cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of glycation levels in Erwinia chrysanthemi asparaginase drug product by liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry

Abstract Erwinase (Erwinia chrysanthemi L-asparaginase) Drug Product (DP) is a freeze-dried formulation with a three-year shelf life at 2–8 °C, and an established safety, stability and efficacy profile over the more than three decades of clinical use. Seven Erwinase® DP batches, released over a 7-year period, were screened by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry for glycation levels. This modification is a known and natural consequence of exposure of Erwinase Drug Product to glucose excipients in stabilizing formulations. Although glycation is detected in current release and stability methods, glycation, including the conditions under which this reaction occurs, has not been previously characterised in detail. We have found that glycation levels of different DP lots generally correlated with age, when they were stored at low temperature. This suggests that the glycation reaction continues over time within the Drug Product formulation in the lyophilised state, even under low temperature (+2–8 °C) conditions. We were also able to examine glycation levels of one DP lot, Lot D, held under long term stability at 3 different temperatures over a 5-year period. The 2 samples held at −20 °C and −80 °C, were glycated to levels of 12% and 17%, respectively. However, the DP Lot D sample held at +2–8 oC in this time period was found to be glycated to a level of 35.6%, with multiple glycations of individual subunits observed. For analytical reference materials, it is important to keep parameters such as glycation levels as constant as possible, to avoid a ‘moving target’ with respect to comparisons with release and stability testing. These data suggest that storage of DP as reference standards at a lower temperature (e.g., −20 °C) can significantly reduce levels of glycation over the longer time periods required for analytical reference standards.
Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors: a paradigm shift for treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease?

The hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) pathway is responsible for regulating the biosynthesis of erythropoietin (EPO) and maintaining iron homeostasis. Investigational drugs that ...
Systematic review of adaptive learning research designs, context, strategies, and technologies from 2009 to 2018

This systematic review of research on adaptive learning used a strategic search process to synthesize research on adaptive learning based on publication trends, instructional context, research methodology components, research focus, adaptive strategies, and technologies. A total of 61 articles on adaptive learning were analyzed to describe the current state of research and identify gaps in the literature. Descriptive characteristics were recorded, including publication patterns, instructional context, and research methodology components. The count of adaptive learning articles published fluctuated across the decade and peaked in 2015. During this time, the largest concentration of adaptive learning articles appeared in Computers and Education. The majority of the studies occurred in higher education in Taiwan and the United States, with the highest concentration in the computer science discipline. The research focus, adaptive strategies, and adaptive technologies used in these studies were also reviewed. The research was aligned with various instructional design phases, with more studies examining design and development, and implementation and evaluation. For examining adaptive strategies, the authors examined both adaptive sources based on learner model and adaptive targets based on content and instructional model. Learning style was the most observed learner characteristic, while adaptive feedback and adaptive navigation were the most investigated adaptive targets. This study has implications for adaptive learning designers and future researchers regarding the gaps in adaptive learning research. Future studies might focus on the increasing availability and capacities of adaptive learning as a learning technology to assist individual learning and personalized growth.
Interlude B. Unfolding

The outcome of a measurement in particle physics is the result of an underlying physical process that we want to measure (possibly an unknown physics process) convoluted with the response of the detector. In particular, the finite resolution of the detector will smear the quantities that we want to measure. In addition, the detector has a limited acceptance and efficiency, meaning that certain events will not be captured if they produce particles that do not cross the active detector regions or due to reconstruction inefficiency. In our analysis, the measurements are based on counting events (Higgs boson signal events) in particular regions (bins) of the phase space. Therefore, the limited resolution of the detector will result in events migrating to wrong (neighboring) bins. The process of correcting for the resolution migrations and detector efficiency in order to measure quantities not affected by these effects (typically cross sections) is called unfolding or deconvolution. A sketch of the unfolding problem is shown in Fig. 6.1. Unfolding is an ill-posed problem since the most straightforward solutions can be very sensitive to data fluctuations, yielding unstable results, and thus requiring some “regularization” procedure.
Learning Principle of Least Action with Reinforcement Learning

Nature provides a way to understand physics with reinforcement learning since nature favors the economical way for an object to propagate. In the case of classical mechanics, nature favors the object to move along the path according to the integral of the Lagrangian, called the action $\mathcal{S}$. We consider setting the reward/penalty as a function of $\mathcal{S}$, so the agent could learn the physical trajectory of particles in various kinds of environments with reinforcement learning. In this work, we verified the idea by using a Q-Learning based algorithm on learning how light propagates in materials with different refraction indices, and show that the agent could recover the minimal-time path equivalent to the solution obtained by Snell's law or Fermat's Principle. We also discuss the similarity of our reinforcement learning approach to the path integral formalism.
International Progress, International Order, and the Liberal International Order

Most explanations for the crisis of the liberal order revolve around geopolitics, globalization, economic resentment fueling new forms of populism and nationalism, and Western states following their interests away from liberal values and institutions of their creation But international orders are produced and legitimated by both material and spiritual forces The spirit in liberalism is moral progress defined by practices of humanity If the Liberal International Order (LIO) is in decline, then perhaps we should consider its moral foundations Section "Introduction" briefly introduces the question of international order, categorizes international relations theories according to the mixture of consent and coercion, and how legitimacy often refers not only to the existing order but a vision of progress This is particularly true of the liberal international order Section "International Order, Legitimacy, and Progress" turns to the liberal international order, progress, and the possible spiritual decline of the liberal international order After briefly considering the liberal in international liberalism and the late 20th-century emergence of the liberal international order, I argue that one reason for its declining moral foundations is because of the pronounced individualism that resides at the heart of the contemporary international order In other words, the sources of decline are not exogenous but rather part of liberalism The Conclusion asks: what is next? The conjunction of the decline of the LIO and COVID-19 has complicated the debate about the future international order, and much of the conversation hinges on whether and how the United States can recover from its self-destructive tendencies and China's intentions But where is the spirit of moral progress and humanity in this discussion? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Chinese Journal of International Politics is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
Optimized Power System Voltage Measurements Considering Power System Harmonic Effects.

The paper presents a real-time error correction method that accurately estimates the primary quantity of an inductive instrument transformer – that is, a voltage or current transformer – based on a Dynamic-State-Estimation (DSE) optimization approach.
Nucleocapsid vaccine elicits spike-independent SARS-CoV-2 protective immunity

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Neutralizing antibodies target the receptor binding domain of the spike (S) protein, a focus of successful vaccine efforts. Concerns have arisen that S-specific vaccine immunity may fail to neutralize emerging variants. We show that vaccination with HAd5 expressing the nucleocapsid (N) protein can establish protective immunity, defined by reduced weight loss and viral load, in both Syrian hamsters and k18-hACE2 mice. Challenge of vaccinated mice was associated with rapid N-specific T cell recall responses in the respiratory mucosa. This study supports the rationale for including additional viral antigens, even if they are not a target of neutralizing antibodies, to broaden epitope coverage and immune effector mechanisms.
Differences in disease prevalence among homeless and non-homeless veterans at an urban VA hospital

ObjectivesApproximately 10% of homeless adults in the US are veterans and that number is increasing. Veterans who experience homelessness tend to do so for longer periods compared to non-veterans; ...
Assessing the relationship between history of arrest and self-reported cardiovascular conditions.

BACKGROUND Formerly incarcerated Americans are believed to have increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the impact of lower-level criminal legal system exposures, such as arrests, on cardiovascular health are less clear. METHODS We explored the relationship between lifetime history of arrest and self-report of ever having been diagnosed with hypertension or a heart condition using data from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Survey-weighted Poisson regression models with robust variance, adjusted for age group, sex, race/ethnicity, education, past year mental illness, smoking history, and past year substance use disorder, were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios. RESULTS Among the 13,583 respondents, 17.0% reported a history of arrest, among whom 45.2% also reported a hypertension diagnosis and 24.4% reported a heart condition. Among those without a history of arrest, 46.7% reported a hypertension diagnosis and 25.2% reported a heart condition diagnosis. The adjusted models did not show evidence that history of arrest is associated with self-reported hypertension (adjusted PR 1.0; 95% CI 0.93, 1.07, p=0.937) or self-reported heart condition (1.0; 95% CI 0.91, 1.11, p=0.915). CONCLUSIONS We did not find evidence that history of arrest, a lower-level criminal legal system exposure, is associated with self-reported hypertension or heart conditions.
Can Enteric Fistulae in Patients with Crohn's Disease Occur in Isolation: Findings from 500 Consecutive Operative Cases.

BACKGROUND OR PURPOSE Enteric Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by transmural inflammation resulting in inflammatory, stricturing, or penetrating phenotypes. However, data regarding the relationship between stricturing and penetrating behavior is lacking. The incidence of penetrating CD in the absence of a stricture is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess if enteric fistulae in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery for symptomatic CD occur in isolation. METHODS Resection or repair of enteric CD fistulae performed in a quaternary care referral center (2009-2017) was analyzed. Fistulae associated with pelvic or continent pouch, rectal stump, or ano-vagina were excluded. Fistulae were stratified based on origin, tract, target, and relationship to stricture. Strictures were stratified as inflammatory or fibrostenotic. RESULTS Five hundred consecutive operative reports were reviewed. A total of 490 fistulae were evaluated. Two hundred ninety-nine fistulae were in patients undergoing index surgery. Incidence of CD fistulae not associated with stricture was 14.9% in total, but only 8% in the index surgery cohort. The majority of fistulae originated from the ileum (95%). CD fistulae originating from the stomach or duodenum were not identified in the index cohort. Fistulae within an inflammatory stricture were likely to include an intra-abdominal abscess (p < 0.001). Fistulae associated with a fibrostenotic stricture were more likely to originate proximal to the stricture (p < 0.001). The incidence of fistula-associated adenocarcinoma was 0.6%. CONCLUSIONS Symptomatic CD fistulae in the absence of stricture are uncommon. Caution should be exercised when making a diagnosis of CD in the presence of enteric fistulae, but an absence of stricture, particularly in patients with prior abdominal surgery.
Regression Analysis Applied to Shotgun Range-of-Fire Estimations: Results of a Blind Study

Blind studies were conducted to determine if data from one lot of shotgun ammunition could be used to estimate the range of fire of a pattern fired with another lot of ammunition. Thirty pellet patterns were test fired with 00 buckshot and No. 9 birdshot at ranges of 3.1 to 15.2 m (10 to 5o ft) using a 12-gage shotgun. Regression analyses were performed on the spreads of the pellet patterns (calculated as the square root of the area of the smallest rectangle that would enclose the pellet pattern). In both cases linear functions best described the relationship between the range of fire and the spread of a pellet pattern. For the blind study, ten pellet patterns were fired at randomly selected ranges using a different lot of No. 9 birdshot cartridges from that used to determine the regression equation. In the case of the 00 buckshot ammunition, ten pellet patterns were fired at randomly selected ranges using 00 buckshot cartridges from a lot different from that used to determine the regression equation; ten pellet patterns were also fired at randomly selected ranges using 00 buckshot cartridges produced by a different company. Six pellet patterns were fired at a range of 15.2 m (50 ft) with ammunition from each lot used to fire the questioned pellet patterns. The spreads of these pellet patterns were statistically different (at the 95% level) from those fired at the same range with the ammunition used to obtain the regression equations. The means of the spreads of these six pellet patterns were used to calculate scaling factors for the questioned pellet patterns. The scaled spreads of the questioned pellet patterns were inserted into the appropriate regression equation to obtain the estimated range of fire for each of the questioned patterns. The 99% confidence intervals for the estimated ranges of fire were also calculated using the results of the regression analyses. In all cases the actual range of fire for each questioned pellet pattern fell within the 99% confidence interval for the estimated range of fire.
The Nonenzymatic Preparation in Solution of N-(5'-Phosphoribosyl)anthranilic Acid, an Intermediate in Tryptophan Biosynthesis

Abstract A very rapid and convenient method of preparing in solution N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)anthranilic acid, an intermediate in tryptophan biosynthesis, is described. Although the intermediate is very unstable and has not been purified, it is suitable for use in enzymatic analysis.
Sensitivity of Escherichia coli to Atabrine Conferred by R Factor and Its Potential Clinical Significance

A comparative study of the inhibitory effect of Atabrine on R− and R+ strains of Escherichia coli showed that R+ cells were killed when grown in the presence of Atabrine, whereas R− cells were not. It would appear, therefore, that R factor confers sensitivity to Atabrine on the host cells. The “curing” of R factor from R+ cells by the ultraviolet light-acridine orange method rendered the “cured” cells more resistant than even the parent R− cells. The “cured” cells reinfected by R factor were more sensitive than the “cured” cells but less sensitive than the original R+ cells. After growth once in Atabrine, and even after subcultures in drug-free medium, the growth of R+ cells in the presence of Atabrine was more rapid than that of the R− cells. R− cells made resistant by growing them repeatedly in streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and sulfathiazole in succession also showed a higher degree of sensitivity to Atabrine than the original R− cells. When mixtures of R− and R+ cells were grown in 120 μg/ml of Atabrine, R+ cells were killed and the culture consisted predominantly of R− cells. A mixture of R− and R+ cells (1:10,000) inoculated into the Atabrine-containing medium and treated 24 hr later with chloramphenicol was completely killed.
Case Discussion of Treatment of an 83-Year-Old Gay White Male

This article discusses a case presented at the AGLP Symposium on Mental Health Issues in LGBT Seniors and reviews the psychiatric, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual components of mental health in this population. Working with aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons requires a broad conception of the role of psychotherapy and the psychotherapist; this includes an awareness of the role that sexuality has played in patients’ lives and their coming out process, as well as the effects of stigma on this process. This work can be challenging but also has the potential to advance the well-being of patients who contend with a variety of stressors related to growing old and being a sexual minority person.
Incoherent J/ψ electroproduction from the deuteron at energies available at Jefferson Laboratory and the elastic J/ψ-nucleon scattering amplitude

Calculations are presented for incoherent $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ electroproduction from the deuteron at Jefferson Laboratory energies, including the effects of $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$-nucleon rescattering in the final state, in order to determine the feasibility of measuring the $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$-nucleon scattering length, or the $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$-nucleon scattering amplitude at lower relative energies than in previous measurements. It is shown that for a scattering length of the size predicted by existing theoretical calculations, it would not be possible to determine the scattering length. However, it may be possible to determine the scattering amplitude at significantly lower relative energies than the only previous measurements.
The Association of Future Profitability, Operating Cash Flows, and Market Assessments with Offshoring Arrangements of Technology Jobs

We investigate future profitability, operating cash flows, and value relevance of offshoring arrangements in the technology sector. Offshoring is the business practice of moving portions of a firm's business operations (and jobs) to another country usually to take advantage of lower labor costs or other production factors in developing countries. Offshoring carries political costs as local jobs are lost which may limit market-based realization of benefits. We find that offshoring firms in the technology sector report greater earnings and operating cash flows following an offshoring event substantiating the decision to offshore. Further, the market values offshoring beyond the impact recognized in the financial statements. However, the premium is constrained as firm size increases consistent with political cost arguments. We document both benefits and costs that are important for firms considering offshoring arrangements and their stakeholders.
Reactor Control via State Variable Feedback

A conceptual controller for a thermionic nuclear reactor space power plant utilizing state variable feedback is discussed. The computation and implementation problems usually associated with high order optimal control problems are avoided by a simplified mathematical formulation in which constraints are added in the physical system rather than in the modeling process. This deceptively simple approach is made possible by plant input limiting before state variable feedback is used to form the closed loop system. Frequency domain methods are used throughout.
An Eigenfunction Analysis of Turbulent Thermal Convection

Turbulent convection is considered for the case of stress-free boundary conditions. The Boussinesq equations are numerically integrated for Pr = 0.72 and Ra = 46 000. This results in a data base which is analyzed by decomposing the flow in terms of eigenfunctions generated from the spatial covariance tensor. It is shown that this leads to a relatively simple dynamical description in terms of relatively few modes. Explicit representations of the major modes and their evolution are presented. As another application it is shown that this approach leads to a substantial compression of the turbulence data.
DISTINGUISHING AMBER AND COPAL CLASSES BY PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

Fossilized resin, or amber, has been examined from 120 worldwide sources by 1D and 2D proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in solution. These spectra fall into five categories, corresponding to the classes already established by mass spectrometry and carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The wide availability of this technique provides a straightforward method to classify amber rapidly and inexpensively.
Neutrinos and the age of the universe

The age of the universe should be calculable by independent methods with similar results. Previous calculations using nucleochronometers, globular clusters and dynamical measurements coupled with Friedmann models and nucleosynthesis constraints have given different values of the age. A consistent age is reported, whose implications for the constituent mass density are very interesting and are affected by the existence of a third neutrino flavor, and by allowing the possibility that neutrinos may have a non-zero rest mass.
In vivo diagnostic imaging of ocular toxocariasis

Toxocariasis was first reported in the early 1950s.1 Distribution is worldwide but the incidence is highest in the south‐eastern United States, Puerto Rico and the West Indies.2 Serological surveys...
How Mobil Stars Affect Restaurant Pricing Behavior

Abstract To paraphrase Shakespeare: “The prices, dear restaurateur, lie not in our stars, but in our basic strategy.”
Wave reflection and transmission by steps and rectangular obstacles in channels of finite depth

Relatively simple analytical solutions are obtained for the reflection and transmission of surface waves by steps and by surface obstacles of rectangular cross-section in channels of finite depth. The analysis employs the linearized version of a recent approximate nonlinear theory of wave propagation in waters of finite depth (Green and Naghdi, 1986, 1987), which incorporates the possibility of one or more discontinuities (say, in waveheight). Whenever possible, the predictions of the theory are compared extensively with previous experimental, analytical, and numerical results. In addition, the results of a new experimental investigation (conducted at Berkeley) of wave reflection from rectangular surface obstacles of various widths and depths are reported and are compared with the theoretical predictions.
Attacking digital watermarks

This paper discusses inherent vulnerabilities of digital watermarking that affect its mainstream purpose of rights protection. We ask: how resistant is watermarking to un-informed attacks ? There are a multitude of application scenarios for watermarking and, with the advent of modern content distribution networks and the associated rights assessment issues, it has recently become a topic of increasing interest. But how well is watermarking suited for this main purpose of rights protection ? Existing watermarking techniques are vulnerable to attacks threatening their overall viability. Most of these attacks have the final goal of removing the watermarking information while preserving the actual value of the watermarked Work. In this paper we identify an inherent trade-off between two important properties of watermarking algorithms: being "convincing enough" in court while at the same time surviving a set of attacks, for a broad class of watermarking algorithms. We show that there exist inherent limitations in protecting rights over digital Works. In the attempt to become as convincing as possible (e.g. in a court of law, low rate of false positives), watermarking applications become more fragile to attacks aimed at removing the watermark while preserving the value of the Work. They are thus necessarily characterized by a significant (e.g. in some cases 35%+) non-zero probability of being successfully attacked without any knowledge about their algorithmic details. We quantify this vulnerability for a class of algorithms and show how a minimizing "sweet spot" can be found. We then derive a set of recommendations for watermarking algorithm design.
AID's Family Planning Strategy

The ultimate goal of the population and family planning program of the Agency for International Development (AID) is to improve the health well-being and economic status of the populations of developing countries by improving the conditions of human reproduction in these societies. To achieve this goal the intention is to support a broad range of family planning programs designed to make family planning information and services fully available to women everywhere. The primary element initially in any population planning and control programs must be the extension of family planning information and means to all elements of the population. When women throughout the world need reproduce only if and when they choose many intense family and social problems generated by unplanned and unwanted children will be greatly ameliorated.
Sr isotopic variations in Upper Proterozoic carbonates from Svalbard and East Greenland

Precambrian Sr isotope stratigraphy was investigated by determining variations in Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios in the Upper Proterozoic carbonate succession from Svalbard and East Greenland. Data from this study were combined with those from literature to construct a curve of Sr-87/Sr-86 versus time for Upper Proterozoic seawater. The curve for the Upper Riphean-Vandian showed that the isotopic composition of Sr in seawater was low (Delta Sr-87 of about -500) between 900 and 650 Ma but rose rapidly to about +30 by 600 Ma (this range of long-term variation exceeds the total Phanerozoic variation). The very low values of Delta Sr-87 inferred for the Riphean require that, for this time, the submarine hydrothermal water flux was a large fraction of the Sr input to the oceans, while the rise in Delta Sr-87 in the Upper Proterozoic seawater reflects both a change in the ratio of hydrothermal and continental fluxes of Sr to the oceans, and a change in the isotopic composition of Sr from continental sources.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Patients Seeking Bariatric Surgery

Mood disorders are common among patients seeking bariatric surgery although little data exist regarding the prevalence of bipolar symptoms in this population and how they influence surgical outcomes. Our aim was to describe baseline rates of bipolar symptoms and their relationship to psychological factors and completing surgery in a sample of adults seeking bariatric surgery at an academic medical center. We retrospectively reviewed the relationship of bipolar symptoms to demographic characteristics, baseline weight, psychological factors, and bariatric surgery completion. Nine hundred thirty-five patients completed the preoperative psychological evaluation. Six percent of the preoperative sample screened positive for symptoms of bipolar disorder. Patients with bipolar symptoms endorsed more robust psychopathology, trauma history, and problematic eating behaviors than patients without bipolar symptoms. Twenty-two percent of the patients with bipolar symptoms underwent bariatric surgery (n = 12), yet only 13 % were denied bariatric surgery for psychiatric reasons, suggesting that other variables may influence the completion of bariatric surgery for these patients. Prevalence rates of bipolar symptoms may be greater in patients seeking bariatric surgery compared with the general population, and few patients with bipolar symptoms actually undergo bariatric surgery. Psychological factors differentiate patients with bipolar symptoms who undergo bariatric surgery vs those who do not.
Resists For Use In 248 Nm Excimer Laser Lithography

The future use of deep UV sources such as excimer lasers in optical projection lithography will push resolution limits down to 0.5 micron and possibly even beyond. Looking ahead to deep UV lithography, questions arise as to whether any current resists can be used with deep UV exposure and whether there is any difference in resist processing between the conventional blue/near UV and deep UV lithography. Using an excimer laser source and contact printing we have undertaken an evaluation of several novolak resists and their processing for future use in 248 nm lithography. The 0.8 micron pitch features on the lx masks can be replicated using 0.5 micron thick resists. Studies of the development process using real time interferometric resist thickness measurements indicate differences in the behavior of the resists to the deep UV exposure compared to near UV exposures. For the novolak based resists the principal difference is reduced contrast due to poor light transmission and due to the presence of crosslinking reactions which lead to decreased development rates. The slower development rates become significant in terms of processing only when the novolak resists are post-exposure baked to minimize standing waves.
Influence of Light of Different Spectral Compositions on Growth and Metabolism of Citrus Seedlings

Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seedlings grown for six months under covers transmitting light of different spectral composition, were compared with others grown under a white cover (control) and outside in full daylight. The intensity of transmitted light was equalized under all covers and attained only 20% of full daylight. Seedlings grown in daylight were shorter, had more internodes, smaller leaves, less chlorophyll and more ascorbic acid than the others. Blue + far-red covers (no transmission between 560–700 nm) enhanced seedling length, the protein and chlorophyll content and peroxidase activity of leaves. When also the wave-range above 700 nm was cut out (blue) seedlings were the shortest, and leaves had very high protein and chlorophyll content, but much less ascorbic acid and lower peroxidase activity. Red + far-red covers (no transmission below 500 nm) enhanced seedling length more than blue + far-red; leaves contained as much protein as control, but had relatively high chlorophyll and peroxidase activity. Ascorbic acid was as low as in blue light.
DRDF analysis of wide-angle x-ray scattering of natural rubber

Abstract A differential radial distribution function (DRDF) of molten natural rubber (NR) was derived from its wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) data. Three peaks with Bragg spacings 4.85, 2.31, and 1.23 A corresponding, respectively, to interchain, C1-C3 and C1 -C2 distances are present in the corrected WAXS curve. The derived DRDF, which is shown to be greatly improved than the ones published so far, contains six peaks located at 1.51, 2.48, 3.98, 5.68, 10.65, and 15.25 A. Maximum contributions of intramolecular atomic distances to the radial distribution peaks were estimated and compared with the experimental results. The comparison shows that the first three peaks are intramolecular in origin and the remaining peaks are predominantly due to intermolecular regularities. A periodicity of an approximately constant interval of 5.26 A is found between the intermolecular peaks and is attributable to the organizations of more or less parallel chain segments in the material. This finding provided additional ...
TH‐C‐BRC‐12: Correcting Drift in Target Position during Radiotherapy via Computer‐Controlled Couch Adjustments on a C‐Arm Linac

Purpose: We investigate the feasibility of tracking and correcting respiration‐averaged drift in target position by means of couch adjustments on a radiotherapyaccelerator equipped with such capability. This is particularly applicable to hypofractionated treatment where high precision is required and patients are subject to longer treatments. Our motivation is that these types of slower variations are easier to predict and correct than for full breathing motion. Methods: A breathing‐motion phantom is programmed to move according to previously recorded patient respiration signals from an external monitor. A retro‐reflective marker on the phantom is monitored by an optical tracking‐system whose signal is assumed to represent internal target motion. Use of a Kalman filter allows prediction of the respiration‐ averaged (baseline) position 5s in advance for application of couch corrections every 10s. The couch corrections are programmed into a research mode of the accelerator (Varian TrueBeam) and synchronized with the motion phantom and optically monitored to evaluate the system's ability to correct for drift. We examined synthetic motion signals as well as 10 recorded patient breathing traces. In each case, root‐mean‐squared‐error (RMSE) or deviation of the baseline from the treatment planned position is computed with and without couch corrections. Results: Drift in the uncorrected baseline is evident and clearly reduced with scripted couch adjustments. In 10 patient cases, RMSE is reduced from a mean of 4.1 mm (range 2.3–8.9mm) before correction to 0.7mm (range 0.4–1.7mm) after correction. Treatment time with this scheme is increased ∼5% relative to that for no correction; mean time for a couch motion segment is 0.2s. Conclusions: This work illustrates the efficacy of using Kalman‐based couch corrections with a 5s prediction window to effectively reduce baseline target drift. We anticipate future machine upgrades will permit near realtime couch correction computation and application. Research supported by NIH award T32CA61801 and Varian.
SYNTAX AND MORPHOLOGY OF TEMPORAL-ASPECTUAL CONSTRUCTIONS IN KOREAN

Abstract. Verbal nouns in Korean exhibit properties of both nouns and verbs in that they assign both verbal and nominal cases to the arguments. Such mixed categorial behavior of verbal nouns is manifest only in certain environments, namely in the complement position of ha (a so-called light verb in Korean) and in the complement position of aspectual morphemes such as cwung 'during', cen 'before', and hwu 'after. Due to their mixed properties, the categorial status of verbal nouns in these environments has long been an issue of debate. This paper mainly discusses temporal-aspectual constructions, and proposes that they can be distinguished into three types, Types A, B, and C. Each type of temporal-aspectual construction has a different morpho-syntactic structure. The paper further claims that verbal nouns are inherently unspecified for their grammatical category (following Alexiadou 1997, 1998, Halle and Marantz 1993, and van Hout and Roeper 1998 among others), and different morpho-syntactic structures trigger different categorial status of verbal nouns in these environments. The complex categorial behavior of verbal nouns in temporal-aspectual constructions, then, is not only explained under the analysis proposed in this paper but is also expected.
An analytical investigation of near-field plates

Abstract This paper describes an analytical approach to modeling near-field plates, which are non-periodic grating-like structures that can focus electromagnetic waves to subwavelength dimensions. The analysis provides additional insight into the operation and design of such plates that focus cylindrical waves to subwavelength resolutions. Explicit expressions for the current density induced on the plate and its impedance profile are derived. The analytical expressions are validated numerically.
Estimating 3-dimensional colony surface area of field corals

Abstract Colony surface area is a critical descriptor for biological and physical attributes of reef-building (scleractinian, stony) corals. The three-dimensional (3D) size and structure of corals are directly related to many ecosystem values and functions. Most methods to estimate colony surface area have been limited to laboratory settings and cannot be used for field corals. Photographic methods for digital 3D reconstruction were applied here to determine the accuracy of three different approaches for estimating colony surface area of field corals from simple underwater measurements. The approaches include a volumetric size-class method, a hemispherical surrogate and a suite of log–linear models generated from stepwise multiple regression analyses of digitally-reconstructed colonies. For each approach, surface area values were calculated from field measurements of colony size and the accuracy was determined by comparison with digitally-derived values for the same colonies. Accuracy varied among approaches; log–linear models (12% difference) were most accurate, followed by the hemispherical surrogate (17% difference) and size-classes (40% difference). The log–linear and hemispherical surrogate approaches are potentially applicable to at least nine common coral species. The photographic reconstruction method, although time-consuming and not intended for routine application, was shown by comparison with laser-scanned images to provide a highly accurate method for determining 3D colony surface area.
Hypertension and the metabolic syndrome

The cause of hypertension in the metabolic syndrome is complex and multifactorial and all of the elements of the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance, and the characteristic dyslipidemia probably are involved in mediating changes ultimately resulting in hypertension and modifying its course. Of these elements, obesity may play the most important and pivotal role in creating the conditions that lead to hypertension in the metabolic syndrome. This is not to say that the other elements of the syndrome are less important, and, as we gain more insight into the processes involved, we should be able to better manage the disease and tailor our therapeutic interventions appropriately.
Characterization of SU-8 optical multimode waveguides for integrated optics and sensing on microchip devices

Our research group is interested in environmental sensing of heavy metals that are involved in pollution of aqueous environments. As a result, we are developing chemical sensors within integrated microfluidic systems for sensitive and selective detection of these pollutants. Our approach is to combine established chemical sensing strategies with microfluidic structures, especially in plastic devices, to achieve a total heavy metal analysis system. In this regard, the combination of three complementary techniques - optical waveguide spectroscopy, electrochemistry and chemical partitioning offers the required selectivity and sensitivity essential for many environmental samples. On-chip optical waveguide spectroscopy promises to yield the necessary high sensitivity but relies on fabrication of optical structures with a material of appropriate refractive index, optical quality, and chemical stability by methods consistent with established fabrication methods. SU-8, the epoxy-based negative photoresist, appears to satisfy these requirements and, thus, has become one of our candidate materials for waveguide fabrication on plastic microchips. Although the SU-8 has been previously used for waveguide fabrication, its optical properties and more specifically the influence of processing conditions on resultant optical properties have not been thoroughly characterized. This work presents an evaluation of SU-8-based multimode waveguides on glass and plastic substrates. Optical constants of waveguides have been characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometric and prism coupling techniques. Additionally, using the latter method, evaluation of propagation losses of various structures with different thicknesses has been made. Ellipsometric and prism coupling measurements gave comparable refractive indices for variously cured SU-8 waveguide materials. Prism coupling analyses proved to be more useful for analysis of the many SU-8 waveguide structures fabricated in the thickness range of 5 to 75 μm.
The central renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nerve activity in chronic heart failure.

CHF (chronic heart failure) is a multifactorial disease process that is characterized by overactivation of the RAAS (renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system) and the sympathetic nervous system. Both of these systems are chronically activated in CHF. The RAAS consists of an excitatory arm involving AngII (angiotensin II), ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) and the AT1R (AngII type 1 receptor). The RAAS also consists of a protective arm consisting of Ang-(1–7) [angiotensin-(1–7)], the AT2R (AngII type 2 receptor), ACE2 and the Mas receptor. Sympatho-excitation in CHF is driven, in large part, by an imbalance of these two arms, with an increase in the AngII/AT1R/ACE arm and a decrease in the AT2R/ACE2 arm. This imbalance is manifested in cardiovascular-control regions of the brain such as the rostral ventrolateral medulla and paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus. The present review focuses on the current literature that describes the components of these two arms of the RAAS and their imbalance in the CHF state. Moreover, the present review provides additional evidence for the relevance of ACE2 and Ang-(1–7) as key players in the regulation of central sympathetic outflow in CHF. Finally, we also examine the effects of exercise training as a therapeutic strategy and the molecular mechanisms at play in CHF, in part, because of the ability of exercise training to restore the balance of the RAAS axis and sympathetic outflow. Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; Ang-(1–7), angiotensin-(1–7); AngII, angiotensin II; AP-1, activator protein-1; AT1R, AngII type 1 receptor; AT2R, AngII type 2 receptor; CHF, chronic heart failure; CNS, central nervous system; CVO, circumventricular organ; ExT, exercise training; GRK, G-protein receptor kinase; icv, intracerebroventricular; MI, myocardial infarction; NE, noradrenaline; NF-κB, nuclear factor κB; NTS, nucleus of the solitary tract; PVN, paraventricular nucleus; RAAS, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system; RAS, renin-angiotensin system; RSNA, renal sympathetic nerve activity; RVLM, rostral ventrolateral medulla; SFO, subfornical organ
The effects of membership function on fuzzy reasoning

Abstract Fuzzy modus ponens has been considered a generalization of the classic modus ponens logic inference rule. It has been expected to provide a more powerful and useful inference capability in the process of fuzzy reasoning. The definitions of membership functions of fuzzy sets used in the reasoning process may, however, adversely affect the reasoning results if the ‘insignificant’ parts of the membership functions are incompatible. This paper explains these undesirable effects and proposes a method to resolve this problem. In addition, an algorithm for the compositional rule of inference is developed to perform the fuzzy modus ponens syllogism. Test results shown in this paper indicate that the algorithm and the underlying proposed methods are reasonable approaches to a robust fuzzy logic reasoning system.
Democratic institutions versus autocratic regimes: The case of environmental policy

The literature suggests that democracy positively affects environmental policy stringency. Using the method of propensity score matching, we find that this result appears to be largely driven by the parliamentary democracies (as opposed to the presidential-congressional, proportional or majority systems). Moreover, it appears that presidential-congressional systems often set environmental policies not significantly different from autocracies. These are novel contributions to the literature.
Mathematical representation of batch culture data

A generalized logistic equation is proposed for the mathematical representation of batch culture kinetic data. Properties of the equation are discussed. A computer program is used to fit the generalized equation to both artificial and actual batch culture data. The equation is shown to be capable of fitting data exhibiting lag, exponential, deceleration, stationary, and death phases, as well as diauxic growth. The fitted equation is useful for differentiation, interpolation, and other manipulations of the data, and it is a convenient means of data storage.
Assessment of the Performance of Various Airfoil Sections on Power Generation From a Wind Turbine Using the Blade Element Momentum Theory

It is well established that the power generated by a Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) is a function of the number of blades B, the tip speed ratio λ (blade tip speed/wind free stream velocity) and the lift to drag ratio (CL/CD) of the airfoil sections of the blade. The airfoil sections used in HAWT are generally thick airfoils such as the S, DU, FX, Flat-back and NACA 6-series of airfoils. These airfoils vary in (CL/CD) for a given B and λ, and therefore the power generated by HAWT for different blade airfoil sections will vary. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different airfoil sections on HAWT performance using the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory. In this study, we employ DU 91-W2-250, FX 66-S196-V1, NACA 64421, and Flat-back series of airfoils (FB-3500-0050, FB-3500-0875, and FB-3500-1750) and compare their performance with S809 airfoil used in NREL Phase II and III wind turbines; the lift and drag coefficient data for these airfoils sections are available. The output power of the turbine is calculated using these airfoil section blades for a given B and λ and is compared with the original NREL Phase II and Phase III turbines using S809 airfoil section. It is shown that by a suitable choice of airfoil section of HAWT blade, the power generated by the turbine can be significantly increased. Parametric studies are also conducted by varying the turbine rotor diameter.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Multiple sources and multiple causes multiply explored

Multiple sources abound in language, at all levels of linguistic analysis (phonology, syntax, semantics, etc.), and in a range of historical pursuits, including etymology and variationist investigations. From a methodological standpoint, moreover, recognizing multiple sources is often good historical linguistic practice (contrary to inclinations towards neat and elegant solutions that satisfy Occam’s Razor). That is, if we can identify multiple pressures on some part of a language system, it cannot always readily be excluded that some or even all might have played a role in shaping a particular development; if all of the factors represent reasonable pressures that speakers could have been aware of and influenced by, excluding any could simply be arbitrary. In this paper, accordingly, I survey the breadth of multiple sources in a variety of areas of language change, and advance one particular consequence that multiple sources can lead to, namely the hypothesis that recognizing multiple sources can be a basis for positing proto-language variation that is realized in variation within single languages and across related languages.