cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facility-level conditions leading to higher reach: a configurational analysis of national VA weight management programming.

BACKGROUND While the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) MOVE! weight management program is effective in helping patients lose weight and is available at every VHA medical center across the United States, reaching patients to engage them in treatment remains a challenge. Facility-based MOVE! programs vary in structures, processes of programming, and levels of reach, with no single factor explaining variation in reach. Configurational analysis, based on Boolean algebra and set theory, represents a mathematical approach to data analysis well-suited for discerning how conditions interact and identifying multiple pathways leading to the same outcome. We applied configurational analysis to identify facility-level obesity treatment program arrangements that directly linked to higher reach. METHODS A national survey was fielded in March 2017 to elicit information about more than 75 different components of obesity treatment programming in all VHA medical centers. This survey data was linked to reach scores available through administrative data. Reach scores were calculated by dividing the total number of Veterans who are candidates for obesity treatment by the number of "new" MOVE! visits in 2017 for each program and then multiplied by 1000. Programs with the top 40 % highest reach scores (n = 51) were compared to those in the lowest 40 % (n = 51). Configurational analysis was applied to identify specific combinations of conditions linked to reach rates. RESULTS One hundred twenty-seven MOVE! program representatives responded to the survey and had complete reach data. The final solution consisted of 5 distinct pathways comprising combinations of program components related to pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, and comprehensive lifestyle intervention; 3 of the 5 pathways depended on the size/complexity of medical center. The 5 pathways explained 78 % (40/51) of the facilities in the higher-reach group with 85 % consistency (40/47). CONCLUSIONS Specific combinations of facility-level conditions identified through configurational analysis uniquely distinguished facilities with higher reach from those with lower reach. Solutions demonstrated the importance of how local context plus specific program components linked together to account for a key implementation outcome. These findings will guide system recommendations about optimal program structures to maximize reach to patients who would benefit from obesity treatment such as the MOVE! PROGRAM
Hybrid QSS and Dynamic Extended-Term Simulation Based on Holomorphic Embedding.

Power system simulations that extend over a time period of minutes, hours, or even longer are called extended-term simulations. As power systems evolve into complex systems with increasing interdependencies and richer dynamic behaviors across a wide range of timescales, extended-term simulation is needed for many power system analysis tasks (e.g., resilience analysis, renewable energy integration, cascading failures), and there is an urgent need for efficient and robust extended-term simulation approaches. The conventional approaches are insufficient for dealing with the extended-term simulation of multi-timescale processes. This paper proposes an extended-term simulation approach based on the holomorphic embedding (HE) methodology. Its accuracy and computational efficiency are backed by HE's high accuracy in event-driven simulation, larger and adaptive time steps, and flexible switching between full-dynamic and quasi-steady-state (QSS) models. We used this proposed extended-term simulation approach to evaluate bulk power system restoration plans, and it demonstrates satisfactory accuracy and efficiency in this complex simulation task.
Therapeutic Benefit of Galectin-1: Beyond Membrane Repair, a Multifaceted Approach to LGMD2B

Two of the main pathologies characterizing dysferlinopathies are disrupted muscle membrane repair and chronic inflammation, which lead to symptoms of muscle weakness and wasting. Here, we used recombinant human Galectin-1 (rHsGal-1) as a therapeutic for LGMD2B mouse and human models. Various redox and multimerization states of Gal-1 show that rHsGal-1 is the most effective form in both increasing muscle repair and decreasing inflammation, due to its monomer-dimer equilibrium. Dose-response testing shows an effective 25-fold safety profile between 0.54 and 13.5 mg/kg rHsGal-1 in Bla/J mice. Mice treated weekly with rHsGal-1 showed downregulation of canonical NF-κB inflammation markers, decreased muscle fat deposition, upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines, increased membrane repair, and increased functional movement compared to non-treated mice. Gal-1 treatment also resulted in a positive self-upregulation loop of increased endogenous Gal-1 expression independent of NF-κB activation. A similar reduction in disease pathologies in patient-derived human cells demonstrates the therapeutic potential of Gal-1 in LGMD2B patients.
Hadamard Transform Analytical Systems

A spectrometer sorts electromagnetic radiation into its component colors. Each color corresponds to a particular value of a parameter—wavelength, energy, or frequency—and the resulting spectrum displays the intensity of radiation for each value of this parameter.
Partial regularity and the navier-stokes equations

Publisher Summary A sufficiently regular strong solution is known to be unique in the class of Leray–Hopf weak solutions. However, weak solutions are not known to be unique. The fundamental regularity problem for the Navier–Stokes equations in three space dimensions remains open: even if f = 0, one does not know whether weak solutions remain smooth for all time. A suitable weak solution can be singular only on a rather small set. Results of this type, called “partial regularity theorems,” are well known in the theory of minimal surfaces and quasi-linear elliptic systems. It was Scheffer's remarkable idea to study the Navier–Stokes equations from this point of view.
The direct Monte Carlo method for calculating alloy phases

A number of theories exist for predicting the structure of an alloy on the assumption that the energy of the alloy can be obtained from an Ising model Hamiltonian $${2}\sum\nolimits_{ij} {[V_{ij}^{AA} p_i^A p_j^A \, + \,V_{ij}^{BB} p_i^B p_j^B \, + \,V_{ij}^{AB} (p_i^A p_j^B + p_i^B p_j^A )]}$$ (1) where \({p_i^A }\) is one if the atom at site i is an A atom, and zero if it is not Theorists have made efforts over the years to write the exact expression for the total energy of an alloy in the form of this Hamiltonian, 1,2,3,4 and to calculate the interatomic potentials, \({V_{ij}^{\alpha \beta } }\), from the electronic structure. The present work is based on the observation that it is not necessary to introduce interatomic potentials if the Monte Carlo (MC) method5 is used for the thermodynamics. The crux of the MC method for obtaining the equilibrium distributions of atoms in an alloy is a calculation of the energy required to replace an A atom on site i with a B atom when the configuration of the atoms on the neighboring sites, κ, is specified, \(\delta H(A \to B)\, = \,E_B (\kappa )\, - \,E_A (\kappa )\). A random number Z between zero and one is generated and the atoms at site i are interchanged only if a condition is satisfied, such as \({\rm{Z < }}\frac{1}{2}\left[ {1 - \tanh \left( {{\rm{\delta H/2}}{{\rm{k}}_{\rm{B}}}{\rm{T}}} \right)} \right]\). In the MC calculations done to date, δH is obtained from the Ising model in Eq. (1), but we calculate it directly from the electronic structure of the alloy using the embedded cluster method (ECM) of alloy theory. The ECM has reached its highest stage of development in a paper by Gonis, Butler, and Stocks,6 and is in turn based on the coherent potential approximation (CPA) for the electronic states of random substitutional alloys.7
Between Surface and Summit: the Process of Mound Construction at Feltus

Geophysical methods that explore depths more than 1 m below the surface were employed at Feltus (22Je500), a Coles Creek period (ad 700–1200) mound-and-plaza group in southwestern Mississippi, USA. It is difficult to assess the internal structure of large platform mounds such as those at Feltus using excavation and traditional geophysical techniques alone. As a result, such investigations often focus only on activities that took place during and after the final stage(s) of construction. Our 2012 research at Feltus utilized electrical resistivity tomography and downhole magnetic susceptibility to examine the internal structure of two platform mounds at depths beyond those commonly targeted by shallow techniques. These methods revealed mound stages, prepared floors, midden and pit features, and construction attributes within the fill episodes. By refocusing our attention on the process of mound building rather than the final use of the mound summits, this research broadened our view of the role of monuments in creating and strengthening community ties. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transgenic mice expressing a functional human photopigment.

PURPOSE. Changes in retinal photopigments represent a fundamental step in the evolution of visual systems, in that addition of new pigment types or alterations in the spectral absorption properties of existing pigments modify visual capacities and thus open new visual worlds. To provide a tool that would allow direct examination of the changes caused by the presence of novel photopigments, this study was designed to determine whether a gene encoding a human cone photopigment introduced into the mouse genome would be expressed in a cone-specific manner and would support phototransduction. METHODS. Mice transgenic for the human long wavelength-sensitive (L) photopigment were generated by microinjection of fertilized mouse eggs. RNA expression in different tissues was monitored by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Photopigment protein was localized in retinal cross sections and wholemounts by antibody staining. Light transduction of the cone photopigments was assessed by flicker photometric electroretinography (ERG). RESULTS. The human transgene was expressed specifically in the mouse cones in quantities comparable to those of the mouse middle wavelength-sensitive (M) pigment gene. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that the human L pigment was abundantly synthesized in most mouse cones, was translocated to the outer segments, and caused no detectable cone degeneration. Electroretinographic spectral sensitivity analysis showed that the human L pigment was efficient in eliciting an electrical response. The degree of expression of the transgene in the two founders correlated well with the spectral responsivity of the ERG. CONCLUSIONS. The human L photopigment transduces light efficiently in mouse cones, implying that all protein domains necessary for efficient interaction with intracellular transport and signal transduction machineries in mouse cones have been conserved through evolution. The expression of the human L photopigment gene in both classes of cone of the mouse retina indicates that the transgene did not have the regulatory elements necessary for restricting its expression to mouse M cones or that such elements are not recognized in mouse UV-sensitive cones. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1998;39:1036-1043)
Effects of indomethacin on sheep uteroplacental circulations and sensitivity to angiotensin II

Indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, injected simultaneously into the abdominal aorta of the ewe and her fetus at 125 days' gestation causes vasoconstriction of both the uterine and umbilical circulations. There is no change in these hemodynamic effects of indomethacin in the presence of phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist. When the indomethacin experiment is repeated seven to 10 days later, a uterine vasoconstriction 10 per cent greater than that found earlier occurs, but there is no change from control umbilical vascular resistance. The mean maternal arterial pressure response (20 mm. Hg) to angiotensin II with and without indomethacin also was examined at the same time in gestation. Indomethacin infusion to the ewe significantly reduces the pressor dose (nanograms per kilogram per minute) by 42 +/- 4 per cent. Thus, in pregnant sheep in the third trimester, endogenous prostaglandins appear to be: (1) partial determinants of basal blood flow in both the uterine and umbilical circulations and (2) modulators of the vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin II in the ewe.
Changes in VO2 max Resulting from Bicycle Training at Different Intensities Holding Total Mechanical Work Constant

Abstract Effects of different training intensities on VO2 max were determined. Sixteen male Ss (ages 16–18) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 training groups or a control group. The training groups trained 3 days/wk on bicycle ergometers at different intensities (85%, 75%, or 65% of HR max) with all groups doing the same total mechanical work (12,000 kpm per training session). Measurement of VO2 at each of the 3 workloads in 2 anthropometrically similar individuals revealed a similar O2 cost needed to accomplish 12,000 kpm of mechanical work. Analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference (p < .01) in VO2 max between the groups. Significant differences (p < .01) were found between both the 85% and 75% groups and the control. No significant differences were found between the 65% group and the control or between the 75% and the 85% group. Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that when comparing between training intensities while holding mechanical work constant it is necessary to w...
Sample selection for analytical method development

Summary Accurate quantification of low level impurities is essential in defining the quality of pharmaceutical products. To that end, a great deal of time is devoted to developing methods to meet these needs. The first step of this development project must be to define and gather a set of samples containing any potential and actual impurities that need to be assessed by the purity method. With this set in hand, subsequent development exeriments can assure that a method or methods can accurately and completely determine the purity of a pharmaceutical product. This chapter provides detailed guidance in selecting the set of samples that contain the compounds of interest that must be quantified at low levels for a pharmaceutical product. A list of potential components and their sources is provided. Guidance is given on sample-screening techniques and when to eliminate samples that are redundant or unnecessary. Finally, techniques are outlined to enrich and combine samples in order to minimize the sample set.
Influence of Calcium and Manganese on Dechaining of Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Abstract The events responsible for the transition of Lactobacillus bulgaricus 1243-F from long filamentous chains to short bacilloid rods were examined in a cation-depleted liquid medium. In the presence of magnesium only, cells grew as long chains of unseparated cells. The addition of 100 μM to 1 mM calcium or manganese to this medium resulted in the dechaining of these cells to short bacilloid rods. Fe2+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Cu2+ failed to induce dechaining. Induction of calcium and manganese dechaining functioned under controlled pH maintained at 5.0 and 6.0 but not at pH 7.0. This was consistent with a previous report showing failure in synthesis of dechaining enzymes by L. bulgaricus under pH conditions approaching alkalinity (S. K. Rhee and M. Y. Pack, J. Bacteriol. 144:865-868, 1980). We conclude that under pH conditions which permit synthesis of dechaining enzymes, calcium and manganese are necessary for dechaining activity.
The current impact flux on Mars and its seasonal variation

Abstract We calculate the present-day impact flux on Mars and its variation over the martian year, using the current data on the orbital distribution of known Mars-crossing minor planets. We adapt the Opik–Wetherill formulation for calculating collision probabilities, paying careful attention to the non-uniform distribution of the perihelion longitude and the argument of perihelion owed to secular planetary perturbations. We find that, at the current epoch, the Mars crossers have an axial distribution of the argument of perihelion, and the mean direction of their eccentricity vectors is nearly aligned with Mars’ eccentricity vector. These previously neglected angular non-uniformities have the effect of depressing the mean annual impact flux by a factor of about 2 compared to the estimate based on a uniform random distribution of the angular elements of Mars-crossers; the amplitude of the seasonal variation of the impact flux is likewise depressed by a factor of about 4–5. We estimate that the flux of large impactors (of absolute magnitude H 16 ) within ±30° of Mars’ aphelion is about three times larger than when the planet is near perihelion. Extrapolation of our results to a model population of meter-size Mars-crossers shows that if these small impactors have a uniform distribution of their angular elements, then their aphelion-to-perihelion impact flux ratio would be 11–15, but if they track the orbital distribution of the large impactors, including their non-uniform angular elements, then this ratio would be about 3. Comparison of our results with the current dataset of fresh impact craters on Mars (detected with Mars-orbiting spacecraft) appears to rule out the uniform distribution of angular elements.
Observation of a persistent non-equilibrium state in cold atoms

A cold-atom experiment confirms Boltzmann’s special case predicted more than a century ago: the ‘breathe’ mode of a gas in a perfectly isotropic three-dimensional harmonic potential is never damped by elastic collisions. Boltzmann noticed that his transport equation predicts special cases in which gases never reach thermal equilibrium. One example is the monopole breathe mode of atoms confined in a perfectly isotropic three-dimensional (3D) harmonic potential1. Such a complete absence of damping had not been observed in nature, and this anomaly weakened Boltzmann’s then-controversial claim to have established a microscopic, atomistic basis for thermodynamics. Only recently has non-damping of a monopole mode in lower-dimensional systems been reported in cold-atom experiments performed in highly elongated trap geometries2,3. The difficulty in generating a sufficiently spherical harmonic confinement for cold atoms has so far prevented the observation of Boltzmann’s fully 3D, isotropic case. Here, thanks to a new magnetic trap4 capable of producing near-spherical harmonic confinement for cold atoms, we report a long-delayed vindication for Boltzmann: the observation of a 3D monopole mode for which the collisional contribution to damping vanishes.
Risk management in public sector research: approach and lessons learned at a national research organization

As the Canadian federal government's main research body and a public sector agency, the National Research Council (NRC) must manage numerous strategic as well as operational risks, including those at the project, program and portfolio levels. Such risks might arise from political and other stakeholder interests, intellectual property ownership and policy, funding structures, public perceptions of science and technology, occupational health and safety, management of highly qualified personnel, availability of receptor capacity for research being undertaken, and unknown markets for very new research areas, to name a few. Varying risk management practices have existed across NRC institutes and programs in the past as a result of the relative autonomy afforded to these groups. In seeking a more systematic approach, driven by both external and internal interests, NRC researched best practices, models and frameworks for risk management. NRC needed an appropriate model and approach for managing risk that could be applied throughout different levels and within the various arenas of its activities. The approach selected is based on the concept of enterprise risk management, allowing NRC to look not only at specific areas of risk but the larger picture – effectively assessing, controlling, exploiting and monitoring risks from all sources that might threaten the achievement of its goals. At the same time, such an approach also ensures that potential opportunities that could facilitate achievement of its goals are not missed. This paper shares some of NRC's findings of its research (including best practices), describes its current framework and approach, as well as some of its challenges.
Crystal Structure of the Carboxyltransferase Domain of Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase

Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylases (ACCs) are required for the biosynthesis and oxidation of long-chain fatty acids. They are targets for therapeutics against obesity and diabetes, and several herbicides function by inhibiting their carboxyltransferase (CT) domain. We determined the crystal structure of the free enzyme and the coenzyme A complex of yeast CT at 2.7 angstrom resolution and found that it comprises two domains, both belonging to the crotonase/ClpP superfamily. The active site is at the interface of a dimer. Mutagenesis and kinetic studies reveal the functional roles of conserved residues here. The herbicides target the active site of CT, providing a lead for inhibitor development against human ACCs.
Nanostructure Manipulation Device for Transmission Electron Microscopy: Application to Titania Nanoparticle Chain Aggregates

Experimental difficulties in studying nanostructures stem from their small size, which limits the use of traditional techniques for measuring their physical properties. We have developed a nanostructure manipulation device to apply tension to chain aggregates mounted in a transmission electron microscope. A 1-mm-long slit was cut in the center of a lead-tin alloy disc, measuring 3 mm in diameter and 200 microm in thickness. The disc was heated to about 140 degrees C before it was pressed between two quartz slides. The disc was then thinned by mechanical dimpling and ion milling until holes developed around the slit. The edges of the slit were 0.2 to 3 microm in thickness while the gap between them was up to a few microns. This disc was bonded to the two plates of a cartridge. The slit could be widened or narrowed at controlled speeds of 0.5 to 300 nm/s. The system was tested using titania (TiO2) nanoparticle chain aggregates (NCA) deposited across the slit. The ends of the NCA remained attached to the edges of the slit, which was widened at about 0.7 nm/s. In this way, the NCA was stretched up to 176% of its initial length before breaking.
Grain boundary diffusion of hydrogen in nickel

Grain boundary diffusion of hydrogen in nickel was quantified through permeation measurements performed on fine-grained foils produced by electrodeposition. The permeation data were analyzed with a modified version of the Hart equation. The grain boundary diffusion coefficient at 30°C is at least 3 × 10−12 m2/s, which is a factor of 40 greater than the lattice diffusion coefficient; however, the analysis indicates that a 1000-fold increase may not be unreasonable. The activation energy for grain boundary diffusion in this system is 30 kJ/mole, which is approximately three-fourths of the activation energy for hydrogen diffusion in single-crystal nickel. These results indicate that grain boundary diffusion should be considered in models of hydrogen transport during hydrogen-induced cracking of nickel and nickel-based alloys.
Survey of Parallel MATLAB Techniques and Applications to Signal and Image Processing

We present a survey of modern parallel MATLAB techniques. We concentrate on the most promising and well supported techniques with an emphasis in SIP applications. Some of these methods require writing explicit code to perform inter-processor communication while others hide the complexities of communication and computation by using higher level programming interfaces. We cover each approach with special emphasis given to performance and productivity issues.
ST2 and Adrenomedullin in Heart Failure

ST2 is the receptor for interleukin-33, a cytokine with antihypertrophic and antifibrotic effects on the myocardium. Serum levels of the soluble form of ST2 serve as a biomarker for ventricular biomechanical strain and provide prognostic information in patients who have symptomatic heart failure. Adrenomedullin is a vasoactive peptide whose actions run counter to the physiologic derangements of clinical heart failure. It appears that measurements of serum adrenomedullin levels can be used to identify those patients who have advanced heart failure and who are at increased risk for heart failure–related death.
Achieving productivity-led growth in Africa: towards an agenda for improving scientific and technological capacity

Improving productivity of African economies is a principal priority of the development agenda. This study examines preconditions for sustained productivity increases, and argues that improved scientific and technological capacity is required along with macroeconomic stability and improved business environments. As competition policy, good governance, and provision of infrastructure and other public goods improves, the degree of technological competency of African economies will play an increasingly decisive role in their success as global competitors. African knowledge institutions should be repositioning themselves to strengthen capacity in fundamental disciplines of science, technology, and engineering, while governments should promote national technology learning strategies.
Lagrangean decomposition using an improved Nelder–Mead approach for Lagrangean multiplier update

Abstract Lagrangean decomposition has been recognized as a promising approach for solving large-scale optimization problems. However, Lagrangean decomposition is critically dependent on the method of updating the Lagrangean multipliers used to decompose the original model. This paper presents a Lagrangean decomposition approach based on Nelder–Mead optimization algorithm to update the Lagrangean multipliers. The main advantage of the proposed approach is that it results in improved objective function values for the majority of iterations. The efficiency of the proposed approach is illustrated with examples from the literature and the solution of scheduling problems.
Vegetation clutter model

The statistical behavior of the radar backscattering coefficient \sigma\deg of agricultural crops is examined. The data used were obtained by the microwave active spectrometer (MAS) systems in 1975 and 1976. Based on an evaluation of the angular and spectral variation of the mean, median, and 90-percent dynamic range of the \sigma\deg (dB) histograms, empirical expressions describing the joint angular and frequency dependence of the mean and median were generated for each linear polarization configuration. The clutter model thus generated covers the angular range between 0\deg (nadir) and 80\deg and the frequency range between 1 GHz and 18 GHz. Decorrelation of \sigma\deg with frequency spacing was also evaluated and modeled.
The Construction of "User-Friendly" Tests of Cognitive Functioning: A Synthesis of Maximal- and Typical-Performance Measurement Philosophies

Abstract Maximal- and typical-performance tests are viewed as having complementary strengths and weaknesses. We propose a methodology and describe a test battery that synthesizes the psychometric strengths of maximal-performance tests and the engagingness of typical-performance tests. We show that this battery measures the same abilities tapped by well-known conventional cognitive tests, but is viewed by examinees as less stressful, more interesting, and of greater real-world relevance than conventional tests. We therefore argue that psychometric tests of cognitive abilities are not, on the average, compromised in their measurement of strictly analytical skills by stressfulness, boringness, or artificiality, as has been proposed by critics of testing. However, testing instruments that reduce these aversive factors may have important practical benefits, especially in applications where they may discourage research participation. Prime examples of such applications include large door-to-door surveys and small focus groups that address topics relating to cognitive functioning.
Comparison of trypan blue dye exclusion and fluorometric assays for mammalian cell viability determinations

A hemocytometer-based trypan blue dye exclusion cell quantitation and viability assay was compared with a similar assay using simultaneous fluorometric staining with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Viable and nonviable cell densities were measured, and culture viability was calculated both during the normal growth cycle of a murine hybridoma and in response to the application of millimolar concentrations of either tert-butyl hydroperoxide or ferrous iron. During the early phase of rapid hybridoma cell growth, assay-based differences in viable cell density were not significant. As the culture aged, the trypan blue dye exclusion assay significantly overestimated cell viability, thereby underestimating nonviable cell density and yielding an erroneous estimation of the overall viability of the culture. Because of its lack of ambiguity in the identification of stained, nonviable cells and its resulting increased accuracy in the estimation of culture viability, the fluorometric assay was considered a better choice for the evaluation of cell viability.
Investigation of the tantalum--fluorine reaction by modulated molecular beam mass spectrometry

Abstract The reaction of molecular fluorine with polycrystalline tantalum was studied by modulated molecular beam-mass spectrometric methods. The reaction was investigated at temperatures of 690 and 930°K at equivalent fluorine pressures between 10 −5 and 10 −4 Torr. TaF 5 was identified as the sole reaction product. Lower fluorides of tantalum were not present in the product vapors. Fluorine atoms could not be detected, but on theoretical grounds were not expected. The molecular beam data support a reaction model involving a thin scale of a lower fluoride (probably TaF 3 ) present on the surface during reaction. The kinetics of the reaction are governed by the diffusional properties and the reactivity of the lower fluoride scale with respect to adsorbed F atoms. No independent evidence of a surface scale was obtained, however.
New stable numerical inversion of Abel's integral equation

Abstract The 3-D image reconstruction from cone-beam projections in computerized tomography leads naturally, in the case of radial symmetry, to the study of Abel's type of integral equations. A new method for the numerical solution of such equations when the experimental information is obtained through measured data, on a discrete set of points, is presented and rigorously analyzed.
Electron-stimulated dissociation of molecular N2 adsorbed on Ru(109) : A TPD and IRAS investigation

Abstract Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared-reflection absorbance spectroscopy (IRAS) studies have been performed on the molecular adsorption state of N2 and its subsequent electron-induced dissociation on an atomically stepped Ru(1 0 9) single crystal surface. IRAS results revealed that N2 adsorbates exhibit only a single infrared absorption band at ∼2198–2196 cm−1 up to saturation, indicating an on-top configuration. TPD results show three distinct features (termed α1, α2, and α3), where at the lowest coverage, only α1 grows up to saturation with desorption at 184 K, followed by the α2 feature which desorbs at 136 K, and then, the surface saturates with the development of the α3 feature desorbing at 112 K. The IRAS results confirm that the three N2 desorption states comprise the molecular adsorption states on Ru(1 0 9) by the complete depletion of the IR band after annealing up to 200 K. The α1-N2 state is shown to be due to adsorption on the step sites of Ru(1 0 9). Electron-stimulated dissociation of the molecular N2 adsorbates produces two distinct recombinative, N(a) + N(a), desorption states (β1 and β2) between 400 and 800 K. The appearance of the β2 state is shown to be due to the coverage of atomic N produced by electron bombardment.
Data analysis strategies for the detection of gravitational waves in non-Gaussian noise

In order to analyze data produced by the kilometer-scale gravitational wave detectors that will begin operation early next century, one needs to develop robust statistical tools capable of extracting weak signals from the detector noise. This noise will likely have non-stationary and non-Gaussian components. To facilitate the construction of robust detection techniques, I present a simple two-component noise model that consists of a background of Gaussian noise as well as stochastic noise bursts. The optimal detection statistic obtained for such a noise model incorporates a natural veto which suppresses spurious events that would be caused by the noise bursts. When two detectors are present, I show that the optimal statistic for the non-Gaussian noise model can be approximated by a simple coincidence detection strategy. For simulated detector noise containing noise bursts, I compare the operating characteristics of (i) a locally optimal detection statistic (which has nearly-optimal behavior for small signal amplitudes) for the non-Gaussian noise model, (ii) a standard coincidence-style detection strategy, and (iii) the optimal statistic for Gaussian noise.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Faith-Based Organizing in the USA

AbstractThis article serves as an introduction to faith-based community organizing and to this special issue of IJPT. First, an overview of the history of community organizing in the US includes introductions to the key figures (Saul Alinsky and Ed Chambers), organizing networks and methods currently employed. Then current challenges to community organizing are explored, such as technology, gender and race. Further, the rigid distinction between broad-based and issue organizing is challenged. Finally, the article notes that the impact of Barack Obama’s background as a community organizer on political discourse has raised the profile of this form of social mobilization, and it is reframing the questions raised for public theologians as community organizing moves into the future.
Direct cloning and extended culture of antigen-specific MHC-restricted, proliferating T lymphocytes

The development of antigen-specific, T-cell lines has been a subject of intensive investigation by many laboratories interested in the problems of the nature of the T-cell receptor and the mechanism of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction. We describe here a modification of the soft agar cloning technique which has allowed us to rapidly generate and expand proliferating T-lymphocyte clones directly from murine lymph nodes. Using this technique, we demonstrate that such T-cell clones are antigen specific and require I–A compatible antigen-presenting cells for stimulation.
Quantifying levels of transplanted murine and human mesenchymal stem cells in vivo by realtime PCR

Background Previously, we demonstrated that murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) injected intracranially into neonatal mice expand throughout the central nervous system (CNS). This paper describes real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays that enable accurate quantification of transplanted cells in vivo . Methods RT-PCR assays that amplify sequences in the mouse Y chromosome or human Alu repeats were developed and used to quantify the number of male, murine or human MSCs in the CNS at various times after intracranial injection into neonatal mice, or in various organs of adult mice after i.p. injection of cells into 13 day-old embryos. Results In the CNS, levels of male mouse DNA in female transplant recipients increased on average 30-fold between 3 and 60 days post-injection, but then was unchanged at 140 days post-transplant (P= 0.107). Male DNA accounted for up to 0.309% of the total DNA content of brain, representing maximally 600000 donor cells. Human DNA was detected in the CNS up to 300 days post-transplant, but levels never exceeded 7.63 × 10 −4 % of total brain DNA content. After in utero transplantation, human DNA levels ranged from 0.36 × 10 −5 % to 2.14 × 10 −5 % of the total DNA content of liver, kidney and spleen. Significantly higher levels were found in heart (P = 0.06), femur and brain (P= 0.02), and lung (P= 0.0025). Discussion RT-PCR assays were developed to quantify levels of male, murine and human cells in vivo following sex-mismatched or xeno-transplants. Due to their accuracy, precision, and sensitivity, these assays provide a versatile alternative to measuring stem-cell engraftment in vivo .
Matched pair analyses of stage IV breast cancer with or without resection of primary breast site.

Background Reports demonstrate improved survival of stage IV breast cancer patients with primary cancer resection. This may result from selection for surgery, rather than biological processes.
Transport through chromia films

Abstract Chromium oxide surface films that form in situ on alloy surfaces are the basis for providing high-temperature corrosion resistance when such alloys are used in high-temperature service. While the slow growth kinetics of chromium oxide is integral to its acting as a corrosion barrier, its periodic growth and spallation finally render alloys unprotective when the chromium concentration in the alloy gradually decreases from about ∼25–30% to about 10–15%. At these latter concentrations the ability of the alloy surface to form a continuous chromium oxide film becomes severely compromised. The ability to decrease the growth kinetics of chromium oxide films can thus prolong the service life of such alloys. Certain rare earth elements such as Ce and Y, whether they are introduced into the alloy as a dispersion of oxides or ion-implanted on the surface, have the ability to significantly reduce the growth rate of chromium oxide. Concomitantly, the major migrating species in the oxide film changes from chromium to oxygen. There is controversy in the literature on the mechanisms leading to these effects. The present study provides further advances in our understanding of this important effect.
High-speed particle image velocimetry to assess cardiac fluid dynamics in vitro: From performance to validation

Abnormality in cardiac fluid dynamics is highly correlated with several heart conditions. This is particularly true in valvular heart diseases and congenital heart defects where changes in flow-field accompany significant variations in chambers’ pressure gradients. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is a convenient technique in assessing cardiac fluid dynamics in vitro. With PIV, it is possible to quantitatively differentiate between normal and abnormal intracardiac flow fields in transparent models of cardiac chambers. Understanding the flow-field inside the heart chambers is challenging due to the fast pace of the flow, three dimensionality of the events, and complex deformability of the heart chambers that highly depends on compliance. Defining standard test-phantoms for particular performance studies ensure accuracy of the tests and reproducibility of the data for implantable devices, regardless of who performs the tests. In this work, we have described several different measures for assessment of cardiac fluid dynamics of heart valves using our novel experimental system that is particularly designed and developed for in vitro investigation of intracardiac flow.
Observation of Vortex Packets in Direct Numerical Simulation of Fully Turbulent Channel Flow

A number of experimental studies have inferred the existence of packets of inclined, hairpin-like vortices in wall turbulence on the basis of observations made in two-dimensional x-y planes using visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV). However, there are very few observations of hairpins in existing three-dimensional studies made using direct numerical simulation (DNS), and no such study claims to have revealed packets. We demonstrate, for the first time, the existence of hairpin vortex packets in DNS of turbulent flow. The vortex packet structure found in the present study at low Reynolds number, Re_b = 300, is consistent with and substantiates the observations and the results from two-dimensional PIV measurements at higher Reynolds numbers in channel, pipe and boundary layer flows. Thus, the evidence supports the view that vortex packets are a universal feature of wall turbulence, independent of effects due to boundary layer trips or critical conditions in the aforementioned numerical studies. Visualization of the DNS velocity field and vortices also shows the close association of hairpin packets with long low-momentum streaks and the regions of high Reynolds shear stress.
Thermo-mechanical Viscoelastic, Viscoplastic, and Viscodamage Model for Polymers and Polymer Composites

Polymer and polymer composite materials offer a wide range of advantages high such as strength-to-weight ratio, impact resistance, highflexibility , recyclability, corrosion resistance, low cost and fast processing times, make them very attractive which materials [1, 2]. The vast applications of using materials in such common and highboth tech industries exhibit the -importance of establishing and using accurate, simplereliable, , and practical numerical models to simulate and predict the behavior of ese materials. There are numerousth experimental observations indicating the nonlinear behavior of polymers and polymer composites in different loading conditions, especially high temperatureat s or high stress levels[3, 4]. Due to the complex behavior of materials especially these the challenges in the modeling damage ofnucleation and growth that depends on rate of loading,temperature, and the history of deformation, much less emphasis has been placed on predicting the damage evolution and fracture of polymer and polymer composites. Moreover, the combination of non-linear thermo-viscoelasticity, thermo-viscoplasticity, and rate- and temperaturedependent damage (thermo- -viscodamage) effects seems unavoidable. Reviewing the available publications in the open literature on this of materials fieldsurprisingly reveals that, even though there are several damage models for polymers, few works have been done for developmentthe of such numerical models to couple the viscoelastic, viscoplastic, and damage effects as a comprehensive model for predicting the mechanical responses and actual behavior of polymers at different temperatures, stress levels, and strain rates. To bridge this gap combination of , a Schapery’s nonlinear viscoelasticity - [5] and the Perzyna’s viscoplasticity constitutive model[6] s along with viscodamage model the recently proposed by Darabi et al. [7] have been utilized in this study for modeling the nonlinear behavior of polymers and polymer composites at different loading conditions and temperatures. The presented thermo-viscodamage model is a function of temperature, total effective strain, damage history, and the damage driving force expressed in terms of thdeviatoric e stress invariants in the undamaged configuration.This expression for the damage force enables the distinction between the influence of compression and extension loading conditions on damage nucleation and evolution. Also, the ability of the constitutive model for predicting the tertiary creepwhich , shows the non-linear behavior of polymers during damage nucleation and growth, is presented.
Perception of spatial relationships by the right and left hemispheres in commissurotomized man

Abstract Square arrays of dots organized by differential spacing into rows or columns were tachistoscopically presented in the right or left visual half-field of human commissurotomy patients, who signalled the orientation of the lines of dots by means of a finger movement. All patients were significantly more accurate on displays in the left half-field than on those in the right, suggesting that in man the right hemisphere is more competent than the left in perceiving the overall stimulus configuration inherent in the spatial organisation of its parts.
Cytosolic free calcium concentrations in synaptosomes during histotoxic hypoxia.

Altered cytosolic free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) accompany impaired brain metabolism and may mediate subsequent effects on brain function and cell death. The current experiments examined whether hypoxia-induced elevations in [Ca2+]i are from external or internal sources. In the absence of external calcium, neither KCl depolarization, histotoxic hypoxia (KCN), nor the combination changed [Ca2+]i. However, with external CaCl2 concentrations as small as 13 μM, KCl depolarization increased [Ca2+]i instantaneously while hypoxia gradually raised [Ca2+]i. The combination of KCN and KCl was additive. Increasing external calcium concentrations up to 2.6 mM exaggerated the effects of K+ and KCN on [Ca2+]i, but raising medium calcium to 5.2 mM did not further augment the rise. Diminishing the sodium in the media, which alters the activity and perhaps the direction of the Na/Ca exchanger, reduced the increase in [Ca2+]i due to hypoxia, but enhanced the KCl response. The changes in ATP following K+ depolarization, KCN or their combination in the presence of physiological calcium concentrations did not parallel alterations in [Ca2+]i, which suggests that diminished activity of the calcium dependent ATPase does not underlie the elevation in [Ca2+]i. Valinomycin, an ionophore which reduces the mitochondrial membrane potential, elevated [Ca2+]i and the effects were additive with K+ depolariration in a calcium dependent manner that paralleled the effects of hypoxia. Together these results suggest that hypoxia-induced elevations of synaptosomal [Ca2]i are due to an inability of the synaptosome to buffer entering calcium.
A Simple Model for Computation of Packet Radio Network Communication Performance

A model is presented that allows the computation of the approximate level of communication performance for an arbitrary packet radio network using one of a variety of protocols. The communication performance is specified in terms of the end-to-end message delays incurred for a given level of end-to-end traffic rates. The network is specified in terms of its link capacities. While the model makes a variety of assumptions to allow simple computation of the performance level, agreement within a factor of two is obtained with results from simulation. As the number of nodes in the network and its connectivity is increased, the model is expected to give better accuracy. Thus, the model should prove to be a useful tool in the design and analysis of large packet radio networks where detailed analysis and simulation would prove too cumbersome.
Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a pair of copper dicarboxylate/dipyridylamine coordination polymers with a non-interpenetrated CdSO4 topology

Abstract Hydrothermal synthesis has afforded a pair of divalent copper coordination polymers containing the kinked and hydrogen-bonding capable imine 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa) and aromatic dicarboxylates, {[Cu(iph)(dpa)]·0.5H2O}n (1, iph = isophthalate) and [Cu(tdc)(dpa)]n (2, tdc = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate). Compounds 1 and 2 contain orthogonally disposed parallel sets of 1-D [Cu(iph)]n and [Cu(tdc)]n chains, respectively, containing dicarboxylate-bridged dinuclear {CuOCO}2 units. The chain motifs are joined by tethering dpa ligands to construct uncommon non-interpenetrated 3-D CdSO4 lattices (658 topology) in both cases. Variable temperature magnetic studies show the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling within the {CuOCO}2 dimers in both complexes, with J = −2.66(3) and −1.68(5) cm−1 for 1 and 2, respectively.
Hyperspherical hidden crossing method applied to Ps(1s)-formation in low energy e+ − H, e+ − Li and e+ − Na collisions

The hyperspherical hidden crossing method with the correction term (HHCM+cor) has been used to calculate partial wave Ps(1s)-formation cross sections for low-energy e+ − H, e+ − Li and e+ − Na collisions. The Stuckelberg phase varies in a systematic way as a function of atomic number Z, incident positron momentum k+, and total orbital angular momentum L and provides an explanation for the small S-wave cross section for all three systems.