cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Alkali Carbonates on Biomass Volatilization

Several thermochemical methods for converting biomass into chemicals, fuels and synthetic gases are currently under development. Various reactor configurations, catalysts and reaction conditions are employed depending primarily upon the desired product. Steam gasification is one method being developed for the production of synthetic gases from biomass.
Flows of Co-closed \(G_{2}\)-Structures

We survey recent progress in the study of \(G_{2}\)-structure Laplacian coflows, that is, heat flows of co-closed \(G_{2}\)-structures. We introduce the properties of the original Laplacian coflow of \(G_{2}\)-structures as well as the modified coflow, reviewing short-time existence and uniqueness results for the modified coflow and well as recent Shi-type estimates that apply to a more general class of \(G_{2}\)-structure flows.
An overview of President Carter's Water Policy (1978)

On June 6, 1978, President Carter presented his Federal Water Policy Initiatives to the Congress. These were based on a year-long and sometimes controversial study by the Water Resources Council, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Council on Environmental Quality. Reforms were proposed relative to cost sharing, planning procedures, project evaluation, and environmental protection. Omitted from the policy were recommendations on water pollution control, planning coordination, and water resources research.
Inequality, innovation and the future of cities: navigating political challenges of rising distrust and anxiety

Leaders interested in improving public health need a political environment conducive to engaging with policy experimentation and innovation. Decision-makers are better able to engage with new appro...
Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Long Term Naturalistic Follow Up Study in a Single Institution

Introduction Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a proven, effective tool in the treatment of movement disorders. Expansion of indications for DBS into the realm of neuropsychiatric disorders, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has gained fervent interest, although data on appropriate clinical utilization remains limited. Methods A retrospective, naturalistic study followed nine severely affected OCD patients (average YBOCs score before implantation 34.2 ± 2.5) treated with DBS of ventral capsule/ventral striatum, with average follow up of 54.8 months. Results With chronic stimulation (years), a majority of the patients achieved significant benefits in obsessive-compulsive and depressive symptoms. Six patients experienced periods of OCD remission following implantation. Four of the six responders required more than 12 months to achieve response. Relief of major depressive symptoms occurred in four out of six patients with documented co-morbid depression. Settings required to achieve efficacy were higher than those typically utilized for movement disorders, necessitating increased impulse generator (IPG) battery demand. We found patients benefited from conversion to a rechargeable IPG to prevent serial operations for IPG replacement. For patients with rechargeable IPGs, the repetitive habit of recharging did not appear to aggravate or trigger new obsessive-compulsive behaviors or anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Our study supports and builds upon other research suggesting that DBS for OCD in a real-world setting can be implemented successfully and provide long-term benefit for severely affected OCD patients. Optimal patient selection and DBS programming criteria are discussed. The use of rechargeable IPGs appears to be both cost effective and well-tolerated in this population.
Exploring Ableism in Kinesiology Curriculum through Kinesiology Students’ Experience: A Phenomenological Study

Ableism is an inconspicuous phenomenon within the allied health field which may play a role in the lack of quality care often observed for people with disabilities (PWD). Since individuals’ general...
Relative strength of top-down effects of an invasive fish and bottom-up effects of nutrient addition in a simple aquatic food web

Introduction of exotic predators or runoff of fertilizers can alter aquatic food webs, in particular zooplankton communities, through top-down and bottom-up effects. In a mesocosm experiment, we manipulated the density of Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and nutrient levels (nitrate and phosphate independently) and observed effects on zooplankton and phytoplankton in a fall, temperate zone system. If top-down regulation were important, we expected mosquitofish predation to reduce zooplankton abundance, which would indirectly benefit phytoplankton. If bottom-up regulation were important, we expected nutrient addition to increase both primary producers and zooplankton. Western Mosquitofish predation significantly decreased the abundance of several zooplankton taxa, resulting in a trophic cascade with increased chlorophyll a (i.e., primary productivity). This effect did not differ between mesocosms with 5 or 10 fish. Nutrient addition had no significant effects on zooplankton; however, chlorophyll a was positively affected by both nitrogen addition and phosphorus addition. Our results suggest weak bottom-up regulation in our experimental community, but strong top-down regulation, emphasizing the potential consequences of introducing non-native Western Mosquitofish to native aquatic ecosystems.
Changing Boundaries of Whiteness? Demographic and Social Determinants of Middle Eastern and North African Marriage Trends in the United States:

Intermarriage is an important indicator of immigrant integration trajectories and the rigidity of ethnoracial boundaries. Although questions of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) integration a...
Child Welfare System Issues as Explanatory Factors for Racial Disproportionality and Disparities

Factors that contribute to disproportionality and disparity are complex and at the micro, mezzo, and macro level. This chapter focuses on the macro level exploring the child welfare system as an explanatory factor using a critical race theory lens. The disproportionality and disparities for children and families of color is explored through reflection on the history of child welfare and children of color as well as current policies and practices. The importance of agency and child welfare leaders to identify and use resources to become a more culturally responsive and inclusive organization is highlighted.
Risk factors and outcomes for acute-on-chronic liver failure in COVID-19: a large multi-center observational cohort study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] infection in patients with chronic liver disease [CLD] may precipitate acute-on-chronic liver failure [ACLF]. In a large multi-center cohort of COVID-19-infected patients, we aim to analyze (1) the outcomes of patients with underlying CLD [with and without cirrhosis] and (2) the development and impact of ACLF on in-hospital mortality. We identified 192 adults with CLD from among 10,859 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection (admitted to any of 12 hospitals in a New York health care system between March 1, 2020 and April 27, 2020). ACLF was defined using the EASL-CLIF Consortium definition. Patient follow-up was through April 30, 2020, or until the date of discharge, transfer, or death. Of the 84 patients with cirrhosis, 32 [38%] developed ACLF, with respiratory failure [39%] and renal failure [26%] being the most common. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity was particularly at higher risk of in-hospital mortality [adjusted HR 4.92, 95% 1.27–19.09, p < 0.02] in cirrhosis despite having lower risk of development of ACLF [HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08–0.89, p = 0.03]. Hypertension on admission predicted development of ACLF [HR 3.46, 95% CI 1.12–10.75, p = 0.03]. In-hospital mortality was not different between CLD patients with or without cirrhosis [p = 0.24] but was higher in those with cirrhosis who developed ACLF [adjusted HR 9.06, 95% CI 2.63–31.12, p < 0.001] with a trend for increased mortality by grade of ACLF [p = 0.002]. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality between the CLD cohort compared to matched control without CLD (log rank, p = 0.98) and between the cirrhosis cohort compared to matched control without cirrhosis (log rank, p = 0.51). Development of ACLF is the main driver of increased in-hospital mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection and cirrhosis.
$k$-positivity of dual canonical basis elements from 1324- and 2143-avoiding Kazhdan-Lusztig immanants

In this note, we show that certain dual canonical basis elements of $\mathbb{C}[SL_m]$ are positive when evaluated on $k$-positive matrices, matrices whose minors of size $k \times k$ and smaller are positive. Skandera showed that all dual canonical basis elements of $\mathbb{C}[SL_m]$ can be written in terms of Kazhdan-Lusztig immanants, which were introduced by Rhoades and Skandera. We focus on the basis elements which are expressed in terms of Kazhdan-Lusztig immanants indexed by 1324- and 2143-avoiding permutations. This extends previous work of the authors on Kazhdan-Lusztig immanants and uses similar tools, namely Lewis Carroll's identity (also known as the Desnanot-Jacobi identity).
Current research in low temperature proton exchange membrane-based electrolysis and a necessary shift in focus

While hydrogen has limited use in energy markets today, significant growth is possible in grid storage and as an energy carrier in other sectors. Along with lower electricity prices, further hydrogen cost reduction can enable electrochemical water splitting, particularly as the use of intermittent, renewable power sources increases and the quantity and duration of storage requirements limit electrical storage options. With the improved viability of large-scale hydrogen production, research in low temperature electrolysis has dramatically increased. The overwhelming majority of research efforts within proton exchange membrane-based systems has focused on catalyst development, although a smaller set have developed transport layers as well. As proton exchange membrane-based electrolysis shifts into higher technology readiness levels, however, there is a growing need for work optimizing materials integration, developing component-specific and device-level accelerated stress tests, and addressing manufacturing considerations. These areas directly impact electrolyzer performance, durability, and cost, and are critical to advancing hydrogen’s value and electrochemical water splitting.
Carbon Fiber-Based Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) for Powered Ankle-Foot Orthoses.

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) control the position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, and correct deformities. AFOs can be classified as passive or powered. Powered AFOs overcome the limitations of passive AFOs by adapting their performance to meet a variety of requirements. However, the actuators currently used to power AFOs are typically heavy, bulky, expensive, or limited to laboratory settings. Thus, there is a strong need for lightweight, inexpensive, and flexible actuators for powering AFOs. In this technical brief, Carbon Fiber/Silicone Rubber (CF/SR) Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) are proposed as novel actuators for powered AFOs. CF/SR TCAMs can lift up to 12,600 times their weight with an input power of only 0.025 W cm-1 and are fabricated from inexpensive materials through a low-cost manufacturing process. Additionally, they can provide a specific work of 758 J kg-1 when an input voltage of 1.64 V cm-1 is applied. A mechanical characterization of CF/SR TCAMs in terms of length/tension, tension/velocity, and active-passive length/tension is presented, and results are compared with the performance of skeletal muscles. A gait analysis demonstrates that CF/SR TCAMs can provide the performance required to supplement lower limb musculature and replicate the gait cycle of a healthy subject. Therefore, the preliminary results provided in this brief are a stepping stone for a dynamic AFO powered by CF/SR TCAMs.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol Using Urchin-Like ZnO Microrod-Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite under Visible-Light Irradiation

In this study, visible-light-driven ZnO microrod-rGO heterojunction composites were successfully synthesized via a facile and scalable hydrothermal process. The prepared photocatalyst heterojunction was examined using different techniques including XRD, SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and TGA to reveal their crystal phase, morphology, and other optical properties. The photocatalytic performance of the obtained ZnO-rGO composites was measured by the photodegradation of phenol under visible light illumination. The addition of graphene over the catalyst exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation due to its high surface area and decreasing rate of electron-hole separation. Kinetic studies proved that the degradation of phenol process happened by following the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The effective conditions for degradation of phenol using ZnO-rGO composite were 0.2 g L-1catalyst dose, pH -4, and initial concentration 20 ppm of phenol solution. Comparing with ZnO microrods, the heterojunction composite degraded the organic pollutants of phenol solution up to 84.2% of efficiency displaying the highest photocatalytic activity, whereas urchin-like ZnO catalyst exhibited much less photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under visible light irradiation. This result envisages immense properties, showing a great potential industrial application for the removal of phenolic wastewater.
Hybrid Sparse Linear Solutions with Substituted Factorization

We develop a computationally less expensive alternative to the direct solution of a large sparse symmetric positive definite system arising from the numerical solution of elliptic partial differential equation models. Our method, substituted factorization , replaces the computationally expensive factorization of certain dense submatrices that arise in the course of direct solution with sparse Cholesky factorization with one or more solutions of triangular systems using substitution. These substitutions fit into the tree-structure commonly used by parallel sparse Cholesky, and reduce the initial factorization cost at the expense of a slight increase cost in solving for a right-hand side vector. Our analysis shows that substituted factorization reduces the number of floating-point operations for the model \(k \times k\) 5-point finite-difference problem by \(10\,\%\) and empirical tests show execution time reduction on average of \(24.4\,\%\). On a test suite of three-dimensional problems we observe execution time reduction as high as \(51.7\,\%\) and \(43.1\,\%\) on average.
Estimating the Total Number of Species in a Biological Community

The lognormal distribution has figured prominently in the description of species-abundance relationships and in assessing effects of perturbation on aquatic ecosystems. Diatom communities, in particular, have been shown to conform relatively well to a normal law subsequent to grouping individuals on a logarithmic scale. Fitting of the distribution to sample data entails estimation of location and scale parameters. A more interesting and, indeed, ecologically important estimate that can be obtained is the total number of species in the community, S*. Unfortunately, estimates of S* are currently unsatisfactory since an estimator of the variance of S*, var (S*), is not available. Moreover, it is often the case that several different theoretical distributions are found to fit the same sample data equally well but provide discrepant estimates of S*. On this basis then, comparisons between different communities are impossible. In addition, a cautious attitude is warranted in certain applications of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index where knowledge of S is required. The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a computer simulation study which was designed to mimic the sampling and identification of diatom species from idealized, fully censused collections where the value of S* was known as was the proportional abundance of each species. Each simulation run consisted of sampling the idealized collections a total of 100 (independent) times; each sample being fit by a lognormal distribution and an estimate of S* calculated. It was thus possible to compute an estimate of var (S*) and monitor its behavior as the sample sizes for various types of communities were increased. The results indicate that the precision of S* depends on the relative size of the sample and that var (S*) decreases asymptotically as the number of species sampled approaches S*. It is shown that, for some types of communities, species sample sizes on the order of S = 0.8 (S*) yield imprecise estimates of S*. The implications of these results have importance for the biologist who is faced with distinguishing between two or more similarly diverse communities on the basis on an index of evenness such as H/H m a x (in the case of Shannon-Wiener). Unless reliable knowledge of S* can be obtained, misleading conclusions regarding a community's diversity could result.
Mujer y pacto fáustico en el narcomundo

Abstract This article explores cinematic and literary representations of modern, nonsubmissive female figures, generated as a reaction to the violent life conditions created by the drug trafficking in countries such as Mexico and Colombia. The construction of the female protagonists of three fictional works dealing with the drug world (the films La vendedora de rosas by Victor Gaviria and Maria llena eres de gracia by Joshua Marston, and the novel La Reina del Sur by Arturo Perez Reverte) presents the reader/viewer with the paradoxical way in which these female figures regain their agency and their social and generic independence through active participation in the abusive, male-dominated world of narcotrafficking. This article also examines the viewpoint of the directors/writer, and how their artistic involvement with the subject is used as an expression of social activism (Gaviria) or of an endorsement of capitalism and the global market (Marston and Perez Reverte).
A single-arm circular spiral antenna with inner/outer feed circuitry for changing polarization and beam characteristics

A single-arm circular spiral antenna has been investigated to get adaptable circular polarization and tilt beam. Circular spiral is printed on a finite size dielectric substrate (/spl epsiv//sub r/=3.27) backed by a finite size-conducting plane. Circular spiral radiates Right Handed Circular Polarization (RHCP) in its inner feed and Left Hand Circular Polarization (LHCP) in its outer feed in one antenna element .Circular spiral has an axial beam (L1=1.64/spl lambda//sub g/) in the z-axis and two-tilted beams (L2=3.25/spl lambda//sub g/, L3=5.55/spl lambda//sub g/) of RHCP in inner feed and LHCP in outer feed at 10GHz, where L is a horizontal arm length. The frequency bandwidth for a 3-dB axial ratio criterion is about 25% in both inner and outer feed at L1=1.64/spl lambda//sub g/.
Multimedia Caching Strategies for Heterogeneous Application and ServerEnvironments

In a multimedia system, storage and bandwidth are critical resources since any presentation requires a large volume of data to be delivered in real-time. Caching of multimedia documents in local storage can alleviate large retrieval bandwidth requirements. An important requirement for a multimedia caching policy is to guarantee continuous delivery even when a stream is served from cache. It should also cope with dynamic changes in workload and heterogeneity arising from large and small multimedia files. The proposed Generalized Interval Caching (GIC) policy, that caches intervals between successive streams of a large file as well as entire small files, satisfies all the above criteria. A caching policy needs to cope with additional challenges in a large scale distributed multimedia environment consisting of many heterogeneous servers. The issues include a) routing of requests to ensure good cache hits in each server, and b) balancing of loads across servers. For routing of requests, we introduce the notion of an asset group and propose an affinity routing policy based on this concept. Finally, we adapt the GIC policy for load balancing across servers.
Neuromorphic Solution of Nonlinear Two Point Boundary Value Problems

We present a general neuromorphic procedure for solving a class of dynamic programming problems, viz., Two-Point-Boundary-Value-Problems (TPBVP's). The method consists of transformation of the TPBVP to the problem of minimization of an error function over a field of scalars. This error function is then mapped into the energy function of the Tank-Hopfield neural network leading to the synaptic interconnection weights and input bias currents which are adapted to the TPBVP to be solved. The method is illustrated by two examples.
Residential energy resource models for distribution feeder simulation

Advances in information technology, ubiquitous communications, and distributed generation and storage reveal new opportunities for the participation of demand-side resources in balancing the physical and economic operation of electric power systems. To better understand the potential impact of this participation, accurate, detailed energy resource models are necessary at the distribution feeder level. This presentation describes a detailed approach to residential energy resource modeling that preserves the individual characteristics of major residential appliances and human behavior patterns so that their contribution to energy efficiency schemes and intelligent demand curtailment algorithms is properly portrayed. These models are derived from previous analyses of residential and commercial building systems supported by data collected from the end-use load and consumer assessment program (ELCAP) undertaken by the Bonneville power administration from 1983 to 1990. Preliminary results of using these models in distribution system simulations indicate that non-obvious, complex behavior patterns can emerge when consumers are confronted with varying price signals.
Las reformas a la inmigración y su impacto en la frontera México-Estados Unidos

El presente trabajo es una reflexion sobre el impacto que las reformas de las leyes de inmigracion han ejercido sobre la economia de la frontera de Mexico en los ultimos 20 anos. El rapido crecimiento de esta economia, desde el cierre del Programa de Braceros a principios de los sesentas, ha sido guiado por fuerzas externas provenientes de Estados Unidos. Por su parte, en un principio el gobierno de los Estados Unidos presto poca atencion al cumplimiento de las leyes de migracion establecidas ante la migracion masiva de trabajadores mexicanos indocumentados hacia el sur de California. Este articulo desglosa algunos argumentos que explican los cambios que ha sufrido la migracion en cuanto a los grupos etnicos que la conforman, los lugares con mayor oferta de trabajo y las propuestas de reforma a la inmigracion como resultado del creciente flujo migratorio.
The Question of Boundary Criteria

Two fundamental questions facing all ecosystem mappers are the following: (1) What factors are of particular importance in the recognition of ecosystems? (2) How are the boundaries of the different sizes of systems to be determined?
Associations among gestational weight gain, physical activity, and pre-pregnancy body size with varying estimates of pre-pregnancy weight.

Abstract Objectives the purpose of this study was to examine associations among gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), within pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories, while utilising two different estimates of pre-pregnancy weight. Design a cohort study. Data were collected via questionnaire and abstraction from birth certificate as a part of a larger study. Setting three antenatal clinics in Lansing, Michigan, USA. Participants a subset of women who participated in the Archive for Research on Child Health (ARCH) study and delivered a singleton, term infant ( n =135). Participants were enroled prior to 14 weeks׳ gestation. Measurements pre-pregnancy BMI was categorised as normal, overweight and obese (excluded underweight). GWG was calculated by subtracting pre-pregnancy weight from weight at childbirth (obtained from birth certificate) and classified as ‘excess' or ‘not excess' using the upper limit of the 2009 IOM recommended range. These two variables were constructed twice, first by using pre-pregnancy weight self-reported at enrolment and second, by using pre-pregnancy weight recorded on birth certificates. LTPA, also self-reported at enrolment, was modelled using two thresholds, moderate LTPA, and vigorous LPTA. Findings overall, 56–60% of our sample experienced excess GWG, depending on the source used for pre-pregnancy weight. Overweight and obese women had significantly higher odds of excess GWG (compared to normal weight women; Odds Ratio ( OR )=2.48–5.34). LTPA level did not differ among pre-pregnancy BMI categories and was not related to appropriateness of GWG. Key conclusions regardless of the source of pre-pregnancy weight, overweight and obese women were more likely to experience excess GWG (compared to normal weight women) and LTPA was not significantly related to the appropriateness of GWG. Implications for practice findings highlight the need for practitioners to effectively communicate GWG recommendations and counsel women about the importance of achieving appropriate GWG. Although GWG counselling has traditionally been focused on obese women, these results suggest overweight women are in need of GWG counselling as well.
Role of Microbiota and Innate Immunity in Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection

Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection represents a burdensome clinical issue whose epidemiology is increasing worldwide. The pathogenesis is not yet completely known. Recent observations suggest that the alteration of the intestinal microbiota and impaired innate immunity may play a leading role in the development of recurrent infection. Various factors can cause dysbiosis. The causes most involved in the process are antibiotics, NSAIDs, acid suppressing therapies, and age. Gut microbiota impairment can favor Clostridium difficile infection through several mechanisms, such as the alteration of fermentative metabolism (especially SCFAs), the alteration of bile acid metabolism, and the imbalance of antimicrobial substances production. These factors alter the intestinal homeostasis promoting the development of an ecological niche for Clostridium difficile and of the modulation of immune response. Moreover, the intestinal dysbiosis can promote a proinflammatory environment, whereas Clostridium difficile itself modulates the innate immunity through both toxin-dependent and toxin-independent mechanisms. In this narrative review, we discuss how the intestinal microbiota modifications and the modulation of innate immune response can lead to and exacerbate Clostridium difficile infection.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, Bone Mineral Density, and Risk of Hip Fracture Among Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Context: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone that also inhibits calcitriol synthesis. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the relationships of plasma FGF23 concentrations with bone mineral density (BMD) and hip fracture in community-dwelling older adults. Design and Setting: Linear regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the associations of plasma FGF23 concentrations with BMD and incident hip fracture, respectively. Analyses were also stratified by chronic kidney disease. Participants: Participants included 2008 women and 1329 men ≥65 years from the 1996 to 1997 Cardiovascular Health Study visit. Main Outcome Measures: Dual x-ray absorptiometry measured total hip (TH) and lumbar spine (LS) BMD in 1291 participants. Hip fracture incidence was assessed prospectively through June 30, 2008 by hospitalization records in all participants. Results: Women had higher plasma FGF23 concentrations than men (75 [56–107] vs 66 [interquartile range = 52–92] rela...
Identification of Nicotine by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy Analysis of Smoking Pipe Residue

Ethnographic sources show the spiritual importance of tobacco in Native American Societies. Archaeological evidence, such as Early Woodland Period smoking pipes, indicate that this spiritual function has been maintained for thousands of years. However, ethnobotanical research on the prehistory of tobacco smoking in Eastern North America has been hampered by a lack of direct evidence prior to the Middle Woodland Period. Research involving a gas chromatographic/mass spectrographic technique (GC/MS) addresses the problem of identifying tobacco through the analysis of pipe residue. Results point to a possible Early Woodland Period use of tobacco in the Eastern Woodlands.
Advanced cervical spondylosis with ossification into the posterior longitudinal ligament and resultant neurologic sequelae

Advanced cervical spondylosis (ACS) with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) may be distinguished from classical OPLL on magnetic resonance- and computed tomography-based studies by the presence within the hypertrophied posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of segments of punctate calcification-ossification. Between 1989 and 1993, 50 patients with an early form of classical OPLL, variably associated with ACS, had cervical surgery. Averaging in their mid-40s in age, and exhibiting signs of radiculopathy or myeloradiculopathy, patients were uniformly managed with anterior surgical decompression and fusion. The average follow-up interval was 38 months (range 18-66 months). In select patients, early OPLL coexisted with classic OPLL. ACS with OPLL may represent an early form of the generation of classic OPLL in younger symptomatic individuals, which may be successfully addressed with an anterior surgical approach.
SF4: Vibrational spectra and structure of the solid

Abstract Raman and infrared data for solid SF4, deposited at liquid-nitrogen temperatures and annealed, are reported and interpreted in terms of the recently revised1 assignment for the gas phase. Three distinct forms are observed as annealing progresses; it is hypothesized that they correspond to randomly-oriented oligomers (α), randomly-oriented chains (β) and an ordered crystalline form (γ) of space group P21/m with four molecules per unit cell. Observations of the annealing process suggest the β → γ transition is first-order, with a rate constant of ~ 0.8 × 10−3 sec−1. The intermolecular bond strength is estimated to be about 1.8 kcal mole−1.
Regulation of cnidarian–dinoflagellate mutualisms: Evidence that activation of a host TGFβ innate immune pathway promotes tolerance of the symbiont

Abstract Animals must manage interactions with beneficial as well as detrimental microbes. Immunity therefore includes strategies for both resistance to and tolerance of microbial invaders. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) cytokines have many functions in animals including a tolerance-promoting (tolerogenic) role in immunity in vertebrates. TGFβ pathways are present in basal metazoans such as cnidarians but their potential role in immunity has never been explored. This study takes a two-part approach to examining an immune function for TGFβ in cnidarians. First bioinformatic analyses of the model anemone Aiptasia pallida were used to identify TGFβ pathway components and explore the hypothesis that an immune function for TGFβs existed prior to the evolution of vertebrates. A TGFβ ligand from A. pallida was identified as one that groups closely with vertebrate TGFβs that have an immune function. Second, cellular analyses of A. pallida were used to examine a role for a TGFβ pathway in the regulation of cnidarian–dinoflagellate mutualisms. These interactions are stable under ambient conditions but collapse under elevated temperature, a phenomenon called cnidarian bleaching. Addition of exogenous human TGFβ suppressed an immune response measured as LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production by the host. Addition of anti-TGFβ to block a putative TGFβ pathway resulted in immune stimulation and a failure of the symbionts to successfully colonize the host. Finally, addition of exogenous TGFβ suppressed immune stimulation in heat-stressed animals and partially abolished a bleaching response. These findings suggest that the dinoflagellate symbionts somehow promote host tolerance through activation of tolerogenic host immune pathways, a strategy employed by some intracellular protozoan parasites during their invasion of vertebrates. Insight into the ancient, conserved nature of host–microbe interactions gained from this cnidarian–dinoflagellate model is valuable to understanding the evolution of immunity and its role in the regulation of both beneficial and detrimental associations.
Petalling of thin, metallic plates during penetration by cylindro-conical projectiles

Abstract A theoretical and experimental investigation has been undertaken to study the processes of perforation at normal incidence of thin, soft aluminum plates by hard-steel cylindroconical projectiles of 30° half-cone angle. The analysis is executed by means of an energy balance for a rigid/perfectly-plastic or work-hardening material. For an intact plate, where petalling always occurs, consecutive stages of the process involve initial crack propagation followed by plastic hinge motion out to the position of crack arrest, followed by petal bending due to hinge rotation up to and beyond the point of projectile passage. In the case of central impact on an initial hole in the plate, the first stage constitutes an enlargement of the hole, followed by crack propagation and bending of trapezoidal regions of the plate until the projectile has either perforated or is embedded in the target. Tests conducted on 2024-0 aluminum with a thickness of 3.175 mm indicated a condition so that if the initial hole radius was greater than about 2/3 that of the 12.7 mm diameter hard-steel projectile, cracking did not occur and all the energy was absorbed by hole enlargement. Furthermore, for each initial impact velocity, an optimal hole radius was found to exist where a maximum energy absorption of the plate occurred, greater than for the intact target. This phenomenon was qualitatively substantiated by the theory; discrepancies in magnitudes are attributed to the neglect of certain energies in the analysis, particularly that of dishing. Excellent correlation was found between the theoretical prediction for the terminal velocity of a projectile striking the intact plate and test results when an estimate of the dishing energy for the plate was included.
Boundary Conditions at the Cartilage-Synovial Fluid Interface for Joint Lubrication and Theoretical Verifications

The objective of this study is to establish and verify the set of boundary conditions at the interface between a biphasic mixture (articular cartilage) and a Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluid (synovial fluid) such that a set of well-posed mathematical problems may be formulated to investigate joint lubrication problems. A "pseudo-no-slip" kinematic boundary condition is proposed based upon the principle that the conditions at the interface between mixtures or mixtures and fluids must reduce to those boundary conditions in single phase continuum mechanics. From this proposed kinematic boundary condition, and balances of mass, momentum and energy, the boundary conditions at the interface between a biphasic mixture and a Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluid are mathematically derived. Based upon these general results, the appropriate boundary conditions needed in modeling the cartilage-synovial fluid-cartilage lubrication problem are deduced. For two simple cases where a Newtonian viscous fluid is forced to flow (with imposed Couette or Poiseuille flow conditions) over a porous-permeable biphasic material of relatively low permeability, the well known empirical Taylor slip condition may be derived using matched asymptotic analysis of the boundary layer at the interface.
Prolonged bradyarrhythmias after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery

To evaluate clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics that may predict the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias after isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, 1614 consecutive patients who had this procedure performed at our institution from January 1988 to December 1990 were reviewed. Thirteen (0.8%, 7 males and 6 females) patients had prolonged (mean 10.5 +/- 6.5 days) postoperative bradyarrhythmias and required insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Complete heart block occurred in eight patients and sinus node dysfunction in five. These 13 patients (group A) were compared with a group of 490 arbitrarily selected CABG patients (group B) without bradyarrhythmias whose preoperative ECGs were reviewed. Patients in group A were older (mean 69.2 vs 62.8 years; p = 0.0004) and had concomitant left ventricular (LV) aneurysmectomy more frequently (p = 0.02) and internal mammary graft revascularization less frequently (p = 0.022) than group B patients. Review of preoperative ECGs revealed a higher occurrence of complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) (5 of 13 vs 6 of 490; p 64 years as independent predictors of severe and prolonged postoperative bradyarrhythmias, mainly complete heart block.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Incidental PET/CT detection of thyroid and breast cancer during recurrence of colorectal carcinoma.

Abstract:F-18 FDG PET/CT provides an accurate staging and posttherapeutic surveillance of cancer. In the process of detecting high metabolic malignancy, this combined functional and anatomic imaging modality may demonstrate unexpected remote metastases or incidental additional primary cancers. The a
Seeing People Differently: The Sociospatial Construction of Disability:

In this paper the authors develop the concept of difference as it applies to people with disabilities. The production of difference is characterized as necessarily a social and a spatial process which allows the self to be partitioned from the Other. In the aggregate, such processes facilitate the stigmatization of whole classes of people and the institutionalization of rules for boundary maintenance between different groups. One important consequence among the population at large is a ‘hierarchy of acceptance’, that is, a structure of preferential ranking among various disability categories. A metaanalysis of 44 acceptance hierarchy studies since 1968 reveals both stability and change in community preference structures. The largest impetus for change derives from the appearance of new ‘disabilities’ including most especially people with AIDS, and homeless people. Evidence also suggests that significant attitudinal variations occur through space as well as time and when different facility types are consid...
Rivaroxaban and usual care had similar rates of recurrent VTE and bleeding in symptomatic PE

Source Citation Buller HR, Prins MH, Lensing AW, et al; EINSTEIN-PE Investigators. Oral rivaroxaban for the treatment of symptomatic pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:1287-97. 22449293
Methane clathrate hydrates as a potential source for martian atmospheric methane

Abstract Small amounts of methane have been detected in the atmosphere of Mars, though the actual sources of the gas remain unknown. Thermodynamic conditions on Mars suggest that gas clathrate hydrate deposits might exist at the polar caps and in some areas of the planetary subsurface. We review the literature available on the detection of methane in the martian atmosphere and the presence of gas clathrate hydrates on Mars. The possibility of martian methane clathrate deposits is established, and initial sources for the sequestered methane are discussed. Based on correlated data and information from disparate sources, we conclude that subsurface methane clathrate deposits are a possible immediate source for the observed atmospheric methane on Mars.
1286 IMPROVED PREDICTION OF FETAL LUNG MATURITY IN DIABETIC PREGNANCIES

Following planned termination of pregnancy, infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) have shown a continued vulnerability to the respiratory-distress syndrome (RDS) suggesting false-positive fetal lung maturity testing. Adequacy of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio for predicting RDS was studied in 56 diabetic (DM) and 50 nondiabetic (ND) pregnancies. Amniotic-fluid samples (n=130) were assayed for 1- and 2-dimensional (dim) thinlayer chromatographic (TLC) L/S ratios, and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) assays. L/S ratios for all pregnancies by both TLC techniques revealed higher 1-dim values from 36-38 wk gestation (P 38 wk with L/S ratios > 3. PG detection by class of DM was delayed for class A pregnancies beyond 36.5 wk (r=0.6551, P<0.007). Respiratory distress developed in 3 infants (2.9%): 2 ND had transient tachypnea (1.9%), 1 IDM had RDS (0.95%). We conclude: 1) 2-dim TLC improves phosphatide identification, 2) PG, if present, confirms fetal lung maturity in conjunction with positive L/S ratios, and 3) the L/S ratio remains the best available indicator of fetal lung maturation, irrespective of maternal diabetes.
Fc receptor-mediated binding and ingestion of immunoglobulin G-coated erythrocytes by the epithelium of the posterior ciliary processes: an in-vitro study.

Abstract In the present in vitro study of intact ciliary processes, we observed, under differential interference microscopy, IgG inhibitable selective epithelial adherence and internalization of IgG-coated erythrocytes (E-IgG). Unequivocal evidence of ligand ingestion was obtained with a fluorescence technique which employed glutaraldehyde-fixed opsonized erythrocytes. Neither adherence nor internalization were seen when uncoated erythrocytes, IgM, or F (ab′) 2 -coated erythrocytes were substituted for E-IgG in the incubation media. These in-vitro studies demonstrated that the cell membranes of this epithelium exhibit a specific receptor for IgG which may clear the aqueous of IgG aggregates and be associated with the exocytosis of soluble mediators of inflammation.
Structure, morphology, and cathode performance of Li1−x[Ni0.5Mn1.5]O4 prepared by coprecipitation with oxalic acid

Abstract The cathode materials Li1−x[Ni0.5Mn1.5]O4 prepared by coprecipitation from acetate solution by oxalic acid and annealing at 900 °C in air had the preferred disordered Ni and Mn on the 16d octahedral sites of a spinel F d 3 ¯ m structure. The coprecipitation method provides better crystallinity than the F d 3 ¯ m phase previously obtained by quenching from the melt. Polycrystalline octahedral-shaped particles with smooth surfaces contained trace amounts of a LiyNi1−yO impurity that introduced some Mn(III) into the spinel phase. Half-cells cycled at 0.2 C rate between 3.5 and 4.8 V versus Li exhibited a flat voltage V ≈ 4.7 V with a small step at x ≈ 0.5 and a capacity at room temperature of 130 mAh g−1 that showed no fade after 50 cycles. A small capacity fade was initiated with a cut-off voltage ≥4.9 V; a significant capacity loss between 2 and 5 C cycling rates was reversible to 134 mAh g−1 on returning to 0.1 C after 50 cycles at 10 C between 3.5 and 5.0 V.
Field computation in natural and artifical intelligence

We review the concepts of field computation, a model of computation that processes information represented as spatially continuous arrangements of continuous data. We show that many processes in the brain are described usefully as field computation. Throughout we stress the connections between field computation and quantum mechanics, especially including the important role of information fields, which represent by virtue of their form rather than their magnitude. We also show that field computation permits simultaneous nonlinear computation in linear superposition.
Formation Design in Eccentric Orbits Using Linearized Equations of Relative Motion

Geometrical methods for formation flying design based on the analytical solution to Hill’s equations have been previously developed and used to specify desired relative motions in near circular orbits. These approaches offer valuable insight into the relative motion and allow for the rapid design of satellite configurations to achieve mission specific requirements, such as vehicle separation at perigee or apogee, minimum separation, or a particular geometrical shape. A comparable set of geometrical relationships for formations in eccentric orbits, where Hill’s equations are not valid, is presented. The use of these relationships to investigate formation designs and their evolution in time is demonstrated.
Neural Correlates of Consonance, Dissonance, and the Hierarchy of Musical Pitch in the Human Brainstem

Consonant and dissonant pitch relationships in music provide the foundation of melody and harmony, the building blocks of Western tonal music. We hypothesized that phase-locked neural activity within the brainstem may preserve information relevant to these important perceptual attributes of music. To this end, we measured brainstem frequency-following responses (FFRs) from nonmusicians in response to the dichotic presentation of nine musical intervals that varied in their degree of consonance and dissonance. Neural pitch salience was computed for each response using temporally based autocorrelation and harmonic pitch sieve analyses. Brainstem responses to consonant intervals were more robust and yielded stronger pitch salience than those to dissonant intervals. In addition, the ordering of neural pitch salience across musical intervals followed the hierarchical arrangement of pitch stipulated by Western music theory. Finally, pitch salience derived from neural data showed high correspondence with behavioral consonance judgments (r = 0.81). These results suggest that brainstem neural mechanisms mediating pitch processing show preferential encoding of consonant musical relationships and, furthermore, preserve the hierarchical pitch relationships found in music, even for individuals without formal musical training. We infer that the basic pitch relationships governing music may be rooted in low-level sensory processing and that an encoding scheme that favors consonant pitch relationships may be one reason why such intervals are preferred behaviorally.
Adsorption and reaction of cyanogen on clean and oxygen-dosed Cu(110) surfaces

Abstract The adsorption and reaction of cyanogen on Cu(110) and oxygenpretreated Cu(110) surfaces has been studied using temperature-programmed desorption and photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyanogen molecularly adsorbed on copper at 150 K with a binding energy of 54 kJ mol −1 . Cyanogen dissociated on both surfaces to cyano groups, CN, which recombined to cyanogen at 800–1000 K. Photoemission results indicated that the cyano group bonded to the surface via the carbon atom with the molecular axis perpendicular to the surface. On the pre-oxidized surface, cyanogen reacted to yield CO 2 and N 2 . With excess oxygen small amounts of NO were formed at 900 K. From the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, OCN and O 2 CN are suggested as possible intermediates in the oxidation of cyanogen.
Consumer perceptions of business-to-consumer relationships in electronic retail environments: A Means-end chain approach

ABSTRACT This work examines the perceptions of consumers' relationships with commercial organizations in electronic environments. Perceptions of a range of common electronic business-to-consumer Internet retailers were examined using personal construct theory operationalized by means–end chain analysis. These approaches have a long tradition of being used to identify personally meaningful constructs by tracing the common attributes of their online experience with their consequences and ultimately the personal values that they pertain to. The study reveals 8 major themes that conceptualize consumers' perceptual orientations of their relationships with online retailers: personalization, engagement and experience, convenience, design/ease of use, trustworthiness, ability to inform, reliability, and specificity/variety. The findings bear witness toward consumers' propensity to sustain relationships online based on site attributes. The research presents several managerial implications and identifies areas for ...