cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The PRM-A * Path Planning Algorithm For UUVs: An Application To Navy Mission Planning

This paper presents a novel path planning algorithm for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) that arises by combining two well-known algorithms in such a way as to exploit their respective advantages while mitigating their deficiencies. The two algorithms are A-star (A*) and Probabilistic Road Map (PRM). The operational environment is given as a portion of open sea interspersed with various obstacles. The free space is the portion not occupied by obstacles. A* employs heuristic search to explore the free space for a path from the start to the goal. This algorithm always returns the shortest (optimal cost) path. A drawback is that the path sometimes runs dangerously close to an obstacle. In addition, the computed path can have sharp turns that are difficult for the UUV to negotiate. PRM starts with a random sampling of the points in the free space. Once some predetermined number of such points are chosen, each point is paired with some of it's free space neighbors, and these pairs are recorded in what is called a road map. Then Dijkstra's algorithm is applied to the road map using nearest neighbor information to find a path from the start node to the goal. This has the advantage that the resulting path is smooth (no sharp turns) and stays safely away from the obstacles. It has the drawback that the path is not optimal; it can be much longer than necessary. The idea presented in this paper is to first run both A* and PRM on the given operational environment. Then take the region bounded by these two lines as a new (smaller) operational environment, and rerun PRM. This produces a new path that more closely approximates the A* path while at the same time is smooth and, with proper monitoring, is assured to keep a safe distance from the obstacles. This procedure can be repeated as many times as desired, each time producing a better approximation of the optimal A* path. While the focus here has been on UUVs, the same approach can be applied for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs),
“There’s No Way Abraham Lincoln Could Work at Google”: Fox News and the Politics of Breaking Up Big Tech:

This paper analyzes a corpus of segments from the Tucker Carlson Tonight program concerning “big tech” (focusing specifically on Google) and contextualizes this analysis within the political histor...
ConTreeDP: A consensus method of tumor trees based on maximum directed partition support problem

Phylogenetic inference has become a crucial tool for interpreting cancer genomic data, but continuing advances in our understanding of somatic mutability in cancer, genomic technologies for profiling it, and the scale of data available have created a persistent need for new algorithms able to deal with these challenges. One particular need has been for new forms of consensus tree algorithms, which present special challenges in the cancer space for dealing with heterogeneous data, short evolutionary time scales, and rapid mutation by a wide variety of somatic mutability mechanisms. We develop a new consensus tree method for clonal phylogenetics, ConTreeDP, based on a formulation of the Maximum Directed Partition Support Consensus Tree (MDPSCT) problem. We demonstrate theoretically and empirically that our approach can efficiently and accurately compute clonal consensus trees from cancer genomic data. Availability: https://github.com/CMUSchwartzLab/ConTreeDP
Process analysis of functional capacity assessment

Researchers and practitioners, as well as vendors, have placed much emphasis on what constitutes a functional capacity testing battery. Statistical, procedural, behavioral, technological, as well as legal issues surrounding this type of human performance evaluation are also continuously being addressed in the literature. In addition, several methods, batteries, equipment, and protocols have been developed for the purpose of evaluating what an injured person can or cannot do. It is a fact that 'testing' of individuals is but one component of an intricate process consisting of: identification of an evaluee, researching a market, referring the evaluee to a facility, evaluating a set of abilities, making inference about the evaluee's performance, reporting the findings, following up on the case, and possibly a legal involvement due to litigation. These components comprise the process of functional capacity testing. The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the various components of the process of quantitative testing of functional capacity. It is believed that each component of the FCA process is as important as the actual testing.
Childrearing and Developmental Trajectories: Positive Pathways, Off‐Ramps, and Dynamic Processes

Abstract— Although the developmental literature often mentions children’s trajectories, it has largely ignored the parent–child processes involved. This article presents a conceptual framework for investigating both parent and child roles. It theorizes that parents have 4 fundamental tasks: initiating trajectories, supporting development along trajectories, mediating children’s understanding of experiences, and reacting to child-initiated trajectories. Children’s roles include accepting or rejecting the pathways, engaging in them with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and initiating trajectories. The article discusses examples of cultural, familial, and relationship variables that influence trajectories. Effective parents initially guide their children’s trajectories in positive directions, although with development, guidance decreases in favor of the child’s increasing autonomy. This model helps to reveal some of the dynamic interactional processes that contribute to certain developmental outcomes.
2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylolcyclohexanol

2,2,6,6-Tetramethylolcyclohexanol product: 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylolcyclohexanol Keywords: addition, to CO; reduction, miscellaneous; filter aids
Classification of imaginary tasks from three channels of EEG by using an artificial neural network

We used an artificial neural network to recognize imaginary left or right hand movements from scalp recorded EEC signals. Subjects were asked to imagine moving their left or right hand when indicated by a visual cue. Three channels were used in the present study to test the feasibility of a practical brain computer interface system. C3, C4, and Fz were selected based on the fact that they showed distinct difference between power spectrum density (PSD) of imaginary left and right hand movements. The PSD features of the three channels were fed onto the artificial neural network and the output was left or right imaginary movement. Testing results in three subjects with 90 trials show an average success rate of 72.2%.
Vector analyzing power and cross section for the reactions 40Ar(d, p)41Ar and 40Ar(d, t)39Ar

Abstract Angular distributions of vector analyzing power and cross section for the reactions 40 Ar ( d , p ) 41 Ar and 40 Ar ( d , t ) 39 Ar have been measured at an incident deuteron energy of 14.83 MeV. The bound-state data in the (d, p) reaction and the (d, t) data are compared to DWBA calculations. The data for the neutron-unbound states are analyzed in the framework of the DWBA using (i) a form factor for weakly bound neutron and (ii) a resonance form factor, following the approach of Vincent and Fortune. The j-dependence of the (d, p) vector analyzing power permits definitive spin-parity assignments to be made for 19 neutron-bound and 4 neutron-unbound states in 41Ar with excitation energy up to 6.57 MeV. Tentative Jπ assignments have been made for 3 states. The l-value for the 5.62 MeV state has been determined. Data for the observed unbound states are found to be equally well reproduced by the type (i) calculations as by the type (ii) calculations. The (d, t) vector analyzing power data show definite j-dependence although not as strongly as in the (d, p) reaction. For relatively weakly excited states a pre-knowledge of the l-value of the transition is desirable for an unambiguous spin assignment. In general, the j-dependence in the (d, t) vector analyzing power can be utilized for definitive Jπ assignments. On this basis, Jπ values have been assigned for seven states in 39Ar with excitation energies up to 4.47 MeV excitation. Possible spin values for three other states are suggested. Spectroscopic factors for the states in 41Ar and 39Ar have been extracted and are in fair agreement with those obtained by other workers.
Accessibility Stable Analysis Pattern (Stable Pattern for Model Based Software Reuse)

The Accessibility Stable Analysis Pattern intends to describe the core knowledge behind the concept of Accessibility. Accessibility finds an extensive range of usages in various applications. The pattern also gives an excellent start to software developers, by defining the core knowledge of any accessibility problem. Any developer can build on, extend or reuse the pattern to model any specific application by involving the factor of Accessibility.
The role of structural facial asymmetry in asymmetry of peak facial expressions

Asymmetric facial expression is generally attributed to asymmetry in movement, but structural asymmetry in the face may also affect asymmetry of expression. Asymmetry in posed expressions was measured using image-based approaches in digitised sequences of facial expression in 55 individuals, N=16 men, N=39 women. Structural asymmetry (at neutral expression) was higher in men than women and accounted for .54, .62, and .66 of the variance in asymmetry at peak expression for joy, anger, and disgust expressions, respectively. Movement asymmetry (measured by change in pixel values over time) was found, but was unrelated to peak asymmetry in joy or anger expressions over the whole face and in facial subregions relevant to the expression. Movement asymmetry was negatively related to peak asymmetry in disgust expressions. Sidedness of movement asymmetry (defined as the ratio of summed movement on the left to movement on the right) was consistent across emotions within individuals. Sidedness was found only for joy...
Environmental Effects on Phosphorescence. VI. Matrix Site Effects for Triphenylene

The phosphorescence lifetime and spectra of triphenylene are studied in different matrices at 77°K and as a function of increasing pressure (0–30 kbar). The magnitude of the pressure shift of the spectra and the pressure coefficient of the lifetime depend upon the size of the molecules comprising the solvent cage. This difference in pressure response is attributed to the preponderance of repulsive interactions between highly symmetric triphenylene and smaller solvent molecules under pressure.
Homosynaptic and heterosynaptic changes in driving of dentate gyrus interneurons after brief tetanic stimulation in vivo.

This study addressed changes in interneuron driving in the dentate gyrus (DG) of urethane-anaesthetized rats in response to tetanic stimulation of the perforant path (PP) or the converging dentate commissural pathway (CP). Using an extracellular tungsten electrode, we recorded from putative interneurons in the DG that fired to stimulation of both the PP and the CP. Conditioning trains (400 Hz, 17.5 ms) were delivered to each pathway individually and to the two pathways together. The primary measure of synaptic drive was the latency of interneuron discharge. High-intensity PP tetany, CP tetany, and paired tetany consistently reduced firing latency to CP driving (P < .05 for all three), indicating an LTP-like increase in synaptic activation through the CP. High-intensity PP tetany decreased latency to PP driving in only two of seven cases. Heterosynaptic changes occurred frequently in individual experiments. Activity-mediated adjustments in synaptic driving of inhibitory interneurons could play a role in normal physiological function.
Update on Streptococcus pneumoniae associated hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Purpose of reviewStreptococcus pneumoniae associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (SpHUS) is defined by the occurrence of acute hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury in a patient with a S. pneumoniae infection. We review the pathophysiology, clinical course, treatment and prognosis
Investigating a new neuromodulation treatment for brain disorders using synchronized activation of multimodal pathways

Neuromodulation is an increasingly accepted treatment for neurological and psychiatric disorders but is limited by its invasiveness or its inability to target deep brain structures using noninvasive techniques. We propose a new concept called Multimodal Synchronization Therapy (mSync) for achieving targeted activation of the brain via noninvasive and precisely timed activation of auditory, visual, somatosensory, motor, cognitive, and limbic pathways. In this initial study in guinea pigs, we investigated mSync using combined activation of just the auditory and somatosensory pathways, which induced differential and timing dependent plasticity in neural firing within deep brain and cortical regions of the auditory system. Furthermore, by varying the location of somatosensory stimulation across the body, we increased or decreased spiking activity across different neurons. These encouraging results demonstrate the feasibility of systematically modulating the brain using mSync. Considering that hearing disorders such as tinnitus and hyperacusis have been linked to abnormal and hyperactive firing patterns within the auditory system, these results open up the possibility for using mSync to decrease this pathological activity by varying stimulation parameters. Incorporating multiple types of pathways beyond just auditory and somatosensory inputs and using other activation patterns may enable treatment of various brain disorders.
Effects of carbaryl on mouse organs of reproduction

Abstract A 5-day treatment period using varying doses of carbaryl (8.5, 17 or 34 mg/kg daily, po) failed to alter significantly the ability of the prostate gland to assimilate [1,2- 3 H]testosterone. Neither testicular nor sex accessory gland weights were affected by these regimens of carbaryl. A single oral dose of [ 14 C]carbaryl (24 μCi/kg equivalent to 0.9 mg/kg) led to detectable amounts of radioactivity in several organs of reproduction including the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and testes. Very low concentrations of labeled carbaryl and/or its radiometabolites were detected in the epididymal fat pads and in the seminal plasma.
Concentration Dependence of Variability in Growth Rates of Microtubules

Growth and shortening of microtubules in the course of their polymerization and depolymerization have previously been observed to occur at variable rates. To gain insight into the meaning of this prominent variability, we studied the way in which its magnitude depends on the growth rate of experimentally observed and computer-simulated microtubules. The dynamic properties of plus-ended microtubules nucleated by pieces of Chlamydomonas flagellar axonemes were observed in real time by video-enhanced differential interference contrast light microscopy at differing tubulin concentrations. By means of a Monte Carlo algorithm, populations of microtubules were simulated that had similar growth and dynamic properties to the experimentally observed microtubules. By comparison of the experimentally observed and computer-simulated populations of microtubules, we found that 1) individual microtubules displayed an intrinsic variability that did not change as the rate of growth for a population increased, and 2) the variability was approximately fivefold greater than predicted by a simple model of subunit addition and loss. The model used to simulate microtubule growth has no provision for incorporation of lattice defects of any type, nor sophisticated geometry of the growing end. Thus, these as well as uncontrolled experimental variables were eliminated as causes for the prominent variability.
A time for change: an exploration of attitudes toward part-time work in academia among women internists and their division chiefs.

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing numbers of clinicians desire part-time work, and many will opt out of academic medicine if the barriers to part-time work are too great.MethodPurposeful sampling was used to investigate the experiences of part-time academic physicians and their division leaders to unders
An experimental analysis of water leasing markets focusing on the agricultural sector

Abstract Climate variability, population growth and persistent droughts present water managers with challenges in allocating ever scarcer water resources. Water marketing intuitions that allow for the temporary transfer of water between water users can provide water managers and users with the ability to manage this challenge with minimal conflict. This paper develops a water market for temporary transfers for the Middle Rio Grande, NM as a test case to provide water managers and users with insight to a functioning market prior to implementation. Using the techniques of Experimental Economics the developed marketplace provides insights to two key questions: (1) does the value of water rights differ by the types of users engaging in the transaction, (2) how is economic welfare distributed amongst water users as a result of market transactions. The results of the experiments demonstrate that water values differ across trading partners and economic welfare gains as a result of market transactions are largest for capital crop farmers.
Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin displays a distinct dose/time toxicity threshold (c × t = k) and a life-prolonging subthreshold effect

Chronic toxicity of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD) including its carcinogenicity was studied in female Sprague-Dawley rats in lifetime experiments. Six single dose and three multiple dose rate experiments were conducted with a single dose corn oil control group and a multiple dose rate corn oil control group, respectively. The lowest dose (1.0 mg/kg) of HpCDD and multiple dose rates of corn oil (4.0 ml/kg every other week) both prolonged the life of rats by about 2 months over that of single dose corn oil controls. Higher doses resulted in a predictable shortening of the life of rats after single dose administrations as well as after multiple dose rate administrations. The c x t = k paradigm previously validated for acute toxicity [Toxicol. Sci. 49 (1999) 102] was confirmed for chronic toxicity including carcinogenicity of HpCDD. The c x t = k product was independent of dosing regimen. Anemia and squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs were the earliest and most prevalent endpoints of toxicity. A dose of 2.1 mg/kg and 3.1 mg/kg of HpCDD caused 16.6% and 73.3% lung cancer, respectively. Liver cancer had a low prevalence and was a very late effect occurring only at doses lethal acutely for most rats in the three highest dosage groups. There was no correlation in the dose-dependence of non-malignant hepatic lesions and liver cancer.
The Origins of Nuclear Power: A Case of Institutional Conflict

This history of the first 16 years of civilian nuclear power in the United States reveals that government agencies (the Atomic Energy Commission and the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy) struggled to create the industry so that military nuclear capabilities would advance. I show why these agencies were intent on developing civilian nuclear power, why utilities were reluctant to invest in nuclear power, and why the utilities eventually relented to the government's demands. This evidence is inconsistent with previous explanations of nuclear development, and I propose an institutional perspective that more adequately accounts for the government's success in forcing utilities to participate in an unprofitable and uncertain venture.
Nephrolithiasis as a systemic disorder

Purpose of review Nephrolithiasis is a prominent public health issue. It imposes a substantial burden on human health and is a considerable financial expenditure for the nation. Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown a significant association between nephrolithiasis, obesity, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The review highlights many of those emerging studies and sheds light on the importance of our recognition of kidney stones as a systemic illness. Recent findings Several cross-sectional retrospective studies have investigated the relationship between kidney stones and the metabolic syndrome. The various silent features of the metabolic syndrome, including type 2 diabetes, increased BMI, hypertension and dyslipidemia, are becoming progressively more recognized and independently associated with an increased risk of kidney stone formation. Summary Our further understanding of the underlying mechanisms in the connection between nephrolithiasis and the metabolic syndrome will stimulate the development of more effective preventive and therapeutic measures.
Photoelectron diffraction imaging of a surface alloy

Abstract Photoelectron diffraction imaging (PDI) has been used to determine the surface structure of a surface alloy. Direct two-dimensional imaging of the surface plane has been achieved by Fourier transformation of experimental energy-dependent photoelectron diffraction (EDPD) data. This imaging method, based upon the Fourier transformation of diffraction oscillations with energy and a summation over angular contributions, can provide vectorial atomic positions with atomic resolution. A new rapid data collection mode is introduced and tested by comparison with previously developed modes of photoelectron diffraction. Surface structural sensitivity was confirmed by comparison with multiple-scattering simulations. The previously ambiguous surface geometry of c(2 × 2) Au Cu (001) has been determined, with clear, non-model-dependent discrimination of the surface alloy over the overlayer structure.
Toxicity of topical polyethylene glycol

Abstract An animal model was developed to study the potential toxicity resulting from repeated, topical applications of a polyethylene glycol-based antimicrobial cream. Applications of this cream to open wounds in rabbits produced the same syndrome observed in the burn patients treated with this agent. This syndrome was characterized by (1) elevated total calcium, (2) elevated osmolality gap, (3) high anion gap metabolic acidosis, and (4) renal failure. Ten of twelve treated animals died within one week of therapy. This syndrome appears to result from the absorption of polyethylene glycols and their metabolism to nephrotoxic compounds and to mono- and diacids. We propose that the increased serum osmolality reflects the absorption of glycols and their presence in the circulation, while the acidosis reflects the presence in plasma of mono- and diacid metabolites of the glycols. The diacid metabolities of low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycols are excellent calcium chelators and can account for the hypercalcemia. Finally, we suggest that polyethylene glycol metabolites produce renal destruction via mechanisms similar to those involved in the renal failure associated with ethylene glycol poisoning.
A comparison of surveillance methods for small incidence rates

A number of methods have been proposed for detecting an increase in the incidence rate of a rare health event, such as a congenital malformation. Among these are the sets method, two modifications of the sets method, and the CUSUM method based on the Poisson distribution. We consider the situation where data are observed as a sequence of Bernoulli trials and propose the Bernoulli CUSUM chart as a desirable method for the surveillance of rare health events. We compared the performance of the sets method and its modifications with that of the Bernoulli CUSUM chart under a wide variety of circumstances. Chart design parameters were chosen to satisfy a minimax criteria. We used the steady-state average run length to measure chart performance instead of the average run length (ARL), which was used in nearly all previous comparisons involving the sets method or its modifications. Except in a very few instances, we found that the Bernoulli CUSUM chart has better steady-state ARL performance than the sets method and its modifications for the extensive number of cases considered. Thus, we recommend the use of the Bernoulli CUSUM chart to monitor small incidence rates and provide practical advice for its implementation.
Chemically Enhanced Phytoextraction of Lead-Contaminated Soils

The effects of the combined application of soil fungicide (benomyl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on lead (Pb) phytoextraction by ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were examined. Twenty-five pots of Pb-contaminated soil (200 mg Pb kg−1) were seeded with ryegrass and randomly arranged into the following treatments: (1) Control, (2) benomyl, (3) EDTA, (4) benomyl and EDTA (B+E), and (5) benomyl followed by an application of EDTA 14 days later (B…E). Chemicals were applied when plants had reached maximum growth. Plants were analyzed for foliage Pb concentration using inductively coupled argon plasma (ICAP) spectrometry. The synergistic effects of the combined benomyl and EDTA application (treatments 4 and 5) were made evident by the significantly (p < 0.05) highest foliage Pb concentrations. However, the foliage dry biomass was significantly lowest for plants in treatments 4 and 5. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) and phytoextraction ratio (PR) were highest for plants in treatment 5 followed by plants in...
The rationale for the optimum efficiency of columns packed with new 1.9μm fully porous Titan-C18 particles-a detailed investigation of the intra-particle diffusivity.

Abstract In a previous report, it was reported that columns packed with fully porous 1.9 μm Titan-C 18 particles provided a minimum reduced plate height as small as 1.7 for the most retained compound (n-octanophenone) under RPLC conditions. These particles are characterized by a relatively narrow size distribution with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of only 10%. A column packed with classical 5 μm Symmetry-C 18 particles, used as a reference RPLC column, generated a minimum reduced plate height of 2.1 for the same retained compound. This work demonstrates that this was due to an unusually low intra-particle diffusivity across these particles, which leads to a small longitudinal diffusion coefficient along the column. The demonstration is based on the combination of accurate measurements of the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), inverse size exclusion chromatography (ISEC), peak parking (PP), and minor disturbance method (MDM) experiments. The experimental results show that the reduced eddy dispersion HETP term ( A = 0.8 for a reduced velocity of 5), the internal particle porosity ( ϵ p = 0.35), and the enrichment of acetonitrile in the pore volume (75% acetonitrile in the bulk, 85% inside the mesoporous volume) are identical on both the Titan-C 18 and Symmetry-C 18 columns. The difference between the internal structures of these two brands of RPLC-C 18 fully porous particles lies in the values of the internal obstruction factor γ p , which is 0.42 for the Symmetry-C 18 but only 0.26 for the Titan-C 18 particles. This is in part related to the diffusion hindrance due to the small average pore size of the Titan-C 18 particles, around 59 A versus 77 A for Symmetry-C 18 particles. A simple model of constriction along diffusion paths having the shape of a truncated cone suggests that the width of the pore size distribution (RSD of 30% and 20% for Titan-C 18 and Symmetry-C 18 particles) is mostly responsible for the difference in their obstruction factors.
Extrinsic Gettering Via the Controlled Introduction of Misfit Dislocations

As an alternative to existing gettering techniques, extrinsic gettering by misfit dislocations is described and gettering efficiency evaluated. Uniform arrays of misfit dislocations were generated at epitaxial Si interfaces by incorporation of 0.1–1% of Ge. The dislocations were shown to be confined to the interface by means of optical and electron microscopies. The misfit dislocations were used as extrinsic gettering sinks for metallic impurities deliberately introduced and diffused towards the dislocations. Transmission electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses showed the preferential precipitation of Cu and Au at the misfit dislocations.
Inflammatory Response to Implant Particulates in a Macrophage/Osteoblast Coculture Model

The purpose of this study was to further define the cellular response to titanium and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles in aseptic loosening, and to determine if the use of pamidronate may be effective in inhibiting bone resorption associated with this response. Macrophages and osteoblasts were cocultured to simulate the environment around an aseptically loose prosthesis. Macrophages were plated on the bottom of six well plates and osteoblasts were plated on culture dish inserts, and placed into the wells with the macrophages. Incubation of macrophages with PMMA in this system led to release of prostaglandin E (PGE2), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Incubation with titanium led to release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6. Exposure of calvaria to media from cells exposed to either PMMA or titanium led to release of calcium 45. Incubation of calvaria with pamidronate was able to inhibit release of calcium 45 associated with exposure to the macrophage/osteoblast/particle conditioned medium. Bone resorption at the interface between implant and bone is a consistent feature leading to loosening of orthopedic implants. By inhibiting bone resorption associated with the inflammatory response to implant particulates, pamidronate or other bisphosphonates may have clinical utility in the treatment or prevention or aseptic loosening.
Biotic and abiotic anaerobic transformations of trichloroethene and cis-1,2-dichloroethene in fractured sandstone.

A fractured sandstone aquifer at an industrial site in southern California is contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE) and cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) to depths in excess of 244 m. Field monitoring data suggest that TCE is undergoing reduction to cis-DCE and that additional attenuation is occurring. However, vinyl chloride (VC) and ethene have not been detected in significant amounts, so that if transformation is occurring, a process other than reductive dechlorination must be responsible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of biotic and abiotic transformation processes at this site for TCE, cis-DCE, and VC. Anaerobic microcosms were constructed with site groundwater and sandstone core samples. 14C-labeled compounds were used to detect transformation products (e.g., CO2 and soluble products) that are not readily identifiable by headspace analysis. The microcosms confirmed the occurrence of biotic reduction of TCE to cis-DCE, driven by electron donor in the groundwater and/or sa...
GPU-based flow simulation with detailed chemical kinetics

Abstract The current paper reports on the implementation of a numerical solver on the Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) to model reactive gas mixtures with detailed chemical kinetics. The solver incorporates high-order finite volume methods for solving the fluid dynamical equations coupled with stiff source terms. The chemical kinetics are solved implicitly via an operator-splitting method. We explored different approaches in implementing a fast kinetics solver on the GPU. The detail of the implementation is discussed in the paper. The solver is tested with two high-order shock capturing schemes: MP5 (Suresh and Huynh, 1997) [9] and ADERWENO (Titarev and Toro, 2005) [10] . Considering only the fluid dynamics calculation, the speed-up factors obtained are 30 for the MP5 scheme and 55 for ADERWENO scheme. For the fully-coupled solver, the performance gain depended on the size of the reaction mechanism. Two different examples of chemistry were explored. The first mechanism consisted of 9 species and 38 reactions, resulting in a speed-up factor up to 35. The second, larger mechanism, consisted of 36 species and 308 reactions, resulting in a speed-up factor of up to 40.
Quantum cosmology for hyperextended inflation

Abstract The wave function of the Universe is calculated for a cosmological model with a non-minimal coupling of the form ƒ(ϕ)R . In different limiting cases the resulting probability distributions of the initial states of the Universe are obtained and discussed.
Expression of hornet genes encoding venom allergen antigen 5 in insects

Antigen 5, also known as Dol m V, is a major allergen found in the venom of the baldfaced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata. We have inserted the f10 and f17 cDNAs, which encode hornet antigen 5 (HA5) forms 2 (Dol m; VB) and 3 (Dol m VA), respectively, into the genome of the baculovirus, AcMNPV, to produce the recombinant baculovirus gene expression vectors, vEV-HA5f10 and vEV-HA5f17. Insect cells infected with either vEV-HA5f10 or vEV-HA5f17 produce and secrete a novel protein with an electrophoretic mobility which is similar if not identical to authentic mature Dol m V. The gene products also react specifically with a polyclonal antiserum raised to Dol m VB as expected. Dol m V gene products were not acutely toxic when injected into insect larvae. However, infection of fifth instar larvae with vEV-HA5f17 resulted in premature melanization of the larvae and lower weight gain than infection with control virus. Thus, the Dol m V gene product has a subtle, possibly cytotoxic or biochemical effect on insects. The expression systems may prove useful in further structural and functional characterization of these proteins. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Computer simulation of strain energy effects vs surface and interface energy effects on grain growth in thin films

Abstract A computer simulation of grain growth in two dimensions has been used to model microstructural evolution in Ag (001)Ni thin films. Two orientation dependent driving forces have been included in the simulation: surface and interface energy and strain energy. Surface and interface energy and strain energy do not favor the growth of the same orientations and compete to determine the orientation and microstructure of the film. Growth of grains with (001) texture is favored in highly strained, relatively thick films, while growth of grains with (111) texture is favored by surface and interface energy minimization, especially in very thin films. When a film is constituted of only (001) and (111) grains, (001) texture can develop only if the yield stress of the (111) grains is sufficiently high to prevent yielding at early times. Experimental results confirm that (001) texture can develop in Ag (001)Ni films depending on the state of strain and film thickness.
Oh what a tangled web it weaves: BRCA1 and DNA decatenation.

Summary BRCA1 has significant roles in DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint control, and is important in the maintenance of genomic stability. Defects in these pathways likely underpin the cancer susceptibility of BRCA1 mutation carriers. Now, a new function for BRCA1 in DNA decatenation—removing the tangles introduced into chromosomes as a consequence of DNA replication—is suggested in a new paper by Lou et al. (2005) in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology . Ineffective DNA decatenation may lead to chromosome breakage and inappropriate repair, adding to the roll call of defects in BRCA1 mutant cells.
The role of molecular chaperonins in warm ischemia and reperfusion injury in the steatotic liver: A proteomic study

Background: The molecular basis of the increased susceptibility of steatotic livers to warm ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury during transplantation remains undefined. Animal model for warm I/R injury was induced in obese Zucker rats. Lean Zucker rats provided controls. Two dimensional differential gel electrophoresis was performed with liver protein extracts. Protein features with significant abundance ratios (p<0.01) between the two cohorts were selected and analyzed with HPLC/MS. Proteins were identified by Uniprot database. Interactive protein networks were generated using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and GRANITE software. Results: The relative abundance of 105 proteins was observed in warm I/R injury. Functional grouping revealed four categories of importance: molecular chaperones/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, metabolism, and cell structure. Hypoxia up-regulated 1, calcium binding protein 1, calreticulin, heat shock protein (HSP) 60, HSP-90, and protein disulfide isomerase 3 were chaperonins significantly (p<0.01) down-regulated and only one chaperonin, HSP-1was significantly upregulated in steatotic liver following I/R. Conclusion: Down-regulation of the chaperones identified in this analysis may contribute to the increased ER stress and, consequently, apoptosis and necrosis. This study provides an initial platform for future investigation of the role of chaperones and therapeutic targets for increasing the viability of steatotic liver allografts.
Der kleine Unterschied bei Moosen und Menschen

Quer durch das Pflanzenreich gibt es sogenannte diozische Spezies, bei denen Mannchen und Weibchen als getrennte Individuen auftreten, ganz wie bei Menschen. Eibe, Hanf, Weide, Ginkgo und Sauerampfer zahlen dazu — und auch das kleine Lebermoos Marchantia polymorpha. Eine molekulare Analyse seines Y-Chromosoms zeigt jetzt, dass sich bei Pflanzen die sex-spezifischen Chromosomen ganz ahnlich wie bei Tieren uber Vermehrung von besonderen wiederholten Sequenzen entwickelten.
Learning Receptive Fields for Pooling from Tensors of Feature Response

A new method for learning pooling receptive fields for recognition is presented. The method exploits the statistics of the 3D tensor of SIFT responses to an image. It is argued that the eigentensors of this tensor contain the information necessary for learning class-specific pooling recep- tive fields. It is shown that this information can be extracted by a simple PCA analysis of a specific tensor flattening. A novel algorithm is then proposed for fitting box-like receptive fields to the eigenimages extracted from a collection of images. The resulting receptive fields can be combined with any of the recently popular coding strategies for image classification. This combination is experimentally shown to improve classification accuracy for both vector quantization and Fisher vector (FV) encodings. It is then shown that the combination of the FV encoding with the proposed receptive fields has state-of-the-art performance for both object recognition and scene classification. Finally, when compared with previous attempts at learning receptive fields for pooling, the method is simpler and achieves better results.
Investigation of cryoprotectant toxicity to porcine embryos

The objective of this study was to examine the potential toxicity of sucrose (Experiment 1) and of various cryoprotectants (Experiment 2) to porcine preimplantation embryos. In Experiment 1, 65 embryos, ranging from compact morulae to hatched blastocysts, were allocated within donor female across 5 concentrations of sucrose (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0 M) to determine the highest concentration that would not inhibit subsequent embryo development. After a 48-h post-treatment culture period, the embryos were stained and cell nuclei were counted. The concentration of sucrose affected embryo development (P < 0.001) and embryo quality (P < 0.001). Embryos placed into 2.0 M sucrose exhibited poorer development and quality than embryos at the lower 4 concentrations, which were not different from one another. In Experiment 2, 182 embryos of the same developmental stages as in Experiment 1 were collected from 16 donors. Embryos were allotted within donor female to 2 of the 5 concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, or 50%) of each of 3 cryoprotectants (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol). After a 30-sec exposure to a cryoprotectant, the embryos were cultured and stained as in Experiment 1. As the concentration of an individual cryoprotectant increased beyond 30%, embryo development decreased. Embryos exposed to glycerol or propylene glycol exhibited poorer development than did embryos placed into ethylene glycol, especially at concentrations of 40% or higher.
Activation and induction of glycine N-methyltransferase by retinoids are tissue- and gender-specific

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a key protein in the liver that functions to regulate S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and the SAM/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio. Significant GNMT expression is also present in the kidney and pancreas. Inappropriate regulation of GNMT may have negative consequences on methyl group and folate metabolism. We have demonstrated that retinoid compounds significantly elevated hepatic GNMT activity and abundance (approximately 2-fold) in male rats. However, pancreatic GNMT activity and abundance were not altered by retinoid treatment. Likewise, retinoid administration was without effect on renal GNMT activity. Hepatic GNMT activity was also elevated in female rats treated with all-trans-retinoic acid, but to a lesser extent compared to males. Collectively, these results indicate that the modulation of methyl group metabolism by retinoids is tissue- and gender-specific, and may compromise the availability of methyl groups for SAM-dependent transmethylation reactions. In support of this, SAM-dependent synthesis of creatinine was significantly reduced 21% following all-trans-retinoic acid treatment.
Selective nuclear protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in subpopulations of human colonic carcinoma cells.

Abstract The nuclear protein and phosphoprotein profiles from 3 subpopulations of human colonic carcinoma cells which expressed different levels of neoplastic properties [1,3] were characterized by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The silver stained nuclear protein profiles were found to be remarkably similar among the subpopulations. However, 2 types of nuclear proteins were found to be selectively modified by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation reactions. The dephosphorylation of type I and the phosphorylation of type II nuclear proteins were found to be associated with the HCT 116a subpopulation which expressed a high level of neoplastic properties. Conversely, the phosphorylation of type I and the dephosphorylation of type II nuclear proteins were found to be associated with the HCT 116b subpopulation, which expressed a low level of neoplastic properties. The HCT 116 subpopulation, which expressed an intermediate level of neoplastic properties, was found to possess an intermediate phosphoprotein profile relative to that of the other two subpopulations. Selective modification of cellular proteins by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation reactions may be involved in the generation of tumor cell diversity and heterogeneity.
Temperature effects on hydrazine toxicity to bluegills

A description is given of the acute toxicity of hydrazine in the bluegill at 21/sup 0/C, 15/sup 0/C, and 10/sup 0/C. At each temperature four exposure conditions were used: static exposure of 1, 6, and 24 hours duration and a continuous-flow exposure of 96 hours duration. The toxicity of hydrazine over a range of water temperatures appears to depend inversely upon the length of exposure according to a constant LC50 x exposure duration relationship. Toxicity also increased as water temperature increased. (JMT)
Calibration of a Digital Image Correlation System

The use and results of the procedure published by Standardisation Project for Optical Techniques of Strain measurement (SPOTS) for a successful calibration of a digital image correlation (DIC) system are described. The details of the calibration specimen used are discussed together with procedure and criteria that must be met to achieve an acceptable calibration. The DIC system was evaluated over a strain range of 289 to 2110 μstrain, with a resulting calibration uncertainty ranging from 14 to 28.7 μstrain. The optical strain measurements were obtained from images taken directly from the bare metal surface, which had been prepared with grit paper, as opposed to generating a speckle pattern by painting the surface.
Process and equipment monitoring methodologies applied to sensor calibration monitoring

Traditionally, the calibration of safety critical nuclear instrumentation has been performed at each refueling cycle. However, many nuclear plants have moved toward condition-directed rather than time-directed calibration. This condition-directed calibration is accomplished through the use of on-line monitoring. On-line monitoring (OLM) uses an autoassociative empirical modeling architecture to assess instrument channel performance. An autoassociative architecture predicts a group of correct sensor values when supplied a group of sensor values that is usually corrupted with process and instrument noise, and could also contain faults such as sensor drift or complete failure. The Process and Equipment Monitoring (PEM) Toolbox, which was developed at The University of Tennessee, is a set of MATLAB based tools, which have been developed to support the design of process and equipment condition monitoring systems. Its purpose is to provide the necessary functionality so that different empirical modeling and uncertainty estimation methods may be investigated and compared. This paper discusses the purpose and architecture of the PEM Toolbox, as well as presenting an example application to power plant sensor calibration monitoring using actual plant data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unusual Features of Self-Peptide/MHC Binding by Autoimmune T Cell Receptors

Structural studies on T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for foreign antigens demonstrated a remarkably similar topology characterized by a central, diagonal TCR binding mode that maximizes interactions with the MHC bound peptide. However, three recent structures involving autoimmune TCRs demonstrated unusual interactions with self-peptide/MHC complexes. Two TCRs from multiple sclerosis patients bind with unconventional topologies, and both TCRs are shifted toward the peptide N terminus and the MHC class II β chain helix. A TCR from the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model binds in a conventional orientation, but the structure is unusual because the self-peptide only partially fills the binding site. For all three TCRs, interaction with the MHC bound self-peptide is suboptimal, and only two or three TCR loops contact the peptide. Optimal TCR binding modes confer a competitive advantage for antimicrobial T cells during an infection, whereas altered binding properties may permit survival of a subset of autoreactive T cells during thymic selection.
Cooperative adsorption on solid surfaces

Adsorptions are commonly of monolayer coverage of adsorbate molecules on adsorbent sites, in particular for chemisorptions, where Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation and kinetics are adequate. The Langmuir adsorption is termed ideal adsorption as the surface active centers are uniformly distributed, the molecules are of point-sizes and the interactions between adsorbate molecules and the adsorbent are uniform. However, there are more cases where Langmuir adsorption isotherm and/or kinetics are inadequate in describing the adsorption behavior. Apparent multilayer adsorption has been shown to be descriptive of both physisorptions and chemisorptions as a means of idealization to nonideal adsorptions. The deviation of adsorption isotherm and/or kinetics from (ideal) Langmuir adsorption is due to cooperative adsorption, or interactions between adsorbates or between adsorbate and adsorbent caused deviation from "uniform" interactions. The multi-layer or apparent multilayer behavior of adsorption is an excellent model to describe cooperative adsorption. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms have been derived for adsorptions without differentiating the different types of adsorptions. The simplistic approach can explain majority of the adsorption isotherms and kinetic behaviors.