cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental determination of the single-photon transition rate between the 2 3 S 1 and 1 1 S 0 states of He I

The highly forbidden single-photon transition rate between the $2^{3}S_{1}$ and $1^{1}S_{0}$ states of Hei has been measured in a radio-frequency He discharge. The population of metastables in the $2^{3}S_{1}$ state was determined by Fabry-Perot interferometric profiles of absorption from the $2^{3}S_{1}$ to the $4^{3}P_{0,1,2}$ states. High spectral resolution and precision ultraviolet radiometry were used to determine the brightness of the emission feature observed at 625.54 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.05 \AA{}, compared to the theoretical value of 625.56 \AA{}. Because of the very low transition rate, this feature is weak, but it is shown that it is due to the $2^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}1^{1}S_{0}$ transition. The value for the radiative transition rate obtained in these experiments was 1.10 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$/sec, with a $2\ensuremath{\sigma}$ uncertainty of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 30%. A comparison to the theoretical value of 1.27 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$/sec is given. The relevance of this work to the beam-foil experiments which have measured the $2^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}1^{1}S_{0}$ transition rate for high-$Z$ He-like ions is also discussed.
Iodine intercalation of a high-temperature superconducting oxide

INTERCALATION compounds are formed by inserting guest atomic or molecular species between weakly bound (usually by van der Waals forces) slabs of host materials without changing the inner crystal structure of the individual slabs. The best-known examples of host materials are graphite and the transition metal dichalcogenides1. These compounds can be made with different stage index n, where n denotes the number of slabs between adjacent intercalated layers. Intercalation provides a unique, well controlled approach to changing the physical and electronic properties of host materials over a wide range1. If intercalation can be adopted in the layered high-transition-temperature (high-Tc) superconductors, it could lead to the ability to engineer their properties, with a view to investigating the mechanism responsible for high-Tc superconductivity, improving the superconducting properties of the pristine materials, and developing new high-Tc superconductors and superconducting devices. We report here the successful synthesis and preliminary physical characterization of a stage-1 iodine-intercalated high- Tc superconductor, IBi2Sr2CaCu2Oy.
An optical induction generator through Crooke's radiometer

An optical induction generator is designed and tested to determine the feasibility of using radiometric forces for renewable energy applications. Through modifications with electromagnetic induction components Crooke's radiometer is transformed into an electric generator. Initial designs allow for the variation in the orientation and numbers of magnetic poles as well as the characteristics of the armature (number of turns, wire gauge, location). Prototype devices are analyzed to obtain proof-of-concept. Verification is achieved by real time variation of incident electromagnetic energy directly corresponding to angular frequency of the generator and the characteristics of the produced EMF waveform. I-V characteristic curves illustrate the generator performance. Radiometric generators with two and four magnetic poles are shown to produce alternating current (AC) signals, on the order of millivolts, which vary linearly in both amplitude and frequency in respect to the rotational frequency of the radiometric generators.
Processes controlling the oxygen isotope ratio of soil CO2: analytic and numerical modeling

The {sup 18}O/{sup 16}O ratio of soil CO{sub 2} is important for both global and ecosystem scale budgets of the {sup 18}O/{sup 16}O ratio of atmospheric CO{sub 2}, as well as for using this ratio as a proxy for the isotopic ratio of soil water. The {sup 18}O/{sup 16}O ratio of soil CO{sub 2} reflects that of soil water due to the isotope exchange which occurs during the CO{sub 2} hydration reaction. The rate of this isotope exchange reaction strongly influences the oxygen isotope ratio of soil CO{sub 2}, and may be about two orders of magnitude slower than the isotope exchange reaction between CO{sub 2}(aq) and water (effective first order rate constant, k{sub eff}, of 10{sup {minus}4} versus 10{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1} at 25 C). This difference in rate reflects transport across the soil water/soil air interface, which limits the overall rate of reaction. A diffusion-production-reaction model (Hesterberg and Siegenthaler, 1991) suggests that the {sup 18}O/{sup 16}O ratio of soil CO{sub 2} at depth deviates from the equilibrium value by {approximately}1--2{per_thousand} if k{sub eff} = 10{sup {minus}4} s{sup {minus}1}, negating the assumption that soil CO{sub 2} is in isotopic equilibrium with soil water. A sensitivity analysis of this modelmore » indicates the following factors affect {sup 18}O/{sup 16}O ratio of soil CO{sub 2} (in order of decreasing importance): (1) the isotope ratio of soil water; (2) the rate constant of the isotope exchange; (3) soil air-filled pore space and tortuosity. Notably, soil respiration rate has only a minor effect. Advection of soil gas due to wind pumping has a negligible effect on the {delta}{sup 18}O value of soil CO{sub 2} except in most extreme cases. Likewise, transient effects on the oxygen isotope ratio of soil CO{sub 2} due to changes in soil respiration rate are small.« less
Response of coupling of extrasystoles to warming and cooling the focus of origin.

Abstract Extrasystoles with constant coupling are elicited in the dog by topical application of veratrine and the inhalation of 20 per cent of carbon dioxide with 80 per cent oxygen. Warming the focus of origin of the extrasystoles shortens, cooling lengthens, the duration of the coupling. After the extrasystoles disappear, they are brought out again in the form of bigeminal rhythm by warming the area on which veratrine has been applied. In the opinion of the authors, these results are best explained if one assumes that extrasystoles are caused by the phenomenon of after-discharge in an altered cell.
Thermal regime of a downgoing slab

Abstract The thermal regime of a downgoing slab of lithosphere as implied by the global tectonic hypothesis is important for interpreting the geophysical data and for testing the hypothesis. Heat flow, seismic velocities, density, the occurrence of volcanoes and earthquakes are influenced by the temperatures. Using a finite difference solution of the conservation of energy equation, the temperatures in and at the vicinity of a downgoing slab are computed, taking into account ocean-floor spreading rate, adiabatic compression, phase changes, heat sources, and strain heating. Relative effects of these factors and the slab thickness on the temperature field are investigated. Predicted surface heat flow, gravity field, seismic travel-time anomalies, and volcanoes are compared with Tonga-Kermadec and Japan observations.
Rating Teaching in the USA: probing the qualifications of student raters and novice teachers

ABSTRACT In the USA, student ratings of their instructors are routinely used by administrators in higher education in making decisions regarding instructors' salary adjustments, tenure and promotion. However, when the rating qualifications of amateur student raters and novice public school teachers who have received training that should have enabled them to become qualified raters are examined closely, there are good reasons for believing that both groups of raters are not qualified to give reliable ratings on most high‐inference questionnaire items.
Early Pleistocene incision of the San Juan River, Utah, dated with 26Al and 10Be

Cosmogenic 26Al and 10Be in alluvial gravel on a strath 150 m above the San Juan River, Utah, reveal a depositional age of \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(1.36\ ^{{+}0.20}\ _{{-}0.15}\) \end{document} Ma. This gravel is correlative with a series of terraces that grade to Glen Canyon on the Colorado River, indicating a similar age for incision there. The calculated incision rate, 110 ± 14 m/m.y., is somewhat slower than that of the Colorado River in the eastern Grand Canyon and suggests active steepening of the Colorado River. The cosmogenic nuclides also indicate rapid erosion in the sediment source area and are consistent with alluviation due to enhanced Pleistocene erosion in the San Juan Mountains.
Reproductive and endocrine changes in ewes actively immunized against estrogens and androgens

Twenty ewes were divided equally into two treatments to be actively immunized simultaneously against estrogen and androgen conjugated to ovalbumin (steroid immunized) or immunized against ovalbumin alone (control) to determine the effects of steroid immunization on reproduction and pituitary function. Ewes were immunized at week 0, 3 and 5 of the 93-week study and exposed to a fertile ram for two breeding seasons (weeks 7-25 and weeks 60-67). Steroid immunization reduced the proportion of ewes which exhibited estrus during the first breeding season when antibody activity against steroids was highest and reduced the proportion of ewes lambing after both breeding seasons. Ovulation rate, observed only during the second breeding season, was two times higher in steroid immunized ewes, but no increase in percent lamb crop per ewe lambing was observed. Pituitary concentrations of immunoactive LH (determined by radioimmunoassay), bioactive LH (determined by stimulation of mouse Leydig cell production of testosterone) and receptors for LHRH were increased by steroid immunization. These changes in pituitary LH resulted in a decreased ratio of bioactive to immunoactive LH observed in the pituitary and a decrease in circulating concentrations of bioactive LH. It was concluded from this study that simultaneous active immunization against estrogens and androgens increases ovulation; however, estrus and lambing rates may be reduced when antibody activity is high. Ovulation rates were increased despite the fact that no change in FSH was observed and the biopotency of LH was decreased in steroid immunized ewes.
Does the addition of targeted prostate biopsies to standard systemic biopsies influence treatment management for radiation oncologists

Objectives To study the management impact that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided targeted prostate biopsies could provide relative to using only non-targeted systematic biopsies in men with clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Patients and Methods A consecutive series of untreated men undergoing Artemis (MRI-ultrasonography fusion) biopsies between March 2010 and June 2013 was evaluated in this retrospective, institutional review board-approved study. Fusion biopsy included MRI-targeted and systematic sampling at the same session. 3-Tesla multiparametric MRI was performed at a median of 2 weeks before biopsy. Patients were included if ≥1 systematic core was found to harbour PCa. The impact of the information obtained from targeted vs systematic biopsies was studied with regard to the following: Gleason score (GS), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk reclassification, cancer core length, percentage of core positive for tumour involvement, and percentage of positive biopsy cores. Results The study sample included 215 men (mean ± sd age 66 ± 8 years). The median (range) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 6.0 (0.7–181) ng/mL. The mean number of total biopsy samples was 18 (12 systematic and six targeted samples). Of 215 men, 34 (16%) had a higher GS on targeted vs systematic biopsy. A total of 21/183 men (12%) were stratified into a higher NCCN risk group when incorporating targeted biopsy GS results and 18/101 men (18%) were upgraded to intermediate- or high-risk from the low-risk group. Among the 34 men whose cancer severity was upgraded, increases in cancer core length, percentage of tumour involvement and percentage of cores involved were all statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion Targeted prostate biopsy provided information about GS, NCCN risk and tumour volume beyond that obtained in systematic biopsies, specifically increasing the proportions of men in the intermediate- and high-risk groups. Such men may be recommended for additional treatments (pelvic nodal irradiation or hormonal therapy). The appropriateness of changing treatment because of targeted biopsy results is still unclear.
The adsorption and thermal decomposition of dimethylamine on Si(100)

Abstract Dimethylamine [DMA; (CH 3 ) 2 NH] adsorption on the Si(100)-(2×1) surface has been studied using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low-energy electron diffraction, and temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS). DMA appears to chemisorb with an initial surface saturation coverage of ∼0.5 ML at room temperature. These experiments also show evidence for continued room temperature adsorption of DMA for doses above this surface saturation dose level. TPRS data show that the decomposition of DMA adsorbed on the Si(100) surface proceeds via two radically different mechanisms in the low-dose vs. high-dose coverage regimes. The adsorbates directly bound to the surface in the low-dose regime are shown to decompose via reactions that form gaseous hydrogen (H 2 ) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as major products, while the high-dose DMA species decompose to form H 2 and imine dehydrogenation products. The imine appears to be the straight-chained N-methylmethanimine species (CH 3 NCH 2 ). AES results show that repeated decomposition of DMA on Si(100) leads to the slow deposition of carbon- and nitrogen-based films, although the efficiency of thermal deposition is relatively low and the overall stoichiometry of the resulting amorphous films could not be clearly established.
Expression of the Fas antigen in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Lymphocytes from patients with HIV infection have been shown to undergo accelerated apoptosis. Fas antigen is a cell surface protein known to initiate an apoptotic signal. Therefore, we undertook a study to examine the expression of the Fas antigen during HIV infection. Using three color flow cytometry, expression of the Fas antigen on lymphocytes of 23 HIV infected individuals (CDC category 2, CD4 200–499 cells/mL, n = 10; CDC category 3, CD4 < 200 cells/mL, n = 13) and 10 healthy controls was examined. Both CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ subsets were examined for their expression of this marker. In lymphocytes of healthy controls, 47% of the CD3+CD4+ and 45% of the CD3+CD8+ cells were Fas antigen positive. This percentage was significantly increased in CD4 cells from HIV infected patients belonging to CDC category 3, but was unchanged from normal values in CDC category 2 subjects. The increase in the percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing Fas antigen in patients correlated significantly with the decrease in circulating CD4 T cell count (P < 0.009). In addition, by examining mean fluorescence intensity, we found that the amount of Fas expression per cell was increased threefold in CD3+CD4+ cells and increased twofold in CD3+CD8+ cells in category 3 patients. These results demonstrate that an increase in Fas antigen expression occurs during HIV infection. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Measurement of Behavioral and Emotional Outcomes of Youth in Foster Care: Investigation of the Roles of Age and Placement Type

The Behavioral Assessment System for Children–2 (BASC-2) is used to assess behavioral and emotional outcomes for youth. Research providing evidence for use of the BASC-2 parent-report form historically has included biological parents reporting on their children (Reynolds and Kamphaus 2004). For youth residing in out-of-home placements through enrollment in foster care, caregivers reporting on their functioning may include foster parents or residential staff. Given the significant adverse mental health outcomes for youth in foster care and the need to adequately assess adjustment in foster care, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the measurement properties of caregivers’ report on the parent report form (PRS) of the BASC-2 in foster care youth. Using 479 respondents, a measurement model was fit to the data demonstrating adequate fit across Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems, and Adaptive Skills. Further, a comparison of measurement properties across child and adolescent groups and groups of youth residing in residential facilities versus foster homes was conducted. Factorial invariance and latent means also were assessed. The BASC-2 PRS was found to be an adequate assessment of psychological outcomes for youth in foster care when completed by foster parents or residential facility staff.
Novel 21,23-Ditelluraporphyrins and the First 26,28-Ditellurasapphyrin and 30,33-Ditellurarubyrin

21,23-Ditelluraporphyrins 3, 9, and 16−18 bearing phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, and/or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl meso substituents were prepared by the condensation of 2,5-di[hydroxy(aryl)methyl]tellurophenes 12 with 2,5-di[2-pyrrolo(aryl)methyl]tellurophenes 15 in the presence of BF3−etherate followed by oxidation with p-chloranil. Compounds 15 were prepared from tellurophenes 12 with pyrrole and BF3−etherate. Tellurophenes 12 were prepared in 44−72% isolated yield by the addition of 1,6-diarylhexa-2,4-diyn-1,6-diols 13 to the reduction product of Te powder and LiBHEt3. No additional Lewis acid was necessary in these reactions. Coupling of 1-aryl-2-propyn-1-ols (14) with CuCl, pyridine, and air in MeOH gave diyndiols 13. 26,28-Ditellurasapphyrin 10 was isolated in 0.6% yield from the reaction mixture that produced 9 in 12% isolated yield. The X-ray structure of 10 showed a nearly planar sapphyrin core with the Te atoms of both tellurophene rings pointing to the center of the core. 30,33-Ditellurarubyrin 11 was i...
Collaboration in the Sciences and the Humanities: A Comparative Phenomenology.

In the past, humanists and scientists have held very different views about the role of collaboration in scholarly research. From the point of view of a Principal Investigator in a scientific labora...
Application of the Method of Lattice Statics to Carbon Interstitials in α -Iron

The method of lattice statics has been applied to determine the strain-field displacements about single octahedral and tetrahedral carbon interstitials in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-iron as well as the strain-field interaction energies between pairs of octahedral interstitials. A comparison of the exact lattice-statics displacements to the corresponding results of an asymptotic lattice-statics calculation indicates that elasticity theory is not valid closer than $25a$ from the octahedral interstitial in either the [100] or [011] direction in the lattice, where $a$ is half of a cubic unit-cell side. The lattice-statics displacements have also been compared to analogous results obtained from a direct-space calculation, and some differences between the two sets of results are apparent. Relaxation energies have been calculated for the two types of carbon interstitial, and the octahedral configuration is found to be the more stable of the two. Assuming the tetrahedral configuration to be the saddle point for interstitial migration, the migration energy is found to be 0.27 eV.
Studies on the Taste Preference of the Chick

Abstract THE EARLY WORK on the sense of taste of the fowl has been reviewed by Kare et al. (1957). Differences in experimental methods limited the comparison of the results of this early work. Kare et al. (1957) conducted studies to determine flavors which evoked a strong taste reaction in the fowl. These authors chose water as the medium to test flavors and found a rejection of earthy flavors such as costus and sandalwood. Other flavors were found to be accepted or rejected depending on the concentration of the flavor, indicating variable effects of flavors depending on the concentration. It was also observed that the classification of taste recognized by man, such as sweet, salt, sour and bitter does not appear to apply t o the fowl. Histological studies by Lindenmaier and Kare (1959) on chickens showed that taste buds were found only on the base of the tongue and floor …
Healthy food access for urban food desert residents: examination of the food environment, food purchasing practices, diet and BMI.

Objective To provide a richer understanding of food access and purchasing practices among US urban food desert residents and their association with diet and BMI. Design Data on food purchasing practices, dietary intake, height and weight from the primary food shopper in randomly selected households (n 1372) were collected. Audits of all neighbourhood food stores (n 24) and the most-frequented stores outside the neighbourhood (n 16) were conducted. Aspects of food access and purchasing practices and relationships among them were examined and tests of their associations with dietary quality and BMI were conducted. Setting Two low-income, predominantly African-American neighbourhoods with limited access to healthy food in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Subjects Household food shoppers. Results Only one neighbourhood outlet sold fresh produce; nearly all respondents did major food shopping outside the neighbourhood. Although the nearest full-service supermarket was an average of 2·6 km from their home, respondents shopped an average of 6·0 km from home. The average trip was by car, took approximately 2 h for the round trip, and occurred two to four times per month. Respondents spent approximately $US 37 per person per week on food. Those who made longer trips had access to cars, shopped less often and spent less money per person. Those who travelled further when they shopped had higher BMI, but most residents already shopped where healthy foods were available, and physical distance from full-service supermarkets was unrelated to weight or dietary quality. Conclusions Improved access to healthy foods is the target of current policies meant to improve health. However, distance to the closest supermarket might not be as important as previously thought, and thus policy and interventions that focus merely on improving access may not be effective.
Changes in mitochondrial gene and protein expression in grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, exposed to chronic hypoxia

Abstract Spatial and temporal increases of hypoxia in estuaries are of major environmental concern. Since mitochondria consume most of the oxygen in the cell, we examined the potential role of mitochondrial gene and protein expression in adaptation to chronic hypoxia in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio. Grass shrimp were exposed to DO levels slightly above and below the critical pO2, 1.8 mg/L, for P. pugio, and hypoxia-induced alterations in gene expression were screened using custom cDNA macroarrays. Mitochondrial gene expression was not affected by exposure to moderate hypoxia (2.5 mg/L DO). However, chronic exposure to severe hypoxia (1.5 mg/L DO) for 7 days resulted in an increase of transcription of genes present in the mitochondrial genome (including 16S rRNA and Ccox 1), together with up-regulation of genes involved in Fe/heme metabolism. This pattern was completely reversed by day 14, when a significant down-regulation of these genes was observed. Separating mitochondrial proteins in two dimensions by IEF and reverse phase chromatography, followed by LC/MS/MS of differentially expressed proteins, showed cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2, encoded by Ccox 2, was down-regulated after 12 d exposure to severe hypoxia. It appears therefore that decreases in mitochondrial Ccox gene transcription result in decreased mitochondrial Ccox protein synthesis. These results suggest that mitochondrial genes and proteins show promise as molecular indicators of exposure to hypoxia.
Consumption of methylxanthine-containing beverages and risk of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract This paper reviews published studies of a possible relationship of consumption of methylxanthine-containing beverages, primarily coffee, to risk of pancreatic cancer (PC). Certain ecologic studies suggested a possible relation of pancreatic cancer mortality and coffee consumption by country. The findings from case-control studies are not entirely consistent; in general, no significant increased risk with a clear dose-response relationship is reported, but some of the studies suggest the possibility of some increase in risk. The prospective studies reported gererally agree that there is no significant association of coffee consumption with increased risk of PC. The few data available on tea consumption do not suggest an increased risk of PC. It seems reasonable to conclude that current epidemiologic evidence does not suggest any significant increased risk of PC with coffee consumption. Further research might clarify whether the divergent results reported for coffee consumption might be a result of confounding or other methodologic problems or might reflect some small but real increase in risk of PC associated with coffee consumption.
Influence of calcium fertilization on Douglas-fir foliar nutrition, soil nutrient availability, and sinuosity in coastal Washington

Abstract Sinuosity is a growth deformity affecting Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] and other conifers. Calcium is an important tree nutrient that affects the growth and stability of stems, which could cause sinuous growth. Much of the Ca stored in foliage may be bound as Ca-oxalate and no longer available for retranslocation. This study was conducted to determine whether Ca deficiency causes sinuous growth in coastal Washington. In early spring, six stands in southwest Washington were fertilized with Ca as lime or gypsum. Soil and foliar nutrients were examined before and after fertilization and partitioning of Ca within foliage was determined. Sinuosity and height were assessed at 0, 6, and 18 months after fertilization. Although gypsum application resulted in higher soil exchangeable Ca the lime treatment had the highest foliar Ca concentrations. Trees with higher foliar Ca concentrations led to higher water- (foliar membrane-associated), acetic acid- (Ca-pectate), and hydrochloric acid-extractable Ca (Ca-oxalate). Sinuosity was not decreased with Ca fertilization. The gypsum treatment had more sinuous growth in the first year after fertilization. Therefore, Ca fertilization increased soil and foliar Ca, but did not decrease sinuosity.
Epidemiologic observations in idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis

We did an epidemiologic survey of 30 children in whom idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis was diagnosed. Eighteen patients had died; 12 patients were still living. The majority of the cases were diagnosed in between 1962 and 1971, mainly in the spring and fall. Eighty percent of the patient lived in villages, whereas only 30% of the total population resided in the same type of rural area. Only one (5%) of the deceased children lived in the city, whereas four (33%) of the living children were city dwellers. The socioeconomic conditions were poor, and in 50% of the cases continuous exposure to highly toxic insecticides was elicited by history and investigation of housing conditions. The incidence of newly diagnosed cases decreased with the improvement of living conditions and the prohibition of the use of certain insecticides. We believe that environmental factors, perhaps insecticides, may cause idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in genetically predisposed persons. An epidemiologic history and genetic investigation should be included in the evaluation of patients with any disease when the cause is obscure.
The role of iron additives in sooting premixed flames

In-situ light scattering measurements are combined with chemical analysis of sampled soot particles to elucidate the mechanisms through which iron addition affects soot formation and growth processes in fuel-rich premixed propane/oxygen flames. Soot particle optical inhomogeneity resulting from the addition of iron is accounted for in the light scattering analysis using an effective refractive index model. The influence of iron addition on soot particle diameters, number densities, volume fractions, surface area, and specific growth rates is investigated. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the chemical state of iron species throughout the flame. The analysis revealed that the iron oxide Fe 2 O 3 is the dominant species within the soot particles, corresponding to residence times from 10 to 32 milliseconds. The role of iron additives as soot suppressants is discussed, and mechanims are proposed to explain the soot suppressing behavior associated with iron in practical combustors.
Visualizing ocean circulation models through virtual environments

The visualization scientists at Mississippi State University, working with the computational oceanographers at the Naval Research Laboratory, designed and implemented an interactive, real-time visualization tool called cthru. The cthru system, which provides visualization in a virtual environment, gives researchers the ability to alter model parameters and communicate these changes to the ocean model calculating the solution. The paper discusses the implementation of the cthru system.
Practical aspects of ultrasound dosimetry: Hydrophone performance

Abstract Wideband piezoelectric polymer (PVDF) hydrophones are now available with well documented performance characteristics; these probes are especially well suited for the measurement and comprehensive characterisation of both pulsed and continuous wave acoustic fields generated by ultrasound diagnostic devices. The hydrophones feature flat (to within ± 1.5 dB) frequency response, voltage (pressure) sensitivity uniform well beyond 15 MHz, well-behaved, predictable directivity patterns and excellent linearity in the pressure response up to 10 8 Pa (kidney stone crushers). These characteristics make the polymer probes uniquely applicable to measurements of the acoustic output parameters of ultrasound devices, including peak instantaneous pressure amplitude, as specified in the AIUM/NEMA Standard, IEC Draft document and FDA 510(K) requirements. The hydrophones are absolutely calibrated in terms of the end-of-cable voltage sensitivity (in units V/Pa or their derivatives) with a specified terminating load. Most common designs of ultrasonic polymer probes are the needle and membrane type which when properly designed provide reference hydrophones of good spatial and temporal resolution. Absolute, (end-of-cable) voltage sensitivity calibration has been carried out in the range of intensities from 10 mW/cm 2 to 100 W/cm 2 (SPTP) using both the conventional two transducer reciprocity calibration technique and the Planar Scanning Technique. Calibration techniques indicate that overall uncertainty of typically ±1.5 dB can be obtained. The area where uncertainties mostly occur are in plane wave approximation due to transmitter and receiver size and excitation frequency, and phase variation. Combining one of the absolute calibration techniques (e.g. reciprocity and a swept frequency measurement procedure) allows hydrophones to be calibrated as a continuous function of frequency. Moreover both amplitude and phase response may be determined. The spectral analysis technique, combined with swept frequency system (TDS), constitutes a useful tool for assessment of both the amplitude only and the complex frequency response of acoustic radiators. Transducer impulse response can be determined, based on far field measurements. Transducer artifacts can be removed by inverse filtering (deconvolution) procedures for quantitative ultrasound measurements. The effect of spatial averaging was determined experimentally and it was found that it is not significant at frequencies up to 5 MHz, providing 0.5–0.6 mm diameter probes (the smallest currently available) are used. For frequencies above 5 MHz the experimental data indicate that in the “worst case” the estimated “true” spatial peak value in the measured waveform exceeded the measured value by a factor of 2, depending on frequency and the diameter of the polymer probe used. Work is in progress to estimate more accurately the effect of spatial averaging due to the finite aperture of the hydrophone probes.
Electrodynamic calculations of the surface-enhanced electric intensities on large Ag spheroids

Electrodynamic calculations of the electric field on the surface of Ag prolate spheroids indicate that, as the size increases, the field enhancement decreases rapidly and the resonance shifts to longer wavelengths, the resonance linewidth broadens, and a new set of higher-order resonances appears. The calculated surface-averaged intensity and its wavelength dependence for 200\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}100 n${\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ prolate spheroids in air, water, and cyclohexane can be compared to surface-enhanced Raman scattering results from lithographically produced Ag spheroids.
On edge‐disjoint branchings

Abstract : Edmonds has given a complicated algorithmic proof of a theorem characterizing directed graphs that contain k edge-disjoint branchings having specified root sets. Tarjan has described a conceptually simple and good algorithm for finding such branchings when they exist. Tarjan's algorithm is based on a lemma implicit in Edmonds' results. A simple direct proof of this lemma is given, thereby providing a simpler proof of Edmonds' theorem and a simpler proof that Tarjan's algorithm works.
Water waves generated by an impulsive bed upthrust of a rectangular block

Abstract A theoretical and digital simulation on waves generated by an impulsive bed upthrust of a rectangular block with various ratios of length/width is presented. The two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm is used to obtain the water surface profile near the generation region. The three-dimensional pictures were constructed from an array of 256 × 256 pixel by using image processing. Comparison of the present three-dimensional results, with previously published two-dimensional results, indicates that for large length/width ratios, the water surface profile is quite similar at certain locations for a small time after the impulsive bed motion is completed. Generally, the water surface profiles deviate significantly from the two-dimensional results.
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM RURAL MANUFACTURERS

The role of public infrastructure in economic development and growth is examined and reported here. Specific attention is paid to the importance of infrastructure to small rural manufacturing firms in upper New England and Wisconsin. Study results suggest that while infrastructure is important to small manufacturing firms, other community attributes such as overall community attitudes toward change and the underlying forces of firm start-ups are more important. While adequate investments in infrastructure may be necessary for economic development and growth, it is not sufficient.
Effects of Packaging and Light Source on the Oxidative Stability of Cholesterol in Sutter

The effect of package material light transmission on the oxidative stability of cholesterol in butter exposed to fluorescent light was investigated. Only aluminum foil prevented cholesterol oxidation after 15 days of exposure. Margarine wrap, opaque parchment, wet strength dry wax paper, and polyethylene film were not effective. These results indicate that cholesterol oxidation occurred via singlet oxygen attack as well as free radical mechanisms. Daylight elicited oxidation in butter at 22°C at a greater rate than did fluorescent roomlight. Cholesterol oxidation products were detectable in some samples after 2 wk, but concentrations were very low and restricted positive identification by the analytical procedure employed in the study.
Risk for prescription opioid misuse among patients with a history of substance use disorder.

Abstract Background History of substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with risk for prescription opioid misuse in chronic pain patients; however, little data are available regarding risk for prescription opioid misuse within the subgroup of patients with SUD histories. Methods Participants with chronic pain, histories of SUD, and current opioid prescriptions were recruited from a single VA Medical Center. Participants (n = 80) completed measures of risk for prescription opioid misuse, pain severity, pain-related interference, pain catastrophizing, attitudes about managing pain, emotional functioning, and substance abuse. Results Participants were divided into three groups based on risk for prescription opioid misuse, as assessed by the Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ). Participants in the High-PMQ group reported more pain severity, interference, catastrophizing, depressive symptoms, and lowest self-efficacy for managing pain, relative to the Low-PMQ group; the High-PMQ group and Moderate-PMQ group differed on measures of pain severity, catastrophizing, and psychiatric symptoms (all p-values Conclusions Among patients with SUD histories, those with higher risk for prescription opioid misuse reported more pain and impairment, symptoms of depression, and were more likely to have current SUD, relative to patients with lower risk for prescription opioid misuse. In adjusted analyses, pain catastrophizing was significantly associated with risk for prescription opioid misuse, but current SUD status was not a significant predictor.
Gain enhancement of microstrip antennas with overlaying parasitic directors

The gain characteristics of rectangular microstrip antennas with one and two overlaying parasitic directors have been investigated experimentally. Results indicate that, when properly spaced, the parasitic directors can enhance the gain (dB) and reduce the beamwidth of the antenna by a factor of two or better.
Healthcare-associated pneumonia: approach to management.

Healthcare-associated pneumonia patients have worse outcomes and a different microbiologic profile than those with community-acquired pneumonia, including a greater risk for multidrug-resistant (MDR) organism infection. Risks include hospitalization for 2 or more days within 90 days, presentation from a nursing home or long-term care facility, attending a hospital or hemodialysis clinic, receiving intravenous therapy within 30 days, and immunosuppression. Ability to predict infection with MDR organisms varies, and the relative frequency of MDR organisms varies by geographic region. Initial treatment is broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics.
2) H and (139) La NMR Spectroscopy in Aqueous Solutions at Geochemical Pressures.

Nuclear spin relaxation rates of (2) H and (139) La in LaCl3 +(2) H2 O and La(ClO4 )3 +(2) H2 O solutions were determined as a function of pressure in order to demonstrate a new NMR probe designed for solution spectroscopy at geochemical pressures. The (2) H longitudinal relaxation rates (T1 ) vary linearly to 1.6 GPa, consistent with previous work at lower pressures. The (139) La T1 values vary both with solution chemistry and pressure, but converge with pressure, suggesting that the combined effects of increased viscosity and enhanced rates of ligand exchange control relaxation. This simple NMR probe design allows experiments on aqueous solutions to pressures corresponding roughly to those at the base of the Earth's continental crust.
Visualizing Changes in Circuit Activity Resulting from Denervation and Reinnervation Using Immediate Early Gene Expression

We describe a novel strategy to evaluate circuit function after brain injury that takes advantage of experience-dependent immediate early gene (IEG) expression. When normal rats undergo training or are exposed to a novel environment, there is a strong induction of IEG expression in forebrain regions, including the hippocampus. This gene induction identifies the neurons that are engaged during the experience. Here, we demonstrate that experience-dependent IEG induction is diminished after brain injury in young adult rats (120-200 gm), specifically after unilateral lesions of the entorhinal cortex (EC), and then recovers with a time course consistent with reinnervation. In situ hybridization techniques were used to assess the expression of the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein Arc at various times after the lesion (4, 8, 12, 16, or 30 d). One group of rats was allowed to explore a complex novel environment for 1 hr; control operated animals remained in their home cage. In unoperated animals, exposure to the novel environment induced Arc mRNA levels in most pyramidal neurons in CA1, in many pyramidal neurons in CA3, and in a small number of dentate granule cells. This characteristic pattern of induction was absent at early time points after unilateral EC lesions (4 and 8 d) but recovered progressively at later time points. The recovery of Arc expression occurred with approximately the same time course as the reinnervation of the dentate gyrus as a result of postlesion sprouting. These results document a novel approach for quantitatively assessing activity-regulated gene expression in polysynaptic circuits after trauma.
An operations management perspective on adopting customer-relations management (CRM) software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are made up of software that chiefly support individual functional areas (e.g., operations management practices and policies), but seeks to share information to support organisation-wide integration goals. In this paper we examine the influences of operations management (OM) customer focus policies and practices, as well as software vendor capabilities in supporting OM, on ERP reasons for adoption of software and vendor selection of customer relations management (CRM) systems. An empirical study utilising structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to determine if an OM customer focus affects the adoption of CRM. The results show that collaboration between OM and marketing managers in the acquisition of CRM software improves business performance and supports the prior research that advocates the need for closer integration of these two functional areas. The results also show that OM reasons for adoption of CRM can have a moderating effect on business performance a...
COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTICS TECHNIQUES IN AN OUTBREAK OF INFECTIOUS LARYNGOTRACHEITIS FROM MEAT CHICKENS

Abstract Various diagnostics techniques were compared for their ability to detect infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) during an outbreak in chickens aged between 4 and 21 wk. Gross lesions ranged from excess mucus to accumulation of fibrinonecrotic exudate in the larynx and trachea. Syncytial cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in sinus, conjunctiva, larynx, trachea, lung, and air sac. Virus isolation in chicken embryos was attempted in every case. Negative-stain electron microscopy detected herpesvirus in only 6% of the cases. Yet, isolation of ILT virus in the chorioallantoic membrane was presumed by histology in >20% of the samples and confirmed by fluorescent antibody (FA) in 35% of the embryos inoculated with conjunctivas or tracheas from affected birds. Overall, results from histology and FA tests were highly correlated. FA test has the advantage over histology of being diagnostically specific for ILT virus. Polymerase chain reaction was the most sensitive test and detected the viral ...
Invasive and noninvasive ventilation in patients with asthma

Despite recent advances in our ability to manage asthma, there continues to be a small but important incidence of patients who present with severe asthma exacerbations that require ventilatory support. Mechanical ventilation in these patients is difficult and can be associated with substantial morbidity. Unfortunately, there is little in the way of randomized controlled trials to guide our therapeutic decisions in these patients. The goal is to provide adequate gas exchange while minimizing hyperinflation and ventilator-induced lung injury and administering aggressive therapy to reduce airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Although there is controversy on exactly what is the optimal method for mechanical ventilation in asthma, most experts agree that a general approach based on controlled hypoventilation is ideal.
A fractal approach to dynamic inference and distribution analysis.

Event-distributions inform scientists about the variability and dispersion of repeated measurements. This dispersion can be understood from a complex systems perspective, and quantified in terms of fractal geometry. The key premise is that a distribution’s shape reveals information about the governing dynamics of the system that gave rise to the distribution. Two categories of characteristic dynamics are distinguished: additive systems governed by component-dominant dynamics and multiplicative or interdependent systems governed by interaction-dominant dynamics. A logic by which systems governed by interaction-dominant dynamics are expected to yield mixtures of lognormal and inverse power-law samples is discussed. These mixtures are described by a so-called cocktail model of response times derived from human cognitive performances. The overarching goals of this article are twofold: First, to offer readers an introduction to this theoretical perspective and second, to offer an overview of the related statistical methods.
PID controlled thermal management in photonic network-on-chip

The communication bandwidth and power consumption of network-on-chip (NoC) are going to meet their limits soon because of traditional metallic interconnects. Photonic NoC (PNoC) is emerging as a promising alternative to address these bottlenecks. However, PNoCs are highly susceptible to thermal fluctuations which is highly common in a manycore chip. This paper first introduces a low power, low cost mesh-based PNoC architecture and provides a quantitative analysis of it's power consumption over varying on-chip temperature. The paper then proposes a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) heater mechanism that minimizes the effect of thermal variation on PNoC's performance and power. Experimental results for a 8 × 8 PNoC shows that the proposed technique offers the maximum network-bandwidth considering the thermal effects. Compared to the recently reported results, the proposed design consumes 40% less power and has a temperature variation as low as 1 °C.
WANalytics: Analytics for a geo-distributed data-intensive world

Large organizations today operate data centers around the globe where massive amounts of data are produced and consumed by local users. Despite their geographically diverse origin, such data must be analyzed/mined as a whole. We call the problem of supporting rich DAGs of computation across geographically distributed data Wide-Area Big-Data (WABD). To the best of our knowledge, WABD is not supported by currently deployed systems nor suciently studied in literature; it is addressed today by continuously copying raw data to a central location for analysis. We observe from production workloads that WABD is important for large organizations, and that centralized solutions incur substantial cross-data center network costs. We argue that these trends will only worsen as the gap between data volumes and transoceanic bandwidth widens. Further, emerging concerns over data sovereignty and privacy may trigger government regulations that can threaten the very viability of centralized solutions. To address WABD we propose WANalytics, a system that pushes computation to edge data centers, automatically optimizing workow execution plans and replicating data when needed. Our Hadoop-based prototype delivers 257 reduction in WAN bandwidth on a production workload from Microsoft. We round out our evaluation by also demonstrating substantial gains for three standard benchmarks: TPC-CH, Berkeley Big Data, and BigBench.