectly a function of climate. Through time, climate has been a function of atmospheric circulation vis a vis continental position. Vegetative cover is a function of climate and plant evolution. Evolution of land plants, angiosperms and grasses divide the geologic history of eolian sand deposition into four intervals of decreasing latitudinal and areal distribution and increasing climatic contrast. Two types of dunefields are identified on the basis of processes responsible for sand concentration and relation of paleowind to fluvial paleoslope. Type I eolian sands are concentrated by fluvial processes only. They are relatively thin, interbedded with, and commonly overlain by, fluvial sediments. Type II sands are concentrated by fluvial and littoral processes on coasts with onshore winds. They are relatively thicker than Type I sands, intertongue at their bases but are not interbedded with fluvial sediments, and commonly are overlain by marine sediments. Both types may be initiated by tectonic uplift or climatic change in the source area. Type II sands also may be initiated by change in sea level at the site of deposition. The Pangean interval is related to low stand in world sea level and corresponding widespread deposition and preservation of terrestrial sediments. Mesozoic eolian sandstones of the western interior are Type II with distal source in the Gulf of Mexico-Atlantic rift belts. Erg development was initiated by marine regression and terminated by marine transgression. The late Paleozoic eolian sandstones of the western United States are a combination of Type I and II with proximal source in the Ancestral Rockies.
Conformation of an ideal bucky ball molecule by genetic algorithm and geometric constraint from pair distance data: genetic algorithm

A genetic algorithm is proposed with real value variables, spatially based crossover operator, a small mutation, large scale mutation, vector sum local search and geometric only based objective function to generate candidate molecule conformations from atomic pair distance data. To better simulate experimental data only information from the pair distance data is used as constraints. Ideal Bucky ball with 60 atoms is used as the test case with both perfect pair distance data and Gaussian noise perturbed pair distance data. The GA generated result shows molecules close to ideal Bucky balls but with some defects. A description of the spatially based crossover operator is provided along with a local search based on vector summed error for each atom.
Polarity of Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 Infection in Polarized Human Lung Epithelial A549 Cells: Role of Microfilament and Microtubule

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) is an airborne pathogen that infects the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. In the present study we investigated the interaction of HPIV-3 with the type II alveolar human lung polarized epithelial A549 cells. Although HPIV-3 entry and budding were bidirectional from both the apical and the basolateral domains, HPIV-3 exhibited preferential entry and release from the apical pole. While disruption of the cellular actin microfilament and microtubule by cytochalasin D and nocodazole, respectively, had no effect on virus entry, disruption of the microtubule but not the microfilament inhibited HPIV-3 release.
Differential diagnosis of acute pericarditis from normal variant early repolarization and left ventricular hypertrophy with early repolarization: an electrocardiographic study.

Abstract Background Differentiation of ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) from acute pericarditis (AP), normal variant early repolarization (ER) and early repolarization of left ventricular hypertrophy (ERLVH) can be problematic. Hence, the authors evaluated the accuracy of the ST/T ratio in ECG to more optimally differentiate between AP, ST-segment elevation, ER and ERLVH. Methods Between September 2006 and July 2010, 80 patients were enrolled in this study consisting of 25 individuals with AP, 27 with ER and 28 with ERLVH. Each ECG was analyzed in a systematic manner including the measurement of PR interval, QRS duration, QT-segment duration, PR-segment deviation, ST-segment deviation and the height of T wave. The ratio of the height of ST segment to the height of T wave was measured in leads I, II, III, aVF and V 2 through V 6 . Results The mean ages of the patients with AP, ER and ERLVH were 32 ± 16.5, 36 ± 15.4 and 53 ± 16 years, respectively. The ratio of the amplitude of ST segment to the amplitude of the T wave in leads I, V 4 , V 5 and V 6 proved to be a significant discriminator at a value of ≥ 0.25 ( P Conclusions Leads I, V 4 , V 5 and V 6 can all be used to differentiate AP from ER and ERLVH. When ST elevation is present in lead I, the ST/T ratio has the best predictive value (0.82) to more accurately discriminate between AP, ER and ERLVH.
Community empowerment and public transportation agencies: a case study analysis of transit agencies' community development initiatives

Access to transportation is determinative of many quality of life indicators like health, employment, and education. Without the ability to travel within cities, individuals are effectively barred from resources necessary for empowerment, societal engagement, and productivity. Mass transit systems in the United States have long been underfunded compared to other industrialized democracies and frequently face severe constraints due to decreasing public investment in inner cities, lack of concern by policymakers about transportation equity, and the uniquely American emphasis on road-building and car ownership. This research uses qualitative research methods including interviews with transit agency administrators and content analysis of documents publicized by the agencies to form four case studies describing how public transportation agencies can be critical players in urban community development and social engagement efforts.
Species-specific treatment effects of helminth/HIV-1 co-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In sub-Saharan Africa, over 22 million people are estimated to be co-infected with both helminths and HIV-1. Several studies have suggested that de-worming individuals with HIV-1 may delay HIV-1 disease progression, and that the benefit of de-worming may vary by individual helminth species. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to determine the effect of treatment of individual helminth infections on markers of HIV-1 progression (CD4 count and HIV viral load). There was a trend towards an association between treatment for Schistosoma mansoni and a decrease in HIV viral load (Weighted mean difference (WMD)=−0·10; 95% Confidence interval (CI): −0·24, 0·03), although this association was not seen for Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm or Trichuris trichiura. Treatment of A. lumbricoides, S. mansoni, hookworm or T. trichiura was not associated with a change in CD4 count. While pooled data from randomized trials suggested clinical benefit of de-worming for individual helminth species, these effects decreased when observational data were included in the pooled analysis. While further trials are needed to confirm the role of anthelmintic treatment in HIV-1 co-infected individuals, providing anthelmintics to individuals with HIV-1 may be a safe, inexpensive and practical intervention to slow progression of HIV-1.
Exact Bahadur Efficiencies of Tests for Superadditivity of the Mean Function of a Non-Homogeneous Poisson Process

Consider a non-homogeneous Poisson process,N(t), with mean value functionΛ(t) and intensity functionsΛ(t). A conditional test of the hypothesis that the process is homogeneous, versus alternatives for whichΛ(t) is superadditive, was proposed by Hollander and Proschan (1974). Proposing a new test for superadditivity ofΛ(t), Kochar and Ramallingam (1989) have observed the fact that the Pitman asymptotic relative efficiency of their test with respect to the Hollander-Proschan test is unity. In order to distinguish between these competing tests, we shall compute the exact Bahadur slopes of these tests for important alternatives and demonstrate that the new test has high Bahadur efficiencies relative to the test of Hollander and Proschan.
Interaction of antilambda hyperons with nucleons at intermediate energies

Cross-sections for the scattering and annihilation of antihyperons by nucleons are calculated at 75 and 150 MeV laboratory energies. The model of the anti-Λ0-nucleon interaction is an attractive potential at large interparticle separations and a black absorptive hole at separations less than ∼ 0.4 fermis. The cross-sections are obtained both with and without a spin-orbit term in the potential. The outer part of the potential is taken to be the same as the outer part of the Λ0-nucleon potential required to fit the binding energies of the Λ0 in hyperfragments. This form for the outer region follows from the assumption that this part of the potential arises from the exchange of two pions. The results indicate that about one anti-Λ0 in 50 will interact with a nucleon in a hydrogen bubble chamber at 150 MeV the others decaying in flight. There are as yet no experimental data with which to compare the calculated cross-sections.
Nucleosome Assembly Depends on the Torsion in the DNA Molecule: A Magnetic Tweezers Study

We have used magnetic tweezers to study nucleosome assembly on topologically constrained DNA molecules. Assembly was achieved using chicken erythrocyte core histones and histone chaperone protein Nap1 under constant low force. We have observed only partial assembly when the DNA was topologically constrained and much more complete assembly on unconstrained (nicked) DNA tethers. To verify our hypothesis that the lack of full nucleosome assembly on topologically constrained tethers was due to compensatory accumulation of positive supercoiling in the rest of the template, we carried out experiments in which we mechanically relieved the positive supercoiling by rotating the external magnetic field at certain time points of the assembly process. Indeed, such rotation did lead to the same nucleosome saturation level as in the case of nicked tethers. We conclude that levels of positive supercoiling in the range of 0.025–0.051 (most probably in the form of twist) stall the nucleosome assembly process.
Threats to Graduate Medical Education Funding and the Need for a Rational Approach: A Statement From the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine

Funding for graduate medical education (GME) has come under scrutiny. Although indirect medical education expenses may have decreased over the past 25 years, direct medical education expenses have ...
Splenic sequestration and ineffective erythropoiesis in hemoglobin E-beta-thalassemia disease.

Summary: A 13-year-old Thai female with hemoglobin E-β-thalassemia was evaluated for anemia and splenomegaly. Globin chain synthesis in a whole cell system revealed an absence of βA chains and excessive α chains. The α/βE + γ ratio was 1.26 in bone marrow and 1.90 in peripheral blood. The average γ/βE ratio in bone marrow and peripheral blood was 0.36 compared to peripheral blood concentrations of 49% hemoglobin E and 51% hemoglobin F. Homologous red cell 51Cr half-life increased from 22.7 days to 32.8 days after splenectomy. Total circulating hemoglobin increased from 112.9 to 149.7 g. Endogenous carbon monoxide productive (VCO) as a measure of total heme catabolism decreased from 2.00 to 1.54 μmol/hr/kg. Ineffective erythropoiesis was manifested by an increased VCO/Vheme-c ratio of 7.52. Speculation: Splenic sequestration may occur as a complicating factor in the anemia of hemoglobin E-β-thalassemia. The mechanism of this disorder is probably related to excessive α chain production and hemoglobin E instability.
Glycoproteins and glycolipids of oxyntic cell microsomes. I. Glycoproteins: carbohydrate composition, analytical and preparative fractionation.

Isotopically-labeled sugars were incorporated into glycoproteins of isolated bullfrog gastric mucosa. The majority of the label was found in gastric microsomal fractions which were shown to contain membranes derived from the oxyntic cell tubular membrane system and were not significantly contaminated with mucus. The tubular membranes contained exceptionally large quantities of carbohydrate (approx. 260 μg/mg protein). Most of the sugar (73%) was associated with protein in the following molar ratios: hexose, 1.0: fucose, 0.42; hexosamine, 0.62; sialic acid, <0.02. The remaining sugar, predominantly hexose, could be extracted into lipid solvents and was presumably glycolipid. Gastric microsomes were dissolves in sodium dodecyl sulfate and subjected to acrylamide gel electrophoresis and Sephadex G-200 fractionation. The latter preparative procedure yielded several molecular weight classes, each of which contained different sets of proteins and/or glycoproteins; however, the molar ratios of the sugars found in the two carbohydrate containing classes were quite similar. Significant quantities of carbohydrate were also found in gastric microsomal fractions from other species, e.g. pig and rabbit. Furthermore, characteristic proteins and glycoproteins were not present in tadpole gastric microsomes until the later stages of metamorphosis when HCl secretory capability had been established. The above findings suggest that glycoproteins may play an important role in oxyntic cell functions; the possibility of a membrane protective role is discussed.
Muonic heavy-atom spectrum and nuclear size effect on vacuum polarization

Nuclear finite size correction to the vacuum polarization is examined and applied to muonic atom spectrum. An analytic expression for the potential due to this correction is given. It increases the present discrepancy by 5 eV in the $5{g}_{\frac{9}{2}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{to}\ensuremath{-}4{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ transition in lead.
Morphology of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate complex in turtles of the genera Pseudemys and Chrysemys

The morphology of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate complex of pond turtles has been studied by extracellular filling with horseradish peroxidase. The dorsal lateral geniculate complex is a rostrocaudally elongate structure that includes the nucleus ovalis and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of Papez. It is divided into three cytoarchitecturally distinct subnuclei: (1) the subnucleus ovalis, (2) the dorsal subnucleus, and (3) the ventral subnucleus. Each subnucleus consists of a neuropile immediately internal to the optic tract and a cell plate of densely packed somata forming the medial face of the complex. The cell plate contains medial (or parvicellular) and lateral (or magnocellular) sublaminae that are separated by a cell-poor zone in subnucleus ovalis and the ventral subnucleus. The density and size of somata vary between subnuclei. Geniculate neurons fall into two distinct groups. Cell plate neurons have somata in the cell plate and vary substantially in morphology. Those in the medial sublamina have fusiform somata and dendrites that extend either mediolaterally (subnucleus ovalis) or run rostrocaudally in the cell plate (dorsal and ventral subnuclei). Those in the lateral sublamina have some dendrites that extend medially within the cell plate and others that extend into the neuropile. The latter dendrites branch and bear arbors of fingerlike, varicose branchlets in the outer half of the neuropile. By contrast, neuropile cells have fusiform somata and dendrites extending concentrically with the optic tract in the neuropile. Both groups of geniculate neurons can be retrogradely labeled by horseradish peroxidase injections in the lateral forebrain bundle. These results lead to the recognition of two principles of geniculate organization in turtles. The first is that the geniculate complex is divided into three subnuclei that vary in size and density of their neurons. The second is that the complex has a form of laminar organization different than that seen in the geniculate complex of mammals.
Laser-saturated fluorescence measurements of nitric oxide in an inverse diffusion flame

Abstract Inverse diffusion flames (IDFs) are a primary component of staged-air combustion processes, which are often used to achieve ultralow NO x emissions. Unfortunately, such IDFs created by mixing air with hot fuel-rich combustion products rather than the usual unreacted fuel have received little previous attention in the literature. Here, we use laser-saturated fluorescence (LSF) to make nonintrusive point measurements of nitric oxide concentration throughout a single atmospheric IDF of this type; thermocouple-based temperature measurements are also made at specific locations including those of the concentration measurements. These measurements demonstrate similarities between IDF and normal diffusion flame behavior, and indicate that the majority of the IDF-attributable NO is generated at the IDF tip. The results suggest that the dominant NO mechanism varies throughout the flame, and provide data relevant to assessment of future kinetics models.
Structural studies of the thyrotropin receptor and Gs alpha in human thyroid cancers: low prevalence of mutations predicts infrequent involvement in malignant transformation.

The genes for either the TSH receptor (TSH-R) or the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit (Gs alpha) can undergo somatic mutations in thyroid cells, leading to constitutive activation of adenylyl cyclase and the formation of clonal hyperfunctioning thyroid adenomas. Autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas are thought not to be common precursors of thyroid cancer. If this is the case, mutations of the TSH-R or Gs alpha would not be expected to be highly prevalent in thyroid carcinomas. In this paper we report the results of a screen for structural defects in exon 10 of the TSH-R (which includes the whole serpentine structure, but not the extracellular domain) and of Gs alpha in 30 thyroid carcinomas. Five of these were from patients with functioning metastasis, as we hypothesized that if mutations of these genes were to play a role in the progression to malignancy, they would be more likely to manifest in thyroid cancers that retain unusual differentiated function (i.e. capable of synth...