cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound three-dimensional velocity measurements by feature tracking

This article describes a new angle-independent method suitable for three-dimensional (3-D) blood flow velocity measurement that tracks features of the ultrasonic speckle produced by a pulse echo system. In this method, a feature is identified and followed over time to detect motion. Other blood flow velocity measurement methods typically estimate velocity using one- (1-D) or two-dimensional (2-D) spatial and time information. Speckle decorrelation due to motion in the elevation dimension may hinder this estimate of the true 3-D blood flow velocity vector. Feature tracking is a 3-D method with the ability to measure the true blood velocity vector rather than a projection onto a line or plane. Off-line experiments using a tissue phantom and a real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging system have shown that the local maximum detected value of the speckle signal may be identified and tracked for measuring velocities typical of human blood flow. The limitations of feature tracking, including the uncertainty of the peak location and the duration of the local maxima are discussed. An analysis of the expected error using this method is given.
Blood Vessels of the Mammalian Renal Medulla

Sections and macerated specimens of kidneys from several species of wild and domestic mammals injected with India ink or vinyl acetate, or both, show that the specialized blood vessels of the renal medulla (vasa recta) consist of parallel, relatively unbranched vessels which break up into plexuses at different levels of the medulla. This concept differs from that expressed in many current textbooks. In some species there is a distinct zonation of the medullary blood supply, and in certain other species no zonation was observed. Functional differences exist between these two groups, and it is suggested that these differences may be due to the vasa recta.
Optimization of Baker's yeast alcohol dehydrogenase activity in an organic solvent

Alcohol dehydrogenase from baker's yeast (YADH) has been used to oxidize an unsaturated alcohol, 3-methyl-2-buten-l-ol (UOL), to the corresponding unsaturated aldehyde, 3-methyl-2-butenal (UAL), in heptane. The influence of total system water content, coenzyme NAD to enzyme molar ratio prior to catalyst preparation, and enzyme concentration on the conversion and redox reaction rates were investigated. The optimal water content was found to be 0.25-0.5% (v/v), and a molar ratio of NAD to enzyme of 2.15 is recommended on the basis of economic and kinetic data. A maximal initial reaction rate for YADH of 0.02 mM/min/mg was observed under optimal conditions. The minimum cofactor turnover number was also determined under all conditions, and the effect of doping the catalyst with extra binding sites for NAD was investigated. The effect of substrate on enzyme stability has also been investigated. Interestingly, when the enzyme is preincubated in heptane, its initial activity can be increased 3-fold.
Entry of ferritin into human red cells during hypotonic haemolysis.

A NUMBER of small molecules have been shown to enter red cells during hypotonic haemolysis. The membrane has been shown to be permeable to ATP (refs. 1, 2) and ghosts containing a number of organic compounds of metabolic interest, such as adenosine, cytidine, ATP and G6P, have been prepared3. The entry of dextran, with molecular weights from 10,000 to 250,000, into the red cell has been reported4, and albumin labelled with iodine-131 and haemoglobin labelled with iron-59 have been introduced into ghosts, and it was shown that these molecules could enter the cell only during haemolysis5. The red cell membrane is normally impermeable to these molecules, as well as to haemoglobin, and becomes impermeable again after release of haemoglobin, and so it is possible that the foreign molecules make their entry through the same channels which allow the escape of haemoglobin. The diffusion radius of haemoglobin is not less than 32 AU (ref. 6) and so the pores in the slightly stretched membrane of the haemolysing cell must be at least 64 AU in diameter during release of haemoglobin.
The Influence of Forest Regrowth on the Stream Discharge in the North Carolina Piedmont Watersheds

This study focuses on the relationships of watershed runoff with historical land use/land cover (LULC) and climate trends. Over the 20th Century, LULC in the Southeast United States, particularly the North Carolina Piedmont, has evolved from an agriculture dominated to an extensively forested landscape with more recent localized urbanization. The regrowth of forest has an important influence on the hydrology of the region as it enhances ecosystem interaction with recent climate change. During 1920-2009, the amount of precipitation in some parts of the North Carolina Piedmont forest regrowth area showed increasing trends without corresponding increments in runoff. We employed the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to backcast long-term hydrologic behavior of watersheds in North Carolina with different LULC conditions: (1) LULC conversion from agricultural to forested area and (2) long-term stable forested area. Comparing U.S. Geological Survey-measured stream discharge with SWAT-simulated stream discharge under the assumption of constant 2006 LULC, we found significant stream discharge underprediction by SWAT in two LULC conversion watersheds during the early simulation period (1920s) with differences gradually decreasing by the mid-1970s. This model bias suggests that forest regrowth on abandoned agricultural land was a key factor contributing to mitigate the impact of increased precipitation on runoff due to increasing water consumption driven by changes in vegetation.
A simple criterion for the onset of discontinuous plastic deformation in metals at very low temperatures

Abstract The method of small strain-rate-sensitivity asymptotics, which is the analogue of high-activation-energy asymptotics in the mathematical theory of combustion, is used to simplify a model of discontinuous plastic deformation in metals during tensile loading at cryogenic temperatures. The procedure is analogous to what has been used to derive the ignition problem in combustion theory. It is shown that a degenerate Poincare-Andronov-Hopf bifurcation occurs in the simplified model as a control parameter which is proportional to the applied strain rate is increased. The bifurcation point is shown to correspond closely to the onset of “ serrations” in the load-displacement response predicted by the original model.
Conclusion: A four-phase model for teaching and learning mixed research

In this editorial, we outline a model for teaching a doctoral-level mixed research course either face-to-face or on-line. This model is designed to provide doctoral students with varied opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills to formulate, to plan, and to implement rigorous and successful mixed research studies and programs of research. We discuss the four overlapping phases of the model: conceptual/theoretical, technical, applied, and emergent scholar phases. Finally, we provide the challenges for instructors using this model via a qualitative inquiry, and challenges and learning benefits of students via a mixed research analysis of reflections of the course. In conclusion, we present a rationale for integrating our model, or components of the model, into doctoral-level research courses.
Sympathetic and sensory innervation of brown adipose tissue

The innervation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is incontrovertible and, with its activation, functions as the principal, if not exclusive, stimulator of BAT thermogenesis. The parasympathetic innervation of BAT only appears in two minor BAT depots, but not in the major interscapular BAT (IBAT) depot. BAT thermogenesis is triggered by the release of norepinephrine from its sympathetic nerve terminals, stimulating β3-adrenoceptors that turns on a cascade of intracellular events ending in activation of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1). BAT also has sensory innervation that may function to monitor BAT lipolysis, a response necessary for activation of UCP-1 by fatty acids, or perhaps responding in a feedback manner to BAT temperature changes. The central sympathetic outflow circuits ultimately terminating in BAT have been revealed by injecting the retrograde viral transneuronal tract tracer, pseudorabies virus, into the tissue; moreover, there is a high degree of colocalization of melanocortin 4-receptor mRNA on these neurons across the neural axis. The necessary and sufficient central BAT SNS outflow sites that are activated by various thermogenic stimuli are not precisely known. In a chronic decerebration procedure, IBAT UCP-1 gene expression can be triggered by fourth ventricular injections of melanotan II, the melanocortin 3/4 receptor agonist, suggesting that there is sufficient hindbrain neural circuitry to generate thermogenic responses with this stimulation. The recent recognition of BAT in normal adult humans suggests a potential target for stimulation of energy expenditure by BAT to help mitigate increased body fat storage.
Criticism of Current Seismic Design and Construction Practice in Venezuela: A Bleak Perspective:

Abstract During a recent visit to Caracas, Venezuela, the authors discovered that while Venezuela has adopted a building code with modern seismic provisions (Norma Covenin 1756-98) and does in fact enforce a majority of these provisions, significant conceptual errors in the design of the lateral force-resisting systems of new buildings are recurring on a near-universal level, often as a result of ignoring the potential adverse effects of nonstructural elements on the structural system. In the event of a large earthquake, this design philosophy will have substantial economic and life-safety repercussions unless the typical design philosophy of Venezuelan engineers and architects changes. It is hoped that this paper will serve as a call to action for engineers of all countries to recognize the potential adverse effects of nonstructural elements on the behavior of the lateral force-resisting system.
The effect of aluminum hydroxide on the acid-base balance and on renal function

The effect of aluminum hydroxide on the acid base balance was determined in 23 patients with peptic ulcer. Three patients received more than 100 cc. daily for as long as 31 to 116 days; one patient received 393 cc. daily for 71 days. The period of observation in several cases exceeded 7 to 8 months. The electrolyte balance was normal in every instance. The blood urea nitrogen and urea clearance tests for renal function were determined in 14 patients of the group. Renal efficiency was not decreased in any patient in whom it had been normal. The use of aluminum hydroxide in three patients with a marked reduction in kidney function following alkalosis, was followed by the maintenance of a normal acid base balance and by a gradual improvement in the urea clearance.
Integrated Real-Time Calibration of Electromagnetic Tracking of User Motions for Engineering Applications in Virtual Environments

A real-time integrated calibration system for virtual reality environments has been developed that enables accurate electromagnetic tracking of user motions. Electromagnetic tracking systems suffer degradation in accuracy due to the presence of metals and other electromagnetic distortions in the environment. Calibration of the virtual environment to account for these distortions is essential for VR applications in engineering where correlation between the virtual environment and the physical world is important. The major contribution of the paper is the presentation of a comprehensive methodology for calibrating the VR space, the numerical/mathematical techniques proposed for the calibration, and case studies for calibration accuracy and execution time to enable using these techniques in real time in an integrated setup.
Simultaneous estimation of bidirectional particle flow and relative flux using MUSIC-OCT: phantom studies

In an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan from a living tissue, red blood cells (RBCs) are the major source of backscattering signal from moving particles within microcirculatory system. Measuring the concentration and velocity of RBC particles allows assessment of RBC flux and flow, respectively, to assess tissue perfusion and oxygen/nutrition exchange rates within micro-structures. In this paper, we propose utilizing spectral estimation techniques to simultaneously quantify bi-directional particle flow and relative flux by spectral estimation of the received OCT signal from moving particles within capillary tubes embedded in tissue mimicking phantoms. The proposed method can be directly utilized for in vivo quantification of capillaries and microvessels. Compared to the existing methods in the literature that can either quantify flow direction or power, our proposed method allows simultaneous flow (velocity) direction and relative flux (power) estimation.
Erythropoietin and renin release by isolated perfused canine liver--kidney preparation.

A functional isolated bloodless perfused canine liver-kidney preparation equilibrated with either 100% oxygen or 100% anoxic helium gas has been utilized to evaluate alterations in urine, bile, renal vein, and inferior vena cava specimens in renin, renin substrate, and erythropoietin (ESF) activity. Preparations were perfused with buffered saline or dilute plasma. Additional perfusions were completed with blood or with androgen pretreatment of the donor animals. Erythropoietin (ESF) is released from the kidney, and there is no significant hepatic extraction of ESF in this species. Significant levels can be found in the urine and reflect essential renal loss. The isolated kidney releases renin and acts on renin substrate in this preparation. Moreover, significant hepatic extraction of both renin and renin substrate occurs in these preparations as judged by the high bile concentrations.
Vegetation response to precipitation across the aridity gradient of the southwestern United states

Abstract Atmospheric water demand affects a variety of factors, including primary production and the terrestrial water balance. Precipitation gradients from arid to humid regions also impact the water balance and play a large role in vegetation dynamics. Focusing on a 23-year period (1989–2011), we examine precipitation during the growing season in conjunction with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) series for 21 satellite scenes spanning across the southwestern United States. We classify the satellite scenes into three different groups, based on the United Nations Aridity Index (AI). Group 1 is categorized as relatively humid with AI ≥ 0.65, group 2 is intermediate with 0.50 ≤ AI 3 mm and >13 mm) changed during this time. We also use cross-correlation analyses to establish the lagged behavior of the three types of vegetation in relation to precipitation amount and number of events. The vegetation response is similar between precipitation amount and number of precipitation events. However, in the arid region, we find distinct responses to precipitation depending on the vegetation type. The magnitude and significance of the vegetation response to precipitation patterns increase with environmental aridity. There is thus a meaningful disparity of vegetation behavior in time and space.
Changing patterns of atheroembolism.

Abstract Among 1011 patients undergoing infrarenal aortic and infrainguinal vascular surgery in a 90-month period (1986–1993), 29 patients (2.9%) with clinical, angiographic and pathologic evidence of atheroembolism were identified. Over one-third (44.8%) of atheroemboli were iatrogenic and the rest spontaneous. All iatrogenic atheroemboli were precipitated by angiographic (n = 11; 84.6%) or operative manipulation (n = 2; 15.4%). The sources of emboli were in the abdominal arota [16] , iliac (seven) and femoropopliteal (six) arteries. ‘Trash foot’ occurred in 19 patients (seven bilateral) and occlusions of tibioperoneal/digital arteries were seen in seven, renal and dermal microcirculation in two each, and calf muscles in one. Larger conduits were affected in three instances (common femoral, popliteal and in situ saphenous vein graft). The management consisted of 54 (43 surgical and 11 endovascular) procedures concurrently with thrombolytic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. Three early (10.3%) and two late (6.9%) deaths (overall mortality rate 17.2%), eight major (27.6%) and five minor (17.2%) amputations, and four (13.8%) instances of renal failure occurred in 17 patients resulting in a 58.6% complication rate. Besides initial angiography, 53 invasive procedures were required in 25 patients. Among these, 12 patients could be managed with a single definitive procedure in contrast to a group of 13 patients that required 41 (average 3.2 per patient) procedures. The incidence of foot ischemia, reoperation and amputation was higher in the spontaneous group, whereas, the iatrogenic group incurred a higher incidence of endovascular interventions, greater mortality and new onset renal failure. The high morbidity and mortality of atheroemboli demand prompt recognition and treatment, as well as attempts at prevention to achieve good results. Copyright © 1996 the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery.
Agency Evolution, New Institutionalism, and ‘Hybrid’ Policy Domains: Lessons from the ‘Greening’ of the U.S. Military

Neoinstitutionalists applying the logic of rational choice institutionalism have leavened our understanding of public agency design and evolution in the domestic and national security policy domains. This paper seeks to advance theory building in empirically grounded ways by assessing the explanatory power of an important theoretical perspective (rational choice institutionalism), in an understudied “hybrid” policy domain where domestic and national security aims interact (domestic environmental policy and national security policy), and in an organizational type (the U.S. military) that has drawn scant attention from students of bureaucracy in political science, public administration, or public management. Analysis of three major efforts to green the U.S. military suggests that the patterns of politics accompanying agency evolution involving hybrid policy domains differ from domestic and national security domains in ways that limit the generalizability of rational choice institutionalism.
Time‐dependent deformation and stress relaxation after strike slip earthquakes

The quasi static time-dependent behavior after strike slip earthquakes is studied using three-dimensional finite-element models. The effects of lateral heterogeneities, finite fault, and nonuniform fault slip are included. Models of a great earthquake and a medium size earthquake are constructed using a set of possible viscosity structures. Deformation change after an earthquake is found to be sensitive to the viscosity structure located beneath the fault zone. The presence of low viscosity beneath the fault concentrates the horizontal displacement near the fault zone and completely changes the character of vertical deformation. Thus leveling, in addition to horizontal geodetic measurements after a strike slip event, is important in determining the viscosity structure near fault zones. The shear stress in front of the fault tip increases significantly within several decades after the event for models with a shallow low-viscosity zone beneath the fault. This accelerated stress accumulation is consistent with the observed phenomenon of earthquake migration along the North Anatolian fault zone.
Marching backwards into the future

Abstract Alzheimer's disease and its characteristic pathologic lesions are not the fate of all humans as they age. Continuing clues as to the nature and pathogenesis of the amyloid fibrillar component of Alzheimer's disease have not arisen stochastically, but have derived from a testable hypothesis.
Headspace oxygen in sample vials affects volatiles production of meat during the automated purge-and-Trap/GC analyses.

Headspace oxygen in sample vial for the purge-and-trap dynamic headspace/gas chromatography method oxidizes meat if held hours before purging, influences volatile profiles, and misrepresents the true composition of volatiles. Helium flush and helium flush plus oxygen absorber were used to eliminate residual oxygen and minimize oxidative changes in meat during sample holding time. Both helium flush and helium flush plus oxygen absorber treatments were effective in preventing an increase in 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) and volatiles production in raw meat for up to 640 min of sample holding. With helium flush plus oxygen absorber, only 1-octen-3-ol increased during the 1280-min sample holding time. However, the hexanal peak in raw meat was interfered by 2,6-dimethyl heptane when oxygen absorber was added. Therefore, use of oxygen absorber was not appropriate for raw meat. Helium flush reduced oxidative changes in cooked meat during sample holding time but was not able to stop oxidative...
Imaging and dosimetry of 99mTc EC annexin V: preliminary clinical study targeting apoptosis in breast tumors.

Background Early detection of cellular events is important to predict the outcome of the patients. This study was aimed to use 99mTc EC-annexin V to image tumor cells undergoing apoptosis.
Pathology of Genitourinary Malignancies: Implications for Clinical Management

Objectives To describe the pathologic and molecular characteristics of genitourinary malignancies relevant to the implications for the practice of oncology nurses. Data Sources Actual cases from the author's clinical experience, original scientific papers, review articles, and pathology books. Conclusion Accurate pathologic diagnosis and identification of serum and molecular markers are critical for the accurate classification, staging, and choice of appropriate treatment for patients with genitourinary malignancies. Implications for Nursing Practice Because decisions of treatment initiation, discontinuation, and prognosis are in large part based on pathologic diagnosis and staging, oncology nurses should be knowledgeable about the process of pathologic tissue review and understand the importance of appropriate tumor acquisition.
Association between cerebral palsy and coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Summary Coagulase-negative staphylococci were cultured from the space between the placental membranes at delivery in four of five neonates who were later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and in 26 of 102 neonates who were not found to have the disorder (p=0·02).
Conjugate gradient methods in Banach spaces

Abstract One purpose of this paper is to extend the conjugate gradient method to minimize functions on Banach spaces that are norm reflexive, strictly convex and non-Hilbert. The algorithms in this paper are based upon the notion of the metric gradient defined by Golomb and Tapia (Numer. Math. 20 (1972) 115–124). Generalizations are made for the algorithms of Daniel (The Approximate Minimization of Functionals, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1971; The conjugate gradient method for linear and nonlinear operator equations, Ph.D. Thesis, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 1965), Polak (Computational Methods in Optimization—a Unified Approach, Academic Press, New York and London, 1971), Polak–Ribiere (Rev. Francaise Informat. Recherche Operationnelle 3 (16) (1969) 35–43), and Fletcher–Reeves (Comput. J. 7 (1964) 149–154). A local convergence theorem is given for a class of descent conjugate gradient methods for functionals defined on Banach spaces. Applications include problems in differential equations and the calculus of variations where the Banach spaces are Sobolev spaces and the second Frechet differential has finite signature and nullity as defined by Hestenes (Pacific J. Math. 1 (1951) 525–581).
Management of dementia in the family context

Abstract Recommendations are presented for advice and support to families with a member affected by dementia. This approach emphasizes education and psychotherapeutic intervention, but also includes potential use of respite services, community agencies, self-help groups, and other professionals. It is important to recall that relatives can often misunderstand the causes of a demented person's actions.
Computational study of the conformational interconversion of 5,5‐dimethyl‐1,2,3‐trithiacyclohexane (5,5‐dimethyl‐1,2,3‐trithiane)

Ab initio molecular orbital theory and density functional theory (DFT) with the 6-31G(d), 6-31G(d,p), 6-31+G(d,p), and 6-311+G(d,p) basis sets have been used to study the mechanism of conformational interconversion of 5,5-dimethyl-1,2,3-trithiacyclohexane (5,5-dimethyl-1,2,3-trithiane). The relative energies, enthalpies, entropies, free energies, and structural parameters of the chair, 1,4-twist, and 2,5-twist conformers, the 1,4-boat transition state, and the 2,5-boat transition state were calculated. B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) calculated the chair conformer of 5,5-dimethyl-1,2,3-trithiane to be 8.38 and 8.72 kcal/mol, respectively, lower in energy than the 1,4-twist and 2,5-twist conformers. The energy differences (ΔE) between the chair conformer of 5,5-dimethyl-1,2,3-trithiane and the 1,4-boat transition state and the 2,5-boat transition state were 8.95 and 11.46 kcal/mol, respectively. Intrinsic reaction coordinate [IRC, minimum energy path (MEP)] calculations were used to connect the transition state between the chair conformer and 2,5-twist conformer. B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) calculated energy differences (ΔE) between the chair conformer and the transition state [TS-1]‡ connecting the chair and 2,5-twist conformers to be 14.23 kcal/mol. In the chair, 1,4-twist, and 2,5-twist conformers, the C4Heq bond is slightly longer than the C4Hax bond. The C5C8eq bond is longer than the C5C7ax bond in the chair and 1,4-twist conformers. In the 1,4-twist conformer, the S1S2 bond is longer than the S3S3 bond and the S1C6 bond is longer than the S3C4 bond. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Low-frequency metamaterial permeability retrieval for near-field applications

Existing methods for permeability measurement of metamaterials have been limited to far-field applications, where the fields interacting with the metamaterial are plane waves. In near-field applications, such as wireless power transfer, the previous plane-wave approach is not viable. In this work, we present a simple and accurate method for extracting the complex permeability of a near-field metamaterial.
Some consequences of the Morass and diamond

Abstract Morasses were invented by Ronald B. Jensen and were shown by him to exist in the universe of constructible sets. Using Morasses and sometimes other principles such as Diamond (♢), which also hold in the constructible universe, he has solved many cases of the gap n, 2 cardinal conjectures of model theory and several other problems as well. Here we give the definition and some of the basic properties of the gap 2 Morass, and then show, assuming Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory with the Axiom of Choice, that the existence of a gap 2 Morass and the principle Diamond (♢) imply 1. (1) ω α+2 ≠ [ω α+1 + ω α ⤳ α+1 , 2. (2) a combinatorial principle which extends a principle of Prikry, 3. (3) a result concerning free sets of ordinals related to problems posed by Hajnal and Mate.
Effects of Source and Amount of Protein on Ruminal Fermentation and Passage of Nutrients to the Small Intestine of Lactating Cows

Abstract Four Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square to investigate the effects of source (corn gluten meal or soybean meal) and amount (14.5 or 11.0%) of CP on ruminal fermentation, passage of nutrients to the small intestine, and animal performance. Cows were fed for ad libitum intake a diet of 60% corn silage and 40% concentrate on a DM basis. The treatments, arranged in a 2 × 2 (source x amount of CP) factorial, were 1) 14.5% CP, soybean meal, 2) 11.0% CP, soybean meal, 3) 14.5% CP, corn gluten meal, and 4) 11.0% CP, corn gluten meal. Digestion in the rumen of OM, starch, ADF, and NDF was not affected by source or amount of CP in the diet. Total VFA and NH 3 concentrations in ruminal fluid were increased by feeding diets that contained 14.5% CP or soybean meal. Flows of non-NH 3 N and amino acids to the duodenum were greater in cows fed the 14.5% CP diets because of a greater flow of non-NH 3 nonmicrobial N to the duodenum. Larger amounts of lysine passed to the duodenum when cows were fed soybean meal compared with corn gluten meal. Microbial N flow to the duodenum and efficiency of microbial growth were not affected by treatments, suggesting that ruminal NH 3 concentration was not limiting for maximal microbial protein synthesis. Feeding 14.5% CP diets increased the production of milk (29.5 vs. 26.8 kg/d) and milk protein compared with 11.0% CP diets, possibly because of greater passage of amino acids to the small intestine. Feeding soybean meal to cows increased production of milk protein compared with feeding corn gluten meal, possibly because more lysine passed to the small intestine.
Climate change and US energy policy

Abstract We present an analysis of the ability of the US to achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions in the future. The emission-reduction objectives are 20% by the year 2000 and 50% by 2010, measured relative to 1985 levels. The economic sectors studied are electricity supply, industrial manufacturing, and transportation. The near-term reductions are considered to be achievable but with significant disruptions; the long-term goals are unlikely to be achieved without new breakthroughs in technology. Electricity-supply options, such as increased use of NG and more-efficient technologies, cannot alone allow us to achieve the goals, and end-use conservation will likely be the major contributor. Policy intervention in the industrial sector could achieve significant emission reductions, but concerns about international competition are important. In the transportation sector, analysis shows that fuel-economy regulation is preferable to gasoline-price increases.
A Further Look at Flexibilities and Elasticities: Comment

Recently, Kuo Huang suggested that it is not appropriate to invert an elasticity matrix to obtain a comparable flexibility matrix, because the ordinary and inverse demand systems minimize residuals along the quantity and price axes, respectively.' He further suggests that use of the directly estimated matrix is to be preferred, as the inverted elasticities/flexibilities are quite sensitive to specification. I disagree with Huang for three reasons. First, both Houck and Anderson point out that the inverse of the elasticity matrix is the flexibility matrix and vice versa. What they do not stress is that when one is interested in un-
Particulate formation induced by infrared laser dielectric breakdown

Abstract Laser induced dielectric breakdown has been utilized to initiate, sustain and study a number of chemical reactions. A 1 joule per line TEA CO 2 laser has been used as the source to induce dielectric breakdown. Product analysis was carried out by mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. The reaction and method are discussed in terms of efficiency, selectivity and scope.
Magnetically accelerated foils for shock wave experiments

Many astrophysical phenomena involve the interaction of a shock wave with an inhomogeneous background medium. Using scaled experiments with inhomogeneous foam targets makes it possible to study relevant physics in the laboratory to better understand the mechanisms of shock compression and to benchmark astrophysical simulation codes. First experiments on Zebra at the Nevada Terawatt Facility (NTF) have demonstrated flyer acceleration to sufficiently high velocities (up to 5 km/s) and that laser shadowgraphy can image sound fronts in transparent targets. Based on this, we designed an optimized setup to improve the flyer parameters (higher speed and mass) to create shock waves in transparent media. Once x-ray backlighting with the Leopard laser at NTF is operational, we will switch to foam targets with parameters relevant for laboratory astrophysics.
Philosophical Issues in Self-organization as a Framework for Ecological Psychology

In his autobiography, James Gibson (1967/1982) made two telling remarks, one in respect to himself and one in respect to the field of psychology. “[I] prefer radical solutions to scientific problem...
Identifying harmful drinking using a single screening question in a psychiatric consultation-liaison population.

Background Harmful drinking is common in medical inpatients, yet commonly missed due in part to time pressures. A screening question about past year heavy drinking recommended by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has been validated in primary care and emergency room settings. We tested the psychometric properties of a modified single screening question (SSQ) in hospitalized patients referred to a consultation-liaison service. Methods A psychiatry attending (n = 40), a psychiatry resident (n = 30) and a medical student (n = 30) administered the SSQ, followed by a self-report 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to a sample of 100 consultation-liaison patients who were able to give informed consent for participation. Results Using the AUDIT as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of the SSQ to detect harmful drinking in this sample were .96 and .82, respectively. Gender differences in specificity were not found. The single question also had a strong correlation with dependence (r b = .457, p b = .620, p Conclusion The SSQ about past year heavy drinking can rapidly identify harmful drinking in alert nonpsychotic consultation-liaison patients.
Technology and design of GaN power devices

This paper reports on the technology and design aspects of an industrial DHEMT process for 650V rated GaN-on-Si power devices, using an in-situ MOCVD grown SiN as surface passivation and gate dielectric, with low interface state density and excellent TDDB. Optimization of the GaN epi stack results in very low off-state leakage (<10nA/mm). Due to the reduction of buffer trapping, low dynamic Ron (<10%) is obtained, both at room temperature and at high temperature.
Therapeutic Use of Cytoprotective Agents in Canine and Feline Hepatobiliary Disease

Many medicinal, nutraceutical, and botanic extracts have been used as cytoprotective agents in liver disease. This article explains the mechanisms of action, pertinent pharmacokinetics, side effects, and clinical indications for the use of S-adenosylmethionine, N-acetylcysteine, ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin, and vitamin E. The literature pertaining to in vitro studies, laboratory animal models, and human and veterinary clinical trials is reviewed with regards to the efficacy and use of these cytoprotective agents in hepatobiliary disease.
Tuning of an Electrospray Ionization Source for Maximum Peptide-Ion Transmission into a Mass Spectrometer

We describe assembly and optimization of a continuous flow nanoelectrospray source for high-performance analysis on a routine basis. It is derived from an inJection adaptable Fine Ionization Source (“JaFIS”), previously shown to be durable and easy to use (Geromanos, S.; et al. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 1998, 12, 551−556) and now modified for maximum sensitivity. Proper design, manufacturing, and quality control of spray needles with specific orifice diameters, in combination with precisely controlled helium backpressure and applied voltage, enable stable flows at 1−2 nL/min. Needle positioning and ion spray potential are hereby exceedingly important, as shifts by 0.5 mm or 25 V, respectively, cause significant reduction in signal strength. In addition to prolonged analysis times, ultralow flows also yield higher sensitivity, the result of an improved “overall ion transfer efficiency” measured to be ∼5% at 1.6 nL/min. Used in combination with a “microtip” (Erdjument-Bromage, H.; et al. J. Chromatogr. A...
HABITAT PATCH OCCUPANCY DYNAMICS OF GLAUCOUS‐WINGED GULLS (LARUS GLAUCESCENS) I: A DISCRETE‐TIME MODEL

. Diurnal habitat occupancy dynamics of Glaucous-winged Gulls were evaluated in a system of six habitats on and around Protection Island, Washington. Data were collected on the rates of gull movement between habitat patches, and from these data the probabilities of transitions between habitats were estimated as functions of tide height and time of day. A discrete-time matrix model based on the transition probabilities was used to generate habitat occupancy predictions, which were then compared to hourly census data. All model parameters were estimated directly from data rather than through model fitting. The model made reasonable predictions for two of the six habitats and explained 45% of the variability in the data from 2003. The construction and testing of mathematical models that predict occupancies in multiple habitats may play increasingly important roles in the understanding and management of animal populations within complex environments.
Stomatal Closure of Maize Hybrids in Response to Drying Soil

In studying differences among genotypes in physiological response to drying soil, it is important that the genotypes be compared at equivalent soil water contents. Unless the comparisons are made at the same soil water content, genotypic difference may only be a consequence of differences in soil water status. In this study, the objective was to compare stomatal closure among eight maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in response to soil drying. Three greenhouse experiments were conducted in which daily transpiration and soil water content were measured by weighing each pot. Daily transpiration of stressed plants was normalized relative to that of control plants to minimize variation due to environmental effects. This daily transpiration ratio also was normalized relative to the well-watered condition to minimize variation among plants and was recorded as normalized transpiration ratio (NTR). Daily soil water content was expressed as the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW). Among the eight hybrids examined, there were statistical differences in the FTSW at which the stomata began to close. In all experiments, Hybrid 3165 was consistently among the hybrids that began to close their stomata at small FTSW values; whereas, Hybrid 3737 began to close its stomata at large FTSW values. While we surveyed a small genetic base, our results indicated genotypic differences exist for stomatal responses to a drying soil.
Engineering nanostructured anodes via electrostatic spray deposition for high performance lithium ion battery application

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely employed as the most popular energy source in today's portable electronics and are considered as one of the most promising energy strategies for electrical vehicle and plug-in hybrid electrical vehicle application, which has recently been under intense research and development. However, many crucial challenges need to be addressed to obtain high performance LIBs for further application. Recently, electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique has attracted much attention as a promising tool for electrode formation. The ESD is based on applying a high DC voltage to generate a high electrostatic force and accelerate atomized liquid droplets at the tip of a nozzle; the aerosol formed by charged droplets is sequentially deposited on a heated substrate to create an electrode for LIBs. This technique provides a simple but versatile strategy for generating single or multi-component materials with various type of morphologies, such as sponge-like, dense, porous and fractal, etc. In this review, an overview of the latest development and understanding of various anodes synthesized by the ESD technique in LIBs is briefly reviewed and discussed. Our attention is mainly focused on three different anode categories: (1) intercalation–de-intercalation anodes, such as graphite, Li4Ti5O12 and TiO2, etc.; (2) alloying–de-alloying anodes, such as Sn and SnO2, etc.; (3) conversion reaction anodes, such as NiO, Fe2O3, Co3O4, CoO, and Cu2O, etc. Moreover, our recent research outcome related to the ESD derived anodes for LIBs is highlighted.
Morphological correlates of substrate use in didelphid marsupials: implications for primate origins

The ability of some mammals to forage on vines or terminal branches depends upon their grasping extremities. This study tests the functional link between use of small-diameter supports and grasping abilities by comparing hand and foot proportions in didelphid marsupials. Metapodials and phalanges were measured for the hands and feet of six didelphid taxa characterized by different patterns of substrate use. Comparisons of hand and foot proportions demonstrate that Marmosa and Caluromys, didelphids that rely on vines or terminal branches, possess more prehensile extremities than Monodelphis, Didelphis, and Philander, which travel and feed mainly on the ground. Moreover, the proportions of the hand and foot of Marmosa and Caluromys are more similar to those of cheirogaleid primates than those of other didelphids. These morphological data corroborate the suggestion that the use of branches of small diameter was an important factor in the development of prehensile hands and feet in early primates.
Fermentation of Peptides by Bacteroides ruminicola B14

The maximum growth rate of Bacteroides ruminicola B14 was significantly improved when either Trypticase or acetate and C4-C5 fatty acids were added to defined medium containing macrominerals, microminerals, vitamins, hemin, cysteine hydrochloride, and glucose. The organism was unable to grow with peptides as the sole energy source, but growth yields from glucose were significantly improved when Trypticase was added to batch cultures containing basal medium, acetate, and C4-C5 volatile fatty acids. During periods of rapid growth, very little peptide was deaminated to ammonia, but after growth ceased there was a linear increase in ammonia. Fifteen grams of Trypticase per liter resulted in maximum ammonia production. In glucose-limited chemostats, ammonia production from peptides was inversely proportional to the dilution rate, and 87% of the variation in ammonia production could be explained by retention time in the culture vessel. Chemostats receiving Trypticase had higher theoretical maximum growth yields and lower maintenance energy expenditures than similar cultures not receiving peptide. Cells from the Trypticase cultures contained more carbohydrate, and this difference was most evident at rapid dilution rates. When corrections were made for cell composition and the amount of peptides that were fermented, it appeared that peptide carbon skeletons could be used for maintenance energy. B. ruminicola B14 was unable to grow on peptides alone because it was unable to utilize peptides at a fast enough rate to meet its maintenance requirement.
Distributed-Bragg-reflection properties of segmented KTP waveguides

Segmented KTP waveguides designed for quasi-phase-matched frequency doubling have a periodic variation in the refractive index that acts as a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). We have measured reflectivity spectra for both TM and TE modes in various segmented KTP waveguides. A reflectivity as high as 70% was observed in a periodically poled KTP waveguide. Reflection bandwidths were typically 0.03–0.06 nm, depending on the length of the sample. The measured temperature tuning rate of the DBR wavelength was 0.017 nm/°C.
Early postoperative outcomes in a series of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome undergoing stage I palliation operation with either modified Blalock-Taussig shunt or right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit.

Objective Previous publications using nonconcurrent series of patients indicate improved survival for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) undergoing stage I palliation with a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit (NW-RVPA) vs. a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (NW-BT). We compared postoperative outcomes in a concurrent series of patients with HLHS undergoing an NW-BT procedure vs. NW-RVPA procedure. Design Perioperative data from 66 consecutive patients who underwent NW-BT (n = 37) or NW-RVPA (n = 29) procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Setting Cardiac intensive care unit in a tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients Charts were reviewed for all patients with the diagnosis of HLHS undergoing the NW-BT or NW-RVPA procedure between January 2002 and December 2003. Results Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the NW-BT group than in the NW-RVPA group (152.5 +/- 52.0 vs. 134.5 +/- 36.1 mins; p = .04). Postoperative diastolic pressures were higher and the Pao2 to Fio2 ratio profiles were lower for the NW-RVPA group over the first 72 hrs. Time to sternal closure (2 [1-6] vs. 4 [2-41] days; p = .01), duration of mechanical ventilation (113 [49-386] vs. 136 [84-764] hrs; p = .01), time to establish enteral feeds (4 [2-8] vs. 5 [3-22] days; p = .01), length of intensive care unit stay (11 [7-55] vs. 15 [8-90] days; p = .04), and length of hospital stay (16 [11-67] vs. 27 [12-126] days; p = .01) were shorter in the NW-RVPA group. Postoperative mortality was not significantly different between the NW-RVPA group (7%) and NW-BT group (11%). Conclusion At an experienced institution with low stage I palliation mortality for HLHS, there were no differences in early morbidity and mortality between the NW-RVPA and NW-BT procedures. The primary advantage of the NW-RVPA procedure may be faster recovery following surgery and earlier discharge from the hospital.
Improving outcomes with bivalirudin in primary percutaneous coronary intervention

This editorial refers to ‘Prasugrel plus bivalirudin vs. clopidogrel plus heparin in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction’[†][1], by S. Schulz et al. , on page 2282 Optimal pharmacotherapy is essential to realize the best outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this regard, effectively restoring reperfusion and maintaining the patency of the infarct artery after stenting requires a balance between the haemorrhagic risks and the ischaemic benefits of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. Over the last three decades, as the principal device used for primary PCI has evolved from balloon angioplasty to bare metal stents to drug-eluting stents, parallel advances have occurred in antithrombotic and antiplatelet regimens, from unfractionated heparin (UFH) alone, to UFH plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI), to bivalirudin with provisional (bailout) GPI use, and from ticlopidine and clopidogrel to prasugrel and ticagrelor (on a background of aspirin). Given the time, complexity, and costs of performing appropriately powered randomized trials, clinical practice has progressed faster than the evidence base required to inform optimal drug and device usage for all possible drug and device permutations. Unfractionated heparin, a heterogeneous mixture of polysaccharides of varying chain lengths, while familiar and inexpensive, has numerous shortcomings,1 which become most clinically apparent in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Unfractionated heparin has an indirect mechanism of action (binding to and activation of antithrombin III, the amount of which varies in disease states) and has limited activity against clot-bound thrombin. Non-specific protein and cellular binding of UFH results in variable biological activity and can result in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. Moreover, UFH binds to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, thereby paradoxically activating platelets.1 Kastrati and colleagues elegantly demonstrated that, despite pre-treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel, myocardial infarction rates in non-STEMI are substantially reduced after PCI with … [1]: #fn-1