cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gravitational radiation from the coalescence of binary neutron stars: Effects due to the equation of state, spin, and mass ratio.

We calculate the gravitational radiation produced by the coalescence of inspiraling binary neutron stars in the Newtonian regime using three-dimensional numerical simulations. The stars are modeled as polytropes and start out in the point-mass regime at wide separation. The hydrodynamic integration is performed using smooth particle hydrodynamics with Newtonian gravity, and the gravitational radiation is calculated using the quadrupole approximation. We have run a number of simulations varying the neutron star radii, equations of state, spins, and mass ratio. The resulting gravitational waveforms and spectra are rich in information about the hydrodynamics of coalescence, and show characteristic dependence on $\frac{\mathrm{GM}}{R{c}^{2}}$, the equation of state, and the mass ratio.
Desire Satisfactionism and Hedonism

Hedonism and the desire-satisfaction theory of welfare (“desire satisfactionism”) are typically seen as archrivals in the contest over identifying what makes one’s life go best. It is surprising, then, that the most plausible form of hedonism just is the most plausible form of desire satisfactionism. How can a single theory of welfare be a version of both hedonism and desire satisfactionism? The answer lies in what pleasure is: pleasure is, in my view, the subjective satisfaction of desire. This thesis about pleasure is clarified and defended only after we proceed through the dialectics that get us to the most plausible forms of hedonism and desire satisfactionism.
Photocatalytic oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde by molecular oxygen

The visible light irradiation of aqueous solutions containing toluene, uranyl(VI) ions, and O2 results in the formation of benzaldehyde as a major product. Small amounts of PhCH2OH are also formed. The yields of benzaldehyde are 3 times greater for toluene-h8 than for toluene-d8, but the kinetic isotope effect for the quenching of the excited state *UO22+ by toluene is negligible (ktoluene-h8/ktoluene-d8 = 1.2). This and other evidence indicate that the quenching takes place in two parallel pathways. The major one involves the aromatic portion of toluene and leads to the recovery of the reactants. The minor, productive path takes place by hydrogen atom abstraction from the methyl group, followed by the oxidation of PhCH2•. Cumene, benzyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde react similarly.
Complications during the Wada test

Abstract Objective. The intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) is routinely used in the preoperative workup of patients with epilepsy. We previously reported dissections and seizures as complications of this procedure and now have reviewed our cohort for additional complications associated with the IAP. Methods. Charts of 677 consecutive patients were reviewed for complications during the IAP. Results. Complications were observed in 74 patients (10.9%) and included encephalopathy (7.2%), seizures (1.2%), strokes (0.6%), transient ischemic attacks (0.6%), localized hemorrhage at the catheter insertion site (0.6%), carotid artery dissections (0.4%), allergic reaction to contrast (0.3%), bleeding from the catheter insertion site (0.1%), and infection (0.1%). Older patients were more prone to strokes and dissections, whereas younger patients more frequently experienced seizures. Use of amobarbital was associated with encephalopathy, whereas methohexital was related to seizures. Conclusion. The IAP bears the risk of minor and major complications in up to 11% of patients. Risks, benefits, and possible alternative options have to be considered when a patient is to undergo the IAP.
Prediction of the course of pre-type I diabetes

To increase knowledge on the predictability of the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM; type I), we followed 38 subjects μ U/ml and a mean of 14 months after it fell to μ U/ml. Nine of the untreated subjects had an FPIR μ U/ml on at least two occasions and became insulin dependent a mean of 19 months after the value first fell below this level (95% confidence limit = 66.4% to 100%). All but one of the 10 subjects in whom IDDM developed initially had islet-cell antibody levels of >80 JDF units. Insulin autoantibody values at onset were available for 9 of the 10 subjects and were positive (>39 nU/ml) in six. We conclude that the combination of positive results on two islet-cell antibody tests and two diminished FPIRs ( μ U/ml) in subjects less than 18 years of age reliably predicts the onset of IDDM. These data should permit intervention studies to be planned.
Psychometrically Equivalent Spondaic Words Spoken by a Female Speaker

Several studies demonstrate that thresholds for the individual CID W-1 spondaic words peaked at 0 vu are not equivalent. The purpose of this study was to equate the spondaic word thresholds psychometrically. Two studies were performed on 2 groups of 20 listeners with normal hearing. In Experiment 1, psychometric functions were established for the 36 spondaic words spoken by a male (original recording) and female speaker. Based on the threshold data from Experiment 1, the words spoken by the female speaker were adjusted digitally in level to produce equal thresholds (equal intelligibility). In Experiment 2, psychometric functions then were established for the 36 spondaic words adjusted in level. The mean thresholds for the 2 experiments were the same (0.5 dB HL; ANSI, 1996), but the standard deviations for the word thresholds in Experiment 2 (0.7 dB) were significantly smaller than the standard deviations in Experiment 1 (1.6 dB). Both versions of the spondaic words spoken by the female speaker are included on the Speech Recognition and Identification Materials (Disc 2.0) compact disc.
The Complex Interaction between Marine Debris and Toxic Chemicals in the Ocean

Marine debris, especially plastic debris, is widely recognized as a global environmental problem. There has been substantial research on the impacts of plastic marine debris, such as entanglement and ingestion. These impacts are largely due to the physical presence of plastic debris. In recent years there has been an increasing focus on the impacts of toxic chemicals as they relate to plastic debris. Some plastic debris acts as a source of toxic chemicals: substances that were added to the plastic during manufacturing leach from plastic debris. Plastic debris also acts as a sink for toxic chemicals. Plastic sorbs persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, from the water or sediment. These PBTs may desorb when the plastic is ingested by any of a variety of marine species. This broad look at the current research suggests that while there is significant uncertainty and complexity in the kinetics and thermodynamics of the interaction, plasti...
Ethical Issues and Considerations for Working with Community College Students with Severe and Persistent Mental Disorders

Students with severe and persistent mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders; moderate to severe mood, anxiety, dissociative, eating, or personality disorders) are attending community colleges in increasing numbers. Their need for counseling services presents counseling centers with unique ethical issues to consider. This article presents those issues and discusses possible actions that counselors can take to protect the rights of their clients, the institution, and themselves.
Thrombin, collagen and A23187 stimulated endogenous platelet arachidonate metabolism: differential inhibition by PGE1, local anesthetics and a serine-protease inhibitor.

Abstract The formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and rabbit aorta contracting substance (RCS) induced by treatment of platelets with thrombin and collagen, but not that produced from exogenous arachidonic acid, is inhibited by prostaglandin E 1 (10 −8 − 10 −7 M), the local anesthetics tetracaine, SKF 525-A and dibucaine (1 mM), and the serine-protease inhibitor phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). The burst in oxygen consumption which accompanies platelet stimulation by thrombin and collagen in the presence of antimycin A, known to be due to the oxidation of endogenous arachidonate, is also markedly suppressed by PGE 1 , tetracaine and PMSF. The inhibitory effect of PGE 1 is strongly potentiated by theophylline (1.0 mM). Addition of the Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 to platelet suspensions overcomes PGE 1 and PMSF inhibition of MDA and RCS formation, and induces a vigorous increase in O 2 consumption. Tetracaine and dibucaine, however, block the responses to A23187. Formation of MDA and RCS (a mixture of PG endoperoxides and TXA 2 ) due to stimulation by thrombin and collagen depends upon activation of Ca 2+ -dependent phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) to supply free arachidonate from specific membrane phospholipids. These experiments therefore indicate that increased cellular cAMP, induced by PGE 1 , antagonizes the mobilization of the Ca 2+ which is normally required for PLA 2 activity. Thrombin-stimulated platelets exhibit enhanced 45 Ca uptake which probably reflects exchange of extracellular Ca 2+ with an increased available pool of exchangeable intracellular Ca 2+ . PGE 1 strongly suppresses this 45 Ca uptake, providing more direct evidence supporting the view that cAMP prevents the rise in free cytoplasmic Ca 2+ induced by thrombin. Under conditions which make sufficient free cytoplasmic Ca 2+ available (i.e., A23187), despite high cellular cAMP, formation of RCS and MDA, and O 2 uptake are nearly normal indicating that activation of PLA 2 can occur. Local anesthetics on the other hand since they abolish the response to A23187 as well, appear to directly antagonize the ability of Ca 2+ to activate PLA 2 . The effect of PMSF suggests that stimulus-specific proteases may be involved in the thrombin and collagen-induced activation of PLA 2 activity.
Pressure dependence of the alexandrite emission spectrum

The dependence on hydrostatic pressure of the photoluminescent spectrum of alexandrite has been measured to 40 kbar, at 300 and 167 K. The ${R}_{1}$ and ${R}_{2}$ lines red shift linearly 0.27\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 and 0.33\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 \AA{}/kbar, the same for both temperatures. Narrowing of the $R$ lines with pressure is observed. The phonon sidebands are blue shifted with pressure. By analysis of these spectral shifts we calculate the anharmonicities of the $^{4}A_{2}$ and $^{2}E$ states and explain the line narrowing. Thus from these analyses we propose that the linear dependency of the $R$-line transition energies on hydrostatic pressure results from anharmonic effects on the zero-point levels of the $^{4}A_{2}$ and $^{2}E$ states, for ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$-doped materials in general.
Toxicity of the herbicide glyphosate and several of its formulations to fish and aquatic invertebrates

Studies were initiated to determine the acute toxicity of technical grade glyphosate (MON0573), the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate (MON0139), the formulated herbicide Roundup® (MON02139), and the Roundup® surfactant (MON0818) to four aquatic invertebrates and four fishes: daphnids (Daphnia magna), scuds (Gammarus pseudolimnaeus), midge larvae (Chironomous plumosus), mayfly nymphs (Ephemerella walkeri), Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus). Acute toxicities for Roundup ranged from 2.3 mg/L (96-h LC50, fathead minnow) to 43 mg/L (48-h EC50, mature scuds). Toxicities of the surfactant were similar to those of the Roundup formulation. Technical glyphosate was considerably less toxic than Roundup or the surfactant; for midge larvae, the 48-h EC50 was 55 mg/L and for rainbow trout, the 96-h LC50 was 140 mg/L. Roundup was more toxic to rainbow trout and bluegills at the higher test temperatures, and at pH 7.5 than at pH 6.5. Toxicity did not increase at pH 8.5 or 9.5. Eyed eggs were the least sensitive life stage, but toxicity increased markedly as the fish entered the sac fry and early swim-up stages. No changes in fecundity or gonadosomatic index were observed in adult rainbow trout treated with the isopropylamine salt or Roundup up to 2.0 mg/L. The aging of Roundup test solutions for seven days did not reduce toxicity to midge larvae, rainbow trout or bluegills. In avoidance studies, rainbow trout did not avoid concentrations of the isopropylamine salt up to 10.0 mg/L; mayfly nymphs avoided 10.0 mg/L of Roundup, but not 1.0 mg/L. In a simulated field application, midge larvae avoided 2.0 mg/L of Roundup. Application of Roundup, at recommended rates, along ditchbank areas of irrigation canals should not adversely affect resident populations of fish or invertebrates. However, spring applications in lentic situations, where dissolved oxygen levels are low or temperatures are elevated, could be hazardous to young-of-the-year-fishes.
Central nervous system infections following esophageal dilation in children.

Chez un meme enfant ayant presente a l'âge de 27 mois une striction de l'œsophage apres ingestion de sonde. A 35 mois, apres plusieurs seances de dilatation douce de l'oesophage, meningite bacterienne qui cede bien a l'antibiotherapie. 18 mois plus tard, l'enfant etant toujours gastrostomise et apres des seances de dilatation, œsophagienne, mise en evidence de 2 abces cerebraux qui ont ete excises. Mais depuis, les dilatations œsophagiennes se font sous antibiotherapie et l'enfant est exempt des complications infectieuses
Potato ( solarium tuberosum l.) yield and internal heat necrosis incidence under controlled-release and soluble nitrogen sources and leaching irrigation events

Best management practices (BMPs) have been developed for northeast Florida potato production with the objective of reducing N fertilizer use while main-taining tuber yield and quality. However, rainfall timing and intensity can affect soil N availability, tuber yield, and quality. Objectives of this study were to determine the influence of fertilizer source (soluble and controlled-release) and timing of leaching irrigation on tuber yield and quality of ‘Atlantic’ potato in a seepage-irrigated production system. The experiment was conducted in 2004 and 2005 as a split-split plot with four replications. Main effects were leaching irrigation treatments (no-leaching irrigation and leaching irrigation at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting [WAP]), N source (ammonium nitrate [AN] at 224 kg ha-1 or controlled-release fertilizer [CRF] at 196 kg ha-1), and supplemental N sidedress application (34 kg N ha-1). In 2004, total and marketable tuber yields for plants in the 8 and 12 WAP leaching treatments were 10% and 11% lower, respectively, than plants in the no-leaching treatment. In 2005, marketable tuber yields from plants in the no-leaching treatment were significantly higher than plants in the 4, 8 and 12 WAP leaching treatments. Plants in CRF treatments produced significantly higher marketable tuber yields in both years compared with plants in AN fertilizer treatments. Supplemental N sidedressing did not improve tuber yield or quality in either year. Plants in the CRF treatment had a higher incidence of tubers with internal heat necrosis (IHN) in 2004 and 2005 compared with plants in the AN fertilizer treat-ment. This suggests that under severe leaching pres-sures, CRF needs a faster soil nutrient “recharge” to reduce plant nutrient stress. Plants in the CRF treatment averaged 12% higher marketable tuber yields with 13% less N applied compared with the AN treatment. Overall, CRFs are well suited as a BMP for northeast Florida potato production.
Learning-rate-dependent clustering and self-development in a network of coupled phase oscillators

We investigate the role of the learning rate in a Kuramoto Model of coupled phase oscillators in which the coupling coefficients dynamically vary according to a Hebbian learning rule. According to the Hebbian theory, a synapse between two neurons is strengthened if they are simultaneously coactive. Two stable synchronized clusters in antiphase emerge when the learning rate is larger than a critical value. In such a fast learning scenario, the network eventually constructs itself into an all-to-all coupled structure, regardless of initial conditions in connectivity. In contrast, when learning is slower than this critical value, only a single synchronized cluster can develop. Extending our analysis, we explore whether self-development of neuronal networks can be achieved through an interaction between spontaneous neural synchronization and Hebbian learning. We find that self-development of such neural systems is impossible if learning is too slow. Finally, we demonstrate that similar to the acquisition and consolidation of long-term memory, this network is capable of generating and remembering stable patterns.
Listener judgements of fluency: The effect of part-word CV repetitions and neutral vowel substitutions

Abstract Three groups of forty subjects listened individually to one of four recordings of voluntary disfluencies. Disfluencies took the form of either one or two-unit repetitions and contained either the correct vowel or the stressed neutral vowel in place of the correct vowel. Each listener rated the speaker on a five point scale where 1 represented the most fluent rating and 5 represented the least fluent rating. Results indicated no significant difference in the ratings of the four recordings. Overall severity ratings decreased as training in speech pathology increased. Graduate students in Speech Pathology rated three of the four tapes as being significantly more fluent than the non-Speech Pathology undergraduates. While Speech Pathology graduate students tended to rate the four tapes as being more fluent than did the Pre-professional Speech Pathology students, only one tape was rated significantly different.
Initiation of hydrogen energy system in developing countries

Abstract Since the fossil fuels are causing major environmental problems and since they are being depleted at an ever growing rate, it would be advantageous for developing countries to base their yet to be established energy system not on the fossil fuels but on the clean hydrogen energy technologies in general and the solar hydrogen energy system in particular. This paper reviews the pertinent background information, discusses the hydrogen technologies suitable for developing countries, debates the introduction of the solar hydrogen energy system, and recommends the establishment of three pilot projects, in Africa, Asia and South America.
Swelling and microstructure of high purity nickel irradiated with fast neutrons in EBR-II

Abstract The swelling of neutron-irradiated pure nickel in the annealed condition at ∼14 dpa is strongly dependent on irradiation temperature. However, nickel in various cold worked conditions does not exhibit this sensitivity, reaching a saturation level of swelling that is relatively independent of temperature. The tendency toward saturation is thought to be a consequence of nickel's high stacking fault energy which precludes the formation of partial dislocations with their stronger level of pinning. This leads eventually to a collapse in the dislocation population, resulting in an imbalance of sink strengths and a strong reduction in the void growth rate.
Sustained urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine elevation in post-traumatic stress disorder

Urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine levels (microgram/day) were measured at two-week intervals during the course of hospitalization in the following patient groups: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); major depressive disorder (MDD); bipolar I, manic (BP); paranoid schizophrenia (PS); and undifferentiated schizophrenia (US). The mean norepinephrine level during hospitalization was significantly higher in PTSD (76 +/- 10.4 micrograms/day) than in BP (60.6 +/- 8.4 micrograms/day), MDD (41.2 +/- 4.7 micrograms/day), PS (33.4 +/- 4.9 micrograms/day) and US (34.3 +/- 5.9 micrograms/day) groups, according to Duncan's multiple range test, (F(4,39) = 6.94, p less than 0.0003). The norepinephrine elevations in the PTSD group were sustained throughout hospitalization. The only other group to show mean levels in this range was the BP group in the first sample after hospital admission. This finding supports prior psychophysiological studies indicating increased sympathetic nervous system activity in PTSD patients. The mean epinephrine level during hospitalization was also significantly higher in PTSD (22.7 +/- 2.4 micrograms/day) than in MDD (13.6 +/- 1.7 micrograms/day), PS (14.7 +/- 2.4 micrograms/day), and US (18.9 +/- 1.8 micrograms/day), but not higher than in BP (21.5 +/- 2.7 micrograms/day). The relationship of epinephrine levels among diagnostic groups was sustained throughout hospitalization. It appears likely that the main underlying mechanisms for elevations of both hormones are psychological, but further work will be required to establish the exact nature of these mechanisms.
Heat and mass transfer in a field of IR radiation under conditions of swirling flow of an optically active medium

Results are presented of investigations of the heat and mass transfer process under deep oxidation of low-concentration hydrocarbons in a volume of a gas-air optically active medium on a catalyst surface.
Surface Variance Estimates Using AN Adjoint Formulation for a One-Dimensional Nonlinear Inverse Heat Conduction Technique

The one-dimensional nonlinear inverse heat conduction problem is considered. A new technique for estimating the surface variances of the predicted surface fluxes and temperatures based on an adjoint formulation is presented. The surface variances are related to the measurement variances and to an estimate of the initial condition variances. The only assumption necessary to apply the technique is that of additive measurement errors. Two test cases with three sets of boundary conditions are studied. The surface variance estimates given by the adjoint formulation and direct estimation are shown to be in good agreement.
Design of adaptive structures using compliant mechanisms

Static shape control of adaptive structures is currently an important and active research area in the smart structures field. Numerous actuation schemes using smart materials have been proposed and developed for shape control of structures. While the results of the smart material based technology is promising, it is also, however, showing more serious limitations such as scalability of laboratory-scale prototype models into real-scale models. In addition, the smart material based approach for shape control requires a multitude of actuators distributed throughout the host structure, the hence, complicates the control system. This paper introduces a novel alternative design concept for shape control of flexible adaptive structures using a single actuator which need not necessarily be smart material based. The novelty in this concept is that it employs distributed compliance in design--through compliant mechanisms, a class of mechanisms that transmit motion through inherent flexibility--rather than distributed actuation to accomplish the shape changes. The paper outlines a method for synthesis of such compliant mechanisms. The concept, and the synthesis method are illustrated through an example where a specified shape change in the leading edge of an airfoil structure is accomplished. The new concept has a great potential to not only eliminate the scalability problem, but also reduce the control complexity, the weight, and cost of the entire system as well.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fatal hemorrhage caused by disease progression after partial splenectomy for type III Gaucher's disease

Abstract An 18-month-old boy with Gaucher's disease, massive hepatosplenomegaly, and hypersplenism underwent partial (85%) splenectomy and recovered without complication. During the next 4 months, his residual splenic segment showed progressive enlargement from 2 to 6 cm below the left costal margin. By this time, genetic typing had indicated central nervous system involvement (type III). A compatible donor was not available for bone marrow transplantation. Complete splenectomy was not recommended despite continued enlargement of the organ into the pelvis and across the abdominal midline by 7 1 2 months postoperatively. The next week he presented to the emergency room in shock with an hematocrit of 6% and a platelet count of 18,000/mm3. During emergency surgery, massive intraabdominal hemorrhage was noted from a splenic rupture on the inferior pole that was opposite the site of prior division. He died in the operating room during attempted splenectomy. This is a report of fatal outcome after partial splenectomy for type III Gaucher's disease. Patients with subacute neuronopathic disease may not be candidates for subtotal splenectomy.
A guided wave monolithic resonator ruby fiber laser

Abstract Single crystal ruby fibers, cooled with liquid nitrogen, have been operated as end pumped lasers. The fiber laser is a guided wave device with a length of 15 mm and a mean diameter of 60 μm. The laser resonator structure is monolithic, consisting of an aluminium mirror coated on one fiber end face and an uncoated opposite end face serving as an output coupler. Using an argon ion laser pump source, cw output powers of several mW were obtained.
Experimental evidence bearing on the stability of monazite during crustal anaatexis

A major host for LREE and the heat producing elements Th and U in peraluminous granites is monazite, and the stability of monazite will affect the redistribution of these elements within the crust during anatexis. The compositional stability of monazite in "granitic" melts ranging from peraluminous to metaluminous compostions has been investigated under water-saturated conditions between 850-1000°C, at 8 Kb. Monazite solubility (concentration of LREE's in saturated melts) increases with the values of M > 1.3 [=(2Ca+Na+K)/(AlXSi) in the melt], and is constant for M < 1.3. The temperature dependence of monazite saturation has been determined by Rapp and Watson [1986] for a melt of M = 1.3 and model should be applicable to all peraluminous magmas. Application of the monazite solubility model to crustal anatexis indicates that for fusion temperatures at or below 800°C, anatexis producing peraluminous magmas may lead to an enrichment of monazite in the restitic lower crust depending upon the initial LREE concentration in the source. At temperatures approaching 850°C, enrichment of monazite in the lower crust by anatexis is unlikely due to the high monazite-saturation concentrations.
Herpes simplex virus infection in populations of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons: Effects of inoculation route and virus strain

To investigate whether herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection of sensory ganglion neurons is restricted to a particular neuronal class, we unilaterally inoculated either the footpad, leg muscle or sciatic nerve of mice with strains of HSV-2 that differ in virulence and examined the soma sizes of lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons containing viral antigen near the peak of acute infection. Each inoculation route appeared relatively selective for a different portion of the neuronal size spectrum. Footpad inoculation primarily infected the smaller population of DRG neurons, by comparison, muscle inoculation tended to spare the smallest neurons while infecting medium and larger cells. Sciatic nerve inoculation infected the entire spectrum of DRG neurons. These results indicate that HSV-2 infection is not restricted to a specific subclass of sensory neurons. With any particular inoculation route, the least virulent strain infected fewer neurons than did those of greater virulence.
Generation and characterization of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser wakefield

In the interaction of a 30 fs, 40 TW Ti:sapphire Hercules laser focused to the intensity of 10 19 W/cm 2 onto a supersonic He gas jet, we observed quasi-monoenergetic electron beams with energy up to 300 MeV and an angular divergence of 10 mrad. We found that the initial plasma density significantly affects the resultant electron beam. For plasma densities ranging between 2 x 10 19 to 3.5 x 10 19 cm -3 , quasi-monoenergetic electrons with energies from 80 to 160 MeV and a total charge of about 0.5 nC were produced. Lower plasma densities around 1.5 x 10 19 cm -3 produced quasi-monoenergetic electron beams with higher energy, up to 320 ± 50 MeV, but with a decrease of the total charge to about 5 pC. Characterization of the electron beam in terms of the electron's maximum energy, beam divergence and pointing stability is presented. The performed 2D PIC simulations show the evolution of the laser pulse in the plasma, electron injection, and the specifics of electron acceleration.
‘Our Russian Passport’: First World War Monuments, Transnational Commemoration, and the Russian Emigration in Europe, 1918–39

The existence of so many Russian war monuments outside Russia adds a new dimension to our understanding of the memorialization of the First World War, for such memorials were found not in Russia but in European countries where Russian emigres made lives for themselves after the 1917 Revolution. The construction of war monuments promised to be a good way to manage important aspects of the personal and public bereavement that Russian people faced in European diaspora in the interwar period. Emigres, moreover, also used war memorials as a means to signify their right to belong to a common European experience, and elites in countries like France, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia integrated Russia’s war, through the emigres, into national commemorative practices. This article shows that transnational values like international friendship, wartime alliance, and solidarity across national and ethnic boundaries could be important parts of the commemorative culture of the war in nation-states across interwar Europe, e...
Reconstructing 3D tree models using motion capture and particle flow

Recovering tree shape frommotion capture data is a first step toward efficient and accurate animation of trees in wind usingmotion capture data. Existing algorithms for generating models of tree branching structures for image synthesis in computer graphics are not adapted to the unique data set provided by motion capture. We present a method for tree shape reconstruction using particle flow on input data obtained from a passive optical motion capture system. Initial branch tip positions are estimated from averaged and smoothed motion capture data. Branch tips, as particles, are also generated within a bounding space defined by a stack of bounding boxes or a convex hull. The particle flow, starting at branch tips within the bounding volume under forces, creates tree branches. The forces are composed of gravity, internal force, and external force. The resulting shapes are realistic and similar to the original tree crown shape. Several tunable parameters provide control over branch shape and arrangement.
Dispersion Caused by Carbon Dioxide During Secondary Alumina Dissolution: A Lab-Scale Research

Secondary alumina is the byproduct of dry scrubbing in aluminum smelting. Secondary alumina has superior dissolution characteristics to primary alumina. Secondary alumina dissolves in pieces in molten cryolite, which results in larger contact area and better diffusion kinetics. In this work, the dissolution phenomenon of primary alumina, secondary alumina, and primary alumina doped with sodium carbonate or calcium carbonate (mass ratio = 10:1, 20:1) was observed and compared to estimate carbon-induced dispersion in industrial secondary alumina. Temperature fluctuations during sample dissolution were measured to evaluate the benefits of preheating on alumina dissolution. It was found that carbon mixed in secondary alumina significantly influences the dispersion of alumina particles at the moment of feeding, and thermodynamic analysis also shows that the combustion heat from carbon facilitates dispersion.
Acute Heart Failure in the African American Patient

Abstract Background African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected by acute heart failure (AHF) compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Disparities in AHF risk factors among AAs are attributed to higher rates of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, lower socioeconomic status, higher dietary caloric and salt intake, and biologic/genetic differences. However, AAs are frequently underrepresented in AHF clinical trials, and race-related differences in risks and clinical outcomes are not well understood. Objective The aim of this work was to review published data on AHF in the AA population, including management strategies that may differ based on race and common barriers to optimal care. Methods Publications were identified in Pubmed (through June 10, 2013) with the use of the search strategy terms (acute heart failure) AND (black OR African American OR racial). Results Racial disparities in the quality of AHF care are relatively uncommon; however, racial differences in pathophysiology have resulted in differing pharmacologic recommendations (eg, isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine is indicated only in AAs). Various socioeconomic factors influence disease progression, treatment compliance, and hospitalization/rehospitalization rates. Conclusions Further research would enhance understanding of pathophysiologic heart failure differences between racial groups. Programs are needed that incorporate known clinical and cultural differences to improve quality of care and reduce the disease burden of AHF for all patients.
A coupled experimental and computational approach to quantify deleterious hemodynamics, vascular alterations, and mechanisms of long-term morbidity in response to aortic coarctation.

Introduction Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is associated with morbidity despite treatment. Although mechanisms remain elusive, abnormal hemodynamics and vascular biomechanics are implicated. We present a novel approach that facilitates quantification of coarctation-induced mechanical alterations and their impact on vascular structure and function, without genetic or confounding factors.
Epidemiology of Syncope in Hospitalized Patients

OBJECTIVE: To describe the etiologies of syncope in hospitalized patients and determine the factors that influence survival after discharge. DESIGN: Observational retrospective cohort. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, groupmodel HMO, and Medicare population in Oregon. PATIENTS: Hospitalized individuals (n=1,516; mean age±SD, 73.0±13.4 years) with an admission or discharge diagnosis of syncope (ICD-9-CM 780.2) during 1992, 1993, or 1994. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During a median hospital stay of 3 days, most individuals received an electrocardiogram (97%) and prolonged electrocardiographic monitoring (90%), but few underwent electrophysiology testing (2%) or tilt-table testing (0.7%). The treating clinicians identified cardiovascular causes of syncope in 19% of individuals and noncardiovascular causes in 40%. The remaining 42% of individuals were discharged with unexplained syncope. Complete heart block (2.4%) and ventricular tachycardia (2.3%) were rarely identified as the cause of syncope. Pacemakers were implanted in 28% of the patients with cardiovascular syncope and 0.4% of the others. No patient received an implantable defibrillator. All-cause mortality±SE was 1.1%±0.3% during the admission, 13%±1% at 1 year, and 41%±2% at 4 years. The adjusted relative risk (RR) of dying for individuals with cardiovascular syncope (RR 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92, 1.50) did not differ from that for unexplained syncope (RR 1.0) and noncardiovascular syncope (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.77, 1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Among these elderly patients hospitalized with syncope, noncardiovascular causes were twice as common as cardiovascular causes. Because survival was not related to the cause of syncope, clinicians cannot be reassured that hospitalized elderly patients with noncardiovascular and unexplained syncope will have excellent outcomes.
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Oxide Removal Using Atomic Hydrogen for Large-Area II–VI Material Growth

This study investigates using atomic hydrogen to clean GaSb (211)B and (111)B substrates as an alternative to thermal desorption under an Sb overpressure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement verified the oxide removal on the atomic hydrogen-cleaned GaSb. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the surface morphologies of GaSb after atomic hydrogen cleaning with various conditions. All substrates investigated contained a high density of pits that became larger as higher deoxidation temperatures were used, with or without atomic hydrogen. Growth of homoepitaxial GaSb (100) and (211)B was used to compare stoichiometry changes with various oxide removal conditions, and growth effects on sequential epilayers.
Thoracolumbar fracture with listhesis--an uncommon manifestation of child abuse.

Background Thoracolumbar fracture with listhesis (FL) is an uncommon manifestation of child abuse (increasingly known as nonaccidental trauma), with only six prior reports in the literature.
Annual multi-resolution detection of land cover conversion to oil palm in the Peruvian Amazon

Abstract Oil palm expansion is a major threat to forest conservation in the tropics. Oil palm can also be a sustainable economic alternative if incentives for expansion outside forests are set in place. Consistent methods to monitor the time and location of oil palm expansion and the area converted from different land covers are essential for the success of such incentives. We developed methods to detect and quantify annual land cover changes associated with oil palm expansion in the Peruvian Amazon between 2001 and 2010 at two spatial scales and for two production modes. At the coarse scale, comprising the whole Peruvian Amazon, we used MODIS data to detect forest conversion to large-scale, industrial oil palm plantations based on metrics characterizing temporal changes in vegetation greenness associated with the conversion. At the fine scale, we used data from the satellite sensors Landsat TM/ETM + and ALOS-PALSAR to map and quantify the area from different land covers converted into large and small-scale oil palm plantations annually, in a focus area near the city of Pucallpa. Estimates were obtained from the elaboration and further combination of maps representing oil palm plantations by ages in 2010 and non-oil palm land covers in each year between 2001 and 2010. Validation data were obtained in the field and from geospatial information from previous studies. At the coarse scale, MODIS detected deforestation in 73% of training events larger than 50 ha. Detected events added up to 95% of the training areas. Total area converted to oil palm annually was quantified visually by using data from Landsat TM/ETM + with 96.3% accuracy. At the fine scale, the combination of data from Landsat TM/ETM + and ALOS-PALSAR identified oil palm expansion in areas larger than 5 ha with 94% accuracy and the year of expansion with an uncertainty of ± 1.3 years. This work underscores the need for data from multiple satellite sensors for a comprehensive monitoring of oil palm expansion, considering needs for information not only on the area expanded but also the time of conversion and land cover transitions associated with large- and small-scale plantations.
Particle mixtures in magnetorheological elastomers (MREs)

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are state-of-the-art elastomagnetic composites comprised of magnetic particles embedded in an elastomer matrix. MREs offer enormous flexibility given that elastomers are easily molded, provide good durability, exhibit hyperelastic behavior, and can be tailored to provide desired mechanical and thermal characteristics. MRE composites combine the capabilities of traditional magnetostrictive materials with the properties of elastomers, creating a novel material capable of both highly responsive sensing and controlled actuation in real-time. This work investigates the response of MRE materials comprised of varying mixtures of 40 and 10 micron iron particles. Samples are tested in compression yielding a compressive modulus and measure of the shear stiffness via Mooney plots. Samples are also tested using a tunable vibration absorber (TVA) designed specifically for this experiment. The TVA loads the samples in oscillatory shear (10-100Hz) under the influence of a magnetic field. In all samples, results show increases in the material's stiffness under the application of a magnetic field as evidenced by the frequency response function of the TVA system. Increases in stiffness of 50% at 0.15T were achieved with samples containing 30%-40 micron particles and 30%-40micron + 2%-10 micron particles. This yields a ratio of over 300%/T. The two-particle MRE appeared not to have reached saturation suggesting further stiffness enhancement was possible beyond the saturated single-particle 40 micron sample. However, this may be a result of the larger iron content. Results also suggest variation in the behavior of two-versus single-particle MRE behavior as evidenced by the shear modulus found in compression, but results are inconclusive. MRE materials made with nanoparticles of hard magnetic barium ferrite show stiffness increases of 70%/T which is comparable to MREs having larger iron particles.
The low pressure pyrolysis of newsprint

The isothermal pyrolysis of 100 mg samples of shredded newsprint, both untreated and 1% HCI washed, at pressures below 1 torr has been examined between 260°C and 340°C. Pyrolysis occurs via a rapid initial reaction followed by a slower degradation that can be modeled as first order in remaining newsprint. The effect of a 1% HCI wash pretreatment is to increase the fractional tar yield by 40%, to decrease the gas yield by an equivalent amount, and to increase the extent of initial reaction. Arrhenius parameters have been obtained for rate constants describing both the initial and the slower degradation reactions for both untreated and acid washed newsprint.
Price, Hick, and Disembodied Existence

In an attempt to make the idea of surviving one's own death in a disembodied state intelligible, H. H. Price has presented a possible description of what the afterlife might be like for a disembodied self or consciousness. Price suggests that the world of the disembodied self might be a kind of dream or image world. In it he would replace his present sense-perception by activating his image-producing powers, which are now inhibited by their continuous bombardment by sensory stimuli, to produce mental images. Though he would be cut off from any new supply of sensory material, he might be able to draw upon his memory of his previous physical existence to create an entire environment of images. A nexus of perspectively inter-related images would constitute an object; this would serve as a substitute for the material objects which he perceived in his past life. The entire environment of the disembodied individual would be composed of such families of mental images and would serve to constitute his world. It need not, however, be a solipsistic world, for by means of telepathy the discarnate individual could communicate with other disembodied selves and in this way acquire new information. Price notes that since this world would be as real to the discarnate self as our present world is to our embodied self, in the afterlife the disembodied self in effect would create for itself a real world, though of course if it took it to be anything other than an image world it would be deceiving itself.
New techniques for assisted fertilization

Abstract Microsurgical fertilization techniques, zona drilling, mechanical opening of the zona, and sperm transfer into the perivitelline space, remove the barrier presented to the sperm by the zona pellucida. Sperm injection directly into the ooplasm bypasses the steps of zona penetration and egg-sperm membrane fusion. In animal models these techniques have proven to be a valuable research tool in exploration of the process of fertilization. Application of these techniques in a clinical setting may provide therapeutic means to overcome certain types of infertility.
Practical Anarchism: Peer Mutualism, Market Power, and the Fallible State*

The article considers several working anarchies in the networked environment, and whether they offer a model for improving on the persistent imperfections of markets and states. I explore whether t...
Analytical model for a continuous chemical laser

Abstract : A simplified theoretical analysis of a continuous chemical laser is presented, primarily to acquaint the reader with the constant-gain method of solution and to emphasize the strong coupling in the cavity between the radiation and the chemistry. Lasing is assumed to occur in a Fabry-Perot cavity on vibration-rotation transitions between two vibrational levels of a hypothetical diatomic molecule. A Boltzmann distribution is assumed for the rotational populations, thereby further restricting lasing to the maximum gain transition in the P-branch. New features in this study include: (1) An analysis of J-shifting in which lasing shifts from one rotational transition to the next; (2) A demonstration that the closed cavity condition, wherein the mirrors are perfectly reflecting, is an indeterminate limit with a finite output power; (3) A comprehensive parametric analysis that indicates that a high lasing efficiency might be attainable under certain operating conditions. (Author)
Functional overlap among distinct G1/S inhibitory pathways allows robust G1 arrest by yeast mating pheromones

In budding yeast, mating pheromones arrest the cell cycle in G1 phase via a pheromone-activated Cdk-inhibitor (CKI) protein, Far1. Alternate pathways must also exist, however, because deleting the cyclin CLN2 restores pheromone arrest to far1∆ cells. Here we probe whether these alternate pathways require the G1/S transcriptional repressors Whi5 and Stb1 or the CKI protein Sic1, whose metazoan analogues (Rb or p27) antagonize cell cycle entry. Removing Whi5 and Stb1 allows partial escape from G1 arrest in far1∆ cln2∆ cells, along with partial derepression of G1/S genes, which implies a repressor-independent route for inhibiting G1/S transcription. This route likely involves pheromone-induced degradation of Tec1, a transcriptional activator of the cyclin CLN1, because Tec1 stabilization also causes partial G1 escape in far1∆ cln2∆ cells, and this is additive with Whi5/Stb1 removal. Deleting SIC1 alone strongly disrupts Far1-independent G1 arrest, revealing that inhibition of B-type cyclin-Cdk activity can empower weak arrest pathways. Of interest, although far1∆ cln2∆ sic1∆ cells escaped G1 arrest, they lost viability during pheromone exposure, indicating that G1 exit is deleterious if the arrest signal remains active. Overall our findings illustrate how multiple distinct G1/S-braking mechanisms help to prevent premature cell cycle commitment and ensure a robust signal-induced G1 arrest.