cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of thermal conductivity data for partially stabilized zirconia with values derived from thermal diffusivity results

The thermal conductivity of partially stabilized zirconia was measured over the temperature range 320–1273 K using the radial heat flow method. The data have an absolute uncertainty of about ±2% and repeat measurements showed no evidence of changes in the thermal conductivity at high temperatures. This also was true for the thermal diffusivity data, which were obtained in vacuum over the temperature range 300–1473 K. Both sets of thermal conductivity data pass through minima at high temperatures. Quantitative differences were observed in the temperatures and thermal conductivities of the two minima. The results were analyzed by assuming parallel conduction by phonons and photons, and the phonon component was identified by fitting lower-temperature data. Extrapolating this curve allowed identification of the photon contribution to the thermal conductivity at high temperatures. The photon contribution approached a T 3 function and was larger in the thermal conductivity specimens. The difference in the photon contributions correlates with changes in the optical properties of the samples produced during the high temperature measurments.
A monotone streamline upwind finite element method for convection-dominated flows

A new streamline upwind approximation for treating advection-dominatcd transport is presented. The proposed method is quite simple to implement with existing finite element methods. For this work, the method is used in a two-dimensional finite element computer program. The new method is applied to several test cases that have been presented in previous articles to evaluate the stability and accuracy of proposed methods for treating advection-dominatcd flows. The results demonstrate that the new method is able to predict the test cases with a significant increase in accuracy compared to previous techniques. In addition, these results demonstrate conclusively that the method does not exhibit the non-physical spatial oscillations that have plagued previous methods.
Sideband suppression by an intracavity optical filter in the Los Alamos free electron laser oscillator

Abstract Experiments at the Los Alamos free electron laser oscillator were performed with a 7.35% ( Δγ r γ r ) tapered wiggler. Multilayer dielectric mirrors with wavelength-dependent reflectivity and phase shift functions were used to provide high reflectivity at the fundamental wavelength but to introduce losses at expected sideband wavelengths. The electron-beam energy was varied to tune the fundamental optical wavelength. Experimental measurements are compared with results of 1-D time-dependent simulations. For the particular wiggler, optics and e-beam conditions of this experiment, spectral sidebands were reduced only with a concomitant reduction of the total optical output of the laser.
Injection device built on a 3D printer for a lab-on-a-chip

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if nuclear status at 2 cell stage and reverse cleavage between 2 4-cell stage of transferred embryo, are related to implantation outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIALSANDMETHODS: After Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the metaphase II oocytes were cultured in EmbryoScope (Unisense) timelapse system. Transferred embryos were retrospectively analyzed in EmbryoViewer database. Ninety-one transferred embryos from 52 women were analyzed. Forty-one implanted transferred embryos were from 25 patients and 50 non-implanted from 27 patients. The presence of multinucleation at 2-cell stage and reverse cleavage were compared between positive and negative implanted groups. Reverse cleavage (RC) was defined as a decrease in the number of cells during cytokinesis. Namely, cells in blastomere fused together to form a blastomere with lesser cells, and they cleaved again after that. This phenomenon was specifically observed with time-lapse imaging system, and noticed previously [1]. Implantation was assessed by ultrasound in 4 weeks after embryo transfer. Double embryo transfers with only one heart beat were excluded. Data were analyzed using c-test and P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In the implanted group, 21(51.2%) embryos were observed withmononucleation at 2-cell stage, while 15 (36.6%) presented 1-cell multinucleation (C1), 5 (12.2%) presented both cells multinucleation(C2), and 5 (12.2%) presented RC. In the non-implanted group, 25(50%) embryos were observed with mononucleation at 2-cell stage, while 14 (28%) presented C1, 11 (22%) presented C2, and 6 (12%) presented RC. Comparisons of 2-cell stage mononucleation and multinucleation rates between implanted and non-implanted were not significant. The implantation rates of mononucleation, C1, and C2 were 45.7%, 51.7%, and 31.3% respectively. The implantation rates of RC and non-RC groups were 45.5 % and 45%. The differences between these implantation rates were not significant, either. CONCLUSION: Blastocysts from mono and multinucleated 2-cell embryos have equal chances of implantation success. Reverse cleavage is not a significant factor in unsuccessful implantation.
Parabolic-array beam forming for nonsinusoidal waves

A beamforming method for nonsinusoidal waves using parabolic arrays is described. Antenna patterns for rectangular and sinusoidal pulses are given. Patterns for radiated signals with arbitrary time variations are shown to be derivable through function approximation by sums of linear ramp functions. In addition, the related far-field transient of signals that are zero for t or=0 is described. A number of computer simulations are also given. >
Nutritional restriction and acid-base balance in white-tailed deer

We examined the effect of progressive nutritional restriction on acid-base balance in seven captive, adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 4 February to 5 May 1988 in north central Minnesota (USA). Metabolic acidosis was indicated by low mean blood pH (7.25 to 7.33) in deer throughout the study. Mean urinary pH values declined (P = 0.020) from a mean (±SE) baseline of 8.3 ± 0.1 to 6.7 ± 0.3 as restriction progressed. Acidemia and aciduria were associated with significant variations in mean blood CO2 (P = 0.006) and pO2 (P = 0.032), serum potassium (P = 0.004) concentrations, and with a significant (P = 0.104) handling date × group interaction in urinary potassium : creatinine values. Mean bicarbonate : carbonic acid ratios were consistently below 20:1 during nutritional restriction. Mean packed cell volume increased (P = 0.019) and serum total protein decreased (P = 0.001); thus there was evidence for progressive dehydration and net protein catabolism, respectively. Blood pCO2, serum sodiu...
Torsion-Angle Molecular Dynamics as a New Efficient Tool for NMR Structure Calculation

Abstract Molecular dynamics in torsion-angle space was applied to nuclear magnetic resonance structure calculation using nuclear Overhauser effect-derived distances and J -coupling-constant-derived dihedral angle restraints. Compared to two other commonly used algorithms, molecular dynamics in Cartesian space and metric-matrix distance geometry combined with Cartesian molecular dynamics, the method shows increased computational efficiency and success rate for large proteins, and it shows a dramatically increased radius of convergence for DNA. The torsion-angle molecular dynamics algorithm starts from an extended strand conformation and proceeds in four stages: high-temperature torsion-angle molecular dynamics, slow-cooling torsion-angle molecular dynamics, Cartesian molecular dynamics, and minimization. Tests were carried out using experimental NMR data for protein G, interleukin-8, villin 14T, and a 12 base-pair duplex of DNA, and simulated NMR data for bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. For villin 14T, a monomer consisting of 126 residues, structure determination by torsion-angle molecular dynamics has a success rate of 85%, a more than twofold improvement over other methods. In the case of the 12 base-pair DNA duplex, torsion-angle molecular dynamics had a success rate of 52% while Cartesian molecular dynamics and metric-matrix distance geometry always failed.
A Kalman Filtering Approach to 3-D IR Scene Prediction using Single-Camera Range Video

This paper presents a Kalman filtering approach to predicting 3-D video infrared (IR) scenes as a CMOS multi-coordinate axis sensory-camera mounted on a mobile vehicle moves forward in a controlled environment. Potential applications of this research can be found in indoor/outdoor heat-change based range measurement, synthetic IR scene generation, rescue missions, and autonomous navigation. Experimental results reported herein dictate that linear Kalman filtering based scene prediction accurately estimates future frames in range and intensity sensing. The low least mean square error (LMSE), on the average of 1%, proves the reliability of the approach to IR scene prediction. Currently, the proposed method is devised for piece-wise linear motion of the sensory system as it navigates in hallway or corridor.
A conifer genome spruces up plant phylogenomics

The Norway spruce genome provides key insights into the evolution of plant genomes, leading to testable new hypotheses about conifer, gymnosperm, and vascular plant evolution.
Mapping Injustice: The World is Witness, Place-Framing, and the Politics of Viewing on Google Earth

Working from assumptions that inequality is often spatially informed, a set of interactive cartographies has recently proliferated on Google Earth. In this essay, I analyze one of these interactive cartographies: the World is Witness, produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). I read the map as an organizational rhetoric that frames place as “embedded injustice.” I also argue that thorough analysis of the framing of local place on Google Earth must inherently question whether the map can create a disruption in the viewing subject. While the map presents vital information on excruciatingly despicable acts of injustice, and the USHMM should be praised for its actions, it reinforces and is reinforced by the politics of viewing on Google Earth. We live in a map-immersed world. A plethora of maps surround us at any given moment. Road maps help us find a new school or restaurant, a concert venue, or an auto shop. Weather maps inform us about climate and storm patterns across geographies, and city maps give insight into crime patterns. Around election time, political maps construct “blue states” and “red states.” Tourist maps rhetorically construct certain spaces as exotic and unique and help us situate our bodies within these visitor-friendly spaces, meanwhile facilitating a colonialist construction of the identities of those hosts who live in the spaces (Del Casino & Hanna, 2000). With each of these cases, it is clear that the maps encountered in our everyday lives are used to both navigate and politically construct the spaces and places within which human beings reside. Recently, certain maps have been used to organize geographies around themes of injustice, oppression, or political resistance. These maps, often called
Distributed web-based expert system for launch operations

The simulation and modeling of launch operations is based on a representation of the organization of the operations suitable to experiment of the physical, procedural, software, hardware and psychological aspects of space flight operations. The virtual test bed consists of a weather expert system to advice on the effect of weather to the launch operations. It also simulates toxic gas dispersion model, and the risk impact on human health. Since all modeling and simulation is based on the internet, it could reduce the cost of operations of launch and range safety by conducting extensive research before a particular launch. Each model has an independent decision making module to derive the best decision for launch.
Residual symptoms in older patients treated for major depression

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify residual symptoms in a sample of older adults treated for major depression and compare individual symptoms present at baseline with those at three months by remission status. Methods The sample was comprised of 229 patients with DSM-IV major depression who were participants in the NIMH Mental Health Clinical Research Center at Duke University. Symptoms were measured using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results At three months, 86 patients (37.6%) had remitted, or had a MADRS score less than or equal to 9. In the remitted group, the most frequently reported symptoms at three months were inner tension and lassitude. Among nonremitters, the most frequently reported symptoms were reported and apparent sadness, as well as lassitude and inner tension. In the sample as a whole, the symptoms most likely to be present at baseline but not three months were pessimistic and suicidal thoughts, while the most frequently reported emergent symptoms were reduced appetite and inner tension. Patients were much more likely to no longer have a particular symptom than to acquire a new symptom. Overall, the symptoms present at three months were not severe in either group. Conclusions In older adults treated for major depression, residual symptoms at three months may include emergent symptoms as well as persistent symptoms, and are likely to include symptoms of anxiety as well as sadness. These findings have clinical implications for the treatment of late-life depression. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plaque‐Like Myofibroblastic Tumor: Report of Three Cases

Plaque-like myofibroblastic tumor of infancy (PMTI) was first reported in 2007. The first two cases described large, plaque-like tumors presenting in infancy with microscopic features consistent with dermatofibroma but with immunohistochemical features of myofibrocytic lineage. We present three additional cases of PMTI, the first cases reported since the initial two cases, and describe additional clinical features of this condition, including presentation in early childhood as opposed to infancy, development of ulceration, and aggressive growth. We propose shortening the name of this condition to plaque-like myofibroblastic tumor because presentation can occur in infancy or in early childhood.
Homes for hermits: temporal, spatial and structural dynamics as transportable homes are incorporated into a population

Understanding the process by which limiting resources are incorporated into populations is a major goal of ecology. While many studies have examined this dynamic process using essential resources like homes, few of these studies have involved homes that can be transported by their occupants. This study introduced over a thousand transportable homes into a population of terrestrial hermit crabs Coenobita compressus, animals that carry their homes with them wherever they travel. These new homes were tracked between years to test key predictions about the temporal dynamics the homes would generate, and the spatial and structural changes the homes would undergo as they were used by the population. When moving into new homes, crabs dropped off their old homes directly at the exchange site, and the number of such traded-in homes peaked rapidly in time. Traded-in homes were under half the diameter of new homes, a difference apparently magnified by social formations involving vacancy chains. After crabs moved into new homes, they carried the homes away from the exchange site. The following year, these homes were displaced a distance four orders of magnitude times their diameter, thus penetrating extensively through the population. Between years, crabs also remodeled the internal architecture of the homes, creating homes that were more spacious and less of a burden to carry. These results suggest that transportable homes generate novel ecological dynamics along temporal, spatial and structural dimensions, which are a direct consequence of their transportability.
Reduced insulin receptor signaling in retinal Müller cells cultured in high glucose.

PURPOSE To measure key proteins involved in insulin resistance in retinal Muller cells. METHODS Cells known as retinal Muller cells were cultured in normal (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) to mimic a diabetic condition. Cells were treated with 50 nM Compound 49b, a novel β-adrenergic receptor agonist. Additional cells were treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against protein kinase A or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element binding protein (CREB). Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measurements were made for protein changes in TNFα, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), insulin receptor (IR), Akt, and cell death proteins (Fas, fas ligand, cytochrome C, Bax, cleaved caspase 3, and Bcl-xL). RESULTS Hyperglycemia significantly increased TNFα and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 levels. This was associated with increased phosphorylation of IRS-1(Ser307) and IR(Tyr960), with decreased phosphorylation of IR(Tyr1150/1151) and Akt(Ser473). The reduced insulin receptor and Akt phosphorylation led to a significant increase in proapoptotic proteins. Compound 49b reversed the loss of Akt and IR(Tyr1150/1151) phosphorylation, reducing Muller cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Hyperglycemia-induced TNFα levels promote insulin resistance in retinal Muller cells, noted through increased phosphorylation of IRS-1(Ser307) and IR(Tyr960). The dysfunctional insulin signaling increases apoptosis of retinal Muller cells, which is blocked through treatment with Compound 49b. Taken together, β-adrenergic receptor agonists may protect retinal Muller cells through maintenance of normal insulin receptor signaling.
Variability in coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) Chlorophyll imagery of ocean margin waters off the US East Coast

Abstract The purpose of our study was to use the 7.5-year coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) image time series (Oct. 1978 to July, 1986) to study general patterns in near-surface phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations in ocean margin waters off the US East Coast. We defined 21 relatively large study areas (>100 km 2 ) within the MAB and SAB to set boundaries for averaging and subsequent analyses. Our objective was to partition the observed CZCS-derived chlorophyll concentration (CSAT, mg m −3 ) variability of these 21 study areas within three general categories based on time scale: daily (i.e. day–week), seasonal and interannual. An additional objective was to determine relations between the temporal patterns in the 21 study areas. All available CZCS imagery (more than 3500 scenes of Level 1 imagery, i.e. top-of-the-atmosphere radiance in satellite swath coordinates) covering some or all of our area of interest (northwest Atlantic off the US East Coast) were obtained at full resolution, processed to Level 2 (water-leaving radiance, chlorophyll concentration and other derived products in satellite swath coordinates) and mapped to two different study regions located off the southeast and northeast coasts of the US. Satellite-derived estimates of near-surface chlorophyll concentrations (CSAT) were extracted on a pixel-by-pixel basis from each of the 21 study areas (chosen based on oceanographic criteria) from each of the daily composite CSAT images. For each image and when satellite coverage permitted, CSAT values were averaged to yield a time series of daily mean values for each of the 21 study areas. We used three basic approaches to quantify temporal and spatial patterns in the 21 time series: (1) multiple linear correlation, (2) structure functions (semi-variance calculations) and (3) empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). Our results show: (1) a simple annual CSAT cycle common to all ocean margin waters along the entire US East Coast, consisting of a broad peak in CSAT concentration during winter and minimum concentrations during the summer; (2) relatively subtle across- and along-shelf changes to the timing and relative magnitude of the winter CSAT maxima and summer minima, as well as the presence of secondary seasonal peaks in some regions; (3) high variability at time scales of days to weeks superimposed on the seasonal pattern; (4) high spatial coherence of the seasonal component between all 21 study areas; (5) high coherence of the days-to-weeks component between adjacent study areas, but generally low or no coherence for study areas not adjacent or near each other; and (6) detectable, but low interannual variability.
Clustered components analysis for functional MRI

A common method of increasing hemodynamic response (SNR) in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is to average signal timecourses across voxels. This technique is potentially problematic because the hemodynamic response may vary across the brain. Such averaging may destroy significant features in the temporal evolution of the fMRI response that stem from either differences in vascular coupling to neural tissue or actual differences in the neural response between two averaged voxels. Two novel techniques are presented in this paper in order to aid in an improved SNR estimate of the hemodynamic response while preserving statistically significant voxel-wise differences. The first technique is signal subspace estimation for periodic stimulus paradigms that involves a simple thresholding method. This increases SNR via dimensionality reduction. The second technique that we call clustered components analysis is a novel amplitude-independent clustering method based upon an explicit statistical data model. It includes an unsupervised method for estimating the number of clusters. Our methods are applied to simulated data for verification and comparison to other techniques. A human experiment was also designed to stimulate different functional cortices. Our methods separated hemodynamic response signals into clusters that tended to be classified according to tissue characteristics.
Spectral fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation

A novel spectral fringe-adjusted joint transform (SFJTC) correlation based technique is proposed for detecting very small targets involving only a few pixels in hyperspectral imagery. In this technique, spectral signatures from the unknown hyperspectral imagery are correlated with the reference signature using the SFJTC technique. This technique can detect both single and/or multiple desired targets in constant time while accommodating the in-plane and out-of-plane distortions. Furthermore, in this paper, a new metric, called the peak-to-clutter mean, is introduced that provides sharp and high correlation peaks corresponding to targets and makes the proposed technique intensity invariant. Test results using real life hyperspectral image datacubes are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Hierarchical hidden Markov model with application to joint analysis of ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq data

Motivation: Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments followed by array hybridization, or ChIP-chip, is a powerful approach for identifying transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) and has been widely used. Recently, massively parallel sequencing coupled with ChIP experiments (ChIP-seq) has been increasingly used as an alternative to ChIP-chip, offering cost-effective genome-wide coverage and resolution up to a single base pair. For many well-studied TFs, both ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip experiments have been applied and their data are publicly available. Previous analyses have revealed substantial technology-specific binding signals despite strong correlation between the two sets of results. Therefore, it is of interest to see whether the two data sources can be combined to enhance the detection of TFBS. Results: In this work, hierarchical hidden Markov model (HHMM) is proposed for combining data from ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip. In HHMM, inference results from individual HMMs in ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip experiments are summarized by a higher level HMM. Simulation studies show the advantage of HHMM when data from both technologies co-exist. Analysis of two well-studied TFs, NRSF and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), also suggests that HHMM yields improved TFBS identification in comparison to analyses using individual data sources or a simple merger of the two. Availability: Source code for the software ChIPmeta is freely available for download at http://www.umich.edu/~hwchoi/HHMMsoftware.zip, implemented in C and supported on linux. Contact:ghoshd@psu.edu; qin@umich.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Friction Stir Welding of High Strength Aluminum Alloys

Friction stir welding is a solid state joining process that is finding vast applications in the aerospace industry, particularly for joining high strength aluminum alloys [1-16]. The objective of this study was to understand the effects of friction stir welding (FSW) on structure and properties in two high strength Al alloys; an Al-Li-Cu alloy and a 7050 alloy. Microstructural and fatigue crack growth aspects are discussed.
Occurrence of Bunodera sacculata Van Cleave and Mueller, 1932 in Perca flavescens From Silver Creek and Silver Lake, Michigan

Bunodera sacculata (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) infected 65 (54%) of 120 yellow perch collected in 1997 and 40 (50%) of 80 perch from Silver Creek in 1998, and 17 (30%) of 56 perch in 2000 from Silver Lake in lower Michigan. Gravid B. sacculata occurred in the pyloric ceca and anterior intestine. There were differences in monthly trends (July through August) in prevalences, mean intensities, and mean abundances of B. sacculata in Silver Creek between 1997 and 1998. The mean intensity ± SD (8.2 + 9.1) and mean abundance (4.1 ± 7.8) of B. sacculata were significantly higher in 1998 than in 1997 and 2000. An additional 20 perch (0+ in age) collected from the creek in July 1998 were all infected and had the highest mean intensity of 21.3 ± 14.1.
Development of a Lunar Architecture Simulation Environment for Evaluating the Use of Propellant Re-Supply

The NASA Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) produced a transportation architecture for returning humans to the moon affordably and safely, while using commercial services for tasks such as cargo delivery to low earth orbit (LEO). Another potential utilization of commercial services is the delivery of cryogenic propellants to LEO for use in lunar exploration activities. With in-space propellant re-supply available, there is the potential to increase the payload that can be delivered to the lunar surface, increase lunar mission durations, and enable a wider range of lunar missions. The addition of onorbit propellant re-supply would have far-reaching effects on the entire exploration architecture. Currently 70% of the weight delivered to LEO by the cargo launch vehicle is propellant needed for the TLI burn. This is a considerable burden and significantly limits the design freedom of the architecture. The ability of commercial providers to deliver cryogenic propellants to LEO may provide for lower cost and better performing lunar architecture.
MOCVD Growth and Characterization of InNAs/GaAs Quantum Wells

InNAs/GaAs multiple-quantum-wells were grown by MOCVD on (100) SI-GaAs substrates using trimethylindium, tertiarybutylarsine, and 95–97.5% of dimethylhydrazine (DMHy) in the vapor phase. The crystalline quality and solid phase composition were evaluated using highresolution x-ray diffraction analysis. Nitrogen content in InNAs wells was determined to be 28%. Electron energy loss spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of nitrogen in quantum wells. Surface morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission microscopy (FEM).
Renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure and PGE2 in pressure natriuresis.

The present study tested the hypothesis that the presence of renal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is necessary for full natriuretic response to increased renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) during increased renal perfusion pressure (RPP). In control untreated pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs (n = 7), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) was 1.17 +/- 0.48, 1.07 +/- 0.24, and 2.69 +/- 0.57% at RPP of 90, 122, and 148 mmHg, respectively. These changes in FENa were associated with effective renal blood flows (ERBF) of 1.43 +/- 0.20, 1.49 +/- 0.23, and 1.99 +/- 0.40 ml.min-1.g kidney wt-1, respectively. Similarly, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 0.53 +/- 0.10, 0.71 +/- 0.10, and 0.72 +/- 0.14 ml.min-1.g kidney wt-1, respectively. Treatment with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, significantly lowered FENa to 0.45 +/- 0.13, 0.77 +/- 0.21, and 1.19 +/- 0.59% at RPP of 91, 121, and 146 mmHg, respectively. Additionally, indomethacin treatment lowered ERBF (0.51 +/- 0.15, 0.52 +/- 0.10, and 0.85 +/- 0.21 ml.min-1.g kidney wt-1) and GFR (0.28 +/- 0.09, 0.34 +/- 0.09, and 0.47 +/- 0.09 ml.min-1.g kidney wt-1) at low, middle, and high RPP, respectively. PGE2 replacement (n = 6) into renal artery at 0.01 microgram.min-1.kg body wt-1 returned FENa, ERBF, and GFR to control levels over the same range of RPP, whereas prostacyclin (PGI2) infusion (n = 7) at the same dose did not. RIHP was 4.2 +/- 1.2, 4.2 + 0.5, and 7.5 +/- 1.7 mmHg with increasing RPP in control untreated group and increased to similar levels with indomethacin treatment and during PGE2 or PGI2 replacement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Vergil, Horace, Tibullus: Three Collections of Ten

As examples of the Roman poetry book composed of ten poems, Vergil's Eclogues, Horace's Sermones 1 and Tibullus' first book of Elegies are conspicuous for their similarity of form, all three containing poems of uniform metre and comparable length. Although we cannot be certain that these were the first or only ten poem books in the history of Latin poetry, we cannot help but notice the circumstances that draw them together: their close succession within the space of a decade, their identical positions as the first major publication of each author's career and the well-documented personal association between Horace as central figure of the succession and his two fellow poets, especially his close friendship with Vergil at the time he was composing the Satire Book. While inconclusive in themselves, these circumstances are an inducement to look closely at such similarities of compositional design as the books themselves may show.
Auditor Specialization in the Nonprofit Sector

While Big 4 has been an effective audit quality measure in many industries, it has had mixed results in the nonprofit sector. This paper considers the use of industry specialization as an audit quality measure and investigates the determinants and effects of selecting an industry specialist on nonprofit organizations in the United States. Our results indicate that the determinants and consequences of selecting an industry specialist auditor vary significantly from those associated with Big 4 audit firm selection but are similar to those of industry specialist auditor selection in the public company sector. We find industry specialist auditor choice is associated with higher governance quality (higher governance index, larger boards, and more independent boards) and higher financial risk, indicating auditor selection is a complement in the overall governance system of nonprofit organizations. Moreover, specialist auditors have a shorter audit report lag than both non-specialist auditors and Big 4 auditors, an indicator of higher auditor reporting quality. Nonprofits audited by specialist auditors also see a future increase in direct donations and a decrease in government grants for funding their operations. We conclude that specialist auditors help nonprofits diversify their revenue streams, important as it helps strengthen their financial position, stability and viability.
Experimental verification and characterization of sub-harmonic traveling wave on an ultrasonic micromotor

In this paper, we studied the nonlinear subharmonic traveling resonant modes which generate the rotational motion on the surface-macromahcined ultrasonic micromotors. Actuated by a die-attached PZT plate, when the resonant frequency of the one of the stator's vibration mode is close to PZT plate's thickness mode resonance (∼4.2MHz), rotating wave is generated on the stator. Driven at 3.78MHz, the rotating wave on the stator with 820μm diameter is optically detected and spatially characterized with an optical microscope. Together with laser interferometer measurements, two subharmonic modes are obtained, (1, 13) traveling mode at 1.78MHz and (0, 20) standing mode at 2MHz. The experimental results are further verified with finite element simulation. The traveling wave is acoustically coupled to the rotor without sliding to generate motor rotation. To study motor rotation control, signal bursts with various number of cycles are applied to the motor, and rotation rate of 2 degree per thousand cycles with angular control of as little as 0.1 degree is achieved.
Model predictive control strategy evaluation of an integrated solar combined cycle plant

This paper presents the design and evaluation of a model predictive control (MPC) strategy established at a supervisory level. The control strategy implementation was done with a dynamic simulator of an integrated solar combined cycle plant. The purpose of the strategy is to regulate the steam pressure of the superheater of the Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) plant. The supervisory control strategy allows the reduction in fuel consumption of an integrated solar combined cycle plant.
Impact of Digital Governments

Open image in new window The informational power and connectivity of the internet provides new opportunities for government to promote digital democracy and modernize public service delivery. In this chapter, we discuss how digital government has the potential to change government. On the one hand, we discuss how digital government enables more direct democratic elements in representative democracies and how these opportunities will put pressure on government to let citizens participate in decision-making. On the other hand, we discuss how digital government provides new opportunities for public service delivery and how it has the potential to transform the public administration towards a more citizen-oriented and transparent public service provider.
Absolute photoionization cross sections of two cyclic ketones: cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone

Absolute photoionization cross sections for cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone, as well as partial ionization cross sections for the dissociative ionized fragments, are presented in this investigation. Experiments are performed via a multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometer utilizing vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron radiation supplied by the Advanced Light Source of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These results allow the quantification of these species that is relevant to investigate the kinetics and combustion reactions of potential biofuels. The CBS-QB3 calculated values for the adiabatic ionization energies agree well with the experimental values, and the identification of possible dissociative fragments is discussed for both systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comatulid crinoids from the Jacksonian (Eocene) of Louisiana

Two crinoidal dorsal cups from the Moodys Branch Marl Formation, Jacksonian (Eocene) of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, are described as Himerometra caldwellensis n. sp. and H. louisianensis n. sp. This detailed report of two new species, assigned with reservation to Himerometra, constitutes the first definitive descriptions of Tertiary comatulid crinoids from Louisiana.--Modified journal abstract.
Field trial of 2 calcium supplements on early lactation health and production in multiparous Holstein cows

Our objectives were to measure serum Ca concentrations in the first 48 h postpartum in cows supplemented with oral Ca or subcutaneous Ca and nonsupplemented cows and evaluate the effect of these treatments on the incidence of metritis, displaced abomasum, mastitis, and early lactation disease (any of the diseases milk fever, retained placenta, metritis, or displaced abomasum), removal from the herd, pregnancy to first insemination, and average daily milk yield for the first 10 wk of lactation. We conducted 2 experiments on 1 commercial herd in New York State. In experiment 1, multiparous Holstein cows (n = 30) were blocked by parity (2 and ≥3) and sequentially assigned at calving to nontreated control (CON, n = 10), subcutaneous administration of 500 mL 23% Ca gluconate at calving (SC, n = 10), or administration of an oral Ca bolus containing 43 g of calcium at calving and again 12 h later (OB, n = 10). Blood was collected before treatment and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h thereafter for measurement of serum total Ca concentration. In experiment 2, 1,478 multiparous Holstein cows were sequentially assigned by calving date to the same 3 treatments (CON, n = 523; SC, n = 480; OB, n = 475). In experiment 1, SC cows had greater Ca concentrations from 1 through 12 h post-treatment and OB cows had greater Ca concentrations at 1 and 24 h post-treatment compared with CON cows. We found no difference in risk of metritis, displaced abomasum, early lactation disease diagnosis, or pregnancy to first insemination among treatments. Treatment with SC or OB had no effect on average daily milk yield compared with CON cows (CON = 46.7 kg; SC = 47.1 kg; OB = 47.0 kg). Cows treated with SC or OB that had a high relative herd milk rank in the previous lactation were almost half as likely to be diagnosed with mastitis in the first 60 DIM compared with CON cows [risk ratio (RR)SC = 0.57, RROB = 0.54]; however, we found no difference in risk of mastitis among treatments for cows with low relative herd milk rank. Second-parity cows fed a negative prepartum dietary cation-anion difference ration and treated with SC or OB were more likely to be removed from the herd than CON cows (RRSC = 3.91, RROB = 4.72); this difference was not observed in second-parity cows fed a neutral prepartum dietary cation-anion difference ration or in parity ≥3 cows. Although Ca supplementation increased serum Ca, this effect did not greatly improve milk production or health and reproductive outcomes.
A Relationship Governance Perspective of Organizational Buyers' Supplier Choice Decisions

ABSTRACTAlthough the transaction cost analysis (TCA) has long been used by marketing and management scholars to study organizational buyers' make-or-buy decisions, it sheds limited light on their choice behavior beyond the make-or-buy trade-off. In the meantime, many organizational purchase decisions are structured around which independent supplier to buy from, rather than a typical make-or-buy decision. This study extends existing research on TCA by applying this theoretical framework to explore why organizational buyers make purchases from among independent suppliers. The article posits that (1) two forms of relationship governance—buyer trust and market (i.e., the relative dependence between the buyer and supplier)—help explain the differences in buyer decision-making uncertainty involving independent suppliers, which further influences the buyers' propensity to purchase; and that (2) trust further influences the buyers' propensity to purchase due to its effect on customer perceived value. The empirica...
Right Ventricular Dysfunction

Abstract Although once considered to be of secondary importance, few would now disagree that the right ventricle is fundamental to the pathogenesis and outcomes of almost all categories of heart disease. Clearly, heart failure is no exception. In this book, the relevance of the right ventricle in individual diseases will be discussed in detail. It has long been known to be the key driver of outcomes in various forms of congenital heart disease, and in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, for example. While its role in the long-term outcomes of single ventricle physiology are perhaps sometimes overstated, emerging data in regard to the uniqueness of the right ventricle in this circulation are also appearing. Thus, instead of rehearsing the influence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in each of these circumstances, this brief chapter will serve to emphasize the fundamental physiology of the right ventricle and, perhaps most importantly, how it works with its counterpart on the left as essentially a single unit. The importance of these ventricular–ventricular interactions is already being appreciated in adult and pediatric heart failure, and their influence is likely to become even more relevant as more data become available.
Artful Teaching and Science Investigations: A Perfect Match:

Tomlinson’s explanation of Artful Teaching and her 2017 expansion of this concept The Five Key Elements of Differentiation provide the theoretical framework of this examination of the need for scie...
Does sedation offer better outcomes than local anaesthesia for thyroid FNA in adult patients

Objective To examine the potential benefits of sedation in adults undergoing fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules. Methods This retrospective study compared the outcomes of sedated and non-sedated FNA patients. Results A total of 860 patients underwent 1698 FNAs of thyroid nodules. The mean patient age was 52.4±14.4 years, and 80.2% of patients were women. The non-sedated group consisted of 782 patients with 1543 (93.5%) FNA procedures. The sedated group consisted of 66 patients who underwent 107 (6.5%) FNAs. There was no statistical difference between these groups with respect to age, gender, nodule size, nodule vascularity, non-diagnostic sample rate and post FNA hematoma (P > .05). Conclusions Performing FNA of thyroid nodules in adult patients under sedation is not associated with a higher diagnostic yield or lower bleeding rate when compared to local anesthesia. Sedation should be judiciously used on only very anxious patients due to the increased overall cost.
Functional septorhinoplasty in the pediatric and adolescent patient.

Abstract Objectives To describe pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty and to analyze both subjective and objective outcomes. Methods Retrospective review of prospective cohort study of patients ≤18 years old undergoing functional septorhinoplasty between 2013 and 2016 at a tertiary care center. Patient demographics, nasal exam, procedure, and pre- and postoperative nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) score, EuroQOL 5-dimension (EQ5D), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) scores were analyzed. Results 39 patients, 48.7% male, mean age 15.9 years (range 7–18), with nasal obstruction underwent functional septorhinoplasty with mean follow up of 8.5 months. Patients reported a history of allergies (46.5%), nasal fracture (59.0%), and previous nasal surgery (25.6%). Most common exam findings included internal nasal valve narrowing (92.3%), superior/dorsal septal deviation (74.4%), external nasal valve narrowing (43.6%), caudal septal deviation (35.9%), and a narrow middle vault (33.3%). Septal cartilage grafts were placed in 79.5% of patients and PDS plate was used in 28.2%. Most common procedures included spreader grafts (84.6%), columellar strut graft (30.8%), and swinging door (23.1%). Of patients with both baseline and postoperative scores, at last follow up NOSE scores (SD) decreased from 59.0 (23.7) to 21.2 (8.8) (n = 26, p Conclusions Functional septorhinoplasty is safe and effective in select pediatric and adolescent patients with significant nasal obstruction and results in significant improvements in both subjective and objective outcomes measures.
Introducing Internet Terminals to the Home: Interaction Between Social, Physical, and Technological Spaces

A field study was carried to examine the effects of introducing Internet terminals to the home. The results showed that the acceptance of an Internet terminal such as the WebTV set-top box is dependent on existing technologies, the availability and use of spaces in the home, the social structure and dynamics within the home, and the nature of information and communication needs within the home and with the community outside. The results are interpreted using Venkatesh & Mazumdar’s framework in which the home is conceptualised as three interrelated spaces: social, technological, and physical. Analysis of the findings showed how the new technology changes the dynamics and the relationships in and between these spaces and how the home in turn reconstructs itself as part of the process of appropriation. I conclude by drawing out design implications for Internet terminals in the context of the home.
Impact of Kilo-Voltage Cone Beam Computed Tomography on Image-Guided Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric impact of kilo-voltage cone beam computed tomography (kVCBCT) on image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) of prostate cancer with Monte Carlo method. In this study, the 10 MV photons from the treatment head and the 125 kV photons from the on-board imager of a Varian Trilogy linear accelerator has been modeled with EGS4 Monte Carlo code. Using multiple source models as beam input, Monte Carlo dose calculations were performed with the EGS4/MCSIM on the real patient anatomy and beam setup. 3D dose distributions were compared and dosevolume histograms (DVH) were analyzed to assess the impact of kVCBCT doses on the patients. Our DVH analyses indicated that during a typical IGRT treatment of prostate cancer, the 10 MV photon beams deposited the most doses to the prostate and the adjacent critical structures and the kVCBCT-induced excessive doses were most significant on the anterior and posterior sides of patient anatomy (about 3.5% of prescribed dose) and at the femur heads (about 3%). Despite the added CBCT doses, the doses to the femur heads, bladder and rectum were still below the limit. Due to kVCBCT, the testicular dose has increased to about 1.2 Gy, up by 330% compared to the regular IMRT without kVCBCT. Reducing the kVCBCT field span from 30 cm to 15 cm in superior-inferior direction will cut the testicular doses from 4.2 cGy to 0.4 cGy per scan. Hence, it is essential to understand the risks of excessive doses to the testes and other critical organs and choose appropriate scanning protocol when using kVCBCT for patients undergoing image-guided radiation therapy of prostate cancer.
A Long-Term Radial Velocity Program of High Accuracy with a Small Telescope

We are making accurate observations of the change in Doppler shift of stellar absorption lines. The purpose is to detect the oscillatory reflex motion due to planets orbiting stars. The scrambling of incident light by an optical fiber and the stability of wavelength calibration by a Fabry-Perot etalon provide immunity to systematic errors. Select- ing several echelle diffraction orders in the vicinity of 4250–4600 A, which are imaged on a CCD, about 350 points on the profile of the stellar spectrum are sampled by successive orders of interferometric transmission through the etalon. At 4300 A each interference order is 47 milliangstroms wide and the sample points are 0.64 A apart, causing distinct, widely-spaced monochromatic images of the entrance aperture to be formed in the focal plane of the camera. Changes in Doppler shift modify the relative intensities of these images, according to the slope of the spectral profile at each point sampled. To simplify operation and enhance sensitivity, the instrument is being operated as a null-measurement accelerometer, responding only to changes in radial velocity. With an argon emission line lamp the interferometer is calibrated to two parts in 100 million; this corresponds to ± 6 meters/sec in Doppler shift.
Separatism, the Arab uprisings and the legacies of lost territorial autonomy

ABSTRACTThis paper considers the origins of separatist conflicts by examining the Arab uprisings of 2011. Given the internal fractionalization of Arab polities and the artificiality of their border...