cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RBC Modeling Using NURBS Based Isogeometric Analysis

The Red Blood Cell(RBC) is the transporter of oxygen to the entire human body via the circulatory system. Its journey spans across pathways which step down orders of magnitude; from large arteries which are O(cm) to tiny capillaries which are O(μm). This four-fold reduction in the diameters of the circulatory pathways necessitates the RBC to be extremely deformable. One of the most intriguing facets of the RBC is that it achieves this extreme deformability with ease; and also with a very minimal area dilatation[1]. Modeling the RBC has been an active area of research since the 1950’s. However, conventional methods to model RBCs rely on simplistic Finite Element Methods(FEM) involving mostly triangular elements. The extreme deformability of the RBCs mandate the use of a large number of elements, usually O(thousands) to accurately resolve and visualize the motion of an RBC [2], which is biconcave when unstressed and assumes myriad shapes as it travels through the microcirculation. The extremely large number of elements per cell makes the calculations highly computationally intensive for a single cell alone. This becomes particularly important when attempting to simulate the motion of a large number of cells, leading to a very computationally intensive simulation. The current paper proposes a novel method to analyze and resolve the RBC as a smooth entity using greatly reduced number of elements for resolution. This approach is based on exploiting the properties of Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) surfaces [3]. The results obtained from utilizing the NURBS surfaces can be considered to be a more realistic representation of the behavior of the RBC. Though this article specifically deals with the RBC, it can be applied to a deformable cell of any shape.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Nonadrenergic innervation of the rat laryngeal vasculature.

In order to gain a better understanding of the central and local control of laryngeal blood flow, the vascular innervation to the rat laryngeal muscles was examined. To visualize the vascular network, the animals were perfused with a gelatin/India ink solution. The larynges were removed and fixed. The superior laryngeal, cricothyroid, and inferior laryngeal arteries (all branch off the superior thyroid artery) were dissected in continuity into their respective muscles. Specimens were reacted in toto using immunohistochemical techniques for the presence of neuropeptide-Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-1). Results show that all of the laryngeal vasculature is richly innervated by fibers containing these peptides. Qualitatively, the most prominent of these is NPY in association with the superior and the inferior laryngeal arteries, followed by VIP and NOS-1, and finally CGRP distributed equally on all the vessels. Immunopositive fibers are found along the entire course of the feeding arteries, beginning with the superior thyroid artery and continuing down to small arterioles into the terminal vascular beds. These peptides can act as vasodilators, vasoconstrictors, and/or neuromodulators and may work synergistically or antagonistically with other transmitters in controlling laryngeal blood flow. Their effects are dependent on the specific vascular bed in question, that is, in some areas they are vasodilators, in others vasoconstrictors, and in other neuromodulators. What effects they have on the laryngeal vasculature and how they interact within the larynx have yet to be determined. Anat Rec 259:180–188, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Purification of Recombinant Human cPLA2γ and Identification of C-Terminal Farnesylation, Proteolytic Processing, and Carboxymethylation by MALDI-TOF-TOF Analysis

Cytosolic phospholipase A2γ (cPLA2γ) is a calcium-independent, membrane-associated phospholipase A2 that possesses a C-terminal prenylation motif (-CCLA) whose covalent structure cannot be deduced ...
Asymptotic features of shock-wave boundary-layer interaction

A semi-implicit method is applied to solve the Navier-Stokes equations numerically and to evaluate the features of the free-interaction phenomenon that occurs when a shock wave impinges on a Blasius boundary layer. Comparisons are made with predictions of the triple-deck theory and experiment. Results include pressure and skin-friction distribution in the free-interaction region for various values of Reynolds number.
Axis determination in eggs of Xenopus laevis: a critical period before first cleavage, identified by the common effects of cold, pressure and ultraviolet irradiation.

Exposure of eggs of Xenopus laevis to a temperature of 1.0°C for 4 min or a pressure of 8000 psi for 5 min in a critical period before first cleavage results in embryos exhibiting a reduction and loss of structures of the body axis. The deficiencies occur in a craniocaudal progression which is dose dependent. In the extreme, totally axis-deficient embryos with radial symmetry are formed. Maximum sensitivity to cold and pressure occurs at 0.6 of the time from fertilization to first cleavage and extends from approximately 0.4 to 0.8, the period between pronuclear contact and mitosis, and the approximate period of gray crescent formation. The effects of cold and pressure resemble those previously reported for uv irradiation in that (1) the types of axis-deficient embryos produced are morphologically indistinguishable; (2) sensitivity in all cases ends before 0.8; (3) cold and uv effects, although not those of pressure, can be prevented by cotreatment with D2O; and (4) impaired eggs can be rescued by oblique orientation. We interpret these results as follows: during the 0.4–0.8 period the egg reorganizes its contents in a manner critical for subsequent development of the embryonic body axis. The reorganization process involves cytoskeletal elements, some of which are sensitive to cold, pressure, and uv, and protected by D2O. Rescue by oblique orientation can be understood as the result of a gravity-driven reorganization of the egg's contents, supplanting the normal mechanochemical process impaired in treated eggs.
Endotracheal Granular Cell Myoblastoma: A Failure of Laser Therapy

A patient had multicentric endobronchial granular cell myoblastoma. Progression with worsening tracheal obstruction following carbon dioxide laser therapy led to surgical resection. Flow volume loops documented progressive relief of airway obstruction after laser and resectional surgery. Our experience with failure of laser therapy supports previous recommendations for surgical therapy for large (>8 mm) lesions of the trachea.
Nutrient-induced changes in intestinal blood flow in the dog

The cardiovascular response to feeding consists of two phases. The anticipation/ingestion phase is a brief, generalized cardiovascular response mediated by sympathetic neural activity. The digestive/absorptive phase is a longer, locally mediated vascular response to luminal nutrients. This post-prandial hyperaemia is localized primarily to the intestinal segment and tissue layer (mucosa) exposed to chyme. The stimuli for this hyperaemia are the digested products of food, and bile. Micellar fatty acids induce the greatest hyperaemia, followed by glucose. Individual amino acids have little effect, but by-products of protein digestion may increase blood flow. Bile enhances the glucose-induced hyperaemia and renders fatty acids and amino acids vasoactive. The mechanisms involved in the initiation and maintenance of the hyperaemia are complex and involve numerous factors that may vary with the type of nutrient. The factors involved include intestinal activity such as absorption, motility and secretion, tissue oxidative metabolism, adenosine, tissue oxygen tension, the enteric nervous system, gastrointestinal peptides such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and paracrine substances such as histamine and prostanoids. The post prandial intestinal hyperaemia is probably the net result of the complex interaction of all these factors on the intestinal vascular smooth muscle.
Temperature-induced reversible morphological changes of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles in solution.

Temperature-induced reversible morphological changes of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles with degrees of polymerization of 962 for the PS and 227 for the PEO blocks (PS962-b-PEO227) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/water, in which water is a selective solvent for the PEO block, were observed. For a system with 0.2 wt % copolymer concentration and 4.5 wt % water concentration in DMF/water, the micelle morphology observed in transmission electron microscopy changed from vesicles at room temperature to worm-like cylinders and then to spheres with increasing temperature. Mixed morphologies were also formed in the intermediate temperature regions. Cooling the system back to room temperature regenerated the vesicle morphology, indicating that the morphological changes were reversible. No hysteresis was observed in the morphological changes during heating and cooling. Dynamic light scattering revealed that the hydrodynamic radius of the micelles decreased with increasing temperature. Combined static...
Fast-time simulations of Detroit Airport operations for evaluating performance in the presence of uncertainties

The airport environment is a very uncertain environment, primarily due to large variations in performance and efficiency. While the presence of uncertainties and their influence on airport operations has been recognized, their characteristics and impacts have not been studied in detail. This paper investigates the impacts of uncertainty on airport performance through fast-time simulations using SIMMOD. Various uncertainty sources, such as pushback times, runway exit times, taxi speeds, and runway separation times, are evaluated with actual flight schedules at Detroit International Airport. The simulations show that the ground delay increases with an increase in uncertainty level for most scenarios. The paper also shows that surface traffic optimization based on a deterministic model can still be valid in the presence of certain types of uncertainties.
Thermal Marking of Otoliths in Lake Trout Sac Fry

Abstract The ability to distinguish hatchery-produced lake trout Salvelinus namaycush from their wild counterparts is essential for evaluation of restoration efforts in Lake Superior. However, when early life history stages are stocked, conventional external marking procedures are inappropriate. The use of thermal marks in otoliths has become an accepted procedure for fry of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., but knowledge of the technique with lake trout fry is limited. This study adds to existing knowledge of thermal marking with insight into factors that affect lake trout. Several thermal marking regimes with lake trout sac fry were evaluated by varying the number, range, duration, and spacing of temperature pulses. Pulses produced individual bands on otoliths that together constituted the mark. Mark visibility varied within treatments, but in general, the highest quality marks were achieved when fry were subjected to pulses of 10°C or higher for 8 h or more on alternate days. These marks were visible o...
Hormonal control of the nuchal hump in the cichlid fish Cichlasoma citrinellum.

A nuchal hump (forehead swelling) develops in both male and female Cichlasoma citrinellum prior to spawning, and subsides shortly after spawning. Hump development is due to edema of the modified nuchal hypodermis. Fat stored in the same tissue does not contribute to prespawning hump development, although it may cause a residual, enduring hump. Plasma water increases slightly in fish with a nuchal swelling, indicating systemic water retention. The prespawning nuchal edema resembles preovulatory sexual skin swelling in monkeys. Nuchal hump development in males is gonad dependent. A hump could be induced with mammalian gonadotropins (HCG or ovine LH) in intact males but not in castrates. However, the steroid hormones testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, 17β-estradiol benzoate, progesterone, hydrocortisone acetate, and aldosterone failed to induce a hump. A decline in the hump comparable to that occurring after spawning was induced by homogenate of C. citrinellum rostral pars distalis (8 r. p. d. per male fish); and a slight effect was obtained with ovine prolactin (2 daily injections of 7.5 μg/g). These results suggest that PRL secretion may inhibit the hump during the parental period.
Estimating IQ: Expertise or Examiner Effect?

How well can an examiner estimate IQs? Preliminary data to answer this question were secured by having 16 srudents enrolled in a master's degree counseling program at Washington University estimate the IQs they thought they would obtain from their Ss. Each gave at least five WMS or WISC tests and no more than 10 of the other, for a total of 15 tests as part of an individualtesting course. Prior to giving the last test in the series, each recorded his estimates of his S's three Wechsler IQs. Data were analyzed separately for the 12 examiners who gave the WAIS and che four who gave the WISC. Since the same relations obtained, data for all 16 Es were then combined and are presented here.
Influence of ambient temperature on peripherally induced interleukin-1β fever in young and old rats

We have previously demonstrated that old and young rats mount similar fevers after intraperitoneal (i.p.) LPS injection at a warm ambient temperature (Ta) of 31 degrees C, but not at a cooler Ta of 21 degrees C. LPS stimulates the synthesis and release of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), necessary for fever development, and possibly this is attenuated at the lower Ta. If so, then administration of exogenous IL-1 beta should enable old rats to mount fevers equivalent to those of young rats regardless of Ta. Here, young (3-5 months) and old (23-29 months) Long-Evans rats were maintained at Ta 21 or 31 degrees C for 3 days prior to i.p. or intravenous (i.v.) injection of rat recombinant IL-1 beta (1 microg/kg) or vehicle. Three days later, rats were given the alternate injection at the same T(a). At least 5 days later, the same rats were injected at the other Ta. Body temperature was continuously monitored throughout the experiments. Young rats mounted fevers after LPS at both Ta's and i.p. fevers were lower than i.v. fevers. Old rats developed fevers that were equivalent to those of young rats at 31 degrees C regardless of route of administration, but no fever responses were evident at 21 degrees C. These data suggest that the attenuated fever of old rats is not due to an inability to produce IL-1 beta, but rather to a deficiency further along in the fever pathway. In addition, these results show that, as with LPS, Ta plays a role in the ability of old rats to mount fever in response to IL-1 beta.
The effects of ethanol ingestion on cyclic AMP, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract We present evidence that cyclic AMP is decreased in human cerebrospinal fluid after ethanol ingestion under the conditions studied. In addition, there is a significant association between the pattern of change of cyclic AMP and a metabolite of serotonin, 5-HIAA, suggesting that under these experimental conditions the nucleotide may be influenced by factors affecting the serotonergic system.
The effect of infraspinatus disruption on glenohumeral torque and superior migration of the humeral head: A biomechanical study

Rotator cuff ruptures that extend into the infraspinatus tendon may cause dysfunction and superior migration of the humerus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a threshold size of infraspinatus defect exists beyond which abduction torque generation decreases and superior migration of the humeral head increases. Glenohumeral abduction torque and superior humeral head translations were measured in hanging arms in neutral rotation in cadaver shoulders (n = 10). Loads were applied to the rotator cuff tendons and the middle deltoid. After sequential detachment of the infraspinatus, abduction torque progressively decreased. At three-fifths detachment, abduction torque was significantly lower than after supraspinatus release alone (52% vs 61%, P <.05). Superior translation after complete supraspinatus and infraspinatus detachment increased significantly (P <.05), but no intermediate threshold was detected. Therefore, the entire infraspinatus contributes to abduction torque generation and stabilizes the humeral head against superior subluxation. Even with a tear extending into the superior infraspinatus, the infraspinatus contributes abduction force generation across the glenohumeral joint.
The America COMPETES Acts: The Future of US Physical Science and Engineering Research?

Executive SummaryThe America COMPETES legislation, including the initial America COMPETES Act of 2007 (ACA 2007) and America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (ACA 2010), was one of the most prominent bipartisan legislative achievements of the past decade and was seen as having the potential to be the most notable science and innovation policy initiative of the new millennium. The aims of the COMPETES acts were to substantially increase the extent of federal funding for physical science and engineering research in the United States and to improve the country’s research infrastructure and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education capabilities in these areas. This paper contributes to early evaluation of the ACA by providing an overview of the history and goals of these acts and by tracking the subsequent federal funding and implementation of the associated ACA programs. The analysis documents that the tangible outputs of the acts are modest relative to the expectations expressed at the...
Altered early left ventricular diastolic cardiac function in the premature infant

Abstract Developmental changes in diastolic ventricular function were assessed in 31 premature infants and in 10 normal-term infants. They were studied during the first 72 hours of life using instantaneous rates of change of left ventricular (LV) cavity dimension, derived from M-mode echocardiography. Maximal velocity of lengthening of the LV cavity was significantly lower in premature infants (38 ± 7 mm/s) than in term infants (88 ±15 mm/s). This variable increased with increasing maturity over the 4 gestational age groups evaluated (r = 0.87). This index normalized for instantaneous LV dimension was lower in the most immature infants (4.5 ± 1 s −1 ) than in term infants (6.8 ± 2 s −1 ). Eight of the premature infants were studied serially at 1, 3 and 7 days of age. Maximal velocity of lengthening divided by stroke dimension improved from 12.9 ± 2 s −1 at 1 day of age to 16.5 ± 3 s −1 at 7 days. These results suggest depressed early diastolic function in premature infants.
Approaches to optimization/ simulation problems

Abstract In conducting a computer simulation, a scientist or engineer often has a criterion that the model should fit. This criterion can take the form of fitting experimental data or determining an extremum of a general optimization function. While such problems can be attacked via parameter sweep techniques, they can be dealt with more efficiently by using numerical optimization methods. We provide examples of such problems and discuss how optimization and simulation software can be combined efficiently and robustly. These examples are then summarized by seeking common features of the problems, and we conclude by considering directions for future work.
Establishment of rapidly proliferating rice cell suspension culture and its characterization by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis

A rapidly growing and fine-textured cell line, NB2P, was established from Japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare and characterized in this study. Addition of casein enzymatic hydrolysate (2 g/L) and pectinase (0.005%) to the suspension medium resulted in a 2-fold-increased rate of cell growth and reduced aggregation. Remarkably, the medium and conditions described here resulted in growth leading to a 9-fold increase in fresh weight 7 d after subculture. High-quality, well-dispersed nuclei were obtained from this NB2P cell culture. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of the isolated nuclei showed a clear separation of each cell cycle phase in both small- and large-scale preparations. On the basis of representative data from the nuclei fraction in the G1 phase, purity of the sorted and recovered nuclei was higher than 98%. The studies described here demonstrate that NB2P culture can be a powerful tool for studying many important plant processes, including DNA replication and cell cycle-related pathways.
Selective Hydrogenation of Benzonitrile by Alumina-Supported Ir–Pd Catalysts

The kinetics of liquid-phase hydrogenation of benzonitrile have been examined alumina supported Ir, Pd and Ir–Pd catalysts. Benzonitrile disappearance TOF is 10-fold higher for Pd catalyst than it is for Ir catalyst. Benzylamine is produced preferentially over Pd, whereas dibenzylamine is produced principally over Ir. Non-monotonic activity and selectivity relationships with bimetallic composition are obtained.
Workshop on applications of human error research to improve software engineering (WAHESE 2015)

Advances in the psychological understanding of the origins and manifestations of human error have led to tremendous reductions in errors in fields such as medicine, aviation, and nuclear power plants. This workshop is intended to foster a better understanding of software engineering errors and how a psychological perspective can reduce them, improving software quality and reducing maintenance costs. The workshop goal is to develop a body of knowledge that can advance our understanding of the psychological processes (of human reasoning, planning, and problem solving) and how they fail during the software development. Applying human error research to software quality improvement will provide insights to the cognitive aspects of software development. The workshop will include interactive sessions to discuss common themes of errors in different fields, and structure software error information to detect and prevent software errors during the development.
Why is effective treatment of asthma so difficult? An integrated systems biology hypothesis of asthma.

A hypothesis is presented that asthma is not only an airway disease, but that the disease involves the entire lung, and that the chronicity of asthma and asthma exacerbations can perhaps be explained if one considers asthma as a systemic disease. Increased lung—not only airway—vascularity may be the result of the action of angiogenesis factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). A bone-marrow lung axis can be postulated as one element of the systemic nature of the asthma syndrome, in which the inflamed lung emits chemotactic signals, which the bone marrow responds to by releasing cells that contribute to lung angiogenesis. A molecular model of the pathobiology of asthma can be built by connecting hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 alpha, VEGF S1P, and bone-marrow precursor cell mobilization and acknowledging that angiogenesis is part of the inflammatory response.
Histone Chaperone FACT Coordinates Nucleosome Interaction through Multiple Synergistic Binding Events

In eukaryotic cells, DNA maintenance requires ordered disassembly and re-assembly of chromatin templates. These processes are highly regulated and require extrinsic factors such as chromatin remodelers and histone chaperones. The histone chaperone FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) is a large heterodimeric complex with roles in transcription, replication, and repair. FACT promotes and subsequently restricts access to DNA as a result of dynamic nucleosome reorganization. However, until now, there lacked a truly quantitative assessment of the critical contacts mediating FACT function. Here, we demonstrate that FACT binds histones, DNA, and intact nucleosomes at nanomolar concentrations. We also determine roles for the histone tails in free histone and nucleosome binding by FACT. Furthermore, we propose that the conserved acidic C-terminal domain of the FACT subunit Spt16 actively displaces nucleosomal DNA to provide access to the histone octamer. Experiments with tri-nucleosome arrays indicate a possible mode for FACT binding within chromatin. Together, the data reveal that specific FACT subunits synchronize interactions with various target sites on individual nucleosomes to generate a high affinity binding event and promote reorganization.
Microkinetic Models of Catalytic Reactions on Nonuniform Surfaces: Application to Model and Real Systems†

Nonuniformity, the variation in heats of adsorption and kinetic parameters with changes in coverage or adsorption site, is present in many heterogeneous catalytic reaction systems. Unfortunately, there have been few investigations addressing the incorporation of nonuniformity into kinetic models of catalytic systems. The main reason for this disparity is the difficulty encountered in establishing a quantitative assessment of the effect of nonuniformity on reaction kinetics. Indeed, many systems in which nonuniformity is known to be present are well described by uniform kinetic models. To begin to get a better understanding of the effect nonuniformity has on reaction kinetics, both model and real systems in which nonuniformity is known to be present have been studied using microkinetic modeling. The model system was a simple condensation mechanism involving only one surface reaction. Two types of nonuniformity, adsorbate-adsorbate interactions and biographic heterogeneity, were incorporated into the kinetic parameters of the model, and two sets of nonuniform data were generated. Uniform models were fit to transient nonuniform data, and their accuracy was assessed. The uniform models were then used to predict steady-state reaction rates. While the uniform models performed fairly well in fitting the transient nonuniform data, they overpredicted steady-state reaction rates by roughly a factor of 20 regardless of the type of nonuniformity used to generate the data. The insights gained from the model system were used to model the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to methane and water (methanation). The nonuniform methanation model included adsorbate-adsorbate repulsive interactions and sites created by the adsorption of carbon monoxide upon which only hydrogen could adsorb. The nonuniform model did an excellent job of fitting and predicting transient methanation data. While it could not predict batch reactor methanation rates within an order of magnitude, it did capture the trends in rate with changing temperature and pressure which had eluded other microkinetic models of methanation reported in the literature.
Clinical phenotyping strategies in selection of tobacco smokers for future genotyping studies.

Abstract Various behavioral and chemical measures were studied as potential simplified phenotyping techniques in overnight abstinent tobacco smokers. Irrespective of the machine-rated nicotine delivery (yield) of the cigarette used, there was a statistically significant correlation between the number of cigarettes consumed per day and overnight abstinence plasma cotinine concentration (r=.88) and its calculated nicotine dose per day (r=.88). Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels correlated well with the number of cigarettes smoked (r=.83) and the Fagerstrom dependence scores (r=.85). The greater the Fagerstrom scores, the greater the daily cigarette consumption and plasma cotinine concentrations. After overnight abstinence, the baseline mean±S.D. heart rate was 62.9±10.0/min, the systolic blood pressure was 115.6±13.3 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure was 67.1±10.9 mm Hg. There were no statistically significant gender differences. Persons who were outliers on any measure are potential candidates for future genotyping studies. Preliminary guidelines of what is needed are described.
Influence of geologic Hazards on legislation in California

California has very slowly and perhaps even over-cautiously developed legislation that seeks first, recognition, and next, amelioration or prevention of “geologic hazards”. Early lessons came only through bitter experience. Failure of the San Francisquito dam in 1927 demonstrated the need for geologic evaluation of foundation conditions. Although California had experienced great earthquakes in 1857, 1872, and 1906, not until after the Long Beach earthquake of 1933 did the legislature pass the Field Act, requiring that all new school buildings embody aseismic design. Not until after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake were new hospital buildings included in similar legislation. In 1972, establishment of a Joint Committee on Seismic Safety has led to advanced planning and more sophisticated legislation — requiring, for example, that the State Geologist issue maps delineating active faults, and requiring geologic reports before any development in designated sections. Coincidentally, California has become the first state to require licensing of geologists under a State Registration Board of geologists. Thus California citizens and their legislator have reached a point where they are anticipating geologic hazards, rather than waiting for disaster to bring response. Knowledge of California experience mayallow other states to circumvent learning “the hard way”.
Application of surfactant solutions and colloidal gas aphron suspensions in flushing naphthalene from a contaminated soil matrix

Abstract The applicability of conventional surfactant solutions and colloidal gas aphron (CGA) suspensions to remove naphthalene from a contaminated soil matrix was investigated. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the relative suitability of nonionic, cationic and anionic surfactants in removing naphthalene from the soil. Nonionic surfactant was found to be more efficient than the ionic surfactants in removing napthalene from contaminated soil matrix in batch experiments and was selected for further flushing studies. The presence of surfactant reduced the volatilization of naphthalene. Micellar solubilization appears to be the primary mechanism of removal using both surfactant solutions and CGA suspensions. Increasing the concentration of the surfactant solution enhanced the percent removal of naphthalene. Using a CGA suspension as a flushing medium may result in channeling and pore clogging in the soil matrix, thereby affecting the overall efficiency of the process.
Oxidation of single-phase Pb-In alloys

The oxidation of several single-phase Pb-In alloys has been studied in air at room temperature using AES (Auger electron spectroscopy) combined with sputter-depth profiling. Alloy samples with indium composition between 3 and 64 at.% In, which were prepared using a microtome, were oxidized in air. The oxidation of alloys with low In contents was found to be the same as that of Pb-2.9 at.% Sn.1 Increasing the bulk composition of In increased the ratio of oxidized In to oxidized Pb in the oxide mixture, although Pb oxide was observed even on the surface of the oxide for samples up to 64 at.% In. The oxidation behavior of Pb-In alloys can be explained in terms of preferential oxidation of In due to its much greater affinity for oxygen than Pb.
Optimization of Cooled Shields in Insulations

A method to optimize the location, temperature, and heat dissipation rate of each cooled shield inside an insulation layer was developed. The method is based on the minimization of the entropy production rate which is proportional to the heat leak across the insulation. It is shown that the maximum number of shields to be used in most practical applications is three. However, cooled shields are useful only at low values of the overall, cold wall to hot wall absolute temperature ratio. The performance of the insulation system is relatively insensitive to deviations from the optimum values of the temperature and location of the cooling shields. Design curves for rapid estimates of the locations and temperatures of cooling shields in various types of insulations, and an equation for calculating the cooling loads for the shields are presented.
The Effect of Temperature on First Feeding, Growth, and Survival of Larval Witch Flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus has recently been identified as a candidate species for aquaculture in the northeastern United States and the Canadian Atlantic Provinces. This study investigated the optimal temperatures for witch flounder larval first feeding and for long term larval culture from hatching through metamorphosis. Maximum first feeding occurred between 15.0 and 16.2 C. Larvae did not survive beyond first feeding when reared at mean temperatures of 5.1, 10.4, or 19.5 C and were unable to initiate feeding at mean rearing temperatures below 6.0 C. At a rearing temperature of 15.0 C in 16-L tanks, mean larval survival to 60 days post hatch (dph) was 14.1%. Mean overall length-specific growth rate for larvae reared to 60 dph at 15.0 C was 3.5%/d and mean absolute growth was 0.62 mm/d. Subsequent larval growth at 15.6 C began to taper off towards 70 dph at the onset of weaning which overlapped with larval metamorphosis. Growth plateaued at 85 dph, followed by a rebound between 90 and 95 dph. Survival was 100% when weaning onto a dry, pelleted diet was initiated at 70 dph with a 10-d live diet co-feeding period. These results are favorable and encourage the further pursuit of commercial witch flounder culture.
2,2-Dimethylbutane adsorption and diffusion in MFI zeolite

Abstract Adsorption rates of 2,2-dimethylbutane (DMB) from the liquid phase into MFI zeolite crystals were measured by a volumetric/gravimetric method. Desorption rates in the presence of liquid n -hexane were measured by a non-adsorbing solvent (isooctane) method. Dimethylbutane desorbed, and was replaced by n -hexane, approximately three orders of magnitude faster than it adsorbed. Adsorption was slow and reached only 40% of saturation loading in 6-μm crystals after 45 days at 295 K, but this DMB loading desorbed into n -hexane in less than 1 h. Desorption may be faster due to slight expansion of the MFI unit cell by n -hexane adsorption. Although DMB diffused slower than n -hexane in MFI crystals, its transient time through a silicalite-1 membrane was an order of magnitude shorter than the n -hexane time at 313 K because DMB diffused through defects, whereas n -hexane diffused mainly through zeolite pores. The n -hexane transient time was longer because n -hexane: (1) expanded the MFI crystal size slightly and shrank non-zeolitic pores, and (2) adsorbed in the zeolite as it moved through the remaining non-zeolitic pores. A silicalite-1 membrane saturated with DMB at 423 K was sealed so effectively, and DMB desorbed slowly enough, that the helium permeation flux at 313 K was below the detection limit.
An empirical analysis of the macroeconomic effects of government debt: evidence from Canada

(1989). An empirical analysis of the macroeconomic effects of government debt: evidence from Canada. Applied Economics: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 113-124.
A Concept of Pumpless Convective Micro/Micro Channel Cooling Technology

The sustained drive for faster and smaller micro electronic devices has led to a considerable increase in power density. The ability to effectively pump and enhance heat transfer in micro/mini channels is of immense technological importance. The micro channel heat exchanger has great advantages for high heat flux applications due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. Unfortunately, the small dimension of the micro channel leads to a large pressure drop and low Reynolds flow, which is usually associated with the low heat transfer coefficient. Therefore, forced convection micro heat exchangers require advanced micro pumping and heat transfer enhancement technologies. Using oscillatory flow to enhance the convective heat transfer coefficients in micro/mini channels is one of many new concepts and methodologies that have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a novel and simple streaming-based micro/mini channel cooling technology. The phenomenon of the flow streaming are found in zero-mean velocity oscillating flows in a wide range of channel geometries. Although there is no mass flow (zero-mean velocity) passing through the channel, the discrepancy in velocity profiles between the forward flow and backward flow causes fluid particles near the walls to drift toward one end while fluid particles near the centerline drift to the other end. We hypothesize that the unique characteristics of flow streaming could be used to achieve the convective cooling. The advantages of the streaming based convective cooling technique includes enhanced heat transfer coefficient, pumpless, and cost-effective. Preliminary results of scaling analysis and computer simulations are presented to demonstrate the potential of the stream based technology for micro cooling applications.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Configuration management for highly customisable software

Customisable operating systems, database systems, and communication subsystems have demonstrated many advantages of customisation, including considerable performance improvements. One common approach for constructing customisable software is to implement it as a collection of modules that can be configured in different combinations to provide customised variants of the software. Typically, ad hoc methods are used to determine which modules may be combined. Such methods require intimate knowledge of the modules and their interactions or the configuration will not behave as expected. In this paper, we present a methodology that simplifies the difficult task of constructing correct custom variants of highly customisable software. The methodology is based on identifying relations between software modules that dictate which combinations are correct. We also introduce a configuration support tool that, based on these relations, allows only correct configurations to be created.
Resource Sharing and Prices

Cet article traite du probleme du prix dans le partage des ressources electroniques dans les bibliotheques universitaires. En effet, le role du prix pour l'information est souvent controverse autant entre les bibliotheques que pour les utilisateurs de la bibliotheque. L'identification des relations entre le prix et le cout du partage des ressources et le bien-etre des consommateurs est discute
Multicultural Training Intervention to Address American Indian Stereotypes

This article describes a multicultural training intervention that addresses American Indian stereotypes perpetuated through the use of American Indians and corresponding imagery as mascots by schools and athletic teams. With the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development's tripartite model of multicultural competence (awareness, knowledge, skills) as a framework, this intervention's description is organized into three components: perspective-taking to facilitate awareness of attitudes about Native-themed mascots, specific knowledge about race-based mascots, and social justice skills that can empower counselors to become advocates for change. This training intervention can help counseling programs provide enhanced multicultural competency training on issues salient to American Indian communities.
Mice immunized with a chlamydial extract have no increase in early protective immunity despite increased inflammation following genital infection by the mouse pneumonitis agent of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract We have determined that immunization with a detergent extract of the mouse pneumonitis agent of Chlamydia trachomatis fails to induce a protective inflammatory immune response following genital infection by C. trachomatis. We demonstrated that mice immunized with the detergent extract have increased cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity and increased splenic T-cell proliferation in response to the chlamydial extract. After genital infection by C. trachomatis, extract-sensitized mice had significantly increased genital inflammation (P = 0.044) compared with controls. The inflammation was characterized by significantly increased eosinophils in the genitalia (P < 0.0005) and increased genital edema (P < 0.0005). However, the increased genital inflammation of extract-sensitized mice provided no increase in protection against infection (P = 0.92).
A Frequency Diversity Technique for Interference Mitigation in Coexisting Bluetooth and WLAN

Co-channel interference has become an important problem with the increasing deployment of wireless networks in the unlicensed frequency band. Most existing schemes aim to avoid collisions on Bluetooth devices by modifying their hop sequences in the presence of WLAN interference. We propose a frequency diversity technique for Bluetooth, namely dual channel transmission (DCT), which reduces packet error rate (PER) due to co-channel interference when multiple bluetooth piconets coexist with or without WLAN interference. The idea of DCT is to transmit the same packet on two distinct frequency hopped channels simultaneously and the power used in each channel is half of what would be used in single channel transmission (SCT). Since a packet is successfully received if at least one channel survives, the PER is reduced when multiple bluetooth piconets coexist. Meanwhile, the two channels of DCT are separated by at least 22 MHz so that bluetooth is also robust to WLAN interference. Theoretic analysis and numerical simulations show that PER for bluetooth with DCT is significantly lower than that with SCT, when a small number of piconets coexist in the presence of WLAN interference. Comparisons to other collision avoidance mechanisms also demonstrate the effectiveness of DCT.
News That Sells: Media Competition and News Content

This paper explores the economic factors that influence news coverage and discusses the difficulties of determining the impact of news content on political outcomes. Evidence from the United States clearly shows how supply and demand concepts can be used to predict content in newspapers, television, and the Internet. To demonstrate how the concept of market-driven news extends beyond the US, I trace out hypotheses about how media content in many countries should vary depending on three factors in news markets: the motivations of media outlet owners, the technologies of information dissemination available, and the property rights that govern how information is created and conveyed. I offer three different types of analyses – the measurement of product differentiation, information search patterns, and consumption patterns – to show how these ideas about competition influencing content could be tested across countries. The paper briefly discusses the degree to which market competition affects content in three Asian countries (China, Thailand, and Japan) and concludes with a section on the difficulties of designing policies to improve the operation of media markets.
A 4-year prospective observational follow-up study of course and predictors of course in body dysmorphic disorder.

BackgroundThis report prospectively examines the 4-year course, and predictors of course, of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a common and often severe disorder. No prior studies have prospectively examined the course of BDD in individuals ascertained for BDD.MethodThe Longitudinal Interval Follow-Up Evaluation (LIFE) assessed weekly BDD symptoms and treatment received over 4 years for 166 broadly ascertained adults and adolescents with current BDD at intake. Kaplan–Meier life tables were constructed for time to remission and relapse. Full remission was defined as minimal or no BDD symptoms, and partial remission as less than full DSM-IV criteria, for at least 8 consecutive weeks. Full relapse and partial relapse were defined as meeting full BDD criteria for at least 2 consecutive weeks after attaining full or partial remission respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression examined predictors of remission and relapse.ResultsOver 4 years, the cumulative probability was 0.20 for full remission and 0.55 for full or partial remission from BDD. A lower likelihood of full or partial remission was predicted by more severe BDD symptoms at intake, longer lifetime duration of BDD, and being an adult. Among partially or fully remitted subjects, the cumulative probability was 0.42 for subsequent full relapse and 0.63 for subsequent full or partial relapse. More severe BDD at intake and earlier age at BDD onset predicted full or partial relapse. Eighty-eight percent of subjects received mental health treatment during the follow-up period.ConclusionsIn this observational study, BDD tended to be chronic. Several intake variables predicted greater chronicity of BDD.
Effect of major surgery on neutrophil chemotaxis and actin polymerization in neonates and children

The authors have examined the effect of major surgery in neonates and older children on neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis and on actin polymerization, an essential early step in PMN movement. Isolated PMNs from the following subjects were studied: healthy adult volunteers (n = 28), healthy newborns (n = 21), newborns undergoing major surgery (n = 7), and older infants and children undergoing major surgery (n = 14). Chemotaxis was measured by a micropore filter assay, and actin polymerization was measured by flow cytometry. Blood samples from surgical patients were obtained preoperatively, hourly during the procedure, immediately postoperatively, and 48 hours after surgery. Mean preoperative newborn PMN chemotaxis was similar to that of healthy newborn PMN, and mean preoperative PMN chemotaxis in children was similar to that of healthy adults. There were no significant alterations in PMN chemotaxis during or after major surgery in neonates or children. Peak PMN actin polymerization, after stimulation with formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (FMLP) (10 nm), was significantly diminished in healthy neonates compared with adults (P < .005). Preoperative surgical neonates had similar peak PMN actin polymerization levels to those of healthy newborns, and older preoperative children had similar levels to adults. PMN actin polymerization did not significantly change during or after major surgery. Despite reductions in PMN chemotaxis and actin polymerization in healthy neonates, there is no further impairment of these PMN functions during or after major surgery. Our data suggest that PMN chemotactic function is resistant to the stress of uncomplicated major surgery in neonates and children.
Oxidative renaturation of hen egg‐white lysozyme in polyethylene glycol–salt aqueous two‐phase systems

Aqueous two-phase systems have been widely used for the separation and concentration of proteins. In this work we investigated the possibility of using aqueous two-phase system for the renaturation of inclusion body proteins by studying the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG)–salt systems on the oxidative renaturation of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) with guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) present in the system. To accomplish phase separation at moderately low concentrations of polymer and salt, the total GdmCl concentration had to be kept low (<1 M). The unfolded protein exhibited very low solubility under these conditions. In an attempt to increase the solubility of the protein, temperatures of 40, 50, and 60°C were investigated. The effect of PEG molecular weight was also addressed. Best renaturation yields were obtained when using PEG 3400 and working at 50°C. However, the total protein concentration had to be kept at a low level of 0.2 mg/mL. Lowering the total GdmCl concentration in the system resulted in increased aggregation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 65: 437–446, 1999.
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Cancer Therapy: Is Too Much Ever Enough?

This issue of Cancer Discovery features an article that describes the use of whole-genome sequencing to discover an actionable genetic alteration that was not detected using a lower resolution diagnostic approach. This finding highlights the growing debate surrounding the optimal deployment of powerful new genomics technologies in the clinical oncology arena.