cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory and simulation of the interaction between periodic multi-transmission lines with a degenerate band edge and electron beams

The interaction between a slow-wave structure (SWS) and an electron beam has been investigated by Pierce (J. R. Pierce, Bell System Technical Journal 29(3) 390–460, 1950) and several other contemporaries, leading to amplification regimes for traveling wave tubes. Slow-wave structures can be designed using homogenous or periodic waveguide structures to achieve synchronous phase velocity to the electron beam, and desirable interaction impedance. A multi-transmission line (MTL) model of homogenous SWSs has been investigated in (A. Tamma and F. Capolino, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 2(4) 899–910, 2014), which accurately models wave propagating and amplification inside MTL-electron beam coupled system. Here we demonstrate a new regime of amplification for traveling wave tubes based on synchronizing the degenerate band edge in the dispersion diagram of periodic structures with the electron beam. A degenerate band edge (DBE) is a photonic band edge condition that is manifested in periodic waveguide structures supporting two modes or more, and results in a very dramatic reduction in group velocity (A. Figotin and I. Vitebskiy, Phys. Rev. E 72(3), 036619, 2005). We show that the interaction between an electron beam and SWS working at the DBE can produce simultaneous amplification in more than one propagating mode, unlike the case with uniform MTL-beam interaction where solely one mode can be amplified (M. Othman et al., arXiv:1411.1046, 2014). We develop a theoretical framework for such an unconventional interaction in both time and frequency domain, using a periodic MTL approach with the help of Floquet theorem. A MTL-electron beam finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm is also developed to show the advantages of utilizing a DBE in a traveling wave tube, where we demonstrate the required conditions for amplification and oscillation. Various considerations are taken into account, such as losses, space-charge effects in the electron beam, and loading effects. Theory developed here may have a major impact on the enhancement of the efficiency, gain, and overall performance of traveling wave tubes for high power microwave generation.
Accessibility of high temperature and high humidity for the mesofauna of a harsh habitat : the case of exposed tree trunks

Abstract I studied the boundary-layer climate of exposed tree trunks and demonstrated that bark dwelling arthropods can potentially profit from three benefits: (1) temperature and humidity strongly depend on microclimatic, as opposed to mesoclimatic, impacts. Hence, the arthropods can track high temperatures and high humidities by small-scale redistribution. (2) High absolute temperatures and high temperatures relative to the ambient mesoclimate are favored by opposite impacts. Hence, high temperatures are available—in one way or the other—most of the time. The same applies to high humidity due to low saturation deficit and due to influx of water vapor. (3) High temperature and high humidity are often mutually non-exclusive.
Excitation transfer in disordered systems: bounds on the decay of donor excitation

Abstract The recursion method of Haydock, Heine and Kelly is extended to the problem of site-to-site excitation transfer in disordered systems. A systematic procedure is presented to obtain a sequence of nested bounds to the decay rate of donor excitation. The method is directly applicable to the treatment of excitation transfer in glasses. An exact expression is derived to relate donor excitation decay resulting from different excitation densities. This expression is used to provide the link between local and bulk transfer properties of a large collection of sites. Fundamental connections between the present work and the PD algorithm of Gordon and the projection operator methods of Mori and Zwanzig are discussed.
Obesity as a culture-bound syndrome

Although the term "culture-bound syndrome" has been used for many years, a concise definition has not been available. The less precise synonym "folk illness" has implied that such syndromes exist only in other cultures. This paper provides a four-part definition to permit examination and comparison of disease categories in any system, including biomedicine. Anthropologists have tended to view biomedicine as the standard for comparison, and have not examined it in the same critical light as other systems. This may be due in part to a confusion of the biomedical classificatory system (biomedicine per se, emic level) with the biological data on which in is based (etic level). One can in fact retain use of the biological data while analyzing biomedicine, which is understood to include cultural components. Mild-to-moderate obesity in the U.S. today fits the proposed definition of a culture-bound syndrome. This paper offers a brief overview of the evidence that culture has shaped both the definition of the disease over time and its treatment.
Metabolic studies of tolbutamide in the rat

Abstract Hydroxymethyltolbutamide was found to be the major oxidation product in the urine of rat and rabbit given tolbutamide. The metabolite was identified by its infrared spectrum and by paper and thin-layer chromatography. The enzyme system responsible for the oxidation of tolbutamide is a typical microsomal drug-metabolizing system subject to induction by 3,4-benzpyrene, phenobarbital, and tolbutamide itself. The only product observed after incubating tolbutamide with either the fortified microsomes or with liver homogenate was hydroxymethyltolbutamide. Only a small isotope effect was seen in the oxidation of trideuterated tolbutamide. Hydroxymethyltolbutamide was approximately half as active as tolbutamide in its hypoglycemic activity in mice.
Evaluation of physical and electrical properties of CoSi2 thin films on (100)Si grown by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract Laser physical vapour deposition (LPVD) has been used to deposit thin CoSi2 films on (100) silicon at different substrate temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600°C. Silicide films were deposited by ablating a solid target of CoSi2 in vacuum with a pulsed KrF excimer laser. Particulate-free silicide thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering, and analytical and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We have found that films deposited at 200°C and below are amorphous; films deposited at 400°C are polycrystalline; and films deposited at 600°C are (001) textured. Resistivity of these films has been measured as a function of temperature. This plot for CoSi2 exemplifies a typical resistivity behaviour for metallic compounds. The room temperature resistivity has been found to be about 15μΩ cm with a residual resistivity of about 4 μΩ cm for these films. A theoretically based Bloch-Gruneisen model has been applied to analyse the nature of such a plo...
Parietal lobe epilepsy: Diagnostic considerations and results of surgery

Eleven patients, evaluated between 1983 and 1988, with parietal lobe seizure origin as determined by circumscribed lesion detection in all and successful surgery in 10, were retrospectively evaluated in terms of clinical seizure characteristics and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings. Seven of 11 patients reported auras prior to seizures. In 4 patients, auras were lateralized somatosensory sensations, but in 1 they were ipsilateral to the side of seizure origin, and in 2 they had only occurred many years previously when seizures began. Other auras were either nonspecific or suggested seizure origin outside of the parietal lobe. Observed seizures were of two types: asymmetrical tonic seizures with or without clonic activity and complex partial seizures with loss of contact and automatisms. Four patients had only the first type of seizure and an equal number had only the second type. Three patients had both types of seizures during different episodes. Scalp EEGs correctly localized the side and region of seizure onset in only 1 patient. Three additional patients with congruent parietal localization on scalp EEG had additional misleading EEG findings. All patients had lesions detected with neuroimaging, but in 5 this detection occurred after they had been initially evaluated. These 5 patients had intracranial EEG studies designed to localize the region of seizure origin, and correct seizure onset localization was achieved in 2. Of the other 3 patients, false localization occurred in 1, and 2 could not be localized. Four patients with known lesions and 2 of the patients in whom lesions were detected after initial intracranial evaluations were studied with subdural grid electrodes placed over the lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An efficient algorithm for joint correspondence analysis

Joint correspondence analysis is a technique for constructing reduced-dimensional representations of pairwise relationships among categorical variables. The technique was proposed by Greenacre as an alternative to multiple correspondence analysis. Joint correspondence analysis differs from multiple correspondence analysis in that it focuses solely on between-variable relationships. Greenacre described one alternating least-squares algorithm for conducting joint correspondence analysis. Another alternating least-squares algorithm is described in this article. The algorithm is guaranteed to converge, and does so in fewer iterations than does the algorithm proposed by Greenacre. A modification of the algorithm for handling Heywood cases is described. The algorithm is illustrated on two data sets.
Distinct protein domains are responsible for the interaction of Hrs-2 with SNAP-25. The role of Hrs-2 in 7 S complex formation.

Abstract Regulated secretion of neurotransmitter at the synapse is likely to be mediated by dynamic protein interactions involving components of the vesicle (vesicle-associated membrane protein; VAMP) and plasma membrane (syntaxin and synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25)) along with additional molecules that allow for the regulation of this process. Recombinant Hrs-2 interacts with SNAP-25 in a calcium-dependent manner (they dissociate at elevated calcium levels) and inhibits neurotransmitter release. Thus, Hrs-2 has been hypothesized to serve a negative regulatory role in secretion through its interaction with SNAP-25. In this report, we show that Hrs-2 and SNAP-25 interact directly through specific coiled-coil domains in each protein. The presence of syntaxin enhances the binding of Hrs-2 to SNAP-25. Moreover, while both Hrs-2 and VAMP can separately bind to SNAP-25, they cannot bind simultaneously. Additionally, the presence of Hrs-2 reduces the incorporation of VAMP into the syntaxin·SNAP-25·VAMP (7 S) complex. These findings suggest that Hrs-2 may modulate exocytosis by regulating the assembly of a protein complex implicated in membrane fusion.
Turf issues in radiology and its subspecialties.

Turf issues affect policy, practice, and patients. Contributing/connected factors include control of patients, self-referral, and overuse. Turf issues impact quality of care and patient safety. Proposed strategies for radiology confronting turf issues center on accreditation of facilities; standardization of training; formulation of a structured, clinically rich subspecialty curriculum; multispecialty collaboration in the development of practice guidelines; expansion of radiology research; and endorsement of legislation against self-referral and for certificate of need. Radiology’s continued relevance depends on a patient-centered focus and maintaining clinical excellence, including specialty and subspecialty expertise.
Random motility of swimming bacteria: Single cells compared to cell populations

The motility of a population of swimming bacteria can be characterized by a random motility coefficient, μ, the operational equivalent of a diffusion coefficient at the macroscopic level and in the absence of interacting chemical gradients. At the microscopic level, random motility is related to the single-cell parameters: speed, tumbling probability, and index of directional persistence (related to the angle a cell's path assumes following a change in direction). Various mathematical models have been proposed for relating the macroscopic random motility coefficient to these microscopic single-cell parameters. In separate experiments, we have measured motility at both the cell-population and single-cell levels for Escherichia coli. The agreement of these results shows that the macroscopic transport behavior of a population of motile bacteria can be predicted from straightforward microscopic observations on single cells.
Influence of embedded fibers and an epithelium layer on the glottal closure pattern in a physical vocal fold model.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the possible structural and material property features that may facilitate complete glottal closure in an otherwise isotropic physical vocal fold mo...
DELIBERATION'S LEGITIMATION CRISIS: REPLY TO GLEASON

ABSTRACT Laurel Gleason contends that deliberative polling constrains the autonomy of participants and substitutes the ideas and agendas of “experts” for those of the deliberators. However, the format and informational constraints faced by participants in deliberative forums are no worse, and are in many ways better, than those faced by ordinary citizens. The real problem with deliberative polls is that if they were to become popular, it would be tempting for interest groups and partisan elites to create polls in which the constraints and briefing materials subtly tilted the participants in a desired direction. Public criticism of biased deliberative polls would, in turn, invite biased criticism of unbiased polls. In short, “policing” the quality of deliberative polls could recreate the very pathologies of real-world democratic discourse that the polls are designed to rectify. However, this problem is not insurmountable, because the participants themselves can police the proceedings by questioning the ver...
Creating a repeatable framework for campus communication

IT Services are provided to campuses in a variety of different environments. Failure to keep customers aware of the status of major enterprise level services can quickly generate a variety of problems: an overburdened help desk, longer hold times, erratic communication within IT, and customer dissatisfaction. In this paper we explore the approach the West Georgia took to develop a communication strategy to mitigate challenges by enhancing how IT positions itself to manage customer expectations through informed, constant, proactive updates using multiple channels. The result was a step-by-step, phased framework approach. By approaching the implementation in phases, the school worked in manageable steps with clearly defined objectives for each phase. Each step is solution-independent and can be implemented using the best-fit approach for any school. We believe this model holds great value, not only in its ability to improve customer relationships, but also in its ability to be adapted to fit any organization, based upon need.
Reduction in PU.1 activity results in a block to B-cell development, abnormal myeloid proliferation, and neonatal lethality

Objective It has been demonstrated that high concentration of the transcription factor PU.1 (encoded by Sfpi1 ) promotes macrophage development, whereas low concentration induces B-cell development in vitro. This has led to the hypothesis that lower levels of PU.1 activity are required for B cell than for macrophage development in vivo. We utilized an allele of Sfpi1 (termed BN) with a mutation in the first coding exon, which resulted in a reduction of PU.1 expression in order to test this hypothesis. Materials and Methods Using gene targeting in embryonic stem cells, two ATG-start site codons of PU.1 were mutated, resulting in reduced PU.1 expression originating from a third start codon. Mice were assayed for phenotypic abnormalities using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, microscopy, and colony-forming ability. In addition, isolated cells were tested for their differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo. Results Lymphoid and myeloid cells derived from cultured Sfpi1 BN/BN fetal liver cells had reduced levels of PU.1 expression and activity. B-cell development was intrinsically blocked in cells isolated from Sfpi1 BN/BN mice. In addition, myeloid development was impaired in Sfpi1 BN/BN fetal liver. However, neonatal Sfpi1 BN/BN mice had a dramatic expansion and infiltration of immature myeloid cells. Conclusion Contrary to our original hypothesis, high levels of PU.1 activity are required to induce both myeloid and B-cell development. In addition, neonatal mice homozygous for the hypomorphic allele acquire a myeloproliferative disorder and die within 1 month of age.
Noninvasive Creation of an Atrial Septal Defect by Histotripsy in a Canine Model

Background— The primary objective of this study was to develop an image-guided, noninvasive procedure to create or enlarge an atrial septal defect for the treatment of neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and an intact or restrictive atrial septum. Histotripsy is an innovative ultrasonic technique that produces nonthermal, mechanical tissue fractionation through the use of high-intensity ultrasound pulses. This article reports the pilot in vivo study to create an atrial septal defect through the use of extracardiac application of histotripsy in an open-chest canine model. Methods and Results— In 10 canines, the atrial septum was exposed to histotripsy by an ultrasound transducer positioned outside the heart. Ultrasound pulses of 6-microsecond duration at a peak negative pressure of 15 MPa and a pulse repetition frequency of 3.3 kHz were generated by a 1-MHz focused transducer. The procedure was guided and monitored by real-time ultrasound imaging. In 9 of 10 canines, an atrial septal defect was p...
Language Emergence: Implications for Applied Linguistics. Introduction to the Special Issue.

We share an interest in language. We want to understand it, its origins, structure, functions, use, acquisition, instruction, and change. We seek causes for observed effects. Scientific studies of language representation and competence and of language acquisition and use are complementary. Yet these two theoretical enterprises have traditionally been kept distinct, with models of representation (property theories) focusing on static competence, and models of acquisition (transition theories) and use focusing on dynamic process and performance. This Special Issue is motivated by the belief that our interests in language can better be furthered when it is conceived of as the emergent properties of a multi-agent, complex, dynamic, adaptive system, a conception that usefully conflates a property theory with a transition theory.
Use of CT angiography to classify endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE Accurate endoleak detection and classification is critical for the follow-up of patients who have undergone endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). This determination is often made with computed tomography angiography (CTA). This investigation was performed to determine the accuracy of CTA in the classification of endoleaks in patients who have undergone EVAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six patients with endoleaks underwent both CTA and conventional contrast digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to determine endoleak etiology. Two independent radiologists determined the source of the endoleak based on a retrospective review of the CTA. The results of the CTA-based endoleak classification were compared to the reference standard, contrast DSA. RESULTS There was agreement regarding endoleak classification between CTA and DSA on 86% of the patients (31 of 36 patients). Correlation between the CTA reading of the two readers was 94% (34 of 36 patients), yielding a kappa statistic of 0.8. In three patients, the CTA reading incorrectly classified endoleaks as type 2 when the endoleaks were actually type 1 endoleaks on DSA. One patient was incorrectly classified as having a type 1 endoleak on CTA when it was a type 2 endoleak on DSA. Finally, one patient had a type 1 endoleak on DSA that was incorrectly classified as a type 3 endoleak on CTA. The change in CTA endoleak classification based on the DSA resulted in a significant change in patient management in four of the 36 patients (11%). CONCLUSIONS Endoleak classification based on CTA correlates fairly well with DSA findings. However, optimal endoleak management requires performance of selective angiograms with DSA to classify endoleaks that are detected on CTA.
Making environmental sociology sociological

Three basic sociological distinctions—viewing the environment as home or place of sustenance, separation of home and workplace, and “thing” work versus “people” work—are used to illuminate such sociological concerns as environmental degradation as a social problem, social specialization and pollution, and the demographic profiles of environmentally concerned people.
Type ii collagen‐induced arthritis. A Morphologic and Biochemical Study of Articular Cartilage

Articular cartilage was obtained from type II collagen-induced arthritic rat joints. Transmission electron microscopy showed a gradual degeneration of chondrocytes, disorganization of the collagenous extracellular matrix, and formation of microscars. Biochemical analyses indicated that type II collagen was the only collagen present and that it was normal in regard to hydroxylation of lysine and glycosylation of hydroxylysine. Analyses of the proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix revealed a 50% loss of chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate.
Density and composition of the lower mantle

The observed density distribution of the lower mantle is compared with density measurements of the (M g,Fe)SiO 3 perovskite and (Mg,Fe)O magnesiowtistite highpressure phases as functions of pressure, tem perature and composition. We find that for plausible bounds on the composition of the upper mantle (ratio of magnesium to iron + magnesium components x M g ^ 0.88) and the temperature in the lower mantle ( T ^ 2000 K), the high-pressure mineral assemblage of upper-mantle composition is at least 2 .6 ( ± 1 ) % less dense than the lower m antle over the depth range 1000-2000 km. Thus, we find that a model of uniform m antle composition is incompatible with the existing mineralogical and geophysical data. Instead, we expect that the mantle is stratified, with the upper and lower m antle convecting separately, and we estimate that the compositional density difference between these regions is about 5 ( + 2) %. The stratification may not be perfect (‘leaky layering’), but significant intermixing and homogenization of the upper and lower m antle over geological timescales are precluded.
Musica speculativa for the twenty-first century: integrating mathematics and music in the liberal arts classroom

With its deep historical roots and its central position in the foundation of ancient knowledge, music, as a discipline, can claim an esteemed position in the modern liberal arts curriculum. Introductory music theory at the undergraduate level, however, still tends to focus on skill acquisition and fluency. This paper proposes a different model for such a course, one that integrates mathematics and music to provide a baseline knowledge of the language of music theory while exploring structural aspects of a system grounded in acoustics, algebra, and geometry. The Swarthmore College course “Mathematics and Music” aims to build on the musica speculativa tradition by adapting topics in the recent research literature in order to provide a classroom experience of collaborative exploration and discovery.
Dual-Track and Mandatory Quota in China's Price Reform

China’s price reform has been progressing through the mandatory quota (MQ) and dual-track schemes; a unique characteristic of China’s gradualist approach to economic transition. The purpose of this paper is to show how MQ properly modified, has been a bridge from a planned to a market-oriented price system. We analyze six criteria: industry output, average price, excluded buyers, buyers’ surplus, producers’ surplus and deadweight loss (not necessarily all independent) in our welfare comparison of a competitive market, monopoly and MQ form of market structure. A more general analytic formulation of our model and a graphic representation of the process are shown in the Appendix.
A constructive consistency proof of a fragment of set theory

On demontre la consistance d'un fragment S de la theorie des ensembles en utilisant l'arithmetique et l'induction transfinie le long d'un bon ordre recursif premier des nombres naturels
Lack of Diagnostic and Prognostic Utility of Circulating Plasma Myeloperoxidase Concentrations in Patients Presenting with Dyspnea

Background: Plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO), an inflammatory biomarker, is associated with increased mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome or chronic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of MPO for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and its prognostic value for patients with acute dyspnea. Methods: In a prospective, observational study conducted in 5 US centers, 412 patients [mean (SD) age, 58 (14) years; 39% women] presenting with dyspnea to the emergency department were enrolled and followed for 1 year. Clinical, serum/plasma biomarker [MPO, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP)], and transthoracic echocardiographic data were obtained. Results: We observed no differences in MPO concentration ( P = 0.07) between patients with ADHF [n = 147; median, 553 pmol/L; interquartile range (IQR), 415–738 pmol/L] and those without ADHF (n = 265; median, 576 pmol/L; IQR, 413–884 pmol/L). The diagnostic accuracy for ADHF was excellent for BNP [area under the ROC curve (AUC), 0.90; P < 0.001] and NT-proBNP (AUC, 0.90; P < 0.001) but poor for MPO (AUC, 0.46; P = 0.18). MPO appeared uncorrelated with echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure or function. The observed 1-year mortality rate was 12%. MPO concentration also appeared unrelated to mortality [hazard ratio, 1.25 (above vs below the median); 95% CI, 0.71–2.18], whereas BNP ( P = 0.001) and NT-proBNP ( P < 0.001) were significant predictors of mortality. MPO concentration provided no prognostic information in addition to that of BNP or NT-proBNP concentration. Conclusions: Unlike natriuretic peptides, MPO concentration was not predictive of ADHF diagnosis or 1-year mortality in a heterogeneous sample of emergency department patients with acute dyspnea.
Microstructural Characterization of Creep Tested Cryomilled NiAl-13vol. % AlN

Cryomilling of prealloyed NiAl powders, followed by extrusion, has been used to produce a particulate strengthened NiAl-13vol.% AlN material. At 1300 K, the compressive strain rate-flow stress diagram has two distinct deformation regimes, with the transition occurring near 150 MPa. The low and the high stress regimes have power law creep exponents of ∼ 6.1 and 14.2, respectively. Microstructural characterization of the as-extruded and tested samples has been performed to develop an understanding of the superior mechanical properties of the material. The microstructure of the as-extruded material was inhomogeneous and consisted of mantle regions containing a mixture of small NiAl grains (diameter ∼ 50-150 nm) and fine AlN particles (size ∼ 5-50 nm) that surround larger NiAl grains (diameter ∼ 0.3-8.0 μm) which were mostly particle free. In the low-stress regime, samples tested to steady state exhibited a structure composed of subgrain boundaries in the particle-free NiAl grains. In addition, some of the subgrains had developed a well defined dislocation network. AlN patricles occasionally found within large NiAl grains acted as pinning centers for dislocations. Small NiAl grains and the AlN particles constituting the mantle coarsened during these tests. In the high-stress regime, samples tested to steady state exhibited a high density of dislocations in most of the particle-free NiAl grains. Subgrain boundaries were found occasionally but dislocation networks were rare. The AlN particles had not significantly coarsened due to the shorter times at temperature.
Multiple in-hospital resuscitation efforts in the elderly.

Objectives:The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics and survival rates of patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation more than once during a single hospitalization.Design:We analyzed inpatient Medicare data from 1992 to 2005 identifying beneficiaries 65 years old and ol
Spatial modulational instability in one-dimensional lithium niobate slab waveguides

We report an experimental study of the breakup through modulational instability of broad fundamental beams near the phase-matching condition for second-harmonic generation in lithium niobate slab waveguides. Two mechanisms for initiating modulational instability, waveguide imperfections and noise on the input beam, are identified.
ON ESTIMATING THE EXPONENT OF POWER-LAW FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTIONS

Power-law frequency distributions characterize a wide array of natural phenomena. In ecology, biology, and many physical and social sciences, the exponents of these power laws are estimated to draw inference about the processes underlying the phenomenon, to test theoretical models, and to scale up from local observations to global patterns. Therefore, it is essential that these exponents be estimated accurately. Unfortunately, the binning-based methods traditionally used in ecology and other disciplines perform quite poorly. Here we discuss more sophisticated methods for fitting these exponents based on cumulative distribution functions and maximum likelihood estimation. We illustrate their superior performance at estimating known exponents and provide details on how and when ecologists should use them. Our results confirm that maximum likelihood estimation outperforms other methods in both accuracy and precision. Because of the use of biased statistical methods for estimating the exponent, the conclusions of several recently published papers should be revisited.
The mass spectrometry of O‐alkyl‐N‐arylsulfonyl carbamates

We report the mass spectra of a series of O-alkyl-N-p-toluenesulfonyl carbamates with the following alkyl substituents: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, neopentyl, β-phenethyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, cyclohexyl, α-phenethyl, tert-butyl and tert-amyl. The fragmentation of the primary and secondary alkyl substituents involves a rearrangement accompanied by the loss of SO2 followed by fragmentation of the [M – 64] radical-ion to produce cresol as one of the principal fragments. The [M – 64] fragment of branched alkyls also undergoes a McLafferty rearrangement to yield either O-p-tolyl carbamate or N-p-tolyl carbamic acid and the corresponding olefin. In contrast, O-tert-alkyl-N-arylsulfonyl carbamates yield fragmentation patterns similar to those observed for N-tert-alkyl arylsulfonamides. The spectrum of O-tert-butyl-N-p-methoxybenzenesulfonyl carbamate exhibits strong [M – 44] and [M – 59] peaks which correspond to the loss of CO2 followed by a methyl radical from the molecular ion. Introduction of methyl groups either to the sulfonyl carbamate nitrogen atom or the ortho positions of the aryl substituent of O-tert-butyl derivatives forces the molecular ion to rearrange with a loss of SO2 instead of CO2.
Sonification enhances target detection in multi-band imagery

Growing military requirements and shorter timelines are placing greater demands on imagery analysts. At the same time, advances in sensor technology have vastly increased the quantity and types of imagery data available. Together, these factors are driving toward greater reliance on automated exploitation tools, such as automated target cueing (ATC). Several studies indicate that operational performance depends not only on the accuracy of the ATC algorithm, but also on effectively conveying the ATC information to the user. Sonification, the presentation of information through audio signals, provides a novel method for assisting analysts with visual search tasks. This paper presents a recent proof-of-concept experiment in which analysts search for geometric targets in synthetic, two-band color imagery. The performance results indicate that sonification can enhance performance, particularly through false alarm mitigation. The range of performance across users also suggests that user training may play a big role in effective operational use of sonification methods.
Epistaxis in end stage liver disease masquerading as severe upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

AIM: To describe the prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of end stage liver disease (ESLD) patients with severe epistaxis thought to be severe upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH). METHODS: This observational single center study included all consecutive patients with ESLD and epistaxis identified from consecutive subjects hospitalized with suspected UGIH and prospectively enrolled in our databases of severe UGIH between 1998 and 2011. RESULTS: A total of 1249 patients were registered for severe UGIH in the data basis, 461 (36.9%) were cirrhotics. Epistaxis rather than UGIH was the bleeding source in 20 patients. All patients had severe coagulopathy. Epistaxis was initially controlled in all cases. Fifteen (75%) subjects required posterior nasal packing and 2 (10%) embolization in addition to correction of coagulopathy. Five (25%) patients died in the hospital, 12 (60%) received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), and 3 (15%) were discharged without OLT. The mortality rate was 63% in patients without OLT. CONCLUSION: Severe epistaxis in patients with ESLD is (1) a diagnosis of exclusion that requires upper endoscopy to exclude severe UGIH; and (2) associated with a high mortality rate in patients not receiving OLT.
Ultrafast nonlinear dynamics in a frenkel exciton surface plasmon coupled system

Ultrafast nonlinear optical response is reported for Frenkel excitons in organic J-aggregate thin films, resonantly coupled to surface plasmons in gold nanoparticle arrays. We show that tuning the resonance wavelength of the surface plasmon of the arrays to the J-band of the surrounding cyanine dyes results in a strong enhancement of the optical nonlinearity
Multi-Level Effects of Low Dose Rate Ionizing Radiation on Southern Toad, Anaxyrus [Bufo] terrestris

Despite their potential vulnerability to contaminants from exposure at multiple life stages, amphibians are one of the least studied groups of vertebrates in ecotoxicology, and research on radiation effects in amphibians is scarce. We used multiple endpoints to assess the radiosensitivity of the southern toad (Anaxyrus [Bufo] terrestris) during its pre-terrestrial stages of development –embryonic, larval, and metamorphic. Toads were exposed, from several hours after oviposition through metamorphosis (up to 77 days later), to four low dose rates of 137Cs at 0.13, 2.4, 21, and 222 mGy d-1, resulting in total doses up to 15.8 Gy. Radiation treatments did not affect hatching success of embryos, larval survival, or the length of the larval period. The individual family variation in hatching success of embryos was larger than the radiation response. In contrast, newly metamorphosed individuals from the higher dose-rate treatments had higher mass and mass/length body indices, a measure which may relate to higher post-metamorphic survival. The increased mass and index at higher dose rates may indicate that the chronic, low dose rate radiation exposures triggered secondary responses. Additionally, the increases in growth were linked to a decrease in DNA damage (as measured by the Comet Assay) in red blood cells at a dose rate of 21 mGy d-1 and a total dose of 1.1 Gy. In conclusion, the complex effects of low dose rates of ionizing radiation may trigger growth and cellular repair mechanisms in amphibian larvae.
Effect of molasses in normal-and high-grain rations on utilization of nutrients for lactation.

Abstract Molasses added to ground ear-corn at a level of 10% and fed with wilted silage (66% moisture) in a 40:60 ratio of grain-to-roughage (dry basis) depressed milk and fat-corrected milk (FCM) yields and milk fat content. Molasses was not detrimental with haylage (47% moisture) or with a 60:40 ratio of grain-to-roughage. Molasses had no measurable effect on dry matter intake or efficiency of estimated net energy (ENE) utilization. Increasing the grain from 40 to 60% in the haylage ration increased dry matter intake, but decreased feed efficiency. However, raising the grain level to 60% with the wilted silage increased milk fat percentage. FCM yield, and lowered consumption, resulting in improved efficiency. In a subsequent experiment, addition of 6% sucrose to rations of alfalfa hay and 40 or 60% grain reduced the milk fat content in a manner similar to molasses in the first experiment. Interaction effects of sucrose with grain-to-roughage ratios on milk fat content, solids-corrected milk yield, and efficiency were also similar to the interaction effects observed with molasses. Sucrose increased ruminal butyrate, but decreased acetate and the aeetate-to-butyrate ratio. This similarity in lactation responses suggests that the influence of molasses is via its sucrose content.
Splitting of coherent precipitates caused by elastic non-equilibrium

During the process of nickel-based superalloys, gamma prime particles often split into doublets, quartets, or octets. It is an interesting instability phenomenon as it defies conventional surface thermodynamics. Particle splitting is examined through the discrete atom method, which is based on the combination of statistical mechanics and linear elasticity. Splitting phenomena may be classified into two: commensurate elastic instability and incommensurate elastic instability. In the former, the elastic anisotropy of a coherent particle is commensurate with that of the matrix phase, and a non-equilibrium elastic state may cause particle splitting provided that relaxation of the elastic strain energy can exceed the accompanying interfacial energy increase. Incommensurate elastic instability arises when the anisotropy ratios of the precipitate and matrix phase have opposite signs, for example, when the elastically soft direction of the matrix is parallel to the hard direction of the particle phase. The strain energy tends to relax along the elastically soft directions of both phases: thus the particle stretches along its own soft directions while yielding its hard directions to the matrix phase. Such a splitting can end up with a symmetry in the arrangement of particles, but requires a condition that the bulk moduli of both matrix and precipitate phase are comparable to each other.
A Mesoscopic Model Approach to Passively Control Vortex Wakes Using Single/Multiple Bodies

In this paper, vortex patterns are studied when single or several objects are located in the bluff-body wakes. The suitability of a mesoscopic approach involving a single phase Lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is examined. The central idea behind proposing the present formulation is to capture smaller scales naturally, postponing the need of applying empirical turbulence models. In contrast, to continuum mechanics based numerical models, where only space and time are discrete, the discrete variables of the LB model are space, time and particle velocity. With reference to the Boltzmann equation of classical kinetic theory, the distribution of fluid molecules is represented by particle distribution functions. It is notable that the formulation avoids the need to include the Poisson equation. An elastic-collision scheme with no-slip walls is prescribed. Although the long term goal is to predict bluff-body high Reynolds number flows, the present study is limited to laminar flow simulations. The case studies include sharp edge bodies embedded in Re flows in the order of 100–250. The 2-D uniform grid solutions are compared with findings reported in the literature and promising agreements have been found. This study is important to a variety of applications, in particular, the wind, ocean and coastal engineering communities. From a mitigation point of view, the model presents an easy means of re-arranging bluff bodies to study optimum solutions for VIV suppression. It is notable that the CPUs are favorable for the multiple bluff body solutions compared to current published continuum mechanics models.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A Single-Domain Llama Antibody Potently Inhibits the Enzymatic Activity of Botulinum Neurotoxin by Binding to the Non-Catalytic alpha-Exosite Binding Region.

Ingestion or inhalation of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) results in botulism, a severe and frequently fatal disease. Current treatments rely on antitoxins, which, while effective, cannot reverse symptoms once BoNT has entered the neuron. For treatments that can reverse intoxication, interest has focused on developing inhibitors of the enzymatic BoNT light chain (BoNT Lc). Such inhibitors typically mimic substrate and bind in or around the substrate cleavage pocket. To explore the full range of binding sites for serotype A light chain (BoNT/A Lc) inhibitors, we created a library of non-immune llama single-domain VHH (camelid heavy-chain variable region derived from heavy-chain-only antibody) antibodies displayed on the surface of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Library selection on BoNT/A Lc yielded 15 yeast-displayed VHH with equilibrium dissociation constants (K{sub d}) from 230 to 0.03 nM measured by flow cytometry. Eight of 15 VHH inhibited the cleavage of substrate SNAP25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25,000 Da) by BoNT/A Lc. The most potent VHH (Aa1) had a solution K{sub d} for BoNT/A Lc of 1.47 x 10{sup -10} M and an IC{sub 50} (50% inhibitory concentration) of 4.7 x 10{sup -10} M and was resistant to heat denaturation and reducing conditions. To understand the mechanism by which Aa1more » inhibited catalysis, we solved the X-ray crystal structure of the BoNT/A Lc-Aa1 VHH complex at 2.6 {angstrom} resolution. The structure reveals that the Aa1 VHH binds in the {alpha}-exosite of the BoNT/A Lc, far from the active site for catalysis. The study validates the utility of non-immune llama VHH libraries as a source of enzyme inhibitors and identifies the BoNT/A Lc {alpha}-exosite as a target for inhibitor development.« less
Compartment syndrome of the leg after arthroscopic examination of a tibial plateau fracture. Case report and review of the literature

Increasing attention has been given to the roll of arthroscopy in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures. Complications of arthroscopy are infrequent but are potentially severe. We present a case of acute compartment syndrome related to arthroscopic treatment of a tibial plateau fracture in an adolescent.
Difficulty and Instrumentality of Imminent Behavior as Determinants of Cardiovascular Response and Self‐Reported Energy

College-aged male subjects were presented with an easy or moderately difficult memorization task and were told that they could earn either a very low or a very high chance of obtaining a modest prize if they did well. Cardiovascular (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure) and subjective measures were taken during an interval immediately preceding the task performance period. Results indicated greater systolic blood pressure and self-perceived energy in the moderately difficult condition than in the easy condition only when the probability of attaining the prize (if subjects did well) was high. When the probability of goal attainment (given success) was low, systolic responses and self-reported energy levels were minimal in both task conditions. Predictions regarding the impact of energy levels upon goal attractiveness ratings were not supported, possibly for methodological reasons.
Synthesis and molecular structure of an abnormal carbene–gallium chloride complex

Low temperature reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene : BEt3 with nBuLi (in THF) initially gives the C4-lithiated N-heterocyclic carbene : BEt3 complex (4), which isomerizes to the C2-lithiated abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene : BEt3 complex (2) in refluxing THF. While reaction of 2 with GaCl3 gives a 4-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene : GaCl3 adduct (6), reaction of 4 with GaCl3 affords the first abnormal carbene–gallium chloride complexes (5).
CFTR and GM1 “gangl-ing” up to heal thy wound. Focus on “Reduced GM1 ganglioside in CFTR-deficient human airway cells results in decreased β1-integrin signaling and delayed wound repair”

ever since its discovery in 1989, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator has proven time and again that its name as a regulator and moniker, CFTR, are fully justified. The pleiotropic effects of CFTR continue to ingratiate themselves into the intricacies of cell regulation. In a
Feridex-Labeled Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Cellular Differentiation and MR Assessment in a Canine Myocardial Infarction Model

Jeff W.M. Bulte1,3, PhD, Lisa Kostura4, BS, Alistair Mackay4, PhD, Parag V. Karmarkar1, MS, Izlem Izbudak1, MD, Ergin Atalar1, PhD, Danielle Fritzges1, BS, E. Rene Rodriguez2, MD, Randy G. Young4, DVM, Michelle Marcelino4, BS, Mark F. Pittenger4, PhD, Dara L. Kraitchman1, VMD, PhD. 1Depts. of Radiology, 2Pathology, and 3Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; 4Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Baltimore, MD.
Influence of breast-feeding on the restoration of the low serum concentration of vitamin E and β-carotene in the newborn infant

Abstract Vitamin E and β-carotene are two important natural antioxidants. However, the mean (±SD) serum concentrations of β-carotene in the cord blood of term (17.9 ± 4.4 μg/dl) and preterm (14.04 ± 4.7 μg/dl) infants are one eighth the concentration in the maternal serum (131 ± 43 μg/dl). Likewise the serum concentrations of vitamin E in the term (0.31 ± 0.09 mg/dl) and preterm (0.29 ± 0.08 mg/dl) infants are one-third the concentration in the maternal serum (0.97 ± 0.16 mg/dl), Human breast milk, particularly colostrum, contains very high concentrations of both vitamin E (3.28 ± 2.93 mg/dl) and β-carotene (213 ± 166 μg/dl). Thus the breast-fed, term infant attains serum levels of both vitamin E and β-carotene comparable to those in the adult within 4 to 6 days of breast-feeding. This study shows that the seeming barrier in the fetus to access to the antioxidants vitamin E and β-carotene, in utero, is rapidly corrected and the substances are replenished postnatally through breast-feeding, This study therefore alludes to the possible role of breast-feeding in providing for the infant's defense against oxygen toxicity.
A new method for the numerical solution of the Reynolds equation for gas-lubricated slider bearings

The steady-state Reynolds equation for gas lubricating leads to a quasilinear boundary-value problem in two dimensions. This equation contains a first-order derivative term whose coefficient is nonlinear and also large for most of the practical cases. Thus, this becomes a quasilinear singular perturbation problem. Existing numerical schemes are faced with the failure of convergence as well as numerical instability which often results in overshooting the answers. Asymptotic approximations also give poor results if the film-thickness ratios are not small. In this paper an accurate and reliable numerical scheme is presented. Convergence is proved independent of the bearing numbers and film-thickness ratios. A weighted upwind-difference form is used to discretize the differential equation. Theory of M-matrices and associated inequalities are employed to prove the ensuing monotonicity. The analysis presented in this paper can be extended to a more general class of singular-perturbation quasilinear boundary-value problems. Numerical results and graphs for pressure distributions and bearing loads are provided for the parabolic slider. Comparisons are made with other existing results concerning numerical as well as asymptotic analysis.