cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infrared polarimetry: gaining a molecular view of polymer viscoelasticity

Recent exciting advances have been made using infrared (IR) diode lasers to obtain sensitive and rapid measurements of molecular-level dynamics that control polymer material properties. Infrared diodes provide a bright, nearly monochromatic, polarized source that is excellent for use in polarimetry. Optical polarimetry is the measurement of the state of polarization of light. It is a powerful technique for studying molecular and microstructural anisotropy in a sample by measuring how the sample alters the polarization of a transmitted beam. In polymers, it is precisely such molecular anisotropy that underlies their viscoelastic properties. As theories are developed to predict the relaxation dynamics of individual parts of a polymer molecule, and of different species in polymer blends, there is increasing interest in experimental methods to distinguish these dynamics. Infrared polarimetry is extremely valuable in this regard, not only because of the direct relationship between the IR dichroism and molecular orientation, but also because it is amenable to labeling. The present paper reviews the basis of this technique and its application to study the effects of polydispersity on melt rheology, and the relaxation dynamics at different positions along a polymer chain. It concludes with an overview of research in progress and future problems to be tackled.
Structure and precipitation on a Σ = 13 tilt grain boundary in silicon

The structure of a Σ=13 (510), [001] pure tilt grain boundary in a Czochralski-grown silicon bicrystal was characterized by high-resolution electron microscopy. The observed boundary exhibited a coincident site lattice periodicity but had an aperiodic interface dislocation core structure. Discrete impurity precipitate particles were observed at the boundary. High-spatial-resolution electron-energy-loss-spectroscopy analysis showed them to be oxide particles of the form SiOx, with 0<x<1. The role of oxygen as an intrinsic impurity in the bicrystal on the structure of the boundary and on the oxide precipitation at the boundary is briefly discussed.
Patterning in goldfish as a function of magnitude of reinforcement

Single alternation of reinforcement and nonreinforcement produced a tendency to respond less rapidly after reinforcement than after nonreinforcement in goldfish trained with large reward. The alternating schedule did not produce this tendency in fish trained with small reward, nor did a quasirandom 50% schedule produce it in fish trained with large reward. These results indicate that patterning in fish is a function of magnitude of reinforcement and a product of the discrimination of the aftereffects of reinforcement and nonreinforcement.
Post-Release Substance Abuse Outcomes Among HIV-Infected Jail Detainees: Results from a Multisite Study

HIV-infected individuals with substance use disorders have a high prevalence of medical and psychiatric morbidities that complicate treatment. Incarceration further disrupts healthcare access and utilization. Without appropriate diagnosis and treatment, drug relapse upon release exceeds 85 %, which contributes to poor health outcomes. A prospective cohort of 1,032 HIV-infected jail detainees were surveyed in a ten-site demonstration project during incarceration and six-months post-release, in order to examine the effect of predisposing factors, enabling resources and need factors on their subsequent drug use. Homelessness, pre-incarceration cocaine and opioid use, and high drug and alcohol severity were significantly associated with cocaine and opioid relapse. Substance abuse treatment, though poorly defined, did not influence post-release cocaine and opioid use. An approach that integrates multiple services, simultaneously using evidence-based substance abuse, psychiatric care, and social services is needed to improve healthcare outcomes for HIV-infected persons transitioning from jails to the community.
A survey of two stage tests of hypotheses: theory and application

This article presents a unified treatment of the state of the art in two stage tests of hypotheses. These partial sequential tests also known as double sample tests offer a compromise between fixed sample size and pure sequential tests. Two stage tests offer many of the- benefits of pure sequential Lests while minimizing their logistical and scheduling problems. Each section contains a description of the test a nonmathematical discussion and a mathematical development.
Consequential life cycle assessment: a review

Purpose Over the past two decades, consequential life cycle assessment (CLCA) has emerged as a modeling approach for capturing environmental impacts of product systems beyond physical relationships accounted for in attributional LCA (ALCA). Put simply, CLCA represents the convergence of LCA and economic modeling approaches.
Role of dietary oleic acid in linoleic acid-enhanced metastasis of a mouse mammary tumor.

Abstract We have previously shown that a high fat diet (20% w/w) containing 12% linoleic acid (18:2) can significantly increase the metastasis of mammary tumor cells when compared with high fat diets that contain 8% or less 18:2 with a constant level of oleic acid (18:1). This effect may have been due to an alteration of eicosanoid metabolism because the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, abolished the increase. Because 18:1 may interfere with the metabolism of 18:2 to 20:4, we have now tested whether the 18:1 that supplements the 18:2 diet can have an effect on spontaneous or experimental metastasis of the line 4526 murine mammary tumor. For this, six 20% fat diets were formulated with 1%, 6%, and 12% 18:2 and either high or low levels of 18:1. Our results indicate that the amount of select fatty acids other than 18:2 at 12% has no significant effect on mouse growth, tumor growth, or tumor latency. When spontaneous metastatic burden was calculated, no significant differences between mice fed diets containing 1% and 6% 18:2 were observed. However, 4 to 5 times more of a metastatic burden was observed in mice fed diets containing 12% 18:2. No significant differences were observed between high and low 18:1 diets when the 18:2 content was 1 or 12%. However, at 6% 18:2, 18:1 significantly decreased metastatic burden. When experimental metastasis was assessed, relatively low levels of surface lung nodules were observed at 1% and 6% 18:2, but significantly higher levels were observed at 12% 18:2. The results from these experiments along with our previous findings suggest that the type of fat supplementing the 12% 18:2 diet has no effect on altering 18:2-enhanced metastasis, but that it may have an effect of lowering metastasis when the level of 18:2 is decreased. Also, because there were no differences in growth in the primary tumor, and because increased experimental metastasis was observed in mice fed 12% 18:2, increased metastasis due to high levels of 18:2 may involve that part of the metastatic cascade after which the tumor cells are released from the primary site.
The adaptive effect of narrowing the interocular separation on the AC/A ratio.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether the response AC/A ratio could be altered when the subject’s interpupillary distance (IPD) was optically halved. We measured the changes in the AC/A ratio for 10 subjects after using the optical device for 30 min. Accommodative response was measured using a Canon R-1 optometer, and vergence response was measured with an ASL 210 Eye Movement Monitor. The average AC/A ratios were 1.20 ± 0.35 (SD) (MA/D) and 0.84 ± 0.39 (MA/D) before and after wearing the device, respectively. The decrease in AC/A ratio was statistically significant (p = 0.01). This was mainly caused by a reduction in the slope of the accommodative vergence. The results of this study suggest that the AC/A ratio can be decreased if an IPD-narrowing device is used. A possible application of this mechanism in the study of myopia is discussed.
Low Pressure and Ethylene in Lettuce Seed Germination

The extent and manner of ethylene involvement in germination of lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L. cv. Mesa 659) seed at a moderate temperature (20°C) were investigated. Inhibition of germination at low pressure of 150 mmHg in an oxygen flow-through system was alleviated to a marked extent by ethylene. Carbon dioxide was ineffective by itself but caused further alleviation of inhibition in presence of ethylene and oxygen. Other seed treatments which partially alleviated the inhibition caused by low pressure included soaking in 10μM of fusicoccin and a prior treatment with acetone. Of the two ethylene adsorbents used, Purafil was more effective in inhibiting germination in a closed container. Although the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, 8-hydroxyquinoline (1.0 mM). showed no effect on ethylene production, it markedly inhibited germination and the effect was partially reversed by ethylene and GA3. An ethoxy analog of rhizobitoxine, on the other hand, had little or no effect on germination but strongly inhibited the ethylene production. Although no causal relation of ethylene to germination was established, the evidence presented here implicates ethylene, together with other gases, in the regulation of germination.
First lasing of the regenerative amplifier FEL

Abstract The regenerative amplifier free-electron laser (RAFEL) is a high-gain RF-linac FEL capable of producing high optical power from a compact design. The combination of a high-gain and small optical feedback enables the FEL to reach saturation and produce a high optical power and high extraction efficiency without the risk of optical damage to the mirrors. This paper summarizes the first lasing of the regenerative amplifier FEL and describes recent experimental results. The highest optical energy achieved thus far at 16.3 μm is 1.7 J over a train of 900 micropulses. We infer pulse energy of 1.9 mJ in each 16 ps micropulse, corresponding to a peak power of 120 MW.
Allocation of gains from inventory centralization in newsvendor environments

A company considers centralizing a single item inventory ordering for a number of stores whose demand fluctuates randomly. First, there must be savings passed on to the stores from this centralization arrangement. Then, the savings must be divided among the participating stores in a way that no store (or a subset) will have an incentive to order separately. We model this problem as a cooperative game whose players are the stores. When holding and penalty shortage costs are identical for all subsets of stores, a game based on optimal expected costs (or the corresponding benefits) is subadditive (there are savings from centralization), and for normally distributed demands, whatever their correlations the core is never empty When the stores' holding and penalty costs differ, the corresponding game may have an empty core, and in fact, centralization may not be beneficial. We give conditions on the holding and penalty costs that ensure subadditivity. Given inventory centralization and a cost allocation game ba...
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ETIOLOGY OF MUMPS

1. From four out of six specimens of saliva from six cases of mumps in the early stages of the disease, a filterable cytotropic virus has been obtained which induces in M. rhesus monkeys, following inoculation of the parotid glands through Stensen's duct, an acute, non-suppurative parotitis analogous to mumps. 2. This virus has not been found in normal saliva, nor does it correspond to any known virus with which we are familiar. 3. The virus is free of demonstrable microorganisms including spirochetes. 4. It is judged that this virus is the causative agent of mumps.
Objective and Subjective Psychophysical Measures of Auditory Stream Integration and Segregation

The perceptual organization of sound sequences into auditory streams involves the integration of sounds into one stream and the segregation of sounds into separate streams. “Objective” psychophysical measures of auditory streaming can be obtained using behavioral tasks where performance is facilitated by segregation and hampered by integration, or vice versa. Traditionally, these two types of tasks have been tested in separate studies involving different listeners, procedures, and stimuli. Here, we tested subjects in two complementary temporal-gap discrimination tasks involving similar stimuli and procedures. One task was designed so that performance in it would be facilitated by perceptual integration; the other, so that performance would be facilitated by perceptual segregation. Thresholds were measured in both tasks under a wide range of conditions produced by varying three stimulus parameters known to influence stream formation: frequency separation, tone-presentation rate, and sequence length. In addition to these performance-based measures, subjective judgments of perceived segregation were collected in the same listeners under corresponding stimulus conditions. The patterns of results obtained in the two temporal-discrimination tasks, and the relationships between thresholds and perceived-segregation judgments, were mostly consistent with the hypothesis that stream segregation helped performance in one task and impaired performance in the other task. The tasks and stimuli described here may prove useful in future behavioral or neurophysiological experiments, which seek to manipulate and measure neural correlates of auditory streaming while minimizing differences between the physical stimuli.
Pneumatosis intestinalis in non-neonatal pediatric patients.

Objectives. To describe fully pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in non-neonatal pediatric patients and to characterize those patients with higher risk of poor outcome, including need for surgery and death. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients 30 days of age and older with PI in a tertiary care children9s hospital during an 8-year period. Underlying medical condition, presenting signs and symptoms, radiologic grade of pneumatosis, and events that immediately preceded the onset of PI were reviewed, and their correlation with outcome was assessed. Results. Thirty-seven episodes of PI occurred in 32 patients. Seventy-eight percent of patients were male, and the median age was 29 months. Major patient diagnostic groups identified with PI included healthy children (22%), patients with organ and bone marrow transplant (22%), patients with decompensated congenital heart disease (12.5%), motility disorders (12.5%), gastroschisis (9%), and short bowel syndrome (6%). The most common events that immediately preceded the onset of PI were noninfectious colitis (32%), acute enteric infection or toxin (27%), bowel ischemia (20%), and gastrointestinal dysmotility (17%). Resolution of PI with medical management occurred in 78% of episodes (good outcome). Twenty-two percent of episodes resulted in a poor outcome: patient death (8%) or surgery (14%). The presence of portal venous gas and low mean serum bicarbonate concentration were the only clinical factors that correlated significantly with poor outcome. Only 25% of patients with pneumoperitoneum required surgery. Poor outcome was seen most commonly in 2 patient diagnostic groups: transplant patients (43% of patients) and decompensated cardiac disease (50% of patients). The event that preceded PI also had an impact on outcome. PI preceded by ischemia or graft versus host disease colitis was associated with poor outcome in 50% and 75% of cases, respectively. Conclusions. PI is a radiologic sign that occurs in a variety of settings in non-neonates. PI preceded by bowel ischemia or graft versus host disease colitis has the worst prognosis, and the presence of portal venous gas and acidosis correlate with poor outcome. Not all patients with pneumoperitoneum require surgical intervention. Overall, outcome of PI in non-neonatal patients was better than that reported in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis.pneumatosis intestinalis, necrotizing enterocolitis, non-neonatal.
Electrical, parametric down-conversion methodology for high-speed, low-noise, and narrow-bandwidth photodetection

We investigate methods to modulate the photodiode responsivity for high-speed photodetection, i.e., parametric down-conversion. Electrical modulation is preferred over optical modulation and gives near optimum efficiency of ~20%. Applications are near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy methods.
Signal transduction events elicited by natural products: Role of MAPK and caspase pathways in homeostatic response and induction of apoptosis

Many natural products elicit diverse pharmacological effects. Using two classes of potential chemopreventive compounds, the phenolic compounds and the isothiocyanates, we review the potential utility of two signaling events, the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the ICE/Ced-3 proteases (caspases) stimulated by these agents in mammalian cell lines. Studies with phenolic antioxidants (BHA, tBHQ), and natural products (flavonoids; EGCG, ECG, and isothiocyanates; PEITC, sulforaphane), provided important insights into the signaling pathways induced by these compounds. At low concentrations, these chemicals may activate the MAPK (ERK2, JNK1, p38) leading to gene expression of survival genes (c-Fos, c-Jun) and defensive genes (Phase II detoxifying enzymes; GST, QR) resulting in survival and protective mechanisms (homeostasis response). Increasing the concentrations of these compounds will additionally activate the caspase pathway, leading to apoptosis (potential cytotoxicity). Further increment to suprapharmacological concentrations will lead to nonspecific necrotic cell death. The wider and narrow concentration ranges between the activation of MAPK/gene induction and caspases/cell death exhibited by phenolic compounds and isothiocyanates, respectively, in mammalian cells, may reflect their respective therapeutic windowsin vivo. Consequently, the studies of signaling pathways elicited by natural products will advance our understanding of their efficacy and safety, of which many may become important therapeutic drugs of the future.
Entropy Evaluation of the Superprotonic Phase of CsHSO4: Pauling's Ice Rules Adjusted for Systems Containing Disordered Hydrogen-Bonded Tetrahedra

The entropy of the superprotonic transition (phase II → phase I) of CsHSO₄ is evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. Calorimetric measurements reveal a value of 14.75(22) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Under the assumption that the entropy is entirely configurational, arising from both sulfate group orientational disorder and disorder in the hydrogen-bond network, we evaluated several structural models of CsHSO₄ for their consistency with the measured entropy. For a structure in which hydrogen-bond disorder is independent of sulfate-group orientational disorder, simple methods of calculating the number of structural configurations are inadequate. Thus, the configurational entropy of the superprotonic, disordered phase of CsHSO₄ is evaluated using an approach similar to that employed by Pauling to describe the residual entropy of ice at 0 K. Analogous to ice and the so-called ice rules, superprotonic CsHSO₄ is assumed to obey a set of structural rules. Key among these are that there is only one proton per sulfate tetrahedron and only one proton per hydrogen bond. Defects are argued to make a negligible contribution to the transition entropy. The transition entropy obtained from this model, 14.9 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, is in excellent agreement with the measured value. Such a match between theoretical and experimental values suggests that of all published Phase I structures, the structure proposed by Jirak² more correctly describes the arrangements of the sulfate tetrahedra and protons attached to them. The assumption of a low defect concentration implies that the jump in proton conductivity at the transition is due to an increase in the mobility of charge carriers rather than their concentration.
A minimum variance kernel estimator and a discrete frequency polygon estimator for ordinal contingency tables

This paper introduces two estimators, a boundary corrected minimum variance kernel estimator based on a uniform kernel and a discrete frequency polygon estimator, for the cell probabilities of ordinal contingency tables. Simulation results show that the minimum variance boundary kernel estimator has a smaller average sum of squared error than the existing boundary kernel estimators. The discrete frequency polygon estimator is simple and easy to interpret, and it is competitive with the minimum variance boundary kernel estimator. It is proved that both estimators have an optimal rate of convergence in terms of mean sum of squared error, The estimators are also defined for high-dimensional tables.
The impulse grounding impedance computation in HVDC transmission line tower

Electromagnetic field and circuit theory combined is applied to calculate the impulse grounding impedance in HVDC transmission line towers in this paper. The mutual inductance of conductor segments are taken into account. At the same time, the images of the self resistance and mutual inductance are considered for the different medium (soil and air) interface on the surface of the ground. To calculate the impulse grounding impedance, the lightning waveform is transferred to frequency domain by FFT. Through comparison between the results in this paper and the authoritative CDEGS, the theoretical correctness is tested and proved reliable. It will provide theoretical basis for grounding optimal design and type selection, and then improve the reliability of HVDC transmission line operation.
Reciprocal-space instrumental effects on the real-space neutron atomic pair distribution function

An atomic pair distribution function (PDF) neutron powder diffraction round-robin experiment was performed on six diffractometers at three spallation sources. Instrument-specific effects on the real-space PDF were investigated, such as finite measurement range, the instrument resolution and the asymmetric shape of diffraction peaks. Two illustrative samples, a perfectly long-range-ordered element, Pb, and a locally strained alloy ZnSe0.5Te0.5, were measured at low temperatures. Various aspects of the PDF were explored, either qualitatively by direct comparison or quantitatively via structural modelling. Future implementation of modelling codes incorporating some of these instrumental effects are also discussed.
The Prevention and Treatment of Missing Data in Clinical Trials: An FDA Perspective on the Importance of Dealing With It

At the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and with its funding, the Panel on the Handling of Missing Data in Clinical Trials was created by the National Research Council's Committee on National Statistics. This panel recently published a report(1) with recommendations that will be of use not only to the FDA but also to the entire clinical trial community so that the latter can take measures to improve the conduct and analysis of clinical trials.
Revisiting Manzanar: A history of Japanese American internment camps as presented in selected federal government documents 1941–2002

Abstract Starting with a U.S. presidential proclamation regarding Japanese enemy aliens on December 7, 1941, through legislative and educational information in 2002, the federal government of the United States has published, in varied media, numerous documents concerning its 1942–1945 internment of persons of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast. This paper examines selected available executive and legislative branch documents in order to determine how much and what kind of information they reveal about the course of the government action over the years and its impact on the internees. Document tone and vocabulary are examined as a reflection of public opinion over time. The story that emerges indicates the U.S. government both reflected and reacted to public opinion over time as Americans sought to balance the rights of the individual with the rights of society.
Crystal structures of A2FeCl5⋅H2O (A=Rb+, Cs+) and field dependent superconducting susceptometer measurements

Crystal structures and low field principal crystal axis magnetic measurements are reported for the antiferromagnetic iron (III) salts A2FeCl5⋅H2O; A=Rb+, Cs+. The two compounds undergo a zero field paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic phase transition at 6.5 K (A=Cs+) and 10.05 K (A=Rb+). The spin flop magnetic phase is observed in high field measurements. The magnetic field‐temperature phase diagrams are reported. All magnetic measurements were recorded on a superconducting susceptometer. The bicritical points are 6.25 K, 14.5 kOe (A=Cs+), 9.75 K, 17.8 KOe (A=Rb+). Crystal data for Cs2FeCl5⋅H2O: space group Cmcm, Z=4, a=7.442(3) A, b=17.307(7) A, c=8.077(7) A, V=1040 A3, R=5.2%, 561 reflections. Crystal data for Rb2FeCl5⋅H2O, space group Pnma, Z=4, a=13.825(4) A, b=9.918(3) A, c=7.100(2) A, V=4.9 A3, 5.7%, 712 reflections.
Pregnancy Induces Transcriptional Activation of the Peripheral Innate Immune System and Increases Oxidative DNA Damage among Healthy Third Trimester Pregnant Women

Background Pregnancy induces physiological adaptations that may involve, or contribute to, alterations in the genomic landscape. Pregnancy also increases the nutritional demand for choline, an essential nutrient that can modulate epigenomic and transcriptomic readouts secondary to its role as a methyl donor. Nevertheless, the interplay between human pregnancy, choline and the human genome is largely unexplored. Methodology/Principal Findings As part of a controlled feeding study, we assessed the influence of pregnancy and choline intake on maternal genomic markers. Healthy third trimester pregnant (n = 26, wk 26–29 gestation) and nonpregnant (n = 21) women were randomized to choline intakes of 480 mg/day, approximating the Adequate Intake level, or 930 mg/day for 12-weeks. Blood leukocytes were acquired at study week 0 and study week 12 for microarray, DNA damage and global DNA/histone methylation measurements. A main effect of pregnancy that was independent of choline intake was detected on several of the maternal leukocyte genomic markers. Compared to nonpregnant women, third trimester pregnant women exhibited higher (P<0.05) transcript abundance of defense response genes associated with the innate immune system including pattern recognition molecules, neutrophil granule proteins and oxidases, complement proteins, cytokines and chemokines. Pregnant women also exhibited higher (P<0.001) levels of DNA damage in blood leukocytes, a genomic marker of oxidative stress. No effect of choline intake was detected on the maternal leukocyte genomic markers with the exception of histone 3 lysine 4 di-methylation which was lower among pregnant women in the 930 versus 480 mg/d choline intake group. Conclusions Pregnancy induces transcriptional activation of the peripheral innate immune system and increases oxidative DNA damage among healthy third trimester pregnant women.
Effects of Ambient and Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Ultrapure Water on Initial Growth of Native Oxide on a Silicon (100) Surface

The effects of ambient and dissolved oxygen concentration in ultrapure water (UPW) on native oxide growth were studied at room temperature using a silicon (100) surface. Studies focused on the initial stage of the surfaceoxidation immediately after the HF cleaning. The silicon surfaces were exposed at a fixed duration to the UPW with different dissolved oxygen concentrations, open air, and dry nitrogen, respectively. The SiO 2 equivalent thicknesses of the native oxides formed were then measured and compared. Results indicate that the ambient and the dissolved oxygen concentration in UPW dramatically affect the growth rate of the native oxide. Decreasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in UPW and using an inert and dry atmosphere for the ultracleaning is shown to reduce or eventually prevent the native oxide from growing on silicon surfaces. The SiO 2 equivalent thicknesses of the native oxide formed on these surfaces were characterized by a rapid acid extraction followed by a determination for extractable silicon. The extractable silicon was determined by a high-resolution magnetic-sector ICP mass spectrometer. This analytical method has been demonstrated for measurement of an oxide thickness on a silicon wafer surface down to a monolayer range with a possible 0.1 A resolution.
SnO2:F coated austenite stainless steels for PEM fuel cell bipolar plates

Abstract Austenite stainless steels (316L, 317L, and 349™) have been coated with 0.6 μm thick SnO 2 :F by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition and investigated in simulated polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environments. The results showed that substrate steel has a significant influence on the behavior of the coating. Coated 316L showed a steadily increasing anodic current in PEMFC environments, indicating that it is not suitable for this alloy/coating combination. Coated 349™ showed a cathodic current in the PEMFC anode environment, demonstrating its stability in the PEMFC cathode environment. Coated 317L exhibited a stable anodic current after a current peak (at ca . 14 min) in the PEMFC anode environment, and showed an extremely stable low current in PEMFC cathode environment, suggesting the possibility of using SnO 2 :F coated 317L for PEMFC bipolar plate applications. ICP results on the corrosion solutions showed that the PEMFC anode environment is much more corrosive than the cathode one. Fresh 316L showed the highest Fe, Cr, and Ni dissolution rates, and coating with SnO 2 :F significantly reduced the dissolution. Coating the 317L also showed a significant beneficial effect on the corrosion resistance in the PEMFC environments. Coating 349™ steel further improved the already excellent corrosion resistance of this alloy. Trace Sn ions were detected for all coated steels in PEMFC anode environment, but not in the cathode one. The influence of SnO 2 :F on the interfacial contact resistance (ICR) is mixed. For 316L and 317L steels, a SnO 2 :F coating reduced the ICR. For 349™ steel, the SnO 2 :F coating increased the ICR.
Frequency of Sudden Cardiac Death and Profiles of Risk

Abstract The epidemiology of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) must be explored from multiple aspects, each of which contributes insights into the problem and no one of which exerts exclusive dominance for preventive or therapeutic strategies. These include: (1) population dynamics, using conventional epidemiologic approaches; (2) risk as a function of time from an index event; (3) conditioning risk factors, based on the presence of underlying disease states; (4) transient risk factors that are dynamic and trigger a potentially fatal event at a specific point in time; and (5) “response risk,” which refers to individual susceptibility (possibly determined genetically) to the adverse effects of longitudinal and/or dynamic risk factors. Major inroads into profiling individual or population risk of SCD will require better understanding of each of these epidemiologic-clinical-physiologic interactions. The disciplines range from epidemiology, through clinical medicine, to membrane channel physiology, genetic determinants, and molecular biology.
Joint frequency spectral lag representation for cross-frequency modulation analysis in the brain

The concepts of modulation frequency along with modulation spectra are originally encountered in acoustics, speech and audio processing. The modulation spectrum, a function of acoustic frequency and modulation frequency, has been proposed and widely used in the speech processing community. However, modulation spectrum, much like time-frequency distribution is a representation of an individual signal and does not quantify the modulation effects between two signals. In this paper, we introduce cross frequency-spectral lag representation based on the Wigner distribution to represent the modulation relationships between two signals. The performance of the proposed distribution is illustrated for simulated signals as well as for electroencephalogram (EEG) signals.
Use of Constructed Side Channels of the Missouri River (Nebraska) by Age-0 Blue Sucker (Cycleptus elongatus)

ABSTRACT The blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) is listed as threatened in the state of Nebraska, and little is known about its life history. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission monitoring crews collected 13 age-0 blue suckers in three constructed side channels of the Missouri River from 2006 to 2008. Eleven of the 13 fish were sampled in shallow areas (<0.6 m) associated with bank-lines and vegetation and containing little to no flow (<0.10 m/s).
Central nervous system injury associated with cardiac surgery

Millions of individuals with coronary artery or valvular heart disease have been given a new chance at life by heart surgery, but the potential for neurological injury is an Achilles heel. Technological advancements and innovations in surgical and anaesthetic technique have allowed us to offer surgical treatment to patients at the extremes of age and infirmity-the group at greatest risk for neurological injury. Neurocognitive dysfunction is a complication of cardiac surgery that can restrict the improved quality of life that patients usually experience after heart surgery. With a broader understanding of the frequency and effects of neurological injury from cardiac surgery and its implications for patients in both the short term and the long term, we should be able to give personalised treatments and thus preserve both their quantity and quality of life. We describe these issues and the controversies that merit continued investigation.
Mantle transition zone thickness beneath Ross Island, the Transantarctic Mountains, and East Antarctica

[1] The thickness of the mantle transition zone beneath Ross Island, and parts of the Transantarctic Mountains and East Antarctic Craton has been mapped using data from the 2000–2003 Transantarctic Mountain Seismic Experiment to determine if, as indicated by some tomographic images, an upper mantle thermal anomaly centered beneath Ross Island is a deep-seated feature extending into the mantle transition zone. Some 2700 receiver functions have been stacked using a 3D velocity model, revealing Ps conversions from the mantle transition zone discontinuities at depths of 410 and 660 km. Results yield an average nearly uniform transition zone thickness (266 ± 10 km) that is slightly larger than the global average, implying that the upper mantle thermal anomaly does not likely extend into the transition zone. This finding favors explanations for the upper mantle thermal anomaly invoking a plume head or small-scale convection.
Soil amidase activity in polyacrylamide-treated soils and potential activity toward common amide-containing pesticides

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is currently used as an irrigation water additive to significantly reduce the amount of soil erosion that occurs during furrow irrigation of crops. Elevated soil amidase activity specific toward the large PAM polymer has been reported in PAM-treated field soils; the substrate specificity of the induced amidase is uncertain. PAM-treated and untreated soils were assayed for their capacity to hydrolyze the amide bond in carbaryl (Sevin), diphenamid (Dymid), and naphthalene acetamide. Based on results obtained with a soil amidase assay, there was no difference between PAM-treated and untreated soils with respect to the rate of amide bond hydrolysis of any of the agrochemicals tested. It appears that under these assay conditions the PAM-induced soil amidase is not active toward the amide bonds within these molecules. However, carbaryl was hydrolyzed by a different soil amidase. To our knowledge, this is the first soil enzyme assay-based demonstration of the hydrolysis of carbaryl by a soil amidase.
Geographic variation in diapause induction: the grape berry moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Diapause in insects occurs in response to environmental cues, such as changes in photoperiod, and it is a major adaptation by which insects synchronize their activity with biotic resources and environmental constraints. For multivoltine agricultural insect pests, diapause initiation is an important consideration in management decisions, particularly toward the end of the growing season. The grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (Clemens), is the main insect pest affecting viticulture, and this insect responds to postsummer solstice photoperiods to initiate diapause. Because the range of grape berry moth extends from southern Canada to the southern United States, different populations are exposed to different photoperiodic regimes. We quantified the diapause response in grape berry moth populations from Arkansas, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia, and observed latitudinal variation in diapause initiation. Populations from Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania responded significantly different than those from Arkansas, Texas, and Virginia. We also observed, as a consequence of our experiments, that the timing of our laboratory studies influenced grape berry moth's response to photoperiod, ceteris paribus. Experiments that were conducted when grape berry moth would be naturally in diapause resulted in a significant higher proportion of diapausing pupae at photoperiods (i.e., > 15 h) that generally do not induce diapause, suggesting that attention should be paid to the timing of behavioral and physiological experiments on insects. This relationship between photoperiod and diapause induction in grape berry moth across geographic regions will provide applicable knowledge to improve pest management decisions.
Cyclic AMP compartments and signaling specificity: Role of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

### Introduction The concept that cAMP has restricted access to different pools of intracellular effectors was articulated more than 30 years ago. Observations made by [Corbin et al. (1977)][1] demonstrated that the two isoenzymes of the major intracellular cAMP target, PKA I and II, are located in
On the Physical Origins of the EL2 Center in GaAs

A model, based on the kinetic reaction equations and the analysis of electric field‐enhanced emission rates of DLTS spectra, for describing the physical origins of the EL2 center in is presented in this paper. It is shown that the EL2 center may be ascribed to two different types of native point defect: one level , consisting of the antisite defect,, or the antisite cluster, , is designated as the EL2a electron trap, and the other level , consisting of the antisite‐vacancy complex, , is designated as the EL2b electron trap. The potential well for the EL2a level determined from the DLTS spectra by taking into account the electric‐field‐enhanced electron emission rates was found to be a Coulombic potential well with double donor charge state.
Design and analysis of cascading adaptive filters for active narrowband noise control

The disturbance picked up by error sensors can significantly degrade the steady-state performance of active noise control (ANC) systems for practical applications. This paper presents a cascading adaptive algorithm for removing uncorrelated disturbance and analyzes its performance in narrowband ANC systems. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed algorithm improves the behavior of adaptive filter in steady state. Computer simulations using the measured transfer functions validate its performance.
Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection Among 1.2 Million Persons With Access to Care: Factors Associated With Testing and Infection Prevalence

Background. Little is known about viral hepatitis testing and infection prevalence among persons in private healthcare organizations (HCOs) in the United States. Methods. To determine the frequency of and characteristics associated with viral hepatitis testing and infection prevalence among adults with access to care, we conducted an observational cohort study among 1.25 million adults from 4 US HCOs and included persons with ≥1 clinical encounter during 2006–2008 and ≥12 months of continuous follow-up before 2009. We compared the number of infections identified with the number expected based on adjusted data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Results. Of 866 886 persons without a previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) diagnosis, 18.8% were tested for HBV infection, of whom 1.4% tested positive; among 865 659 without a previous hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis, 12.7% were tested, of whom 5.5% tested positive. Less than half of those with ≥2 abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were subsequently tested for HBV or HCV. When tested, Asians (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.33 relative to whites) were most likely HBV infected, whereas those aged 50–59 years were most likely HCV infected (aOR 6.04, relative to age <30 years). Based on estimates from NHANES, nearly one-half of HCV and one-fifth of HBV infections in this population were not identified. Conclusions. Even in this population with access to care and lengthy follow-up, only a fraction of expected viral hepatitis infections were identified. Abnormal ALT levels often but not consistently triggered testing. These findings have implications for the identification and care of 4–5 million US residents with HBV and HCV infection.
The Interaction Effects of Program Training, Dosage, and Implementation Quality on Targeted Student Outcomes for The RULER Approach to Social and Emotional Learning

This study examined how training, dosage, and implementation quality of a social and emotional learning program, The RULER Approach, were related to students' social and emotional competencies. The...
Visualization of economic input-output data

Visual techniques used to present economic input-output data are described. These techniques were created because the size of the data matrices and the screen limitations complicate data navigation. These techniques allow users to ask questions about detailed and global information. The techniques were designed based on the user tasks. The graphic techniques are combined with direct manipulation techniques to improve the ease and efficiency with which users interact with the system. The software prototype uses 1992 US economic data.
An optimal control strategy for power distribution system operation

An optimal control strategy for the operation of a power distribution system is proposed. The objective is to meet all load demands while maintaining a desired profile and achieving minimization of power losses in the distribution system. A set of control objects of the distribution system consisting of security, operational and economical control laws (constraints) is integrated into the strategy formulation. The problem is formulated at the subnetwork level where local optimal control strategies can be implemented. An example system is solved to illustrate the procedure. >
Terrain constrained stereo correspondence

There is a persistent need in the oceanographie community for accurate three dimensional reconstructions of seafloor structures. To meet this need underwater mapping techniques have expanded to include the use of stereo vision and high frequency multibeam sonar for mapping scenes 10's to 100's of square meters in size. Both techniques have relative advantages and disadvantages that depend on the task at hand and the desired accuracy. In this paper, we develop a method to constrain the often problematic stereo correspondence search to small sections of the image that correspond to estimated ranges along the epipolar lines calculated from coregistered multibeam sonar micro-bathymetry. This approach can be applied to both sparse feature based and dense area-based stereo correspondence techniques. Data were collected on an underwater vehicle survey using a calibrated stereo rig and a multibeam sonar gathering coincident datasets. Overall, the constrained correspondence method shows improvements in the number and reliability of correct matches and allows for reduction in complexity of feature descriptors but it is heavily reliant on the quality of the intrinsic and extrinsic calibration of the camera and sonar systems.
Surface profile determination by additive-subtractive phase-modulated ESPI with Fourier analysis

An interferomeiric system for the determination of surface shape or height profiles of engineering components is presented. The system is based on additive-subtractive phase modulated electronic speckle pattern interferometry (AS-ESPI) and works successfully in harsh environmental conditions. Determination of profiles is achieved via repetitively changing the optical pathlength difference (OPD) between two interference beams in the ESPI setup. As the repetition rate is much higher than that of the video frame refreshing, one can remove random environmental noises that are normally of much lower frequency than the repetition rate by the use of speckle decorrelation and frame averaging procedures. Due to the nature that carrier fringes are automatically generated by the OPD change (namely tilting the iflumination angle of the object beam), Fourier transform approach is employed to extract the phase data. A simplified method for calculating the surface height (profile) is described and the results are compared to an exact solution. Quantitative measurement results obtained under rather noisy conditions for several components are presented.
Few Insurance-Based Differences in Upper Extremity Elective Surgery Rates After Healthcare Reform

Background Before the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, there were documented insurance-based disparities in access to orthopaedic surgeons and care of orthopaedic conditions. While Massachusetts passed healthcare reform in 2007 with many similar provisions, it is unknown whether the disparities were present during the period of the law’s enactment.
Repression of human fibroblast growth factor 2 by a novel transcription factor.

Here we describe the cloning of the regulator of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) transcription (RFT) using a yeast one-hybrid screening with a defined motif in FGF-2 promoter as a target sequence. Overexpression of human RFT (RFT-A) reduces FGF-2 RNA and protein levels in both normal and tumor cell lines. Its splice variants, RFT-A′ and RFT-B, have deletions in the putative DNA binding domain and fail to bind FGF-2 promoter and repress FGF-2 gene expression. The ratios of RFT isoforms differ between normal and tumor cells, with the splice variants dominating in tumor cells. Overexpression of RFT-A induces glioma cell death. Our data suggest that regulation of FGF-2 by RFT is important for cellular functions and may be impaired in certain tumors.
Abnormalities in the coordination of respiration and swallow in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Individual rhythms of suck, swallow, and respiration are disrupted in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Integration of respiration into suck-swallow efforts is critical for establishing coordinated suckle feeding. This study quantitatively assessed the coordination of respiration and swallow in infants with and without BPD. Thirty-four preterm infants of 26 to 33 weeks' gestational age were included: 14 participants with BPD (eight males, six females)and 20 comparison participants without BDP (10 males, 10 females). Participants were studied at postmenstrual age 32 to 40 weeks and postnatal age 2 to 12 weeks using digital recordings of pharyngeal pressure, nasal thermistor flow, and thoraco-abdominal plethysmography. The coefficients of variation (COV; standard deviation/mean) of the swallow-breath (SW-BR) and breath-breath (BR-BR) intervals during swallow runs, the percentage of 'apneic swallows' (runs of >or=3 swallows without interposed breaths), and phase relationships of respiration and swallow were used to quantify rhythmic coordination and integration of respiration into feeding episodes. Apneic swallows were significantly increased after 35 weeks in infants with BPD (mean 13.4% [SE 2.4]) compared with non-BDP infants (6.7% [SE 1.8]; p<0.05), as were SW-BR phase relationships involving apnea. The BPD cohort also had significantly higher SW-BR COV and BR-BR COV than non-BPD infants, indicating less rhythmic coordination of swallowing and respiration during feeding. Results emphasize the need for frequent rests and closer monitoring when feeding infants with respiratory compromise. Quantitative assessment of the underlying rhythms involved in feeding may be predictive of longer-term feeding and neurological problems.