cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serial concatenated single differential space-time coded OFDM system

In this article, we propose a serial concatenated single differential space-time (SDST) coded OFDM systems, in which blind SDST coding is serially concatenated with convolutional coding. The OFDM is incorporated for maintaining satisfactory performance in both time and frequency selective fading channels at low SNR. The encoding and iterative decoding processes are thoroughly studied and the improved performance is demonstrated via simulations.
Dynamic and Steady-State 3-D Thermal Design and Investigation of the Rotating Power Electronic IGBT Converter

This paper deals with a 3-D development of a thermal model of a power electronic converter mounted on the generator shaft and rotating with it. The dimensions of the heat sink are determined, and the temperature gradients of the converter, its heat sink, and shaft during natural and forced convection are analyzed for variable rotor speeds. It is shown that the chosen sizes of the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and the heat sink offer a compact design of the rotating converter, which is sufficient for its mounting in limited space offered by the generator shaft. Furthermore, a transient temperature profile is also presented. In addition, a transient thermal profile of the converter and dimensions of the cooling fan are also calculated. Besides, the analysis of the cooling requirements of the converter during over-currents due to grid faults is also investigated.
Time-Resolved Resonance Raman, Electron Spin Resonance, and ab Initio Molecular Orbital Study of the Structure and Proton Reactivity of 4-Carbamylpyridinyl Radicals†

Short-lived pyridinyl radicals (4-carbamylpyridinyl; neutral and cation forms) produced on one-electron reduction of isonicotinamide by eaq−, H• or (CH3)2C•OH in aqueous solution have been probed b...
On Travelling Backward in Time

In his recent article ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’, Hilary Putnam (1962, p. 668) remarks that “in the last few years I have been amused and irritated by the spate of articles proving that time travel is a ‘conceptual impossibility’.”
Federal standards for community registration of juvenile sex offenders: An evaluation of risk prediction and future implications.

The enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in 2006 is an extension of current protective legislation aimed at establishing stricter sanctions for community-released sexual offenders. What largely separates the Adam Walsh Act from previous registration and notification laws is the crossing of traditional jurisdictional boundaries between adult and juvenile courts at the federal level. This article addresses several key concerns relating to the application of these federal standards to adolescent offenders. In addition to a review of the extant literature, we present findings from an exploratory evaluation that examines the ability of the Adam Walsh Act’s classification system to predict future offending among a sample of 112 adjudicated juvenile sex offenders over a 2-year outcome period. Results indicate that offenders who met criteria for registration did not reoffend (sexually or nonsexually) at a significantly higher rate than those who did not meet registration criteria. Implications regarding appropriate risk assessment and management of youth sexual offenders are discussed.
Vasopressin release during ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with prostaglandin E2 in the dog.

In an attempt to determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can act centrally to affect the release of vasopressin (ADH), the ventriculo-cisternal system of anaesthetized dogs was perfused with PGE2. When PGE2 was perfused at a rate of 76-4 ng/min (0-19 ml/min), the plasma ADH concentration was unchanged. However, perfusion of PGE2 at a rate of 152-8 ng/min (0-19 ml/min) resulted in a significant increase in the plasma ADH concentration from the control value of 9-0 +/- 2-2 (S.E.M.) to 18-8 +/- 3-9 muu./ml at 10 min and to 41-0 +/- 16-7 muu./ml at 30 min after the start of the perfusion. There were no changes in arterial blood pressure, rectal temperature, plasma osmolality, and the plasma concentrations of sodium and potassium. In additional experiments, i.v. injection of indomethacin (2 or 20 mg/kg) decreased the plasma ADH concentration by approximately 50%. Although this finding is consistent with a role of PGE2 in the control of ADH release, it could also have been due to the observed increases in arterial blood pressure and effective left atrial pressure. Plasma renin activity was unchanged in the indomethacin experiments. It is concluded that PGE2 can act in the central nervous system to stimulate ADH release.
Synthesis of new phosphonate ester resins for adsorption of gold from alkaline cyanide solution

Resin ion-exchange technology is a possible alternative to well-established gold recovery processes of carbon adsorption and zinc-dust cementation. The search for a suitable resin for gold recovery from alkaline cyanide solution continues at several research centers. Recent discoveries involving alkyl phosphorus esters for selective gold solvent extraction from alkaline cyanide solution suggest that similar chemistry on a resin substrate might likewise be effective. In this regard, polystyrene-supported phosphonate ester-based resins were synthesized from the poly(styrene/divinylbenzene) copolymers. Gold adsorption/desorption characteristics were established for these resins with respect to functional group chemistry, pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Gold loading was found to be promoted at increased ionic strength with fair selectivity over various cyanoanions. Stripping was possible at higher temperatures and/or low ionic strength of the strip solution. Solvation extraction of an alkali cation/aurocyanide anion ion pair seems to explain the adsorption/desorption phenomena which are discussed in terms of the variables studied.
A Revisit of Fatigue Performance Based Welding Quality Criteria in Bridge Welding Provisions and Guidelines

Evaluation of workmanship is usually used as welding quality criteria in bridge welding provisions or guidelines. There is, however, no clear relation between workmanship and welding performance. In some cases, the welding quality criteria cannot guarantee actual performance, in particular for fatigue related issues. Existing acceptance criteria of steel bridge welding is summarized. Further discussion is made on the impacts of fatigue performance of a weld on welding quality criteria. The findings show that the fatigue performance based welding quality criteria have a potential to improve acceptance criteria in steel bridge welding.
Stimulus-induced bifurcations in discrete-time neural oscillators

Based on theoretical issues and neurobiological evidence, considerable interest has recently focused on dynamic computational elements in neural systems. Such elements respond to stimuli by altering their dynamical behavior rather than by changing a scalar output. In particular, neural oscillators capable of chaotic dynamics represent a potentially very rich substrate for complex spatiotemporal information processing. However, the response properties of such systems must be studied in detail before they can be used as computational elements in neural models. In this paper, we focus on the response of a very simple discrete-time neural oscillator model to a fixed input. We show that the oscillator responds to the stimulus through a fairly complex set of bifurcations, and shows critical switching between attractors. This information can be used to construct very sophisticated dynamic computational elements with well-understood response properties. Examples of such elements are presented in the paper. We end with a brief discussion of simple architectures for networks of dynamical elements, and the relevance of our results to neurobiological models.
Physiology of Bone Loss

The physiology of bone loss in aging women and men is largely explained by the effects of gonadal sex steroid deficiency on the skeleton. In women, estrogen deficiency is the main cause of early rapid postmenopausal bone loss, whereas hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency are thought to explain age-related bone loss later in life. Surprisingly, estrogen deficiency also plays a dominant role in the physiology of bone loss in aging men. Many other factors contribute to bone loss in aging women and men, including defective bone formation by aging osteoblasts, impairment of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis, reduced peak bone mass, age-associated sarcopenia, leptin secreted by adipocytes, serotonin secreted by the intestine, and a long list of sporadic secondary causes. Further elucidation of the relative importance of each of these factors will lead to improved preventive and therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis.
The benefits of the valuing culture debate, 2003–2011

In simple terms, the Valuing Culture debate is an argument between two concepts, both of which have a valid claim on the formation of cultural policy: Value for Money – and Money for Values. Value ...
Gene Expression in Skin, Muscle, and Dorsal Root Ganglion after Plantar Incision in the Rat

Background Treating postoperative pain remains a significant challenge for perioperative medicine. Recent studies have shown that nerve growth factor is upregulated and contributes to incisional pain. To date, few studies have examined expression of other neurotrophin-related mediators that may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of incisional pain.
Design and Biosynthesis of Elastin-like Artificial Extracellular Matrix Proteins Containing Periodically Spaced Fibronectin CS5 Domains

Synthetic polymers have attained a dominant position in materials science and technology largely on the basis of their excellent physical and mechanical properties. The more subtle chemical and biological properties of natural polymers, especially of the proteins and nucleic acids, have been difficult to capture in synthetic macromolecular materials, in part because these properties arise from microstructural features that cannot be controlled in statistical polymerization processes. We describe herein the use of artificial genes to direct the synthesis of polymers of precisely controlled architecture, in which biological function specifically, the capacity to support attachment of vascular endothelial cellsis the primary object of the design. A long-term objective of this work is the development of improved materials for the regeneration, replacement or repair of vascular tissue.
Chronic Stress Impairs Spatial Memory and Motivation for Reward Without Disrupting Motor Ability and Motivation to Explore

This study uses an operant, behavioral model to assess the daily changes in the decay rate of short-term memory, motivation, and motor ability in rats exposed to chronic restraint. Restraint decreased reward-related motivation by 50% without altering memory decay rate or motor ability. Moreover, chronic restraint impaired hippocampal-dependent spatial memory on the Y maze (4-hr delay) and produced CA3 dendritic retraction without altering hippocampal-independent maze navigation (1-min delay) or locomotion. Thus, mechanisms underlying motivation for food reward differ from those underlying Y maze exploration, and neurobiological substrates of spatial memory, such as the hippocampus, differ from those that underlie short-term memory. Chronic restraint produces functional, neuromorphological, and physiological alterations that parallel symptoms of depression in humans.
Science and politics: The 1981 and 1984 LIHEAP distribution formulas

Abstract The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal block grant program to help low-income households pay their heating and cooling bills. If the regular fiscal year LIHEAP appropriation is less than or equal to $1.975 billion, then a 1981 formula is applied to distribute funding across states, while if appropriations rise above the $1.975 billion threshold, a 1984 formula is applied in conjunction with two hold-harmless provisions. In 18 of the past 20 years, the 1981 formula has served as the default mechanism to distribute LIHEAP funding. The purpose of this paper is to call attention to the inadequacy of the 1981 formula and to explain why the objectives of LIHEAP are not met when this formula is used. We explain why the distribution of LIHEAP funds is not proportionate to the need for assistance and offer some suggestions for improvement. The 1981 formula is shown to be the outcome of a convoluted political process heavily biased in favor of cold-climate states, with cold-climate states receiving on-the-order of at least $150 million a year in allotment dollars beyond their “fair share” of heating requirements. The 1981 and 1984 distribution formulas are derived and a critical examination of each formula is presented. The 1984 formula is shown to be an ideal mechanism to distribute LIHEAP funds, based on a scientific and rational understanding of low-income energy needs, but legislative constraints prevent its application.
Comprehensive assessment of the true sepsis burden using electronic health record screening augmented by natural language processing

Interventional trials for sepsis have not shown an improvement in patient outcomes, often due to the lack of a diagnostic gold standard resulting in large heterogeneity of the patients enrolled. Electronic health record (EHR) screening tools have been applied to the sepsis population but limited to vital sign and laboratory data to identify target patients. Our objective was to describe an investigational database created through the application of a new EHR screening tool that applies natural language processing (NLP) analysis to clinical documentation to augment the identification of infection.
Theory of lattice strain in a material undergoing plastic deformation: Basic formulation and applications to a cubic crystal

Theory of lattice strain in a polycrystalline aggregate under deviatoric stress is extended to include the influence of ongoing plastic deformation. When deviatoric stress is applied to a polycrystalline material at high temperatures (or above the yield stress), applied macroscopic stress is redistributed to individual grains by plastic deformation according to their orientations with respect to the macroscopic stress and plastic anisotropy of a given crystal. This microstress causes elastic deformation of individual grains that can be measured by x-ray diffraction. Consequently, the observed lattice strain depends on two material properties, viscosity (plasticity) and elastic compliance as well as the applied macroscopic stress and the stress-strain distribution among various grains. The influence of plastic deformation on lattice strain is analyzed using an anisotropic and nonlinear power-law constitutive relationship. In this model, the dependence of inferred macroscopic stress on the crystallographic orientation of diffraction plane $(hkl)$ comes from elastic and plastic anisotropy of a crystal. In many materials, plastic anisotropy dominates over elastic anisotropy. This explains the observed large dependence of inferred stress on the diffraction plane and means that the determination of elastic anisotropy is difficult when plastic deformation occurs with anisotropic plasticity. When elastic anisotropy is known, plastic anisotropy of single crystal and/or stress-strain distribution in a deformed polycrystal can be determined from radial x-ray diffraction using the present model. Some examples are presented using the data on MgO.
Characterization and outcome of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis referred for percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Objective Many high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis are not referred for surgical aortic valve replacement. Although this patient population remains ill-defined, many of these patients are now being referred for percutaneous aortic valve replacement. We sought to define the characteristics and outcomes of patients referred for percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Methods Between February 2006 and March 2007, 92 patients were screened for percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement, percutaneous aortic valve replacement, balloon aortic valvuloplasty, or no intervention were compared. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Results Nineteen patients underwent successful surgical aortic valve replacement, 18 patients underwent percutaneous aortic valve replacement, and 36 patients had no intervention. Thirty patients underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty, and of these, 8 patients were bridged to percutaneous aortic valve replacement and 3 were bridged to surgical aortic valve replacement. Of the remaining 19 patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty, bridging to percutaneous aortic valve replacement could not be accomplished because of death (n = 9 [47%)], exclusion from the percutaneous aortic valve replacement protocol (n = 6 [32%]), and some patients improved after balloon aortic valvuloplasty and declined percutaneous aortic valve replacement (n = 4 [21%]). The most common reasons for no intervention included death while awaiting definitive treatment (n = 10 [28%]), patient uninterested in percutaneous aortic valve replacement (n = 10 [28%]), and questionable severity of symptoms or aortic stenosis (n = 9 [25%]). Patients not undergoing aortic valve replacement had higher mortality compared with those undergoing aortic valve replacement (44% vs 14%) over a mean duration of 220 days. Conclusion Symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis have high mortality if timely aortic valve replacement is not feasible. Twenty percent of the patients referred for percutaneous aortic valve replacement underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with good outcome. Patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty alone or no intervention had unfavorable outcomes.
Options for Combining Altered Fractionation with IMRT

We set out to investigate IMRT-based concomitant boost. Eight patients with stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with once daily with chemoradiotherapy at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital had their treatment plans reviewed with IRB approval. Each case was replanned for treatment with a a concomitant boost regimen. Plans delivered 1.9 Gy in 30 fractions to 57 Gy with a boost of 1.5 Gy in 10 fractions for a total dose of 72 Gy. The boost was planned with both IMRT and 3-D conformal, to compare the two techniques. For each patient, both plans (IMRT-IMRT and IMRT-3DCRT) were evaluated for target and avoidance coverage, monitor units and integral dose. Finally, we evaluated the plans for time to completion. The IMRT-IMRT and IMRT-3-DCRT techniques were equivalent for target coverage. 100% coverage of the GTV and PTV was achieved with 97% of the prescription dose. Hot spots were seen 104% to 108% with IMRT-IMRT plan and from 102–111% with the IMRT-3DCRT plans. The IMRT-I...
A microassay to quantitate collagen synthesis by cells in culture

Abstract A method to quantitate collagen synthesis, total protein synthesis, and DNA in 24-well culture plates is presented. Collagen-producing cells such as human intestinal smooth muscle cells and dermal fibroblasts were pulse-labeled with [3H]proline. After incubation, the plates were heated to 90°C to stop isotope incorporation and sonicated to lyse the cells and an aliquot was removed for DNA quantitation. Carrier protein was added, all protein was precipitated by trichloroacetic acid, and unbound isotope was removed by repeated precipitations. After incubation with purified bacterial collagenase, both the soluble 3H-labeled collagen-derived peptides and the remaining insoluble 3H-labeled noncollagen protein were quantified. Results were expressed as the amount of radioactivity incorporated into collagen and noncollagen protein per nanogram DNA and also as the percentage of collagen synthesis per total protein synthesized. The advantage of this technique over previous attempts to scale down the assay is that the entire assay for DNA, collagen, and noncollagen protein can be carried out in the same well without any transfer of material. This technique also provides a significant savings of culture medium, serum, growth factors, and cell material.
Influence of precipitate morphology on intermediate temperature creep properties of a nickel-base superalloy single crystal

The relative creep behavior of cuboidal (as-heat treated) and rafted (precrept at 1000 C) gamma-prime microstructures in the single-crystal Ni-based superalloy NASAIR 100 at 760 C was investigated using SEM and TEM examinations of materials at various stages of creep. It was found that, at high applied stresses, the crystals with cuboidal gamma-prime structure had both lower minimum creep rates and longer rupture lives than the crystals with lamellar gamma-prime. At lower stress levels, the initially cuboidal gamma-prime microstructure maintained a lower creep rate, but exhibited a similar rupture life compared to the prerafted crystals.
The hydrogen-oxygen reaction over the Pt(111) surface: Transient titration of adsorbed oxygen with hydrogen

Abstract The kinetics of the hydrogen-oxygen reaction have been characterized on a Pt(111) surface over the 300–450 K temperature range by titration of adsorbed atomic oxygen with hydrogen in the 1.3 × 10 −6 to 1.3 × 10 −7 Pa (10 −8 to 10 −9 Torr) pressure range. These experiments were performed in an apparatus equipped with Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and a multiplexed mass spectrometer used for titration and thermal desorption measurements. The hydrogen-oxygen reaction has been studied by monitoring the water formation rate as a function of time for various temperatures, hydrogen pressures, and initial adsorbed oxygen concentrations. Adsorbed atomic oxygen forms islands of ordered atomic oxygen with a (2 × 2) structure under the conditions used during these experiments. Hydrogen reacts rapidly with adsorbed atomic oxygen to form water above 300 K. Typically reaction probabilities per incident hydrogen molecule were as high as 0.5 over the temperature range studied. Isotope exchange experiments indicate statistical amounts of HDO are formed during titration of adsorbed oxygen with H 2 -D 2 mixtures. This isotope result coupled with low temperature spectroscopic studies (1) suggests that water formation proceeds via sequential addition of hydrogen first to adsorbed atomic oxygen, then to adsorbed hydroxyl to form the product water. Neither the concerted atomic hydrogen addition mechanism nor the H 2 (a) + O(a) → OH(a) + H(a) mechanism can be rigorously excluded, however, several observations suggest they are not major pathways. The titration data indicate that the reaction is basically first order in incident hydrogen over the full range of adsorbed oxygen concentrations. The water formation rate is not a unique function of oxygen coverage, but also depends on the initial surface oxygen concentration (the largest oxygen coverage attained before the reaction begins). This result demonstrates that all of the adsorbed atomic oxygen is not available for reaction. A simple reaction model is proposed based on the assumption that the island structure of the adsorbed atomic oxygen limits the availability of oxygen for reaction; this simple model rationalizes the qualitative features of the titration data obtained. The model suggests that the key parameters affecting the behavior of the water formation reaction are the size and shape of the oxygen islands and the availability of adsorbed atomic hydrogen in the reaction zone.
Cortical granule complements in human oocytes undergoing partial zona dissection

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of mechanical stimulation and sucrose treatment on the oocyte activation process. Fresh and aged human oocytes were exposed to sucrose and zonae were dissected with microneedles before fixation and quantitative analysis of cortical granules by transmission electron microscopy. Examination of the mean number of cortical granules/analyzed segment revealed no significant differences between control oocytes or oocytes treated with sucrose or sucrose treatment followed by zona dissection. A significant decline in the number of cortical granules/segment was observed for oocytes undergoing prolonged culture after dissection (P less than 0.05). Thus, zona dissection and sucrose exposure of freshly aspirated mature human oocytes do not result in classical oocyte activation.
Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of salts

The positive and negative fast atom bombrdment spectra of two groups of simple salts have been recorded. The structures of the major ionic species of eight chlorides and five, complex anion, sodium salts have been interpreted and tabulated.
Climate change alters growing season flux dynamics in mesic grasslands

Changing climate could affect the functioning of grassland ecosystems through variation in climate forcings and by altering the interactions of forcings with ecological processes. Both the short and long-term effects of changing forcings and ecosystem interactions are a critical part of future impacts to ecosystem ecology and hydrology. To explore these interactions and identify possible characteristics of climate change impacts to mesic grasslands, we employ a low-dimensional modeling framework to assess the IPCC A1B scenario projections for the Central Plains of the United States; forcings include increased precipitation variability, increased potential evaporation, and earlier growing season onset. These forcings are also evaluated by simulations of vegetation photosynthetic capacity to explore the seasonal characteristics of the vegetation carbon assimilation response for species at the Konza Prairie in North Central Kansas, USA. The climate change simulations show decreases in mean annual soil moisture and and carbon assimilation and increased variation in water and carbon fluxes during the growing season. Simulations of the vegetation response show increased variation at the species-level instead of at a larger class scale, with important heterogeneity in how individual species respond to climate forcings. Understanding the drivers and relationships behind these ecosystem responses is important for understanding the likely scale of climate change impacts and for exploring the mechanisms shaping growing season dynamics in grassland ecosystems.
Continuous wave phase-locked optical parametric oscillator as a tunable source for terahertz radiation

We describe the operation of a cw phase-locked doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator that is suitable as a tunable optical source for the generation of terahertz radiation. A highly stable cw optical parametric oscillator has been constructed with a tuning range of several THz in the signal- idler difference frequency. By phase locking this difference frequency to a microwave source, either directly or with the use of a terahertz optical frequency comb generator, the parametric oscillator serves as a precisely tunable difference-frequency source. In one experiment, we phase locked the parametric oscillator at a signal-idler difference frequency of 665 GHz. In a second experiment, we measured a signal-idler difference frequency of 1.45 THz with the use of a diode-pumped YAG laser.
Phosphodiesterases and cardiac cGMP: evolving roles and controversies

cGMP and its primary target kinase, protein kinase G (PKG), are well recognized modulators of cardiac function and the chronic stress response. Their enhancement appears to serve as a myocardial brake, reducing maladaptive hypertrophy, improving cell survival, signaling and mitochondrial function, protecting against ischemia/reperfusion injury, and blunting the stimulatory effects of catecholamines. Translation of these effects into a chronic treatment for patients with heart failure based on increasing the generation of cGMP has been difficult, however, with tolerance and hypotension effects occurring with nitrates and neutral responses to natriuretic peptides (at least B-type). Inhibition of cGMP-targeted phosphodiesterases (PDEs) such as PDE5A is an alternative approach that appears to have more potent effects. Recent studies in experimental models and patients are revealing benefits in heart failure syndromes, and ongoing multicenter trials are testing the efficacy of PDE5A inhibition. In this review we discuss recent research findings and controversies regarding the PDE/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, and suggest directions for further research.
Radiotherapeutic prophylaxis of estrogen-induced gynecomastia: A study of late sequela

Radiation therapy is an effective means of preventing the development of hormone-induced gynecomastia in men with cancer of the prostate. The efficacy and morbidity of this type of radiation was studied in a retrospective analysis of 87 patients referred for treatment from 1972 to 1982. Patients receiving DES as treatment for prostate carcinoma were treated with irradiation to the breast tissue. Patients were treated with 4 MV, 60Co superficial X rays. Doses range from 1200 to 1500 cGy in 3 fractions. The majority of patients had satisfactory results in terms of prevention of gynecomastia and mammalgia. There were few acute reactions noted and no evidence of long term sequela.
Mechanical, pyrolysis, and combustion characterization of briquetted coal fines with municipal solid waste plastic (MSW) binders

Abstract Significant ecological concerns and attractive financial opportunities are raised by growing deposits of waste coal fines in the United States. These fines can potentially be utilized by extrusion or roller press briquetting along with a binder to impart mechanical strength and water resistance to the briquettes. This research focuses on low density polyethylene (LDPE) as a binder, which is abundant in waste streams and possesses desirable energy, waterproofing, and binding characteristics. The goal of this study was to characterize a briquetted fuel made from waste coal and LDPE that may be an economic and ecologic viable substitute for conventional stoker coal. Thermal and mechanical analyses of the fuel were conducted using standard techniques including compression and attrition testing, bomb calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), and lab-scale combustion testing. The results of this work indicate that LDPE is an effective binding agent when incorporated at suitable concentrations and particle sizes. Addition of 10% LDPE increases the measured higher heating value of the coal from 21.9 MJ/kg to 24.3 MJ/kg and imparts water resistance to the compacted fuel. Differential scanning calorimetry of coal/LDPE mixtures indicates a significant interaction, consistent with prior research. Addition of LDPE in concentrations as low as 5% eases ignition of the fuel by significantly lowering the onset temperature of exothermic decomposition. Lab-scale combustion experimentation confirms that ignition characteristics of the parent coal are positively influenced by the addition of LDPE.
Pathology of lethal and sublethal exposure of fathead minnows, pimephales promelas, to cadmium: A model for aquatic toxicity assessment

Seventy‐six fathead minnows were exposed to 12 ppm cadmium for 96‐ h and examined histologically at 1‐wk intervals for 30 d. Thirteen fish (17.1%) died during the exposure period. Lesions associated with acute cadmium toxicity were epithelial necrosis of the skin, oral cavity, gills, olfactory organs, kidney, urinary bladder, ureters, gastrointestinal tract, and hemopoietic organ. The lesions were most severe in fish which died. Survivors had similar but less severe and less extensive lesions. Residual minimal to mild multifocal necrosis was observed In gastrointestinal, branchial epithelium and and hemopoietic tissue up to 29 d postexposure. Radiotracer studies in 50 fish using 115Cd demonstrated a rapid uptake and two phase elimination of cadmium by the fish. Rapid elimination of cadmium occurred within 7 wk and was correlated with lesions in the urinary epithelium. Slow phase elimination occurred for at least 3 wk and was correlated with persistant minimal necrosis in several tissues.
The Male Role and Heterosexual Behavior

The intent of this paper is to extract those elements of the traditional male sex role which have relevance for sexual behavior and to suggest how they influence adult male heterosexual behavior in contemporary Western society. Two important themes-the centrality of sexual behavior to male gender identity, and the relative isolation of sex from other aspects of male heterosocial relationships-are identified. Then a number of linkages between male sexual behaviors/attitudes and general facets of the male sex role are examined: (a) goals and success, (b) control and power, and (c) aggression and violence. It is argued that many of the influences emanating from a restrictive sex-typed socialization process are maladaptive, and specifically that recent shifts away from the traditional “sexual animal” stereotype toward a modern “competent lover” image are largely surface alterations, that both have their roots in the same learning process with similar pernicious effects.
Bayesian methods for multivariate modeling of pleiotropic SNP associations and genetic risk prediction.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous associations between genetic loci and individual phenotypes; however, relatively few GWAS have attempted to detect pleiotropic associations, in which loci are simultaneously associated with multiple distinct phenotypes. We show that pleiotropic associations can be directly modeled via the construction of simple Bayesian networks, and that these models can be applied to produce single or ensembles of Bayesian classifiers that leverage pleiotropy to improve genetic risk prediction. The proposed method includes two phases: (1) Bayesian model comparison, to identify SNPs associated with one or more traits; and (2) cross validation feature selection, in which a final set of SNPs is selected to optimize prediction. To demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the method, a total of 1600 case-control GWAS datasets with 2 dichotomous phenotypes were simulated under 16 scenarios, varying the association strengths of causal SNPs, the size of the discovery sets, the balance between cases and controls, and the number of pleiotropic causal SNPs. Across the 16 scenarios, prediction accuracy varied from 90% to 50%. In the 14 scenarios that included pleiotropically-associated SNPs, the pleiotropic model search and prediction methods consistently outperformed the naive model search and prediction. In the 2 scenarios in which there were no true pleiotropic SNPs, the differences between the pleiotropic and naive model searches were minimal.
External manifestations of trustworthiness in the interface

Introduction This article is about the kind of trust that is demonstrated in human face-to-face interaction, and approaches to and benefits of having our computer interfaces depend on these same manifestations of trustworthiness. In making technology that is actually trustworthy your morals can really be your only guide. But, assuming that you’re a good person, and have built a technology that does what it promises, or that represents people who do what they promise, then read on. We’re taking as a point of departure our earlier work on the effects of representing the computer as a human body. Here we are going to argue that interaction rituals among humans, such as greetings, small talk and conventional leavetakings, along with their manifestations in speech and in embodied conversational behaviors, can lead the users of technology to judge the technology as more reliable, competent and knowledgeable – to trust the technology more.
The effect of pH on the heat production and membrane resistance of Streptococcus bovis.

Non-growing cultures of Streptococcus bovis JB1 which were incubated in 2-[N-moropholino] ethane-sulfonic acid (MES)-phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and glucose (2 g/l) produced heat at a rate of 0.17 mW/mg protein, and this rate was proportional to the enthalpy change of the homolactic fermentation. Since the growth-independent heat production could be eliminated by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), an inhibitor of F1F0 ATPases, it appeared that virtually all of the energy was being used to counteract proton flux through the cell membrane. When the pH was decreased from 6.8 to 5.8, heat production and glucose consumption increased, the electrical potential (ΔΨ) declined, the chemical gradient of protons (ZΔpH) increased, and there was a small increase in total protonmotive force (Δp). Further decreases in pH (5.8 to 4.5) caused a marked decrease in heat production and glucose consumption even though there was only a small decline in membrane voltage. Based on the enthalpy of ATP (4 kcal or 16.8 kJ/mol), it appeared that 38% of the wattage was passing through the cell membrane. The relationship between membrane voltage and membrane wattage or glucose consumption was non-linear (non-ohmic), and it appeared that the resistance of the membrane to current flow was not constant. Based on the electrical formula, resistance = voltage2/wattage and resistance = voltage/amperage, there was a marked increase in membrane resistance when the pH was less than 6.0. The increase in membrane resistance at low pH allowed S. bovis to maintain its membrane potential and expend less energy when its ability to ferment glucose was impaired.
Sum capacity of 3-user deterministic interference channels with connectivity constraints

In this paper we derive the sum-capacity of 3-user linear deterministic interference channels (LDIC) under certain connectivity assumptions with symmetric parameters. The results also directly yield the sum-capacity of a 3-user fully-connected LDIC with symmetric parameters. We further illustrate with an example the potential difficulties in extending the results to asymmetric cases.
Examining the principles in principled conservatism: The role of responsibility stereotypes as cues for deservingness in racial policy decisions.

Why do educated conservatives oppose affirmative action? Those in the “principled conservatism” camp say opposition is based on principled judgments of fairness about the policies. Others, however, argue that opposition is based on racism. The present article offers an alternative perspective that may reconcile these contradictory points of view. In 2 studies, the authors show 2 major findings: (a) that conservatives oppose affirmative action more for Blacks than for other groups, in this case women, and (b) that the relationship between conservatism and affirmative action attitudes is mediated best by group-based stereotypes that offer deservingness information and not by other potential mediators like old-fashioned racism or the perceived threat that affirmative action poses to oneself. The authors conclude that educated conservatives are indeed principled in their opposition to affirmative action, but those principles are group based not policy based.
THE INDUCTION OF ATP ENERGIZED MITOCHONDRIAL VOLUME CHANGES BY SHOWDOMYCIN WHEN COMBINED WITH 4'8'-DIHYDROXY-1, 2, 5, 6-S.e-DIBENZ-9, 10-ANTHRAQUINONE, A METABOLITE OF THE CARCINOGENIC POLYNUCLEAR HYDROCARBON DIBENZ(A, H) ANTHRACENE

The hydroxy quinone DI-OH-DBAQ [4'8'-dihydroxy-l, 2, 5, 6-dibenz-9, 10-anthraquinone] was shown to be a metabolite of the carcinogenic polynuclear hydrocarbon DBA [dibenz(a, h)anthracene] in 1953 by Heidelberger, Hadler and Wolf. DI-OH-DBAQ induces an ATP energized mitochondrial volume change in combination with the nonmercurial thiol reagent, showdomycin, [an antibiotic and an antitumor agent]. The parent carcinogen DBA when combined with showdomycin does not induce an ATP energized mitochondrial volume change. An appropriate concentration of DI-OH-DBAQ inhibits the ATP energized mitochondrial volume change induced by gramicidin in the presence of the permeant ions potassium and malate. The further addition of showdomysin reinstates the effect of gramicidin. Thus DI-OH-DBAQ exposes the strategically located pivotal mitochondrial thiol group which occupies the position between the cycle which meshes with the respiratory chain and a cycle which meshes with ATP. In these in vitro studies DIOH- DBAQ bears the same relationship to DBA that N-hydroxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene bears to N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene an aromatic amide which is also a carcinogen. DI-OH-DBAQ is an uncoupling agent rather than a respiratory inhibitor as DI-OH-DBAQ stimulates mitochondrial respiration and induces the mitochondrial hydrolysis of adenosine-5'-triphosphate [ATPase activity]. These observations broaden the support for our hypothesis of oxidative phosphorylation (1961), the experimental confluence of oxidative phosphorylation with carcinogenesis and our unitary hypothesis for carcinogenesis (1971).
Is there a role of autoimmunity in implantation failure after in-vitro fertilization?

Purpose of reviewThe process of implantation involves the interaction of the human blastocyst and the uterine epithelium. Several autoimmune factors have been implicated to have an influence on implantation failure.Recent findingsRecent studies have investigated the role of autoimmune factors in imp
Spontaneous diaphragm rupture associated with vaginal delivery

Spontaneous rupture of the diaphragm associated with vaginal delivery is a rare occurrence, but has high rates of morbidity and mortality. Herein, we present a first uncomplicated case of spontaneous rupture of the diaphragm associated with vaginal delivery, which was treated successfully with surgery via a thoracotomy.
Organic water quality and other factors in poultry plant wastewater renovation and reuse

Abstract The organic water quality throughout a poultry processing wastewater treatment and renovation system, which included several points of chlorination, was investigated. The main classes of organic compounds which were identified were substituted phthalates and adipates and (methylated) fatty acids and their amide derivatives. Chloroform concentrations were lower than 8 μg l−1 throughout the renovation system. Total organic halide, total organic carbon and endotoxin concentrations in the final renovated water were slightly high when compared to typical levels occurring in finished waters from other systems. It was also determined that as treatment progressed, the contribution of compounds greater in molecular size than 400 Daltons to organic carbon content decreased. Based on these and previous results, it was concluded that there would not be an undue health risk if the renovated water would be recycled and reused for a trial period.
A Generalized System of Prognosis Curves to Facilitate Utilizing the Survival-Rate Criterion

This paper develops a method for representing prognosis data and determining victim survival rate as a function of victim category, time, and treatment. Such a determination allows the evaluation of a community's emergency care system using the criterion of patient survival rather than some secondary evaluation criterion used in the absence of prognosis data. Typical prognosis curves are developed that express the probability of death from a specific illness or injury as a function of time and care received. Finally, examples are provided that show the probabilistic relation of mortality to time under varying assumptions of treatment and victim category.
The nature of the onset of rheumatoid arthritis: a reassessment.

A total of 300 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary-care center and fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association criteria for definite-classical rheumatoid arthritis, (with a mean disease-duration of 10.3±9 years) were studied by structured interview and medical record review. The type of onset (rapid or insidious), type of joint involved (small, medium, large or combined joints) and pattern of joint involvement (monarticular, pauciarticular or polyarticular) at onset, and the interval between the first symptom and development of established disease were determined from the interview (based on the patient's memory). The onset was rapid in 46%. Initial involvement occurred in small joints in 31%, medium joints in 16%, large joints in 28% and combined sites in 25%. The pattern of joint involvement at onset was monarticular in 21%, pauciarticular in 44% and polyarticular in 35%. The time for disease to become established was less than 1 month in 25%, 1–6 months in 35%, 6–12 months in 14% and over 1 year in 26%. The monarticular pattern of onset was associated with slower development of established disease than the other patterns of joint involvement; polyarticular disease tended to be associated with polyarticular onset; involvement of large joints was associated with pauciarticular onset.
Serial sonographic evaluation of buckshot colic' following a penetrating gunshot wound

This paper demonstrates the findings of various radiologic imaging modalities in a case of shotgun injury to the kidney. This case is unusual because buckshot entered the renal collecting system, and subsequently passed through the urinary tract in the urine, causing “bullet colic.” References to such injury in the literature are discussed, along with role of each imaging modality in the initial and subsequent radiologic workup, with particular emphasis on the usefulness of ultrasonography in evaluation of this patient.
The Roles of Neutral Sphingomyelinases in Neurological Pathologies

The neutral sphingomyelinases (N-SMases) are a group of Mg2+-dependent enzymes with a pH optimum in the neutral range. N-SMases catalyze the conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramide and have been found particularly enriched in brain tissue. N-SMase activity has been implicated in many physiological and pathological processes affecting the brain and nervous system. In this review, we discuss the proposed functions of N-SMase with a particular emphasis on its role in neurological disorders, such as age-related neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV-associated dementia, atherosclerosis, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and cancer.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus bacteremia: an evaluation of treatment with linezolid or daptomycin.

BACKGROUND: Due to high rates of resistance and a limited number of efficacious antimicrobials for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), appropriate antibiotic selection is vital to treatment success. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical and microbiologic outcomes associated with the use of linezolid or daptomycin in the treatment of VRE bacteremia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of adult patients with VRE bacteremia between January 2004 and July 2009 was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in the United States. Clinical and microbiologic outcomes for both therapies were evaluated using multiple criteria. RESULTS: Of the 361 patients with VRE bacteremia identified, 201 were included in the study (linezolid group, n = 138; daptomycin group, n = 63). More patients in the daptomycin group had hematologic malignancies (33% vs 14%) or received liver transplants (13% vs 4%). There was no difference in clinical or microbiologic cure between the linezolid and daptomycin groups (74% vs 75% and 94% vs 94%, respectively). Recurrence was documented in 3% of linezolid patients vs 12% of daptomycin patients (P = 0.0321). Reinfection was noted in 1% of patients in the linezolid group vs 6% of patients in the daptomycin group (P not significant). The average length of stay (LOS) was 37 days for the linezolid group vs 40 days for the daptomycin group (P not significant). Overall mortality was 20%, occurring in 25/138 linezolid patients vs 15/63 daptomycin patients (P not significant). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in clinical or microbiologic cure rates, LOS, or mortality were identified between the groups. Various factors may have contributed to the significantly higher recurrence of VRE bacteremia in daptomycin patients. This study suggests that linezolid and daptomycin appear equally efficacious in the treatment of VRE bacteremia. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.