cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Verification and validation of atmospheric transport models with the UF Training Reactor

Abstract The University of Florida Training Reactor (UFTR) is a 100-kW ARGONAUT type reactor with a unique design such that a large volume of air passes through the core, producing and releasing significant quantities of 41Ar. Once released, the radioargon is dispersed throughout the atmosphere and decays by a 1294 keV gamma ray emission. This quantified, validated, and controlled 41Ar plume can be utilized to verify and validate atmospheric transport models (ATMs). This is accomplished by coupling an ATM with MCNP and comparing the results to experimental measurements. For this study, an in-house developed Gaussian dispersion model and the EPA approved Gaussian model AERMOD were coupled with MCNP to simulate the results of a six hour measurement taken on May 8th, 2018. For the measurements and simulations, a grid of seven NaI detectors were placed in four different rooftop locations near the UFTR plume stack. With easterly winds dominating during the morning and early afternoon, both the measurement results and simulations displayed a higher 41Ar photon count rate on the detectors west of the plume stack throughout the day. Overall, the AERMOD simulations produced better results when compared to the in-house model, particularly for the detectors placed east and west of the plume stack. While some of the AERMOD data showed a strong correlation with the measurements, the results remain inconsistent. Due to the varying accuracy of the simulation results, it is theorized that the relationship between measurement results and simulations will improve with the use of localized weather information or the utilization of non-Gaussian dispersion models.
Recruiting vulnerable populations to participate in HIV prevention research: findings from the Together 5000 cohort study

Abstract Purpose The aim of the article was to examine factors associated with completing enrollment milestones in the Together 5000 cohort of at-risk men (n = 8661), transmen (n = 53), and transwomen (n = 63) who have sex with men. Methods Between 2017 and 2018, participants completed an online enrollment survey and were offered opportunities to complete an incentivized secondary online survey as well as self-administered at-home HIV testing (OraSure). We explored factors associated with completing each study component. Results In total, 8777 individuals completed our enrollment survey, 6166 (70.3%) completed the secondary survey, and 5010 returned the at-home HIV test kit that was mailed to them (81.3% of those mailed a kit). In our multivariable models, those who were White, with more years of education, were more likely to complete study components, although the magnitude of these associations was small. For example, 50.9% of those enrolled, 47.9% of those completing the secondary survey, and 46.8% of those completing HIV testing were persons of color—a statistically significant, but meaningfully insignificant decline. Conclusions These findings highlight the need for researchers to identify barriers that may prevent persons of color and younger individuals from participating in research studies.
Dynamic optimization of Gait with a Generalized Lower-Limb Prosthesis Model

Predictive simulation of gait is a promising tool for robotic lower limb prosthesis design, but has been limited in its application to models of existing design types. We propose a modeling approach to find optimal prosthesis dynamics in gait simulations without constraining the prosthesis to follow kinematics allowed by a specific joint mechanism. To accomplish this, we render a transtibial prosthetic device as the composition of its resultant forces and moments as they act upon the prosthetic foot and socket and allow3 degree-of-freedom planar motion. The model is implemented into a human musculoskeletal model and used to solve dynamic optimizations of muscle and prosthesis controls to minimize muscle effort and loading on the residual limb during walking. The emphasis on muscle effort vs. limb loading is varied in the minimization objective and the resulting optimal prosthesis dynamics are compared. We found that muscle effort and socket loading measures were reduced for our prosthesis model compared to a revolute joint prosthesis model. We interpret large displacements in the linear axes to transfer energy to the plantarflexion action before toe-off and reduce loading at the socket-limb interface. Our results suggest this approach could assist in the design of non-biomimetic prostheses but requires experimental validation to assess our modeling assumptions, as well as progress toward increased fidelity of predictive simulation approaches more generally.
Physicians' duty to refrain from religious discourse: a response to critics.

We recently argued that—contrary to what we call the dominant view— physicians ought to avoid engaging patients on religious grounds.1 The six responses to our article present an array of concerns and have provided us with the opportunity to consider further aspects of our view. While we cannot reply to all the relevant issues, our aim here is to reply to the most significant concerns. Against our Public Reason Argument, Nick Colgrove maintains that physicians are not relevantly akin to public officials and should therefore not be constrained by public reasons. Colgrove does not take issue with the idea that it may be reasonable for public officials to justify their policymaking according to public reasons because their policies affect a diverse population. But since ‘the [medical] decision being made is not binding for other patients,’ physicians need not be constrained by public reasons.2 Colgrove’s criticism hinges on the claim that deliberation ought to be constrained by public reason only if the outcome of such deliberation is a policy or a rule that a diverse group of people must follow (ie, to which they are bound). We disagree with this claim. We do not believe, nor did we argue, that this is a necessary condition for when we are morally required to cite public reasons. Instead we believe that three facts together provide sufficient reason for why physicians should generally be constrained by public reasons: physicians are directly and indirectly paid by the state via Medicare and Medicaid; physicians allocate public resources; and physicians are regulated by the state. Colgrove takes particular issue with our ‘Dr Chatterjee case’, which is meant to illustrate why citing religious reasons is inappropriate. And our explanation for why we find this case jarring …
Pharmaceutical Compounding: The Oldest, Most Symbolic, and Still Vital Part of Pharmacy

Historically, compounding has been always an integral part of pharmacy. Medications were prepared by pharmacists for individual patients and compounding was the only source of drugs before mass production by pharmaceutical companies. This trend started diminishing around the middle of the 20th century due to more drugs being produced by mass manufacturers. Shortly after, clinical pharmacy was introduced and many schools of pharmacy reorganized their curricula to address that change. As a result, many compounding courses have been removed and emphasis was shifted towards clinical classes. Currently, however, compounding is on the rise again, gaining more importance mainly due to the fact that it can provide an individualized approach to patient care. This review is aimed to discuss the challenges of compounding education and the main areas of growth for compounding, as well as advantages and disadvantages of compounded medications.
Potential for Moving Blocks and Train Fleets to Enable Faster Train Meets on Single-Track Rail Corridors

AbstractOn single-track rail corridors, meets between trains are a significant source of train delay. From the stopping train’s perspective, a meet can be divided into three distinct phases: brakin...
IVC Filter Retrieval: Unusual Circumstances

A 46-year-old man with history of neurofibromatosis presented with a left axillary mass. There was compression of the left axillary vein by the mass and thrombus formation for which patient was placed on anticoagulation. Prior to surgery for resection of the axillary mass, the patient underwent preoperative SVC filter placement and anticoagulation was withheld. Six weeks after surgery, the patient returned for filter retrieval.
Regulation of Behavioral and Physiological Sensitivity to Nicotine by Brain Nicotinic Receptors

Nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the central nervous system have been characterized extensively from a biochemical viewpoint and at least two classes of nicotinic receptors exist. The class of nicotinic receptors that binds the snake venom alpha-bungarotoxin (BTX) has been characterized extensively but its function remains largely unknown. Indeed, several electrophysiological investigations have suggested that the BTX binding site is not functional. It has been reported that alpha-BTX fails to inhibit neurotransmission in the autonomic ganglion of the cat (Chou and Lee, 1969), chick (Carbonetto et al, 1978) and rat (Ko et al, 1976) and in the spinal cord of the frog (Miledi and Szczepaniak, 1975) and cat (Duggan et al, 1976). Some of this failure to detect effects of BTX on nicotinic, cholinergic transmission may relate to methodological difficulties. For example, Marshall (1981) blocked nicotinic neurotransmission in frog sympathetic ganglia by treating the tissue with 1–5 uM BTX for 60–90 min. Marshall (1981) indicated that collagenase treatment was necessary to improve the access of the toxin to frog neurons. Since none of the studies that failed to observe an effect of BTX on neurotransmission used this procedure it must be concluded that the role of the BTX binding site in the CNS remains largely unknown.
A Medial Congruent Polyethylene Offers Satisfactory Early Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Although a successful operation, almost 20% of patients are dissatisfied with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to see if a medial congruent (MC) polyethylene would offer satisfactory early outcomes and patient satisfaction after TKA. Methods We reviewed prospectively collected data on 327 TKAs using multiple bearings within the same implant system. Ninety-six received an MC bearing, 70 received a cruciate-retaining (CR) bearing, and 161 received a posterior-stabilized (PS) bearing. We evaluated the visual analog scale pain scores and range of motion (ROM) at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year; Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-10) score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 3 months and 1 year; and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12) at 1 year. Results All groups had similar KOOS and PROMIS-10 scores. MC knees had lower visual analog scale scores than PS knees at all time points (P Conclusions An MC bearing provided similar or improved early pain, ROM, KOOS, PROMIS-10, FJS-12, and patient satisfaction as compared with standard bearings in TKA.
Structural disruption of the blood-brain barrier in repetitive primary blast injury.

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a growing health concern due to the increased use of low-cost improvised explosive devices in modern warfare. Mild blast exposures are common amongst military personnel; however, these women and men typically do not have adequate recovery time from their injuries due to the transient nature of behavioral symptoms. bTBI has been linked to heterogeneous neuropathology, including brain edema, neuronal degeneration and cognitive abnormalities depending on the intensity of blast overpressure and frequency. Recent studies have reported heterogeneity in blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability following blast injury. There still remains a limited understanding of the pathologic changes in the BBB following primary blast injuries. In this study, our goal was to elucidate the pathologic pattern of BBB damage through structural analysis following single and repetitive blast injury using a clinically relevant rat model of bTBI. A validated, open-ended shock tube model was used to deliver single or repetitive primary blast waves. The pathology of the BBB was assessed using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays. All data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA test. We have demonstrated that exposure to repetitive blast injury affects the desmin-positive and CD13-positive subpopulations of pericytes in the BBB. Changes in astrocytes and microglia were also detected. This study provides analysis of the BBB components after repetitive blast injury. These results will be critical as preventative and therapeutic strategies are established for veterans recovering from blast-induced traumatic brain injury.
The Research Activities of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Engineering art is based on a variety of things, ingenuity, experience, judgment, rules and regulations (even rule-of-thumb), precedent, vision, the laws of Nature known as physics and chemistry, a...
Quantum flexoelectric nanobending

The aim of this article is twofold. First, to develop a clear quantum theoretical playground where questions about the connection between strain fields and electric fields could be unambiguously explored. Second, as an application, to derive a criterion that establishes the length scale below which bent molecules, in particular, carbon nanotubes, display flexoelectricty. To this end, we consider a model molecule that displays the basic elements necessary to support flexoelectricity. Due to its simplicity, a full quantum mechanical solution is possible, providing analytical expressions for the energy bands and for the electronic states and their corresponding strain gradient-induced charge density. This charge density is in turn used to evaluate the appearance of electric fields. Finally, we investigate the consequences of applying our model to real organic ring systems, in particular, answering the question of whether flexoelectricity found in the theory should be present in experiments.
The many faces of recruitment in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Thoughtful approaches to study recruitment are a critical step in designing and implementing randomized controlled trials. Delays and challenges in recruitment can be costly and can result in smaller than proposed sample sizes which have downstream effects, such as underpowered studies. PURPOSE The current study evaluated recruitment methods (e.g., targeted mailings, brochures/flyers, social media) and their relationship to eligibility, randomization, participant characteristics and retention at end of a randomized controlled trial of physical activity adoption and maintenance among breast cancer survivors. METHODS Screening data from 874 women was analyzed for recruitment method, study eligibility, randomization and retention through end of treatment. Costs per randomized participant were calculated by recruitment method. Baseline participant characteristics were compared across recruitment methods and between randomized and retained participants. RESULTS Rates of participant accrual from eligibility screening through randomization differed statistically significantly depending on recruitment method (p < .05). The highest randomization rates were obtained via targeted mailings (88.2%) and lowest via brochure/flyer (0.4%). Among the randomized sample, there were no differences in demographic characteristics between recruitment methods, however, there were differences within the targeted mailings category (registries vs. organizational recruitment). There were statistically significant differences in costs between recruitment methods (p < .001) with lowest (non-negligible) cost being targeted mailings. CONCLUSIONS The current RCT of breast cancer survivors successfully recruited and retained participants, highlighting the need to combine recruitment methods to achieve accrual goals. Recruitment methods differed substantially in their cost and their ability to attract individuals who would ultimately be randomized.
A 1-D, sequence decomposition based, autoregressive hidden Markov model for dynamic signature identification and verification

A new model for use in writer identification and verification is presented. The signature, represented by a one-dimensional (1-D) spatial stochastic sequence, is decomposed into pseudo-stationary segments; a characterization which allows descriptions of abrupt and gradual changes in the contours. An autoregressive hidden Markov model is employed to describe the evolution of such changes. An experimental study is presented which demonstrates the model's effectiveness. >
Steroid Induction of Porphyrin Synthesis in Liver Cell Culture II. THE EFFECTS OF HEME, URIDINE DIPHOSPHATE GLUCURONIC ACID, AND INHIBITORS OF NUCLEIC ACID AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS ON THE INDUCTION PROCESS

1. Steroid induction of porphyrin synthesis in liver cell culture is, in its time of onset and course of development, in all respects similar to the induction process evoked by certain foreign chemicals and drugs. Steroids and foreign chemicals have additive-inducing effects when added to cultures in suboptimal amounts; however, when added in individually optimal amounts, the intensity of induction is not enhanced nor is its latent period shortened. These results suggest that natural steroids and porphyria-inducing drugs act at the same intracellular site or sites. 2. Actinomycin D, mitomycin C, puromycin, acetoxycyclo-heximide, and other agents which inhibit nucleic acid and protein synthesis block the porphyrin-inducing effect of natural steroids. These results are consistent with the view that steroids, like porphyria-inducing drugs, stimulate porphyrinogenesis by inducing the formation de novo of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme in heme biosynthesis. 3. Certain metalloporphyrins, including iron-protoporphyrin orч eme, inhibit the steroid-induction process. The ability of heme to block steroid induction supports the idea that heme and natural steroids may compete for a binding site on a hypothetical repressor protein which ultimately regulates the activity of the structural gene which codes for δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase. 4. Uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid also blocks porphyrin induction by steroids. The blocking effect of UDP-glucuronic acid is considered to reflect the enhanced conversion of free steroid inducers to the glucuronidated or inactive derivatives. It is postulated that the ability of large amounts of glucose to inhibit the porphyric process in vivo reflects, in part or in whole, conversion of this sugar to UDP-glucuronic acid, resulting in enhanced glucuronidation and inactivation of inducing substances. 5. The clinical implications of this steroid action on the liver are discussed, and a working hypothesis on the mechanism of steroid control of porphyrin and heme synthesis is proposed. It is considered likely that endogenously derived inducing steroids are the physiological agents which account for the periodic, spontaneous, i.e. not drug related, exacerbations of hepatic porphyria in certain patients carrying the genetic lesion of this disease.
Perforation of the normal mitral valve due to staphylococcic endocarditis. Report of a case with surgical correction.

Abstract A case of staphylococcal endocarditis with perforation of a normal mitral valve resulted in severe congestive heart failure due to mitral insufficiency that could not be controlled by medical management. Surgical closure of a perforation of the anterior leaflet was successful, and the patient was returned to a near-normal state. The literature on staphylococcic endocarditis and endocarditis on normal valves is reviewed. The frequency of involvement of normal valves in acute bacterial endocarditis is emphasized. Surgical repair of the mitral valve after endocarditis is reviewed.
Clinical considerations of the glandular branch of the lacrimal artery.

The lacrimal artery is classically described as a branch of the ophthalmic artery supplied by the internal carotid. In this study, 25 orbits were dissected to identify variations in glandular branching and to compare them to previously published accounts. The glandular branching patterns of the lacrimal artery fall into two categories, those that branch (56%) and those that do not branch (44%). We found the medial and lateral glandular branches to be equal in diameter with a divergence of 2.67–40.58 mm proximal to the gland parenchyma. The long glandular branches run alongside the superolateral aspect of the orbit. The lateral branch runs lateral to the lateral rectus muscle. The medial branch runs superomedial to the lateral rectus muscle and lateral to the superior rectus muscle. In relation to the lacrimal gland, the medial branch enters the superior aspect of the gland parenchyma and the lateral branch enters its inferior aspect. The average branch lengths were 17.88 mm (medial) and 13.51 mm (lateral) as measured with a Mitutoyo Absolute 1/100 mm caliper. We could not confirm the existence of a third branch supplying the lacrimal gland, as posited by other authors. The key finding in this study is that the lacrimal gland is predominantly supplied by two significant arterial branches, both of which must be identified during procedures involving the lateral orbit. Clin. Anat. 28:844–847, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perioperative myocardial infarction can be predicted by preoperative electrocardiography

Preoperative identification of the predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction following noncardiac surgery (PMI) may help decrease its high mortality rate. In previous studies, atrial and ventricular rhythm abnormalities in the preoperative ECG have been identified to be risk factors for PMI. We performed this prospective study to determine whether or not other ECG findings may also predict PMI. Adults with significant comorbid conditions admitted to the SICU following high-risk noncardiac operations and who underwent workup to rule out PMI were studied. PMI workup consisted of a 12-lead ECG, CK-MB, and later troponin determination at 6–8 hour intervals for 24 hours. Data collection included patient demographics, comorbid conditions, preoperative work up including 12-lead ECG, surgical diagnoses, type and duration of anesthesia and operations, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative vital signs and clinical events, results of PMI workup, incidence of PMI and final outcome. The data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. There were 356 patients; 168 males and 188 females with the mean age of 62.9 years. The preoperative ECG was normal in 85 (23.9%) and abnormal in 271 (76.1%) patients. Normal sinus rhythm was present in 254/356 (71.3%), premature atrial complexes in 11/356 (3.1%), atrial fibrillation in 14/356 (3.9%), premature ventricular complexes (PVC) in 26/356 (7.3%), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 72/356 (20.2%), T-wave abnormality in 156/356 (46.3%), ST segment abnormality in 97/356 (27.2%), and a Q wave in 53/356 (14.9%). PMI developed in 31/356 (8.7%) patients, and three (9.7%) died as a result. Comparison of the preoperative ECG findings of patients without and with PMI showed sinus tachycardia in 45/325 (13.8%) without PMI and in 7/31 (22.6%) with PMI, atrial fibrillation in 13/325 (4%) without PMI and in 1/31 (3.2%) with PMI, PVCs in 22/325 (6.8%) without PMI and in 4/31 (12.9%) with PMI, LVH in 61/325 (18.8%) without PMI and in 11/31 (35.5%) with PMI, and ST segment abnormality in 83/325 (25.5%) without PMI and in 14/31 (45.2%) with PMI. Logistic regression analysis showed LVH and ST segment abnormality to be significant predictors of PMI.
Are There Ecological Problems That Technology Cannot Solve? Water Scarcity and Dams, Climate Change and Biofuels

This paper shows through a comparative case study that many contemporary engineers working on a technological response to climate change—biofuel production—continue to be guided by traditional ethical and historical principles of efficiency and growth in spite of the uniqueness of climate change as a problem unbounded globally in space and time. The comparative case study reveals that in the past environmental issues like water scarcity were viewed as deficiencies of nature. In contrast, the development of biofuels as an engineering response to climate change shows that environmental and ecological issues today are viewed as deficiencies of technologies. Yet, just like large dams on rivers had (and continue to have) negative socioecological outcomes, political economy and political ecology research show biofuel development has socially unjust and ecologically degrading outcomes. Many engineers continue to separate the “technical” from the “political” aspects of engineering work, resulting in lost opportunities to reshape the technological development paradigm. While every technology has some negative impacts, engineers, as socioecological experimentalists, must account for these outcomes in their work to mitigate them. Encouragingly, the engineers interviewed for this paper (along the authors of this paper, who are all engineers) believe that problems like climate change are too narrowly defined, and that the problem-solving capabilities of engineers would lead to more favorable outcomes if problems were more broadly defined to incorporate concerns of social justice and ecological holism, and if we are given legitimacy and agency in proposing alternative, radical, and paradigm-changing solutions to problems like climate change.
Software Reverse Engineering

Software reverse engineering (SRE) is the practice of analyzing a software system, either in whole or in part, to extract design and implementation information. A typical SRE scenario would involve a software module that has worked for years and carries several rules of a business in its lines of code; unfortunately the source code of the application has been lost – what remains is “native” or “binary” code. Reverse engineering skills are also used to detect and neutralize viruses and malware, and to protect intellectual property. Computer programmers proficient in SRE will be needed should software components like these need to be maintained, enhanced, or reused. It became frightfully apparent during the Y2K crisis that reverse engineering skills were not commonly held amongst programmers. Since that time, much research has been under way to formalize just what types of activities fall into the category of reverse engineering, so that these skills could be taught to computer programmers and testers. To help address the lack of SRE education, several peer-reviewed articles on SRE, software re-engineering, software reuse, software maintenance, software evolution, and software security were gathered with the objective of developing relevant, practical exercises for instructional purposes. The research revealed that SRE is fairly well described and all related activities mostly fall into one of two categories: software-development-related and software-security-related. Hands-on reversing exercises were developed in the spirit of these two categories with the goal of providing a baseline education in reversing both Wintel machine code and Java bytecode.
A low-power temperature-compensated relaxation oscillator for built-in test signal generation

An on-chip frequency reference for built-in testing and calibration applications is presented. The design combines a proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) current reference and a relaxation oscillator core. A temperature compensation scheme is realized based on the thermal voltage, for which simulations indicate low sensitivity to process variations. The oscillator was designed and simulated in a 130nm CMOS process with a power supply of 1.2V. It generates a 40KHz output and occupies a layout area of 0.025mm2. A temperature coefficient of 101ppm/°C is achieved over the range from −30°C to 85°C. The simulated phase noise is −90dBc/Hz at 10KHz offset.
Analyzing La Cuna : New Approaches for Mentoring in Professional Associations

This case study explores the implementation of La Cuna, an online mentoring forum in a small, subjectbased professional association, the Seminar for the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials (SALALM). Designed using the social network software Ning, the forum functioned as an informal learning community for 38 members and was an innovative response to geographical challenges and changing technological skills. Using participation data and a questionnaire to analyze the implementation and development of the hybrid e-mentoring community, this study reveals challenges and benefits that should be considered when managing similar professional development activities. While the forum failed to maintain sustained participation, findings revealed the need to assess professional association member needs regularly and highlighted the importance of continued exploration of online learning tools. Through the description of this project, professional associations and other learning communities will gain insights into the creation and implementation of an online e-mentoring learning community, which will be useful as librarians and groups attempt to meet member professional development needs.
Anthropology of the memorial: observations and reflections on American cultural rituals associated with death

This paper is a meditation on contemporary rituals in the United States associated with death—in this case, the memorial. The essay addresses David R. MAINES' advocacy of using narrative to address a social (and anthropological) event. There are social expectations at memorials, rituals of talking good about the deceased, rituals of grief. Friends and family come together to communicate about the deceased. Strangers connect by their mutual connection to the dead. Every culture has its own set of rituals and rules when it comes to honoring and admiring the dead; this one is American. From an autoethnographical approach, the author reveals his own inner ritual, a personal memory, of a friend and former lover who has passed. The author discusses the processes of recording dialogue and experience via memory, and the criteria for quality in this autoethnography. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs090360
Extraction of electronic transport parameters in submicrometer gate-length MODFET's

A systematic measurement scheme is developed for the extraction of the intrinsic electronic transport parameters of submicrometer-gate-length modulation-doped field-effect transistors (MODFETs). These parameters include the intrinsic gate-to-channel capacitance and the channel sheet carrier concentration, under low-drain-voltage bias, and the channel carrier transit time, in the current-saturation mode of device operation. The extraction methods are based on independent measurements of low-field and high-field electronic transport parameters. Experimental results obtained from 0.25- mu m gate-length pseudomorphic and conventional MODFETs clearly demonstrate the self-consistency of the methods. >
Dispersion Effects from Induced Dipoles

The interaction between a charged particle and an electric field can produce a dipole moment that changes the electric permittivity, epsiv, of a material. This paper develops the real and imaginary contributions of permittivity stemming from three types of charges in propagating mediums that produce dipole moments: permanent polar molecule moments, induced atomic moments, and free electrons in the conduction bands of semiconductors and conductors. The permittivity leads to a response function for time dependent electric flux density that causes dispersion in propagating fields
Multiphoton ionization of aniline, aniline-15N and aniline-2,3,4,5,6-d5: ionization and fragmentation mechanisms

Abstract We report the resonant and non-resonant multiphoton ionization (MPI) spectra of aniline, aniline- 15 N and aniline-2,3,4,5,6- d 5 obtained at wavelengths of 266,355 and 532 nm. Consideration of plots of fragment ion currents vs. laser pulse energy and analysis of the contributions from deuterated ions to total fragment ion intensities (obtained using aniline-2,3,4,5,6- d 5 ) have allowed characterization of the mechanisms involved in the overall ionization/fragmentation process at the three wavelengths. The resonant MPI at 266 nm is found to take place via initial molecular ion formation, followed by photofragmentation of this ion. In both the non-resonant cases the first step appears to be a rapid dissociation of the neutral molecule into smaller neutral entities. These are subsequently ionized, and photofragmentation of the ions produced then takes place. At 355 nm a minor contribution to the ionization/dissociation mechanism appears to involve molecular ion formation followed by photofragmentation.
How grid integration costs impact the optimal R&D portfolio into electricity supply technologies in the face of climate change

Many low carbon energy technologies are non-dispatchable, which imposes additional costs over and above the cost of the base technology when these technologies are connected to the grid. This paper examines the impact of assumptions about these grid integration costs on the optimal Research and Development (R&D) portfolio for minimizing the cost of climate change. This paper’s goal is not an in-depth analysis of the drivers of grid integration costs, but rather to place bounds on the size of the problem, and to determine under what circumstances integration costs are relevant to policy design. This research finds that in the absence of a budget constraint the optimal R&D portfolio is affected by assumptions about grid integration costs, but given a budget constraint, assumptions about grid integration costs have little impact on the composition of the optimal R&D portfolio. This finding implies that the importance of getting grid integration costs right depends on the specific question that is being asked – how to allocate a given budget, or what the size of the budget should be.
The importance of alfalfa mosaic virus coat protein dimers in the initiation of replication

Deletion and substitution mutations affecting the oligomerization of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) coat protein (CP) were studied in protoplasts to determine their effect on genome activation, an early step in AMV replication. The CP mutants that formed dimers, CPDeltaC9 and CPC-A(R)F, were highly active in initiating replication with 63-84% of wild-type (wt) CP activity. However, all mutants that did not form dimers, CPDeltaC18, CPDeltaC19, CPC-WFP, and CPC-W, were much less active with 19-33% of wt CP activity. The accumulation and solubility of mutant CPs expressed from a virus-based vector in Nicotiana benthamiana were similar to that of wt CP. Analysis of CP-RNA interactions indicated that CP dimers and CP monomers interacted very differently with AMV RNA 3' ends. These results suggest that CP dimers are more efficient for replication than CP monomers because of differences in RNA binding rather than differences in expression and accumulation of the mutant CPs in infected cells.
Localization of the regulatory subunit of type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase on the cytoplasmic microtubule network of cultured cells.

Abstract Immunofluorescence with a specific antibody has been used to determine the subcellular distribution of the type II regulatory subunit (RII) of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. During interphase in cultured fibroblasts from several mammalian species, anti-RII decorates, in a specific manner, a fine fibrous network that closely resembles the pattern observed with antibody to tubulin. These results suggest that there is a binding site for cAMP on microtubules and provide evidence for a physiological interaction between cAMP-dependent protein kinases and cellular microtubules.
Cruise Ships as a Source of Avian Mortality During Fall Migration

Abstract Avian mortality during fall migration has been studied at many anthropogenic structures, most of which share the common feature of bright lighting. An additional, unstudied source of avian mortality during fall migration is recreational cruise ships that are brightly lit throughout the night. I documented a single mortality event of eight Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) on one ship during part of one night in fall 2003, but suggest this is a more wide-spread phenomenon. The advertised number of ship-nights for 50 cruise ships in the Caribbean Sea during fall migration in 2003 was 2,981. This may pose a significant, additional, anthropogenic source of mortality that warrants further investigation, particularly because impacts could be minimized if this source of avian mortality is recognized.
Biomechanical Comparison of Two Atlantoaxial Arthrodeses in a Cadaveric Spine Model: Transarticular Screw Fixation Versus Screw and Rod Fixation

The causes of atlantoaxial instability include trauma, tumor, congenital malformation, or rheumatoid arthritis. Commonly available fixation techniques to stabilize the atlantoaxial complex are several posterior wiring procedures (Brooks fusion, Gallie fusion), transarticular screw procedure (Magerl technique), either alone or in combination. Wiring procedures are obviously easier to accomplish however these do not provide sufficient immobilization across the atlantoaxial complex1,3,4 . On the other hand, although transarticular screw fixation (TSF) affords a much stiffer atlantoaxial arthrodesis than posterior wiring procedures. However, TSF has some drawbacks; for example the injury of vertebral artery. Furthermore, body habitus (obesity or thoracic kyphosis) may prevent from achieving the low angle needed for correct placement of screws between C1 and C2. Recently, a new technique of screw and rod fixation (SRF) that minimizes the risk of injury to the vertebral artery and allows intraoperative reduction has been reported2,6 . The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability imparted to the C1 and C2 vertebrae by either TSF or SRF technique in a cadaver model.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Epidemiology of gout in women: Fifty‐two–year followup of a prospective cohort

Objective Despite the recent doubling of the incidence of gout among women and its substantial prevalence particularly in the aging female population, the risk factors for gout among women remain unknown. We undertook this study to evaluate purported risk factors for incident gout among women and to compare them with those among men. Methods Using prospective data from the Framingham Heart Study, we examined over a 52-year period (1950–2002) the relationship between purported risk factors and the incidence of gout in 2,476 women and 1,951 men. Results We documented 304 incident cases of gout, 104 of them among women. The incidence rates of gout for women per 1,000 person-years according to serum uric acid levels of <5.0, 5.0–5.9, 6.0–6.9, 7.0–7.9, and ≥8.0 mg/dl were 0.8, 2.5, 4.2, 13.1, and 27.3, respectively (P for trend < 0.0001). The magnitude of this association was lower than that among men (P for interaction = 0.0002). Multivariate relative risks conferred by increasing age (per 5 years), obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), alcohol intake (≥7 ounces of pure alcohol/week), hypertension, and diuretic use were 1.24, 2.74, 3.10, 1.82, and 2.39, respectively (all P < 0.05), for women. Conclusion These prospective data with long-term followup provide evidence that higher levels of serum uric acid increase the risk of gout in a graded manner among women, but the rate of increase is lower than that among men. Increasing age, obesity, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diuretic use were associated with the risk of incident gout among women.
Treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

The management of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) remarkably improved due to the development of diagnostic and surgical procedures. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from IA rupture constitutes a devastating event, whose prognosis remains unsatisfactory. At present, several researchs are targeted to individuate subjects harboring unruptured IAs and those presenting a higher risk for rupture. Numerous risk factors for the rupture of IAs have been individuated. The prevalence of intracranial saccular aneurysms in the general population is estimated from 0.2% to 6.8%, with an incidence of SAH at 10/100,000/year. The most relevant morbidity and mortality rates after SAH are related to rebleeding and vasospasm. The primary therapeutic target consists in prevention of rebleeding. At present, therapeutic opportunities for intracranial aneurysms are microsurgery and endovascular treatment.
Forecasting the demand for electricity

SINCE FORECASTING OF LOADS is necessarily an inexact science, the advantages of using as many different series of data as may be available are evident. By this process, unreasonable extensions of one set of components may become evident when a parallel set of factors produces a different result. It has also been found very helpful to secure the benefit of group opinion. If the individuals in such a group are equally conversant with the facts, greater objectivity is achieved by discussion which produces agreement rather than mere averaging of preconceived opinions. Such a group should include representatives from operating, sales, and staff organizations.
Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using a double-lumen bi-caval cannula for severe respiratory failure post total artificial heart implantation

We report a unique utilization of a double-lumen, bi-caval Avalon cannula for veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during placement of a total artificial heart (TAH, SynCardia, Tucson, AZ). A 22-year-old female with post-partum cardiomyopathy was rescued on veno-arterial (VA) ECMO because of cardiogenic shock. The inability to wean ECMO necessitated implantation of the TAH as a bridge to transplant. In addition, the patient continued to have respiratory failure and concomitant VV ECMO was planned with the implant. During TAH implantation, the Avalon cannula was placed percutaneously from the right internal jugular vein into the inferior vena cava (IVC) under direct vision while the right atrium was open. During VV ECMO support, adequate flows on both ECMO and TAH were maintained without adverse events. VV ECMO was discontinued, without reopening the chest, once the patient’s respiratory failure improved. However, the patient subsequently developed a profound respiratory acidosis and...
Comparison of the effects of chronic haloperidol treatment on A9 and A10 dopamine neurons in the rat.

Abstract The effects of chronic haloperidol (CHAL) treatment on A9 and A10 dopamine (DA) neurons were compared using extracellular single cell recording techniques. CHAL caused a time-dependent reduction in the number of spontaneously active A9 and A10 DA cells and induced an irregular firing pattern in many of the DA cells that remained active. Both of these effects occurred earlier and to a greater extent in A10 than in A9. Intravenous injection of the DA agonist apomorphine reversed both the reduction of active DA neurons and the irregular discharge pattern, suggesting that both effects were due to the process of depolarization inactivation. Lesions of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) produced by ibotenic acid prevented the development of depolarization inactivation of A10 DA neurons, indicating that this process is mediated primarily by NAc — A10 feedback pathways. The results suggest that the slow development of depolarization inactivation of DA cells produced by CHAL may contribute to the delayed onset of the clinical effects of long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs.
Of Vampire mirrors and privacy lamps: privacy management in multi-user augmented environments

We consider the problem of privacy in a 3D multi-user collaborative environment. We assume that information objects are represented by visual icons, and can either be public or private, and that users need effective methods for viewing and manipulating that state. We suggest two methods, which we call vampire mirrorsand privacy lamps, that are unobtrusive, simple, and natural.
A tale of two saints: St. Venant and ‘St. Nick’ — does St. Venant's principle apply to bi-material straight-edge and wedge-singularity problems?

Abstract A rigorous approach is presented to investigate the applicability of St. Venant's principle to the class of bi-material straight edge stress singularity problems, first investigated by Pipes and Pagano in the special case of a free edge and anti-plane shear loading. A recently developed eigenfunction expansion method is utilized to obtain three-dimensional asymptotic stress field in the vicinity of a point located at the bimaterial wedge front, subjected to free-free, clamped-clamped and clamped-free wedge-side boundary conditions. The present study considers the straight edge as a special case of a bi-material wedge, consisting of two isotropic materials, with half the aperture angle θ 0 = π 2 . The present study is devoted to establishment of rigorous conditions as to whether the presence of bi-material straight edge (free or otherwise) singularity can validate or invalidate the assumption implicit in St. Venant's principle that more or less guarantees the occurrence of tensile or compressive failure in the gauge section of a carefully prepared test specimen. This is accomplished by applying Cherepanov's general approach to the solution of canonically singular problems, based on the concept of proper boundary-value problem and the theorem of homogeneous solutions, and classification of boundary value problems (BVP) of three-dimensional elasticity theory into class S (St.Venant) or class N (non-St. Venant or ‘St. Nick'). It is concluded that the class of bimaterial straight edge (free-free, clamped-clamped and clamped-free) stress singularity problem belongs to class N, which explains the frequent occurrence of end tab failures in tensile (or compressive) laminate test specimens.
Electron spectroscopy of single crystal and polycrystalline cerium oxide surfaces

Abstract Valence band photoemission (XPS), valence band electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), Ce 3d and 4d XPS, O 1s XPS and O 1s X-ray absorption (XAS) have been investigated for oxidized and sputtered single crystal CeO 2 films and for oxidized Ce foil. Features were identified that distinguish between the Ce 4+ or Ce 3+ oxidation states. Ce 4+ was identified by the highest binding energy peaks in the Ce 4d spectrum at 122.8 eV and 126.0 eV and lowest energy peak in the O 1s XAS spectrum at 530 eV. Ce 3+ was identified by the lowest binding energy peak in the Ce 4d spectrum at 105.4 eV, the Ce 4f valence level peak at 2.0 eV and excitations in the band gap in EELS. The Ce 4d spectra are similar to the Ce 3d spectra in that satellite peaks that are related to the final state occupation of the Ce 4f level dominate the spectra. The interpretation of the Ce 4d spectra is more complicated than that of the Ce 3d spectra, however, due to multiplet splitting which has a greater influence in the Ce 4d spectra. The O 1s XAS are much easier to interpret than XAS spectra from the Ce core levels. The O 1s XAS spectra reflect the unoccupied density of states of the cerium oxide without being significantly affected by final state relaxation of the Ce energy levels. The O 1s XPS spectra show only a 0.3 eV difference in binding energy between Ce 4+ and Ce 3+ in the oxides provided the spectra are corrected for band bending.
Management of Allergy and Anaphylaxis During Oral Surgery

Minor and major allergic reactions occur during oral and maxillofacial treatment. Immediate diagnosis and pharmacologic intervention are imperative. Signs and symptoms may be variable. The early administration of epinephrine is critical.