cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Anisotropic Elastic Moduli from High Energy X-Ray Data and Finite Element Simulations

Abstract A suite of finite element simulations was executed to find optimal values for high-temperature single crystal elastic moduli of low solvus high refractory (LSHR) nickel super alloy from high energy x-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) measurements. In the experiment, a polycrystalline specimen was scanned in an unloaded state to determine a three-dimensional spatial map of lattice orientations in the gauge volume. The specimen was then heated and loaded while performing in situ X-ray measurements to determine grain-averaged elastic strain tensors at several macroscopic loads. The finite element simulations, utilizing three meshes of increasing resolution, mimicked the experimental loading. Initial simulations were conducted to find a box containing the optimal moduli, from which a finer grid of trial moduli was created. A suite of simulations was then executed using these meshes and moduli. For each simulation, an error was determined by comparing the simulated strain field to the measured one, with the resulting data set providing rich information about this fitting process. Anisotropy of the optimal moduli was studied relative to the level of mesh refinement, and a tendency for the anisotropy to decrease as the mesh refinement increases was found. Optimal values of anisotropic moduli and isotropic moduli were determined using the presented optimization methodology; the anisotropic moduli gave appreciably better results. Furthermore, we examined the sensitivity of the error to changes in the moduli; the takeaway was that size of the modulus had a primary effect on the sensitivity, with larger moduli being harder to fit.
Pediatric Trainees’ Speaking Up about Unprofessional Behavior and Traditional Patient Safety Threats

Abstract Objective Speaking up is increasingly recognized as essential for patient safety. We aimed to determine pediatric trainees’ experiences, attitudes, and anticipated behaviors with speaking up about safety threats including unprofessional behavior. Methods Anonymous, cross-sectional survey of 512 pediatric trainees at 2 large US academic children's hospitals that queried experiences, attitudes, barriers and facilitators, and vignette responses for unprofessional behavior and traditional safety threats. Results Responding trainees (223 of 512, 44%) more commonly observed unprofessional behavior than traditional safety threats (57%, 127 of 223 vs 34%, 75 of 223; P Conclusions Findings suggest pediatric trainee reluctance to speak up when presented with unprofessional behavior compared to traditional safety threats and highlight a need to improve elements of the clinical learning environment to support speaking up.
The Future is Female: Urology Workforce Projection From 2020 to 2060.

Objective To project the size and demographics of the female urology workforce into 2060. Methods We assessed current urology workforce estimates using 2019 American Urological Association Annual Census data. We used the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Data Resource Book from 2007 to 2018 to determine the incoming urology workforce. With these inputs, we calculated urologic workforce projections using two stock and flow models. Results In our continued growth model, the total number of urologists will be lowest in 2025 with 11,600 urologists and recover to baseline by 2040 with 13,377 urologists. The total number of female urologists will grow 3.77-fold from 2020 to 2060 with an absolute increase of 3,792 urologists. Comparatively, the total number of male urologists will grow 1.33-fold with an absolute increase of 3,996 urologists. In our stagnant growth model, the total number of urologists will be lowest in 2030 with 11,354 urologists and will not recover to baseline by the end of our projection. The total number of female urologists will grow 2.18-fold from 2020 to 2060 with an absolute increase of 1,615 urologists. Comparatively, the total number of male urologists will decrease by 21.5% with an absolute decrease of 2,579 urologists. Conclusion In the context of the impending urologic workforce shortage, female urologists make up a significant proportion of the workforce growth over the next four decades in both the continued growth and growth stagnant models. This projection highlights the need for purposeful recruitment, structural changes, and advocacy among urology leadership to support female urologists.
High-order stable generalized/eXtended finite element approximations for accurate stress intensity factors

Abstract This paper investigates the accuracy and robustness of stress intensity factor (SIF) extraction using the p-Hierarchical Discontinuous Interpolant Stable Generalized Finite Element Method (pFEM-DSGFEM). This method is well-conditioned and optimally convergent for fracture mechanics problems if a proper enrichment strategy and mesh refinement are used. The method performs well when calculating global quantities such as strain energy, but its ability to capture local quantities such as SIFs has not yet been explored. pFEM-DSGFEM spaces are used to solve a variety of fracture mechanics problems and their solutions are used to extract SIFs with the Displacement Correlation Method (DCM). These numerical experiments show that pFEM-DSGFEM spaces provide highly accurate SIFs, even better than standard GFEM spaces, while being well-conditioned.
Isolated Non-Resolving Vulvar Lesion as a Presentation of Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Woman with HIV.

Disseminated histoplasmosis is most commonly caused by Histoplasma capsulatum and is a known opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. The clinical presentation of histoplasmosis varies from asymptomatic to a progressive disseminated form. Pulmonary and CNS involvement is common in disseminated histoplasmosis. Rarely, disseminated disease can present as vulvar lesion in the absence of pulmonary symptoms, causing a delay in diagnosis. As per our PubMed literature search, there have only been two reported cases where vulvar lesion was the only presenting symptom of disseminated disease. In our patient, a histopathological diagnosis was made with staining showing budding yeast forms of histoplasma. LEARNING POINTS Histoplasmosis can be a cause of isolated non-resolving vulvar lesion in immunocompromised patients.In patients at risk, we recommend work-up for disseminated histoplasmosis with urine histoplasma antigen and further imaging to rule out disseminated infection when histoplasma is identified on local biopsy samples.In patients from endemic regions and in non-resolving vulvar lesions, fungal infection should be considered.
Constraining population synthesis models via empirical binary compact object merger and supernovae rates

The observed samples of supernovae (SN) and double compact objects (DCOs) provide several critical constraints on population-synthesis models: the parameters of these models must be carefully chosen to reproduce, among other factors, (i) the formation rates of double neutron star (NS-NS) binaries and of white dwarf-neutron star (WD-NS) binaries, estimated from binary samples, and (ii) the type II and Ib/c supernova rates. Even allowing for extremely conservative accounting of the uncertainties in observational and theoretical predictions, we find only a few plausible population synthesis models (roughly 9%) are consistent with DCO and SN rates empirically determined from observations. As a proof of concept, we describe the information that can be extracted about population synthesis models given such stringent observational tests, including surprisingly good agreement with the neutron star kick distributions inferred from pulsar proper-motion measurements. In the present study, we find that the current observational constraints favor: kicks described by a single Maxwellian with a typical velocity of about 300km/s; mass-loss fractions during non-conservative, but stable, mass transfer episodes of about 90%; and common envelope parameters of about 0.2-0.5. Finally, we use the subset of astrophysically consistent models to predict the rates at which black hole-neutron star (BH-NS) and NS-NS binaries merge in the Milky Way and the nearby Universe, assuming Milky-Way-like galaxies dominate. (Abridged)
Particle adhesion and removal in model systems: III. Monodispersed ferric oxide on steel

Abstract Using the packed-column technique, the interactions (adsorption and desorption) of uniform spherical hematite particles of 0.17-μm diameter with stainless steel were studied as a function of pH, flow rate, temperature, and the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate and of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The adhesion of hematite on steel at room temperature occurred only over a narrow pH range. Optimum deposition corresponded to systems in which the particles and the steel were oppositely charged. The adsorption efficiency as a function of flow rate and temperature was in good agreement with the Levich equation based on the diffusion mechanism. Particles which adhered to steel could be removed by rinsing with aqueous solutions, but the desorption was strongly dependent on the pH and on the ionic strength of the wash liquid. However, even at optimum conditions, only a part of the adhered α Fe2O3 was detached from the substrate. A considerable increase in the desorption of hematite from the steel surface was found when the temperature of the system during the desorption process was raised. The electrostatic contributions to the total interaction energies were calculated using the expressions of Hogg, Healy, and Fuerstenau and the expression based on the two-dimensional solution of the Poisson—Boltzmann equation. The latter offered a good explanation of the observed desorption phenomena.
Marmoset invariant object recognition behavior mirrors that of humans and macaques at fine scale

The marmoset -- a small monkey with a flat cortex -- offers powerful techniques for studying neural circuits in a primate. However, it remains unclear whether brain functions typically studied in larger primates can be studied in the marmoset. Here, we asked whether the 300-gram marmosets9 perceptual and cognitive repertoire approaches human levels or is instead closer to rodents9. Using high-level visual object recognition as a testbed, we found that on the same task marmosets substantially outperformed rats and generalized far more robustly across images, all while performing ~1000 trials/day. We then compared marmosets against the high standard of human behavior. Across the same 400 images, marmosets9 image-by-image recognition behavior was strikingly human-like -- essentially as human-like as macaques9. These results demonstrate that marmosets have been substantially underestimated and that high-level abilities have been conserved across simian primates. Consequently, marmosets are a potent small model organism for visual neuroscience, and perhaps beyond.
Donor-Recipient Body Mass Index Matching in Lung Transplantation

Purpose Donor-recipient size matching, in terms of height, total lung capacity and chest x-ray measurements, has been studied and is known to affect outcomes. Less is known about the impact of BMI matching which could have equally important implications on outcomes. We analyzed the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database to determine the effects of BMI-matching on patient survival and graft function after lung transplant. Methods We evaluated a national cohort of patients from the SRTR database who underwent single or double lung Tx between 2006-17. Donor and recipient BMI were categorized using the World Health Organization classification: underweight (BMI 14.0-18.49); normal, (18.5-24.99); overweight (25.00-29.99); obese (≥30.00). In addition, donor and recipient BMI categories were used to stratify patients based on donor-recipient BMI matching: same category; donor BMI in a higher category than the recipient; recipient BMI in a higher category than the donor. The association between donor BMI, recipient BMI, as well as donor-recipient BMI similarity and overall risk of death or risk of graft loss were separately evaluated using multivariable Cox regression. Results Among 20,404 patients, median donor BMI was 25.1 [IQR 22.3-28.7] and median recipient BMI was 25.4 [IQR 21.6-28.7]. For donors, 3.5% were underweight, 44.6% were normal weight, 32.7% were overweight, and 19.2% were obese. For recipients, these were 8.5%, 38.8%, 37.2%, and 15.6%, respectively. Donor BMI was not associated with overall risk of death or risk of graft loss. By comparison, relative to normal weight recipients, underweight recipients had a 42% higher risk of death (Hazard Ratio 1.42 [95% CI 1.02-2.00]). Relative to patients receiving organs from a donor in a similar BMI category, donor-recipient differences in BMI category were neither associated with risk of death nor graft loss. Conclusion Consistent with prior reports, recipient BMI was an important factor in lung transplant outcomes, but donor-recipient BMI matching, or lack of, did not have an effect. Neither donor BMI nor donor-recipient size matching based on BMI are associated with improved Tx outcomes.
War and peace: Ethical challenges and risks in military robotics

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) designs, constructs, and deploys social and autonomous robots and robotic weapons systems. Military robots are designed to follow the rules and conduct of the professions or roles they emulate, and it is expected that ethical principles are applied and aligned with such roles. The application of these principles appear paramount during the COVID-19 global pandemic, wherein substitute technologies are crucial in carrying out duties as humans are more restrained due to safety restrictions. This article seeks to examine the ethical implications of the utilization of military robots. The research assesses ethical challenges faced by the United States DoD regarding the use of social and autonomous robots in the military. The authors provide a summary of the current status of these lethal autonomous and social military robots, ethical and moral issues related to their design and deployment, a discussion of policies, and the call for an international discourse on appropriate governance of such systems. Copyright © 2021, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Full and Reduced Order Model Consistency of the Nonlinearity Discretization in Incompressible Flows.

We investigate both theoretically and numerically the consistency between the nonlinear discretization in full order models (FOMs) and reduced order models (ROMs) for incompressible flows. To this end, we consider two cases: (i) FOM-ROM consistency, i.e., when we use the same nonlinearity discretization in the FOM and ROM; and (ii) FOM-ROM inconsistency, i.e., when we use different nonlinearity discretizations in the FOM and ROM. Analytically, we prove that while the FOM-ROM consistency yields optimal error bounds, FOM-ROM inconsistency yields additional terms dependent on the FOM divergence error, which prevent the ROM from recovering the FOM as the number of modes increases. Computationally, we consider channel flow around a cylinder and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, and show that FOM-ROM consistency yields significantly more accurate results than the FOM-ROM inconsistency.
Socially Assistive Robotic Music Therapist for Maintaining Attention of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments

This paper presents a hypothesis-testing preliminary study that aims to develop affordable customized socially assistive robotics (SAR) tools that can help to provide cognitive care to users suffering from cognitive changes related to aging and/or Alzheimer’s disease.
Dynamic fracture of a functionally gradient material having discrete property variation

A functionally gradient material (FGM) with discrete property variation is prepared, and the dynamic fracture in this material is studied using the technique of photoelasticity combined with high-speed photography. Transparent sheets required for the study are made by casting a polyester resin mixed with varying amounts of plasticizer. The mechanical (quasi-static and dynamic) and optical properties of the material are evaluated as a function of the plasticizer content. Results of material characterization show that the fracture toughness increases with increasing plasticizer content, whereas the Young's modulus decreases. The material fringe constant and the dynamic modulus are observed to be relatively insensitive to plasticizer content. The FGM is then prepared by casting together thin strips having different plasticizer content. The dynamic crack propagation phenomenon is studied for four different property variations along the crack propagation direction, and the effects of these property variations on crack speed, crack jump distance and dynamic stress intensity factor are investigated. Results of this investigation show that increasing the toughness in the direction of crack growth reduces the crack jump distance as compared to on increasing-decreasing toughness variation for the same initial energy.
The physiological behavior of enzyme I and heat-stable protein mutants of a bacterial phosphotransferase system.

Mutant strains were isolated from Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli deficient in either Enzyme I or the phosphate carrier protein of a bacterial phosphotransferase system. The mutants behaved identically in terms of their growth properties on some carbohydrates, but differed on others. The variations are discussed in terms of genetic and physiological alterations of the proteins of the bacterial phosphotransferase system and of some catabolic enzymes.
A Review of “India and South Asia: Economic Developments in the Age of Globalization”

Stretching from Pakistan to the borders of Myanmar (Burma), from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, the South Asian region embraces seven nations and more than a fifth of human beings. Within this ...
A south-to-north biogeographic hypothesis for Andean speciation: evidence from the lizard genus Proctoporus (Reptilia, Gymnophthalmidae)

Aim The lizard genus ProctoporusTschudi, 1845 was used as a model to test the South-to-North Speciation Hypothesis (SNSH) for species groups occurring in the Andes Mountains of South America. This hypothesis proposes that speciation of high Andean taxa followed a south-to-north pattern, generally coinciding with the progression of final uplift of the Andes. According to SNSH, a phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships of a taxonomic group occurring in the high Andes would show a branching pattern in which the southernmost species diverged first, followed by the more northern species, and so on in a northerly pattern. Location The central and northern Andes Mountains in South America. Methods A phylogenetic hypothesis was reconstructed for all species of the lizard genus Proctoporus by examining the external morphology of 341 individuals. This phylogeny was then examined to determine monophyly of the genus, distribution patterns of species groups, and congruence with SNSH. Results The genus Proctoporus did appear to be monophyletic and, therefore, it was valid to use this group to assess SNSH. The southernmost species were found to be the most basal, which was consistent with SNSH. The species occurring in the northern Andes did not exactly match the SNSH prediction. The Venezuelan and Trinidadian species did appear to be highly derived, as predicted by the hypothesis, but the Ecuadorian and Colombian species did not form a particular pattern in relation to the hypothesis. Main conclusions The SNSH does appear to have predictive power with regard to large-scale distribution patterns. The finer-scale patterns of speciation in the Andes, however, appear to be a more complex phenomenon that cannot be fully explained by a simple hypothesis. It is important to have a testable hypothesis in hand with which to compare data from disparate species groups. The incorporation of phylogenetic data of other high Andean taxa with similar distribution patterns is necessary to determine the full utility of SNSH in explaining evolutionary patterns in the Andes of South America.
Steinbock, Anthony J. Phenomenology and Mysticism: The Verticality of Religious Experience. Indiana Series in the Philosophy of Religion

This fine book by Anthony Steinbock (hereafter AS) is centered on the theme of verticality; it is also, as the back of the book’s jacket says, ‘‘a phenomenological view of religious experience based on mysticism.’’ It is commendably ambitious. This ambition generates a philosophy centered in mysticism as it is phenomenologically explicated by AS. But at the same time it is a philosophy of religion and religious philosophy that, along the way, is a philosophy of the person and a critique of secularist culture. I find such extraordinary spiritual kinship with the intention and concerns of the book that any review satisfactory to this reviewer would require much more space that I am allotted here.
Shopping Center Tenant Selection and Mix

In a market economy, retail tenants cluster by type and by location. The result is a hierarchy of centers offering a mix of goods and services appropriate to the market area. This occurs because different goods and services have different trade areas and minimum purchasing power requirements. Central place theory helps describe, explain, and predict changes in the area or purchasing power of a region. A good market analysis will use those factors identified in the theory to select potential tenants.
Dialectic in the Sophist: A reply to Waletzki

In "Platons ldeenlehre und Dialektik im Sophistes 253d" (Phronesis 24 (1979) 241-252) Wolfgang Waletzki has criticized an earlier article of mine on that passage (Phronesis 22 (1977) 29-47). Although I have benefitted from a number of his observations, I am not in a position to accept his interpretation as a whole. Instead of arguing piecemeal against each of his claims, I would here like to embark first on a task which I believe to be more rewarding: the working out of criteria which would have to be satisfied by a correct interpretation of the disputed passage. In the light of these criteria I hope to show that Waletzki's approach is unsatisfactory, thus vitiating his specific claims. In order to avoid unnecessary printing costs, I would ask the reader to turn either to p. 30 of my article or to p. 242 of Waletzki's where the text and the system of references appear. Waletzki however does not print the lines which I originally called "The Epilogue" (253d9-e2), a detail of some importance, as I shall try to show. Sophist 253d is a rather confusing passage due to the fact that it contains references to Ideas both in the singular and the plural and it is not at first clear what sort of Ideas the Eleatic Visitor has in mind. The several instances in which the term "Idea" occurs (253 d 5) or is implied (cf. 'noXX4is 253 d 7 and 9, viro IILs if it is not, then they can introduce further confusion. Hence, the nature of dialectic as described in 253 d has to be determined prior to any appeal to material from other dialogues. Our first attempt must be to illustrate Sophista ex Sophista. If we appeal to the evidence provided by the Sophist itself, we seem to have a choice between the next two alternatives: (2) One can relate 253 d to those passages at the beginning and at the end of the dialogue which illustrate the actual practice of the dialectic of Division. On this assumption one is led to consider 253 d as a description of the method of Division, a
Mitosis: Shutting the door behind when you leave

Yeast cells must segregate sister chromosomes to the opposite sides of the bud neck during mitosis. A pathway has been identified, involving a small GTPase, which prevents the onset of cytokinesis until one of the spindle poles has migrated into the bud.
Phytophthora Blight on Pumpkin

Taxonomy Phytophthora capsici was first described by Leonian on pepper in 1922 (11). In 1931, Tucker (19) classified species of the genus Phytophthora and considered P. capsici as a host-specific fungus, pathogenic on pepper. Subsequently, taxonomists (12,17,18) studied Phytophthora isolates from various hosts in the world and re-described the taxonomy of P. capsici. A detailed description of P. capsici taxonomy is provided by Erwin and Ribeiro (5).
Hungary: recent efforts to strengthen legislation and domestic anti‐money laundering agency capabilities

Reviews current laws and regulations: predicate offences, cross‐border currency exchange, anonymous accounts, reporting information and confiscation regime. Moves on to domestic bureaucratic structures and responsibilities: the Anti‐Money Laundering Section, the Hungarian customs authority, the National Bank of Hungary, the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority, and the Anti‐Money Laundering High‐Level Policy Co‐ordination Body. Concludes that the Hungarian financial sector remains vulnerable to money laundering, partly because of the country’s geographical location and also because of the presence of powerful organised criminal groups, while its modern communication and transportation give easy access to smuggling networks.
Solving linear recurrence equations

The software is an implementation of the algorithms in [1], [2], and [3]. The main algorithm from [3] is implemented with additional base equations beyond what appear in [3] and is incorporated into [4]. Common to each algorithm is a transformation from a base equation to the input using transformations that preserve order and homogeneity (referred to as gt-transformations).
Surgical Restoration of the Postinfarction Dilated Ventricle

Surgical restoration of the failing heart is related to rebuilding cardiac architecture and linked to: (a) understanding that the structure of the failing dilated heart involves changing the normal elliptic shape toward a dilated spherical form; (b) recognizing the anatomic fiber orientation framework and its functional implications; (c) establishing imaging measurement guidelines to determine indications for surgical intervention that focus upon volume and remote muscle evaluation rather than ejection fraction; and (d) summarizing left ventricular restoration results whereby rebuilding normal elliptic configuration improves function, reduces ventricular arrhythmias, alleviates mechanical dyssynchrony, and causes progressive improvement that extends long-term prognosis.
Environmental assessment of vegetation and hydrological conditions in Everglades freshwater marshes using multiple geochemical proxies

Paleoecological reconstructions of environmental changes provide important information for Everglades restoration targets. Traditionally this has been achieved using a combination of biological and physical indicators. However, as microfossils may be sporadically abundant in Everglades soils, organic geochemical methods can provide information at the molecular level. To reconstruct vegetation trends over the last century, soil cores from Shark to Taylor Sloughs, the primary flowpaths of the southern Everglades, were examined using several geochemical proxies. The n-alkane derived biomarker Paq effectively distinguished organic inputs from sawgrass and slough habitats. Other proxies examined include Kaurenes, cyclic diterpenoids unique to sawgrass roots; biomarkers of algae (highly branched isoprenoids (C20HBIs) and Botryococcenes); lignin phenols as vascular plant indicators; and macrofossils. At all sites, soil profiles from sawgrass marshes showed vegetation had shifted over the last 100 years, from sloughs to sawgrass-dominated marshes, reflecting decreased water levels (shorter hydroperiods) induced by water management. Paleo-assessments of modern sloughs, however, indicate these habitats remained deeper water habitats throughout the period of record, though shifts toward shorter hydroperiod vegetation were observed. In Taylor Slough, evidence of increasingly dry conditions in sloughs was confirmed by seed inputs from woody species. At 3 of the 5 sites, recent increases in C20HBIs and Botryococcene concentrations indicated greater periphyton abundance, coincidental with increased mineral concentrations observed in surface waters during the mid-20th Century. Bulk proxies such as organic content and carbon:nitrogen ratios also supported findings of changes in relative contributions of microbial and higher plants in this ecosystem.
Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Reveals Distinct Agonist/Partial Agonist Receptor Dynamics within Vitamin D Receptor/Retinoid X Receptor Heterodimer

Regulation of nuclear receptor (NR) activity is driven by alterations in the conformational dynamics of the receptor upon ligand binding. Previously, we demonstrated that hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) can be applied to determine novel mechanism of action of PPARγ ligands and in predicting tissue specificity of selective estrogen receptor modulators. Here, we applied HDX to probe the conformational dynamics of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) upon binding its natural ligand 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), and two analogs, alfacalcidol and ED-71. Comparison of HDX profiles from ligands in complex with the LBD with full-length receptor bound to its cognate receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR) revealed unique receptor dynamics that could not be inferred from static crystal structures. These results demonstrate that ligands modulate the dynamics of the heterodimer interface as well as provide insight into the role of AF-2 dynamics in the action of VDR partial agonists.
CERES cloud property retrievals from imagers on TRMM, Terra, and Aqua

ABSTRACT The micro- and macrophysical properties of clouds play a crucial role in Earths radiation budget. The NASA Clouds and Earths Radiant Energy System (CERES) is providing simultaneous measurements of the radiation and cloud fields on a global basis to improve the understanding and modeling of the interaction between clouds and radiation at the top of the atmosphere, at the surface, and within the atmosphere. Cl oud properties derived for CERES from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrora diometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites are compared to ensure consistency between the products to ensure the reliability of the retrievals from multiple platforms at different times of day. Comparisons of cloud fraction, height, optical depth, phase, effective particle size, and ice and liquid water paths from the two satellites show excellent consistency. Initial calibration comparisons are also very favorable. Differences between the Aqua and Terra results are generally due to diurnally dependent changes in the clouds. Additional algorithm refinement is needed over the polar regions for Aqua and at night over those same areas for Terra . The results should be extremely valuable for model validation and improvement and for improving our understanding of the relationship between clouds and the radiation budget. keywords: radiation, clouds, remote sensing, cloud microphysics, climatology, MODIS, CERES, VIRS, Aqua, Terra
Seasonal changes in antibiotics, antidepressants/psychiatric drugs, antihistamines and lipid regulators in a wastewater treatment plant

Abstract Seasonal changes in the concentration of 21 pharmaceuticals in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Ceske Budějovice were investigated over 12 months. The target compounds were 10 antibiotics, 4 antidepressants, 3 psychiatric drugs, 2 antihistamines and 2 lipid regulators. 272 Wastewater samples (136 influents and 136 effluents) were collected from March 2011 to February 2012 and analyzed using two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. All studied pharmaceuticals were frequently detected in both the influent and the effluent wastewater samples, except for meclozine, which was only found in the influent. The mean concentration of pharmaceuticals varied from 0.006 μg L −1 to 1.48 μg L −1 in the influent and from 0.003 μg L −1 to 0.93 μg L −1 in the effluent. The concentration of most pharmaceuticals was higher during winter.
Fischer-Tropsch Fuel Characterization via Microturbine Testing and Fundamental Combustion Measurements

Synthetic fuels such as Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels are of interest as a replacement for aviation, diesel, and other petroleum-based fuels, and the present paper outlines a joint program to study the combustion behavior of FT synthetic fuels. To this end, shock-tube spray and high-recirculation combustion rig experiments are being utilized to study the ignition delay times, formation of soot, and emissions of FT jet fuels. Undiluted shock tube spray experiments were conducted using a recently developed heterogeneous technique wherein the fuel is sprayed directly into the test region of a shock tube. The high recirculation combustion rig is a complete gas turbine system where Syntroleum FT jet fuel was combusted, and soot formation and emission characteristics were observed. Reduction of soot volume fraction and unchanged emissions were observed, in agreement with previous investigations. The fundamental shock tube results were found to be consistent with the observations made in the experimental engine.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Acute Complete Heart Block in Dogs

A study has been conducted immediately and up to 18 days after the surgical production of complete heart block in dogs. Immediately after surgery cardiac output, coronary flow, and mean arterial pressure were reduced in rough proportion to the degree of bradycardia. In time, these measures began to return toward preoperative levels. Paralleling the diminished left ventricular work was a diminished left ventricular oxygen consumption with little consequent change in myocardial efficiency. Small rises were detected in central venous pressure. At autopsy, the only unequivocal abnormality was myocardial hypertrophy which became measurable between 2 and 18 days after operation.
Asymptotic Revenue Equivalence in Auctions

Abstract We study the revenue in auctions of a single object when the number of bidders becomes large. We show that all sequences of auctions belonging to a class of mechanisms have limiting expected revenue equal to the expected best-use value of the object. An important special case that is covered is common value auctions, but more generally not even affiliation of values is assumed. This provides an asymptotic revenue equivalence result for settings beyond that of private values. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D44, C72.
Perceived improvements in nitrogen fertilizer efficiency from cotton precision farming

Site-specific information technologies help cotton farmers make decisions to improve nitrogen (N) fertilizer efficiency. Various information technologies, as well as farm and farmer characteristics, could affect fertilizer decisions differently. Knowing these differences could assist the targeting of specific groups of farmers for the adoption of various site-specific information technologies to improve N fertilizer efficiency and reduce negative environmental impacts. Ordered logit analysis was used to identify the information technologies and farm and farmer characteristics that influence the importance farmers place on precision farming (PF) technologies in improving the efficiency of N fertilization of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Data were obtained from a 2001 mail survey of cotton farmers in six southeastern states in the United States of America. Results indicated that yield monitoring, management zone and grid soil sampling, and on-the-go sensing increased farmers' perceptions of the importance of PF in improving N fertilizer efficiency. Farmers who used geospatial mapping were more likely than other farmers to find PF unimportant. Older cotton farmers who rented a larger portion of the land they farmed were more likely to place greater importance on PF for improving N efficiency.
Assessment of cell-mediated immunity in the rat utilizing the agarose-droplet cell-migration-inhibition correlate of delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Abstract The agarose-droplet cell-migration-inhibition assay was developed for measuring specific cell-mediated immunity in rats. Fischer #344 female rats were sensitized to mono(p-azobenzene-arsonate)-N-chloroacetyl-L-tyrosine (ARSNAT), keyhole-limpet-hemocyanin (KLH), or a BCG cell wall preparation. The optimal conditions for assay were determined by testing varying concentrations of antigens against normal and sensitized peritoneal exudate cells induced with 5% thioglycolate medium. Specific cell-mediated immunity to each of three different antigens was detected, which correlated with skin tests observed in vivo . Our adaptation of the agarose-droplet assay should provide a useful model for studying other aspects of cell-mediated and/or tumor immunity in the rat.
New hyperbranched poly(siloxysilanes) : Variation of the branching pattern and end-functionalization

The synthesis of new poly(siloxysilanes) by polyhydrosilation of AB2, AB4, and AB6 monomers using a solid-supported catalyst is described. Analysis of the polymers by gel permeation chromatography shows weight-average molecular weight values near 5−10 000 amu with polydispersities of ∼2. Addition of fresh monomer to the polymerized material only leads to a slight increase in molecular weight. In all cases, polymerization is accompanied by significant intramolecular cyclization side reaction. These results can be explained by considering factors such as the unequal reactivity of the different oligomeric species and their tendency to form cyclic species, but no clear evidence for a growth-limiting effect arising from steric crowding could be seen. End capping of the terminal silicon hydride groups by hydrosilation with a variety of reagents has been demonstrated, affording a diversity of functionalized poly(siloxysilane) materials.
Microbiology of Poultry Parts Dipped in Potassium Sorbate

Abstract Fresh broiler drumsticks were used to study the effectiveness of a potassium sorbate dip to control bacterial growth. Some pieces were inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium before being dipped. Other pieces, used to determine total counts, were not inoculated with Salmonella. Treated drumsticks were held at 4, 10, or 22 C. When stored at 4 C, untreated pieces had counts of 106 in about 6 days, but parts dipped in 10% potassium sorbate took nearly 10 days to reach the same total counts. At 22 C, potassium sorbate extended the shelf-life only about 1 day. Potassium sorbate solutions of 5% strength were nearly as effective as the 10% solution on drumsticks held at 4 C, but not at 22 C. The 10% dip (for only 30 sec) effectively reduced numbers of Salmonella after 2 days storage at 22 C. These data support earlier findings that sorbates can be used to control growth of spoilage organisms associated with fresh poultry parts.
Learning the Faith in England in the Later Middle Ages: Contributions of the Franciscan Friars

Abstract In popular understanding, the late Middle Ages has been viewed as a time of relative religious ignorance for both laity and clergy. Recent scholarship is indicating a more knowledgeable and vigorous faith experience in this time period. This article examines the major educational ministry renewal of the church in England following the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) up through the eve of the English Reformation, with particular focus on the efforts of the Franciscans in helping people learn the faith through a variety of creative means.
Age, body mass index, and serum prostate-specific antigen correlate with bone loss in men with prostate cancer not receiving androgen deprivation therapy ☆

Abstract Objectives Preexisting osteopenia and osteoporosis in men with prostate cancer are of concern due to accelerated bone loss during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). We sought to identify risk factors for osteoporosis in men with prostate cancer who have not received ADT to help determine which patients may need bone mineral density (BMD) testing prior to ADT. Methods Lumbar spine and hip BMD testing were performed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 34 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer who were not receiving ADT. The demographic, health status, lifestyle, and disease variables (Gleason score, clinical stage, and prostate-specific antigen level) were obtained and analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods for their role in spine and hip BMD levels. Results Of the 34 men, 73.5% had osteopenia (55.9%) or osteoporosis (17.6%) of the spine and/or hip. On univariate analysis, aging, lower body mass index, and elevated prostate-specific antigen level correlated significantly with bone loss in the spine and hip. Regression models showed age independently predicted bone loss in the spine ( R 2 = 0.14). Prostate-specific antigen was an independent predictor of low BMD in the trochanter ( R 2 = 0.18), and body mass index independently predicted low BMD in the femoral neck ( R 2 = 0.19). Compared with men younger than 70 years old, men 70 years old or older had less BMD in the spine ( P = 0.017), femoral neck ( P = 0.047), and trochanter ( P = 0.030). Conclusions A high prevalence of osteopenia or osteoporosis was found in men with prostate cancer not receiving ADT. Consideration should be given to performing BMD studies in men older than 70 years and with slender stature before initiating ADT.
Spectral reflectance and leaf internal structure changes of barley plants due to phytoextraction of zinc and cadmium

The focus of our research is to seek spectral signatures that indicate the impact and content of heavy metals in the leaves and canopies of living plants during the process of phytoremediation. Potted plants of barley (Hordeum vulgare) were grown for 5-6 weeks before being subjected to metal treatments of Zn and Cd. Diffuse reflectance spectra (350-2500 nm) of the plant canopies were collected daily using a portable spectroradiometer throughout the treatment period. Foliar structural changes of Zn-treated plants included a decrease in intercellular space, palisade and epidermal cell size while Cd-treated plants displayed fewer structural changes in leaf. Spectral analysis revealed that the band ratios at 1110 nm to that at 810 nm might be used as an indicator of the accumulation of certain metals in plant shoots. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and leaf-water-content indices examined as part of our spectral analysis were not able to distinguish plants treated with different metals. Our ratio index R1110/R810, on the other hand, correlates closely with the magnitude of leaf structural changes. This study suggests that the infrared reflectance spectrum (800-1300 nm) of plant canopy might provide a non-intrusive monitoring method for the physiological status of plants grown on heavy metal contaminated soil.
Correlation of renal histopathology with sonographic findings

Correlation of renal histopathology with sonographic findings. Background Judgments about irreversible renal disease are frequently based on the sonographic appearance of the kidneys. However, the sensitivity and specificity of sonography in identifying chronic, irreversible disease have never been determined, and the specific pathologic changes that increase renal cortical echogenicity have not been defined. Methods We retrospectively compared sonographic parameters (length, quantitative echogenicity, cortical thickness, and parenchymal thickness) to biopsy findings of glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and interstitial inflammation in 207 patients. Results Echogenicity showed the strongest correlation with all 4 histologic parameters ( r = 0.28–0.35). Renal size was significantly correlated with glomerular sclerosis ( r =-0.26) and tubular atrophy ( r = 0.20). Parenchymal thickness, but not cortical thickness, correlated with tubular atrophy ( r =-0.23). By multivariate analysis, tubular atrophy and interstitial inflammation, but not interstitial fibrosis, were significant determinants of cortical echogenicity. Severe chronic disease (>50% sclerosed glomeruli or a score of 3 out of 5 or greater for tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis) was present in 69% and 47% of patients with combined renal length 20 cm, respectively ( P = 1.0 (>liver echogenicity) and ≤1.0, the proportions of severe disease were 66% and 30%, respectively ( P 1.0. Conclusion Cortical echogenicity is the sonographic parameter that correlates best with renal histopathology. Although size or echogenicity alone are poor predictors of chronic irreversible disease, the likelihood of treatable disease in small kidneys with increased cortical echogenicity is very low.
Provenance of LGM glacial till (sand fraction) across the Ross embayment, Antarctica

Abstract The provenance of Late Quaternary Ross Embayment till was investigated by comparing the coarse sand composition of East and West Antarctic source area tills with till samples from across the Ross Sea. The West Antarctic samples from beneath the Whillans (B) and Kamb (C) ice streams are petrologically distinct from samples of lateral moraines flanking several East Antarctic outlet glaciers. The characteristic assemblage of four West Antarctic samples includes felsic intrusive and detrital sedimentary lithic fragments, plagioclase and abundant quartz. In contrast, most of the ten East Antarctic till samples contains abundant mafic intrusive and detrital sedimentary lithic fragments as well as less abundant quartz. The distinctive composition of these source areas can be linked to 33 samples from 20 cores of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) age till distributed across the Ross Sea. Western Ross Sea till samples exhibit mineralogic and lithological similarities to East Antarctic till samples, although these western Ross Sea tills contain higher percentages of felsic intrusive and extrusive lithic fragments. Eastern Ross Sea till samples are compositionally similar to West Antarctic till, particularly in their abundance of quartz and dearth of mafic and extrusive lithic components. Central Ross Sea till exhibits compositional similarities to both East and West Antarctic source terranes including a mafic lithic component, and marks the confluence of ice draining from East and West Antarctica during the LGM, thus West Antarctic-derived ice streams did not advance into the western Ross Sea. This indicates that even if pre-LGM equivalents of the present Siple Coast ice streams existed, they did not simply expand allowing West Antarctic-derived ice to dominate the LGM Ross Ice Sheet.
Biphasic pulp blood-flow response to substance P in the dog as measured with a radiolabelled, microsphere injection method.

Abstract A dose of the vasoactive substance P (SP), affecting local circulation only (0.0001–0.001 μg/kg body weight) when given by a close injection into the maxillary artery, caused a biphasic flow response in pulpal blood flow (PBF), as measured by a radioisotope-labelled 15μm microsphere injection technique. Immediately after the SP injection, PBF increased some 66 per cent (p
Mitigating Rate Attacks through Crypto-Coded Modulation

Exposing the rate information of wireless transmissions enables highly efficient attacks that can severely degrade the performance of a network at very low cost. In this paper, we introduce an integrated solution to conceal the rate information of wireless transmissions while simultaneously boosting the resiliency against interference. The proposed solution is based on a generalization of Trellis Coded Modulation combined with Cryptographic Interleaving. We develop algorithms for discovering explicit codes for concealing any modulation in {BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM}. We propose a 2-pass frequency correction and phase tracking mechanisms that enables the proposed schemes to reach their potential. We demonstrate that in most cases this rate hiding scheme has the side effect of boosting resiliency by up to 7dB (simulations) and 4dB (SDR experiments).
Inexpensive modification of a Polytron for rapid mincing of pancreases for islet isolation.

Abstract Attaching an inexpensive stainless-steel flange to a Polytron generator and operating the Polytron at a reduced speed prevent recycling of pancreas pieces through the generator and complete homogenization of the tissue. Using the modified Polytron significantly shortens the time required for mincing a large number of pancreases prior to the collagenase digestion step used in preparing isolated pancreatic islets.