cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving Fluid Flow in Clarifiers Using a Highly Porous Media

The theory behind ideal sedimentation tanks assumes that the fluid moves in uniform flow. Numerous studies have shown numerous nonuniform flow patterns, which explains why the solids removal efficiency of real clarifiers does not match theory predictions. This problem gets worse when the influent flow rate exceeds what the clarifier was designed to handle. This research shows that introducing a highly porous bed of “dendrite” fibers into clarifiers designed for the pulp and paper industry removed some of the nonuniformities as shown in a residence time distribution (RTD). These clarifiers have RTDs that are similar to their waste treatment counterparts. So, it is expected that the new technology will have similar effects in waste treatment systems. The bed acts as a resistor to nonaxial flow, reducing radial and angular components of velocity. It is also shown that the greatest effect on the bulk flow patterns occurs when the bed is positioned such that all of the overflow passes through it. Increasing th...
Decentralized sliding mode control for flexible link robots

A technique using augmented sliding mode control for robust, real-time control of flexible multiple link robots is presented. For the purpose of controller design, the n-link, n-joint robot is subdivided into n single joint, single link subsystems. A sliding surface for each subsystem is specified so as to be globally, asymptotically stable. Each sliding surface contains rigid-body angular velocity, angular displacement and flexible body generalized velocities. The flexible body generalized accelerations are treated as disturbances during the controller design. This has the advantage of not requiring explicit equations for the flexible body motion. The result is n single input, single output controllers acting at the n joints of the robot, controlling rigid body angular displacement and providing damping for flexible body modes. Furthermore, the n controllers can be operated in parallel so that compute speed is independent of the number of links, affording real-time, robust, control.
Toy trains and history lessons: teaching your passion

Teaching well involves bringing a certain amount of enthusiasm into the classroom each time class begins. One way to accomplish this formidable task is to take those areas for which the instructor already has a great deal of passion and translate them into experiences and lessons that can be shared with students. This paper describes one way to translate the passion for something as eclectic as a personal hobby and using it as a teaching tool.
The libration of the Saturnian satellite Dione B

Previously published positions of Dione B are combined with new observations reported in this paper to determine its motion. The data are fit to the analytic solution of Erdi (1978) to derive the parameters of the libratory motion. The satellite oscillates about the leading equilateral libration point (L4) of Dione with a period of 785.0 + or - 0.5 days. The maximum separation in orbital longitude from Dione of 76.7 deg was reached on UT 1980 April 20.3 + or - 1 day; the minimum separation is 46.7 deg.
Nurse‐neonate relationships: The creation of symbolic interaction within a neonatal intensive care unit

After a brief introduction to the broad field of perinatology, a description of one neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is provided, focusing upon the microecology of the work setting, the language of NICU nursing and the “special nature” of the role of the NICU nurse within a new medical environment. The idea is advanced, based upon preliminary research data, that nurses within the environment so described construct symbolic selves for their tiny, premature, and sometimes critically ill patients and then interact with them on the basis of that construction. Through anthropomorphism and projection, the nurses engage in active attribution of symbolic characteristics to their charges. This unique type of symbolic interaction can impact the well‐being and recovery potential of the patients.
Spectral Classification of Stars in A Supplement to the Bright Star Catalogue

MK spectral types are given for about 584 stars in A Supplement to the Bright Star Catalogue. These are compared with Hipparcos parallaxes to check the reliability of those classifications. The estimated errors are ±1.2 subtypes, and 10% of the luminosity classes may be wrong.
Many-Body Interactions in Semiconductors Probed by Optical Two-Dimensional Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

We study many-body interactions between excitons in semiconductors by applying the powerful technique of optical two-dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy. A two-dimensional spectrum correlates the phase (frequency) evolution of the nonlinear polarization field during the initial evolution and the final detection period. A single two-dimensional spectrum can identify couplings between resonances, separate quantum mechanical pathways, and distinguish among microscopic many-body interactions.
Immunologic and virologic studies in the postpericardiotomy syndrome

A prospective, triple-blind study was undertaken to determine whether antiheart antibody or a rise in titer to a virus occurred in patients after intrapericardial surgery and, if so, whether either was related to clinical evidence of the postpericardiotomy syndrome. In 257 patients, AHA in high titer appeared in 62 (24%), all of whom had the syndrome. None of the 102 patients with no AHA had the syndrome. In 137 subjects, a rise in titer to one or more viral agents occurred in 21 of 31 (68%) of those with AHA and PPS. This study suggests that an immunologic response and viral illness are related to PPS.
Web Services Security: Challenges and Techniques

Web services based computing is currently an important driver for the software industry. While several standards bodies (such as W3C and OASIS) are laying the foundation for Web services security, several research problems must be solved to make secure Web services a reality. This paper describes techniques for Web services security and some of the challenges for the future.
A model‐derived storm time asymmetric ring current driven electric field description

[1] Low-latitude ionospheric and near-Earth magnetospheric electric fields are calculated from model results of the storm time asymmetric ring current. These fields are generated from subauroral field-aligned currents out of the ionosphere in the midnight sector and into the ionosphere on the dayside. The currents balance the divergence of the asymmetric ring current, which is the dominant component of the ring current during main phase and early recovery phase of magnetic storms. The basic shape of the electric potential pattern is described, both in the ionosphere and in the magnetosphere. It is found that intense ring current injection events can create potential differences up to 200 kV and can create local electric fields in the nightside magnetosphere >5 mV m−1. The magnitudes and locations of the most intense electric fields are quite consistent with observations of subauroral (ionospheric) and near-Earth (magnetospheric) electric fields during magnetic storms. In addition, a relationship between the magnitude of the low-latitude electric potential and the Dst* index is described. This relationship can be used to predict the location and size of strong low-latitude electric fields and currents. The presented electric field results are derived from model output, such that there is no feedback of the calculated fields back into the model.
Calcium-binding protein distributions and fiber connections of the nucleus accumbens in the pigeon (Columba livia).

Until recently, the exact location of the avian nucleus accumbens within the basal forebrain had not been well established (Reiner et al. [2004] J Comp Neurol 473:377–414). While a number of previous studies have shown afferents and efferents of the presumptive “nucleus accumbens,” detailed and accurate connection patterns of this newly recognized area are still lacking. We set out to clarify these connections using small, localized injections of cholera toxin subunit B and biotinylated dextran amine directly into the nucleus. In order to increase the accuracy of tracer injections into target sites, we first conducted a systematic comparison of three calcium-binding proteins, namely, parvalbumin, calretinin, and calbindin, to characterize the nucleus accumbens and ascertain its boundaries. The results showed that the avian and mammalian nucleus accumbens had remarkable hodological similarities, including the connections with the hippocampus, amygdala, ventral pallidum, lateral hypothalamus, and ventral tegmental area. However, the most significant aspect of the present study is that the avian nucleus accumbens had extensive reciprocal connections with medial pallial structures, the mammalian counterparts of which are unclear. Three implications of this finding are discussed. First, the avian medial pallium may correspond to part of the mammalian prefrontal cortex based on the connections with the nucleus accumbens. Second, the avian brain has a “limbic loop” involving the medial pallium, which also receives input from the avian equivalent of the mediodorsal thalamus. Third, the extensive connections between the accumbens and medial pallium just dorsal to it suggest a column-like organization of limbic-associated areas in the avian telencephalon. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1371–1394, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oil Recovery Increases by Low-Salinity Flooding: Minnelusa and Green River Formations

Waterflooding is by far the most widely used method in the world to increase oil recovery. Historically, little consideration has been given in reservoir engineering practice to the effect of injection brine composition on waterflood displacement efficiency or to the possibility of increased oil recovery through manipulation of the composition of the injected water. However, recent work has shown that oil recovery can be significantly increased by modifying the injection brine chemistry or by injecting diluted or low salinity brine. This paper reports on laboratory work done to increase the understanding of improved oil recovery by waterflooding with low salinity injection water. Porous media used in the studies included outcrop Berea sandstone (Ohio, U.S.A.) and reservoir cores from the Green River formation of the Uinta basin (Utah, U.S.A.). Crude oils used in the experimental protocols were taken from the Minnelusa formation of the Powder River basin (Wyoming, U.S.A.) and from the Green River formation, Monument Butte field in the Uinta basin. Laboratory corefloods using Berea sandstone, Minnelusa crude oil, and simulated Minnelusa formation water found a significant relationship between the temperature at which the oil- and water-saturated cores were aged and the oil recovery resulting from low salinity waterflooding. Lower aging temperatures resulted in very little to no additional oil recovery, while cores aged at higher temperatures resulted in significantly higher recoveries from dilute-water floods. Waterflood studies using reservoir cores and fluids from the Green River formation of the Monument Butte field also showed significantly higher oil recoveries from low salinity waterfloods with cores flooded with fresher water recovering 12.4% more oil on average than those flooded with undiluted formation brine.
Experiments with program parallelization using archetypes and stepwise refinement

Parallel programming continues to be difficult and errorprone, whether starting from specifications or from an existing sequential program. This paper presents (1) a methodology for parallelizing sequential applications and (2) experiments in applying the methodology. The methodology is based on the use of stepwise refinement together with what we call parallel programming archetypes (briefly, abstractions that capture common features of classes of programs), in which most of the work of parallelization is done using familiar sequential tools and techniques, and those parts of the process that cannot be addressed with sequential tools and techniques are addressed with formally-justified transformations. The experiments consist of applying the methodology to sequential application programs, and they provide evidence that the methodology produces correct and reasonably efficient programs at reasonable human-effort cost. Of particular interest is the fact that the aspect of the methodology that is most completely formally justified is the aspect that in practice was the most trouble-free.
Protection against α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced liver injury by decreased hepatic non-protein sulfhydryl content

Abstract α-Naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) injures bile duct epithelium and hepatic parenchymal cells in rats. It is commonly believed that ANIT must undergo bioactivation by hepatic, cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidases (MFO), since agents which are inducers or inhibitors of hepatic MFO activity enhance or attenuate, respectively, the liver injury associated with ANIT. Several of these agents also affect hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and/or GSH S -transferase activity in a manner to suggest a causal role for GSH in ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity. To determine whether GSH might be involved in the mechanism of injury, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), diethyl maleate (DEM), or phorone was used to reduce hepatic non-protein sulfhydryl (NPSH) content, an indicator of GSH content. Twenty-four hours after ANIT treatment, rats exhibited cholestasis and elevations in serum of total bilirubin concentration, total bile acid concentration, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and γ-glutamyltransferase activity. Cotreatment of rats with BSO decreased NPSH content by 70% at 24 hr and prevented the cholestasis and elevations in serum markers of liver injury caused by ANIT. Likewise, cotreatment of rats with DEM afforded protection against markers of liver injury. Phorone treatment attenuated ANIT-induced elevations in serum total bilirubin concentration and AST activity. Although BSO treatment afforded protection against ANIT-induced liver injury at 24 hr, the injury was evident at 48 hr, and it appeared to coincide with a return of hepatic NPSH content. These results suggest that GSH plays a causal or permissive role in the liver injury caused by ANIT.
Characterization of Families of Rank 3 Permutation Groups by the Subdegrees I

The conditions on N can be replaced by the assumption tha t N is at least 6 and the intersection number/~ has the value ( q § 1) 2. The cases N----4 and 5 are unsettled even under the assumption tha t /~ has this value. We number the main theorems of this sequences of papers consecutively, Theorems I and I I having appeared in [4]. Theorem I I I can be regarded as a linear analogue of Theorem I I , which in turn corresponds to the case q---1 of Theorem I I I . The subgroups of P F L N (q) transitive on the set of 4-simpliees in PN-1 (q) can be regarded as linear analogues of 4-fold transitive permutat ion groups of degTee N. I t does not appear to be known whether PSLN (q) is always the minimal such group. Since this paper was submitted, D. PE~R~ has proved tha t a subgroup of PTLN (q), q 9 2, which is transitive on the set of k-dimensional linear subvarieties of PN-I(q) for some/c, 2 ~ / c _< [2//2] 1, contains PSLN(q). This implies in particular tha t a subgroup of PI'LN(q), N _~ 6, q :~ 2, which has rank 3 on the set of lines
Benznidazole-induced ultrastructural and biochemical alterations in rat esophagus

Fil: Castro, Jose Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. GP. CITEFA - Centro de Investigaciones Toxicologicas (I); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina
Numerical solutions for the liquid-metal flow in a rotating cylinder with a weak transverse magnetic field

This paper treats the steady, three-dimensional, laminar flow of an electrically conducting liquid in a finite-length, insulating cylinder which rotates at a constant angular velocity about its axis. A steady, uniform, weak, transverse magnetic field produces a small deviation from a rigid-body rotation with the cylinder. This deviation consists of an axisymmetric flow, which is very similar to the classical Ekman flow for the spin-up of a cylinder, and a nonaxisymmetric flow. This paper presents numerical results for the nonaxisymmetric flow and for the ratio of the magnitude of the nonaxisymmetric flow to that of the axisymmetric flow for various values of the Reynolds number.
Responses to externally induced innovation: Their effects on organizational performance

Innovation may be externally induced; that is, an external threat or challenge such as the accident at the Three Mile Island (TMl) nuclear power plant sets the stage for outside parties such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to propose that new practices be adopted. Managers then must make choices about how their organizations will respond. This study shows how prior performance can affect organizational responses and how these responses in turn can affect subsequent performance. Vicious cycles are shown to exist in which poorly performing organizations respond with rule-bound behavior, a response which only perpetuates their poor performance. Better-performing organizations, on the other hand, retain their autonomy, a response which reinforces their strong performance.
Marine toxins from the Pacific—IV Pharmacology of ciguatoxin(s)☆

Abstract Ciguatoxin(s) in the methanol extract stage from Central Pacific fishes were derived by previously described methods. ld 50 Data in chickens and mice determined rat lethal doses for quantitative study of systems' responses. Impaired respiration occurred first, followed by cessation; hypotension occurred and later blood pressure returned to near normal; cardiac irregularities, viz. bradycardia and arrhythmias followed. Partial blockage of nerve-muscle response was observed. In animals given non-lethal extracts, slightly irregular respiration and transient hypotension were observed.
Calculation of radiation from argon shock layers

The accuracy of calculations of the radiation emissions from argon plasmas produced by the shock layers over blunt bodies is assessed. The existing theoretical and experimental spectroscopic data on argon are collated. A set of such data is selected for use in the radiative transfer calculations. Calculations are performed for the stagnation regions of the shock layers over laboratory-sized models using these data, and the results are compared with the existing experimental results obtained in a shock-tube. Through this comparison and a parametric study it is shown that radiative heat fluxes at the stagnation point in an argon environment can be calculated within an uncertainty of about 15%. It is shown also that radiative heat fluxes of the order of 100 kW/sq cm can be produced in the existing laboratory facilities.
New upper bounds for the greatest number of proper colorings of a (V,E)-graph

Let F denote the family of simple undirected graphs on υ verticles having e edges ((υ,e)-graphs) and P(G;λ) be the chromatic polynomial of a graph G. For the given integers υ, e, and λ, let f(υ,e,λ) denote the greatest number of proper colorings in λ or less colors that a (υ,e)-graph G can have, i.e. f(υ,e,λ)=max{P(G;λ): G∈F}. We determine some new upper bounds for f(υ,e,λ)
Exploring property-based document organization in a collaborative note-sharing system

This paper investigates the applicability of property-based document organization to NotePals, a collaborative note-sharing system [1,2]. The traditional hierarchical structure for organizing documents confines users to the file system's representation and prevents them from forming their own organization schemes, especially in a shared environment. We have designed and evaluated a low-fidelity prototype on a collaborative note-sharing system based on the idea of an organization system using document properties [3]. A user study confirmed the applicability of this concept to the task of managing notes.
Charles Wagley: his career, his work, his legacy

Charles Wagley's work, firmly in the Boasian tradition, reflects his association with and training by Franz Boas, but especially by Ruth Benedict and Ruth Bunzel. Wagley's career as an ethnographer began in the Guatemalan highland town of Santiago Chimaltenango in 1937. Soon thereafter, he turned from Guatemala to Brazil, where he did his first field research (1939-1940) among the Tapirape Indians. Wagley's Tapirape revisits culminated in his last book, "Welcome of tears: the Tapirape Indians of Central Brazil" (1977). Wagley's study of Gurupa began in 1948 and produced various editions of his popular book "Amazon town: a study of man in the Tropics". Wagley co-directed the Bahia State-Columbia University Community Study Project in 1951-1952, culminating in the edited book "Race and class in rural Brazil". Over time, Wagley focused increasingly on non-Indians, ranging from rural towns like Gurupa to Brazilian culture as a whole. Illustrating the latter, Wagley wrote two editions of "Introduction to Brazil", a culturally insightful text that examined unity and diversity in Brazilian culture and society. A man of careful scholarship and keen intellect, Chuck Wagley took great pride in the excellence of his teaching and writing; he also enjoyed sharing his knowledge and insights with a larger public
Tungsten bronze-type crystals grown in molten solutions of the pseudosystem KNbO3LiNbO3BaNb2O6

Abstract Electrooptic single crystals having a room temperature tetragonal tungsten bronze-type structure were grown from the pseudosystem KNbO3LiNbO3BaNb2O6 using covered platinum crucibles cooled at 2°C/hr. The largest and best quality crystals were grown from molten solutions with compositions approximately between K3Li2Nb5O15 and KBa2Nb5O15. The K3Li2Nb5O15 functions as a flux and the compositions of the grown crystals lie close to KBa2Nb5O15. These tungsten bronze-type crystals, which can be represented as KBa2Nb5O15 solid solutions with LiNbO3 and K3Li2Nb5O15, are not microtwinned and a large range of the bronze compositions phase match the Nd:YAG laser (1.06 μ) for second harmonic (0.53 μ) generation without double refraction above room temperature.
CSF‐1 and its receptor in breast carcinomas and neoplasms of the female reproductive tract

The expression and function of CSF-1 and its receptor were studied in tumors of the human breast, ovary, and endometrium. CSF-1 and its receptor, initially implicated as essential to normal monocyte development and trophoblastic implantation, have been more recently shown to be expressed by carcinomas of the breast and other epithelia of the female reproductive tract where activation of the receptor by ligand produced either by the tumor cells or by stromal elements stimulates tumor cell invasion by a urokinase-dependent mechanism. Breast carcinomas express wild-type CSF-1 receptors (CSF-1R) at levels comparable to those observed in trophoblast and monocytes. Ovarian and endometrial carcinomas express significantly lower levels of wild-type, functional CSF-1Rs, while ovarian carcinomas also express unusual transcripts that diverge from the wild-type CSF-1R transcript in their 5' extracellular domain sequences. Tumor cell expression of CSF-1R is under the control of several steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and progestins) and the binding of several bHLH transcription factors, while tumor cell expression of CSF-1 appears to be regulated by other hormones, some of which are involved in normal lactogenic differentiation. In addition, tumor cells often produce CSF-1 at such high levels that the cytokine spills into the extracellular fluid and circulation. Measurements of circulating levels of CSF-1 have proved useful in patients with ovarian, endometrial, and breast carcinoma both for disease detection and monitoring of response to therapy. CSF-1 and its receptor appear to be an important receptor/ligand pair in the biology of breast cancers and tumors of the female reproductive tract where they may regulate functions similar to those they control during macrophage activation and placental implantation.
How uncertainty consumes prediction

The problem of prediction of target location and the role that this problem plays in the design and evolution of a modern combat system is analyzed. Connected with this problem is the task of choosing one set of hypotheses from among many viable sets. The functional dependence of the ability to make a prediction is discussed with particular attention paid to efficiencies and deficiencies. A general principle is proposed that helps bound the prediction problem from a weapons system perspective. A technique due to Jaynes called the transformation group method is applied to understand some of the problems of prediction
Growth of Silicon Carbide Nanowires by a Microwave Heating-Assisted Physical Vapor Transport Process Using Group VIII Metal Catalysts

SiC nanowires are grown by a novel catalyst-assisted sublimation-sandwich method. This involves microwave heating-assisted physical vapor transport from a “source” 4H-SiC wafer to a closely positioned “substrate” 4H-SiC wafer. The “substrate wafer” is coated with a group VIII (Fe, Ni, Pd, Pt) metal catalyst film about 5 nm thick. The nanowire growth is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere, in the temperature range of 1650-1750 °C for 40 s durations. The nanowires grow by the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism facilitated by metal catalyst islands that form on the substrate wafer surface at the growth temperatures used in this work. The nanowires are 10-30 Im long. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and selected area electron diffraction analyses confirm the nanowires to crystallize with a cubic 3C structure of 3C-SiC. EBSD from the nanowire caps are indexed as Fe2Si, Ni3Si, Pd2Si, and PtSi phases for the nanowires grown using Fe, Ni, Pd, and Pt as the metal catalysts, respectively. The nanowires are found to grow along the 〈112〉 directions, as opposed to the commonly observed 〈111〉 directions. The micro-Raman spectra from single nanowires indicate regions with varying compressive strain in the nanowires and also show modes not arising from the Brillouin zone center, which may indicate the presence of defects in the nanowire.
Correlation properties of light produced by quasi-thermal sources

It is well known that narrow-band thermal light can be simulated by moving a ground-glass plate in front of a laser beam (a so-called quasi-thermal source). In this Letter, we show that, when time integration of intensity occurs, the spatial correlation of integrated intensity from a quasi-thermal source does not, in general, behave as it would for a real thermal source. In particular, time integration can increase the spatial coherence area.
Measurement of three-dimensional microstructure in a LiCoO2 positive electrode

In this work we elucidate the 3D microstructure of the LiCoO2 phase in a fresh commercial Li-ion battery positive electrode using a focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope. The particles have a highly irregular shape that includes significant internal cracking. These cracks provide a higher surface area for Li charge transfer, and they provide alternate pathways for Li transport within particles. In addition, the cracks would substantially alter the stress distributions within particles during Li-insertion and make the particles more susceptible to fracture. The particles were typically made up of multiple grains whose boundaries may also affect intraparticle Li-ion transport and fracture strength. While the particles do contact each other, the cross-sectional area of contact is quite small, emphasizing the importance of binder and conductive carbon for providing structural integrity to the electrode.
Cultural diversity and information and communication technology impacts on global virtual teams: An exploratory study

Modern organizations face many significant challenges because of turbulent environments and a competitive global economy. Among these challenges are the use of information and communication technology (ICT), a multicultural workforce, and organizational designs that involve global virtual teams. Ad hoc teams create both opportunities and challenges for organizations and many organizations are trying to understand how the virtual environment affects team effectiveness. Our exploratory study focused on the effects of cultural diversity and ICT on team effectiveness. Interviews with 41 team members from nine countries employed by a Fortune 500 corporation were analyzed. Results suggested that cultural diversity had a positive influence on decision-making and a negative influence on communication. ICT mitigated the negative impact on intercultural communication and supported the positive impact on decision-making. Effective technologies for intercultural communication included e-mail, teleconferencing combined with e-Meetings, and team rooms. Cultural diversity influenced selection of the communication media.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Mouse Gene with Homology to the Duffy-Antigen Receptor for Chemokines

The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) is a receptor for both CXC and CC chemokines. We have cloned a mouse gene with a predicted amino acid sequence homology of-63% to human DARC and localized this gene to mouse chromosome 1 between the Xmv41 and D1Mit166 loci. We further demonstrated that, like the human gene, the mouse gene exhibits a single intron of 462 bp which interrupts the open reading frame between the codons for the seventh and eighth amino acid residues. Northern blot analyses revealed that putative mDARC mRNA is highly expressed in adult mouse spleen and skeletal muscle and in whole embryos between embryonic days 8.5 to 12. Northern blot analysis of hemangiosarcomas which develop spontaneously in the spleen of the Eker rat reveal expression of mRNAs which hybridize with both DARC and CXCR2 probes, suggesting a potential role of these receptors in the angiogenesis associated with tumor formation.
A controlled trial of an environmental tobacco smoke reduction intervention in low-income children with asthma

Study objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a cotinine-feedback, behaviorally based education intervention in reducing environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and health-care utilization of children with asthma. Design: Randomized controlled trial of educational intervention vs usual care. Setting: The pediatric pulmonary service of a regional pediatric hospital. Participants: ETS-exposed, Medicaid/Medi-Cal-eligible, predominantly minority children who were 3 to 12 years old and who were seen for asthma in the hospital’s emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services departments (n 87). Intervention: Three nurse-led sessions employing behavior-changing strategies and basic asthma education and that incorporated repeated feedback on the child’s urinary cotinine level. Measurements: The primary measurements were the urinary cotinine/creatinine ratio (CCR) and the number of acute asthma medical visits. The secondary measurements were number of hospitalizations, smoking restrictions in home, amount smoked, reported exposures of children, and asthma control. Results: The intervention was associated with a significantly lower odds ratio (OR) for more than one acute asthma medical visit in the follow-up year, after adjusting for baseline visits (total visits, 87; OR, 0.32; p 0.03), and a comparably sized but nonsignificant OR for one or more hospitalization (OR, 0.34; p 0.14). The follow-up CCR measurement and the determination of whether smoking was prohibited inside the home strongly favored the intervention group (n 51) (mean difference in CCR adjusted for baseline, 0.38; p 0.26; n 51) (60; OR [for proportion of subjects prohibiting smoking], 0.24; p 0.11; n 60). Conclusions: This intervention significantly reduced asthma health-care utilization in ETSexposed, low-income, minority children. Effects sizes for urine cotinine and proportion prohibiting smoking were moderate to large but not statistically significant, possibly the result of reduced precision due to the loss of patients to active follow-up. Improving ETS reduction interventions and understanding their mechanism of action on asthma outcomes requires further controlled trials that measure ETS exposure and behavioral and disease outcomes concurrently. (CHEST 2001; 120:1709 –1722)
Twice-daily plasma exchange for patients with refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: the experience of the Oklahoma Registry, 1989 through 2006.

BACKGROUND: Twice-daily plasma exchange has been used for patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) who are unresponsive to treatment with daily plasma exchange for many years but with no clear evidence of effectiveness. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The 18 years’ experience of The Oklahoma TTP-HUS (hemolytic-uremic syndrome) Registry, 1989 through 2006, with twice-daily plasma exchange for 31 episodes of TTP in 28 patients is reported. A definite response to twice-daily plasma exchange was defined a priori as a platelet (PLT) count increase after twice-daily plasma exchange on two separate occasions during the treatment of a single episode of TTP, with no change of other treatments. A possible response was defined as a PLT count increase after initiation of twice-daily plasma exchange only once with or without change of other treatments. RESULTS: A definite response to twice-daily plasma exchange occurred in 3 episodes (three patients), 27 episodes had a possible response, and 1 episode had no response. The three patients with a definite response had ADAMTS13 activities of 5, 6, and 12 percent and all had an inhibitor; the patient with no response was subsequently determined to have Rocky Mountain spotted fever. CONCLUSION: Twice-daily plasma exchange was typically considered in acutely ill patients who had initially responded but then severe thrombocytopenia recurred, often with new neurologic abnormalities, while continuing daily plasma exchange. In three patients, twice-daily plasma exchange appeared to be beneficial. In most patients, a benefit of twice-daily plasma exchange could not be clearly documented because other treatments were initiated or intensified.
Gas6 enhances human oligodendrocyte viability and maturation

Oligodendrocyte development and survival occurs in response to signalling pathways activated by protein trophic factors. To identify novel factors that regulate human oligodendrocyte maturation/survival, we performed microarray analysis and identified genes expressed in moderate amounts in oligodendrocytes at 18–22 gestational weeks (gw). Among those characterized were the genes encoding the receptor tyrosine kinases, Axl and Mer. These receptors belong to the mammalian Axl/Mer/Rse receptor tyrosine kinase family and are developmentally regulated. The ligand for this family is the growth arrest-specific 6 gene product (Gas6). Gas6 stimulates growth and prevents apoptosis in a variety of cell types. Oligodendrocytes isolated from 20 to 23 gw human fetal spinal cord were grown for 6 days on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts engineered to stably express Gas6 or on unmodified 3T3 cells. Oligodendrocytes were identified by immunostaining for proteins expressed by mature oligodendrocytes, CNPaseI and MBP. An increase in the numbers of CNPaseI+ and MBP+ oligodendrocytes, and the extent of process branching and extension, was observed when grown on irradiated 3T3-cells secreting Gas6, but not on irradiated 3T3 cells. The effect of Gas6 was abolished in the presence of the Axl-Fc receptor, but remained unchanged in the presence of TrkA-Fc receptor. Our results suggest a role for the Gas6-Axl signalling in regulating oligodendrocyte viability and maturation.
MULTI-PHASE ROTARY CLOCK SYNCHRONIZATION OF LEVEL-SENSITIVE CIRCUITS

Resonant clocking technologies provide clock networks with improved frequency, jitter and power dissipation characteristics, however, often require novel automation routines. Resonant rotary clocking technology, for instance, entails multi-phase and nonzero clock skew operation and supports latch-based design. This paper studies the effects of multi-phase synchronization schemes on the minimum clock period for rotary-clock-synchronized circuits, which necessitate the application of clock skew scheduling and employ level-sensitive registers. In experimentation, single, dual, three- and four-phase clocking schemes generated by rotary clock synchronization are applied to a suite of level-sensitive-transformed ISCAS'89 benchmarks. Average clock period improvements of 30.3%, 24.8%, 17.7% and 12.0%, respectively, are observed on average compared to the flip-flop based, zero clock skew circuits. As the number of clock phases increases, smaller improvements are observed due to lesser overall effectiveness of the complementary effects of clock skew scheduling and time borrowing. It is shown, however, that for some circuits (23% of the benchmarks), multi-phase synchronization leads to significant performance benefits in operating frequency.
Inorganic Polyphosphate Is Required for Motility of Bacterial Pathogens

The ppk gene encodes polyphosphate kinase (PPK), the principal enzyme in many bacteria responsible for the synthesis of inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) from ATP. A null mutation in the ppk gene of six bacterial pathogens renders them greatly impaired in motility on semisolid agar plates; this defect can be corrected by the introduction of ppk gene in trans. In view of the fact that the motility of pathogens is essential to invade and establish systemic infections in host cells, this impairment in motility suggests a crucial and essential role of PPK or polyP in bacterial pathogenesis.
Open data kit sensors: mobile data collection with wired and wireless sensors

Sensing data is important to a variety of data collection and monitoring applications. This paper presents the ODK Sensors framework designed to simplify the process of integrating sensors into mobile data collection tasks for both programmers and data collectors. Current mobile platforms (e.g., smartphones, tablets) can connect to a variety of external sensors over wired (USB) and wireless (Bluetooth) channels. However, the proper implementation can be burdensome, especially when a single application needs to support a variety of sensors with different communication channels and data formats. Our goal is to provide a high level framework that allows for customization and flexibility of applications that interface with external sensors, and thus support a variety of information services that rely on sensordata. We use four application examples to highlight the range of usage models and the ease with which the applications can be developed.
Camptothecin analogs with enhanced activity against human breast cancer cells. II. Impact of the tumor pH gradient

Human breast tumors often exist in an acidic and hypoxic microenvironment, which can promote resistance to radiation and chemotherapies. A tumor-selective pH gradient arises in these tumors which favors uptake and retention of drugs like camptothecin that are weak acids. We evaluated the effect of alkyl substitutions at the 7 position in seven CPTs with varying groups at the 10 position on modulation by acidic extracellular pH in three human breast cancer cell lines. Growth inhibition was assessed by propidium iodide staining of nucleic acids in human breast cancer cells cultured at either extracellular pH 6.8 or 7.4 that were (1) hormone-sensitive (MCF-7/wt), (2) hormone insensitive (MDA-MB-231), or (3) alkylator-resistant (MCF-7/4-hc). Over 10-fold pH modulation was observed in 7-halomethyl analogs of methylenedioxy-CPT and in 7-alkyl analogs of 10-amino-CPT. Of 39 analogs tested, the overall pattern of activity across breast tumor cell lines was similar with some notable exceptions. For example, 7-propyl-10-amino-CPT was modulated 16- to 20-fold by acidic extracellular pH in the MCF-7 cell lines, but only 6-fold in MDA-MB-231 cells. One mechanism that can contribute to pH modulation is enhanced cellular drug uptake and retention. In MCF-7/wt cells, uptake of 10-amino-CPT increased 4-fold, while retention increased over 10-fold at acidic extracellular pH. In addition, gene expression analysis of MCF-7/wt cells indicated that expression of a number of genes changed under acidic culture conditions, including down-regulation of the CPT efflux protein pump breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). Interestingly, expression of topoisomerase I, the molecular target of CPT, was not affected by acidic growth conditions. These results highlight the importance of maintaining key features of tumor physiology in cell culture models used to study cancer biology and to discover and develop new anticancer drugs. While several substitutions at the 7 and 10 positions enhance potency, 7-halomethyl and 10-amino CPT analogs show selective activity at the acidic pH common to the microenvironment of most solid tumors.
Amylin-mediated inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle.

We examined the effects of amylin on 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (3-O-MG) transport in perfused rat hindlimb muscle under hyperinsulinemic (350 μU/ml, 2,100 pmol/l) conditions. Amylin at 100 nmol/l concen...
Endotracheal suctioning with or without instillation of isotonic sodium chloride solution in critically ill children.

• BACKGROUND Instillation of isotonic sodium chloride solution for endotracheal tube suctioning is controversial. Research has focused on the effect of such instillation in adults; no studies in children have been published. • OBJECTIVES (1) To describe differences in oxygen saturation depending on whether or not isotonic sodium chloride solution is instilled during suctioning and (2) to describe the rates of occlusion of endotracheal tubes and nosocomial pneumonia. • METHODS A convenience sample of 24 critically ill patients were enrolled before having suctioning and after informed consent had been given. Ages ranged from 10 weeks to 14 years. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 groups. In group 1, subjects received between 0.5 and 2.0 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution, depending on their age, once per suctioning episode. In group 2, subjects received no such solution. A total of 104 suctioning episodes were analyzed. Oxygen saturation was recorded at predetermined intervals before and for 10 minutes after suctioning. Occlusion of endotracheal tubes and rates of nosocomial pneumonia also were compared. • RESULTS Patients who had isotonic sodium chloride solution instilled experienced significantly greater oxygen desaturation 1 and 2 minutes after suctioning than did patients who did not. No occlusions of endotracheal tubes and no cases of nosocomial pneumonia occurred in either group.
Visualization of acoustic lens data

3-dimensional data visualization from any input source involves the study and understanding of several steps. These steps include data acquisition, signal processing, image processing and image generation. Using a forward-looking high frequency sonar system (which focuses sound much like the eye focuses light), standard and non-standard data processing algorithms, and industry "standard" visualization algorithms, this project produced accurate 3-dimensional representations of several underwater objects. >
Giveaway wireless sensors for large-group interaction

We have developed a small, handheld or wearable, wireless motion sensor that sends out a short RF pulse whenever it is jerked. The hardware is minimal, as it mainly includes only a piezoelectric foil accelerometer, a CMOS timer, and a single-transistor 300 MHz RF transmitter. As such, the onboard battery should last for many years, and the cost is low enough (well under US $1. in large quantity) to be given away with a ticket to an event, enabling it to be used to allow individuals to contribute to a large-group, real-time interaction. We discuss results from experiments using this device to explore collaborative music control, and touch on other applications.
A study of low-power ultra wideband radio transceiver architectures

The paper studies low-power ultra wideband (UWB) transceiver architectures. First, three different architectures for the impulse-radio UWB transceiver are studied, while investigating the power-performance tradeoffs. The paper illustrates that a more power-efficient architecture should perform part of the signal processing in the analog-domain. Next, the multiband UWB transceiver is studied and power-efficient circuits for the front-end of the UWB transceiver are presented. Finally, the performance and power consumption of these transceivers are compared and a number of design indications are provided.
Body fat regulation after partial lipectomy in Siberian hamsters is photoperiod dependent and fat pad specific

Siberian hamsters exhibit seasonal fluctuations in body weight (fat). Initial exposure to a short photoperiod results in body fat loss that reverses after approximately 22 wk of short-day exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Siberian hamsters are able to recover body fat after surgical reduction of total lipid stores and if so, whether this ability is photoperiod dependent and fat pad specific. Either the largest pair of internal fat pads, the epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) or one pair of two large external depots, the inguinal (IWAT) fat pads, were removed from male hamsters housed for 22 wk in a long (LD) or short (SD) photoperiod. Retroperitoneal fat pad (RWAT) mass was increased in LD EWAT- and IWAT-lipectomized hamsters. IWAT mass also was increased in the LD EWAT-lipectomized hamsters. Neither SD-lipectomized group compensated for body fat loss in any of the measured fat pads. Increased food intake was not necessary for total body fat recovery, but undereating partially may be responsible for the lack of recovery in SDs. The results of these experiments demonstrate a photoperiod-dependent ability of male Siberian hamsters to regulate total body fat after partial lipectomy. In addition, recovery involves a fat pad-specific compensatory response to partial lipectomy, rather than a general increase in lipid deposition in all fat depots.
Complications after craniosynostosis surgery: comparison of the 2012 Kids’ Inpatient Database and Pediatric NSQIP Database

OBJECT Research conducted using large administrative data sets has increased in recent decades, but reports on the fidelity and reliability of such data have been mixed. The goal of this project was to compare data from a large, administrative claims data set with a quality improvement registry in order to ascertain similarities and differences in content. METHODS Data on children younger than 12 months with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis who underwent surgery in 2012 were queried in both the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and the American College of Surgeons Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (Peds NSQIP). Data from published clinical craniosynostosis surgery series are reported for comparison. RESULTS Among patients younger than 12 months of age, a total of 1765 admissions were identified in KID and 391 in Peds NSQIP in 2012. Only nonsyndromic patients were included. The mean length of stay was 3.2 days in KID and 4 days in Peds NSQIP. The rates of cardiac events (0.5% in KID, 0.3% in Peds NSQIP, and 0.4%-2.2% in the literature), stroke/intracranial bleeds (0.4% in KID, 0.5% in Peds NSQIP, and 0.3%-1.2% in the literature), infection (0.2% in KID, 0.8% in Peds NSQIP, and 0%-8% in the literature), wound disruption (0.2% in KID, 0.5% in Peds NSQIP, 0%-4% in the literature), and seizures (0.7% in KID, 0.8% in Peds NSQIP, 0%-0.8% in the literature) were low and similar between the 2 data sets. The reported rates of blood transfusion (36% in KID, 64% in Peds NSQIP, and 1.7%-100% in the literature) varied between the 2 data sets. CONCLUSIONS Both the KID and Peds NSQIP databases provide large samples of surgical patients, with more cases reported in KID. The rates of complications studied were similar between the 2 data sets, with the exception of blood transfusion events where the retrospective chart review process of Peds NSQIP captured almost double the rate reported in KID.