cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-performance lattice QCD for multi-core based parallel systems using a cache-friendly hybrid threaded-MPI approach

Lattice Quantum Chromo-dynamics (LQCD) is a computationally challenging problem that solves the discretized Dirac equation in the presence of an SU(3) gauge field. Its key operation is a matrix-vector product, known as the Dslash operator. We have developed a novel multicore architecture-friendly implementation of the Wilson-Dslash operator which delivers 75 Gflops (single-precision) on an Intel® Xeon® Processor X5680 achieving 60% computational efficiency for datasets that fit in the last-level cache. For datasets larger than the last-level cache, this performance drops to 50 Gflops. Our performance is 2–3X higher than a well-known implementation from the Chroma software suite when running on the same hardware platform. The novel implementation of LQCD reported in this paper is based on recently published the 3.5D spatial and 4.5D temporal tiling schemes. Both blocking schemes significantly reduce LQCD external memory bandwidth requirements, delivering a more compute-bound implementation. The performance advantage of our schemes will become more significant as the gap between compute flops and external memory bandwidth continues to grow. We demonstrate very good cluster-level scalability of our implementation: for a lattice of 323 × 256 sites, we achieve over 4 Tflops when strong-scaled to a 128 node system (1536 cores total). For the same lattice size, a full Conjugate Gradients Wilson-Dslash operator, achieves 2.95 Tflops.
The Western Ethical Tradition and the Morality of the Warrior

The author argues that Plate, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Machiavelli, Kant, and Nietzsche each contribute to the contemporary understanding of the warrior and his morality. However, none presents what we take to be a complete picture. Our views are a blend of classical and modem elements, and these views change and tend to emphasize various components of classical or modern theory depending on our level of optimism, or cynicism, with respect to the role of the United States in the world order. The article makes the case that by examining the Western ethical tradition as a whole, we will have a more comprehensive understanding of the potential virtues and vices of the warrior morality.
A meta-analysis of in vivo vertebrate cardiac performance: implications for cardiovascular support in the evolution of endothermy.

Endothermy in birds and mammals is associated with high body temperatures, and high rates of metabolism that are aerobically supported by elevated rates of cardiovascular O2 transport. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine cardiovascular data from ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates, at rest and during exercise, with the goal of identifying key variables that may have contributed to the role of the cardiovascular system in supporting high rates of O2 transport associated with endothermy. Vascular conductance, cardiac power and stroke work were summarized and calculated from a variety of studies at rest and during exercise for five classes of vertebrates where data were available. Conductance and cardiac power were linearly related to cardiac output from rest to exercise and also interspecifically. Exercise cardiac power and stroke work were greater in the endothermic species, owing to increased flow resulting from increased heart rate and increased pressure. Increased relative ventricle mass (RVM) was related to increased stroke volume in both groups. However, the increased RVM of endotherms was related to the increased pressure, as stroke work per gram of ventricle during exercise was equivalent between the groups. Cardiac power was linearly related to aerobic metabolic power, with 158 mW aerobic power output achieved per mW of cardiac power input. This analysis indicates that the greatly increased heart rate and cardiac stroke work leading to increased blood flow rate and blood pressure was necessary to support the metabolic requirements of endothermy.
Science, Technology, and Death in the Nuclear Age: Hans J. Morgenthau on Nuclear Ethics

Russell probes Morgenthau's realist ethics and the underpinnings of the nuclear threat in a technologically evolving modern world with increasingly obsolescent national boundaries. In the classic political question of a ‘just war,’ Russell argues that Morgenthau was concerned with dilemmas created by the very successes of science and the resulting decay of traditional Western thinking, where scientific reason was prevailing over social reason. Morgenthau's gloomy emphasis on “man's uncertain moral destiny in the nuclear era”-and, particularly, on the uniquely individualistic perceptions of scientific advancements at a time when nations seek collective security against the nuclear threat-highlights his confidence in the strong intellectual, moral and spiritual power of man. He is skeptical in the endurance of the morally disintegrating “scientific man.” Morgenthau analyzes man's new understanding of “life” and “death” and examines the new scientist, who creates “a new nature out of his knowledge of the forces of nature,” and the new statesman, who creates “a new society out of his knowledge of the nature of man.” Morgenthau sees politics as an art, not a science, and “what is required for its mastery is not the rationality of the engineer but the wisdom and moral strength of the statesman.”
Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) by 2-(2-amino-1-fluoro-propylidene)-cyclopentanecarbonitrile, a fluoroolefin containing peptidomimetic.

Abstract Novel, potent inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV, EC 3.4.14.5, CD26), containing the fluoroolefin peptide isostere ψ [CFC], have been prepared via the intermediacy of the Peterson fluoroolefination reaction. The nitrile containing inhibitors were found to inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV competitively with Ki values for the l-3 and u-3 inhibitors of 7.69 and 6.03 μM, respectively. In contrast to earlier reported fluoroolefin containing inhibitors, the nitriles underwent no detectable degradation at pH 7.6 under buffered conditions.
Coolness both underlies and protects against the painfulness of the thermal grill illusion

We investigated the contributions of warm and cool signals in generating the thermal grill illusion (TGI), a phenomenon in which interlaced warm and cool bars generate an experience of burning, and under some conditions painful, heat. Each subject underwent 3 runs, 2 of which tested the effects of preadapting subjects to the grill's warm or cool bars (while the interlaced bars were thermally neutral) on the subsequent intensity of the illusion. In a control run, all bars were neutral during the adaptation phase. Thermal visual analogue scale ratings during the warm and cool adaptation periods revealed significant and equivalent adaptation to the 2 temperatures. Adaptation to the grill's cool bars significantly reduced pain and perceived thermal intensity of the TGI, compared to the control condition, while adaptation to the grill's warm bars had little effect. These results suggest that the cool stimulus triggers the pain signals that produce the illusion. The inability of warm adaptation to attenuate the TGI is at odds with theories suggesting that the illusion depends upon a simple addition of warm and cool signals. While the grill's cool bars are necessary for the TGI's painfulness, we also observed that the more often a participant reported feeling coolness or coldness, the less pain he or she experienced from the TGI. These results are consistent with research showing that cool temperatures generate activity in both thermoreceptive-specific, pain-inhibitory neurons and nociceptive dorsal horn neurons.
Effect of a stable reference point upon judgements of horizon pitch displacement

Abstract This paper addresses the usefulness of a stable point within the observer's field of view while making judgements of target displacements that are of small amplitude and short duration, such as occur during radar observations and in flight. Forty-six observers made forced choice. paired comparison judgements of the maximal downward displacement of a one degree arc horizontal line moving at each of three constant velocities and three durations. The stimulus was initially imaged at the fovea with and without a fixation point. The data showed that providing a stabilized pitch reference symbol within a pilot's visual field is likely to result in improved horizon pitch displacement sensitivity as well as reduced error guess rate and increased confidence that the visual judgement was correct.
Towards predicting mobility and resolution in polymeric media: Some first steps

Particle size-dependent retardation ("molecular sieving") in electrophoresis can be achieved in polymer solutions or gels. In the semidilute concentration range of polymer solutions, mobility of "rigid, spherical" particles can be predicted from their size (in the size range less than 20 nm radius), the screening length specific for the particular polymer and a constant that can be experimentally determined for a polymer. That constant could be universal for all hydrophilic uncharged polymers. Band spreading in polymer solutions is constant over a range of particle sizes and polymer concentrations and increases beyond that range. Presumably, the critical division between the two ranges occurs when the diameter of the particle exceeds the screening length of the polymer network. Resolution, defined as separation divided by the sum of bandwidths, can thus be predicted for a limited particle size and polymer concentration range. In gels, resolution can be estimated from the slopes and free mobility intercepts of the Ferguson plot. However, the previous computation of resolution needs to be revised in view of the fact that band spreading in gels proceeds in proportion to time, presumably through interaction with the polymer, and not as a function of the square root of time as would be the case if band spreading resulted from diffusion.
Oxidation pathways of physostigmine

Abstract The important acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine, has been studied at carbon electrodes across a range of pH's. The redox chemistry is very complex, resulting in a number of pH dependent products which have been examined by liquid chromatography and optical spectroscopy. Bulk electrolysis (n-values) cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry were used to ascertain the rate and mechanisms of the principal pathways. Several products have been identified while others remain uncharacterized. Oxidation of physostigmine in the presence of glutathione was undertaken to simulate liver metabolism of the drug. A number of reactions take place, including the formation of the expected nucleophilic addition product with the tripeptide.
The circulating medium of exchange in colonial Pennsylvania, 1729–1775: new estimates of monetary composition, performance, and economic growth

Abstract Market transaction data are used to estimate the quantity of specie in circulation. This estimate is used to provide the first comprehensive measure of a colony's money supply and, along with data on population and prices, to retest the quantity theory of money and measure output growth using the equation of exchange. Output growth is found to depend on periodization and the extent that rising commercialization increased the velocity of circulation. Specie was becoming relatively less scarce as the Revolution approached, and movements in specie and paper currency both offset and reinforced each other depending on the period of analysis. ( JEL N11, N21, E42, E51)
Optimal infinite-dimensional estimator and compensator for a Timoshenko beam

Abstract This paper is concerned with computational algorithms to obtain convergent functional estimator gains for a Timoshenko slewing beam. It is shown that the states of the system can be optimally estimated and such estimates can be used to construct a compensator for the system. Effectiveness of the compensator is also compared to the case when the full state is available for feedback.
Evidence for a specific interaction of vitronectin with arginine: effects of reducing agents on the expression of functional domains and immunoepitopes.

Abstract Vitronectin (Vn) circulates in plasma primarily in the native, monomeric form, whereas platelet-associated Vn is conformationally altered and multimeric. Here, we report that denatured Vn specifically binds to L-Arg, whereas the L-Arg binding site is cryptic in the native form of Vn. In addition, combined treatment of disulfide-linked Vn multimers with L-Arg, urea, and reducing agent results in the formation of disperse oligomers with reduced expression of denaturation-sensitive epitopes. These results suggest that L-Arg modulates the partitioning between monomeric and multimeric Vn species and that L-Arg affinity chromatography can be employed to test for exposure of conformationally sensitive binding sites in Vn. The effects of denaturation on the exposure of conformationally sensitive epitopes in the N-terminus of Vn is controversial. Treatment of Vn with reducing agents abolished type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor and antibody binding to the highly disulfide-linked N-terminal somatomedin B domain (amino acids 1 to 51), whereas epitopes located in the connecting region/first hemopexin-like repeat (amino acids 52 to 239) and the glycosaminoglycan binding domain (amino acids 343–379) were not affected. These observations indicate that appropriate disulfide-linkage of the N-terminal somatomedin B domain is required for ligand binding and that published differences on the effects of denaturation on the expression of binding sites are probably due to the use of reducing agents in the denaturation process.
The do-not-resuscitate order. Still too little too late.

• We reviewed the records of 274 consecutive deaths at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa, occurring through May 1988 to examine the approach of physicians, patients, and families in making the decision to invoke the "do-not-resuscitate" order. Of these 274 patients who died, 171 (62%) had do-not-resuscitate orders. Of these 171 patients, 86 (50%) were judged fully mentally competent on admission to the hospital; 44 (51%) of these 86 fully competent patients were included in the decision to withhold resuscitative efforts. In the remainder, the family was usually involved in the decision without input from the patient. Only 6 patients (4%) were admitted to the hospital with a preexisting do-not-resuscitate order. For the remainder, the do-not-resuscitate order was written a mean of 8.5 days following admission and 3.3 days before death. Documentation of this order with a specific progress note was universal. The principle reason cited for a do-not-resuscitate order was the presence of irreversible terminal disease in 52% and an unacceptable quality of life in 33%. When considered separately, patients with a principle diagnosis of malignant neoplasm had a do-not-resuscitate order written 80% of the time. Of 88 such patients, 48 (55%) were fully competent at admission. In turn, 36 (75%) of these patients participated in the do-not-resuscitate decision. Nursing activities were quantified for the 24 hours preceding and the 24 hours following the do-not-resuscitate order. No difference could be found comparing these two periods whether the comparison was made on the general hospital ward or in the intensive care unit. We conclude that some progress is being made as a reasonable percentage of mentally competent patients dying in this center are included in the decision to limit their care at the time of death. However, this decision is only rarely considered until late in the course of most patients' terminal hospitalization. A do-not-resuscitate order apparently does not result in a reduction in the quantity of nursing activity for patients as they die. (Arch Intern Med. 1990;150:1057-1060)
Semi-Structure Routing and Performance Analysis for Cognitive Radio Networks

Routing is one of the most important and fundamental issues in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs). In this paper, we propose an effective routing scheme. Our main contributions are threefold. First, we propose a spectrum-aware Semi-Structure Routing (SSR) framework which incorporates power control. By employing forwarding zones and routing zones, SSR can effectively utilize the local real-time spectrum dynamics and meanwhile guarantee the global routing performance. Second, considering the lack of analytical models for routing protocol performance [1] in CRNs, we analyze the upper bound of the induced latency and scalability of SSR. Finally, extensive simulation results are presented to validate the performance of SSR.
Enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy in hypermethylator breast cancer cells through targeted and pharmacologic inhibition of DNMT3b

A subset of primary breast cancers and breast cancer cell lines express a hypermethylation defect (characterized by DNMT hyperactivity and DNMT3b overexpression) which contributes to chemotherapy resistance and provides a target for development of new treatment strategies. The objective of the current study was to determine if targeting the epigenome enhances the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Hypermethylator breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-453, BT549, and Hs578T) were treated with 250 or 500 nM 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza) and/or were subjected to RNAi-mediated DNMT3b knockdown (KD), and then tested for sensitivity to doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), paclitaxel (PAX), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In MDA-MB-453 cells, DNMT3b KD reduces the IC50 for DOX from 0.086 to 0.048 μM (44% reduction), for PAX from 0.497 to 0.376 nM (24%), and for 5-FU from 0.817 to 0.145 mM (82%). Treatment with 250 nM 5-aza for 7 days did not increase the efficacy of DOX, PAX, or 5-FU, but 7-day treatment with 500 nM 5-aza sensitized cells, reducing the IC50 for DOX to 0.035 μM (60%), PAX to 0.311 nM (37%), and 5-FU to 0.065 mM (92%). 5-aza treatment of DNMT3b KD cells reduced the IC50 for DOX to 0.036 μM (59%), for PAX to 0.313 nM (37%) and for 5-FU to 0.067 (92%). Similar trends of enhancement of cell kill were seen in BT549 (13–60%) and Hs578T (29–70%) cells after RNAi-mediated DNMT3b KD and/or treatment with 5-aza. The effectiveness of DOX, PAX, and 5-FU is enhanced through targeted and/or pharmacological inhibition of DNMT3b, strongly suggesting that combined epigenetic and cytotoxic treatment will improve the efficacy of breast cancer chemotherapy.
Vacuum polarization and non-Newtonian gravitation

Gell-Mann and Low have emphasized that, as first pointed out by Uehling and Serber, vacuum polarization effects produce a logarithmic modification to the Coulomb potential at small distances. I point out here that, if these same considerations are applied to gravitation, the logarithmic term will have a sign opposite to that in the Coulomb case and in agreement with recent laboratory results on the gravitational «constant». Of considerable importance is the fact that such vacuum polarization effects cannot be observed in null experiments to test the gravitational inverse square law because the polarizing field is absent. It is a striking circumstance that the coefficient of the logarithm in QED is nearly the same as that found in gravitational experiments.
Sites of protonation in phenothiazines: methane and ammonia chemical ionization mass spectra

Positive ion methane and ammonia chemical ionization mass spectra for ten phenothiazine derivatives are reported. The fragmentations observed in the chemical ionization mass spectra are rationalized in terms of the location of the added proton. High-resolution measurements are used to confirm empirical formulae of the ions in the mass spectra. Changes in the mass spectra with a change in the chemical ionization reagent gas from methane to ammonia are described. A comparison with positive ion secondary ion mass spectra of the same compounds show that the amount of fragmentation is higher in the secondary ion mass spectra, but the same types of ions are observed in spectra produced by both ionization methods.
Stochastic Petri net modeling of wave sequences in cardiac arrhythmias

We describe a methodology for modeling heart rhythms observed in electrocardiograms. In particular, we present a procedure to derive simple dynamic models that capture the cardiac mechanisms which control the particular timing sequences of P and R waves characteristic of different arrhythmias. By treating the cardiac electrophysiology at an aggregate level, simple network models of the wave generating system under a variety of diseased conditions can be developed. These network models are then systematically converted to stochastic Petri nets which offer a compact mathematical framework to express the dynamics and statistical variability of the wave generating mechanisms. Models of several arrhythmias are included in order to illustrate the methodology.
Evaluation of potting-media, fertilizer source and rate of application on chemical composition and growth of Ligustrum japonicum Thunb.

Abstract Rooted cuttings of Ligustrum japonicum were planted in one of 4 media: M1, 0.5:1:1; M2, 1:1:1; M3, 2:1:1; M4, 4:1:1, Canadian peatmoss: pinebark: sand by volume, fertilized with a resin coated, liquid or granular 18:6:12 fertilizer at 1350 or 2700 kg N/ha/year. M1 had highest cation exchange capacity by volume of all media and resulted in the best growth of L. japonicum for all fertilizers. Liquid and resin-coated fertilizer produced optimum top growth with minimum leaching.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: recent developments.

The 1977 International Conference on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was held 20-24 June 1977 at Columbia, S.C. The manuscripts of most of the invited speakers at this meeting follow this report. This paper summarizes the seven papers in this category which could not be submitted. These papers described the application of cryogenic interferometers to atmospheric sounding (Stair), to the measurement of cosmic background radiation (Richards), and to the study of chemical reaction dynamics (McDonald). The use of ultrasensitive far infrared detectors for studying the properties of solids was described by Sievers. Genzel and Griffiths described applications of the optical subtraction technique for far infrared and mid infrared measurements, respectively. Finally Wyntjes summarized his views on the present and future of interferometry.
Long-term radiation effects on gallium arsenide directional coupler optical waveguides

The effects of 1.17-MeV and 1.33-MeV gamma rays on the propagation characteristics of a gallium arsenide directional coupler optical waveguide is reported. Under doses of 4100-190000 rad (GaAs), no measurable change in either coupling characteristics or transmission loss was found. However, it is uncertain whether the radiation-induced loss component in the optical waveguides is less than 3 dB. A suggestion for eliminating this optical-alignment-induced experimental uncertainty is given. >
Time-resolved radiation beam profiles in water obtained by ultrasonic tomography

This paper presents a practical ultrasonic system for near real-time imaging of spatial temperature distributions in water caused by absorption of radiation. Initial testing with radiation from a highly attenuated infrared lamp demonstrates that the system is able to map sub-millikelvin temperature changes, thus making it suitable for characterizing dose profiles of therapy-level ionizing radiation beams. The system uses a fan-beam tomographic reconstruction algorithm to invert time-of-flight data derived from ultrasonic pulses produced and detected by a circular array of transducers immersed in water. Temperature dependence of the speed of sound in water permits the conversion of these measured two-dimensional velocity distributions into temperature distributions that indicate the absorbed radiation dose. The laboratory prototype, based on a 128-element transducer array, is used to acquire temperature maps of a 230 mm × 230 mm area every 4 s with sub-millikelvin resolution in temperature and about 5 mm resolution in space. Earlier measurements with a single-channel version of this prototype suggest refinements in signal-conditioning electronics and signal-processing algorithms that would allow the present instrument to resolve temperature changes as low as a few microkelvin. Possible applications include real-time intensity profiling of radiation beams and three-dimensional characterization of the absorbed dose.
Experimental manipulation of acetylcholine levels in developing rat brain: neurochemistry and behavior.

An attempt was made to manipulate experimentally the acetylcholine (ACh) system during rapid development of the rat brain. Developmental periods of ACh manipulated were 2 to 15 days and 15 to 28 days postnatally. The findings showed that the highest level of drug manipulation .75 mg/kg physostigmine and, .025 mg/kg methscopolamine significantly produced the highest level of ACh, lowest activity levels of both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferease (ChAc) as compared to the intermediate, and control doses. This dose-response relationship was obtained in the animals injected over a 15- to 28-day period during the period of maximal growth of the acetylcholine system. These statistically significant differences measured at 24 hr. after injection support the thesis that injections during the critical period of development produce longer lasting effects than if administered at other periods. Behavioral measures, GO:NO-GO discrimination avoidance tasks, were also both significantly related to...
Disturbance Rejection in Robust Model Reference Adaptive Control of Parabolic and Hyperbolic Systems

A recently introduced class of the well-posed error systems and the corresponding robust model reference adaptive control (MRAC) laws for systems represented by parabolic or hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) with spatially varying parameters is extended to encompass the disturbance rejection capability. The disturbance is modeled as a space-time-varying signal generated by a parabolic PDE with known parameters or as a spatially-varying time-invariant signal.
Targeted disruption of the IGF-I receptor gene decreases cellular proliferation in mammary terminal end buds.

IGF-I mediates mammary ductal development through stimulation of terminal end bud (TEB) development; however, no published data exist on the mechanism through which this occurs. The mechanism of IGF-I action on the TEB was studied by determining the requirement for the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in IGF-I-dependent ductal development. We hypothesized that loss of the IGF-IR would disrupt mammary ductal development through a combination of decreased proliferation or increased apoptosis. Because IGF-IR null mice die at birth, embryonic mammary gland transplantation was used to study the effects of a disrupted IGF-IR gene. Analyses of grafts after 4 or 8 wk of development demonstrated a limited growth potential of the null mammary epithelium in virgin hosts. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick-end labeling showed that cell proliferation was significantly decreased in null TEBs, but apoptosis was not. In addition, both the size and number of TEBs were reduce...
In situ neutron diffraction and Elastic–Plastic Self-Consistent polycrystal modeling of HT-9

Abstract Qualifying materials for use in reactors with fluences greater than 200 dpa (displacements per atom) requires development of advanced alloys and irradiations in fast reactors to test these alloys. Research into the mechanical behavior of these materials under reactor conditions is ongoing. In order to probe changes in deformation mechanisms due to radiation in these materials, samples of HT-9 were tested in tension in situ on the SMARTS instrument at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Experimental results, confirmed with modeling, show significant load sharing between the carbides and parent phase of the steel beyond yield, displaying the critical role of carbides during deformation, along with basic texture development.
Continuity estimates for solutions to the prescribed-curvature Dirichlet problem

On etudie des solutions au probleme de Dirichlet pour l'equation de courbure moyenne prescrite, ainsi que pour des equations de Weingarten plus generales. On etablit des modules d'estimation de continuite dependant seulement des valeurs limites
Suckling is a persistent stimulus to the adrenocortical system of the rat.

The present experiments investigated the hypothesis that lactation constitutes a chronic stress to the adrenocortical system. To determine whether the normal circadian control of the adrenocortical system or the ability to mount an adequate ACTH response to stress are modified during lactation, we compared morning and evening basal and stress-induced ACTH, corticosterone (B), and PRL secretion as well as pituitary ACTH content and thymus weight in virgins and lactating females on day 10 of lactation. We also compared the capacity of B to suppress ACTH secretion in adrenalectomized virgin or lactating females, both given various B pellet replacement doses (40-130% B) for 5 days. In addition, we investigated the influence of decreased litter size and increased caloric intake on basal circadian activity in the adrenocortical system. Finally, we measured suckling-induced activation of ACTH and B release and restoration of basal morning ACTH and B levels after pup separation. In all 10-d lactating females, bas...
The Effect of Interparticle Stresses on Debonding in Spherical Silica Particle-Filled Composites with a Poly(vinyl butyral) Matrix

The effect of varying the volume fraction of 650 μm glass beads in a poly(vinyl butyral) matrix on the level of debonding in the particulate composites at a given applied tensile stress was investigated. Both clean beads and ones surface treated with the adhesion promoter 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane were used. A model was developed to predict the observed behavior, based on Goodier's analytical solution for the stress concentration developed by a single sphere in an infinite matrix and the superposition of stress concentrations. By increasing the volume fraction of glass beads the average interparticle distance is decreased, leading to an increase of the overlap of the stress concentration fields surrounding the beads, thus causing debonding at a lower applied stress. The use of an adhesion promoter increased the maximum local stress required to cause debonding, but had no effect on the interparticle stress fields so the same trends, at higher applied stress, were observed. The model, although quite simp...
On Primitive Linear Representations of Finite Groups

Let F be a field, let G be a finite group, and let π be a linear representation of G over F; that is, π is a group homomorphism π: G → GL(V) of G into the general linear group on a finite-dimensional vector space V over F. We say π is AI if π is completely reducible and for each normal subgroup H of G, each irreducible FH-submodule of V is absolutely irreducible. For example, if F is algebraically closed then all completely reducible representations over F are AI. In particular, all of our theorems hold over the complex numbers without the hypothesis that the representation is AI.
High temperature nucleation and growth of GaN crystals from the vapor phase

Abstract A vapor phase growth process involving the reaction of Ga vapor and ammonia has been used to grow needle- and platelet-shaped single crystals of GaN at 1130°C. Introduction of the NH 3 only at high temperatures reduced the nucleation density, minimized the amount of GaN crust on the Ga source and resulted in larger crystals. A processing map has been constructed with respect to ammonia flow rate and total pressure at 1130°C to achieve control of growth in different crystallographic directions. Platelet growth of GaN was favored using low V/III ratios achieved via low ammonia flow rates and/or low total ammonia pressures and/or an increase in the Ga source temperature. Crystals with aspect ratios c / a
Biomarkers for ventilator-associated pneumonia: review of the literature.

Abstract Objective Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, but it can be difficult to diagnose. Clinical criteria, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, and quantitative culture of bronchoalveolar lavage have been used to distinguish between patients who are likely positive (sensitivity) and patients who are likely negative (specificity). Despite these test methods, patients continue to be misclassified. False-positive results may lead to inappropriate antibiotic use in patients. For those misclassified as test negative, appropriate treatment may be delayed. Biomarkers have been suggested as another method to enhance the ability to predict VAP. This article analyzes the evidence for the usefulness of 3 biomarkers that have been proposed as possible biomarkers of VAP: soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid type 1 cells, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein. Methods A Medline search was conducted for the years between 1990 and 2009 to locate articles on the subject of biomarkers for predicting VAP in critically ill adult patients. Results Analysis of the literature does not currently support a clinical role for these biomarkers in predicting VAP. Variations in the diagnostic methods, antimicrobial use, cutoff values, and patient populations limit comparisons among the studies. Conclusion Recommendations are offered to strengthen and standardize methods in future studies to clarify the utility of biomarkers for predicting VAP in specific patient populations.
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Attenuates Tobacco Smoke-induced Cyclooxygenase-2 and Prostaglandin Production in Lung Fibroblasts through Regulation of the NF-κB Family Member RelB

Diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer caused by cigarette smoke affect millions of people worldwide. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that influences responses to certain environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke. However, the physiological function(s) of the AhR is unknown. Herein we propose that the physiologic role of the AhR is to limit inflammation. We show that lung fibroblasts from AhR–/– mice produce a heightened inflammatory response to cigarette smoke, typified by increased levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandins (PGs), when compared with wild type (AhR+/+) fibroblasts. This response was dependent on AhR expression as transient transfection of an AhR expression plasmid into AhR–/– fibroblasts significantly attenuated the smoke-induced COX-2 and PG production, confirming the anti-inflammatory role of the AhR. The AhR can interact with NF-κB. However, the heightened inflammatory response observed in AhR–/– fibroblasts was not the result of NF-κB (p50/p65) activation. Instead it was coupled with a loss of the NF-κB family member RelB in AhR–/– fibroblasts. Taken together, these studies provide compelling evidence that AhR expression limits proinflammatory COX-2 and PG production by maintaining RelB expression. The association between RelB and AhR may represent a new therapeutic and more selective target with which to combat inflammation-associated diseases.
In vitro chemotropism of pearl millet pollen tubes to stigma tissue : a response to glucose produced in the medium by tissue-bound invertase

Water-homogenized stigma pellets of pearl millet and precipitates resulting from dialysis of their salt extracts were observed to: (1) chemotropically attract pearl millet pollen tubes on a sucrose-containing pollen germination and growth medium, (2) have acid invertase activity as assayed by the arsenomolybdate method, (3) hydrolyze sucrose in the pollen germination and growth medium to glucose as assayed by coupled glucose oxidation with Nitro Blue Tetrazolium, and (4) lose chemotropic and invertase activities upon heat treatment. The results indicate that the in vitro chemotropic attraction of pearl millet pollen tubes to water-homogenized stigma pellets is a response to glucose produced by homogenate-pellet-bound invertase hydrolyzing the sucrose present in the pollen germination and growth medium. Yeast and tomato invertases used as controls verified this conclusion. Water extracts of whole stigmas contained water-soluble acid invertase. The results are discussed in relation to the identification of possible in vivo chemotropic factors of pearl millet and other plants by in vitro assays.
Acute respiratory failure and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates four weeks after rituximab therapy

Summary We report a 51-year-old woman with known SLE on low dose prednisone, recently started on rituximab, who presents with acute respiratory failure and bilateral air space disease. After an initial treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics for healthcare-associated pneumonia and negative serologic studies, a diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia was established using bronchoalveolar lavage. We suggest that rituximab can be an aggravating cause of pneumocystis in patients treated with prednisone.
Natural Convection Heat Transfer From a Discrete Thermal Source on a Channel Wall

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of natural convection heat transfer from a discrete thermal source located on the wall of a vertical channel. This configuration has both an unheated inlet and outlet region and produces a confined wall plume, which rises between the parallel plates that form the channel walls. In the present study, a thermal source of length was located on one wall of a vertical channel formed by two plates of length L separated a distance b. The thermal source was located a distance x along the plate was measured from the leading edge of the source. A dimensional analysis for this problem indicates that the local Nusselt number Nu{sub x} can be correlated in terms of the local Rayleigh number Ra{sub x}, the Prandtl number Pr, a dimensionless distance x/l, and three geometric ratios L/l, d/l, and b/l.
Concurrent Brief versus Intensive Smoking Intervention during Alcohol Dependence Treatment

Alcohol dependent smokers (N = 118) enrolled in an intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program were randomized to a concurrent brief or intensive smoking cessation intervention. Brief treatment consisted of a 15-minute counseling session with 5 min follow-up. Intensive intervention consisted of three one-hour counseling sessions plus eight weeks of nicotine patch therapy. The cigarette abstinence rate, verified by breath CO, was significantly higher for intensive (27.5%) versus brief (6.6%) treatment at one month post quit date but not at six months when abstinence rates fell to 9.1% and 2.1%. Smoking treatment assignment did not significantly impact alcohol outcomes. Although intensive smoking treatment was associated with higher rates of short term tobacco abstinence, other, perhaps more intensive smoking interventions are needed to produce lasting smoking cessation in alcohol dependent smokers.
Crystal structures and magnetic properties of Mn[N(CN)2]2L {L=2,5-dimethylpyrazine and aminopyrazine}

Abstract In this paper, the crystal structures and preliminary magnetic properties of two new molecule-based magnets, Mn[N(CN)2]2(H2O)2(2,5-me2pyz)2 (1) and Mn[N(CN)2]2(H2O)(NH2-pyz)1.5 (2) (pyz=pyrazine) are reported. The structure of 1 consists of 2D Mn[N(CN)2]2(H2O)2 layers which are hydrogen bonded together by the 2,5-me2pyz ligands while that of 2 forms a novel 1D ladder structure with μ1,5-[N(CN)2]− rungs. Magnetically, 1 exhibits a spin canted phase transition at 1.78 K while 2 remains paramagnetic down to 1.7 K.
Small Town, Big Website?

Abstract This study analyzes twenty official city websites as representations of their non-virtual locales. It is set against the background of increasing competition between different cities affected by economic globalization. The article relates certain characteristics of the websites, such as their size or presence or lack of certain sections, to certain measurable characteristics of the city that produces the website, such as its size, its level of global control functions and its wealth level. Despite significant differences between the sample cities, their self-representation over the Web often follows standardized patterns. The study suggests some correlation especially between a city's level of wealth and its web design style. However, the analysis shows that a city's size, global significance or economic performance cannot sufficiently explain an official website's structure.
Perception of phonetic contrasts in infants: development of the VRASPAC

Abstract The VRASPAC (visual reinforcement assessment of the perception of speech pattern contrasts) is a test that assesses auditory perception of phonologically significant contrasts in infants by combining the visual reinforcement and change/no-change techniques with the speech pattern contrast concept. The contrasts convey vowel height, vowel place, and consonant voicing, manner and place. The infant habituates to a continuous repetition of a standard nonsense syllable and then is conditioned to respond, via head-turn response, to a contrasting syllable. Animated toys or cartoon images serve as the reinforcement. To date, 10 children have been tested on two early versions of the test; six children with normal hearing (9–34 months), two children with mild or moderate hearing loss using hearing aids (11–17 months), and two children with profound hearing loss using cochlear implants (36–38 months). The normal-hearing children responded consistently to the vowel and consonant contrasts. The hearing-impaired children responded consistently to vowel height only. Preliminary results suggest that the VRASPAC is a viable test for infants as young as 9 months and that performance is dependent on phonological development.
Synthesis and properties of dodecane‐1,12‐13C2 and dodecane‐1,1,1,12,12,12‐2H6

Normal dodecane labeled with either carbon-13 or deuterium at both the terminal methyl groups has been synthesized. The mass spectra and PNMR and CNMR spectra of these compounds have been measured and are reported.
Computer Simulation of Mechanical Properties of Nonwoven Geotextiles in Soil-Fabric Interaction:

The mechanical behavior of nonwoven geotextiles in soil-fabric interaction is in vestigated through laboratory experiments and theoretical analysis. A computer model is presented to simulate geotextile performance in pullout tests. The model parameters are based on single fiber properties and the fiber orientation distribution function. A new finite element method is used to calculate numeral solutions of stress and strain distribution in different regions developed in the fabric during the pullout test. The pullout load versus displacement curves of the samples verify the simulated results, which are in good agreement with those obtained from pullout experiments.
The Effects of Work-Related and Boundary-Related Stress on the Emotional and Physical Health Status of Ordained Clergy

This research is the second component of a three-part series that explores the relationship between stress and health in the clerical profession. The first article (Wells, Journal of Religion and Health 51(1):215–30, 2012) determined that there is an association between two different sources of stress in the clerical profession (work-related stress and boundary-related stress). This research explores the association between these two sources of stress and two different measures of health (emotional health and physical health). Utilizing the same dataset from the previous research (Wells, Journal of Religion and Health 51(1):215–30, 2012), and simple and multiple regression, this research determined that there is a positive association between the two sources of stress (work-related stress and boundary-related stress) and the two measures of health (physical health and emotional health). African-American and obese clergy exhibited lower levels of physical health as stress increased. Clergy with children and those with higher levels of education exhibited lower levels of emotional health as stress increased. African-American clergy consistently exhibited higher levels of emotional health than their White colleagues did. Finally, age and length of time in ministry are associated with higher levels of emotional health but lower physical health status.
Rural neighborhoods and child aggression.

Structural equation modeling with latent variables was used to evaluate the direct and mediated effects of a neighborhood risk factor (negative teen behaviors) on the parent-report aggressive behavior of 213 students in grades 3 through 5 attending a school in a low-income, rural community. Contagion and social control hypotheses were examined as well as hypotheses about whether the neighborhood served as a microsystem or exosystem for rural pre-adolescents. Analyses took into account the clustering of students and ordinal nature of the data. Findings suggest that rural neighborhoods may operate as both a microsystem and exosystem for children, with direct contagion effects on their aggressive behaviors as well as indirect social control effects through parenting practices. Direct effects on aggression were also found for parenting practices and child reports of friends’ negative behaviors. Pre-adolescence may be a transitional stage, when influences of the neighborhood on child behavior begin to compete with influences of caregivers. Findings can inform the timing and targets of violence prevention in rural communities.
Optical System Design Study For The University Of Texas 300-Inch Telescope

A design definition study has been made of the image properties of the Nasmyth and prime foci for an f/2.0 primary mirror. Spherical and aspheric corrector subsystems have been examined with the goal of 0.5 arcsec images over a field of 30 arcmin and with final f-ratios from f/1.5 to f/14. Departure of the Ritchey-Chretien hyperbolic primary to a larger conic constant yields a remarkably good field at the prime focus with the addition of two aspheric reflectors as the field corrector. Intercomparison has been made of a number of alternates for performance and practicality aspects.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spatial distribution and geomorphic condition of fish habitat in streams: an analysis using hydraulic modelling and geostatistics

Reach-scale physical habitat assessment scores are increasingly used to make decisions about management. We characterized the spatial distribution of hydraulic habitat characteristics at the reach and sub-reach scales for four fish species using detailed two-dimensional hydraulic models and spatial analysis techniques (semi-variogram analyses). We next explored whether these hydraulic characteristics were correlated with commonly used reach-scale geomorphic assessment (RGA) scores, rapid habitat assessment (RHA) scores, or indices of fish biodiversity and abundance. River2D was used to calculate weighted usable areas (WUAs) at median flows, Q50, for six Vermont streams using modelled velocity, depth estimates, channel bed data and habitat suitability curves for blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), brown trout (Salmo trutta), common shiner (Notropis cornutus) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) at both the adult and spawn stages. All stream reaches exhibited different spatial distributions of WUA ranging from uniform distribution of patches of high WUA to irregular distribution of more isolated patches. Streams with discontinuous, distinct patches of high score WUA had lower fish biotic integrity measured with the State of Vermont's Mixed Water Index of Biotic Integrity (MWIBI) than streams with a more uniform distribution of high WUA. In fact, the distribution of usable habitats may be a determining factor for fish communities. A relationship between predicted WUAs averaged at the reach scale and RGA or RHA scores was not found. Future research is needed to identify the appropriate spatial scales to capture the connections between usable patches of stream channel habitat. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.